JPH09214905A - Electronic information display controller and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate movement of layers by dividing a display area of a display device into plural parts, indicating prescribed items in a 1st layer to a 1st area and displaying a 2nd layer as to items designated by the 1st layer onto a 2nd area. SOLUTION: A screen of a monitor is divided into two areas, an image of a 1st layer is displayed on the area X1 and an image of a 2nd layer is displayed on the area X2. As to an item in the layer displayed on the area X1 onto which a cursor 100K1 is indicated, its succeeding layer is displayed on the area X2. For example, when the cursor 100K1 is pointed out on the item of the tour guide in the 1st layer indicated on the area X1, the succeeding area as to the item tour guide is displayed on the area X2. Then in this case, the 2nd layer of the tour guide items such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chyubu, Kansai, Shikoku, Kyusyu are displayed longitudinally. Thus, a prescribed item in the 1st layer is displayed for the 2nd layer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic information display control apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a next layer for a designated item among a plurality of items included in a predetermined layer within the same screen. The present invention relates to an electronic information display control device and method that facilitates movement of a hierarchy by displaying the information on the display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic information providing services have been performed in which useful information for viewers is displayed on the screen of a monitor device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a conventional display form of electronic information having a hierarchical structure. As shown in FIG. 20A, first, for example, the screen of the first layer of the menu is displayed on the screen of the monitor device. A plurality of items (for example, items A to D) are displayed on the screen of the first layer. The user is a remote commander (not shown),
By operating an operating device such as a mouse, the cursor 2
Move 00A up and down to display on desired item. Although only four items are displayed in the figure, more items actually exist, and other items can be confirmed by scrolling the screen vertically. it can.

After the cursor 200A is displayed on a desired item and the enter key of the operating device is operated, the cursor 20
The displayed item of 0A is confirmed. For example, FIG.
As shown in (a), when the cursor 200A is displayed on the item A and the enter key is operated, in the first layer,
Item A is confirmed. Then, the screen of the monitor device is changed to the screen of the second layer shown in FIG.

On the second layer screen shown in FIG. 20B, various items (for example, items A-1 to A-4) related to the item A confirmed on the first layer screen. Is displayed. Even when the screen of the second hierarchy is displayed, the user confirms the item by displaying the cursor 200B on the desired item from the displayed items and operating the confirm key.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the cursor 200B is displayed on the item A-2 and the enter key is operated, the item A-2 is confirmed. Then, the screen of the monitor device is changed to the screen of the third layer shown in FIG. On the screen of the third layer, various items (for example, items A-2-1 to A-2-4) related to the item A-2 confirmed on the screen of the second layer are displayed. It

Then, when the cursor 200C is displayed on a desired item (item A-2-1 in the case of FIG. 20 (c)) and the enter key is operated, the screen of the monitor device displays various items related to the item. The screen is changed to the screen (not shown) of the fourth layer including the item.

In this way, the user can select a desired item from the screen of each layer displayed on the monitor and move to the next layer to obtain desired information.

[0009]

However, the conventional electronic information display control device has the following problems.

That is, items A to D, for example, are displayed on the screen of the first layer shown in FIG. 20A, but what kind of items are on the screen of the next second layer? In order to confirm the above, there is a problem that it is necessary to confirm a predetermined item on the screen of the first layer and change the screen of the monitor device to the screen of the second layer.

Furthermore, in order to finally find a desired item to be observed, it is necessary to switch the display of a plurality of layers each time and go back and forth, and the user is forced to perform a complicated operation. .

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to facilitate the movement of layers.

[0013]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic information display device, wherein a display position is preset among a plurality of regions formed by dividing a display region of the display device.
A first display means for displaying the first layer in the area of
Specifying means for specifying any one of a plurality of items included in the first layer, and when the first layer is displayed,
Second display means for displaying the designating means at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of items included in the first hierarchy, and when the first hierarchy is displayed, the designating means is displayed. It is characterized by further comprising a third display means for displaying the second hierarchy related to the present item in a second area of the plurality of areas of the display device whose display position is preset.

According to another aspect of the electronic information display control method of the present invention, among the plurality of areas formed by dividing the display area of the display device, a first area whose display position is preset is
When the first layer is displayed, the designation unit for displaying the first layer and designating any one of the plurality of items included in the first layer is displayed. Is displayed at the position corresponding to, and when the first layer is displayed,
The second hierarchy related to the item displayed in the designated part,
The display device is characterized in that the display position is displayed in a second region of which the display position is preset among a plurality of regions of the display device.

In the electronic information display device according to the first aspect, the first display means has a display position preset among a plurality of regions formed by dividing the display region of the display device. The first layer is displayed in the area. The designation means designates any one of the plurality of items included in the first layer. The second display means displays the designating means at a position corresponding to any of the plurality of items included in the first layer when the first layer is displayed. The third display means, when the first layer is displayed,
The second hierarchy related to the displayed item of the designating means is displayed in the second area of which the display position is preset among the plurality of areas of the display device.

According to another aspect of the electronic information display control method of the present invention, the first area of the plurality of areas formed by dividing the display area of the display device has a preset display position. The hierarchy of is displayed. When the first layer is displayed, the designating section for designating any one of the plurality of items included in the first layer is displayed at a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of items. . When the first level is displayed, the second level associated with the displayed item in the designated section
Is displayed in the second area, of which the display position is preset, of the plurality of areas of the display device.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic information display control device to which the present invention is applied. In the electronic information display control device 1 of the present embodiment, a broadcast wave transmitted from a broadcasting station or the like is input to the broadcast receiving circuit 2 via the antenna 2A. The broadcast wave may be a terrestrial wave or a satellite broadcast wave (for example, a CS broadcast wave) transmitted from a communication satellite, a broadcast satellite, or the like.

The broadcast wave contains electronic information data in addition to ordinary television broadcast data. Also, when data transmission is performed by CS broadcast waves, moving image data of electronic information can be transmitted.

The broadcast receiving circuit 2 receives and demodulates a radio wave of a broadcast station designated by the CPU 7 among broadcast waves input via the antenna 2A, and supplies the data to the normal broadcast decoder 3. There is. In response to the control of the CPU 7, the normal broadcast decoder 3 extracts normal television broadcast (normal broadcast) data from the supplied data and extracts other data (electronic information data) from the data broadcast decoder. It is designed to supply to 5.

The normal broadcast video circuit 4 converts the television broadcast data supplied from the normal broadcast decoder 3 into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the monitor device 11 via the output switching circuit 8. Has been done.

Under the control of the CPU 7, the data broadcast decoder 5 decodes the electronic information data supplied from the normal broadcast decoder 3 and temporarily stores the electronic information data in the data storage 9. ing.

Further, the data broadcast decoder 5 includes a CPU 7
Corresponding to the control of 1, the predetermined data is read out from the electronic information data stored in the data storage 9 and supplied to the data display video circuit 6.

The data display video circuit 6 converts the electronic information data supplied from the data broadcast decoder 5 into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the monitor device 11 via the output switching circuit 8. There is.

A code corresponding to the operation key output from the remote commander 10 is input to the CPU 7 via the receiving circuit 7A. The CPU 7 converts the input code into a corresponding operation command, and controls the processing of the normal broadcast decoder 3 and the data broadcast decoder 5 in accordance with the operation command. Also, the CPU 7
In response to the input operation command, the switching operation of the output switching circuit 8 is controlled so that either the normal television broadcast video signal or the electronic information video signal is selected and output to the monitor device 11. Has been done.

The remote commander 10 is adapted to output a code corresponding to a user operation to the electronic information display control device 1 or the monitor device 11. The detailed configuration of the remote commander 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of electronic information (character data) supplied from a broadcasting station by data broadcasting and stored in the data storage 9. In this electronic information, the first level (top menu) includes "tourist information", "events", "sports", "living information",
"Town information", "Shopping information", "Business"
And so on. Each of these various items has the following hierarchy containing a plurality of items related to the item.

[0028] For example, the item "Tourism Guide" in the first layer is "Hokkaido", "Tohoku", "Kanto" in the second layer.
It has seven items such as "Chubu", "Kansai", "Shikoku", and "Kyushu". Although illustration is omitted, each of these seven items further includes a predetermined number of items after the next item.

[0029] For example, "life information" in the first hierarchy
The items of “Cooking”, “Keiko and Manab”, “Marriage”, “Room Search”, “Fortune”, “Bank”,
It has items such as "information from ear". Further, each item in the second layer has a plurality of items in the next layer and thereafter. For example, the item "Cooking" in the second layer is
Items such as "Chinese", "Japanese style", "Western style", "India", "Korea", "Southern Europe", "Russia" etc. are provided in the third layer.

Furthermore, each item in the third layer is
The fourth layer has a plurality of items. For example, the item of "Japanese style" in the third layer is "Gomekinpira" in the fourth layer,
"Tempura", "Simmered eggplant miso", "Chirashi sushi",
It has items such as "Buri radish", "Kanno tofu simmered", and "Oden". Each item in the fourth layer has information on how to prepare each dish (finally provided information) in the next fifth layer (final layer).

It should be noted that which of the first to fifth layers is the final layer differs for each item.

FIG. 3 shows the remote commander 10 shown in FIG.
3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of FIG. This remote commander 1
0, the power button switch 111 and the television power button switch 112 are operated when turning on or off the power of the electronic information display control device 1 or the monitor device 11, respectively.

The mute button switch 113 is operated when muting the sound or canceling the mute.

The television switch button switch 114A and the control device switch button switch 114B have the functions of the switches of the remote commander 10 corresponding to those of the monitor device 11 or the functions corresponding to the electronic information display control device 1. It is operated when switching between setting.

The input switch button switch 115 is operated when switching the input to the electronic information display control device 1. The screen display button switch 116 is provided on the monitor device 11.
It is operated to display the channel number or the like on the top or to turn off the display. Double voice button switch 1
Reference numeral 17 is operated when the voice output from the speaker provided in the monitor device 11 is switched to stereo, a foreign language, or Japanese and a foreign language.

The number button switch 118 displaying the numbers 0 to 9 is operated when inputting the numbers displayed on the respective buttons. Tuning button switch 11
8A, when the operation of the number button switch 118 is completed, the operation is subsequently performed, indicating that the number input is completed and that the input number indicates a channel.

When the above-mentioned television switch button switch 114A is operated and this remote commander 10 is used as the remote commander for the monitor device 11, it is displayed below the "7" button of the number button switch 118. The button that is shown is a button that represents "10",
The button displayed as "0" is a button representing "11", and the tuning button switch 118A is a button representing "12". The monitor device 11 displays the program of the broadcasting station (channel) set to the pressed button.

The electronic information button switch 119 (operating means) is operated when displaying an image of electronic information on the monitor device 11, and the info button switch 120 displays an info screen (not shown) on the monitor device 11. If operated.

The current program button switch 121 and the program preview button switch 122 are used to select a promotion channel and are operated when displaying a preview of a program currently being broadcast or a program to be broadcast in the future. It The end button switch 123 is operated to end the electronic information service.

Select button (enter key) switch 12
The remote control commander 8 can be pressed (selected) in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the remote commander 10. The up button switch (up key) 124, the down button switch (down key) 125, the left button switch (left key) 126, and the right button switch (right key) 127 are cursors (for example, displayed on the monitor device 11). It is operated when moving the cursor 100K1) shown in FIG. 7 and the like in the vertical and horizontal directions (when operating the direction).

The volume button switch 129 and the channel up / down button switch 130 are operated to increase or decrease the volume or channel number.

Next, the operation of the electronic information display control device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. In step S1, the broadcast receiving circuit 2 selects one of the broadcast waves input via the antenna 2A.
Radio waves from a broadcasting station designated by the remote commander 10 are received and the data is supplied to the normal broadcasting decoder 3.
As described above, this broadcast wave includes, for example, data of electronic information having the content shown in FIG. 2 in addition to the data of normal television broadcasting.

Under the control of the CPU 7, the normal broadcast decoder 3 extracts normal television broadcast data from the data supplied from the broadcast receiving circuit 2 and outputs it to the normal broadcast video circuit 4. The data of electronic information is supplied to the data broadcast decoder 5.

Under the control of the CPU 7, the data broadcast decoder 5 decodes the electronic information data supplied from the normal broadcast decoder 3 and temporarily stores the data (information data) in the data storage 9. The normal broadcast video circuit 4 converts the supplied broadcast data into a video signal and outputs it to the output switching circuit 8. At this time, the output switching circuit 8 outputs the video signal of the normal television broadcast output from the normal broadcast video circuit 4 to the monitor device 11 in response to the control of the CPU 7. The monitor device 11 displays the image (main information) of the television broadcast of the channel designated by the user, corresponding to the video signal.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 7
Determines whether or not the electronic information button switch 119 has been pressed. If it is determined that the electronic information button switch 119 is not pressed, the process of step S2 is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the electronic information button switch 119 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the hierarchical display process (sub-information display process) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is started.

That is, in step S11, CP
The U 7 controls the data broadcast decoder 5 to read the electronic information data stored in the data storage 9. The data broadcast decoder 5 supplies the read electronic information data to the data display video circuit 6. The data display video circuit 6 converts the supplied electronic information data into a video signal and outputs it to the output switching circuit 8. At this time, the output switching circuit 8 is switched to output the video signal of the electronic information output from the data display video circuit 6 to the monitor device 11 in response to the control of the CPU 7. When a video signal of electronic information is input to the monitor device 11, the following display is performed on the screen of the monitor device 11.

That is, in this embodiment, the screen of the monitor device 11 is divided into two areas (an area X1 displayed on the left side and an area X2 displayed on the right side in the figure) as shown in FIG. The screen of the Nth layer is displayed in the area X1, and the screen of the (N + 1) th layer is displayed in the area X2.

In this case, in step S11 (first display means, second display means), as shown in FIG. 7, the image of the first hierarchy (top menu) is the area X1.
Will be displayed. Items on the first level (“tourist guide”, “event”, “sports”, “living information”, “town information”, “shopping information”, “business”) are arranged in the vertical direction of the screen. ing. Also, the area X1
Shows a cursor 100K1 (designating means) that can be moved in the vertical direction. User is a remote commander 1
By operating the up button switch 124 or the down button switch 125 of 0, the cursor 100
K1 can be moved and displayed on a desired item.

Next, step S12 (third display means)
, The cursor in the hierarchy (the first hierarchy in this case) displayed in the area X1 (the cursor 1 in this case)
The next layer (second layer) for the displayed item (00K1) is displayed in the area X2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the first layer displayed in the area X1, the cursor 100K1
However, when the item is displayed on the "tourist guide" item, the next layer of the "tour guide" item is displayed in the area X2. Therefore, in this case, in the area X2, as shown in FIG. 7, as the second hierarchy of "tourist information", "Hokkaido", "Tohoku", "Kanto", "Chubu", "Kansai", "Shikoku". , "Kyushu", etc. are displayed vertically side by side. The second layer is displayed in a format in which a file of a predetermined item (for example, “tourist guide”) of the first layer is displayed.

Next, in step S13, the CPU 7
Determines whether an operation command has been input from the remote commander 10 (whether a key input has been made). If it is determined that there is no key input, the process of step S13 is repeated (key input waiting state).

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a key input, the process proceeds to step S14, and the CPU 7 determines whether the up button switch 124 or the down button switch 125 has been pressed. Up button switch 124
Alternatively, when it is determined that the down button switch 125 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S15, and the cursor 100K of the layer displayed in the area X1 (in this case, the first layer)
1 is moved up or down in response to the operation of the up button switch 124 or the down button switch 125.

For example, the down button switch 125 is
When it is operated once, as shown in FIG.
0K1 moves to the item of "event" displayed just below "tourist information". Further, when the down button switch 125 is operated once, the cursor 100K
1 moves to the item "Sports".

When the cursor in the area X1 (cursor 100K1 in this case) is moved in step S15, the process returns to step S12, and the second layer of the item displayed by the cursor 100K1 is displayed in area X2. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the cursor 100K1 is moved to "event" in the first hierarchy.
When displayed on the item of, "Event" in the first hierarchy
The second layer (that is, "Pia", "Dial 9000", "Munet", "TV",
The second layer including items such as "CD data" is the area X2.
Will be displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the cursor 100K1 is moved and displayed on the item of "sports" in the first layer, the second layer of the item of "sports" in the first layer is displayed. (That is, "soccer", "fishing", "F1", "horse racing", "golf", "tennis",
The second layer (including items such as "diving") is the area X2.
Will be displayed.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10, when the cursor 100K1 is moved to the item "life information" in the first layer, the second layer for the item "life information" in the first layer is displayed. (That is, "cooking", "Keiko and Manab", "marriage", "room search", "fortune", "bank",
Items such as “information from ear” are displayed in the second layer.

On the other hand, in step S14, the up button switch 124 or the down button switch 125.
If it is determined that is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S16.

In the present embodiment, the cursor in the hierarchy displayed in the area X1 is displayed on a predetermined item, and the next hierarchy for that item is displayed in the area X2. When the light button switch 127 is operated in this state, the next layer to the layer displayed in the area X2 is displayed.

Therefore, in step S16, the CPU
7 determines whether or not the light button switch 127 has been pressed. If it is determined that the light button switch 127 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S17, and the current area X2
It is determined whether or not the layer displayed in is the final layer. When it is determined that the layer displayed in the area X2 is not the final layer, the process proceeds to step S18, and when it is determined that the final layer is the final layer, the process proceeds to step S19.

In this case, the layer displayed in the area X2 is the second layer, and in the present embodiment, the layer shown in FIG.
As shown in, since the second and subsequent layers exist, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the hierarchy displayed in the area X1 and the hierarchy displayed in the area X2 are scrolled in the left direction of the screen (the cursor is scrolled in the right direction) and displayed in the area X2. The hierarchical level is displayed in the area X1, and the cursor is displayed on a predetermined item.

That is, when the light button switch 127 is operated once in the state shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the first hierarchy and the second hierarchy scroll in the left direction of the screen. Then, before the light button switch 127 is operated, the second layer displayed in the area X2 is displayed at the position of the area X1, and the cursor 100K2 is displayed on a predetermined item (for example, on the item “Cooking”). Is displayed).

When the hierarchy of the area X2 is moved to the area X1 in step S18, the process returns to step S12 and the above-mentioned processing is repeated. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the cursor 100K of the second layer displayed in the area X1.
When 2 (cursor of the second layer) is displayed on the item of "cook", the third layer for the item of "cook" is opened in the area X2, and "Chinese", "Japanese style", "Western style",
Items such as "India", "Korea", "Southern Europe", and "Russia" are displayed.

Further, when the light button switch 127 is pressed, steps S12 to S14, S16 and S1 are performed.
After the process of 7, the process proceeds to step S18, the third layer moves to the area X1, and the cursor 1
The fourth layer for the displayed item of 00K3 (third layer cursor) is displayed in the area X2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the third layer is displayed in the area X1 and the cursor 100K3 is displayed on the item "Japanese style", the fourth layer for the item "Japanese style" is the area. Opened in X2, "Gomekinpira",
"Tempura", "Simmered eggplant miso", "Chirashi sushi",
Items such as "Buri radish", "Kanno tofu simmered", and "Oden" are displayed.

Further, when the light button switch 127 is pressed, steps S12 to S14, S16 and S1 are performed.
After the process of 7, the process proceeds to step S18, the fourth layer moves to the region X1, and in step S12, the cursor 1
The fifth layer of the displayed item of 00K4 (cursor of the fourth layer) is displayed in the area X2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the fourth hierarchy is displayed in the area X1 and the cursor 100K4 is displayed on the item "tempura", the fifth hierarchy for the item "tempura" is the area X2. It will be opened on the screen and the ingredients for tempura, how to make it, etc. will be displayed. In the present embodiment, the fifth layer is the final layer.

Therefore, when the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 14, step S1
In step 7, it is determined that the layer (fifth layer) displayed in the area X2 is the final layer, and the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the operation of the light button switch 127 is invalidated (because there is no layer next to the fifth layer), the process returns to step S13 and waits for a new key input.

If it is determined in step S16 that the light button switch 127 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S20. In this embodiment, by operating the left button switch 126, it is possible to display the layer immediately before the currently displayed layer. In step S20, it is determined whether the left button switch 126 has been operated. When it is determined that the left button switch 126 has been operated,
Proceed to step S21.

In step S21, the current area X
It is determined whether or not there is a layer before the layer displayed in 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the first button (top menu) is displayed in the area X1 and the left button switch 126 is pressed, it is determined that no layer exists before the first layer, and the step In step S23, the key input is invalidated. And
Returning to step S13, a new key input waiting state is set.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG.
When the left button switch 126 is pressed when the layer is displayed in the area X1, it is determined that the layer exists before the third layer (for example, the second layer exists), and the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the hierarchy displayed in the area X1 is scrolled to the right (the cursor is scrolled to the left), displayed in the area X2, and the previous hierarchy is displayed in the area X1. To be done. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the left button switch 126 is pressed in a state where the third layer is displayed in the area X1 and the fourth layer is displayed in the area X2, the third layer and the fourth layer are It is scrolled to the right, and the third layer is displayed in the area X2. Then, in the region X1, the third
The second layer, which is the layer immediately preceding the layer, is displayed (that is, the state shown in FIG. 12). When the process of step S22 ends, the process returns to step S12 and the process described above is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the left button switch 126 is not pressed,
In step S24, it is determined whether the end button switch 123 has been pressed. End button switch 123
If it is determined that is not pressed, the process returns to step S13 and waits for a new key input.

When it is determined in step S24 that the end button switch 123 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. 4, the display of the sub information displayed in step S3 is stopped, and the television displayed in step S1. Return to the display of the broadcast image (main information).

As described above, in this embodiment, the display area of the monitor device 11 is divided into the area X1 and the area X2.
Among the items in the hierarchy displayed in the area X1, the next hierarchy of the item designated by the cursor is displayed in the area X2. Therefore, the user can observe the next layer of the item designated by the cursor without switching the screen. In addition, 1 of the monitor device
Since the two layers are displayed on the screen, it is possible to reach the layer containing the target information faster.

Further, since the hierarchy displayed in the area X2 is displayed in the format associated with the predetermined item of the hierarchy displayed in the area X1 (in the format in which the file of the predetermined item is displayed), Easy to understand the hierarchical structure.

The electronic information described in the above embodiments may be displayed on the screen of the monitor device 11 in another format. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, each layer is written on the right side of one sheet of paper, and a form such as “roll” in which a shaft 200 is provided at the left end of the sheet is used as the monitor device 1.
You may make it display on the 1st.

That is, when the start command for displaying the hierarchy is input, the screen of the monitor device displays, for example, as shown in FIG.
The image shown in (a) is displayed. In the figure, the first sheet of paper is wound half around the axis 200, and the first layer (the first layer drawn on the right side of the first sheet of paper) is displayed on the left side of the screen. , The second layer (the second layer drawn on the right side of the second sheet of paper) is displayed on the right side of the screen.
The second layer is the second layer for "life information" in the first layer, and if the cursor 100K1 moves to another item, the content of the second layer also changes correspondingly.

When the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 15A, the first sheet of paper on which the first layer is drawn is completely wound around the shaft 200 (left side). The second sheet of paper, on which the second layer is drawn, is half-wound around the shaft 200. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the second layer is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the third layer (the third layer drawn on the right half of the third sheet) is displayed on the right side of the screen. It It should be noted that this third layer is the third layer for the item "cooking" in which the cursor 100K2 in the second layer is displayed, and if the cursor 100K2 moves to another item, the display of the third layer is also displayed. , Correspondingly change.

When the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 15B, the second sheet of paper on which the second layer is drawn is completely wrapped around the shaft 200, The third sheet of paper in which three layers are drawn is wound half around the shaft 200. Then, as shown in FIG. 15C, the third layer is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the fourth layer (the fourth layer drawn on the right half of the fourth sheet of paper) is displayed on the right side of the screen.
Hierarchy) is displayed. The fourth layer is the fourth layer for the item "Japanese style" in which the cursor 100K3 in the third layer is displayed. If the cursor 100K3 moves to another item, the display of the fourth layer is also displayed. , Correspondingly change.

When the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 15C, the third sheet of paper on which the third layer is drawn is completely wrapped around the shaft 200, The fourth sheet of paper in which the four layers are drawn is wound half around the shaft 200. Then, as shown in FIG. 15D, the fourth layer is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the fifth layer (the fifth layer drawn on the right half of the fifth sheet of paper is displayed on the right side of the screen).
Hierarchy) is displayed. The fifth layer is "Tempura" in which the cursor 100K4 in the fourth layer is displayed.
This is the fifth level of the item, and displays information such as the material for tempura and how to make it. The display of the fifth layer changes as the cursor 100K4 moves.

Even in the case of this embodiment, by operating the left button switch 126, it is possible to display the layer immediately preceding the layer currently displayed on the screen on the screen. Of course.

The present invention can be applied not only to the electronic information display service described above, but also to other services.

For example, the present invention can be applied to a service in which electronic information similar to that in the above-described embodiment is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 11 and the information is printed out from a fax or the like. An embodiment in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, the display area of the monitor device 11 is divided into three areas, and the symbol mark of each item of the first hierarchy is changed in the hierarchy on the leftmost area of the screen. It is always displayed regardless of. A predetermined layer is displayed in a region X1 on the right of the region where the symbol mark is displayed, and a region next to the layer displayed in the region X1 is displayed in a region X2 displayed on the rightmost side of the screen. It

When the start command for displaying the hierarchy is input, the first hierarchy (top menu) is displayed in the area X1, as shown in FIG. 16 (a). In this first layer,
"Travel / sightseeing", "transportation / weather", "hobbies", "media", "life / culture", "town", "catalog",
Items such as "shopping" and "business" are included, and the symbol mark for each item is displayed in the area displayed on the left side of the area X1. Also, the area X2
Displays the second layer of the item designated by the cursor 100K11 among the items of the first layer.

For example, as shown in FIG.
Cursor 100K1 on the "Traffic / Weather" item in the hierarchy
When 1 is displayed, the second hierarchy of the item "traffic / weather" is displayed in the area X2. At this time, the symbol mark for "traffic / weather" is displayed brightly, and the symbol marks of other items are displayed darkly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cursor 10
0K11 is displayed in red, and the background of the second layer opened in the area X2 is also red.

Then, in the state shown in FIG.
Light button switch 1 of remote commander 10 shown in
When 27 is operated, the area X2 in FIG.
The second layer (second layer for "traffic / weather") displayed in the area moves to the area X1. Further, the third layer of the displayed item of the cursor 100K12 of the second layer displayed in the region X1 is displayed in the region X2.
For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the cursor 100K12 is displayed on the item “Tokyo traffic information” in the second layer displayed in the area X1, the area X2 displays “Tokyo traffic information”. Is displayed. The cursor 100K12 of the second layer is displayed in purple, and the background of the third layer opened in the area X2 is also displayed in purple.

When the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 16 (b), as shown in FIG. 16 (c), the third layer (“Tokyo traffic information”) displayed in the area X2 is displayed. (Third layer) is moved to the area X1.
At this time, the FAX reception guide is displayed in the area X2 as the fourth layer. In addition, the cursor 100K of the third layer
13 is displayed in blue, and the background of the fourth layer displayed in the area X2 is also displayed in blue.

For example, when it is desired to output from the FAX information about "Metropolitan Expressway / Expressway", the cursor 100K13 is placed on the item "Capital Expressway / Expressway" of the items of the third layer displayed in the area X1. Is displayed and the light button switch 127 is operated. Then, as shown in FIG. 16D, a fax output information and an icon asking for execution of fax output (a green cursor 100K14 is displayed) are displayed in the area X1 as the fourth layer. In addition,
In the area X2, as the fifth layer, “receive FAX”
Comment is displayed (background is displayed in green).

When the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 16 (d), "Metropolitan Expressway / Highway" is displayed.
Is output from the FAX.

16 (a) to 16 (d), the symbol mark for "traffic / weather" selected in FIG. 16 (a) is always displayed brightly. To indicate that it was selected). Further, as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 17, four layer confirmation lamps are displayed below the symbol mark, and the lamps are turned on in response to changes in the layer displayed in the area X1. .

That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, the second layer having the red cursor 100K11 is the area X2.
, The leftmost lamp among the hierarchy confirmation lamps displayed in the symbol mark lights up in red. As shown in FIG. 16B, when the third layer including the purple cursor 100K12 is displayed in the area X2, the second lamp from the left among the layer confirmation lamps lights in purple. . FIG.
As shown in (c), when the fourth layer including the blue cursor 100K12 is displayed in the area X2, the third lamp from the left among the layer confirmation lamps is lit in blue. As shown in FIG. 16D, when the fifth layer including the green cursor 100K12 is displayed in the area X2, the lamp displayed on the rightmost of the layer confirmation lamps is lit in green.

Therefore, the user can easily confirm how much hierarchy he or she is currently looking at.

Also in this embodiment, the display area of the monitor device is divided into an area X1 and an area X2, and among the items in the hierarchy displayed in the area X1, the next layer of the item designated by the cursor is displayed. The display is made in the area X2. Therefore, the user can observe the next layer of the item designated by the cursor without switching the screen. Further, since two layers are displayed on one screen of the monitor device, it is possible to reach the layer including the target information faster.

Further, the present invention can be applied to the case of displaying the service of the program complement information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the "news station" is currently displayed on the screen of the monitor device.
When the service start command of the program complement information is input while the image of the (service mark) is displayed, the screen of the monitor device displays the program of "News Station" as shown in FIG. 18 (b). Switch to the image of complementary information.

In the program complement information of "News Station", the first layer having items such as performer name, music, and interior is displayed in the area X1 displayed on the left side of the screen of the monitor device, and the first level is displayed. Cursor 100 in the hierarchy
The second layer of the displayed item of K21 is displayed in the area X2 displayed on the right side of the screen. For example,
As shown in FIG. 18B, when the cursor 100K21 is displayed on the item “Hiro Kume” of the plurality of items in the first layer, the area X2 shows the second item about “Hiro Kume”.
The hierarchy is displayed.

In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 19A, when the cursor 100K21 is displayed on the item "Today's guest" among the plurality of items in the first layer, the area X2 is displayed.
Displays the second layer for "Today's Guest" (the second layer including the items "Hiroshi Kurotsu", "Kojiro Watanabe" and "Shinobu Yoshioka").

When the light button switch 127 of the remote commander 10 shown in FIG. 3 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 19A, for example, the second button displayed in the area X2 in FIG. 19A is displayed. The hierarchy is moved to the area X1. At this time, in the area X2, the third hierarchy of the item displayed by the cursor 100K22 among the plurality of items of the second hierarchy displayed in the area X1 is displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19B, when the cursor 100K22 is displayed on the item "Hiroshi Kurotetsu" of the items of the second hierarchy displayed in the area X1, The third layer of is displayed in the area X2. In addition, in the third layer, the profile of “Kurotetsu Hiroshi” (“19
×× year ×× month ×× Nissei's representative work ... ”, and“ glasses ”,“ shirts ”,“ suits ”,
Items such as "clock" are displayed.

When the light button switch 127 is operated in the state shown in FIG. 19B, the third layer displayed in the area X2 in FIG. 19B is moved to the area X1 (however, profile Is erased). At this time, in the area X2, among the plurality of items of the third hierarchy displayed in the area X1, the fourth hierarchy of the item displayed by the cursor 100K23 is displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19C, when the cursor 100K23 is displayed on the item of "glasses" among the items of the third hierarchy displayed in the region X1, the first item of "glasses" is displayed. The four layers are displayed in the area X2. It should be noted that in the fourth layer, information about "glasses" and items such as "shop information", "catalog request", and "purchase" are displayed.

By observing the display shown in FIG. 19C, the user can obtain the information of the spectacles of "Kurotetsu Hiroshi".

In this embodiment as well, since two layers are displayed simultaneously on the screen of the monitor device, the user can observe the next layer without switching the screen.

[0109]

As described above, according to the electronic information control device and method of the present invention, the display area of the display device is divided into a plurality of areas, and the first layer is displayed in the preset first area. In addition, the predetermined item in the first layer is designated, and the second layer for the item designated in the first layer is displayed in the second area, so that the layer can be easily moved. Now you can do it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an electronic information display control device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of electronic information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a remote commander operated when remotely controlling the electronic information display control device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronic information display control device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a layer display process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where the screen of the monitor device 11 is divided.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a first layer is displayed in a region X1 and a second layer is displayed in a region X2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a first hierarchy is displayed in a region X1 and a second hierarchy is displayed in a region X2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a first layer is displayed in a region X1 and a second layer is displayed in a region X2.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a first layer is displayed in a region X1 and a second layer is displayed in a region X2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a change in screen when a light button switch is operated in the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the second layer is displayed in the area X1 and the third layer is displayed in the area X2.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the third hierarchy is displayed in the area X1 and the fourth hierarchy is displayed in the area X2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which a fourth hierarchy is displayed in the area X1 and a fifth hierarchy is displayed in the area X2.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example when the electronic information shown in FIG. 2 is displayed in another format.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a symbol mark of “traffic / weather”.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a case where program complement information is displayed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a change in hierarchy of program complement information.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display format of conventional electronic information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 electronic information display control device, 2 broadcast receiving circuit, 2
A antenna, 3 normal broadcast decoder, 4 normal broadcast video circuit, 5 data broadcast decoder, 6 data display video circuit, 7 CPU, 8 output switching circuit,
9 data storage, 10 remote commander,
11 monitor device, 119 electronic information button switch, 123 end button switch, 124 up button switch, 125 down button switch,
126 left button switch, 127 right button switch, 100K1 to 100K4, 100K1
1 to 100K14, 100K21 to 100K23
cursor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Chisato Kisanuki 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first display position is preset among a plurality of regions formed by dividing a display region of a display device.
In the area, first display means for displaying the first layer, designating means for designating any one of a plurality of items included in the first layer, and the first layer is displayed. The second display means for displaying the designation means at a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of items included in the first hierarchy, and the first hierarchy is displayed. At this time, a third layer related to the displayed item of the designating means is displayed in a second region of the plurality of regions of the display device, the display position of which is preset. An electronic information display control device comprising: a display unit. 2. The electronic information display control device according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit operated when displaying the hierarchy in a state where main information is displayed on the display device. 3. The layer is a menu for selecting sub-information related to the main information.
The electronic information display control device described in 1. 4. A first display position is preset among a plurality of regions formed by dividing a display region of a display device.
In the area of the first hierarchy, and a designation unit for designating any one of the plurality of items included in the first hierarchy is displayed when the first hierarchy is displayed. Displayed at a position corresponding to any one of the items, and when the first layer is displayed, a second layer related to the displayed item of the designation unit is displayed in a plurality of the display devices. The electronic information display control method, wherein the display position is displayed in a second area of which the display position is preset.