JP2001075699A - Device and method for processing information and program storing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly display the menu items of sub-menus desired by a user and to execute quick processing. SOLUTION: The menu of a job dial window 300 is displayed on a liquid crystal display, and some of a plurality of the menu items of the displayed menu are selected, and when different kinds of sub-menus are present in the selected menu item, the plurality of kinds of sub-menus are switched and displayed according to a prescribed key operation. Thus, the plurality of kinds of sub-menus corresponding to the selected menu item can be quickly switched and displayed according to the prescribed key operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium, and is particularly suitable for use in a notebook personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as personal computers).
In an operating system such as Windows 98 (trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation in the United States used for a computer, an icon corresponding to each application software having an active window is displayed on a desktop by displaying a task bar on the desktop. The taskbar icon is provided to the user as a visual clue like a button.

[0003] Here, the active window is a window that is currently operated while a plurality of windows are displayed.

[0004] A technique relating to the use of such a task bar is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-255066, and will be described below with reference to the publication. The taskbar gives the user information about the active window as a visual clue by icons,
It can be used to toggle the active window.

[0005] The task bar is provided with a start menu button for allowing a user to access a menu for controlling a program launcher (opening), opening a document, and setting the system.

For example, a peripheral device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a video display, and a central processing unit (CPU (Centr
al Processing Unit)), a description will be given of an example of operating a start menu button on a task bar in a computer device including the above.

The start menu button operates as a central place for a user to access programs, documents, files, system settings, help information, and the like, and is a means for opening a start menu in which many menu items are arranged for access. Functioning as

In the start menu, a plurality of menu items such as "program", "search", "setting", and "help" are arranged. Among them, the menu item “program” allows access to a hierarchically displayed program menu from the start menu, and the program menu includes a plurality of menu items for a plurality of user-selectable application programs and program groups. ing.

[0009]

However, in the computer having the above configuration, it is necessary to repeat a complicated operation until a user selects a desired application program from a start menu button on a task bar and starts the application program.

That is, when a user first designates a start menu button on the task bar with a mouse cursor and performs a click operation of a left mouse button, the CPU displays a start menu. Next, when the user specifies the menu item “Program” from the start menu with the mouse cursor and performs a click operation of the left mouse button,
The CPU displays a program menu which is a submenu of the start menu.

Subsequently, when the user designates a menu item of a desired application program in the program menu with the mouse cursor and performs a click operation of the left mouse button, the CPU starts the application program corresponding to the designated menu item. I do.

At this time, when the user designates an application program group, the submenu corresponding to the application program group is displayed in the CP.
Since it is displayed by U, further specification by the mouse cursor and click operation of the left mouse button are required.

Similarly, when the user activates the "help" function, it is necessary to specify the "help" menu item from the start menu program with the mouse cursor and click the left mouse button.

Since the menu has a hierarchical structure as described above, it is necessary to frequently repeat the designation with the mouse cursor and the clicking operation of the left mouse button until the user starts a desired application program.

In particular, a notebook having a configuration in which a stick-type pointing device provided substantially at the center of a keyboard is pressed up, down, left and right, and a left click button and a right click button arranged on the near side of the keyboard are pressed down. In a book-type personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a notebook-type personal computer), the stick-type pointing device is separated from the left-click button and the right-click button, so that the stick-type pointing device can be operated with the left hand. After the mouse cursor is moved, it is necessary to perform a click operation of the left click button or the right click button, so that the operation is further complicated.

That is, this type of notebook computer is
The user presses the stick-type pointing device up, down, left and right to position the mouse cursor on the position of the start menu button, and performs a click operation of the left click button or right click button to start the start menu, drop down menu, shortcut menu, etc. Various menus are displayed, and one of the menu items in the various menus is highlighted.

Here, the drop-down menu is a menu in which, when a certain item on the window screen is selected with a right-click button, further detailed options are displayed as a window below the item by a right-click button. Is a menu in which menu items that can be selected are appropriately changed according to the position on the window screen selected by the right-click button and the target, and are displayed in a pop-up manner.

The user selects a desired menu item by moving the highlighted portion of the menu items in the various menus up and down by pressing the stick-type pointing device.

Further, when the user operates the stick-type pointing device to select a menu item and a submenu corresponding to the menu item is displayed, the user may select a submenu item from the submenu. It is necessary to perform the same operation as described above.

Thus, in a notebook computer,
From the movement of the mouse cursor to the vertical movement of the highlighted part of the menu item, all operations are performed only by pressing operation with the stick pointing device, so that the operation becomes even more complicated,
The operation becomes even more complicated when the sub-menu items are selected.

That is, in the computer device and the notebook computer, in order to select a menu item corresponding to a desired application program or function, a submenu must be opened in several stages, and a menu desired by the user is required. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time to display an item.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage capable of displaying a menu item of a submenu desired by a user in a short time and executing a quick process. It is intended to propose a medium.

[0023]

According to the present invention, a predetermined menu is displayed on a display screen, and one of a plurality of menu items is selected from the displayed menu. When there are a plurality of different types of sub-menus in the selected menu item, the plurality of types of sub-menus are switched and displayed according to a predetermined key operation, so that a plurality of types of sub-menus for the selected menu item are displayed. The menu can be quickly switched and displayed according to a predetermined key operation.

(1) Configuration of a notebook personal computer with a jog dial In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a notebook personal computer with a jog dial (hereinafter referred to as a notebook personal computer with a jog dial) which constitutes the information processing apparatus of the present invention as a whole. ), And is composed of a main body 2 and a display section 3 attached to the main body 2 so as to be freely opened and closed.

The main body 2 has a plurality of operation keys 4 for inputting various characters, symbols, numbers, and the like on a top surface thereof, and a stick-type pointing device used for moving a mouse cursor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a stick). 5, a left click button 5A and a right click button 5B corresponding to a left button and a right button of a normal mouse, a center button 5C for operating a scroll bar without moving a mouse cursor to a scroll button, a built-in speaker 6, and a display unit CCD (Charge Couple)
d Device) A shutter button 7 for the camera 23 is provided.

The display section 3 has an LCD (Liquid Crys
A liquid crystal display 21 of a tal display is provided, and an imaging unit 22 having a CCD camera 23 is rotatably attached to the display unit 3 at the upper center of the front.

That is, the image pickup unit 22 is rotated within a 180-degree angle range between the front direction and the back direction of the display unit 3, and can be positioned at any position within the angle range. . The imaging unit 22 includes a CCD camera 2
An adjustment ring 25 for performing the focus adjustment 3 is provided, and the focus adjustment when the desired imaging target is imaged by the CCD camera 23 can be easily performed by rotating the adjustment ring 25.

The display unit 3 is provided with a microphone 24 in the vicinity of the left side of the image pickup unit 22 so that sound can be collected from the back side of the display unit 3 via the microphone 24.

The display section 3 further includes a microphone 24
A claw 13 is provided near the left side of the
A hole 8 is provided at a predetermined position of the main body 2 corresponding to 3, and the claw 13 is fitted and locked in the hole 8 in a state where the display unit 3 is closed by the main body 2.

The main body 2 is provided with a slide lever 9 on the front side surface. By sliding the slide lever 9, the lock of the claw 13 fitted in the hole 8 is released and the display section 3 is moved to the main body. 2 can be developed. A plurality of intake holes 11 are provided on the front side surface of the main body 2.

Further, on the right side of the main body 2, an exhaust hole 12,
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Interna
National Association) Standard PC (Personal Computer)
A PC card slot 14 corresponding to a card and a modem terminal 15 for a modular jack are provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a slide-type power switch 40 and an IE
EE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engin
eers) 1394 terminal 41, USB (Universal Serial Bu
s) Terminal 42, external display connector 46, microphone input terminal 43, headphone terminal 44 and I
An infrared port 45 conforming to rDA (Infrared Data Association) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, an external power supply connector 16 is provided on the rear side surface of the main body 2, and a slide-type removal lever 18 for removing a battery pack (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface. A reset switch 19 is provided for interrupting the operation and reconfiguring the power-on environment. The battery pack is connected to the battery connector 1
7 is detachably connected.

In addition to the above structure, the upper surface of the main body 2 (FIG. 1)
Has a jog dial 30 incorporated at the right end between an operation key 4A corresponding to a backspace key and an operation key 4B corresponding to an enter key so as to be at the same height as the operation keys 4A and 4B. .

Here, the jog dial 30 is a user interface with excellent operability capable of easily realizing various functions in system setting and various application software by rotating and pressing the dial.

As shown in FIG. 4, the jog dial 30 is provided with a flat disk-shaped operation knob 218 slightly protruding from the outer case 32 of the main body 2, and an arrow formed by the disk-shaped operation knob 218. A predetermined process is executed in response to a rotation operation in the a direction or the b direction, and a predetermined process is executed in response to a pressing operation in the direction of the arrow c.

(1-1) Configuration of Jog Dial Next, the configuration of the jog dial 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the jog dial 30 is provided with a rotary encoder 202 as a rotary operation unit that can be moved in the direction of arrow c by a pressing operation of the user.
And a push switch section 203 as a pressing operation means fixed at that position are arranged on the contact mounting board 201.

As shown in FIG. 6, the contact mounting board 201 is made of a flat molded resin body,
Movement recesses 205 provided on both sides for movement guide rail portions 204 for moving (FIG. 5) in the direction of arrow c.
And a pressing recess 207 provided with a pressing wall 206 into which the push switch 203 is fitted and fixed, and further connected to a terminal 208 for transmitting an electric signal of the rotary encoder 202 to the outside. The formed conductive contact plate 209 is formed on the bottom surface of the moving recess 205.

The jog dial 30 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7 showing a cross section taken along the line X ′ and FIG. 8 showing a cross section taken along the line YY ′,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a box shape made of a molded resin held by the contact mounting substrate 201 so as to be able to move through a guide rail 204 in a certain range in the direction of arrow c while being fitted into the movement recess 205 of the contact mounting substrate 201. A case 210, elastic contact legs 212 and 213 projecting upward and downward from an elastic contact body 211 attached to the bottom surface of the box-shaped case 210 by insert molding, respectively, and a cylinder integrated at the center of the box-shaped case 210. A rotating body 21 made of a molded resin having a radial contact plate 215 which is rotatably held by a shaft 214 and is in a disk shape and elastically contacts the elastic contact legs 212.
6, a rotating body 216 and a screw 217 for a user's rotating operation.
Peripheral operation type disk-shaped operation knob 2 attached with
18.

The rotary encoder 20 having such a configuration
Reference numeral 2 denotes an inner peripheral side of the disk-shaped operation knob 218 by a torsion coil spring 220 (FIGS. 8 to 11) positioned by a pin-shaped projection 219 provided at a predetermined position on the contact mounting board 201 (FIG. 6). Box type case 21 attached
0 is urged in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow c (ie, in a direction away from the push switch unit 203), and the elastic contact legs 213 project downward from the bottom surface of the box-shaped case 210.
Is elastically contacted with the contact plate 209 of the contact mounting board 201.

The push switch unit 203 (FIG. 8)
The operation button 221 is provided at a position facing the rotary encoder unit 202, and is fixed by being fitted into the depression 207 of the contact mounting board 201 so that the rear end surface 203 </ b> A comes into contact with the depression wall 206. ing. At this time, the rotary encoder unit 202 is configured such that the driving protrusion 222 integrally formed with the box-shaped case 210 is
Is in contact with the tip of the operation button 221.

When such a jog dial 30 is actually mounted on an electronic device, the terminals 201A and 201 provided on the lower surface side of the contact mounting substrate 201 as shown in FIG.
B, The connection terminals 208 of the rotary encoder unit 202 and the connection terminals 223 of the push switch unit 203 are attached to the mounting holes 225A and 225 of the printed wiring board 224 of the electronic device.
5B, 226 and 227 are connected by being soldered.

At this time, the user operates the jog dial 30 by mounting the disc-shaped operation knob 218 of the rotary encoder 202 so as to slightly protrude from the outer case 32 of the main body 2. The peripheral side surface 218A of the 218 can be easily operated while crawling a finger on the outer case 32 (FIG. 4). The thickness of the disk-shaped operation knob 218 can be reduced as long as the rigidity is maintained, so that the thickness of the main body 2 can be sufficiently reduced.

Next, the operation of the jog dial 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. Jog dial 3
0, when a force in the tangential direction (direction of arrow a or b) is applied to the peripheral side surface 218A of the disk-shaped operation knob 218 in the rotary encoder unit 202 as shown in FIG. When the elastic contact leg 212 is elastically contacted with the plurality of radial contact members 215 and slides around the cylindrical shaft 214 at the center of the center 210 and slides, a pulse signal is generated in conjunction with the rotation operation of the disk-shaped operation knob 218. It has been made to be.

The jog dial 30 transmits the generated pulse signal from the elastic contact leg 212 (FIGS. 7 and 8) to the elastic contact leg 213 via the elastic contact body 211, and the elastic contact leg 213 is elastically contacted. After transmitting to the contact plate 209 of the contact mounting board 201, the signal is transmitted to the circuit of the printed wiring board 224 in the notebook personal computer 1 via the external connection terminal 208 (FIG. 9).

As shown in FIG. 11, the jog dial 30 has a disk-shaped operation knob 21 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 220 attached to the contact mounting board 201.
A driving projection integrally formed with the box-shaped case 210 by applying a pressing force in the direction of arrow c to the peripheral side surface 218 </ b> A of the contact case 8 and moving the entire rotary encoder unit 202 along the guide rail 204 of the contact mounting board 201. The operation button 221 is pressed by the unit 222 and the push switch unit 203 is pressed.
Is turned on.

Thus, the jog dial 30 applies a pressing operation signal generated by turning on the push switch 203 to the printed circuit board 2 in the notebook personal computer 1 via the connection terminal 223 (FIGS. 8 and 9).
24 circuits.

When the jog dial 30 releases the pressing force applied to the peripheral side surface 218A of the disc-shaped operation knob 218, the rotary encoder 202 is turned on by the elastic restoring force of the torsion coil spring 220 mounted on the contact mounting board 201. It is pushed back in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow c to return to the original state.

(1-2) Circuit Configuration of Notebook-Type Personal Computer with Jog Dial As shown in FIG. 12, in the main body 2 of the notebook-type personal computer 1, a CPU (Central Processing) for controlling various functions of the main body 2 in an integrated manner. Unit) 50 is the host bus 5
2 and a RAM (R)
and a variety of functions can be realized by executing processing corresponding to various programs and application software loaded in the andom access memory (53) at a predetermined operation speed based on a system clock provided from the clock generator 60. I have.

A cache memory 51 is connected to the host bus 52 so as to cache data used by the CPU 50 and realize high-speed access.

The host bus 52 is connected to a PCI (Periphera
l Component Interconnect) Bus 55 and Host-PCI
A video controller 56 and an IEEE (Institute) are connected to the PCI bus 55 via a bridge 54.
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394
Interface 57, video capture processing chip 8
3 and a PC (Personal Computer) card interface 58 are connected.

Here, the host-PCI bridge 54
PU50, video controller 56, video capture processing chip 83, IEEE1394 interface 5
7 and the PC card interface 58, control of transmission and reception of various data with the memory bus 59.
Is performed to control the memory of the RAM 53 connected thereto.

The host-PCI bridge 54 is connected to a video controller 56 and an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Pos.).
rt) via a signal line, whereby image data can be transferred between the host-PCI bridge 54 and the video controller 56 at high speed.

The video capture processing chip 83 includes an I ² C bus 82 (generally an SM (System
Management) bus, and a CCD (Charge Coupler) via the I ² C bus 82.
d Device) When image data captured by the camera 23 is supplied, the image data is temporarily stored in a built-in frame memory (not shown), and is stored in a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).
p) By performing image compression processing according to the standard, JPEG
After generating the image data, the JPEG image data is stored in the frame memory again.

Then, the video capture processing chip 83
After directly transferring the JPEG image data stored in the frame memory to the RAM 53 using a bus master function in response to a request from the CPU 50, the hard disk drive (JPEG image (still image) data or Motion JPEG image (moving image) data is used. HDD) 67.

The video controller 56 has a CCD (Charg
e Coupled Device) Image data captured by the camera 23 and JPEG of the video capture processing chip 83
After performing predetermined graphics processing on the image data, the image data is stored in a built-in VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), read out as appropriate, and output to the liquid crystal display 21 for display.

The video controller 56 outputs image data based on various kinds of application software supplied to the liquid crystal display 21 in a timely manner.
A plurality of window screens can be displayed.

The PC card interface 58 is appropriately mounted via a PC card when an optional function is added, and is connected to an external device such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD drive via the PC card. It is made to be able to do.

IEEE 1394 interface 57
Is directly connected to an IEEE 1394 terminal 41, and can be connected to another computer device or an external device such as a digital video camera via the IEEE 1394 terminal 41.

The PCI bus 55 is connected to an ISA (Industrial St
Andard Architecture) bus 65 is connected via a PCI-ISA bridge 66. The PCI-ISA bridge 66 has an HDD 67 and a USB (Universal Serial
l Bus) terminal 42 is connected.

Here, the PCI-ISA bridge 66
DE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface, configuration register, RTC (Real-Ti
me Clock) circuit, a USB interface, and the like, and controls the HDD 67 via the IDE interface based on a system clock supplied from the clock generator 60.

The hard disk of the HDD 67 has Window
OS (Operating System) such as s98 (trademark), e-mail program, auto pilot program, jog dial utility program, jog dial driver, capture software, digital map software, and other various application software are stored. Timely RA in the process
Transferred to M53.

The PCI-ISA bridge 66 is a U.S.A.
External devices such as a floppy disk drive, a printer, and a USB mouse (not shown) connected via the B terminal 42 are controlled via the USB interface, and the modem 69 and the sound controller 70 connected to the ISA bus 65 are controlled. Do.

The modem 69 is connected to an Internet service provider (hereinafter, referred to as a provider) via a public telephone line (not shown) and the Internet from the modem terminal 15 and accesses the Internet service provider. . The sound controller 70 takes in an audio signal from the microphone 24 and supplies the audio signal to the built-in speaker 6.

The ISA bus 65 has I / O (In / Out)
The controller 73 is connected, receives power from an external power connector 84 via a power supply charging control circuit 85, and supplies power to each circuit when the power switch 40 is turned on. Here, the I / O controller 73 operates based on the system clock supplied from the clock generator 60 also.

The power supply / charge control circuit 85 includes an I / O
The controller 73 controls the charging of the battery pack 86 connected to the battery connector 17 (FIG. 3).

The I / O controller 73 includes a microcontroller, an I / O interface, a CPU, a ROM
And a BIOS (Basic Input / Output) stored in the flash memory 79.
System), the input / output of data between the OS and application software and various peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal display 21 and the HDD 67 is controlled.

The I / O controller 73 is connected to the infrared port 45 and can execute infrared communication with, for example, another computer. Further, the I / O controller 73 includes the inversion switch 7
When the imaging unit 22 of the CCD camera 23 is rotated by 180 degrees toward the back side of the liquid crystal display 21, the reversing switch 77 is turned on.
The CPU 50 is notified via the ISA bridge 66 and the host-PCI bridge 54.

The I / O controller 73 is connected to a full-press / half-press switch 78. When the shutter button 7 provided on the upper surface of the main body 2 is half-pressed, the full-press / half-press switch 78 is provided. Is turned on, and C
In addition to notifying the PU 50, when the shutter button 7 is fully pressed, the full-press / half-press switch 78 is turned on, and the CPU 50 is notified of this.

That is, the CPU 50 transfers the capture software from the hard disk of the HDD 67 to the RAM 53.
When the shutter button 7 is half-pressed by the user in a state in which the shutter button is raised, the still image mode is entered, and
The D camera 23 is controlled to freeze the still image,
When it is fully pressed, the frozen still image data is taken in and sent to the video controller 56.

On the other hand, if the shutter button 7 is fully depressed by the user without starting the capture software, the CPU 50 enters the moving image mode, captures the moving image for up to about 60 seconds, and captures the moving image. 56.

The ROM of the I / O controller 73
Stores a wake-up program, a key input monitoring program, an LED control program, a jog dial state monitoring program, and other various control programs.

Here, the jog dial state monitoring program is a program related to the jog dial utility program stored in the hard disk of the HDD 67, and monitors whether the rotary encoder 202 of the jog dial 30 is rotated or pressed. It is for.

The wake-up program is a PCI-I
When the current time supplied from the RTC circuit in the SA bridge 66 reaches a preset start time, the CPU 50 is a program that is controlled to execute a predetermined process. Is a program for monitoring inputs from various key switches.

The LED control program includes a power lamp P
LED such as L, battery lamp BL, message lamp ML
(Light Emitting Diode) is a program that controls the lighting of various lamps.

In the RAM of the I / O controller 73, a set time register for a wake-up program,
Key input monitoring register for key input monitoring program, L
An LED control register for an ED control program, an I / O register for a jog dial state monitoring program, and registers for various other programs are provided.

The set time register stores time information of the start time arbitrarily set by the user in advance for use in the wake-up program. Therefore, the I / O controller 73 determines whether or not the current time supplied from the RTC circuit has reached an arbitrarily set start time based on the wake-up program, and notifies the CPU 50 when the start time has come. I do. Thus, when the start time comes, the CPU 50 launches predetermined application software set in advance, and executes a predetermined process according to the application software.

The key input monitoring register stores an operation key flag based on inputs from the operation key 4, the stick 5, the left click button 5A, the right click button 5B, and the center button 5C.

Accordingly, the I / O controller 73 operates based on the key input monitoring program to determine whether the pointing operation with the stick 5 or the clicking operation of the left click button 5A, right click button 5B and center button 5C has been performed. The determination is made based on the state of the key flag, and when a pointing operation or a click operation is performed, the fact is notified to the CPU 50.

Here, the pointing operation is an operation of moving the mouse cursor to a desired position by pressing the stick 5 up, down, left and right with a finger, and the clicking operation is a left click button 5A or a right click button. This is an operation of quickly pressing and releasing 5B with a finger.

As a result, the CPU 50 executes a predetermined process corresponding to the movement of the mouse cursor and the click operation by the pointing operation.

The LED control register includes a power lamp PL,
A lighting flag indicating a lighting state of various lamps including LEDs such as a battery lamp BL and a message lamp ML is stored.

Therefore, the I / O controller 73 operates the CPU 50 by pressing the jog dial 30, for example.
The e-mail program is read out from the hard disk of D67 and started on the RAM 53. When an e-mail is received in accordance with the e-mail program, a lighting flag is stored.
1 is turned on to turn on the message lamp ML.

I for the jog dial status monitoring program
The / O register stores a rotation operation flag and a pressing operation flag in accordance with the rotation operation and the pressing operation performed on the jog dial 30, respectively.

Therefore, when a user's desired menu item is selected from a plurality of menu items by rotating and pressing the jog dial 30 connected via the rotation detecting section 88, the I / O controller 73 outputs the I / O controller 73. The rotation operation flag and the pressing operation flag are stored in the O register, and the fact is notified to the CPU 50.

Thus, the CPU 50 starts application software corresponding to the menu item determined by rotating and pressing the jog dial 30 according to the jog dial utility program running from the HDD 67 and running on the RAM 53, and performs predetermined processing. Execute.

Here, the I / O controller 73 always operates based on the jog dial state monitoring program under the control of the power supply charging control circuit 85 even when the power switch 40 is off and the OS is not running. Even when the power is turned off or the power is turned off, the jog dial 30 can be pressed to activate application software or a script file desired by the user without providing a dedicated key.

By the way, the I / O controller 73 controls the I ²
It is connected to the C bus 82 and supplies various setting parameters for the CCD camera 23 set by the operation keys 4 and the jog dial 30 via the I ² C bus 82, thereby turning on / off the camera power of the CCD camera 23. The control and the brightness and contrast of the CCD camera 23 are adjusted.

Next, the operation of the I / O controller 73 based on the jog dial state monitoring program will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 13, the jog dial 30
When the jog dial 30 is rotated in either the arrow a or b direction (FIG. 4), the jog dial 30 is rotated in accordance with the right rotation (arrow a direction) or the left rotation (arrow b direction) as shown in FIG. The signal S30a or S30b is output to the rotation detection unit 8
8, and outputs a pressing operation signal S <b> 30 c to the rotation detecting unit 88 when pressed in the direction of arrow c.

[0091] The rotation detecting section 88 outputs the rotation operation signal S30a.
And the rotation direction of the jog dial 30 is rotated right (in the direction of arrow a) based on the deviation of the rising timing of S30b.
Alternatively, whether or not the jog dial 30 has been pressed is detected based on the pressing operation signal S30c.

When the rotation detector 88 detects that the rotation direction of the jog dial 30 is clockwise rotation, it supplies a right rotation pulse RP1 to the first counter 89 of the I / O controller 73 to determine that the rotation is counterclockwise. Upon detection, the left rotation pulse LP1 is supplied to the second counter 90 of the I / O controller 73.

The rotation detecting section 88 receives the pressing operation signal S3
When it is detected that the jog dial 30 has been pressed based on 0c, the pressing operation flag JF1 is stored in the I / O register 91.

The CPU of the I / O controller 73 has the RO
By polling every 5 [ms] performed according to the jog dial state monitoring program 92 stored in M, the count value of the right rotation pulse RP1 by the first counter 89,
The amount of rotation change of the jog dial 30 is detected based on the difference between the counter value of the left rotation pulse LP1 and the count value of the second counter 90, and the rotary encoder unit 20 is determined based on the pressing operation flag JF1 stored in the I / O register 91.
It is detected whether or not 2 has been pressed in the direction of arrow c.

That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU of the I / O controller 73 enters from the start step of the routine RT1 and moves to step SP1. In step SP1, the CPU determines that the jog dial status monitoring program 92
, The first counter 89 and the second counter 9 every 5 [ms]
Polling of 0 and the I / O register 91 is performed, and the routine goes to the next step SP2.

In step SP2, the CPU subtracts the count result of the first counter 89 at the time (T-1) from the count result of the first counter 89 at the current time (T), thereby obtaining the count value of the first counter 89. Is calculated, and the routine goes to the next step SP3.

In step SP3, the CPU subtracts the count result of the second counter 90 at the time (T-1) from the count result of the second counter 90 at the current time (T), thereby obtaining the count value of the second counter 90. Is calculated, and the routine goes to the next step SP4.

At step SP4, the CPU calculates the difference between the count value of the first counter 89 and the count value of the second counter 90 to determine the amount of change in rotation of the jog dial 30, and proceeds to the next step SP5.

In step SP5, the CPU determines whether or not a rotation change amount has occurred on the jog dial 30. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that there is no change in rotation of the jog dial 30. At this time, the CPU proceeds to step SP7.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP5, this means that the jog dial 30 has undergone a rotation change, and at this time, the CPU
Moves to the next step SP6.

In step SP6, the CPU determines whether or not the jog dial 30 has been pressed in the direction of arrow c.
The determination is made based on the pressing operation flag JF1 stored in the / O register 91. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the pressing operation has not been performed on the jog dial 30, and at this time, the CPU proceeds to step S
Returning to P1, the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP6, this means that a pressing operation has been performed on the jog dial 30, and at this time C
The PU proceeds to the next step SP7.

In step SP7, the CPU generates a rotation change signal S73R and a pressure change signal S73P corresponding to the rotation change amount of the jog dial 30 since the rotation change is given to the jog dial 30 and the pressing operation is performed. Via the jog dial driver started on the RAM 53 via the I / O register 91.
Then, the processing is notified to the next step SP8 and the processing of the I / O controller 73 is terminated.

Next, a processing procedure performed by the CPU 50 in accordance with the jog dial utility program started on the RAM 53 from the HDD 67 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 50 first enters from the start step of the routine RT2 and moves to step SP11. In step SP11, when the CPU 50 notifies the user that the power switch 40 has been turned on via the I / O controller 73, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP12.

In step SP12, the CPU 50
By receiving a notification that the jog dial 30 has been operated by the user from the I / O controller 73 by the jog dial driver, the operation state of the jog dial 30 is recognized, and the routine proceeds to the next step SP13.

In step SP13, the CPU 50
It monitors that various application software that can be controlled by the jog dial 30 is activated on the RAM 53, and proceeds to the next step SP14.

In step SP14, the CPU 50
Upon receiving a notification of the operation state of the jog dial 30 from the jog dial driver started on the RAM 53, the process proceeds to the next step SP15.

At step SP15, the CPU 50
It is determined whether or not various application software launched on the RAM 53 exists. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that there is no running application software, and the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP16.

At step SP16, the CPU 50
The launcher operation of various application software that has not been started is entered, and the process proceeds to the next step SP18 and ends.

Here, the launcher operation is performed under the condition that there is no currently running application software. The CPU 50 executes the launcher operation based on the pressing operation of the jog dial 30. Then, a jog dial menu corresponding to a plurality of application software registered in the launcher list in advance is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21.

For example, when there is no running application software and the jog dial 30 is pressed in the direction of arrow c, the I / O controller 73 outputs a rotation change signal S73R and a press change signal S73P indicating the operation state of the jog dial 30. Is notified to the CPU 50 via the jog dial driver.

Thus, the CPU 50 activates an application selection program for adjusting the volume of the built-in speaker 6 registered in advance in the launcher list, adjusting the brightness and contrast of the liquid crystal display 21 and selecting the application software.
1 shows a jog dial menu 250 as shown in FIG.
Is displayed.

The jog dial menu 250 includes:
Menu items (“volume”, “brightness”, “contrast”, and “selection of application”) corresponding to respective processes of volume adjustment, brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment, and selection of application software are displayed.

At this time, the highlighted portion (hatched portion) highlighted by the inverted display is the currently selected selector SL1, and is displayed with the selector SL1 positioned above the menu item "volume" by default. .

Next, when the user rotates the jog dial 30 in the direction of arrow a or b to move the selector SL 1, the I / O controller 73 detects the rotation change signal S 73 R of the jog dial 30 detected according to the jog dial state monitoring program 92. To the CPU 50 via the jog dial driver running on the RAM 53.

Thus, the CPU 50 sets the rotation change signal S
The selector SL1 is moved to a menu item desired by the user based on 73R. For example, jog dial menu 2
At 50, when the user turns the jog dial 30 by a desired angle in the direction of arrow b from a state where the selector SL1 is positioned on the default menu item "volume", the selector SL1 is turned on by the menu item " Move up on "Brightness".

When the user further rotates the jog dial 30 in the direction of arrow b by a desired angle, the selector SL1 moves to the menu item "select application" as shown in FIG.

In this way, the CPU 50 moves the selector SL1 to a menu item “brightness” desired by the user in response to the rotation operation of the jog dial 30 by the user, and then presses the jog dial 30 in the direction of arrow c by the user. When the operation is performed, a submenu 251 corresponding to the menu item “brightness” as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed.

The submenu 251 has six levels from a submenu item “5” selected when setting the brightness to the brightest, to a submenu item “0” selected when setting the brightness to the darkest. A submenu item is displayed, and the default is selector SL2.
Is displayed in a state where it is positioned on the submenu item “5”.

When the user rotates the jog dial 30 in the direction of arrow b for the purpose of moving the selector SL2, the I / O controller 73 outputs a rotation change signal S73R indicating the operation state of the jog dial 30 to the RAM 53 according to the jog dial state monitoring program 92. To notify the CPU 50 via the running jog dial driver.

As a result, the CPU 50 sets the rotation change signal S
The selector SL2 is moved to any one of the menu items "5" to "0" desired by the user based on 73R. Incidentally, the CPU 50 is currently displaying the sub menu 251, and does not move the selector SL 1 of the jog dial menu 250 by rotating the jog dial 30.

By the way, when the user presses the jog dial 30 in a state where the selector SL1 of the jog dial menu 250 is moved to the menu item “select an application” in accordance with the rotation operation of the jog dial 30 by the user, A submenu 252 corresponding to the menu item “select application” as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed.

The submenu 252 in this case includes, for example, a submenu item “word processor” selected when starting a word processor application, a submenu item “email” selected when starting an e-mail program, and a table. The submenu item "spreadsheet" selected when starting the calculation program, the submenu item "Internet" selected when starting the Internet program, and the submenu item selected when starting the electronic desk calculator program The menu item "Calculator" is displayed. However, the submenu 252 corresponding to the menu item “select application”
Various menu items may be set in addition to the above menu items.

Actually, in the submenu 251 corresponding to the menu item “brightness” shown in FIG. 20, when the submenu item “3” is selected in response to the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the jog dial 30, the CPU 50 The liquid crystal display 21 is set to a luminance level corresponding to the submenu item “3”.

The submenu 252 corresponding to the menu item “select application” shown in FIG.
When the sub-menu item “word processor” is selected in response to the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the jog dial 30, the CPU 50 starts a word processor application corresponding to the sub-menu item “word processor”. I do.

On the other hand, step SP15 (FIG. 16)
If a positive result is obtained in this step, this means that the running application software exists, and the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP17.

At step SP17, the CPU 50
A predetermined event operation is executed in accordance with the running application software, and the process moves to the next step SP18 and ends.

Here, a case where a predetermined event operation is executed in accordance with various kinds of application software being started will be described. Here, the activated application software must be compatible with the jog dial 30, and specifically has an image display function.

For example, when a map screen 254 of a Japanese map as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 by predetermined map display application software, the mouse cursor is moved to a desired position by the pointing operation of the stick 5 by the user. When the jog dial 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow a in a state where it is adjusted to the position (near Tokyo), the CPU 50 enlarges the map screen 254 in accordance with the rotation operation, as shown in FIG. An enlarged map screen 255 is generated and displayed on the liquid crystal display 21.

When a rotation operation in the direction of arrow b is performed on the jog dial 30, the CPU 50 generates a reduced map screen (not shown) by reducing the map screen 254 in accordance with the rotation operation. 21.

As described above, when the map display application software having the image display function corresponding to the jog dial 30 is activated, the jog dial 30 is activated.
Is rotated, the CPU 50 enlarges or reduces the map screen 254 displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 in accordance with the rotation operation of the jog dial 30.

Next, a case where a predetermined event operation is executed according to moving image editing application software having a moving image editing function corresponding to the jog dial 30 will be described.

In this case, the editing screen 256 as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. This edit screen 256 is composed of four temporally continuous frame images S257 among a plurality of still images constituting a moving image, so-called frame images.
A frame image display section 259 displaying A to S257D, and frame images S257A to S2 selected by frame advance or frame return in accordance with the rotation operation of the jog dial 30.
57D.

When the jog dial 30 is rotated in the directions of arrows a and b while the editing screen 256 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21, the CPU
Reference numeral 50 denotes each frame image S257A- of the frame image display unit 259.
For example, the frame image S257A selected by the rotation operation in S257D is displayed on the selected image display unit 258.
This allows the user to perform a desired image editing process on the frame image S257A displayed on the selected image display unit 258.

Incidentally, the jog dial 3 as described above is used.
For application software corresponding to 0,
It is necessary for the CPU 50 to allocate predetermined processing according to the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the jog dial 30. The procedure for allocating processing according to the operation of the jog dial 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In this case, the CPU 50 enters from the start step of the routine RT3 and moves to step SP21. In step SP21, the CPU 50 notifies the jog dial utility program launched on the RAM 53 that the application software read from the hard disk of the HDD 67 and started on the RAM 53 supports the jog dial 30, and the next step Move to SP22.

At step SP22, the CPU 50
The application software corresponding to the running jog dial 30 is registered in the jog dial correspondence list of the jog dial utility program on the RAM 53, and the process proceeds to the next step SP23.

At step SP23, the CPU 50
The processing contents corresponding to the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the jog dial 30 for the application software registered in the jog dial correspondence list are written in the jog dial utility program on the RAM 53, and the process proceeds to the next step SP24.

At step SP24, the CPU 50
As shown in FIG. 26, a jog dial window 260 showing the processing content according to the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the jog dial 30 is generated, displayed on the liquid crystal display 21, and the process proceeds to the next step SP25.

In this case, the jog dial window 260
Is for guiding what processing is performed when the jog dial 30 is operated, and indicates that the selector SL is to be moved above the menu item when the jog dial 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow a. "Indicates that the selector SL is to be moved below the menu item when rotated in the direction of arrow b, and that the menu item indicated by the selector SL is determined when pressed in the direction of arrow c. "OK" is displayed.

In step SP25, the CPU 50 determines
When the active application software is changed by the user, the processing contents for the rotation operation and the pressing operation are changed according to the window screen of the changed application software, and the jog dial correspondence list is rewritten. Is generated and displayed, and the next step SP2
Then, the process proceeds to 6 and the process ends.

(2) Menu Selection Using Jog Dial Next, in the notebook personal computer 1 with a jog dial, the case where the jog dial 30 is used to perform everything from selection of a desired application to switching of various modes and functions set in the application. explain.

The CP of the notebook computer 1 with a jog dial
If there is no application activated in the normal mode, U50 displays a jog dial window 300 in a launcher state as shown in FIG. 27 on liquid crystal display 21 according to the jog dial utility program.

In the jog dial window 300 in the launcher state, menu items (for example, [DVgate clip],
DVgate assemb, DVgate motion, Smart Captur
e], [Smart Write], [Navin ^, You], [Picture Gea
r]) are displayed on the item display section 301 in a ring shape.

[0146] The jog dial window 300 is provided with a recognition frame 302 for recognizing a menu item moved to the center of the item display section 301 by a rotation operation of the jog dial 30 by a user.

When the menu item is positioned in the recognition frame 302 of the item display section 301, the CPU 50 displays a pressing operation icon 303 formed by a left triangle to prompt the user to press the jog dial 30. In this way, an application corresponding to a menu item in the recognition frame 302 is started in response to a pressing operation of the jog dial 30 by a user.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 28, the CPU 50 of the notebook personal computer 1 with a jog dial has a jog dial 3 supplied from an I / O controller 73 (not shown).
The jog dial utility program 311 receives the 0 rotation operation command and the pressing operation command via the jog dial driver 310.

Accordingly, the CPU 50 operates the jog dial 30 in the jog dial window 300 in the launcher state to rotate the jog dial 30 so that the recognition frame 302 of the item display section 301 can be displayed.
When the jog dial 30 is pressed, the jog dial application 312 of the menu item [Smart Capture], for example, located in the recognition frame 302 is activated and displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 when the jog dial 30 is pressed.

At the same time, as shown in FIG. 29, the CPU 50, as a first stage SS1, from the jog dial application 312 of [Smart Capture], lists data D for displaying various modes and functions related to the jog dial application 312 as menu items.
100 is received by the jog dial utility program 311 via the jog dial interface 313, and is output from the jog dial driver 310 to the liquid crystal display 21 via the video controller 56 (FIG. 12).

As a result, the liquid crystal display 21
In addition to displaying the [Smart Capture] application window 320 as shown in FIG. 0, as a second step SS2 (FIG. 29), a new mode for selecting various modes and functions in the item display section 301 based on the list data D100 is displayed. By displaying the menu items, the jog dial window 300 in the guide state is set.

In the jog dial window 300 in the guide state, all modes and functions that can be processed in the [Smart Capture] application window 320 are supported.
The title of [Smart Capture] is displayed.

Here, the jog dial window 300
31A, the list data D100 for displaying the menu items on the item display section 301 includes an annular state flag D100a and a hierarchical upper / lower state flag D100, as shown in FIG.
b, the selected item number D100c, the highest hierarchical status flag D100d, the duplex status flag D100e, and the menu item data D100f.

In the list data D100, an annular state flag D100a is a plurality of menu items displayed on the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300, which are displayed in an annular manner in response to the rotation operation of the jog dial 30. TRUE / FALS whether there is
This is a flag indicated by E.

The hierarchical upper / lower state flag D100b indicates whether a plurality of menu items displayed this time on the item display section 301 are located at a higher level than a plurality of menu items displayed one step before, or a lower level. Is a flag indicating whether the object is located in the upward or downward direction.

For example, when a plurality of menu items displayed this time on the item display section 301 are located in a lower hierarchy with respect to the menu item displayed one stage before, a downward flag is turned on and displayed this time. When a plurality of menu items are located at a higher hierarchy than the menu item displayed one step before, an upward flag is set.

The selected item number D100c is the item number (item 1 to item 1) corresponding to the menu item selected by rotating and pressing the jog dial 30.
N), and the highest hierarchical state flag D10
0d is a flag indicating TRUE / FALSE as to whether or not the list data D100 is located at the highest level.

[0158] The duplex status flag D100e is used to determine whether the jog dial application 312 has two types of menu item data D100f at the same time.
This flag is indicated by UE / FALSE. If the flag has two types, there are two types of menu item data D100f.

The menu item data D100f includes, for example, data of items 1 to N as menu items corresponding to various modes and functions displayed on the item display section 301 as shown in FIG. 31B. I have.

Each of the items 1 to N has an item display section 301.
Item name (character string) of the menu item displayed on the screen, a disable / enable state flag indicating whether the displayed menu item is valid or invalid, and when the item has a sub-menu of a lower hierarchy, the user is notified of the fact. A layering status flag indicating whether or not to display a layering icon (to be described later) for recognizing is stored.

In practice, the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300 (FIG. 30) in the guide state corresponding to the jog dial application 312 of [Smart Capture] includes, for example, [Back], [Effect], [Capture mode], Various modes and functions are displayed as menu items under the names of [Application Switching], [Help] and [Digital Zoom].

In the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300, when the circular state flag D100a of the list data D100 is TRUE, the CPU 5
When 0 is set, a plurality of menu items are displayed in an annular shape, and all menu items are sequentially displayed in an annular shape only by rotating the jog dial 30 in only one direction.

In the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state, [Smart Captu
re] menu items [Effects], [Capture Mode], [Switch Application], [Help] and
On the left side of [Digital Zoom], an upper layer instruction mark 306 consisting of "]" is displayed, whereby the jog dial window 3 in a launcher state located at a higher layer than the menu item of [Smart Capture].
00 visually indicates that there is a menu item.

Accordingly, the menu items in the item display section 301
When [Return] is positioned in the recognition frame 302 and the jog dial 30 is pressed, the CPU 50 returns the display to the jog dial window 300 (FIG. 27) in the launcher state.

Further, the CPU 50 displays a hierarchical icon 305 consisting of a rightward triangle mark to the right of the menu items [Effects] and [Capture Mode] based on the hierarchical status flags added to the items 1 to N. The hierarchical icon 305 visually indicates to the user that a lower-level submenu exists.

At this time, if a lower-level submenu also exists in the menu item “application switching”, the CPU 50 displays the recognition frame 302 in an open state without closing the right end thereof. .

As described above, the CPU 50 displays the recognition frame 302 in a state where the right end of the recognition frame 302 is opened without being closed, so that the hierarchical icon 30 outside the recognition frame 302 is displayed.
Like the menu item “Effects” and “Capture mode” marked with “5”, the user is informed that the menu item “Application switching” located in the recognition frame 302 also has a lower hierarchical submenu. It is designed to be displayed graphically.

The CPU 50 sets the third stage SS3 (FIG. 29)
When the user recognizes that the jog dial 30 has been pressed in a state where, for example, the menu item [capture mode] is positioned in the recognition frame 302 of the item display section 301 by the rotation operation of the jog dial 30, the fourth step SS4. Item numbers (1 to N) corresponding to the rotation operation command and the pressing operation command as (FIG. 29)
To the jog dial compatible application 312.

Then, in the fifth stage SS5 (FIG. 29), the CPU 50 sends the list data D101 corresponding to the menu item [capture mode] (in this case, item 2 of the menu item data D100f) from the jog dial application 312 of [Smart Capture]. Is received by the jog dial utility program 311 via the jog dial interface 313.

Subsequently, in the sixth stage SS6 (FIG. 29), the CPU 50 displays the item display section 3 of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state based on the list data D101.
At 01, a plurality of menu items corresponding to [Capture Mode] are displayed.

The list data D101 corresponding to the menu item [capture mode] is shown in FIG.
And (B), the list data D100 (FIG. 3)
The same as 1), but since it is located in the lower hierarchy with respect to the list data D100, the highest hierarchy status flag D101d becomes “FALSE”, which corresponds to the duplex status flag D100e of the list data D100. Does not exist.

As a result, the CPU 50 in the jog dial window 300 in the guide state, based on the list data D101, as shown in FIG.
04 title from [Smart Capture] to [Capture Mod
e] and multiple menu items corresponding to the menu item [Capture Mode] ([Back], [Still], [Long Video], and [Video Mail])
Is displayed on the item display section 301.

At this time, based on the downward flag in the hierarchical upper / lower state flag D101b of the list data D101, the CPU 50 shifts the entire plurality of [Smart Capture] menu items which have been displayed on the item display section 301 so far to the left. Scroll to the menu item corresponding to [Capture Mode] ([Back], [Still], [Long Vide
o] and [Video Mail]).

As a result, the CPU 50 selects one of the modes from the menu items in [Smart Capture] of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state.
The state of transition to the menu item corresponding to [Capture Mode] can be visually expressed to the user by scroll display.

Also in the jog dial window 300 in the guide state, the menu items ([Back], [Still], [Long Video], and [Video Ma]) of the item display section 301 are displayed.
il]) on the left side of the upper layer indication mark 307 of "["
Is displayed, thereby visually indicating to the user that there is a menu item of [Smart Capture] located at a higher hierarchy than the menu item of [Capture Mode].

As the seventh step SS7 (FIG. 29), the CPU 5
0 is the item display section 3 of the jog dial window 300
At 01, by rotating the jog dial 30,
For example, when it is recognized that the menu item [Long Video] is positioned in the recognition frame 302 and is selected by the pressing operation of the jog dial 30, the eighth step SS8 (FIG. 29)
As a result, the item number of the menu item [Long Video] is notified to the jog dial application 312, the function corresponding to the menu item [Long Video] can be executed, and the text of the menu item [Long Video] is displayed in orange. .

As a result, the CPU 50 executes [Smart Captur
e] of the [Capture Mode] in the jog dial compatible application 312, the menu item [Long Vid
eo] can be easily recognized by the user by displaying orange characters.

By the way, until the menu item other than the menu item [Long Video] is selected in the item display section 301, the CPU 50 operates the menu item even if the menu item is moved by rotating the jog dial 30.
Keep the [Long Video] text in orange. When the menu item [Back] is selected, the CPU 50 displays the jog dial window 320 with [Smart Captu
[re]] (see FIG. 30).

If the number of characters of the menu item positioned in the recognition frame 302 in the item display section 301 is, for example, 13 or more, the CPU 50 changes the characters in the recognition frame 302 from the right side based on the jog dial utility program 311. By displaying repeatedly while scrolling to the left, the user can sufficiently understand even in the item display section 301 having a limited number of characters that can be displayed at one time.

By the way, the CPU 50 executes [Smart Capture]
Menu items in (Back, Effects,
[Capture mode], [Switch application],
When the user presses a shift key (not shown) among the operation keys 4 (FIG. 1) in the jog dial window 300 (FIG. 30) in the guide state displaying [Help] and [Digital Zoom], the list data D100 is displayed.
It is determined whether there are two types of menu item data D100f based on the duplex status flag D1001e (FIG. 31).

When there are two types of menu item data D100f, the CPU 50 determines the titles of the two types of menu item data D100f as shown in FIG.
[Detailed menu], [Simple menu]
01 is displayed.

In this case, the menu item [Detailed menu]
Is located in the recognition frame 302 and is displayed in orange, and the menu item is displayed in [Smart Capture].
Menu items that correspond to Advanced Menu (Back,
[Effects], [Capture Mode], [Switch Application], [Help] and [Digital Zoom])
Indicates that the message has been displayed until recently.

Incidentally, a hierarchical icon 305 is also displayed on the right side of the menu item [simple menu] displayed on the item display section 301, and the right end of the recognition frame 302 where the menu item [detailed menu] is located. The part is also displayed open.

Next, when the user rotates the jog dial 30 to position the menu item [simple menu] in the recognition frame 302 and presses the jog dial 30, the CPU 50 displays the item display section 301 in the same manner as in FIG. Menu items (Back, Still, Lon
g Video] and [Video Mail]).

That is, when the menu item [simple menu] is selected, the CPU 50 selects a menu item corresponding to [Capture Mode] ([Return], [Still], [Long Vide]).
o] and [Video Mail]), so that the menu item [Capture Mode], which is frequently used when the user selects the menu item [simple menu], can be displayed quickly. I have.

As described above, the jog dial application 312 of [Smart Capture] is a menu having a hierarchical structure of two types ([detailed menu] and [simple menu]) as shown in FIG. The two types of menu items are switched and displayed on the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state according to the pressing or non-pressing of the jog dial 30.
[Detailed menu] or
The submenu of [simple menu] can be displayed hierarchically.

(2-1) Menu Hierarchy Display Processing Procedure Next, when there are two types of menu item data D100f, a menu display processing procedure according to whether or not the shift key is pressed is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. C of notebook computer 1 with jog dial
The PU 50 first enters the start step of the routine RT5, and proceeds to step SP41.

In step SP41, the CPU 50 determines
The list data D100 is supplied from the [Smart Capture] jog dial compatible application 312, and the routine goes to the next step SP42.

At step SP42, the CPU 50 determines
Duplex status flag D of received list data D100
100e, the menu item data D100f is 2
If it is detected that the type exists, two or more areas are stored in the RAM 53 corresponding to whether the shift key is pressed or not.
The type of menu item data D100f is buffered separately, and the routine goes to the next step SP43.

At step SP43, the CPU 50 determines
It is determined whether the shift key has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the shift key was not pressed by the user,
U50 moves to the next step SP44.

At step SP44, the CPU 50 determines
[Smart Capture] corresponding to non-pressing of the shift key is displayed in the item display area 301 of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state.
Is displayed (FIG. 30), and the next step SP
It moves to 46 and ends processing.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP43, this indicates that the shift key has been pressed by the user, and at this time, the CPU 50
Move to the next step SP45.

In step SP45, the CPU 50 determines
Since the shift key is pressed, menu items (detailed menu and simple menu) corresponding to the shift key press are displayed on the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state, and the menu item [simple menu] is selected by the user. Then, the menu item of [Capture Mode] corresponding to the [Simple menu] ([Back], [St
ill], [Long Video] and [Video Mail])
The process moves to the next step SP46 and ends.

(2-2) Scroll Display Processing Procedure of Entire Menu Item According to Hierarchical Up / Down State Flag Subsequently, scroll display for scrolling the entire menu item according to the hierarchized up / down state flag of the supplied list data is performed. The processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0195] CP of notebook computer 1 with jog dial
U50 enters first from the start step of the routine RT6 and moves to step SP51.

In step SP51, the CPU 50 determines
When the list data is supplied from the jog dial application 312, the process moves to the next step SP52.

At step SP52, the CPU 50 determines
It is determined whether or not the hierarchy up / down state flag of the list data is in the hierarchy down direction. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that the hierarchy up / down state flag is in the hierarchy down direction. At this time, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP53.
Move on to

At step SP53, the CPU 50 determines
Item display section 3 in jog dial window 300
The menu item based on the list data supplied this time is displayed while scrolling the entire menu item of the previous stage displayed in 01 to the left to the left, and the next step SP57
To end the process.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP52, this means that the hierarchical upper / lower state flag is not in the hierarchical lower direction, and the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP54.

At step SP54, the CPU 50
It is determined whether or not the layer up / down state flag D of the list data is in the layer up direction. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that the hierarchical up / down state flag D100b is in the hierarchical upward direction, and the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP55.

At step SP55, the CPU 50 determines
Item display section 3 in jog dial window 300
The menu item based on the list data supplied this time is displayed while scrolling to the right the entire menu item of the previous stage displayed at step 01, and the next step SP57
To end the process.

[0202] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP54, this means that the hierarchy up / down state flag is neither in the hierarchy up direction nor in the hierarchy down direction. At this time, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP56. Move on to

[0203] In step SP56, the CPU 50
Item display section 3 in jog dial window 300
In step 01, the menu items based on the list data supplied this time are displayed by a normal method, and the process moves to the next step SP57 and ends.

In practice, when the CPU 50 of the notebook personal computer 1 with a jog dial receives the supply of the list data D100 from the jog dial application 312 selected by the user in the jog dial window 300 (FIG. 27) in the launcher state in step SP51,
Move to the next step SP52.

In step SP52 and step SP54, the CPU 50 determines that the list data D100 supplied from the jog dial application 312 is located at the highest hierarchical level,
0b is not in the lower hierarchy direction or the upper hierarchy direction, and in the next step SP56, the menu items of the item display section 301 are switched and displayed from the jog dial window 300 in the launcher state (FIG. 27) to the jog dial window 300 in the guide state. .

A notebook computer 1 with a jog dial
In step SP51, the CPU 50 of [Smart C
apture] jog dial application 312
Jog dial window 30 in the guide state corresponding to
When the menu item [capture mode] is selected by the user at 0 (FIG. 30) and the list data D101 is supplied from the jog dial compatible application 312, the process proceeds to the next step SP52.

At step SP52, the CPU 50 determines
At this time, the list data D101 supplied from the jog dial application 312 of [Smart Capture]
Is located in the lower hierarchy of the list data D100, the hierarchy upper / lower state flag D101b is in the lower hierarchy direction, and the routine goes to the next step SP53.

At step SP53, the CPU 50 determines
Item display section 30 in jog dial window 300 (FIG. 30) in the guide state corresponding to [Smart Capture]
While scrolling the entire menu item 1 leftward, a menu item corresponding to the menu item [capture mode] is displayed based on the list data D101.

Further, in step SP51, when the user selects the menu item [Return] in the [capture mode] item display section 301 in step SP51, the CPU 50 of the jog dial-equipped notebook personal computer 1 selects the list data D100 from the jog dial application 312.
Is received, the process proceeds to the next step SP52.

In step SP52 and step SP54, the CPU 50 sets the [Capture mode] at this time.
Menu item selected in the item display section 301 of [Back]
Jog dial compatible application 312 based on
Receives the list data D100 located in the upper hierarchy of the list data D101, the hierarchy upper / lower state flag D100b moves upward in the hierarchy, and proceeds to the next step SP55.

[0211] In step SP55, the CPU 50
Item display section 301 corresponding to [Capture mode]
While scrolling the menu items of FIG. 33 rightward, the menu items are displayed based on the list data D100.
A menu item corresponding to [Smart Capture] is displayed on the item display section 301.

As described above, the CPU 50 determines whether the upper / lower tier or upper tier / lower tier according to the hierarchical upper / lower state flag D100b of the list data D100 and the hierarchical upper / lower state flag D101b of the list data D101 supplied from the jog dial application 312. By scrolling and displaying the entire menu items on the hierarchy, the user can easily recognize the change in the hierarchy.

(2-3) Menu Item Display Processing Procedure Finally, a menu display processing procedure for displaying a menu item on the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0214] CP of notebook computer 1 with jog dial
U50 enters first from the start step of the routine RT7 and moves to step SP61.

At step SP61, the CPU 50 executes
Menu item data D10 of list data D100 supplied from jog dial application 312
It is determined whether there is a disabled menu item (items 1 to N) in 0f.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that items 1 to N in the menu item data D100f
Indicates that the disable / enable state flag is in the disable state. At this time, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP62.

At step SP62, the CPU 50 determines
For example, the menu item in the disabled state is displayed in the disabled state on the item display section 301 of the jog dial window 300 in the guide state corresponding to [Smart Capture], and the process proceeds to the next step SP63.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP61, this indicates that the disable / enable state flags of items 1 to N are in the enabled state, and at this time, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP61.
Move to 63.

At step SP63, the CPU 50 determines
The menu items in the enabled state are displayed in the normal color on the item display section 301 of the dial window 300 in the jog guide state corresponding to [Smart Capture], and the routine goes to the next step SP64.

[0220] In step SP64, the CPU 50
It is determined whether or not the item name of the menu item located in the recognition frame 302 of the item display unit 301 has 13 characters or more. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the item name of the menu item is 13 characters or more. At this time, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP65.

In step SP65, the CPU 50 determines
Based on the jog dial utility program 311, the characters of the menu item located in the recognition frame 302 are repeatedly displayed while scrolling from right to left,
Move to the next step SP66.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP64, this indicates that the item name of the menu item located in the recognition frame 302 is less than 13 characters, and at this time, the CPU 50 A normal display is performed, and the routine goes to the next step SP66.

In step SP66, the CPU 50 determines
Menu item data D100f of list data D100
It is determined whether or not the hierarchization status flag is set. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the hierarchical status flag is set,
U50 moves to the next step SP67.

In step SP67, the CPU 50 determines
Jog dial window 3 according to the hierarchical status flag
A hierarchical icon 305 is displayed on the right side of each menu item in the item display section 301 of 00, and the next step SP6
Move to 8.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP66, this means that the hierarchical state flag is not set, and the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP68.

In step SP68, the CPU 50 determines
It is determined whether or not a menu item located in the recognition frame 302 of the item display unit 301 has been selected by a user's pressing operation of the jog dial 30. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the menu item has been selected by the user's pressing operation of the jog dial 30, and at this time, the CPU 50 proceeds to the next step SP
Move to 69.

In step SP69, the CPU 50 determines
By displaying the item name (character string) of the selected menu item in orange, which is the selected color, the user can recognize the currently selected menu item and move to the next step SP70 to end the processing. .

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP68, this means that the user has not selected a menu item, and at this time C
The PU 50 moves to the next step SP70 and ends the display processing.

(3) Operation and Effect in Embodiment In the above configuration, the jog dial-equipped notebook personal computer 1 is displayed in the launcher state jog dial window 300 (FIG. 27) displayed when no activated application exists. Menu item [Sm
When [art Capture] is positioned in the central recognition frame 302 and selected, the [Smart Capture] application window 320 is displayed, and the jog dial window 300 in the guide state is displayed from the jog dial window 300 in the launcher state (FIG. 30). Item display section 301
The menu items are switched and displayed.

At this time, the CPU 50 of the notebook personal computer 1 with a jog dial sets a hierarchical icon on the right of the menu items [Effects] and [Capture Mode] in the item display section 301 in accordance with the hierarchical status flags of the items 1 to N. By displaying 305, the user can easily recognize that the menu items [Effect] and [Capture Mode] have sub-menus of lower hierarchy.

The CPU 50 displays the recognition frame 302 located at the center of the item display section 301 in a state where the right end of the recognition frame 302 is opened without being closed.
As in the case of the hierarchical icon 305, the user can easily recognize that the sub-menu of the lower hierarchy exists in the menu item [application switching] in the menu item 2.

Then, the CPU 50 controls the jog dial 30.
When the menu item [capture mode] is positioned and selected in the recognition frame 302 by the rotation operation and the pressing operation of, the jog dial window 300 in the guide state corresponding to the menu item [capture mode] (FIG. 3)
By scrolling the menu items in the item display section 301 in 3), the user can visually recognize the state of transition from the menu in the upper hierarchy to the menu in the lower hierarchy.

In this case, in the jog dial window 300 in the guide state corresponding to the menu item [Capture Mode], the menu item located at the lowest hierarchy is displayed on the item display section 301, and the hierarchy icon 305 is displayed.
And the right end of the recognition frame 302 is not displayed open.

Here, when a menu item of a character string of 13 characters or more is positioned in the recognition frame 302 of the item display unit 301, the CPU 50 scrolls the character string of the menu item from right to left to display the menu item. The user can easily recognize the character string of the menu item even in the recognition frame 302 which is a display area with a limited number of characters that can be displayed at one time.

This menu item [Capture mode]
Jog dial window 30 in the guide state corresponding to
For example, when a menu item [Long Video] is positioned in the recognition frame 302 and selected in 0, the CPU 50 sets a state in which a function corresponding to the menu item [Long Video] can be executed and sets the menu item to “Long Video”. By displaying the text [Long Video] in orange, the current menu item is displayed.
The user can easily recognize that [Long Video] is being selected.

At this time, the CPU 50 sets the menu item [Lo
ng Video] and select jog dial window 3
00 is not erased, and menu items that are not selected are also displayed in the item display section 301 in a normal color, so that other menu items [Stil
l] and [Video Mail] can be promptly selected on the spot by operating the jog dial 30 by the user.

By the way, the CPU 50 executes [Smart Capture]
Jog dial window 30 in the guide state corresponding to
When the user presses the shift key while displaying 0 (FIG. 30), the titles ([Detailed menu] and [Simple menu]) of the two types of menu item data D100f are displayed based on the duplex status flag D100e. Displayed at 301.

As described above, the CPU 50 can promptly switch and display the menu item of [Detailed Menu] or [Simple Menu] in response to the user pressing or not pressing the shift key, and can display the item in the limited display area. 30
One can efficiently display two types of menus having a hierarchical structure.

According to the above configuration, the notebook computer with a jog dial 1 has two types of [detailed menu] and [simple menu] in the jog dial compatible application 312 of [Smart Capture] selected by rotating and pressing the jog dial 30. If it exists, the menu item of [Detailed Menu] or [Simple Menu] is switched and displayed promptly according to the user's pressing or non-pressing of the shift key.
Menu items of [Detailed menu] or [Simple menu] can be displayed in a short time.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, a hierarchical icon 305 formed by a triangle mark is displayed so that the user can recognize that a menu of a lower hierarchy exists. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and icons having various other shapes and marks may be displayed as shown by rightward arrows and the like. In this case, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the character string of the menu item selected by the user is displayed in orange so that the user can recognize that the menu item is currently selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the user can recognize that the menu item is currently selected, the character string of the menu item is displayed in other various colors, or the character string is displayed. It may be displayed thick.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which two types of menu items, [Detailed Menu] or [Simple Menu], are displayed according to whether the shift key is pressed or not pressed. The present invention is not limited to this, and three or more types of menu items having a hierarchical structure may be displayed in correspondence with non-pressing of the shift key, pressing of the shift key once, pressing of the shift key twice,.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the number of characters of the menu item positioned in recognition frame 302 is 13 characters.
The case where the characters in the recognition frame 302 are scroll-displayed from right to left when there are more than characters has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and scroll display may be performed with ten or more characters. .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the CP
U50, based on the jog dial utility program 311 stored in advance in the hard disk of the HDD 67, displays the hierarchical icon 305, scrolls the entire menu item, scrolls the character of the menu item located in the recognition frame 302, shift key Although the case where two types of [Detailed Menu] or [Simple Menu] are displayed according to pressing or non-pressing of the button has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the jog dial utility program 311 is recorded. The above-described display processing may be performed by installing a program storage medium.

As described above, the jog dial utility program 311 for executing the series of display processing described above is installed in the notebook personal computer 1 with a jog dial.
Examples of a program storage medium used to make the notebook PC 1 with the jog dial executable include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD, and the like.
-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD
Not only package media such as (registered trademark) (Digital Video Disc), but also a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored may be realized. As a means for storing programs in these program storage media, a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting may be used, and various communication interfaces such as a router and a modem may be used. It may be stored.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to the notebook personal computer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. May be applied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 50 as a menu display means for displaying a predetermined menu on the display screen, and some of the menu items among the menus displayed on the display screen by the CPU 50 When there are a plurality of different sub-menus in the menu item selected by the jog dial 30 as the menu selection means for selecting the menu item, the plurality of sub-menus are switched and displayed according to a predetermined key operation. The case has been described in which the notebook personal computer 1 as the information processing apparatus of the present invention is configured by the CPU 50 as the control means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other menu display means, The information processing device is controlled by the menu It may be formed.

[0248]

As described above, according to the present invention, a predetermined menu is displayed on a display screen, and any of a plurality of menu items is selected from the displayed menu, and the selected menu item is selected. When there are a plurality of different sub-menus, the plurality of kinds of sub-menus are switched and displayed according to a predetermined key operation, so that the plurality of kinds of sub-menus for the selected menu item can be displayed by a predetermined key. Switching display can be performed promptly according to the operation, and thus prompt processing can be executed as a whole.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a notebook personal computer with a jog dial according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a left side surface of the main body.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a rear side surface and a bottom surface of a main body.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of a jog dial attached to a main body.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a jog dial.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a contact mounting board.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal structure (1) of the jog dial.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal structure (2) of the jog dial.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing a mounted state of a jog dial.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rotary encoder unit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the push switch unit.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a notebook personal computer with a jog dial.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining detection of the rotation direction of the jog dial.

FIG. 14 is a pulse waveform chart for describing detection of a rotation direction by a rotation detection unit.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an I / O controller performed according to a jog dial state monitoring program.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to an operation of a jog dial when application software is activated and not activated.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jog dial menu.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram used to explain selector movement (1).

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram used to explain selector movement (2).

FIG. 20 shows “brightness” according to a pressing operation of the jog dial.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a submenu corresponding to.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating a submenu for “selection of application” according to a pressing operation of a jog dial.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating a map screen.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating an enlarged display according to a rotation operation of a jog dial.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an editing screen.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a procedure for allocating processing according to the operation of the jog dial.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jog dial window.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jog dial window in a launcher state.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram for explaining transfer of list data;

FIG. 29 is an arrow chart showing a hierarchical display procedure of menu items in a jog dial window.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jog dial window in a guide state.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of list data.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of list data in a selected item 2;

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jog dial window corresponding to a menu item “capture mode”.

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jog dial window corresponding to a duplex list.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a menu in smart capture.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a menu display processing procedure according to whether a shift key is pressed or not pressed.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a scroll display processing procedure of a menu item.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a menu display processing procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... notebook computer, 2 ... body, 3 ... display unit,
5 ... Stick pointing device, 21 ...
Liquid crystal display, 30 ... Jog dial, 50 ...
CPU, 53 ... RAM, 67 ... HDD, 73 ... I
/ O controller, 88: rotation detector, 218: disk-shaped operation knob, 300: jog dial window, 302: recognition frame, 305: hierarchical icon, 3
11 ... Jog dial utility program, 3
12 …… A jog dial compatible application.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Keigo Ihara 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tetsuya Kono 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tota Hasegawa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Junichiro Sakata 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tomoe Tanaka 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Junji Oi 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 5B020 AA15 DD05 GG16 5E501 AA03 AC37 BA05 CA04 CB07 EA05 EB05 FA05 FA23 FA45

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A menu display means for displaying a predetermined menu on a display screen, and a menu selection means for selecting any one of a plurality of menu items among the menus displayed on the display screen by the menu display means. And, when there are a plurality of different submenus in the menu item selected by the menu selection means,
Control means for switching and displaying the plurality of types of submenus in response to a predetermined key operation. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus includes an execution unit that executes a process corresponding to the menu item selected by the menu selection unit. 3. The menu selection means selects one of a plurality of menu items among the menus by a rotation operation and a pressing operation, and then selects a plurality of menus among the submenus switched and displayed by the control means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the items is selected. 4. A menu display step of displaying a predetermined menu on a display screen, and a menu selection step of selecting one of a plurality of menu items from the menus displayed on the display screen in the menu display step. And a control step of, when there are a plurality of different types of submenus in the menu item selected in the menu selection step, switching and displaying the plurality of types of submenus according to a predetermined key operation. An information processing method characterized by the following. 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the information processing method includes an execution step of executing a process corresponding to the menu item selected in the menu selection step. 6. The menu selection step comprises: selecting one of a plurality of menu items from the menu by a rotation operation and a pressing operation, and then selecting a plurality of menus from the submenus switched and displayed in the control step. 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein one of the items is selected. 7. A menu display step of displaying a predetermined menu on a display screen, and a menu selection step of selecting one of a plurality of menu items from the menus displayed on the display screen in the menu display step. And if there are a plurality of different types of submenus in the menu item selected in the menu selection step, a control step of switching and displaying the plurality of types of submenus according to a predetermined key operation. A program storage medium for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a characteristic program. 8. The program storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the program storage medium includes an execution step of executing a process corresponding to the menu item selected in the menu selection step. 9. The menu selection step comprises the steps of: selecting one of a plurality of menu items from the menus by a rotation operation and a pressing operation; and selecting a plurality of menus among the submenus switched and displayed in the control step. The program storage medium according to claim 7, wherein one of the items is selected.