Display control apparatus, method for controlling display of information, and recording medium recorded program for such method

• US 20020059308A1
• Filed: 04/25/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tokoro, Mario, Kawashima, Isao
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/15 Synchronised browsing

Abstract

A web page to be accessed next is selected by cursors independently operated by a plurality of users of an user terminal to which a plurality of pointing devices such as plural mouse, data tablet or the like are connected. If a web page to be accessed next is competed among users, something adjustment such as a majority decision is applied to decide a web page. In some case, a plurality of user terminal shares the same web page, and each user terminal may be operated by more than one user using pointing devices. When competition of a web page to be accessed next occurs, decision of a web page to be accessed next is done based on either user basis or user terminal basis.

Claims

1. A display control apparatus for controlling display of information comprising:

a display control means for displaying information linked to more than one other information and a plurality of cursors on a display device;

a selecting means for selecting one of said more than one other information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed on said display device; and

an acquisition means for acquiring said information selected by said select means.

2. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said display control means further displays said information acquired by said acquisition means on said display device.

3. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, further comprising:

an operation means; and

a reception means for receiving operation signals from said operation means to operate each of said cursors, wherein

said display control means displays on said display device said each cursor based on said operation signals.

4. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said display control means displays said plurality of cursors so as to be distinguished to each other.

5. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said select means selects one of said more than one other information based on the number of the cursors designating part linked to said other information in said information displayed on the display device.

6. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said information linked to more than one other information is described with language for predetermined image description.

7. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said acquisition means acquires information from server means on the Internet.

8. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said acquisition means is a browser for a World Wide Web.

9. A display control apparatus comprising:

more than one first memory means for storing more than one cursor;

a display control means for displaying on a display all of said cursors stored in said first memory means and information linked to more than one other information;

a selecting means for selecting one of said other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said plural cursors; and

an acquisition means for acquiring the information selected by said selecting means.

10. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 9, further comprising:

a second memory means for storing all said cursors stored in all of said first memory means, wherein

said display control means displays said all cursors stored in said second memory means by superposing on said information.

11. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 10, wherein

said selection means selects one of said other information based on each position of said cursors stored in said second memory means.

12. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 10, further comprising:

a first writing means for writing each of said cursors into a corresponding one of said first memory means based on each operation signal from each of plural operation means for operating each of said cursors; and

a second writing means for writing all the cursors stored in all of said first memory means to said second memory means.

14. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 13, wherein

said second memory means is provided at one of said terminal devices.

15. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 14, further comprising:

a display control means for displaying said plural cursors corresponding to the stored contents of said second memory means by superposing on said information linked to more than one other information.

16. The display control means as cited in claim 13, further comprising:

a writing means for writing all said stored contents of the first memory means of said all terminal devices to said second memory means.

18. The display control means as cited in claim 17, wherein

said display control means is provided at one of said terminal devices.

19. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 17, wherein

said plural terminal devices are mutually connected by way of a predetermined network;

said cursor information acquisition means acquires said cursor information through said network; and

said cursor information proposal means proposes said cursor information through said network.

20. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 17, wherein

said acquisition control means commands to each of said plural terminal devices to acquire said selected information selected by said selecting means by proposing to the respective terminal devices a command information for commanding to acquire said selected information selected by said selecting means.

13. A display control apparatus comprising:

a cursor information acquiring means for acquiring, from each of plural terminal devices, stored contents of a first memory means storing more than one cursor operated at each of said terminal devices;

a second memory means for storing all said stored contents of said first memory means of said each terminal device;

a cursor information proposal means for proposing the stored contents of said second memory means to respective said terminal device to display the plural cursors corresponding to the stored contents of the second memory means at each of said terminal devices;

a selecting means for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed together with said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices; and

an acquisition control means for having each of said terminal devices acquire the information selected by said selecting means.

17. A display control apparatus comprising:

a cursor information acquisition means for acquiring cursor information for more than one cursor operated at each of plural terminal devices from more than one apparatus;

a cursor information proposal means for proposing said cursor information to said respective terminal device to display said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices;

a selecting means for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed together with said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices; and

an acquisition control means for having each of said terminal devices acquire the information selected by said selecting means.

21. A display control apparatus comprising:

more than one first memory means for storing more than one cursor respectively controlled by an operating signal from more than one operating means for operating a cursor;

a second memory means for storing all of said more than one cursor stored in said more than one first memory means;

a cursor information proposal means for proposing a cursor information corresponding to a stored contents of said second memory means to a managing device for managing said cursor information;

a cursor information acquisition means for acquiring said cursor information of more than one terminal device proposed by said cursor information proposal means;

a third memory means for storing all cursors corresponding to said cursor information; and

a display means for displaying said all cursors stored in said third memory means by superposing on an information linked to more than one other information.

22. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 21, further comprising:

an information acquisition means for acquiring information for selecting by said managing device base on a position designated by each of cursors corresponding to said cursor information of said plural terminal devices.

23. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 21, further comprising

a first writing means for writing said more than one cursor to respective said more than one first memory means;

a second writing means for writing all of said more than one cursor stored in said more than one first memory means to said second memory means; and

a third writing means for writing all of said plural cursors corresponding to said cursor information to said third memory means.

25. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 24, wherein

said managing means comprises an information acquisition means for acquiring information selected based on position designated by each cursor corresponding to said cursor information for said terminal devices.

26. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 25, wherein

said managing means proposes a command information for commanding to acquire said selected information selected based on position designated by respective cursor;

and

said information acquisition means acquires said information based on said command information.

27. The display control apparatus as cited in claim 24, wherein

said display control apparatus is connected to said managing apparatus by way of a predetermined network;

said cursor information proposal means proposes said cursor information through said network; and

said cursor information acquisition means acquires said cursor information through said network.

24. A display control apparatus comprising:

a cursor information proposal means for proposing cursor information about cursor of more than one cursor respectively controlled based on operation signal from more than one operation means for operating cursors to a managing means for managing said cursor information;

a cursor information acquisition means for acquiring said cursor information of more than one apparatus proposed by said managing means; and

a display control means for displaying on a display said plural cursors based on said cursor information acquired by said cursor information acquisition means.

28. A display control apparatus having a master device and a plurality of slave devices, each of said slave device comprising:

more than one slave side first memory means for storing more than one cursor controlled based on operating signal from more than operating means to control cursor;

a slave side second memory means for storing all of said more than one cursor stored in said more than one slave side first memory means;

a slave side cursor information proposal means for proposing cursor information stored in said a slave side second memory means to said master device;

a slave side cursor information acquisition means for acquiring all of said cursor information of said plural slave devices proposed by said master device;

a slave side third memory means for storing all said plural cursors corresponding to said cursor information; and

a slave side display control means for displaying on a display said plural cursors stored in said slave side third memory means by superposing on information linked to more than one other information; and

wherein

said master device comprising;

a master side cursor information acquisition means for acquiring said cursor information stored in said slave side second memory means of respective slave device;

a master side memory means for storing all of said cursor information from said plural slave devices;

a master side cursor information proposal means for proposing said cursor information to respective slave device to display at said respective slave device said plural cursors corresponding to said cursor information stored in said master side memory means;

a master side selecting means for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on position designated by respective cursor displayed with said plural cursors at said respective slave device; and

a master side acquisition control means for having each of said plural slave devices acquire said information selected by said master side selecting means.

29. A method for controlling display of information, the method comprising the steps of:

cursor information proposal step for proposing cursor information related to more than one cursor controlled based on operation signal from more than one operating means to managing apparatus for managing said cursor information;

about cursor of the 1 greater or equal which it is based on operation signal from an operation means more than 1 to operate a cursor to point out position, and is each controlled to a housekeeping apparatus managing said cursor information;

cursor information acquisition step for acquiring said cursor information for plural terminal devices proposed by a managing device; and

display control step for displaying said plural cursors based on said cursor information acquired at said cursor information acquisition step on a display by superposing on information linked to more than one other information.

30. A method for controlling display of information, the method comprising the steps of:

a cursor information acquiring step for acquiring, from each of plural terminal devices, stored contents of a first memory means storing more than one cursor operated at each of said terminal devices;

a storing step for storing all said stored contents of said first memory means of said each terminal device in a second memory means for storing;

a cursor information proposal step for proposing the stored contents of said second memory means to respective said terminal device to display the plural cursors corresponding to the stored contents of the second memory means at each of said terminal devices;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed together with said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices; and

an acquisition control step for having each of said terminal devices acquire the information selected by said selecting means.

31. A display control method for controlling display of information, said method comprising the steps of:

a storing step for storing a plurality of cursor respectively in a plurality of memory means;

a display control step for displaying said all the cursors stored in said plural memory means and information linked to more than one other information on a display;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to the information displayed on said display based on position designated by said respective cursor; and

an acquisition step for acquiring said information selected at said selecting step.

32. A display control method for controlling display of information, said method comprising the steps of:

a display control step for displaying information linked to more than one other information and a plurality of cursors;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information displayed on said display designated by said respective cursor; and

an acquisition step for acquiring said information selected at said selecting step.

33. A display control method for displaying display of information, the method comprising the steps of:

a cursor information acquisition step for acquiring cursor information for more than one cursor operated at each of plural terminal devices from more than one apparatus;

a cursor information proposal step for proposing said cursor information to said respective terminal device to display said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed together with said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices; and

an acquisition control step for having each of said terminal devices acquire the information selected by said selecting step.

34. A method for controlling display of information, the method comprising the steps of;

a first storing step for storing more than one cursor respectively controlled by an operating signal from more than one operating means for operating a cursor in more than one first memory means;

a second storing step for storing all of said more than one cursor stored in said more than one first memory means into second memory means;

a cursor information proposal step for proposing a cursor information corresponding to a stored contents of said second memory means to a managing device for managing said cursor information;

a cursor information acquisition step for acquiring said cursor information of more than one terminal device proposed at said cursor information proposal step;

a third storing step for storing all cursors corresponding to said cursor information in a third memory means; and

a display control step for displaying said all cursors stored in said third memory means by superposing on an information linked to more than one other information.

35. A recording medium recorded a program for executing a display control processing for controlling display of information, said display control processing comprising the steps of:

a display control step for displaying information linked to more than one other information and a plurality of cursors;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information displayed on said display designated by said respective cursor; and

an acquisition step for acquiring said information selected at said selecting step.

36. A recording medium recorded a computer program for a display control processing for controlling display of information to be executed by a computer, said display control processing comprising the steps of:

a storing step for storing a plurality of cursor respectively in a plurality of memory means;

a display control step for displaying said all the cursors stored in said plural memory means and information linked to more than one other information on a display;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to the information displayed on said display based on position designated by said respective cursor; and

an acquisition step for acquiring said information selected at said selecting step.

37. A recording medium recorded a computer program for a display control processing for controlling display of information to be executed by a computer, said display control processing comprising the steps of:

a cursor information acquisition step for acquiring cursor information for more than one cursor operated at each of plural terminal devices from more than one apparatus;

a cursor information proposal step for proposing said cursor information to said respective terminal device to display said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed together with said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices; and

an acquisition control step for having each of said terminal devices acquire the information selected by said selecting step.

38. A recording medium recorded a computer program for a display control processing for controlling display of information to be executed by a computer, said display control processing comprising the steps of:

cursor information proposal step for proposing cursor information related to more than one cursor controlled based on operation signal from more than one operating means to managing apparatus for managing said cursor information;

about cursor of the 1 greater or equal which it is based on operation signal from an operation means more than 1 to operate a cursor to point out position, and is each controlled to a housekeeping apparatus managing said cursor information;

cursor information acquisition step for acquiring said cursor information for plural terminal devices proposed by a managing device; and

display control step for displaying said plural cursors based on said cursor information acquired at said cursor information acquisition step on a display by superposing on information linked to more than one other information.

39. A method for controlling display of information, the method comprising the steps of:

a cursor information acquiring step for acquiring, from each of plural terminal devices, stored contents of a first memory means storing more than one cursor operated at each of said terminal devices;

a storing step for storing all said stored contents of said first memory means of said each terminal device in a second memory means for storing;

a cursor information proposal step for proposing the stored contents of said second memory means to respective said terminal device to display the plural cursors corresponding to the stored contents of the second memory means at each of said terminal devices;

a selecting step for selecting one of said more than one other information linked to said information based on each position designated by each of said cursors on said information displayed together with said plural cursors at each of said terminal devices; and

an acquisition control step for having each of said terminal devices acquire the information selected by said selecting means.

40. A recording medium recorded a computer program for a display control processing for controlling display of information to be executed by a computer, said display control processing comprising the steps of:

a first storing step for storing more than one cursor respectively controlled by an operating signal from more than one operating means for operating a cursor in more than one first memory means;

a second storing step for storing all of said more than one cursor stored in said more than one first memory means into second memory means;

a cursor information proposal step for proposing a cursor information corresponding to a stored contents of said second memory means to a managing device for managing said cursor information;

a cursor information acquisition step for acquiring said cursor information of more than one terminal device proposed at said cursor information proposal step;

a third storing step for storing all cursors corresponding to said cursor information in a third memory means; and

a display control step for displaying said all cursors stored in said third memory means by superposing on an information linked to more than one other information.