JP2006166435A - Image display control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress erroneous operation when selecting a three-dimensional menu. <P>SOLUTION: A control stick is made operable in three directions of x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions. The x-axis and y-axis directions are made to correspond to lateral and longitudinal directions of a display, respectively and the z-axis direction is made to correspond to the depth direction of the display. When the control stick is operated in the z-axis direction, menus of lower hierarchies (arrayed in the z-axis direction) are sequentially displayed. The present invention is applicable to an image display control apparatus for displaying an EPG (Electrical Program Guide). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display control apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image display control apparatus and method with improved operability.

  Recently, digital television broadcasting has been carried out through satellites and the like, and it has become possible to enjoy programs with an extremely large number of channels such as 100 channels. As a result, in order to select a desired program from many programs, for example, by looking at the image of each channel in order from the smallest channel number, the desired program is selected quickly. It becomes difficult. Therefore, the broadcast side can transmit an image for selecting a program as an EPG (Electrical Program Guide), and the receiving side can receive the image and select a desired program from this EPG screen. I came.

  Conventionally, an operation for selecting a desired program from such an EPG screen is often performed by a remote commander. FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of such a conventional remote commander.

  That is, in this example, the remote commander 1 is provided with a plurality of keys 2 and a control stick 3, and infrared signals (IR signals) corresponding to these operations are not shown by the IR transmitter 4. It is designed to be output to a tuner.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the control stick 3 can be operated in the up / down / left / right direction or the oblique direction, and moves the cursor displayed on the EPG in the up / down / left / right or oblique direction. Is made possible.

  However, such a conventional apparatus has a problem that a desired program cannot be selected quickly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables a desired image to be displayed quickly and reliably.

  An image display control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a program image and a menu image for selecting the program, and an x-axis and a y-axis that display the program image and are perpendicular to each other. A plurality of two-dimensional menu images in which predetermined items are arranged on a plane composed of a plurality of items are hierarchically arranged in the z-axis direction perpendicular to the plane, and items on the two-dimensional menu image are selected. A display means for displaying an image of a 3D menu in which images of 2D menus in other layers in which items associated with the selected item are arranged on a plane are arranged; First operating means that is operated when a cursor for selecting an item on the image is moved in any of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, and the item on which the cursor is positioned Select A second operating means operated in combination, and the movement of the cursor in the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis direction is controlled according to the operation of the first operating means, and the second Control means for controlling selection of the item on which the cursor is located in response to an operation of the operation means.

  The three-dimensional menu image has a cyclic hierarchical structure, and the display unit displays the cursor on an item on the two-dimensional menu image displayed in the lowest layer of the two-dimensional menu images. When the first operating means is operated so that the cursor is moved in the z-axis direction in the positioned state, only the image of the two-dimensional menu displayed on the top layer is displayed. Can do.

  An image display control method according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to receive a program image and a menu image for selecting the program, display the program image, and include an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular to each other. When a plurality of two-dimensional menu images in which predetermined items are arranged on a plane are arranged in a hierarchy in the z-axis direction perpendicular to the plane, and an item on the two-dimensional menu image is selected Display an image of a 3D menu in which images of 2D menus of other layers in which items associated with the selected item are arranged on a plane are arranged, and select an item on the image of the 2D menu When the first operating means that is operated when the cursor for moving in the direction of any one of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis is operated, the x-axis according to the operation , The y-axis, or the Control of movement of the cursor in the axial direction, and selection of an item where the cursor is positioned according to the operation when the second operating means operated when selecting the item where the cursor is positioned is operated The step of controlling is included.

  The three-dimensional menu image has a cyclic hierarchical structure, and the cursor is positioned on an item on the two-dimensional menu image displayed in the lowest layer among the two-dimensional menu images. When the first operation means is operated so that the cursor is moved in the z-axis direction, only the image of the two-dimensional menu displayed on the top layer can be displayed.

  In one aspect of the present invention, an image of a program and an image of a menu for selecting the program are received, and the image of the program is displayed on a plane composed of an x axis and a y axis perpendicular to each other. A plurality of images of a two-dimensional menu in which predetermined items are arranged are arranged hierarchically in the z-axis direction perpendicular to the plane, and an item on the two-dimensional menu image is selected. A three-dimensional menu image in which images of two-dimensional menus in other layers in which items associated with the items are arranged on a plane is displayed, and a cursor for selecting an item on the two-dimensional menu image Is moved in any of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, when the first operating means is operated, the x-axis and the y-axis are operated according to the operation. Or the z-axis When the second operation means operated when the movement of the cursor in the direction is controlled and the item on which the cursor is located is operated, the item on which the cursor is located is selected according to the operation. Be controlled.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a desired image can be displayed quickly and reliably.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but in order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, in parentheses after each means, The features of the present invention will be described with the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) added. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to the description.

  An image display control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention displays a program image and a receiving unit (for example, a tuner 81 in FIG. 8) that receives a menu image for selecting the program, and displays the program image. A plurality of two-dimensional menu images in which predetermined items are arranged on a plane composed of an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular to each other are arranged hierarchically in the direction of the z-axis perpendicular to the plane, and 2 When an item on a three-dimensional menu image is selected, a three-dimensional menu image in which images of two-dimensional menus in other layers in which items associated with the selected item are arranged on a plane is displayed is displayed. A display means (for example, the display 82 in FIG. 8) and a cursor for selecting an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu are moved in any direction of the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis. In case First operating means to be created (for example, control stick 12 in FIG. 1), and second operating means to be operated when selecting the item where the cursor is located (for example, execution button 13 in FIG. 1) The movement of the cursor in the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis direction is controlled according to the operation of the first operation means, and the cursor is controlled according to the operation of the second operation means. Control means (for example, the CPU 84 that executes the processing from step S5 to step S8 in FIG. 9) that controls the selection of the item in which is located.

  An image display control method according to one aspect of the present invention is configured to receive a program image and a menu image for selecting the program, display the program image, and include an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular to each other. When a plurality of two-dimensional menu images in which predetermined items are arranged on a plane are arranged in a hierarchy in the z-axis direction perpendicular to the plane, and an item on the two-dimensional menu image is selected Display an image of a 3D menu in which images of 2D menus of other layers in which items associated with the selected item are arranged on a plane are arranged, and select an item on the image of the 2D menu When the first operating means that is operated when the cursor for moving in the direction of any one of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis is operated, the x-axis according to the operation , The y-axis, or the Control of movement of the cursor in the axial direction, and selection of an item where the cursor is positioned according to the operation when the second operating means operated when selecting the item where the cursor is positioned is operated (For example, step S5 to step S8 in FIG. 9).

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a television receiver to which the image display control device of the present invention is applied. In this configuration example, the television receiver 21 has an IR receiver 22, and receives an IR signal (infrared signal) output from the IR transmitter 14 of the remote commander 11. The remote commander 11 has various buttons (not shown) in addition to the control stick 12 and the execution button 13.

  FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of the control stick 12. As shown in the figure, the control stick 12 can be operated on the base 31 in three axial directions perpendicular to each other in the three-dimensional real space. Here, a horizontal plane is configured by the x-axis and the y-axis. The z-axis direction is a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

  FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration example of the base 31. As shown in the figure, a diaphragm 41 made of a flexible material is attached on a substrate 42 inside the base 31. The diaphragm 41 is provided with a stick 43 at the center thereof so that force is applied in response to the operation of the control stick 12 shown in FIG.

  An electrode C0 is formed on the surface of the diaphragm 41 facing the substrate 42 as shown in FIG. 4, and five electrodes C1 are formed on the surface of the substrate 42 facing the diaphragm 41 as shown in FIG. To C5 are formed. The electrode C5 is formed in the center, electrodes C1 and C2 are formed in the left and right x-axis directions, and electrodes C3 and C4 are formed in the upper and lower y-axis directions. Accordingly, the electrode C0 and the electrodes C1 to C5 are arranged to face each other, and they substantially form a kind of capacitor.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the diaphragm 41 is deformed as a result of operating the control stick 12. As shown in the figure, when the diaphragm 41 is deformed, the distance between the electrode C0 and the other electrodes C1 to C5 is changed, and as a result, the capacitance value is changed as compared with the case where the diaphragm 41 is not deformed.

  FIG. 7 shows an internal configuration example of the game pad 11. The electrodes C1 to C5 together with the common electrode C0 constitute a sensor unit 51. The differential circuit 52 detects the difference between the capacitances of the electrodes C1 and C0 and the capacitances of the electrodes C2 and C0 and outputs the detection result to the analog circuit 53. The analog circuit 53 converts the signal input from the differential circuit 52 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the A / D conversion circuit 54. The A / D conversion circuit 54 converts the analog signal input from the analog circuit 53 into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the CPU 61 via the interface 55.

  Similarly, the differential circuit 56 detects the difference between the capacitance between the electrode C3 and the electrode C0 and the capacitance between the electrode C4 and the electrode C0 and outputs the difference to the analog circuit 57. . The analog circuit 57 converts the input signal into an analog signal and outputs it to the A / D conversion circuit 58. The A / D conversion circuit 58 performs A / D conversion on the input analog signal and outputs it to the CPU 61 via the interface 55.

  The capacitance between the electrode C5 and the electrode C0 is converted into an analog signal by the analog circuit 59, A / D converted by the A / D converter circuit 60, and then output to the CPU 61 via the interface 55. Yes.

  The CPU 61 is configured to execute various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 62. The RAM 63 appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 61 to execute various processes.

  FIG. 8 shows an internal configuration example of the television receiver 21 of FIG. The tuner 81 displays an image received via the antenna on the display 82. The CPU 84 executes various processes in the television receiver 21 according to programs stored in the ROM 85. The RAM 86 appropriately stores various data necessary for the CPU 84 to execute various processes. A signal received by the IR receiver 22 is supplied to the CPU 84 via the interface 83.

  Here, the operation of the remote commander 11 will be described. For example, when the cursor displayed on the television receiver 21 is to be moved in the left-right direction of the television receiver 21, the user operates the control stick 12 in the x-axis direction. For example, when moving in the right direction, the user rotates the control stick 12 in the right direction, and when moving in the left direction, the user rotates in the left direction. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the control stick 12 is rotated leftward. As shown in the figure, when the control stick 12 is rotated leftward, the distance between the electrode C1 and the electrode C0 becomes shorter than the distance between the electrode C0 and the electrode C2. Therefore, the capacitance between the electrode C1 and the electrode C0 is larger than the capacitance between the electrode C0 and the electrode C2. Conversely, when the control stick 12 is rotated in the right direction, the diaphragm 41 is deformed in the opposite direction to that in FIG. 6, and the distance between the electrode C2 and the electrode C0 is such that the electrode C1 and the electrode C0. Shorter than the distance between. As a result, the capacitance between the electrode C2 and the electrode C0 is larger than the capacitance between the electrode C1 and the electrode C0.

  The differential circuit 52 detects such a difference in capacitance between the electrodes C1 and C2, and generates a positive signal when, for example, the control stick 12 is rotated leftward. Then, when the control stick 12 is rotated rightward, a negative signal is output.

  When the control stick 12 is rotated in the direction approaching itself along the y-axis, the distance between the electrode C4 and the electrode C0 becomes shorter than the distance between the electrode C3 and the electrode C0, and the capacitance increases. On the other hand, when the control stick 12 is operated in a direction away from the user, the distance between the electrode C3 and the electrode C0 is shorter than the distance between the electrode C4 and the electrode C0, and the capacitance is increased. Therefore, for example, when the control stick 12 is operated in a direction approaching the user and the differential circuit 56 outputs a positive signal, the differential circuit 56 is output when the control stick 12 is operated to the opposite side. Will output a negative signal.

  As described above, when the control stick 12 is operated in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction, the distance between the electrodes C5 and C0, and hence the capacitance thereof, hardly changes.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the control stick 12 in the z-axis direction (presses in the direction of the base 31), the distance between the electrodes C1 to C5 and the electrode C0 becomes shorter than the state before being pressed, and the electrodes C1 to The capacitance between C5 and electrode C0, particularly the capacitance between electrode C5 and electrode C0, increases. The analog circuit 59 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the capacitance between the electrode C5 and the electrode C0.

  As described above, changes in capacitance when the control stick 12 is operated in the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis direction are summarized in Table 1.

  In FIG. 7, the operation in the z-axis direction of the control stick 12 is detected as a change in the capacitance between the electrode C5 and the electrode C0, but between the electrodes C1 to C4 and the electrode C0. The analog circuit 59 can detect a change in capacitance and a total of five capacitances collectively.

  The output of the analog circuit 53, the analog circuit 57, or the analog circuit 59 is A / D converted by the A / D converter 54, the A / D converter 58, or the A / D converter 60, respectively. The data is input to the CPU 61 via the interface 55. When the CPU 61 detects the operation of the control stick 12 as described above, the CPU 61 controls the IR transmission unit 14 to transmit a signal corresponding to the operation as an IR signal.

  In the television receiver 21, the IR signal transmitted from the remote commander 11 is received by the IR receiver 22. The CPU 84 receives the signal from the IR receiver 22 via the interface 83 and detects the operation of the control stick 12. Then, in response to the detection result, the CPU 84 executes processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, an operation when a desired program is selected from the EPG will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Now, it is assumed that EPG is displayed on the television receiver 21 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, this EPG is virtually arranged with a two-dimensional menu consisting of a table of each day of the week and time zone on the first side, and on the back side, CBS, ABC, CNN (whichever It is assumed that a two-dimensional menu for selecting a broadcasting station such as a trademark is arranged, and further, a two-dimensional menu for selecting individual programs broadcasted by each broadcasting station is arranged behind the two-dimensional menu. That is, these EPGs are made into a three-dimensional menu by arranging two-dimensional menus hierarchically.

  The user appropriately operates the control stick 12 and the execution button 13 when selecting a desired program from the EPG. The CPU 84 detects these operations and executes processing corresponding to the detected results.

  Therefore, the CPU 84 determines whether or not the operation of the execution button 13 of the remote commander 11, the operation of the control stick 12 in the x-axis direction, the operation of the y-axis direction, or the operation of the z-axis direction has been performed in steps S1 to S4. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when selecting a desired day of the week and time zone in the menu showing the day of the week and time zone, the user moves the cursor indicated by the arrow in the figure to the desired time zone of the desired day of the week. Move to. This movement is performed by operating the control stick 12 in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the control stick 12 has been operated in the x-axis direction, the CPU 84 proceeds to step S5 and moves the cursor in the X-axis direction (the left-right direction of the television receiver 21). If it is determined in step S3 that an operation in the y-axis direction has been detected, the process proceeds to step S6, and the CPU 84 moves the cursor in the Y-axis direction. That is, the television receiver 21 is moved in the vertical direction (vertical direction).

  Thus, when the cursor is moved to a desired time zone on a desired day of the week, the user next operates the execution button 13. If it is determined in step S1 that the operation of the execution button 13 has been detected, the CPU 84 proceeds to step S8, and executes processing corresponding to the state where the cursor is located at that time. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the execution button 13 is operated in a state where the cursor is positioned in the column of the time zone from 7:00 to 9:00 on Sunday, the CPU 84 operates from 7:00 to 9:00 on Sunday. A screen for selecting a broadcasting station that is broadcasting during the period is displayed on the television receiver 21. In the case of the display example of FIG. 11, a two-dimensional menu for selecting a broadcasting station such as CBS, ABC, CNN is displayed.

  As described above, even when the desired broadcast station (channel) is selected in a state where the two-dimensional menu for selecting the broadcast station (channel) is displayed, the user can move the control stick 12 in the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction. Operate appropriately in the direction. Then, the cursor is moved to the position of the desired broadcast station (channel). When the cursor is moved to a desired position, the user operates the execution button 13 again. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the execution button 13 is operated in a state where an ABC broadcasting station is selected, the CPU 84 causes the program broadcasted by ABC between 7 am and 9 am on Sunday. Is displayed on the television receiver 21. In the display example of FIG. 11, since “Musical Stage” is broadcast on ABC from 7 o'clock to 9 o'clock on Sunday, the image is displayed.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the execution button 13 has been further operated while the image is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S8, where the CPU 84 controls the tuner 81 and controls the selected ABC channel at 7:00. To receive the program “Musical Stage” at 9am. When the tuner 81 receives this broadcast, the tuner 81 outputs the image to the display 82 for display.

  The above processing is an operation that can be similarly performed in the conventional remote commander 1 as shown in FIG. In the remote commander 11 of this embodiment, the following operations can be executed in addition to the above operations.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the user can operate the control stick 12 in the z-axis direction in a state where a two-dimensional menu of day of the week and time zone is displayed. If it is determined in step S4 of FIG. 9 that an operation in the z-axis direction has been detected, the CPU 84 proceeds to step S7 and executes a movement process in the Z-axis direction. That is, in the case of the display example of FIG. 11, the CPU 84 displays a two-dimensional menu for selecting a broadcasting station such as CBS, ABC, CNN arranged in the next hierarchy of the two-dimensional menu of the day of the week and the time zone. If it is determined in step S4 that the control stick 12 is further operated in the z-axis direction while the two-dimensional menu for selecting these broadcast stations is displayed, in step S7, the CPU 84 further A two-dimensional menu displaying the titles of the programs in the lower layer is displayed.

  According to the method that can be operated by the conventional remote commander 1 as well, it is not possible to proceed to the next two-dimensional menu of the lower hierarchy unless a predetermined item is selected on the two-dimensional menu of the upper hierarchy. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the control stick 12 is operated in the z-axis direction, it is possible to immediately move to a lower hierarchy without selecting a predetermined item in the upper hierarchy. Therefore, the user can easily know what hierarchical structure the two-dimensional menu has just by operating the control stick 12 in the z-axis direction on a trial basis.

  The hierarchical structure is assumed to be cyclic. In the display example of FIG. 11, the control stick 12 is further moved in the z-axis direction in the state where the two-dimensional menu displaying the title of the last program is displayed. When operated, the display returns to the display state of the two-dimensional menu of the day of the week and the time zone.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, when a user wants to know a program of a predetermined broadcasting station (for example, ABC) regardless of the day of the week and the time zone, a two-dimensional menu of the day of the week and the time zone is displayed. In this state, the operation button 13 is not operated, and the control stick 12 is operated in the z-axis direction to immediately move to the two-dimensional menu for selecting a broadcast station, and a desired broadcast station can be selected. .

  FIG. 12 shows another display example of the EPG. In this display example, the two-dimensional menu in the first hierarchy is a menu for selecting a genre such as SPORTS, Entertainment, and Politics. Different three-dimensional menus are prepared as subordinate two-dimensional menus for each genre. For example, two-dimensional menus such as Golf, Tennis, Football, and Baseball are prepared as lower menus of the SPORTS menu. Therefore, when the user moves the control stick 12 in the z-axis direction while the cursor is moved to the SPORTS column, two-dimensional menus such as Golf, Tennis, Football, and Baseball, which are subordinate to the genre, are sequentially displayed. The

  It is to be noted that such an operation in the z-axis direction is digitally detected, and when it is operated once, it shifts to the lower two-dimensional menu, and when it is operated once again, it is further moved down by one more. It is possible to shift to the two-dimensional menu. Alternatively, since the operation amount in the z-axis direction is detected in an analog manner by the analog circuit 59, the maximum analog amount corresponds to the lowest menu (Baseball menu in the case of the display example in FIG. 12). It is also possible to display a two-dimensional menu in the middle corresponding to the analog displacement amount in the z-axis direction. In this case, when the operation in the z-axis direction of the control stick 12 is released, the display is returned to the two-dimensional menu in the uppermost hierarchy, and when the displacement in the z-axis direction is not detected for a predetermined time or longer, Even if the operation in the z-axis direction of the control stick 12 is canceled after that, assuming that the two-dimensional menu corresponding to the displacement amount at that time is selected, the two-dimensional menu is left as it is. It is possible to avoid returning to the two-dimensional menu of the highest hierarchy.

  Note that the display (cursor) is moved in the X-axis direction (left and right direction of the television receiver 21) in response to the operation in the x-axis direction, but the y-axis direction is the Z-axis direction (depth direction) of the display. ) And the z axis can correspond to the Y axis direction of the display (vertical direction of the display). However, the menu is basically not a three-dimensional image but a two-dimensional image in many cases. Therefore, in such a correspondence relationship, in a two-dimensional menu not having a hierarchical structure (only one hierarchy), it is desirable. (The operation in this case was also performed on a remote commander that cannot be operated on the z-axis conventionally, but the correspondence between the directions is the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, respectively. (This corresponds to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the display), so that the operation consistency with the case of the conventional remote commander is ensured and the operation as described in the present embodiment is prevented in order to prevent an erroneous operation. The relationship is preferred.

  In the above, the present invention has been described by taking the case where a desired program is selected from the EPG as an example. However, the present invention is also applied to the case where a two-dimensional menu of a desired hierarchy is selected from various two-dimensional menus. Is possible.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image display control apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the control stick 12 of the remote commander 11 of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure in the base 31 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the electrode of the diaphragm 41 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the electrode of the board | substrate 42 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the diaphragm 41 of FIG. 3 deform | transformed. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the remote commander 11 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the television receiver 21 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the structural example of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the television receiver 21 of FIG. It is a figure explaining selection of a menu. It is a figure explaining selection of a menu. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional remote commander. It is a figure explaining operation of the control stick of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  11 Remote Commander, 12 Control Stick, 13 Execution Button, 14 IR Transmitter, 21 Television Receiver, 22 IR Receiver, 41 Diaphragm, 42 Substrate, 81 Tuner, 82 Display, 84 CPU

Claims (4)

Receiving means for receiving an image of a program and an image of a menu for selecting the program;
The image of the program is displayed, and a two-dimensional menu image in which predetermined items are arranged on a plane composed of an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular to each other is hierarchical in the direction of the z-axis perpendicular to the plane When an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu is selected, an image of the two-dimensional menu in another hierarchy in which items associated with the selected item are arranged on a plane is arranged. Display means for displaying an image of a three-dimensional menu;
First operating means that is operated when a cursor for selecting an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu is moved in any direction of the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis;
Second operating means operated when selecting an item where the cursor is located;
The movement of the cursor in the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis direction is controlled according to the operation of the first operation means, and the cursor is moved according to the operation of the second operation means. An image display control device comprising: control means for controlling selection of an item to be positioned. The three-dimensional menu image has a cyclic hierarchical structure,
The display means is configured such that the cursor is positioned in the z-axis direction in a state where the cursor is positioned on an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu displayed in the lowest layer among the images of the two-dimensional menu. The image display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first operation unit is operated so as to be moved, only the image of the two-dimensional menu displayed on the uppermost layer is displayed. Receiving an image of a program and an image of a menu for selecting the program;
The image of the program is displayed, and a two-dimensional menu image in which predetermined items are arranged on a plane composed of an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular to each other is hierarchical in the direction of the z-axis perpendicular to the plane When an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu is selected, an image of the two-dimensional menu in another hierarchy in which items associated with the selected item are arranged on a plane is arranged. Display the 3D menu image,
The first operating means is operated to move a cursor for selecting an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu in any of the x axis, the y axis, and the z axis. Control the movement of the cursor in the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis direction according to the operation,
When the 2nd operation means operated when selecting the item in which the said cursor is located is operated, the image display control method including the step which controls selection of the item in which the said cursor is located according to the operation. The three-dimensional menu image has a cyclic hierarchical structure,
The cursor is moved in the z-axis direction in a state where the cursor is positioned on an item on the image of the two-dimensional menu displayed at the lowest level among the images of the two-dimensional menu. The image display control method according to claim 3, wherein when the first operation means is operated, only the image of the two-dimensional menu displayed on the uppermost layer is displayed.

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