JP2008152584A - Display image control device and display method thereof, and content display device and display method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To list-display content groups grouped in various conditions in association with each other. <P>SOLUTION: When content groups obtained by grouping contents are displayed as icons, a plurality of icon arrays of content groups in which icons of the content groups is arranged in a first direction according to an order condition of an optional category. Icons of content groups of the other icon array containing the same content as a base content are displayed so as to be arranged in a second direction different from the first direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for processing or displaying a plurality of contents.

  In recent years, in addition to personal computers (PCs) and dedicated storage devices, there are cameras equipped with a storage function for storing captured content, disk recorders for storing broadcast content, and the like. There are also display devices that display a list of contents stored in these devices. Some display devices display a list of all contents as text such as content names.

  Further, in recent years, a method of displaying a list of contents such as thumbnails of contents and partial reproduction of feature parts as a list that is explicitly displayed as an image or video has been performed. In this list display, a plurality of contents are displayed in various orders such as date order or file name order, so that the outline of the contents can be easily seen and the display method is effective for searching for contents.

  In addition, there is a method that makes it easy to search for content by organizing and grouping the content. In this case, there is a method of displaying the grouped content group with one icon or the like. In many cases, an icon of a content group is created from an image of representative content in the content group or an image of part or all of the content.

  However, when displaying a list display of content in this way, in order to make it easy to search for content, display is performed according to various orders. Since the display is switched each time, the data list is efficiently displayed to the user. I couldn't show you.

  Therefore, the content thumbnails are classified by genre, the representative content thumbnails are arranged and displayed in a row, the genre is selected with the left and right keys, and the thumbnails of the content in the genre are displayed and selected with the up and down keys. There is something to do. For example, see Patent Document 1.

  In addition, images of content and content groups are displayed side by side in an array, and one of the content or content group is selected by the first operation. When a content group is selected, an image of the content in the same group is displayed, and the content in the group is further selected by the second operation. There is also a system in which when the content and content group on the array are selected by the first operation, the content selected last by the second operation is displayed as an image of the group. For example, see Patent Document 2.

Moreover, in the content group put together for every group, a content is arranged and displayed based on order data, and it enables it to select a content. There are systems that display the group name at that time, and display the position in the array when individual contents are selected. For example, see Patent Document 3.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-37181 JP 2003-202952 A JP 2006-033776 A

However, the above conventional technique has the following problems.
(1) When visually searching for contents, the contents are grouped and displayed in order to grasp an outline or to arrive at desired contents quickly. When performing this grouping, there are various grouping conditions depending on the search procedure. If these screens are switched or a simple list is displayed, the content list can be grasped and an easy visual search can be performed. could not.
(2) In each content group icon array, it has not been known which content group icon array is arranged as a reference.
(3) When selecting each content group icon currently selected on the array, it was not known which content group icon array is valid.
(4) It was not possible to know which content in the reference content group icon is the content group icon arrangement based on.
(5) When another content group icon is changed to a reference content group icon, it has not been understood which content in the content group icon should be arranged as a reference.
(6) In each content group, the reference content could not be freely selected.
(7) When forming a content group, it has not been understood in what category the group should be formed and arranged.
(8) In the content group icon array of each category, adjacent content group icons are not related, and effective content search cannot be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to display a list of content groups grouped under various conditions with relevance.

  The present invention provides a content group icon corresponding to at least a part of a content group in each array from a plurality of content group arrays in which a plurality of contents are grouped and arranged under a plurality of grouping conditions. Each of the plurality of content group icons is generated, and a display screen is generated based on the plurality of content group icon arrays, and the content group icons corresponding to each of the plurality of content group icon arrays are respectively first. Display screen generating means for generating a display screen for arranging and displaying in the direction, wherein the display screen generating means uses one content among the plurality of contents as a reference content, and each of the plurality of content group icon arrays Containing standard content in Position of the group icon corresponding to Ntsu group and generates a display screen so as to align in the second direction.

  In addition, the present invention provides an array of content icons corresponding to at least a part of content in each array, corresponding to each of a plurality of content arrays in which a plurality of contents including moving images are arranged in a plurality of order conditions, respectively. And a display image control device that generates a display screen based on the arrangement of the plurality of content icons, and when the content icon indicates a moving image, the display image control device includes a plurality of frame icons. Display screen generating means for generating a display screen for displaying the content icons corresponding to each of the arrangements in the first direction, wherein the display screen generating means includes the icons and the frames in any of the arrays One of the icons is a reference icon and corresponds to the reference icon in the other array Wherein the icon indicating the content to generate the display screen so as to align in the second direction.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a content display device that displays a plurality of content icons respectively associated with a plurality of contents, wherein the content icons are arranged in a first direction according to an arbitrary order and displayed as an icon array. Generating a duplicate image of the content icon associated with the reference content in the icon array, and moving the duplicate image along a second direction different from the first direction, And second display means for displaying a state in which an icon array is generated by sequentially arranging content icons outward along the first direction around the duplicate image.

  According to the present invention, by displaying a list of content groups grouped under various conditions with relevance, the user can grasp the outline and perform an easy visual search.

  In addition, it is possible to clearly grasp the content group icon arrangement, the content group icon, and the content as a reference, and to grasp the outline of the content list and perform easy visual search.

  In addition, it is possible to select a content group icon array as a reference and to select a content group icon by scrolling, and at this time, it is also possible to display a list based on the selected content group icon. Furthermore, the reference content can also be changed, and a summary of the content list can be grasped and an easy visual search can be performed.

  In addition, when grouping content and placing groups, related groups can be placed in the vicinity of the content, and it is possible to easily grasp visual information by grasping related content groups and further narrowing down the content groups. it can.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a process will be described in which a plurality of image contents are grouped under a certain group condition to create a content group icon, and the content group icon is displayed in a list in a specified order condition. First, the configuration of the entire system including a content search apparatus that displays a list of content group icons will be described.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content search system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a content search apparatus, which holds content and content group icons and forms an array of content group icons. Then, an array of content group icons is arranged and output to a display device described later. Reference numeral 102 denotes a display device such as a display, which has a function of displaying content output from the content search device 101 and images of content group icons. An operation remote control device 103 has operation input functions such as content selection and display switching.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the content search apparatus 101 and the display apparatus 102 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 in the content search apparatus 101 denotes a central control unit (CPU), which controls the entire content search apparatus according to a program stored in a ROM or the like which will be described later. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM that stores a program and control data of the CPU 201. A RAM 203 is a memory in which work areas and various tables used when the CPU 201 executes control are defined.

  An operation input unit 204 receives an operation command from the operation remote control device 103. A content storage unit 205 stores content to be displayed and searched. A content management unit 206 manages the content stored in the content storage unit 205.

  A content group management unit 207 holds group conditions and order conditions and manages corresponding content groups. A content group creation unit 208 groups the content stored in the content storage unit 205 in accordance with the group conditions of the content group management unit 207 to create a content group.

  A content icon creation unit 209 creates a content group icon for the content group managed by the content group management unit 207. A content icon storage unit 210 holds the content group icons created by the content icon creation unit 209.

  A display control unit 211 arranges content group icons according to a certain order condition held in the content group management unit 207, and arranges the content group icon arrangement to create operation screen data. A display output unit 212 outputs content, its icon, operation screen data created by the display control unit 211, and the like to the display device 102.

  A screen information acquisition unit 213 acquires and manages the screen state displayed on the display unit of the display device 102. Reference numeral 214 denotes an internal bus.

  In the display device 102, reference numeral 221 denotes a central control unit (CPU), 222 denotes a ROM, and 223 denotes a RAM. Reference numeral 224 denotes a display unit that displays the display image data generated by the display control unit 211 of the content search apparatus 101 and output from the display output unit 212. Reference numeral 225 denotes an internal bus.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the operation remote control device 103 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 3, 301 is a key for instructing up, 302 is a key for instructing down, 303 is a key instructing right, and 304 is a key instructing left. These keys are operated by the user when changing the selection of the content icon or changing the selection of the content itself. Reference numeral 305 denotes a confirmation key, which is a key for determining selection and operation.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a content change operation key for switching to an operation for changing the reference content in the reference content group. Reference numeral 307 denotes an operation change key for switching between normal operation and narrowing operation. Reference numeral 308 denotes a screen switching key for switching the screen from the content list display screen to the content group list display screen.

  Next, an operation of changing the display of the content group icon displayed on the display device 102 in accordance with the up / down / left / right instruction keys 301 to 304 of the operation remote controller 103 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 4, content group icons 431 to 437 grouped by date are arranged in order of date, and this is a reference content group icon arrangement. Furthermore, content group icons 421 to 427 grouped by event are arranged in order of event, and content group icons 411 to 417 grouped by person are arranged in order of person. A reference content group icon 434 including the reference content is designated. In the event order group, the reference content is included in the content group icon 424, and in the person order group, the reference content is included in the content group icon 414.

  In this state, when the right instruction key 303 of the operation remote control device 103 is pressed, the content icon array of the date order group scrolls to the left as shown in FIG. 5, and the reference content group icon becomes 435. Here, in the event order group, this reference content is included in the content group icon 423, and in the person order group, it is included in the content group icon 416. Accordingly, the content group icon array is scrolled and arranged so that each of the content group icons 435 is on the content group icon 435.

  In addition, when the upper instruction key 301 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 4, the content icon array of the event order group scrolls down as shown in FIG. 6, and the reference content group icon becomes 424. . Here, in the group in person order, this reference content is included in the content group icon 414, and in the group in date order, it is included in the content group icon 434. Accordingly, the content group icon array is scrolled and arranged so that each is positioned on the content group icon 424.

  In this way, the reference content group icon is changed according to the up / down / left / right instruction keys 301 to 304 of the operation remote controller 103, and in accordance with this change, the content group icon array scrolls and the screen changes.

  Next, the content group icon array is scrolled in accordance with the up / down / left / right instruction keys 301 to 304 of the operation remote controller 103 described above, and when the enter key 305 is pressed, the content icons are displayed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that displays the content icon indicated by the reference content group icon when the enter key 305 is pressed. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 711 denotes a reference content icon, which is displayed differently in appearance from the other content icons, and the content can be selected using the up / down / left / right instruction keys 301 to 304 of the operation remote controller 103. 712 to 741 are normal content icons. If there is a content icon that cannot be displayed on one screen, it is displayed by scrolling.

  When the content change operation key 306 is pressed for the reference content group icon, a change display screen is displayed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reference content change display screen. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 811 denotes a reference content icon, which is displayed differently in appearance from the other content icons. Further, the reference content can be changed with the up / down / left / right instruction keys 301 to 304 of the operation remote controller 103. 812 to 831 are normal content icons. If there is a content icon that cannot be displayed on one screen, it is displayed by scrolling.

  Reference numeral 801 is a reference content group icon, 802 is another content group icon array, 803 is a content group icon, and 804 is an image indicating content.

[Detailed operation description]
Next, the specific operation of the content search apparatus 101 in the first embodiment will be described in several cases.

  First, display of different group conditions such as date order, event order, person order, and display of content group icons arranged in order conditions and screen transition will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen displayed on the display unit 224. In FIG. 9, 911 is a reference content group icon that includes reference content and belongs to the reference content group icon array, and is displayed differently from the other content group icons 912 to 914. Reference numeral 912 denotes a reference content group icon belonging to the content group icon array sorted in the order of events. Reference numeral 913 denotes a reference content group icon belonging to the content group icon array sorted in the order of people.

  Note that the reference content group icons 911 to 913 include reference content. In this example, each content group icon is composed of images showing four contents.

  914 is an example of a content group icon other than the reference content group icons 911 to 913. Among them, there is a reference numeral 934 indicating representative content, which is displayed differently in appearance from images indicating other contents.

  A content group icon array 921 is sorted in date order. A content group icon array 922 is sorted in order of events. A content group icon array 923 is sorted in the order of people. In addition, the content group icon array 921 sorted in order of date is a reference content group icon array in this example, and is displayed differently from the other content group icon arrays 922 and 923.

  Reference numeral 931 denotes an image indicating the reference content in the reference content group icon 911, which is displayed differently in appearance from images indicating other contents. The content group icons 912 and 913 also include images 932 and 933 indicating the reference content. These images 932 and 933 display the same image 931 indicating the reference content, and are displayed different in appearance from images indicating other content.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of content group icons under each order condition. In FIG. 10, the content group icon array sorted in date order is grouped by month, and the reference content group is 1034, 2006/6.

  In the content group icon array sorted in the order of events, the events are further grouped and arranged in the order of the group 1004 of the fishing line 1021, the group 1005 of the curling 1023, and the group 1006 of the camp 1028. This reference content group is soccer 1024.

  In the content group icon array sorted in the order of persons, the persons are further grouped and arranged in the order of the group 1001 of Mr. D 1011, the group 1002 of Mr. A 1013, and the group 1003 of Mr. E 1016. This reference content group is Mr. B 1014.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing content group icon selection processing in the first embodiment. First, a content group list screen is displayed centering on the reference content group icon 911 of the reference content group icon array 921 as shown in FIG. 9 (S1101). Here, when the right instruction key 303 of the operation remote control device 103 is pressed (S1102), the reference content group icon array 921 is scrolled to the left so as to shift from the screen shown in FIG. 4 to the screen shown in FIG. 5 (S1103). ). Then, the content group icon 914 is changed to a reference content group icon, and a display different from the others is displayed. Further, the reference content is changed to 934 which is the representative content of the content group icon 914 (S1104).

  Next, the content group icon array 922 is moved so that the content group icon including the reference content 934 in the content group icon array 922 is arranged on the content group icon 914 (S1105). Also, the content group icon array 923 moves in the same manner. Then, the representative content of these content groups is changed to the same content as the reference content 934 (S1106).

  When the left instruction key 304 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1102), the reference content group icon array 921 is scrolled to the right, and the same operation as when the right instruction key 303 is pressed is performed.

  On the other hand, when the upper instruction key 301 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1107), the content group icon array 922 in the event order is scrolled down so that the screen shown in FIG. 4 is changed to the screen shown in FIG. . Then, the content group icon array 921 in date order is arranged at the top (S1108). Next, the event grouped content group icon array 922 is displayed so as to be different in appearance from other content group icon arrays (S1109).

  When the down instruction key 302 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1107), the content group icon array 921 in the date order is scrolled up. Then, the content group icon array 923 arranged in the order of persons is arranged at the bottom, and the same operation as when the up instruction key 301 is pressed is performed.

  Next, when the confirmation key 305 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1110), the selected reference content group icon is expanded and a list of content icons as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (S1111). When the content change operation key 306 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1112), the screen is switched to a reference content change screen as shown in FIG. 8 (S1113).

  When the operation change operation key 307 of the operation remote control device 103 is pressed (S1114), the screen is switched to a screen for narrowing-down operation for each group as shown in FIG. 13 centering on the currently selected reference content group (see FIG. 13). S1115). Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated until the operation is completed.

  As described above, the content group icon including the reference content can always be displayed in the upward direction with the selected content group as a reference, and an overview of the content list can be grasped and an easy visual search can be performed. Further, the reference content group icon arrangement, the reference content group icon, and the reference content can be easily grasped.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the reference content selection process in the first embodiment. First, a reference content change screen in which the reference content group icon 801 as shown in FIG. 8 is expanded to the content icon base is displayed (S1201). Here, the reference content icon is 811. When the lower instruction key 302 of the operation remote control device 103 is pressed (S1202), the reference content icon is changed to 821, and when the right instruction key 303 is pressed (S1202), the reference content icon is changed to 812 (S1202). S1203).

  In this way, the reference content icon is changed vertically and horizontally, and when the content is changed to a content that is not displayed like the content icon 831 (S1204), the display of the reference content group icon 801 is scrolled. Then, the scrolled content group icon is displayed (S1205). Further, the reference content group 803 included in the other content group icon array 802 is also changed to the content group including the selected reference content, and the icon is displayed on the reference content group icon 801 (S1206). Then, the representative content of the changed content group 803 is changed to the same content as the currently selected reference content (S1207).

  When the enter key 305 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1208), the display is switched to the content group list screen shown in FIG. 9 (S1209).

  In this way, the reference content can be switched within the content group, and the representative content is also changed by making the reference content the reference content immediately before changing the reference content in the reference content group. be able to.

  Next, display of content group icons that are grouped for each event and grouped for each person and further grouped for each person and grouped for each group condition will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen for narrowing down for each group condition. In FIG. 13, 1311 to 1333 are content group icons in respective order conditions, 1341 to 1343 are content group icon arrays, and 1351 to 1355 are images showing the contents in the content group icons.

  In this example, the content group icon array sorted in chronological order is a reference content group icon array 1341, which is displayed differently from the other content group icon arrays 1342 and 1343.

  Reference numeral 1311 denotes a reference content group icon belonging to the reference content group icon array 1341, and the contents included in the reference content group icon can be classified into content groups indicated by content group icons 1321 to 1323.

  Reference numeral 1321 denotes a reference content group icon belonging to the content group icon array 1342 sorted in the order of events, and the contents included therein can be classified into the content groups indicated by the content group icons 1331-1333. Reference numeral 1331 denotes reference content group icons belonging to the content group icon array 1343 sorted in the order of people.

  The content group icons 1311, 1321, and 1331 include images 1351, 1352, and 1353 that indicate reference content, respectively.

  Reference numeral 1351 denotes an image showing the reference content in the reference content group icon 1311. The content group icons 1321 and 1331 also include images 1352 and 1353 indicating the reference content. This displays the same image 1351 that shows the reference content in the reference content group icon 1311. Reference numerals 1354 and 1355 denote images representing representative contents in the content group icons 1312 and 1322.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of content group arrangement in a narrowed-down array for each group condition. In FIG. 14, the content group icon array sorted in date order is grouped by month, and the reference content group is 1434 2006/6. The content group icon arrays sorted in the order of events are further grouped by content groups included in the content groups 1431 to 1439, respectively. Specifically, the contents included in 2006/6 of the reference content group 1434 are classified and arranged as tennis of the content group 1423, golf of 1424, and party of 1425 (1405).

  The contents included in 2006/5 of the content group 1433 are classified and arranged as tennis of the content group 1421 and travel of 1422 (1404). The contents included in 2006/7 of the content group 1435 are classified and arranged as camping of the content group 1426, tennis of 1427, golf of 1428, and fishing of 1429 (1406).

  Furthermore, the content group icon arrangements sorted in the order of people are further grouped by content groups included in each of the content groups 1421-1429. Specifically, the contents included in the golf of the content group 1424 are classified and arranged as Mr. A of the content group 1413, Mr. B of 1414, Mr. C of 1415, and Mr. F of 1416 (1402).

  The contents included in the tennis of the content group 1423 are classified and arranged as Mr. A of the content group 1411 and Mr. D of 1412 (1401). The contents included in the party of the content group 1425 are classified and arranged as Mr. B of the content group 1417, Mr. D of 1418, and Mr. F of 1419.

  In each arrangement, there are a plurality of content groups to be grouped in the same group, but this is narrowed down from the reference content group, and the contained content is different.

  Here, when the user changes the reference content group icon 1311 to the left adjacent content group icon 1312 on the group-by-group narrowing screen shown in FIG. 13, the screen transitions to the group-by-group narrowing screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user interface screen illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the reference content group icon is changed from 1311 to 1312. The reference content is 1354 that is the representative content in the content group icon 1312.

  Further, the content included in the reference content group icon 1312 can be classified into content groups indicated by the content group icons 1324 and 1325. Reference numeral 1324 includes an image 1356 showing the same content as the reference content 1354, and becomes a reference content group icon belonging to the content group icon array sorted in order of events. Further, the content included in the content group icon 1324 can be classified into content groups indicated by the content group icons 1334 and 1335.

  Further, on the right side of the content group icon 1324, a content group icon 1322 included in the content group icon 1311 on the right side of the original content group icon 1312 is displayed. Reference numeral 1334 includes an image 1356 showing the same content as the reference content 1354, and becomes a reference content group icon belonging to the content group icon array sorted in the order of people.

  Further, to the left of the content group icon 1334, a content group icon 1336 included in the content group icon 1325 on the left of the original content group icon 1324 is displayed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a narrowed content group icon selection process according to the first embodiment. First, a content group list screen is displayed centering on the reference content group icon 1311 of the reference content group icon array 1341 as shown in FIG. 13 (S1601). When the left instruction key 304 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1602), the reference content group icon array 1341 is scrolled to the right as shown in FIG. 15 (S1603). Then, the reference content group icon is changed to 1312 and the appearance is different from the others. Further, the reference content is changed to 1354 which is the representative content of the content group icon 1312 (S1604).

  Next, the content group icon array 1342 is moved so that the content group icon including the reference content 1354 in the array is arranged on the content group icon 1312 (S1605). Also, the content group icon array 1343 moves in the same manner. Then, the representative content of these content groups is changed to the same content as the reference content 1354 (S1606).

  When the right instruction key 303 of the operation remote control device 103 is pressed (S1602), the reference content group icon array 1341 is scrolled to the left, and the same operation as when the left instruction key 304 is pressed is performed.

  On the other hand, when the upper instruction key 301 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 13 (S1607), the reference content group icon moves to 1321 (S1608). Further, in this state, when the left instruction key 304 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed, the content group icon array 1342 is scrolled to the right (S1603). Then, the reference content group icon is changed to 1322, and the appearance is different from the others. Further, the reference content is changed to 1355 which is the representative content of the content group icon 1322 (S1604).

  Next, the content group icon array 1343 is moved so that the content group icon including the reference content 1355 in the array is arranged on the content group icon 1322 (S1605). Then, the representative content of these content groups is changed to the same content as the reference content 1355 (S1606). Here, since the content group icon 1311 in the reference content group icon array 1341 includes the reference content 1355, the content is not moved and the representative content is changed to the same content as the reference content 1355 (S1606).

  Next, when the enter key 305 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1609), the selected reference content group icon is expanded and a list of content icons as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (S1610).

  When the content change operation key 306 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1611), the screen is switched to a reference content change screen as shown in FIG. 8 (S1612). Further, when the operation change operation key 307 of the operation remote controller 103 is pressed (S1613), the content group list display screen as shown in FIG. 9 is switched centering on the currently selected reference content group (S1614). Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated until the operation is completed.

  In this way, when grouping content and placing groups, related groups can be placed in the vicinity, and it is easy to perform visual search by grasping related content groups and further narrowing down content groups. Can do.

  In the first embodiment, the content group icon array is arranged in three columns of date order, event order, and person order, but it may be two columns or four columns or more. Further, each group is grouped in a different category, but the content groups may be grouped in the same date order, such as daily, monthly, or yearly.

  Further, although the reference content group icons are displayed in all the content icon arrays, the display is performed only in the reference content icon arrays, and the reference content group icons may not be displayed in the other content icon arrays.

  Furthermore, the content group icon may be composed of an image that is not an image indicating content, an image that indicates one or more arbitrary contents, and an image that indicates all the contents included in the content group.

  In addition, the screen is generated so that the reference content group icon is arranged in the second direction perpendicular to the content group icon arrangement, but the second direction may be arranged so as to intersect the diagonal direction. good. Even in this case, the screen is generated so that the reference content group icons are always arranged in the constant second direction.

  Further, although the position in the screen indicating the reference content group icon is always arranged at the center, it may be moved left and right. Even in this case, the intersection of the first direction and the second direction moves, but the screen is generated so that the reference content group icons are always arranged in the constant second direction.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In recent years, digital home appliances such as a digital camera, a digital video camera, a digital video disk recorder, and a flat-screen television are rapidly spreading. In these digital home appliances, contents such as still images and moving images are created, stored, reproduced, and edited. With the increase in storage capacity and price, the proportion of moving images in these contents continues to increase.

  Video content differs from still image content in that it has a time axis, so it is different from still image content in order to understand its outline and perform playback and editing by specifying the required frame (scene). Is required.

  The most common function is to play, fast forward, and rewind a moving image. Also, analyze the characteristics of the frames in the video content to determine the boundary, display a list of representative frame still images in the section divided by the boundary, specify the still image, edit the section, etc. It is known to perform an operation (see, for example, JP-A-6-209451).

  Further, it is known that a chapter display screen is displayed when chapter display is instructed with respect to moving image content set with a cue point called a chapter. On the chapter display screen, the selected section of the moving image content is repeatedly displayed as a moving image, and thumbnails (reduced images) corresponding to the preceding and following chapters are further displayed (see, for example, JP-A-2006-86612).

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that the operation becomes complicated when a necessary scene in the content is found and reproduced or edited while selecting the moving image content. For example, it is necessary to search and sort on a screen for managing content, narrow down a desired content group, select content sequentially from the narrowed content group, and switch to a chapter display screen to select a necessary scene.

  Although it is possible to display scenes of all narrowed contents, the same operation is required when it is desired to add scenes of other contents. Although it is conceivable to display scenes of all contents, the number of scenes increases, making it difficult to select necessary scenes.

  The second embodiment improves operability when a scene is selected from a plurality of moving image contents in a content reproduction / editing apparatus.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the content reproduction editing apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the content playback / editing apparatus 1700 includes a CPU 1701, a ROM 1702, a RAM 1703, a display interface 1704, an infrared input interface 1705, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 1706.

  The display interface 1704 converts screen information from a display device driver (not shown) into a signal that can be processed by the display 1710. The infrared input interface 1705 receives an infrared signal from the infrared remote controller 1720 and converts it into information that can be processed by an infrared interface device driver (not shown).

  Although not shown here, an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), each processing program described later, a device driver, and the like are stored in the HDD 1706, temporarily stored in the RAM 1703, and executed by the CPU 1701 as appropriate. The ROM 1702 stores an input / output control program, and stores processing by the CPU 1701 for starting up the OS stored in the HDD 1706 when the power is turned on.

  Unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals are given to those described with reference to other drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the content reproduction / editing apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the content playback / editing apparatus 1700 includes a storage unit 1801, an operation acquisition unit 1802, a display output unit 1803, a display control unit 1804, and an operation execution unit 1805.

  The storage unit 1801 stores content information (FIG. 20), moving image frame information (FIG. 21), an array (FIGS. 22 and 23), and playlist information (FIG. 30) which will be described later. Further, content data and thumbnail data (not shown) are also stored in the storage unit 1801.

  The operation acquisition unit 1802 transmits an operation instruction from the infrared remote controller 1720 to the display control unit 204. The display output unit 1803 performs display output on the display 1710 based on the screen data generated by the display control unit 1804. Here, the screen data may be image data or information for generating image data.

  In response to the operation instruction acquired by the operation acquisition unit 1802, the display control unit 1804 reads the content and the thumbnail of the moving image frame stored in the storage unit 1801. And it arrange | positions based on the arrangement | sequence (FIGS. 22 and 23) mentioned later, and produces | generates screen data. Further, in response to the operation instruction acquired by the operation acquisition unit 1802, the operation execution unit 1805 instructs an operation on the content.

  Based on an instruction from the display control unit 1804, the operation execution unit 1805 reproduces (reads and displays) the corresponding content stored in the storage unit 1801, deletes, and edits playlist information (FIG. 30) described later. Execute. Further, in accordance with these processes, content information (FIG. 20), moving image frame information (FIG. 21), and arrays (FIGS. 22 and 23) described later are updated as appropriate.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the infrared remote controller 1720 according to the second embodiment. The infrared remote controller 1720 includes a right button 1903 for instructing right scroll, a left button 1904 for instructing left scroll, an upper button 1901 for instructing upward movement, and a lower button 1902 for instructing downward movement. In addition, a menu button 1906 for instructing operation menu display, a determination button 1905 for determining an item of the operation menu, and a return button 1907 for returning from the operation menu or reproduction display are provided.

  Note that the infrared remote controller 1720 shown in FIG. 19 is merely an example, and the arrangement, button names, and the like are not limited thereto.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of content information in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the content information 2000 includes items of content name, date, person, place, event, content file name, and thumbnail file name, and is stored in the storage unit 1801. For example, the content whose content name is “photo1” has date / time information “2006-01-15”, person information “Taro”, location information “Tokyo”, and event information “Travel”. Further, the file name of the content entity is “contents / photo1.jpg”, and the thumbnail file name is “thum / photo1_thum.jpg”.

  The content information 2000 described above is merely an example, and the configuration, names, values, etc. of items are not limited to this.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of moving image frame information according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the moving picture frame information 2100 includes moving picture frame name, content name, position, and thumbnail file name items, and is stored in the storage unit 1801. Here, the content name is the name of the content having the corresponding moving image frame, and the position represents a temporal position in the content.

  For example, a moving image frame with a moving image frame name “video1-frame1” has a content name “video1” and a position “00:00:00”. Furthermore, the file name of the thumbnail is “thum / video1_f1_thum.jpg”.

  The moving picture frame information 2100 described above is merely an example, and the configuration, name, value, etc. of items are not limited to this.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement information according to the second embodiment. 22 are generated based on the content information 2000 and stored in the storage unit 1801. The arrays 2201 to 2204 illustrated in FIG. Here, the array 2201 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 are sorted in order of date. The array 2202 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 are sorted in the order of people. The array 2203 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 are sorted in order of location. The array 2204 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 are sorted in order of events.

  For example, the array 2201 indicates that the date order of content names is “photo2”, “video2”, “photo1”, “video1”,.

  The arrays 2201 to 2204 described above are merely examples, and the configuration, names, values, and the like of the arrays are not limited thereto. Further, these arrays may be generated from the content information 2000 only when necessary.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement information of frame display levels in the second embodiment. Arrays 2301 to 2304 illustrated in FIG. 23 are generated based on the content information 2000 and the moving image frame information 2100 and stored in the storage unit 1801. Here, the array 2301 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 and the moving image frame names of the moving image frame information 2100 are sorted in order of date. The array 2302 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 and the moving image frame names of the moving image frame information 2100 are sorted in the order of people. The array 2303 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 and the moving image frame names of the moving image frame information 2100 are sorted in order of location. The array 2304 is an array in which the content names of the content information 2000 and the moving image frame names of the moving image frame information 2100 are sorted in the order of events. Here, the content information 2000 indicating the same content as the moving image frame information 2100 is excluded.

  For example, the array 2301 indicates that the date order of the content information 2000 and the moving image frame information 2100 is “photo2”, “video2-frame1”, “video2-frame2”, “video2-frame3”,.

  The arrays 2301 to 2304 described above are merely examples, and the configuration, names, values, and the like of the arrays are not limited thereto. Further, these arrays may be generated from the content information 2000 and the moving image frame information 2100 only when necessary.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the user interface screen 2400 includes thumbnail arrays 2401 to 2404 corresponding to the arrays. The thumbnail array 2401 is a selection array that is an operation instruction target, and is enlarged and displayed so that it can be distinguished from the other thumbnail arrays 2402 to 2404 in appearance.

  A thumbnail 2405 of “video1-frame2” located at the center of the thumbnail array 2401 is a selected thumbnail to be an operation instruction target, and is enlarged so as to be distinguished from other thumbnails, and a frame is displayed. A thumbnail group indicated by 2406 is a thumbnail group indicating the same content as the selected thumbnail “video1-frame2”, and is arranged in the vertical direction in this example.

  In this example, the thumbnail array 2401 corresponds to the array 2301, the thumbnail array 2402 corresponds to the array 2201, the thumbnail array 2403 corresponds to the array 2302, and the thumbnail array 2404 corresponds to the array 2202, but this is not restrictive.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen after the user interface screen 2400 according to the second embodiment is scrolled horizontally. The user interface screen 2500 is a user interface screen after the left button 1904 of the infrared remote controller 1720 is pressed twice in the display state of the user interface screen 2400. That is, the thumbnail “video3-frame1” that is the next two to the right of “video1-frame2” that was the selected thumbnail on the user interface screen 2400 is changed to the selected thumbnail on the user interface screen 2500. Further, the other thumbnail arrangement is updated so that thumbnails indicating the same content “video3” as the selected thumbnail “video3-frame1” are arranged in the vertical direction.

  In this example, the position of the selected icon is fixed at the center, but the position of the selected icon may be moved.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user interface screen after the user interface screen 2500 according to the second embodiment is moved in the vertical direction. The user interface screen 2600 is a user interface screen after the lower button 1902 of the infrared remote controller 1720 is pressed once in the display state of the user interface screen 2500. That is, the “person order” thumbnail array virtually located below the “date order (frame display)” thumbnail array, which was the selection array on the user interface screen 2500, is changed to the selection array.

  In this example, the position of the selected array is moved up and down, but the position of the selected array may be fixed and the icon array may be scrolled vertically.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen after scrolling horizontally on the user interface screen 2600 according to the second embodiment. The user interface screen 2700 is a user interface screen after the left button 1904 of the infrared remote controller 1720 is pressed once in the display state of the user interface screen 2600. That is, “video7” to the right of “video3”, which was the selected thumbnail on the user interface screen 2600, is changed to the selected thumbnail on the user interface screen 2700. Further, the other thumbnail arrangement is updated so that thumbnails indicating the same content as the selected thumbnail “video7” are arranged in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen displaying an operation menu for content according to the second embodiment. In the user interface screen 2800, reference numeral 2801 denotes an operation menu for content. That is, the operation menu 2801 can be selected from three operations of “play selected content”, “add selected content to playlist”, and “delete selected content” for the content indicated by the selected thumbnail “video1”. It shows that there is. When the selected thumbnail is a content thumbnail, the operation menu 2801 is displayed by pressing the menu button 1906 of the infrared remote controller 1720, selected by the up and down buttons 1901 and 1902, and determined by the enter button 1905.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen that is displaying an operation menu for a moving image frame according to the second embodiment. In the user interface screen 2900, reference numeral 2901 denotes an operation menu for a moving image frame. That is, in the operation menu 2901, operations relating to playback, playlist addition, deletion, and range setting for the moving image frame corresponding to the selected thumbnail “video1-frame2” can be selected.

  For adding and deleting playlists, it is possible to specify a range within the video content, and each of them is “before the selected frame”, “after the selected frame”, and “from the range start point to the selected frame”. You can choose from. The range start point is stored in advance by determining “Set selected frame as range start point”.

  The operation menu 2901 is displayed by pressing the menu button 1906 of the infrared remote controller 1720 when the selected thumbnail is a thumbnail of a moving image frame, selected by the up and down buttons 1901 and 1902, and determined by the determination button 1905.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of playlist information according to the second embodiment. The playlist information 3000 shown in FIG. 30 is updated by determining the playlist addition operation described with reference to FIGS. The playlist information 3000 indicates that the content in the playlist is from “photo2”, “video2”, “video1-frame2” to the end of “video2” (hereinafter omitted).

  In this example, one pre-list has been described, but there may be a plurality of pre-lists. However, in that case, it is necessary to add a menu or the like for selecting a playlist.

  Further, although editing of the contents in the playlist is not particularly described, functions such as deletion of the contents in the playlist and change of the order can be easily imagined.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing processing of the content reproduction / editing apparatus according to the second embodiment. First, when the CPU 1701 starts the activation process, arrays 2201 to 2204 and 2301 to 2304 are generated based on the content information 2000 and the moving image frame information 2100 (S3101). Next, a selection array and a selection thumbnail are determined (S3102). Then, the array to be displayed is sequentially read out from the array generated in S3101 (S3103).

  Next, when the read array is the selected array (Yes in S3104), the thumbnail is arranged in the horizontal direction so that the selected thumbnail and the array are emphasized based on the array and displayed (S3121). ). If the read array is not the selected array (No in S3104), the thumbnails are arranged in the horizontal direction so that the thumbnail pointing to the same content as the selected thumbnail is centered (position aligned with the selected thumbnail) based on the array. Is displayed (S3105). After the display in S3105 or S3121, if there remains an array in S3106, the process returns to S3103 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if no array remains (finished) in S3106, the process proceeds to S3107. In S3107, an operation instruction is acquired, and in the case of a horizontal scroll instruction (Yes in S3108), the selected thumbnail is changed according to the scroll direction (S3131), and the process is repeated from S3103. If the instruction is not a horizontal scroll instruction (No in S3108) and a vertical movement instruction is given (Yes in S3109), the selected array is changed according to the moving direction (S3141), and the process is repeated from S3103.

  If the operation menu display instruction is not a vertical movement instruction (S3109, No) (Yes in S3110), an operation menu is arranged and displayed according to the selected thumbnail (S3151). Then, a content operation process described later is performed (S3152), and the process returns to S3107. In addition, when it is not an operation menu display instruction (No in S3110) but a stop instruction (Yes in S3111), this process ends. However, if it is not a stop instruction (No in S3111), the process returns to S3107. It is assumed that the stop instruction is issued by pressing a power button (not shown).

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing content operation processing in the second embodiment. First, the operation instruction determined by the operation menu is acquired (S3201). If the operation instruction is a reproduction instruction for the selected content (Yes in S3202), the selected content is reproduced (S3221), and the process returns from this process. If it is not a reproduction instruction of the selected content (No in S3202), the process proceeds to S3203. If the operation instruction is a playlist addition instruction for the selected content (Yes in S3203), the selected content is added to the playlist (S3231), and the process returns from this process. If it is not a play list addition instruction for the selected content (No in S3203), the process proceeds to S3204.

  When the operation instruction is an instruction to delete the selected content (Yes in S3204), the selected content is deleted (S3241), and the process returns from this process. If it is not an instruction to delete the selected content (No in S3204), the process proceeds to S3205. If the operation instruction is a reproduction instruction for the selected frame (Yes in S3205), the moving image content is cued and reproduced based on the content name and position of the moving image frame information of the selected frame (S3251), and the process returns. . If it is not a reproduction instruction of the selected frame (No in S3205), the process proceeds to S3206.

  If the operation instruction is a playlist addition instruction for the selected frame (Yes in S3206), the specified section in the moving image content is added to the playlist (S3261), and the process returns from this process. If it is not a play list addition instruction for the selected frame (No in S3206), the process proceeds to S3207. Here, in the case of an instruction to delete the selected frame (Yes in S3207), the designated section in the moving image content is deleted (S3271), and the process returns from this process. If it is not an instruction to delete the selected frame (No in S3207), the process proceeds to S3208.

  Here, when the operation instruction is a selection start range setting instruction for a selected frame (S3208, Yes), the selection frame is stored as a start range (S3281), and the process returns from this process.

  The section in S3261 and S3271 is either a section before the selected frame of the moving image content, a section after the selected frame, or a section for which a range is specified, and is specified together with the operation instruction. .

  According to the second embodiment, when scrolling is performed in the thumbnail arrangement of content, the thumbnail of the moving image frame corresponding to the arrangement is displayed, so that the content can be selected while checking the content of the moving image frame.

  Further, when it is desired to select a moving image frame, since it can be selected by an array moving operation and a scrolling operation as in the case of selecting a content, the operability is improved.

  Furthermore, when scrolling and selecting a video frame, thumbnails of related content centered on the corresponding video content are displayed in other arrays, and thumbnails of those video frames are displayed in other arrays. Selection of related frames is facilitated.

[Modification 1 of Second Embodiment]
Next, a first modification of the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration, the functional configuration, the infrared remote controller, the content information, the moving image frame information, the arrangement, the operation menu, the prelist information, and the content operation processing are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen according to Modification 1 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 33, on this user interface screen 3300, four arrays of “date order (frame display)”, “person order”, “location order”, and “event order” are displayed.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface screen after the vertical movement of the user interface screen 3300. As shown in FIG. 34, on the user interface screen 3400, the “date order” array is displayed at the position of the “date order (frame display)” array that is the selected array on the user interface screen 3300. Then, the “person order (frame display)” array is displayed as a new selection array at the position of the “person order” array.

  In the first modification, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the selected arrangement is an arrangement of frame display, and the arrangement of only the contents having the same order condition as the selected arrangement is not displayed.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing processing in Modification 1 of the second embodiment. Note that the processing of S3501 to S3511 and S3521 to S3552 is the same as the processing of S3101 to S3111 and S3121 to S3152 shown in FIG. 31 described in the second embodiment.

  Here, processing different from the processing in the second embodiment will be described. After the array is generated and the selected thumbnail is determined, if the read array is not the selected array (No in S3504), the process proceeds to S3561. In S3561, it is determined whether the array has the same order condition as the selected array. If the same order condition is not satisfied (No in S3561), thumbnails are arranged in the horizontal direction based on the arrangement and displayed (S3505). However, if the array has the same order condition as the selected array (Yes in S3561), the process proceeds to S3506 without performing the process of S3505.

  According to the first modification, it is possible to display an array of more order conditions in a limited display area, and the operability when selecting a moving image frame in the related moving image content is improved.

[Modification 2 of the second embodiment]
Next, a second modification of the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration, the functional configuration, the infrared remote controller, the content information, the moving image frame information, the arrangement, the operation menu, the prelist information, and the content operation processing are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen according to Modification 2 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 36, the user interface screen 3600 displays four arrays of “date order (frame display)”, “date order”, “person order (frame display)”, and “person order”. Here, in an array other than the selected array, a thumbnail indicating the same content as the selected thumbnail is not displayed, and information based on the respective order conditions, here, person information 3601, 3602, and date information 3603 are displayed. In the “person order (frame display)” arrangement, “video1-frame2” and “video1-frame3” are not displayed, but “video5-frame1” and “video5-frame2” adjacent to those positions are displayed. The

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface screen after the vertical movement of the user interface screen 3600. As shown in FIG. 37, on the user interface screen 3700, the selected arrangement is changed to an arrangement of “person order (frame display)”. Then, “video1-frame1”, “video1-frame2”, and “video1-frame3” that are not displayed are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the same thumbnail as the selected thumbnail and the thumbnail of the moving image frame of the same content are not displayed, and the operation is performed to display thumbnails of other adjacent content.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the second modification of the second embodiment. The processing other than S3805 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 31 described in the second embodiment.

  After the array is generated and the selected thumbnail is determined, if the read array is not the selected array (No in S3804), the thumbnail indicating the same content as the selected thumbnail is centered based on the array, and the position corresponds to the order condition Place the information. Further, the same content is removed from the thumbnail, and the thumbnails are arranged in the horizontal direction and displayed (S3805).

  According to the second embodiment, the moving image content can be selected while confirming the scene, the scene can be selected by the same operation as the operation on the content, and reproduction and editing are possible. Therefore, the operability with respect to the scene of the moving image content is improved.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In recent years, with the development of computer technology, it has become possible to easily store content such as still images and moving images in a storage device and play them on a display with a non-PC device such as a television screen.

  As such an environment becomes widespread, the amount of content to be stored has increased enormously. For this reason, it is difficult to know where the content is stored, and it is difficult to take out the desired content. In addition, there is a problem in that stored content is stored in a storage device and is not reproduced and stored.

  Further, when an operation screen is displayed on a television screen, it is necessary to have better visual quality and easier operation than a PC operation screen.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the Windows (registered trademark) Media Center (WMC), conventional file access is simplified, and the cross structure of the remote controller is used to follow the hierarchical structure to enable content access. In the cross media bar (registration display) (XMB), media icons and content icons are arranged in a cross shape to enable intuitive selection of content.

  There is also a method of making it easy to search for content by organizing and grouping the content. In this case, the grouped content group is displayed with one icon or the like. At this time, the icon of the content group is often created from the image of the representative content in the content group or from the image of part or all of the content.

  However, when displaying a list display of content, in order to make it easy to find the content, the display is performed according to various orders. Since the display is switched each time, the data list can be efficiently displayed to the user. There wasn't.

  Under these circumstances, the content thumbnails are divided into genres, the representative content thumbnails are arranged and displayed in a row, the genre is selected with the left and right keys, and the content thumbnails in the genre are displayed with the up and down keys. There is something to choose.

  In addition, images of content and content groups are displayed side by side in a certain array, and one of the content or content group can be selected by the first operation. When a content group is selected, an image of the content in the same group is displayed, and the content in the group can be selected by the second operation. There is also a system in which when the content and content group on the array are selected again by the first operation, the content selected last by the second operation is displayed as an image of the group.

  Moreover, in the content group collected for each group, the content is arranged and displayed based on the order data so that the content can be selected. At that time, there is a system that displays a group name or a position in an array when individual contents are selected.

  In addition, video content differs from still image content in that it has a time axis. Therefore, in order to grasp the outline and specify the required frame (scene) for playback and editing, what is still image content? Different functions are required.

  The most common function is to play, fast forward, and rewind a moving image.

  Also, analyze the characteristics of the frames in the video content to determine the boundary, display a list of representative frame still images in the section divided by the boundary, specify the still image, edit the section, etc. It is known to perform operations.

  Further, it is known that a chapter display screen is displayed when chapter display is instructed with respect to moving image content set with a cue point called a chapter. On the chapter display screen, the selected section of the moving image content is repeatedly displayed as a moving image, and thumbnails (reduced images) corresponding to the preceding and following chapters are further displayed.

  However, although the WMC and XMB improve the access method to the desired content, the content related to the selected content cannot be recognized. Therefore, the user is forced to operate while thinking about the best search method after thinking of the content to be browsed next.

  Further, when visually searching for content, the content is grouped and displayed in order to grasp an outline and to quickly reach a desired content. However, when performing this grouping, there are various grouping conditions depending on the search procedure. If you switch screens or display a simple list, it is easy to understand the content list Visual search was not possible.

  In addition, in each content group icon array, it has not been known which content group icon array is arranged as a reference.

  In addition, in WMC, in order to access content existing in different hierarchical groups, it is necessary to go back and select a hierarchy again. In addition, when a further hierarchy is expressed, the display is broken.

  When the content is a moving image, the conventional technique has a problem that the operation becomes complicated when the necessary scene in the content is found and reproduced or edited while selecting the moving image content. For example, it is necessary to search and sort on a content management screen to narrow down a desired content group, select the content in order from them, and switch to the chapter display screen to select a necessary scene. Although it is conceivable to display scenes of all narrowed contents, the same operation is necessary when it is desired to add scenes of other contents. Although it is conceivable to display scenes of all contents, there is a problem that the number of scenes increases and selection of necessary scenes becomes difficult.

  The third embodiment aims to improve operability when selecting a scene from a plurality of moving image contents in a content display device.

  FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a content display device according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 39, reference numeral 3901 denotes an operation unit for performing operation input. Reference numeral 3902 denotes a CPU, which performs calculations and logic judgments for various processes, controls each component connected to the bus 3906, generates display data, and outputs the display data to the display output unit Also serves. Reference numeral 3903 denotes a display output unit for outputting display data. As the display output unit 3903, an LCD capable of outputting a bitmap image is used, but a display such as a CRT may be used.

  Reference numeral 3904 denotes a program memory, which is a memory in which a program for control by the CPU 3902 including a processing procedure of a flowchart to be described later is recorded. The program memory 3904 may be a ROM or a RAM in which a program is loaded from an external storage device or the like prior to processing.

  Reference numeral 3905 denotes a storage unit that stores display data such as contents and content icons and data generated by various processes. The storage unit 3905 is a RAM, but may be a hard disk or a nonvolatile external storage medium. In that case, it is assumed that it is loaded prior to processing or is referred to whenever necessary.

  Reference numeral 3906 denotes a bus, which transfers an address signal indicating each component controlled by the CPU 3902, a control signal for controlling each component, and data exchanged between the components.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content display screen according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 40, reference numeral 4001 denotes a thumbnail indicating a representative still image of still image content classified in the horizontal direction in the category Date. Reference numeral 4002 denotes thumbnails of still images classified in the category of Date in the horizontal direction. Since the representative still image thumbnail 4001 is representative of the thumbnails 4002 of other still images, the size is relatively large.

  Reference numeral 4011 denotes a thumbnail indicating a representative still image of the still image content classified in the horizontal category “Location”. Reference numeral 4011 denotes a thumbnail that points to the same still image as 4001, but it is slightly smaller in size than 4001 and is arranged at the upper right of 4001 because the still image appears to be placed three-dimensionally in the back. ing. 4011 may have different sizes and different positions.

  Reference numeral 4012 denotes thumbnails of still images classified in the horizontal direction in the category of Location. The representative still image thumbnail 4011 is representative of the thumbnails 4012 of other still images, and thus has a relatively large size.

  Reference numeral 4021 denotes a thumbnail showing a representative still image of still image contents classified in the category of Event in the horizontal direction. 4021 is a thumbnail indicating the same still image as 4011. However, in order to make it appear that the still image is placed in the back in three dimensions, the size is slightly smaller than that of 4011 and is arranged at the upper right of 4011. Has been. 4021 may have a different size and a different position.

  Reference numeral 4022 denotes thumbnails of still images classified in the horizontal direction in the category of Location. Since the representative still image thumbnail 4021 is representative of the thumbnails 4022 of other still images, the size is relatively large.

  In the third embodiment, an example is shown in which classification is performed by three categories of Date, Location, and Event. However, any number of categories that are two levels higher, such as adding a category of People, may be used. Also, although still images are introduced as content, other content such as music may be used.

  In addition, it can be classified by category, has a common representative screen, and can easily find content across categories, but understand that the common representative screen points to the same content when first viewing this screen It may not be easy.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the content display screen is displayed, it is easy to understand that the common representative screen indicates the same content by sequentially displaying it using dynamic animation. It is trying to become.

  A state in which the screen configuration of the third embodiment is sequentially displayed using dynamic animation when the content display screen shown in FIG. 40 is displayed will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration example of a display screen displayed first in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 41, a still image thumbnail 4101 that is a content icon indicating a representative still image that is a reference content included in the category Date is displayed at the bottom center of the screen. Then, the thumbnails 4102 of the still image array included in the category Date are displayed side by side on the left and right of the reference thumbnail 4101.

  Next, a duplicate image 4201 of the thumbnail 4101 indicating the reference representative still image is created and displayed superimposed on the thumbnail 4101 indicating the representative still image as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the duplicate image 4201 moves on the screen while being reduced in size, displayed sequentially, and displayed side by side with the thumbnail 4101 indicating the representative still image as shown in FIG. Stop at the position. Here, the duplicate image 4201 is referred to as a reference thumbnail.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 45, a thumbnail 4501 of an array of still images included in the category “Location” is displayed at the position of the reference thumbnail 4201, and moves separately to the left and right of the reference thumbnail 4201. Then, as shown in FIG. 46, the thumbnail 4501 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the reference thumbnail 4201.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 47, a thumbnail 4701 of an array of still images included in the category “Location” is displayed at the position of the reference thumbnail 4201 and moved separately to the left and right of the reference thumbnail 4201 as shown in FIG. . As shown in FIG. 49, the thumbnail 4701 stops at the position where it is displayed side by side with the thumbnail 4501.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 50, a duplicate image 5001 of the reference thumbnail 4201 is created and displayed on the reference thumbnail 4201 in the same manner as in the case of the thumbnail 4101 indicating the reference representative still image. 51, the duplicate image 5001 moves on the screen, is sequentially displayed, and stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the reference thumbnail 4201 as shown in FIG. Here, the duplicate image 5001 is referred to as a reference thumbnail.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 53, the thumbnail 5301 of the still image array included in the category of Event is displayed at the position of the reference thumbnail 5001, and moves separately to the left and right of the reference thumbnail 5001. As shown in FIG. 54, the thumbnail 5301 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the reference thumbnail 5001.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 55, a thumbnail 5501 of an array of still images included in the category of Event is displayed at the position of the reference thumbnail 5001 and moved separately to the left and right of the reference thumbnail 5001 as shown in FIG. . As shown in FIG. 57, the thumbnail 5501 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the thumbnail 5301.

  In the third embodiment, the case where three categories are provided and three columns are displayed has been described. However, two or more categories are sufficient, and even when there are three or more columns, the same operation is sequentially performed.

  Here, the process of displaying the content display screen using the dynamic animation described above will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process in which the CPU 3902 generates display data of content and content icons stored in the storage unit 3905 according to the program recorded in the program memory 3904 and causes the display output unit 3903 to display the display data.

  FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing screen display processing according to the third embodiment. First, when processing is started, the first category is set in S5801. In S5802, a thumbnail (representative thumbnail) of a representative image serving as a reference for the category set in S5801 is displayed. In step S5803, thumbnails of images other than the representative image are displayed on the representative thumbnail.

  In step S5804, the thumbnail on the representative thumbnail is moved. In step S5805, the process returns to step S5804 until the target coordinates are reached, and the movement is repeated. Thereafter, when the target coordinates are reached, the process proceeds to S5806 to set the next category. In step S5807, it is determined whether there is a category to be displayed next. If there is no category, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is a category to be displayed next in S5807, the process advances to S5808 to create a thumbnail copy of the representative image of the set category. In step S5809, the duplicate image is displayed at the original thumbnail position.

  In step S5810, the duplicate image is moved. In step S5811, the process returns to step S5810 until the target coordinates are reached, and the movement is repeated. Thereafter, when the target coordinate is reached, the process returns to S5803, and the above process is repeated until there is no category to be displayed next.

[Modification 1 of the third embodiment]
Next, a first modification of the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of the content display device in Modification 1 of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 39 described in the third embodiment. The configuration of the content display screen is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 40 described in the third embodiment.

  Here, the state of sequential display in the first modification of the third embodiment in which the dynamic animation order is different will be described with reference to FIGS. 59 to 75.

  FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration example of a display screen that is initially displayed in the first modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 59, a still image thumbnail 5901 that is a content icon indicating a representative still image that is a reference content included in the category Date is displayed at the bottom center of the screen. The thumbnails 5902 of the still image array included in the category Date are displayed side by side on the left and right of the reference thumbnail 5901.

  Next, a duplicate image 6001 of a thumbnail 5901 indicating a reference representative still image is created, and is displayed so as to overlap the thumbnail 5901 indicating the representative still image as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, the duplicate image 6001 moves on the screen while being reduced in size and is displayed sequentially, and is displayed side by side with the thumbnail 5901 indicating the representative still image as shown in FIG. Stop at the position.

  Next, a further duplicated image 6301 of the duplicated image 6001 is created and displayed so as to overlap the duplicated image 6001 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, the further duplicate image 6301 moves on the screen while being reduced in size, and is displayed sequentially, and is displayed side by side with the duplicate image 6001 as shown in FIG. Stop at.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 66, the thumbnail 6601 of the still image array included in the category “Location” is displayed at the position of the reference duplicate image 6001, and the thumbnail 6601 moves separately to the left and right. Then, as shown in FIG. 67, the thumbnail 6601 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the duplicate image 6001.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 68, a thumbnail 6801 of an array of still images included in the category “Location” is displayed at the position of the duplicate image 6001 and divided into right and left of the duplicate image 6001 as shown in FIGS. Move. Then, as shown in FIG. 70, the thumbnail 6801 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the thumbnail 6601.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 71, the thumbnail 7101 of the still image array included in the category of Event is displayed at the position of the further duplicated image 6301, and moves separately in the left and right directions. Then, as shown in FIG. 72, the thumbnail 7101 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the further duplicate image 2501.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 73, a thumbnail 7301 of an array of still images included in the category of Event is displayed at the position of a further duplicated image 6301, and divided into left and right of the thumbnail 7101 as shown in FIGS. Move. As shown in FIG. 75, the thumbnail 7301 stops at a position where it is displayed side by side with the thumbnail 7101.

  Here, the processing in the first modification of the third embodiment for displaying the content display screen using dynamic animation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 76 is a flowchart illustrating screen display processing according to Modification 1 of the third embodiment. First, when processing is started, the first category is set in S7601. In step S7602, thumbnails of representative images of the set category and thumbnails of other images are displayed.

  Next, in S7603, the next category is set. If there is a category in S7604, the process proceeds to S7605 to create a duplicate image of a thumbnail of the representative image of the set category. In step S7606, the duplicate image is displayed at the original thumbnail position.

  Next, in S7607, the duplicate image is moved with a reduced size, and the process returns to S7607 until the target coordinates are reached in S7608, and the movement is repeated. Thereafter, if the target coordinates have been reached, the process returns to S7603 to arrange thumbnails of representative images of other categories.

  On the other hand, if there is no next category in S7604, the process proceeds to S7609 and returns to the first category. Then, the next category is set in S7610, and if there is a category in S7611, thumbnails other than the representative image are displayed on the representative image in S7612.

  In step S7613, thumbnails other than the representative image are moved. In step S7614, the process returns to step S7613 until the target coordinates are reached, and the movement is repeated. Thereafter, if the target coordinates have been reached, the process returns to S7610, and the above-described process is repeated until there is no next category.

[Modification 2 of the third embodiment]
Next, a second modification of the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of the content display device according to the second modification of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 39 described in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 77 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content display screen according to the second modification of the third embodiment. In FIG. 77, reference numeral 7701 denotes a thumbnail indicating a representative still image of still images classified in the horizontal direction in the category of Date. Reference numeral 7703 denotes thumbnails of still images classified in the category of Date. 7702 is a group of thumbnails classified in the same category.

  As shown in FIG. 77, Date groups are arranged in the horizontal direction, and Location and Event groups are arranged in the vertical direction. Also, Location and Event represent a three-dimensional depth compared to Date, and are therefore displayed slightly smaller in size and placed on the upper right.

  Here, when the content display screen shown in FIG. 77 is displayed, how the screen configuration of the second modification of the third embodiment is sequentially displayed using dynamic animation is shown in FIGS. 78 to 86. It explains using.

  FIG. 78 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration example of a display screen that is initially displayed in the second modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 78, a still image thumbnail (representative thumbnail) 7801 serving as a content icon indicating a representative still image which is a reference content included in the category Date is displayed at the bottom center of the screen. Then, the group including the representative thumbnail 7801 is displayed, and the arrangement of the groups is displayed on the left and right.

  Next, a duplicate image 7901 of the representative thumbnail 7801 is displayed and displayed at the same position as the representative thumbnail 7801 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 80, the duplicate image 7901 becomes slightly smaller in size and moves upward.

  As shown in FIG. 81, the copy image 7901 stops moving when it reaches a predetermined position. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 82, a group 8201 including a representative thumbnail 7801 is formed. Next, as shown in FIG. 83, an array of Location groups 8301 is formed. Next, as shown in FIG. 84, the duplicate image 7901 moves upward while further reducing the size, stops at a predetermined position, and forms a group 8501 as shown in FIG. 85, as shown in FIG. Thus, an array of Event groups 8601 is formed.

  Here, the process of displaying the content display screen using the dynamic animation described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 87 is a flowchart illustrating screen display processing according to the second modification of the third embodiment. First, when processing is started, the first category is set in S8701. In step S8702, thumbnails of representative images of the category set in step S8701 are displayed. In step S8703, a group including a representative image is formed.

  In step S8704, an image other than the representative thumbnail is displayed on the representative thumbnail. In step S8705, the thumbnails of images other than the representative thumbnail are moved. In step S8706, the process returns to step S8705 until the target coordinates are reached, and the movement is repeated. Thereafter, when the target coordinates are reached, the process proceeds to S8707 to form a group including the moved image.

  Next, in S8707, the next category is set. If there is no next category in S8708, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a next category, the process advances to S8710 to create a duplicate image of a thumbnail of the representative image of the set category. In step S8711, the duplicate image is displayed at the original thumbnail position.

  Next, the duplicate image is moved in S8712, the process is returned to S8712 until the target coordinates are reached in S8713, and the movement is repeated. Thereafter, when the target coordinate is reached, the process returns to S8703 and the above-described process is repeated until there is no next category.

[Modification 3 of the third embodiment]
Next, Modification 3 of the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of the content display device in the third modification of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 39 described in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 88 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content display screen in the third modification of the third embodiment. In FIG. 88, reference numeral 8801 denotes a thumbnail indicating a representative still image of still image content classified in the horizontal direction in the category of Date. Reference numeral 8802 denotes thumbnails of still images other than the representative still image classified in the category of Date.

  Note that unlike the second modification of the third embodiment, the Date category is not a group, but is an array of still images.

  Moreover, since the state of the animation operation and the flowchart are the same as those of the second modification of the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[Modification 4 of the third embodiment]
Next, Modification 3 of the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of the content display device in the third modification of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 39 described in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 89 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content display screen according to Modification 4 of the third embodiment. In FIG. 89, reference numeral 8901 denotes a moving image frame icon indicating a representative moving image frame. Reference numeral 8902 denotes a moving image frame icon indicating a moving image frame other than the representative moving image frame. Reference numeral 8911 denotes a moving image icon representing representative moving image content. 8912 is a moving image content icon other than the representative moving image content.

  The state of the animation operation and the flowchart are the same as those in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to easily and intuitively reach the desired content by arranging a plurality of content icon arrays arranged in different sort orders. Furthermore, by placing content related to the content of interest on the same screen, it is possible to visually recognize the content related to the content of interest and easily access the related content. Can do.

  In addition, content groups grouped under various conditions can be displayed as a list with relevance, and an overview can be grasped. It is possible to easily perform a visual search, to clearly understand a reference content group icon arrangement, a content group icon, and further content, to understand a summary of a content list, and to perform an easy visual search. .

  A content array arranged under a certain order condition and a content group array arranged under the same order condition are arranged on the same screen so that a content icon indicating a certain content and a content group icon of a content group including the content are aligned. To do. Thereby, it is possible to visually recognize content groups and content collected at different granularities, and it is possible to grasp content existing in the vicinity of desired content as a whole.

  In addition, by expressing that the content icons indicating the same content displayed in a plurality of columns are the same using an animation that sequentially moves and displays, it is possible to display intuitively and easily for the user.

  In addition, when the content is a video, the video content can be selected while checking the scene, and the scene can be selected and played by the same operation as the operation on the content. Has the effect of improving.

  In addition, the fact that the moving picture frame indicated by the moving picture frame icon is included in the moving picture content indicated by the moving picture content icon can be displayed intuitively and intelligibly to the user by using an animation that sequentially moves and displays.

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.

  In addition, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the recording medium. Read and execute. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by this.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. .

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the content search system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the content search apparatus 101 and the display apparatus 102 which are shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the operation remote control apparatus 103 shown in FIG. , , It is a figure for demonstrating the display transition of a content group icon. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displayed the content icon which the reference | standard content group icon points out when the determination key 305 is pushed. It is a figure which shows an example of a reference | standard content change display screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen displayed on a display unit 224. FIG. It is a figure which shows the content group icon arrangement | positioning in each order condition. It is a flowchart which shows the content group icon selection process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reference | standard content selection process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen which narrows down for every group conditions. It is a figure which shows an example of content group arrangement | positioning of the narrowing-down arrangement | sequence for every group condition. It is a figure which narrows down for every group from the user interface screen shown in FIG. 13, and shows the state which changed. It is a flowchart which shows the narrowing-down content group icon selection process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the content reproduction editing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the content reproduction editing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the infrared remote control 1720 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the content information in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the moving image frame information in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement | sequence information in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement | sequence information of the frame display level in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen after scrolling the user interface screen 2400 in 2nd Embodiment horizontally. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen after moving the user interface screen 2500 in 2nd Embodiment to the vertical direction. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen after making it scroll horizontally on the user interface screen 2600 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen which is displaying the operation menu with respect to the content in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen which is displaying the operation menu with respect to the moving image frame in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the play list information in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the content reproduction editing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content operation process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen in the modification 1 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen after the vertical movement of the user interface screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the modification 1 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen in the modification 2 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen after the vertical movement of the user interface screen 3600. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the modification 2 of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the content display apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the content display screen in 3rd Embodiment. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that the screen structure of 3rd Embodiment is displayed sequentially using a dynamic animation. It is a flowchart which shows the screen display process in 3rd Embodiment. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that it displays sequentially in the modification 1 of 3rd Embodiment from which the order of dynamic animation differs. It is a flowchart which shows the screen display process in the modification 1 of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the content display screen in the modification 2 of 3rd Embodiment. , , , , , , , , It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that the screen structure of the modification 2 of 3rd Embodiment is displayed sequentially using a dynamic animation. It is a flowchart which shows the screen display process in the modification 2 of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the content display screen in the modification 3 of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the content display screen in the modification 4 of 3rd Embodiment.

Claims (16)

From a plurality of content group arrays in which a plurality of contents are grouped under a plurality of grouping conditions and arranged, an array of content group icons corresponding to each array and corresponding to at least some content groups in each array A display image control device that generates and generates a display screen based on an array of the plurality of content group icons,
Display screen generating means for generating a display screen for displaying the content group icons corresponding to each of the plurality of content group icon arrays in the first direction;
The display screen generation means uses one content among the plurality of contents as a reference content, and positions of group icons corresponding to content groups including the reference content in each of the plurality of content group icon arrays are arranged in a second direction. A display image control device characterized by generating a display screen.   The display screen generating unit generates the display screen so that a content group icon of a content group including the reference content can be distinguished from other content group icons in appearance. Display image control device.   The display screen generating means generates a display screen so that a reference content group icon arrangement exists and the reference content group icon arrangement can be distinguished from other content group icon arrangements in appearance. The display image control device according to claim 1.   The display screen generation means includes a content group icon array serving as a reference, and a content group icon of a content group including the reference content in the reference content group icon array is displayed in another content group icon array. The display image control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display screen is generated so that the display screen can be distinguished from a content group icon of a content group including the reference content.   The display screen generating means displays an image of the display screen so that an image in the content group icon indicating content representing the content group can be distinguished from an image in the content group icon indicating other content in the content group in appearance. 2. The display image control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a content group that includes data and includes the reference content, content representing the content group is set to be the reference content.   The display image control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is not displayed except for a reference icon. A plurality of content arrays each including a video are arranged according to a plurality of order conditions, and a content icon array corresponding to at least a part of the content corresponding to each of the plurality of content arrays is generated. A display image control device that generates a display screen based on an array of a plurality of content icons,
When the content icon indicates a moving image, a display screen is generated that includes a plurality of frame icons and generates a display screen for displaying the content icons corresponding to each of the plurality of arrangements of the content icons in the first direction. Having means,
The display screen generation means uses one of the icons and the frame icons in an arbitrary arrangement as a reference icon, and icons indicating content corresponding to the reference icons in another arrangement are arranged in a second direction. A display image control device that generates a display screen.   The display image control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display screen generation unit generates a display screen so that the reference icons can be distinguished in appearance.   The display image control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing for the content icon is at least one of reproduction, deletion, and addition to a playlist.   The display image control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing for the content icon is performed on a selected range before and after the moving image content. A content display device that displays a plurality of content icons respectively associated with a plurality of contents,
First display means for displaying the content icons as an icon arrangement in a first direction according to an arbitrary order;
Generating a duplicate image of the content icon associated with the reference content in the icon array, moving the duplicate image along a second direction different from the first direction, and centering the duplicate image; And a second display means for displaying a state in which an icon array is generated by sequentially arranging the content icons outward along the first direction.   12. The content display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first display means displays the reference content icon so that the user can visually identify the content icon.   12. The content display device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second display means display an icon arrangement of a content group including the reference content icon. From a plurality of content group arrays in which a plurality of contents are grouped under a plurality of grouping conditions and arranged, an array of content group icons corresponding to each array and corresponding to at least some content groups in each array A display image control apparatus that generates and generates a display screen based on an array of the plurality of content group icons,
A display screen generating step for generating a display screen for displaying the content group icons corresponding to each of the plurality of content group icon arrays in a first direction;
In the display screen generating step, one content among the plurality of contents is set as a reference content, and positions of group icons corresponding to content groups including the reference content in each of the plurality of content group icon arrays are arranged in the second direction. A display method for a display image control apparatus, characterized by generating a display screen. A plurality of content arrays each including a video are arranged according to a plurality of order conditions, and a content icon array corresponding to at least a part of the content corresponding to each of the plurality of content arrays is generated. A display method of a display image control device that generates a display screen based on an array of a plurality of content icons,
When the content icon indicates a moving image, a display screen is generated that includes a plurality of frame icons and generates a display screen for displaying the content icons corresponding to each of the plurality of arrangements of the content icons in the first direction. Having a process,
In the display screen generation step, one of the icons and the frame icons in an arbitrary arrangement is used as a reference icon, and icons indicating contents corresponding to the reference icons in another arrangement are arranged in a second direction. A display method of a display image control device, characterized by generating a display screen. A display method of a content display device that displays a plurality of content icons respectively associated with a plurality of contents,
A first display step of arranging the content icons in a first direction according to an arbitrary order and displaying them as an icon array;
Generating a duplicate image of the content icon associated with the reference content in the icon array, moving the duplicate image along a second direction different from the first direction, and centering the duplicate image; And a second display step of displaying a state in which the icon arrangement is generated by sequentially arranging the content icons outward along the first direction.

Images