JP5465844B2 - Selection item display system, selection item display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a selection item display system and a selection item display method capable of selecting a specific display item arbitrarily selected by a user from among a plurality of display items displayed in a list on a display unit.

In a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone, an operation for selecting a specific display item arbitrarily selected by a user among a plurality of display items displayed in a list on the display unit is frequently performed. Focusing on the function of performing display for selecting the item, these devices are a kind of selection item display system.
As an input operation device in such a selection item display system, a rotation operation (operation for searching for a desired item) and a press operation (decision operation) as commonly called a shuttle switch or a jog dial switch can be performed with one device. Configurations are already in widespread use.

The input operation device as described above has various conveniences such as no troublesome operation of repeatedly pressing an operation button when a specific item is selected from a large number of display items.
However, the display range of the display screen and the relative position of the cursor at the current point in time are such that the plurality of display items displayed in a list on the display unit are below the screen that appears after scrolling. If it is separated from the screen, there is a problem that it is necessary to scroll the screen for a long time or move the cursor until a desired item is displayed.

Among conventional portable information terminal devices, there is a configuration in which items of selection candidates are replaced so that the display order is driven to a lower position when the selection frequency is low. In this case, the item desired to be selected at the present time point is the lowermost part that deviates from the current display screen, and there is a possibility that the above-described problem becomes more remarkable.
Furthermore, in a configuration in which the display order of items with a low selection frequency can be switched to a lower order regardless of the user's intention, for example, a display order sequence according to a predetermined rule such as the order of Japanese syllabary breaks down with use. This may cause an undesired situation such as being done.

  In addition, in some cases, the scroll speed and cursor movement speed can be switched in multiple stages so that the display item can be reached quickly. In such a case, the display position associated with the scroll can be changed. In order to stop the movement or the movement of the cursor with respect to the target position at an appropriate timing, considerable skill is required, and in some cases, the required position may be skipped.

In the input operation device as described above, there are many technical problems on the other hand,
Various proposals have been made for improving the operability.
For example, in menu switching and display screen scrolling in a portable information terminal device, the jog dial is continuously moved in the same direction within a predetermined reference time (for example, 0.5 seconds) from scrolling by manual operation using the jog dial. It has been proposed to shift to automatic scrolling when a predetermined condition such as a rotation operation is satisfied (for example, see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, in the portable information terminal that moves the cursor displayed on the display means by the direction operation keys that can be operated in all directions, the cursor can be moved in a desired direction without erroneous operation while reducing the size of the device. There is also a proposal of a portable information terminal device in which the speed can be changed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
There is also a proposal for selecting a user-desired function from various functions in a portable information terminal device or the like based on a keyword related to a desired item (for example, a patent) Reference 3).

On the other hand, in the portable information terminal device, in order to be able to quickly move to a desired menu item using an input device such as a shuttle switch or a jog dial switch, the operation status (number of continuous presses) for the user to the input device is monitored. In response to this result, a technique has been proposed in which the amount of movement of the focus per unit operation amount is variably set (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
JP 2002-33795 A (summary, etc., paragraphs 0118 to 0120) JP2003-44204A (summary, paragraph 0016, paragraph 0038, etc.) JP 2004-227524 A (summary, paragraph 0011, paragraph 0027, paragraph 0033, etc.) JP 2000-353045 A (paragraph 0002 to paragraph 0008, paragraph 0043, paragraph 0061 to paragraph 0062, etc.)

  As described above, in a configuration in which the scrolling speed and the cursor moving speed are changed according to the degree of operation on the input operation device, or the transition from the manual operation mode to the automatic mode is performed, as described above. The problem that it is difficult to stop the display position on the scrolled screen or the position of the cursor in the screen to match the target display item cannot be sufficiently dealt with.

In addition, there remains a problem that scrolling of the screen and movement of the cursor within the screen are unlikely to become familiar with the operator's feeling.
On the other hand, the technical problem as described above is not limited to the case where the selection item display system is embodied as a portable information terminal device.
For example, there is a technical problem similar to that described above with respect to a selection item display function in a home video device or the like, which has recently been remarkably developed.

For home video devices and the like, it has already been put into practical use that a system can be operated so that AV devices and the like to be controlled can be operated by a communication method compliant with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) predetermined guidelines.
In DLNA, a desired content is designated by DMC (Digital Media Controller) from various contents such as moving images, still images, and audio stored in DMS (Digital Media Server). Or a mobile phone is used.

In such home video devices, an operation of selecting a specific display item arbitrarily selected by the user from among a plurality of display items displayed in a list on the display unit of the applied digital television receiver or panel device Is performed in a normal use situation, and therefore, these devices are also a kind of selection item display system when attention is paid to a function of performing display for selecting a specific item.
In the selection item display system using home video equipment as described above, as described above, a remote controller or a mobile phone is used for the operation, and it is generally used to operate away from the main body. Some of such remote controllers and the like are provided with a rotary operation type operation unit such as a jog dial.

When a specific item is selected from the selection candidates displayed in a list on the screen using a remote controller having a rotary operation type operation unit such as a jog dial in this way, the mobile information terminal device A technical problem similar to the technical problem described above with respect to the example will arise.
As can be easily understood from the above description, the technical problem as described above is to operate the mouse wheel to select a specific item from the selection candidates displayed in a list on the personal computer screen. It will also occur when selecting.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and scrolls and displays a screen that displays a list of a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates on a predetermined display unit according to an external operation. In this case, the display position on the scrolled screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item, and the screen scrolling is sufficiently familiar to the operator's sense. And the position of the cursor in the screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to match the target display item, and the movement of the cursor in the screen It is an object of the present invention to provide a selection item display system and a selection item display method that are realized to be sufficiently familiar to each other.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present application proposes the following techniques.
The selection item display system according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
Display means having a predetermined display unit;
Scroll means for scroll-displaying a screen for displaying a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates on the display unit of the display means according to an external operation;
Based on information of a memory unit corresponding to each of a plurality of applications and including a storage unit that stores and holds data input or selected in the application, and a currently running application among the plurality of applications. the application recognizes the running, currently selected one of said memory section or al, by outputting acquires the data corresponding to the running application, display items may be a selection candidate displayed on the screen A selection candidate limiting unit that includes a selection candidate limiting unit that selectively limits display items that are relatively likely to be displayed,
The state in which the display item that is selectively limited by the selection candidate limiting unit and the front Symbol memory unit or we acquired data is displayed in a predetermined display area on the display screen at the present time being scrolled by the scrolling means Scroll display status identifying means for identifying whether there is,
The scroll speed of the screen is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and the display item limited by the selection candidate limiting unit is displayed in the predetermined display area on the display screen by the scroll display status identifying unit. A scroll speed control means for controlling to suppress the scroll speed of the screen,
It is characterized by including.

In the selection item display system according to the first aspect, the scroll unit scrolls and displays a screen for displaying a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates on the display unit of the display unit according to an external operation.
The memory unit including a storage unit corresponding to each of the plurality of applications of the selection candidate limiting unit stores and holds data input or selected in the application, and the selection candidate limiting unit of the selection candidate limiting unit stores the plurality of data based of the information of the application in the startup of the application to recognize the running application in the present time, the memory unit or, et al., by outputting acquires the data corresponding to the running application The display items that are relatively likely to be selected among the display items that can be selected as candidates for display on the screen are selectively limited.

On the other hand, the scroll display situation identifying means, the display screen at the current time when the display item that is selectively limited by the selection candidate limiting unit and the front Symbol memory unit or we acquired data is scrolled by said scrolling means It is identified whether or not it is in a state of being displayed in a predetermined display area.
Furthermore, the scroll speed control means controls, for example, the scroll speed of the screen by using, as one factor, an external operation from the user with respect to the portable information terminal device or the remote controller or the mouse operation element, and the scroll display status identifying means. When it is identified that the display item limited by the selection candidate limiting unit is displayed in the predetermined display area on the display screen at the current time, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.

The selection item display system according to claim 2 of the present invention is:
2. The selection item display system according to claim 1, wherein the display means is provided in a portable information terminal device, and the scroll speed control means is a rotary operation type pointing device for performing the external operation provided in the portable information terminal device. The scroll speed of the screen is controlled in response to an operation on the device.
In the selection item display system according to claim 2, the display means is provided in a portable information terminal device, and the scroll speed control means is a rotary operation type pointing device for performing the external operation provided in the portable information terminal device. Controls the scrolling speed of the screen in response to an operation on the device.

The selection item display system according to claim 3 of the present invention is:
2. The selection item display system according to claim 1, wherein the scroll speed control means controls the scroll speed of the screen in response to an operation on a rotary operation type pointing device provided in a remote controller for performing the external operation. It is comprised so that it may do.
In the selection item display system according to claim 3, the scroll speed control means controls the scroll speed of the screen in response to an operation to the rotary operation type pointing device provided in the remote controller for performing the external operation. To do.

The selection item display system according to claim 4 of the present invention is:
2. The selection item display system according to claim 1, wherein the scroll speed control means controls the scroll speed of the screen in response to an operation on a mouse wheel provided in a mouse device for performing the external operation. It is configured.
In the selection item display system according to the fourth aspect, the scroll speed control means controls the scroll speed of the screen in response to an operation on a mouse wheel provided in a mouse device for performing the external operation.

The selection item display system according to claim 5 of the present invention is:
Display means having a predetermined display unit;
Cursor display means for displaying a cursor for selecting a specific item in a screen in which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list on the display unit of the display means;
Based on information of a memory unit corresponding to each of a plurality of applications and including a storage unit that stores and holds data input or selected in the application, and a currently running application among the plurality of applications. the application recognizes the running, the memory unit or, et al., by outputting acquires the data corresponding to the running application, is a selection candidate displayed on the screen of the display unit of the display means A selection candidate limiting unit including a selection candidate limiting unit that selectively limits display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items to be obtained;
The cursor where to display items that are selectively limited by the data obtained the selected candidate limiting unit and the front Symbol memory unit or we in this screen are moved and displayed by said cursor display means has approached to within a predetermined range A cursor approach status identifying means for identifying whether or not
The cursor movement speed is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and the cursor approach status identifying unit approaches the display item selectively limited by the selection candidate limiting unit to a predetermined range. A cursor movement control means for controlling the movement speed of the cursor when it is identified that
It is characterized by having.

In the selection item display system according to claim 5, the cursor display means selects a specific item on a screen in which a plurality of display items including items that can be candidates for selection are displayed in a list on the display unit of the display means. Displays a cursor for
The memory unit including a storage unit corresponding to each of the plurality of applications of the selection candidate limiting unit stores and holds data input or selected in the application, and the selection candidate limiting unit of the selection candidate limiting unit stores the plurality of data based of the information of the application in the startup of the application to recognize the running application in the present time, the memory unit or, et al., by outputting acquires the data corresponding to the running application The display items that are likely to be selected among the display items that can be the selection candidates displayed on the screen in the display unit of the display unit are selectively limited.

On the other hand, by the cursor approaching situation identifying means are moved and displayed by said cursor display means to display items that are selectively limited by the data obtained before Symbol memory unit or al and the selection candidate limiting unit in the screen It is identified whether or not the cursor is close to a predetermined range.
Further, the cursor movement control means controls, for example, the movement speed of the cursor on the screen by using, as one factor, the external operation from the user with respect to the portable information terminal device or the remote controller or the mouse operation element, and the cursor approaching state. When the identification unit identifies that the cursor is in a state close to a predetermined range with respect to the display item selectively limited by the selection candidate limiting unit, control is performed to suppress the moving speed of the cursor.

The selection item display system according to claim 6 of the present invention is:
6. The selection item display system according to claim 5, wherein the display means is provided in a portable information terminal device, and the cursor movement control means is a rotary operation type pointing device for performing the external operation provided in the portable information terminal device. The moving speed of the cursor on the screen is controlled in response to an operation on the device.
In the selection item display system according to claim 6, the display means is provided in a portable information terminal device, and the cursor movement control means is a rotary operation type pointing device for performing the external operation provided in the portable information terminal device. Controls the movement speed of the cursor on the screen in response to operations on the device.

The selection item display system according to claim 7 of the present invention is:
In particular, in the selection item display system according to claim 5, the cursor movement control means is configured to move the cursor on the screen in response to an operation on the rotary operation type pointing device provided in the remote controller for performing the external operation. It is comprised so that it may control.
In the selection item display system according to claim 7, the cursor movement control means responds to an operation to the rotary operation type pointing device provided in the remote controller for performing the external operation, and the cursor moving speed of the screen is displayed. To control.

The selection item display system according to claim 8 of the present invention is:
6. The selection item display system according to claim 5, wherein the cursor movement control means controls the moving speed of the cursor on the screen in response to an operation on a mouse wheel provided in a mouse device for performing the external operation. It is comprised as follows.
In the selection item display system according to claim 8, the cursor movement control means controls the movement speed of the cursor on the screen in response to an operation on a mouse wheel provided in a mouse device for performing the external operation. .

The selection item display method according to claim 9 of the present invention is:
A selection item display method for scrolling and displaying a screen for displaying a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates in a predetermined display unit according to an external operation,
Corresponding to each of the plurality of applications, storing and holding data input or selected in the application, and recognizing the currently activated application based on the information of the activated application among the plurality of applications Then, by acquiring and outputting data corresponding to the activated application among the stored data, there is a possibility that a display item that can be a selection candidate displayed on the screen is actually selected. Selectively limit display items with a relatively high
Identifying whether the selectively limited display items are in a state displayed in a predetermined display area on the display screen at the time of the scrolling;
The scroll speed of the screen is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and the display item that is relatively likely to be selected is displayed in the predetermined display area on the display screen at the current time point. When this is identified, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.
In the selection item display method in the selection item display system according to the ninth aspect, since the scroll speed of the screen is controlled as described above, the display position on the scrolled screen is appropriately adapted to the target display item. It can be stopped easily and reliably.

The selection item display method according to claim 10 of the present invention is:
A selection item display method for selecting a specific item by moving the cursor in a screen in which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list,
Corresponding to each of the plurality of applications, storing and holding data input or selected in the application, and recognizing the currently activated application based on the information of the activated application among the plurality of applications Then, by acquiring and outputting data corresponding to the activated application among the stored data, there is a possibility that a display item that can be a selection candidate displayed on the screen is actually selected. Selectively limit display items with a relatively high
Identifying whether the cursor is close to a predetermined range to the selectively limited display item;
When the movement speed of the cursor on the screen is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and when it is identified that the cursor is close to a predetermined range to the selectively limited display item, It is characterized by suppressing the moving speed.

  In the selection item display method according to claim 10, when it is identified that the cursor is in a state close to a predetermined range to the selectively limited display item, a selection is performed to suppress the movement speed of the cursor. It is possible to easily and reliably stop the position of the cursor on the screen that displays a plurality of display items including items that can be candidates as a list on a predetermined display unit so as to match the target display item. .

  According to the present invention, a display position on a scrolled screen when a screen that displays a list of a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates on a predetermined display unit is scrolled according to an external operation. Can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the intended display item, and the scrolling of the screen becomes sufficiently familiar to the operator's sense, and within the above screen The position of the cursor can be easily and reliably stopped to match the target display item, and the movement of the cursor within the screen should be sufficiently familiar to the operator's sense. The selection item display system and the selection item display method are realized.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be clarified by describing embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings.
In each drawing referred to below, portions related to the main part of the present invention are exaggerated as appropriate, and other portions are appropriately simplified or omitted.
(Configuration of Selection Item Display System as First Embodiment of the Present Invention)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a selection item display system as a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a portable information terminal device 100 as a selection item display system is obtained from an RF transmission / reception unit 102 having an antenna 101, an operation unit 103 that accepts external operations, and displays for various operations, e-mails, and other external sources. A display unit 104 such as an LCD for displaying the information is provided, and these are placed under the control of the system controller 110 that manages the entire system in an integrated manner.

In the above-described configuration, the antenna 101 is shared for transmission and reception by an antenna sharing circuit (Duplexer) (not shown) provided in the RF transmission / reception unit 102 that performs transmission / reception processing related to an RF signal.
The RF transmitter / receiver 102 is provided with various functional units such as well-known amplification, frequency conversion, demodulation, modulation, etc. (all of which are configured inside the RF transmitter / receiver 102, but each is not shown). These functions are configured so that each process is executed at a predetermined timing.

The system controller 110 includes a transmission / reception management unit 111 that manages transmission / reception operations in the portable information terminal device 100, a scroll processing unit 112 that performs processing for scrolling the display screen on the display unit 104, and selection candidates described later. In addition to the function units of the limiting unit 113, the scroll display status recognition unit 114, and the scroll speed control unit 115, a management function unit related to communication (not shown) is provided.
The operation unit 103 is an input operation device that can perform a rotation operation (operation for searching for a desired item) and a press operation (decision operation), which is commonly called a shuttle switch or a jog dial switch, or a normal operation. It is configured to include switches.

FIG. 2 illustrates the arrangement of the jog dial switch JD in the portable information terminal device 100.
In the display on the display unit 104, a screen on which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates is displayed in a list is scrolled according to an external operation from the operation unit 103.
This scrolling can be executed as required by the scroll processing unit 112 of the system controller 110 and the scroll speed control unit 115 controls the scroll speed. The scroll speed control will be described in detail later.

Under the control of the system controller 110, an audio input / output unit 105 such as a microphone and a speaker, and a memory unit 120 for storing programs and data are further arranged.
The voice input / output unit 105 is a voice input / output function unit when the mobile information terminal device 100 performs a voice call.
The memory unit 120 includes a selected bookmark storage unit 121, a selected phone book data storage unit 122, an input character storage unit 123, and a user data storage unit 124.

  The selection bookmark storage unit 121, the selected telephone directory data storage unit 122, the input character storage unit 123, the user data storage unit 124, and the selection candidate limiting unit 113 in the system controller 110 in the memory unit 120, Selection candidate limiting means for selectively limiting display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selected as selection candidates displayed on the screen is configured.

For example, assuming that the selected item is likely to be selected recently, as illustrated in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 3, the selected bookmark storage unit 121 and the selected phone book data storage unit 122 include, for example, each maximum Five items are stored and held, and the item related to the latest input as viewed from the current time point is positioned at the first position (number 1) in the order sequence of the item.
When a new item is input, the rank of the existing item in the above-described order sequence is sequentially lowered to the lower order, and the item that was in the lowest rank (No. 5) in the existing order sequence is discarded.

On the other hand, the input character storage unit 123 stores and holds, for example, a maximum of five character strings input in the search window of the portal site.
Regarding the items stored and held in the input character storage unit 123, when the browser application is activated, the previously stored items are deleted and the newly input character strings are stored.
The user data storage unit 124 stores a user name, a telephone number, and a mail address. The stored data is data used when browsing the mail text.
In addition to the above, keywords can be registered in the user data storage unit 124.

  On the other hand, the selection candidate limiting unit 113 in the system controller 110 recognizes the currently running application based on the information of the running application by the state management function in the system controller 110 and stores the corresponding data in the memory unit. Obtained from 120 and supplied to the scroll speed control unit 115 as data for controlling the scroll speed.

  The scroll speed control unit 115 controls the scroll speed of the screen with an external operation from the operation unit 103 as one factor, and the scroll display status identification unit 114 sets the selection candidate limiting unit to a predetermined display area on the display screen at the current time point. When it is identified that the display item limited by the data of 113 and the memory unit 120 is displayed, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.

For example, when browsing a bookmark or phonebook list, keywords included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 113 are displayed on the screen of the display unit 104 in the display screen at the current time point. When the scroll display status identifying unit 114 recognizes that there is, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.
The control for suppressing the scroll speed can be performed in such a manner that, for example, when the above-described identification is made in the scroll display status identification unit 114, the speed is uniformly reduced.

As described above, the scroll display status identification unit 114 indicates when the keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 113 is actually displayed on the screen of the display unit 104 in the display screen at the current time point. Although it may be configured to identify, it may be configured to identify that it is in a state of being displayed soon before it is actually displayed.
On the other hand, even when the scroll speed is automatically maintained at a certain steady speed, when the above-described identification is made in the scroll display status identification unit 114, the desired item is selected at a uniform low speed. Until it arrives, the aspect of maintaining the scroll speed can be taken.

As described above, the display position on the scrolled screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item.
The control of the scrolling speed according to the type of selection candidate is executed as follows.
That is, when the bookmark list display application is activated, data in the selected bookmark storage unit 121 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 115.
When the phone book application is activated, the data in the selected phone book data storage unit 122 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 115.

Furthermore, when the browser application is activated (that is, when browsing a Web page), data in the input character storage unit 123 and the user data storage unit 124 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 115.
The scroll speed control unit 115 has a scroll speed counter function unit (not shown) for detecting the scroll speed inside, and the scroll speed by the external operation from the operation unit 103 described above maintains a steady speed for a predetermined period. When it is detected that the scroll speed is detected, the scroll speed is automatically maintained at the steady speed regardless of an external operation.

As described above, the scroll speed that is automatically maintained at the steady speed may be configured to be set as, for example, three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed.
If the scroll speed by the external operation from the operation unit 103 is high for a predetermined period, the above-mentioned high speed is automatically maintained, and if the scroll speed by the external operation is in a steady state with a medium speed or low speed, The scroll speed is controlled so as to automatically maintain the medium speed or the low speed, respectively.
Therefore, the scroll speed in which the intention of the user who performed each external operation is faithfully reflected is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed control without any sense of incongruity fully accustomed to the operator's feeling is performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the selection item display system (personal digital assistant device) of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and in particular, the selection operation for items (data) stored in the selection bookmark storage unit 121. This is an example when
In the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the scroll operation is started, it is first determined whether or not the scroll speed is maintained at a steady speed for a predetermined period (step S401).

When it is determined that the scroll speed does not maintain the steady speed for a predetermined period (step S401: No), it is determined whether or not the item from the selected bookmark storage unit 121 is in the vicinity of the predetermined range of the cursor ( Step S402).
If it is determined in step S402 that the item (selection candidate) is in the vicinity of the predetermined range of the cursor (step S402: Yes), the scroll speed is changed to a low speed (step S403).

It is determined whether any item from the selected bookmark storage unit 121 has been selected in a state where the scroll speed is low as in step S403 (step S404), and it is determined that any item has been selected. If it does (step S404: Yes), the scrolling operation is terminated.
On the other hand, when it is determined in the previous step S401 that the scroll speed is maintained at the steady speed for a predetermined period (step S401: Yes), the steady speed (or among the plurality of steady speeds that differ in stages) A speed close to the maintained steady speed) is automatically maintained (step S405). Step S405 and subsequent steps are the same as step S402 and subsequent steps.

If it is determined in step S404 that no item has been selected, it is determined whether or not the operation was in the automatic scroll mode before the scroll speed was changed to a low speed (step S406).
If it is determined in step S406 that the operation has been performed in the automatic scroll mode before the scroll speed is changed to a low speed (step S406: Yes), the process proceeds to the previous step S405.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S406 that the operation has not been performed in the automatic scroll mode before the scroll speed is changed to a low speed (step S406: No), the process returns to step S401.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating data from the selected bookmark storage unit 121. As in the case of FIG. 3 described above, five items of data are stored in the higher order in the order series. It is held in an occupying relationship.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which data from the selected bookmark storage unit 121 is displayed on the display unit 104. In the example shown in the figure, the item “◯ □ ΔΔ □...” Matches the cursor position.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the selection item display system (personal digital assistant device) of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and in particular, items (data) stored in the input character storage unit 123 or the user data storage unit 124 Is an example when the selection operation is performed.
In FIG. 7, when scrolling is started, first, it is determined whether or not the scroll speed is maintained at a steady speed for a predetermined period (step S701).
When it is determined that the scroll speed does not maintain the steady speed for the predetermined period (step S701: No), whether the item from the input character storage unit 123 or the user data storage unit 124 is in the vicinity of the predetermined range of the cursor. Is determined (step S702).

If it is determined in step S702 that the item (selection candidate) is in the vicinity of the predetermined range of the cursor (step S702: Yes), the scroll speed is changed to a low speed (step 703).
It is determined whether or not the searched position has reached the end of the sentence (display character string) in the state where the scroll speed is low as in step S703 (step S704), and it is determined that the end has been reached. If it does (step S704: Yes), the scroll operation is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the previous step S701 that the scrolling speed is maintained at a steady speed for a predetermined period, the steady speed (or the maintained steady speed among a plurality of steady speeds that are different in stages) is set. (Near speed) is automatically maintained (step S705). Step S705 and subsequent steps are the same as step S702 and the subsequent steps.
If it is determined in step S704 that no item is selected, it is determined whether or not the operation was in the automatic scroll mode before the scroll speed was changed to a low speed (step S706).

If it is determined in step S706 that the operation has been performed in the automatic scroll mode before the scroll speed is changed to a low speed (step S706: Yes), the process proceeds to the previous step S705.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S706 that the operation was not in the automatic scroll mode before the scroll speed was changed to a low speed (step S706: No), the process returns to step S701.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram exemplifying data from the input character storage unit 123 (FIG. 1). As in FIG. 3, the order in which five items of data are stored most recently is shown. It is held in a relationship that occupies the top of the series.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating data from the user data storage unit 124 (FIG. 1).
Further, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where a search is performed on a sentence (character string) displayed on the display unit 104 by a Web page. In the illustrated example, the item “□□□” is aligned with the cursor position.
In the present embodiment, it has been described that the selected item is highly likely to be selected recently. However, the number of selections may be counted, and the possibility of selecting an item with a large number of selections may be high.

(Configuration of Selection Item Display System as Second Embodiment of the Present Invention)
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the selection item display system as the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts to those in FIG. 1 described above, and description of each of them will be omitted.
11 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that the embodiment of FIG. 1 is configured to scroll the display screen and search for items that are selection candidates. The embodiment is configured so as to search for an item that is a selection candidate by moving the position of the cursor within the same screen.

  In FIG. 11, a portable information terminal device 200 as this selection item display system includes an RF transmission / reception unit 102 having an antenna 101, an operation unit 103 that accepts external operations, displays for various operations, e-mails, and other external sources. A display unit 104 such as an LCD for displaying the acquired information is provided, which is under the control of a system controller 210 that comprehensively manages the entire system, which is largely different from the configuration of FIG. There is no.

  The system controller 210 includes a transmission / reception management unit 111 that manages transmission / reception operations in the portable information terminal device 200, a cursor display processing unit 212 that performs processing for displaying a cursor on the display screen of the display unit 104, and the like. In addition to the function units of the selection candidate limiting unit 113, the cursor approaching state identification unit 214, and the cursor movement control unit 215, which will be described later, a management function unit related to communication (not shown) is provided.

The operation unit 103 is an input operation device that can perform a rotation operation (operation for searching for a desired item) and a press operation (decision operation), which is commonly called a shuttle switch or a jog dial switch, or a normal operation. The configuration including switches and the like is the same as in FIG.
In addition, the display position of the cursor on the display unit 104 is moved according to an external operation from the operation unit 103 in a screen on which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list.

The movement of the cursor can be executed as required by the cursor display processing unit 212 of the system controller 210, and the movement speed is controlled by the cursor movement control unit 215. The movement speed control will be described in detail later.
Under the control of the system controller 210, an audio input / output unit 105 such as a microphone and a speaker, and a memory unit 120 for storing programs and data are further arranged.

The voice input / output unit 105 and the memory unit 120 are substantially the same as those in FIG.
The selection bookmark storage unit 121, the selected telephone directory data storage unit 122, the input character storage unit 123, the user data storage unit 124, and the selection candidate limiting unit 113 in the system controller 210 in the memory unit 120, Selection candidate limiting means for selectively limiting display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selected as selection candidates displayed on the screen is configured.

  On the other hand, the selection candidate limiting unit 113 in the system controller 210 recognizes the currently running application based on the information of the running application by the state management function in the system controller 210 and stores the corresponding data in the memory unit. Obtained from 120 and supplied to the cursor movement control unit 215 as data for controlling the cursor movement speed.

  The cursor movement control unit 215 controls the cursor movement speed of the screen with an external operation from the operation unit 103 as one factor, and the cursor approach status identification unit 214 limits the selection candidates to a predetermined display area on the display screen at the current time point. When it is identified that the display items limited by the data in the unit 113 and the memory unit 120 are displayed, control is performed to suppress the movement speed of the cursor in the screen.

For example, when browsing a bookmark or phonebook list, it is indicated that the cursor is close to a keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 113 within a predetermined distance range. When the identification part 114 identifies, it controls to suppress the moving speed of the cursor in the said screen.
The control for suppressing the movement speed of the cursor can be performed in such a manner that, for example, when the above-described identification is performed by the cursor approaching state identification unit 214, the speed is uniformly reduced.
On the other hand, even when the movement speed of the cursor is automatically maintained at a certain steady speed, when the above-described identification is performed by the cursor approach status identification unit 214, the desired item is selected at a uniform low speed. Until such a situation is reached, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the moving speed of the cursor is maintained.

As described above, the position of the cursor in the screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item.
Control of the movement speed of the cursor according to the type of selection candidate is executed as follows.
That is, when the bookmark list display application is activated, data in the selected bookmark storage unit 121 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 215.
When the phone book application is activated, the data in the selected phone book data storage unit 122 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 215.

Furthermore, when the browser application is activated (that is, when browsing a Web page), data in the input character storage unit 123 and the user data storage unit 124 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 215.
The cursor movement control unit 215 has a cursor movement speed counter function unit (not shown) for detecting the cursor movement speed inside, and the cursor movement speed by the external operation from the operation unit 103 described above is a steady speed for a predetermined period. Is detected, the cursor moving speed is automatically maintained at this steady speed regardless of external operation.

As described above, the moving speed of the cursor that is automatically maintained at the steady speed may be configured to be set in, for example, three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed.
If the moving speed of the cursor by the external operation from the operation unit 103 is high for a predetermined period, the above-described high speed is automatically maintained, and the cursor moving speed by the external operation becomes steady at a medium speed or low speed. If so, the moving speed of the cursor is controlled so as to automatically maintain the medium speed or the low speed, respectively.
Accordingly, the moving speed of the cursor in which the intention of the user who performed each external operation is faithfully reflected is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed control without any sense of incongruity fully accustomed to the operator's feeling is performed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable information terminal device as the selection item display system of the embodiment of FIG. 11, and in particular, the selection operation for items (data) stored in the selection bookmark storage unit 121. This is an example when
In the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the scroll operation is started, it is first determined whether or not the moving speed of the cursor is maintained at a steady speed for a predetermined period (step S1201).

When it is determined that the moving speed of the cursor does not maintain the steady speed for a predetermined period (step S1201: No), it is determined whether or not the cursor is approaching a position in the vicinity of the predetermined range for the item from the selected bookmark storage unit 121. Determination is made (step S1202).
If it is determined in step S1202 that the cursor is approaching the item (selection candidate) to a position near the predetermined range (step S1202: Yes), the cursor moving speed is changed to a low speed (step S1203).

As in step S1203, it is determined whether any item from the selected bookmark storage unit 121 has been selected in a state where the moving speed of the cursor is low (step S1204), and any item is selected. When it is determined that the cursor has been moved (step S1204: YES), the cursor movement operation is terminated.
On the other hand, when it is determined in the previous step S1201 that the moving speed of the cursor is maintained at a steady speed for a predetermined period (step S1201: Yes), the steady speed (or a plurality of steady speeds different in stages). Of these, a speed close to the maintained steady speed) is automatically maintained (step S1205). Step S1205 and subsequent steps are the same as step S1202 and subsequent steps.

If it is determined in step S1204 that no item has been selected, it is determined whether or not the operation was in the automatic movement mode before the cursor movement speed was changed to a low speed (step S1206).
If it is determined in step S1206 that the operation was in the automatic movement mode before the cursor movement speed was changed to a low speed (step S1206: Yes), the process proceeds to the previous step S1205.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1206 that the operation has not been performed in the automatic movement mode before the cursor moving speed is changed to a low speed (step S1206: No), the process returns to step S1201.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable information terminal device as the selection item display system of the embodiment of FIG. 11, and in particular, the items (data stored in the input character storage unit 123 or the user data storage unit 124) Is an example when the selection operation is performed.
In FIG. 13, when the movement of the cursor is started, it is first determined whether or not the movement of the cursor maintains a steady speed for a predetermined period (step S1301).

When it is determined that the moving speed of the cursor does not maintain the steady speed for a predetermined period (step S1301: No), the cursor is positioned near the predetermined range with respect to the item from the input character storage unit 123 or the user data storage unit 124. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is approaching (step S1302).
In step S1302, when the cursor to the item (selection candidate) is determined to be approaching the vicinity of Jo Tokoro range (step S1302: Yes), to change the moving speed of the cursor in the low speed (step 1303) .

  It is determined whether or not the searched position has reached the end of the sentence (displayed character string) in a state where the moving speed of the cursor is low as in step S1303 (step S1304). If it is determined (step S1304: YES), the cursor movement operation is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the previous step S1301 that the moving speed of the cursor is maintained at a steady speed for a predetermined period, the steady speed (or the maintained steady speed among a plurality of steady speeds that differ in stages). The speed close to the speed is automatically maintained (step S1305). Step S1305 and subsequent steps are the same as step S1302 and the subsequent steps.
If it is determined in step S1304 that no item is selected, it is determined whether or not the operation was in the automatic movement mode before the cursor movement speed was changed to a low speed (step S1306).

If it is determined in step S1306 that the operation was in the automatic movement mode before the cursor movement speed was changed to a low speed (step S1306: Yes), the process proceeds to the previous step S1305.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1306 that the operation is not in the automatic movement mode before the cursor moving speed is changed to a low speed (step S1306: No), the process returns to step S1301.

(Selected Item Display System as Third Embodiment of the Present Invention)
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the selection item display system as the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 14, the selection item display system 30 is configured so that a selection item display device 300 embodied as, for example, a digital television receiver can be operated by a remote controller 31.

The remote controller 31 includes a jog dial JD2 as a rotary operation type pointing device on a side surface. In response to an external operation by the user with respect to the jog dial JD2 and an operation key (not shown), a command C31 using infrared light from the front side is provided. Is configured to project.
On the digital television receiver 300 side, the command receiving unit 302 having the light receiving element 301 receives the command C31 by the infrared light projected from the remote controller 31, and the operation according to the operation can be performed. On the other hand, as usual, an operation unit 303 is also provided on the main body side, and is configured to be operated by the remote controller 31.

In addition, a display unit 304 including a liquid crystal display element or the like is provided. The display unit 304 is configured mainly by, for example, a microprocessor, and the display mode is controlled by a display controller 310 that performs various controls related to screen display. ing.
The display controller 310 is configured, for example, in the form of a module that performs a display control function, and a scroll processing unit that performs processing for scrolling the display screen on the OSD (On Screen Display) management unit 311 and the display unit 304. In addition to 312, a selection candidate limiting unit 313, a scroll display status recognition unit 314, and a functional unit such as a scroll speed control unit 315 described later are provided.

In the display on the display unit 304, a screen on which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list is scrolled according to an external operation on the jog dial JD2 of the remote controller 31.
This scrolling can be executed as required by the scroll processing unit 312 of the display controller 310, and the scroll speed control unit 315 controls the scroll speed. The scroll speed control will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, a memory unit 320 is provided. The memory unit 320 includes a selected bookmark storage unit 321, a selected content storage unit 322, a selected character storage unit 323, and a user identification information storage unit 324.
The selected bookmark storage unit 321, the selected content storage unit 322, the selected character storage unit 323, the user identification information storage unit 324 in the memory unit 320, and the selection candidate limiting unit 313 in the display controller 310, the screen of the display unit 304 Selection candidate limiting means is configured to selectively limit display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selected candidates.

For example, assuming that the selected item is likely to be selected recently, the selected bookmark storage unit 321 and the selected content storage unit 322 include, for example, as described above with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. Each of up to five items is stored and held, and the item related to the latest input as viewed from the current time point is positioned at the first position (No. 1) in the order sequence of the item.
When a new item is input, the rank of the existing item in the above-described order sequence is sequentially lowered to the lower order, and the item that was in the lowest rank (No. 5) in the existing order sequence is discarded.

In this way, display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selection candidates displayed on the screen of the display unit 304 are selectively limited.
On the other hand, the input character storage unit 323 stores and holds, for example, up to five character strings selected by a command from the remote controller 31.
The update of the items stored and held in the selected character storage unit 323 is substantially the same as the processing described with respect to the selected bookmark storage unit 321 with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. A high character string or the like is selectively limited.

The user identification information storage unit 324 stores information such as numbers for identifying a plurality of users registered in advance. Based on the stored data, when using the digital television receiver, the user at that time is identified based on, for example, collation with a key operation to the remote controller 31 or the like.
That is, in more detail, the data stored in the selected bookmark storage unit 321, the selected content storage unit 322, and the selected character storage unit 323 are individually stored in a plurality of users registered in advance in the user identification information storage unit 324. Those corresponding to the users prepared and identified as described above are selectively applied.

On the other hand, the selection candidate limiting unit 313 in the display controller 310 recognizes the currently displayed content based on the information of the displayed content by the state management system function in the display controller 310, and stores the corresponding data in the memory unit. The data is acquired from 320 and supplied to the scroll speed control unit 315 as data for controlling the scroll speed.
The scroll speed control unit 315 controls the scroll speed of the screen with an external operation to the remote controller 31 (its jog dial JD2) as one factor, and the scroll display status identification unit 314 displays a predetermined display on the display screen at the current time point. When it is identified that the display item limited by the data of the selection candidate limiting unit 313 and the memory unit 320 is displayed in the area, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.

For example, when browsing a bookmark or content list, the scroll display status identification indicates that the keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 313 is displayed on the display screen at the current time point. When the unit 314 identifies, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.
The control for suppressing the scroll speed can be performed, for example, in such a manner that when the above-described identification is performed in the scroll display status identification unit 314, the speed is uniformly reduced.

As described above, the scroll display status identifying unit 314 is configured to identify when the keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 313 is actually displayed on the display screen at the current time point. However, it may be configured to identify that it is in a state of being displayed soon before it is actually displayed.
On the other hand, even when the scroll speed is automatically maintained at a certain steady speed, when the above-described identification is made in the scroll display status identification unit 314, the desired item is selected at a uniform low speed. Until it arrives, the aspect of maintaining the scroll speed can be taken.

As described above, the display position on the scrolled screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item.
The control of the scrolling speed according to the type of selection candidate is executed as follows.
That is, in the bookmark list display mode, data in the selected bookmark storage unit 321 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 315.
In the content selection mode, data in the selected content storage unit 322 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 315.

Further, the data of the selected character storage unit 323 and the user identification information storage unit 324 are supplied to the scroll speed control unit 315.
The scroll speed control unit 315 has a scroll speed counter function unit (not shown) for detecting the scroll speed therein, and the scroll speed adjusted by the command C31 from the remote controller 31 maintains a steady speed for a predetermined period. When it is detected that the scroll speed is detected, the scroll speed is automatically maintained at the steady speed regardless of an external operation.

As described above, the scroll speed that is automatically maintained at the steady speed may be configured to be set as, for example, three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed.
If the scroll speed set by the command C31 from the remote controller 31 is high for a predetermined period, the above-mentioned high speed is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed set by the command C31 is normal or low. If so, the scroll speed is controlled to automatically maintain the medium speed or the low speed, respectively.
Therefore, the scroll speed in which the intention of the user who performed each external operation is faithfully reflected is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed control without any sense of incongruity fully accustomed to the operator's feeling is performed.

(Selection Item Display System as the Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention)
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the selection item display system as the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts in FIG. 14 described above, and description of each of them will be omitted.
The embodiment of FIG. 15 differs from that of FIG. 14 in that the embodiment of FIG. 14 is configured to scroll the display screen and search for items as selection candidates. The embodiment is configured so as to search for an item that is a selection candidate by moving the position of the cursor within the same screen.

In FIG. 14, the selection item display system 40 is configured such that the selection item display device 400 embodied as, for example, a digital television receiver can be operated by the remote controller 31.
The remote controller 31 includes a jog dial JD2 as a rotary operation type pointing device on a side surface. In response to an external operation by the user with respect to the jog dial JD2 and an operation key (not shown), a command C31 using infrared light from the front side is provided. Is configured to project.

  On the other hand, the display controller 410 is configured, for example, in the form of a module responsible for a display control function, and displays a cursor on the display screen in the OSD (On Screen Display) management unit 311 and the display unit 304. In addition to the cursor display processing unit 412 that performs processing, in addition to the function units of a selection candidate limiting unit 313, a cursor approaching state identification unit 414, and a cursor movement control unit 415 to be described later, a management function unit related to communication (not shown) is provided. ing.

The display position of the cursor on the display unit 304 is moved in response to a command C41 from the remote controller 31 within a screen on which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list.
The movement of the cursor can be executed as required by the cursor display processing unit 212 of the display controller 410, and the movement speed is controlled by the cursor movement control unit 415. The movement speed control will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, a memory unit 320 is provided. The memory unit 320 includes a selected bookmark storage unit 321, a selected content storage unit 322, a selected character storage unit 323, and a user identification information storage unit 324.
The selected bookmark storage unit 321, the selected content storage unit 322, the selected character storage unit 323, the user identification information storage unit 324 in the memory unit 320, and the selection candidate limiting unit 313 in the display controller 310, the screen of the display unit 304 Selection candidate limiting means is configured to selectively limit display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selected candidates.

On the other hand, the selection candidate limiting unit 313 in the display controller 410 recognizes the operation mode currently in operation at the current time by the state management system function in the display controller 410, acquires corresponding data from the memory unit 420, and moves the cursor movement control unit. 415 is supplied as data for controlling the cursor movement speed.
The cursor movement control unit 415 controls the cursor movement speed of the screen by using an external operation to the remote controller 31 (the jog dial JD2) as one factor, and the cursor approach state identification unit 414 displays a predetermined display on the display screen at the current time point. When it is identified that the display item limited by the data of the selection candidate limiting unit 313 and the memory unit 320 is displayed in the area, control is performed to suppress the moving speed of the cursor in the screen.

For example, when browsing a bookmark or a list of contents, the cursor approach situation identification indicates that the cursor is close to a keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 313 within a predetermined distance range. When the unit 414 identifies, control is performed so as to suppress the moving speed of the cursor in the screen.
The control for suppressing the movement speed of the cursor can be performed in such a manner that, for example, when the above-described identification is performed by the cursor approach situation identification unit 414, the speed is uniformly reduced.

On the other hand, even when the movement speed of the cursor is automatically maintained at a certain steady speed, when the above-described identification is performed by the cursor approach status identification unit 214, the desired item is selected at a uniform low speed. Until such a situation is reached, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the moving speed of the cursor is maintained.
As described above, the position of the cursor in the screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item.

Control of the movement speed of the cursor according to the type of selection candidate is executed as follows.
That is, in the bookmark list display mode, data in the selected bookmark storage unit 321 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 415.
In the content selection mode, data in the selected content storage unit 322 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 415.
The cursor movement control unit 415 has a cursor movement speed counter function unit (not shown) for detecting the cursor movement speed therein, and the cursor movement speed adjusted by the command C41 from the remote controller 31 is a steady speed for a predetermined period. Is detected, the cursor moving speed is automatically maintained at this steady speed regardless of external operation.

As described above, the moving speed of the cursor that is automatically maintained at the steady speed may be configured to be set in, for example, three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed.
If the moving speed of the cursor set by the command C41 from the remote controller 31 is high for a predetermined period, the above-mentioned high speed is automatically maintained, and the cursor moving speed by an external operation is steady at a medium speed or low speed. In this case, the moving speed of the cursor is controlled so as to automatically maintain the medium speed or the low speed, respectively.
Accordingly, the moving speed of the cursor in which the intention of the user who performed each external operation is faithfully reflected is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed control without any sense of incongruity fully accustomed to the operator's feeling is performed.

(Selected item display system as the fifth embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the selection item display system as the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 16, the selection item display system 50 is configured such that a selection item display device 500 embodied as a personal computer can be operated by a mouse 51.
The mouse 51 includes a mouse wheel MW as a rotary operation type pointing device. In response to an external operation by the user with respect to the mouse wheel MW and a click operation unit (not shown), the mouse 51 itself issues a command in a known manner. It is configured.

On the personal computer side as the selection item display device 500, a command issued from the mouse 51 is received by the USB interface unit 502 having the USB socket 501, and an operation corresponding to the operation can be performed. As described above, an operation unit 503 such as a keyboard is also provided on the main body side, and the operation unit 503 can be operated.
In addition, a display unit 504 including a liquid crystal display element or the like is provided, and the display mode is controlled by a display control unit 510 that performs various controls related to screen display.

The display control unit 510 includes a file / page search control unit 511, a scroll processing unit 512 that performs processing for scrolling the display screen on the display unit 504, a selection candidate limiting unit 513, and a scroll display status recognition unit described later. 514, each function part of the scroll speed control part 515, etc. are provided.
In the display on the display unit 504, a screen on which a plurality of display items including items that can be selected as candidates are displayed in a list is scrolled according to an external operation on the mouse wheel MW of the mouse 51.

This scrolling can be executed as required by the scroll processing unit 512 of the display control unit 510, and the scroll speed control unit 515 controls the scroll speed. The scroll speed control will be described in detail later.
On the other hand, a memory unit 520 is provided. The memory unit 520 includes a selected file storage unit 521, a selected page storage unit 522, a selected character storage unit 523, and a user identification information storage unit 524.

  The selected file storage unit 521, the selected page storage unit 522, the selected character storage unit 523, the user identification information storage unit 524 in the memory unit 520, and the selection candidate limiting unit 513 in the display control unit 510, the display unit 504 Selection candidate limiting means for selectively limiting display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selected as selection candidates displayed on the screen is configured.

For example, assuming that the selected item is likely to be selected recently, for example, as described above with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. 3, the selected file storage unit 521 and the selection page storage unit 522 include, for example, Each of up to five items is stored and held, and the item related to the latest input as viewed from the current time point is positioned at the first position (No. 1) in the order sequence of the item.
When a new item is input, the rank of the existing item in the above-described order sequence is sequentially lowered to the lower order, and the item that was in the lowest rank (No. 5) in the existing order sequence is discarded.

In this way, display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selection candidates displayed on the screen of the display unit 504 are selectively limited.
On the other hand, in the selected character storage unit 523, for example, a maximum of five character strings selected by a command from the mouse 51 are stored and held.
The update of the items stored and held in the selected character storage unit 523 is substantially the same as the processing described with respect to the selected file storage unit 521 with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. 3, and the possibility of being actually selected is relatively A high character string or the like is selectively limited.

The user identification information storage unit 524 stores information such as numbers for identifying a plurality of users registered in advance. Based on the stored data, when using the personal computer, the user at that time is identified based on collation with data input from the operation unit 503, for example.
That is, in more detail, the data stored in the selected file storage unit 521, the selected page storage unit 522, and the selected character storage unit 523 are individually stored in a plurality of users registered in the user identification information storage unit 524. Those corresponding to the users prepared and identified as described above are selectively applied.

On the other hand, the selection candidate limiting unit 513 in the display control unit 510 recognizes the currently displayed content based on the information on the displayed content by the state management system function in the display control unit 510, and stores the corresponding data. Obtained from the memory unit 520 and supplied to the scroll speed control unit 315 as data for controlling the scroll speed.
The scroll speed control unit 515 controls the scroll speed of the screen with an external operation on the mouse 51 (the mouse wheel MW) as one factor, and the scroll display status identification unit 514 displays a predetermined display on the display screen at the current time point. When it is identified that the display item limited by the data of the selection candidate limiting unit 513 and the memory unit 520 is displayed in the area, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.

For example, when browsing a list of files or pages, the scroll display status identification indicates that the keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 513 is displayed on the display screen at the current time point. When the unit 514 identifies, control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen.
The control for suppressing the scroll speed can be performed in such a manner that, for example, when the above-described identification is made in the scroll display status identification unit 514, the speed is uniformly reduced.

As described above, the scroll display status identifying unit 514 is configured to identify when the keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 513 is actually displayed on the display screen at the current time point. However, it may be configured to identify that it is in a state of being displayed soon before it is actually displayed.
On the other hand, even when the scroll speed is automatically maintained at a certain steady speed, when the above-described identification is made by the scroll display status identification unit 514, the desired item is selected at a uniform low speed. Until it arrives, the aspect of maintaining the scroll speed can be taken.

As described above, the display position on the scrolled screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item.
The control of the scrolling speed according to the type of selection candidate is executed as follows.
That is, when the file list is displayed, the data in the selected file storage unit 521 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 515.
In addition, when a page is selected, data in the selected page storage unit 522 is supplied to the scroll speed control unit 515.
Further, the data of the selected character storage unit 523 and the user identification information storage unit 524 are supplied to the scroll speed control unit 515.

The scroll speed control section 515 has a scroll speed counter function section (not shown) for detecting the scroll speed therein, and the scroll speed adjusted by a command from the mouse 51 (its mouse wheel MW) is a steady speed for a predetermined period. Is detected, the scrolling speed is automatically maintained at this steady speed regardless of external operation.
As described above, the scroll speed that is automatically maintained at the steady speed may be configured to be set as, for example, three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed.

If the scroll speed set by the command from the mouse 51 (its mouse wheel MW) is high for a predetermined period, the above-mentioned high speed is automatically maintained and set by the command from the mouse 51 (its mouse wheel MW). When the scroll speed is steady at a medium speed or low speed, the scroll speed is controlled so as to automatically maintain the medium speed or low speed, respectively.
Therefore, the scroll speed in which the intention of the user who performed each external operation is faithfully reflected is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed control without any sense of incongruity fully accustomed to the operator's feeling is performed.

(Selected Item Display System as Sixth Embodiment of the Present Invention)
FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the selection item display system as the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts to those in FIG. 16 described above, and description of each of them will be omitted.
The embodiment of FIG. 17 differs from that of FIG. 16 in that the embodiment of FIG. 16 is configured to scroll the display screen and search for items as selection candidates. The embodiment is configured so as to search for an item that is a selection candidate by moving the position of the cursor within the same screen.

In FIG. 17, the selection item display system 60 is configured such that a selection item display device 600 embodied as a personal computer can be operated by a command from the mouse 51.
On the other hand, the display control unit 610 includes, for example, a file / page search control unit 611, a cursor display processing unit 612 that performs processing for displaying a cursor on the display screen of the display unit 504, and selection candidates described later. In addition to the function units of the limiting unit 513, the cursor approach status identifying unit 614, and the cursor movement control unit 615, a management function unit related to communication (not shown) is provided.

In addition, the display position of the cursor on the display unit 504 is moved in accordance with a command from the mouse 51 within a screen on which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list.
The movement of the cursor can be executed as required by the cursor display processing unit 212 of the display control unit 610, and the movement speed is controlled by the cursor movement control unit 615. The movement speed control will be described in detail later.
On the other hand, a memory unit 520 is provided. The memory unit 520 includes a selected file storage unit 521, a selected page storage unit 522, a selected character storage unit 523, and a user identification information storage unit 524.

  The selected file storage unit 521, the selected page storage unit 522, the selected character storage unit 523, the user identification information storage unit 524 in the memory unit 520, and the selection candidate limiting unit 513 in the display control unit 610, the display unit 504. Selection candidate limiting means for selectively limiting display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items that can be selected as selection candidates displayed on the screen is configured.

On the other hand, the selection candidate limiting unit 513 in the display control unit 610 recognizes the type of the surface item at the current time by the state management system function in the display control unit 610, acquires the corresponding data from the memory unit 520, and moves the cursor. The data is supplied to the control unit 615 as data for controlling the cursor movement speed.
The cursor movement control unit 615 controls the cursor movement speed of the screen with an external operation from the mouse 51 (the mouse wheel MW) as one factor, and the cursor approach status identification unit 614 displays the current screen on the display screen. When it is identified that the display items limited by the data of the selection candidate limiting unit 513 and the memory unit 520 are displayed in the predetermined display area, control is performed to suppress the moving speed of the cursor in the screen.

For example, when browsing a list of files or pages, the cursor approach status identification indicates that the cursor is close to a keyword included in the data limited by the selection candidate limiting unit 513 within a predetermined distance range. When the unit 614 identifies, control is performed so as to suppress the moving speed of the cursor in the screen.
The control for suppressing the movement speed of the cursor can be performed in such a manner that, for example, when the above-described identification is performed in the cursor approaching state identification unit 614, the speed is uniformly reduced.

On the other hand, even when the moving speed of the cursor is automatically maintained at a certain steady speed, when the above-described identification is performed by the cursor approaching status identification unit 614, the desired item is selected at a uniform low speed. Until such a situation is reached, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the moving speed of the cursor is maintained.
As described above, the position of the cursor in the screen can be easily and reliably stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the target display item.
Control of the movement speed of the cursor according to the type of selection candidate is executed as follows.
That is, when the file is displayed, the data in the selected file storage unit 521 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 615.
At the time of page display, data in the selected page storage unit 522 is supplied to the cursor movement control unit 615.

The cursor movement control unit 615 has a cursor movement speed counter function unit (not shown) for detecting the cursor movement speed therein, and the cursor movement speed adjusted by a command from the mouse 51 maintains a steady speed for a predetermined period. When it is detected that the cursor is moving, the moving speed of the cursor is automatically maintained at this steady speed regardless of an external operation.
As described above, the moving speed of the cursor that is automatically maintained at the steady speed may be configured to be set in, for example, three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed.

If the moving speed of the cursor set by the command from the mouse 51 is high for a predetermined period, the above high speed is automatically maintained, and it becomes steady when the moving speed of the cursor by the external operation is medium or low. If so, the moving speed of the cursor is controlled so as to automatically maintain the medium speed or the low speed, respectively.
Accordingly, the moving speed of the cursor in which the intention of the user who performed each external operation is faithfully reflected is automatically maintained, and the scroll speed control without any sense of incongruity fully accustomed to the operator's feeling is performed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a display position on a scrolled screen when a screen that displays a list of a plurality of display items including items that can be selected as candidates for selection is scroll-displayed according to an external operation. It can be easily and surely stopped so as to appropriately correspond to the display item to be displayed, the scrolling of the screen becomes sufficiently familiar to the operator's sense, and the cursor in the above screen Achieving that the position can be easily and reliably stopped to match the target display item, and that the movement of the cursor within the screen is sufficiently familiar to the operator's sense. The selection item display system and the selection item display method can be used.

It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the selection item display system as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates arrangement | positioning of the jog dial switch in the selection item display system of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action inside the selection item display system of FIG. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the selection item display system of embodiment of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating an effect | action of the selection item display system of FIG. It is a figure showing the example of a display in the selection item display system of FIG. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the selection item display system of embodiment of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action inside the selection item display system of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action inside the selection item display system of FIG. It is a figure showing the example of a display in the selection item display system of FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the selection item display system as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the selection item display system of embodiment of FIG. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of the selection item display system of embodiment of FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the selection item display system as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the selection item display system as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the selection item display system as the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the selection item display system as the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

30, 40, 50, 60 ... selection item display system 31 ... remote controller 51 ... mouse 100 ... selection item display device 101 ... antenna 102 ... RF transceiver 103 ... operation unit 104 ... display unit 105 ... voice input / output unit 110 ... system Controller 111 ... Transmission / reception management section 112 ... Scroll processing section 113 ... Selection candidate limiting section 114 ... Scroll display status identification section 115 ... Scroll speed control section 120 ... Memory section 121 ... Selected bookmark storage section 122 ... Selected phone book data storage section 123 ... Input character storage unit 124 ... user data storage unit 200 ... selection item display device 210 ... system controller 212 ... cursor display processing unit 214 ... cursor approach state recognition unit 215 ... cursor movement control unit 300, 400, 500, 600 ... selection item display Device 301. Light receiving element 02 ... Command receiving unit 303 ... Operation unit 304 ... Display unit 310, 410 ... Display controller 311 ... OSD management unit 312 ... Scroll processing unit 313 ... Selection candidate limiting unit 314 ... Scroll display status identification unit 315 ... Scroll speed control unit 320, 520 ... Memory unit 321 ... Selected bookmark storage unit 322 ... Selected content storage unit 323 ... Selected character storage unit 324 ... User identification information storage unit 412 ... Cursor display processing unit 414 ... Cursor approach status identification unit 415 ... Cursor movement control unit 501 ... USB socket 502 ... USB interface unit 503 ... operation unit 504 ... display unit 510 ... display control unit 511 ... file / page selection unit 512 ... scroll processing unit 513 ... selection candidate limiting unit 514 ... scroll display status identification unit 515 ... scroll speed control Part 520 Memory unit 521 ... Selected file storage unit 522 ... Selected page storage unit 523 ... Selected character storage unit 524 ... User identification information storage unit 610 ... Display control unit 612 ... Cursor display processing unit 614 ... Cursor approach status identification unit 615 ... Cursor movement control Part

Claims (10)

Display means having a predetermined display unit;
Scroll means for scroll-displaying a screen for displaying a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates on the display unit of the display means according to an external operation;
Based on information of a memory unit corresponding to each of a plurality of applications and including a storage unit that stores and holds data input or selected in the application, and a currently running application among the plurality of applications. the application recognizes the running, currently selected one of said memory section or al, by outputting acquires the data corresponding to the running application, display items may be a selection candidate displayed on the screen A selection candidate limiting unit that includes a selection candidate limiting unit that selectively limits display items that are relatively likely to be displayed,
The state in which the display item that is selectively limited by the selection candidate limiting unit and the front Symbol memory unit or we acquired data is displayed in a predetermined display area on the display screen at the present time being scrolled by the scrolling means Scroll display status identifying means for identifying whether there is,
The scroll speed of the screen is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and the display item limited by the selection candidate limiting unit is displayed in the predetermined display area on the display screen by the scroll display status identifying unit. A scroll speed control means for controlling to suppress the scroll speed of the screen,
A selection item display system comprising:   The display means is provided in a portable information terminal device, and the scroll speed control means is responsive to an operation on a rotary operation pointing device for performing the external operation provided in the portable information terminal device. The selection item display system according to claim 1, wherein the selection item display system is configured to control a scroll speed.   The scroll speed control means is configured to control the scroll speed of the screen in response to an operation to a rotary operation type pointing device provided in a remote controller for performing the external operation. The selection item display system according to claim 1.   The scroll speed control means is configured to control a scroll speed of the screen in response to an operation on a mouse wheel provided in a mouse device for performing the external operation. The selection item display system according to 1. Display means having a predetermined display unit;
Cursor display means for displaying a cursor for selecting a specific item in a screen in which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list on the display unit of the display means;
Based on information of a memory unit corresponding to each of a plurality of applications and including a storage unit that stores and holds data input or selected in the application, and a currently running application among the plurality of applications. the application recognizes the running, the memory unit or, et al., by outputting acquires the data corresponding to the running application, is a selection candidate displayed on the screen of the display unit of the display means A selection candidate limiting unit including a selection candidate limiting unit that selectively limits display items that are relatively likely to be selected among display items to be obtained;
The cursor where to display items that are selectively limited by the data obtained the selected candidate limiting unit and the front Symbol memory unit or we in this screen are moved and displayed by said cursor display means has approached to within a predetermined range A cursor approach status identifying means for identifying whether or not
The cursor movement speed is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and the cursor approach status identifying unit approaches the display item selectively limited by the selection candidate limiting unit to a predetermined range. A cursor movement control means for controlling the movement speed of the cursor when it is identified that
A selection item display system comprising:   The display means is provided in a portable information terminal device, and the cursor movement control means is responsive to an operation on a rotary operation pointing device for performing the external operation provided in the portable information terminal device. The selection item display system according to claim 5, wherein the selection item display system is configured to control a moving speed of the cursor.   The cursor movement control means is configured to control the movement speed of the cursor on the screen in response to an operation on a rotary operation type pointing device provided in a remote controller for performing the external operation. The selection item display system according to claim 5, wherein   The cursor movement control means is configured to control the movement speed of the cursor on the screen in response to an operation on a mouse wheel provided in a mouse device for performing the external operation. The selection item display system according to claim 5. A selection item display method for scrolling and displaying a screen for displaying a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates in a predetermined display unit according to an external operation,
Corresponding to each of the plurality of applications, storing and holding data input or selected in the application, and recognizing the currently activated application based on the information of the activated application among the plurality of applications Then, by acquiring and outputting data corresponding to the activated application among the stored data, there is a possibility that a display item that can be a selection candidate displayed on the screen is actually selected. Selectively limit display items with a relatively high
Identifying whether the selectively limited display items are in a state displayed in a predetermined display area on the display screen at the time of the scrolling;
The scroll speed of the screen is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and the display item that is relatively likely to be selected is displayed in the predetermined display area on the display screen at the current time point. When this is identified, the selection item display method is characterized in that control is performed to suppress the scroll speed of the screen. A selection item display method for selecting a specific item by moving the cursor in a screen in which a plurality of display items including items that can be selection candidates are displayed in a list,
Corresponding to each of the plurality of applications, storing and holding data input or selected in the application, and recognizing the currently activated application based on the information of the activated application among the plurality of applications Then, by acquiring and outputting data corresponding to the activated application among the stored data, there is a possibility that a display item that can be a selection candidate displayed on the screen is actually selected. Selectively limit display items with a relatively high
Identifying whether the cursor is close to a predetermined range to the selectively limited display item;
When the movement speed of the cursor on the screen is controlled by an external operation as one factor, and when it is identified that the cursor is close to a predetermined range to the selectively limited display item, A method for displaying a selection item, characterized by suppressing a moving speed.

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