Patent Application
20120306879
The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2011-126469 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jun. 6, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium.
In an operation screen for playing back content, there is used an adjustment bar which relatively indicates a current value of a predetermined parameter with respect to a full amount which the parameter may take, using the position of a slider on a bar. In the adjustment bar, the position of the slider is operated, and thus, the current value of the parameter is changed. For example, the adjustment bar indicating a playback position is referred to as seek bar. The seek bar indicates the playback position of content, and is also used for changing the playback position of the content by operating the position of the slider (for example, see JP 2004-140552A).
However, it is difficult to make a fine adjustment in the operation of setting the current value using the adjustment bar. In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium which are novel and improved, and which are capable of easily making a fine adjustment to the current value.
Accordingly, the present invention broadly comprises an apparatus, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program which causes the processor to perform the method. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display content including a plurality of images and an adjustment bar having a slider that controls a current image of the content displayed on the display unit. The slider is moved by a first operation and a second operation. The second operation changes a position of the slider with a finer adjustment than the first operation.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structural elements is omitted.
Note that the description will be given in the following order.
1. Configuration of information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
2. Example of user interface according to the embodiment
3. Conclusion
<1. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus According to an Embodiment of the Present Disclosure>
First, with reference to
An information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus which is capable of performing an input operation using a touch sensor. The information processing apparatus 100 may be an apparatus such as a mobile phone including a smartphone, and may also be an apparatus such as a mobile music playback device, a mobile video processing device, a mobile game console, a PC (Personal Computer), a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
Referring to
Next, referring to
The operation section 200 can be configured from, for example, operation means for inputting information by a user, such as a touch sensor, a button, an imaging device, a microphone, a switch, and a lever, and an input control circuit which generates an input signal based on the operation performed by the user and outputs the generated input signal to the operation detection section 101. Here, in the case where the operation section 200 is a touch sensor, the touch sensor to be used may be a contact type touch sensor which detects a position of an operating object touching the screen. Alternatively, there may be used a non-contact touch sensor which detects the position of the operating object above the screen.
The display section 300 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or an organic EL (organic light emitting diode (OLED)) display device. The display section 300 operates in accordance with the control of the playback control section 103, and thereby being able to provide the user with the display screen.
The operation detection section 101 has a function of detecting an operation input by the user based on the input operation input from the operation section 200. For example, the operation detection section 101 can detect the operation performed by the user to the display screen which is generated by the function of a display control section that the playback control section 103 has. In this case, the operation detection section 101 can detect an operation performed to an object such as a button or an image displayed on the display screen, for example. Further, the operation detection section 101 can also detect an operation permitted to the display screen regardless of the object displayed on the display screen. Examples of the operation permitted to the display screen regardless of the object include a scaling operation using pinch-close and pinch-open, and a scroll operation. The operation detection section 101 can input operation information including the type of the detected operation, the operation position, and the like to the playback control section 103. In the present embodiment, the operation detection section 101 can detect a first operation of specifying a position of a slider of an adjustment bar. Further, the operation detection section 101 can detect a second operation which has a different motion from that of the first operation. Here, the second operation is an operation for adjusting a current value of a parameter on the basis of a second adjustment unit, which is finer than a first adjustment unit of the first operation.
The playback control section 103 is an example of the display control section, an audio output control section, and an adjustment section. The playback control section 103 can provide the user with content by controlling the display section 300 and the audio output section 107, based on the procedure written in a program for controlling the playback of the content and the operation information input from the operation detection section 101. In the present embodiment, the playback control section 103 can control the display of the display screen including an adjustment bar which relatively indicates a current value of a predetermined parameter with respect to a full amount which the parameter may take, using the position of a slider on a bar. The playback control section 103 adjusts the current value of the parameter indicated by the slider in accordance with the first operation of specifying the position of the slider, and can also change the position of the slider in the display screen based on the adjusted current value of the parameter. Further, the playback control section 103 makes a fine adjustment to the current value of the parameter indicated by the slider on the basis of a unit finer than the unit of the adjustment of the first operation, in accordance with the second operation, and can also change the position of the slider in the display screen based on the adjusted current value of the parameter. The contents of the display screen and the action of the playback control section 103 corresponding to the operation performed to the display screen will be described in detail below.
The storage section 105 is a device for storing data, and can include a storage medium, a recording device for recording data in the storage medium, a reading device for reading out the data from the storage medium, and a deletion device for deleting the data recorded in the storage medium. Examples of the storage medium used here may include a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory), a FeRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory), a PRAM (Phase change Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and a magnetic recording medium such an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage section 105 can store a program for controlling an action of the information processing apparatus 100 and various types of data, for example. For example, the storage section 105 can also store content to be played back by the playback control section 103.
The audio output section 107 is a device which outputs audio. The audio output section 107 can output audio in accordance with the control of the playback control section 103, for example. The audio output section 107 may include, for example, a decoder for decoding audio data, a D/A (Digital/Analog) converter for converting digital data into analog data, and a speaker for outputting an audio signal. The audio output section 107 can output the audio signal specified by the playback control section 103 at a volume specified by the playback control section 103.
Heretofore, an example of the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has been shown. Each of the above structural elements may be configured using general-purpose members or circuits, or may be configured using hardware specialized for the function of each structural element. Further, the function of each structural element may be realized by reading out, by an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a control program from the storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores the control program in which procedures for realizing those functions are written, and by interpreting and executing the program. Therefore, the configuration to be used can be changed appropriately in accordance with the technical level each time when the embodiment is carried out.
Note that there may be produced a computer program for realizing each function of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment as described above, and the computer program can be implemented in a personal computer or the like. Further, there can also be provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having the computer program stored therein. Examples of the non-transitory recording medium include a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, and a flash memory. Further, the computer program may be distributed via a network, without using the recording medium, for example.
Here, with reference to
Referring to
The CPU 902 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or a control unit, for example, and controls entire operation or a part of the operation of each structural element based on various programs recorded on the ROM 904, the RAM 906, the storage section 920, or a removable recording medium 928. The ROM 904 is means for storing, for example, a program to be loaded on the CPU 902 or data or the like used in an arithmetic operation. The RAM 906 temporarily or perpetually stores, for example, a program to be loaded on the CPU 902 or various parameters or the like arbitrarily changed in execution of the program.
Those structural elements are connected to each other by, for example, the host bus 908 capable of performing high-speed data transmission. On the other hand, the host bus 908 is connected through the bridge 910 to the external bus 912 whose data transmission speed is relatively low, for example. Further, the input section 916 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, or a lever. Also, the input section 916 may be a remote control that can transmit a control signal by using an infrared ray or other radio waves.
The output section 918 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT, an LCD, a PDP or an ELD, an audio output device such as a speaker or headphones, a printer, a mobile phone, or a facsimile, that can visually or auditorily notify a user of acquired information. The term CRT is an abbreviation for “Cathode Ray Tube”. Further, the term LCD is an abbreviation for “Liquid Crystal Display”. Still further, the term PDP is an abbreviation for “Plasma Display Panel”. In addition, the term ELD is an abbreviation for “Electro-Luminescence Display”.
The storage section 920 is a device for storing various types of data. The storage section 920 is, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. The term HDD is an abbreviation for “Hard Disk Drive”.
The drive 922 is a device that reads information recorded on the removable recording medium 928 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk or a semiconductor memory, or writes information in the removable recording medium 928. The removable recording medium 928 is, for example, a DVD medium, a Blu-ray medium, an HD-DVD medium, various types of semiconductor storage media, or the like. Of course, the removable recording medium 928 may be, for example, an IC card on which a non-contact IC chip is mounted or an electronic device. The term IC is an abbreviation for “Integrated Circuit”.
The connection port 924 is a port such as a USB port, an IEEE1394 port, a SCSI, an RS-232C port, or a port for connecting an externally connected device 930 such as an optical audio terminal. The externally connected device 930 is, for example, a printer, a mobile music player, a digital camera, a digital video camera, or an IC recorder. The term USB is an abbreviation for “Universal Serial Bus”. Further, the term SCSI is an abbreviation for “Small Computer System Interface”.
The communication section 926 is a communication device to be connected to the network 932, and is, for example, a communication card for a wired or wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB, an optical communication router, an ADSL router, or various communication modems. The network 932 connected to the communication section 926 is configured from a wire-connected or wirelessly connected network, and is the Internet, a home-use LAN, infrared communication, visible light communication, broadcasting, or satellite communication, for example. The term LAN is an abbreviation for “Local Area Network”. Further, the term WUSB is an abbreviation for “Wireless USB”. In addition, the term ADSL is an abbreviation for “Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line”.
<2. Example of User Interface According to the Embodiment>
Here, a user interface provided by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment relates to an operation performed to an adjustment bar including a seek bar and a volume adjustment bar, and to a change of a display screen on this occasion. The information processing apparatus 100 can make a fine adjustment to a position of a slider on the adjustment bar. Accordingly, here, there will be described first an example of an entire layout of a screen including the adjustment bar, and next, there will be described an example of a basic operation of the adjustment bar. After that, with regard to the fine adjustment of the position of the slider, there will be described sequentially a fine adjustment operation and an action of the information processing apparatus 100 on that occasion, and an example of an operation area in which the fine adjustment operation is detected.
(2-1. Examples of Screen Layout)
First, with reference to
Note that, in this specification and the appended drawings, there are some cases where multiple structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure are distinguished from one another by being denoted with different letters after the same reference numerals. For example, the multiple structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure are distinguished from one another as necessary, like an adjustment bar 10a and an adjustment bar 10b. However, in the case where it is not necessary to distinguish the multiple structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure from one another, the multiple structural elements are denoted with the same reference numeral only. For example, in the case where it is not particularly necessary to distinguish the adjustment bar 10a, the adjustment bar 10b, and the like from one another, they are each simply referred to as adjustment bar 10.
First, referring to
Further, the adjustment bar 10a includes a bar 11a and a slider 13a. The position of the slider 13a with respect to a full length FL of the bar 11a represents relatively the current playback position with respect to the full length of the content. Specifically, the slider 13a is displayed at the position at which the ratio of a length L1, which indicates the length from the left end of the bar 11a to the slider 13a, to the full length FL of the bar 11a becomes equal to the ratio of the current playback position 18 minutes 3 seconds to the content full length 1 hour 43 minutes.
The adjustment bar 10b, which is the volume adjustment bar, can show the current value of volume by making the color of the part from the left end of the bar 11b to the current value of volume different from the rest of the bar 11b. The slider 13b of the adjustment bar 10b is the boundary of colors. Accordingly, the concept of the slider 13 is a part indicating the current value, and may not necessarily be expressed as a member such as the slider 13a.
Further, referring to
Heretofore, there have been described the display screens provided by the information processing apparatus 100 by way of two examples, the moving image content playback screen 31 and the still image display screen 33. However, the present technology is not limited to such examples. For example, content to be played back by the playback control section 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 is not limited to the image content, and may also be audio content. In this case, the audio content is a concept including audio data such as music, a lecture, and a radio program. Further, the image content is a concept including image data such as a television program, a video program, a photograph, a document, a picture, and a chart.
(2-2. Basic Operations of Adjustment Bar)
Here, with reference to
For example, on the adjustment bar 10, the position of the slider 13 is changed by a first operation of specifying a position of the slider.
Further,
Further, in such an adjustment bar 10, the slider 13 isn't moved beyond an end part of the bar 11. For example, as shown in A of
(2-3. Examples of Actions in Fine Adjustment Operation)
Next, with reference to
The operation detection section 101 can detect the second operation that has a different motion from that of the first operation. Then, based on the detected second operation, an adjustment section of the playback control section 103 can adjust a current value of a parameter on the basis of a second adjustment unit, which is finer than a first adjustment unit of the first operation. In the case where the operation detection section 101 can detect the second operation, a display control section of the playback control section 103 may notify the user that the second operation can be used by changing the appearance of the adjustment bar 10.
For example, as shown in A of
Next, with reference to
Next, with reference to
Let us assume that the second adjustment unit of the second operation is sufficiently smaller than the first adjustment unit of the first operation. For example, it is preferred that the second adjustment unit be one frame. For example, the playback control section 103 may determine the change in the playback position per rotation of the adjustment bar 10 based on the frame rate. For example, in the case where the frame rate is 60 fps, if the change in the playback position is set to one frame (i.e., 1/60 second) for every 6-degree rotation, the change in the playback position is one second per rotation of the adjustment bar 10.
Next, with reference to
In this way, the accelerated rotation is performed by the flick operation, and accordingly, in the case where the user wants to move the position of the slider 13 largely to some extent in the stage of fine adjustment, the large movement to some extent can be performed by an easy operation.
(2-4. Examples of Operation Area in which Fine Adjustment Operation is Detected)
Next, with reference to
Referring to
Further, referring to
The operation area OA may be set in many ways taking into consideration the layout and usability of the display screen. Further, various methods may be used for notifying the user that it is the operation area OA. For example, while the operation detection section 101 is in the state of being able to detect the second operation, the playback control section 103 can display a mark M for persuading the user to perform the second operation to the part corresponding to the operation area OA, in order to persuade the user into performing the second operation. For example, as shown in
Further, with regard to the operation area OA in which the second operation is detected, multiple operation areas OA may be included within one display screen, the multiple operation areas OA each having a different combination of an amount of motion of the second operation and an amount of change of parameter from one another. For example, referring to
<3. Conclusion>
As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the parameter indicated by the adjustment bar 10 can be changed on the basis of a unit finer than the unit of the adjustment for the first operation of moving the slider 13 of the adjustment bar 10 to the left and right. For example, when the adjustment unit of the adjustment bar 10 for indicating the playback position of the moving image is set to one frame, the user can make an adjustment on a per-frame basis, only with an intuitive operation. For example, it is suitable in the case where the size of the screen used for the operation is limited, such as a mobile terminal which accepts an operation using a touch sensor.
In this case, the second operation for a fine adjustment may be an operation including upward/downward motion, for example. By making the direction of the motion of the first operation different from the direction of the motion of the second operation, the accuracy of detecting, by the information processing apparatus 100, the difference between the first operation and the second operation is improved. Further, by causing the entire or a part of the adjustment bar 10 to rotate in accordance with the second operation, even in the case where the change in the left/right position of the slider 13 is slight, it is possible to notify, by means of the senses, the user that it is during adjustment. In this case, the appearance of the adjustment bar 10 is displayed in the three-dimensional shape, and thus, it becomes possible to express that the adjustment bar 10 is rotating in an easy-to-understand way.
In addition, by changing the appearance of the adjustment bar 10 while the information processing apparatus 100 is in the state of being able to detect the second operation, the user can recognize the time at which the second operation for the fine adjustment can be performed. Further, the information processing apparatus 100 may make a display of showing the state of being able to detect the second operation while the information processing apparatus 100 is in the state of being able to detect the second operation.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof
For example, in the embodiment described above, the adjustment bar is changed to the three-dimensional adjustment bar while the second operation can be detected, but the present technology is not limited to such an example. For example, the appearance of the adjustment bar may have a three-dimensional shape from the start.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the second operation in the function of playing back content has been described, but the present technology is not limited to such an example. The function of the playback control section may be implemented as one of the functions of an editing section which edits content, for example. The editing section can edit the content using a predetermined parameter which has been adjusted by a function of the adjustment section. For example, when the editing section performs a processing of cutting a part of the content, if the playback position having the parameter adjusted using the second operation is used, the user can perform the editing without leaving redundant frames remained at the start edge and the end edge of the cut content in the way the user wants with an intuitive operation.
Note that, in the embodiment described above, the operation using the touch sensor has been described, but the present technology is not limited to such an example. The present technology can also be applied to an information processing apparatus which detects operation information by analyzing an image using, for example, an external pointing device such as a mouse, an arrow key, and an imaging device. In this case, for example, in the case where a mouse is used as the input device, the first operation may be performed by a leftward/rightward drag operation. Additionally, in this case, the second operation may be performed by an upward/downward drag operation. Further, in the case of accelerating the rotation, a flick operation performed by a mouse cursor can be used. Still further, in the case where an arrow key is used as the input device, the first operation may be performed by pressing a left/right key. In this case, the second operation may be performed by pressing an up/down key. For example, 6 degree-rotation can be performed each time the key is pressed. In the case of accelerating the rotation, an up/down key-long-pressing operation can be used.
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display content including a plurality of images and an adjustment bar having a slider that controls a current image of the content displayed on the display unit, the slider being moved by a first operation and a second operation, the second operation changing a position of the slider with a finer adjustment than the first operation.
controlling a display unit to display content including a plurality of images and an adjustment bar having a slider that controls a current image of the content displayed on the display, the slider being moved by a first operation and a second operation, the second operation changing a position of the slider with a finer adjustment than the first operation.
controlling a display unit to display content including a plurality of images and an adjustment bar having a slider that controls a current image of the content displayed on the display, the slider being moved by a first operation and a second operation, the second operation changing a position of the slider with a finer adjustment than the first operation.
Furthermore, the present technology may also be configured as below.
a display control section which controls a display of a display screen including an adjustment bar which relatively indicates a current value of a predetermined parameter with respect to a full amount, using a position of a slider on a bar;
a detection section which detects an operation input to the display screen; and
an adjustment section which adjusts the current value of the predetermined parameter based on a second operation that has a different motion from a motion of the first operation of specifying the position of the slider, on a basis of a second adjustment unit, which is finer than a first adjustment unit of the first operation.
wherein the display control section controls the display of the display screen in a manner that the adjustment bar rotates in accordance with the second operation.
wherein the display control section causes a shape of the adjustment bar to be displayed three-dimensionally.
wherein, while the detection section is able to detect the second operation, the display control section changes an appearance of the adjustment bar.
wherein the display control section causes a shape of the adjustment bar to be displayed three-dimensionally, and thus changes the appearance of the adjustment bar.
wherein, when the detection section detects termination of the first operation, the display control section changes the appearance of the adjustment bar.
wherein the second operation includes a flick operation, and
wherein, when detecting the flick operation, the display control section inertially rotates the adjustment bar with acceleration.
wherein the predetermined parameter is a playback position of content played back in the display screen.
wherein the second adjustment unit represents one frame.
wherein the predetermined parameter is a volume at which played back content is output.
an editing section which edits the content using the predetermined parameter adjusted by the adjustment section.
wherein the bar has a shape of a male screw, and
wherein the slider has a shape of a female screw.
wherein, while the detection section is able to detect the second operation, the display control section causes a display for persuading a user to perform the second operation to be displayed on the display screen.
wherein the display for persuading a user to perform the second operation is shown together with an operation area in which the second operation is detected.
wherein the display screen includes a plurality of operation areas each having a different combination of an amount of the motion of the second operation and an amount of change of the parameter from one another.
controlling a display of a display screen including an adjustment bar which relatively indicates a current value of a predetermined parameter with respect to a full amount, using a position of a slider on a bar;
detecting an operation input to the display screen; and
adjusting the current value of the predetermined parameter based on a second operation that has a different motion from a motion of the first operation of specifying the position of the slider, on a basis of a second adjustment unit, which is finer than a first adjustment unit of the first operation.
a display control section which controls a display of a display screen including an adjustment bar which relatively indicates a current value of a predetermined parameter with respect to a full amount, using a position of a slider on a bar,
a detection section which detects an operation input to the display screen, and
an adjustment section which adjusts the current value of the predetermined parameter based on a second operation that has a different motion from a motion of the first operation of specifying the position of the slider, on a basis of a second adjustment unit, which is finer than a first adjustment unit of the first operation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-126469 | Jun 2011 | JP | national |
