Information processing device and method, and information processing program

Abstract

A hierarchical hysteresis menu area is such an area in which the hysteresis information from the hysteresis of past operations up to the current hierarchical layer is displayed responsive to an operation on an operating unit and-in which selection by a user is made using the operating unit. As the hierarchy progresses, new rows such as “Top Menu”, “ . . . Menu A”, “ . . . Menu A-1” are created progressively, until the current layer [ . . . menu A-1 “ . . . menu A-1”] is demonstrated as the lowermost layer. Indents and marks are used to denote a hierarchical structure. If a cursor is moved by an operating unit to decide on a certain selected layer, reversion may be made directly to the layer. The current menu area indicates the item of the current layer. A folder mark is displayed for a menu having a further lower item. The current hierarchical layer is indicated in this manner in the operating menu system of a hierarchical structure employing a user interface device.

1 . An information processing apparatus comprising: 
 operating means;    display means for displaying an item as an object of selection which employs said operating means, and for hierarchically displaying the hysteresis information relevant to display of said item; and    control means for controlling the display and selection of said item in said display means and the hierarchical display and selection of said hysteresis information.    
     
     
         2 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said control means displays the hysteresis information on said display means as it traces from the past to the present, responsive to selection employing said operating means, in association with and in distinction from said item.  
     
     
         3 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said control means hierarchically displays the hysteresis information in a preset area in said display means in distinction from said item.  
     
     
         4 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said control means causes said hysteresis information and said item in a vertical direction in preset areas in said display means.  
     
     
         5 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said display means includes, in said preset area, a hierarchical hysteresis display area for displaying the hysteresis information and for allowing to select the hysteresis information using said operating means, and a current display area for displaying said current item and for allowing to select said item using said operating means.  
     
     
         6 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said control means hierarchically displays said hysteresis information in said hierarchical hysteresis display area responsive to the selection employing said operating means.  
     
     
         7 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein when the hysteresis information displayed in said hierarchical hysteresis display area is selected using said operating means, said control means causes an item corresponding to the selected hysteresis information to be displayed in said current display area.  
     
     
         8 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said control means causes seamless movement of an indicating mark, displayed on said display means in association with the operation on said operating means, between said hierarchical hysteresis display area and the current display area.  
     
     
         9 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said control means causes continuous movement of said indicating mark, displayed on said display means responsive to the operation on said operating means, between the uppermost layer information of said hysteresis information in said hierarchical hysteresis display area and the lowermost layer item in said current display area.  
     
     
         10 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein, if there is a lower hysteresis layer for the current item displayed in said current display area, a mark indicating such effect is exhibited.  
     
     
         11 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein, if there are items in said current display area that cannot be displayed at a time, upper and lower marks indicating that effect are exhibited, and said items are cyclically exhibited between the upper and lower marks.  
     
     
         12 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said items are scrolled between said upper and lower marks.  
     
     
         13 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein, when a cursor is focused on an item in said current display area responsive to actuation on said operating means, the cursor is moved up to a mid portion between said upper and lower marks and, when the mid portion is surpassed, said item is scrolled.  
     
     
         14 . An information processing method comprising: 
 an item/hysteresis displaying step of displaying an item as an object of selection employing an operating unit in a display unit and of hierarchically displaying the hysteresis information relevant to the display of said item in said display unit; and    a control step of controlling the display and selection of said item and the hierarchical display and selection of said hysteresis information by said item/hysteresis displaying step.    
     
     
         15 . An information processing program including an item/hysteresis displaying step of displaying an item as an object of selection employing an operating unit in a display unit and of hierarchically displaying the hysteresis information relevant to the display of said item in said display unit, and a control step of controlling the display and selection of said item and hierarchical display and selection of said hysteresis information by said item/hysteresis displaying step, said program being executed by an information processing apparatus.