Information processing method and apparatus

• US 7,100,105 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2000
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nishimura, Takanori, Kori, Takayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Basehoar, Adam L.
• Application Number:
  US09/575,104
• Time in Patent Office: 2,293 Days
• Field of Search: 715/512, 715/500.1, 715/501.1, 715/511, 715/704, 715/764, 715/730, 345/200, 345/817, 707/203, 707/1
• US Class Current: 715/209
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability

Abstract

The state of a label at an optional time point, such as a past time point, can be recognized, while the label can be regenerated even when the label has been deleted. When a label on which can be pasted an object, such as text, picture or sound, is acted upon (yes at step S141) the difference of the label information is computed (step S142) and the computed difference information is stored (steps S144, S145). The label state is then regenerated based on the time information stored in association with the label and the difference information. Also, time is displayed, plural time intervals are displayed (step S201), a desired one of the plural time intervals is selected (step S202) and time display is controlled responsive to the selected time intervals (steps S203 to S206), to facilitate retrieval of the information corresponding to the specified time. In addition, a label handling at least the time concept is processed (step S231) and the time axis in displaying the label is controlled (step S233) based on an operating signal associated with rotational actuation from a jog dial (step S232).

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

storage means for storing a pre-set processing unit, said pre-set processing unit being an electronic label that is configured to be displayed as a graphical image on a display and occupying a predetermined area on the display, said pre-set processing unit also being configured to have user-selectable object information having different attributes and time information associated therewith, said object information being displayed in said predetermined area when said electronic label is displayed;

regenerating means for regenerating a state of said pre-set processing unit associated with a predetermined date and time based on said time information, said state of said pre-set processing unit being indicative of what object information is associated with said pre-set processing unit as a function of time; and

determination means for determining a variation between the attributes concerning said pre-set processing unit at a first time point and the attributes concerning said pre-set processing unit at a second time point, wherein

said storage means includes means for storing the variation,

said regenerating means includes means for regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on said time information and said variation information, and

said electronic label including an alarm which is activated at a preset time.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1

wherein

said storage means stores to said pre-set processing unit at a time point all information relevant to the time point.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

hysteresis acquisition means for acquiring an operation hysteresis on said pre-set processing unit;

said storage means storing the information on the operation hysteresis; and

said regenerating means regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on said time information and said information on the operation hysteresis.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

said storage means effects storage at regular intervals.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

said storage means effects storage at a time point when the state of said pre-set processing unit is changed.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said object information of different attributes is the text information, speech information and the picture information inclusive of moving pictures;

said regenerating means displaying said electronic label on a display picture of said display device.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

rotatable operating means;

said regenerating means controlling the time axis of the display state of the pre-set processing unit based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of said operating means.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein

said regenerating means controls the time axis increasing/decreasing interval of the display state of the pre-set processing unit based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of said operating means.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein

said regenerating means variably controls time axis variation of the display state of said pre-set processing unit based on an operating signal corresponding to the speed of rotational actuation of said operating means.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein

said operating means includes a first operating portion associated with said rotational actuation and a second operating portion associated with movement actuation in one direction;

said regenerating means changing the display state of said pre-set processing unit responsive to an operating signal corresponding to movement actuation in said one direction by said second operating portion of said operating means.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein

said operating means includes a first operating portion associated with said rotational actuation and a second operating portion associated with movement actuation in one direction;

said regenerating means changing the control function of the time axis of the display state of said pre-set processing unit derived from an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation by said first operating portion of said operating means responsive to an operating signal corresponding to movement actuation by said second operating portion of said operating means.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein

said processing means reverses the control of the time axis of the display state of said pre-set processing unit derived from an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation from said operating means responsive to a pre-set key operation.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising:

retrieving means for retrieving the information of the pre-set processing unit corresponding to said time information from said storage means based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of said operating means.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein

said storage means stores said pre-set unit, in which the object information of different attributes can be pasted, in association with the time information;

the information processing apparatus further comprising;

retrieval result regenerating means for regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on the information of said pre-set unit retrieved from said storage means by said retrieval means.

15. The information processing method according to claim 14 wherein said object information of different attributes is the text information, speech information and the picture information including moving pictures;

said pre-set processing unit is data for displaying a tag sheet on a display picture of a display device; and

wherein

said retrieval result regenerating means displays said tag sheet on a display picture of a display device.

41. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said regenerating means includes

time display means for displaying the time;

time interval displaying means for displaying a plurality of time intervals;

selection means for selecting a desired time interval from said time intervals displayed on said time interval displaying means; and

control means for controlling the display state of said pre-set processing unit and time display on said time display means responsive to the time interval selected by said selection means.

42. The information processing apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said time interval displaying means displays a plurality of pre-set constant time intervals as said plural time intervals.

43. The information processing apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said time interval displaying means displays variable time intervals with a pre-set changing point as a unit.

44. The information processing apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said control means controls the amount of change of the time display on said time display means with a variable speed based on a command from outside.

45. The information processing apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said control means controls the amount of change of the time display on said time display means with acceleration based on an acceleration command from outside.

46. The information processing apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said control means controls the time display color responsive to the time interval selected by said selection means.

47. The information processing apparatus according to claim 41 further comprising:

retrieving means for retrieving the information of a pre-set processing unit associated with the time information from said storage means based on the time displayed on said time display means.

48. The information processing apparatus according to claim 47 further comprising:

retrieving result regenerating means for regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on said information of said pre-set unit retrieved from said storage means by said retrieving means.

49. The information processing apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said object information of different attributes is the text information, speech information and the picture information including moving pictures;

said pre-set processing unit is data for displaying a tag sheet on a display picture of a display device; and

wherein

said retrieving result regenerating means displays said tag sheet on a display picture of a display device.

16. An information processing method comprising:

storing a pre-set processing unit in a memory;

displaying said pre-set processing unit being an electronic label that is displayed as a graphical image on a display and occupying a predetermined area on the display, said pre-set processing unit also being configured to have user-selectable object information having different attributes and time information associated therewith, displaying said object information in said predetermined area within said electronic label when said label is displayed;

regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit associated with a predetermined date and time based on said time information, said state of said pre-set processing unit being indicative of what object information is associated with said pre-set processing unit as a function of time; and

determining a variation between the attributes concerning said pre-set processing unit at a first time point and the attributes concerning said pre-set processing unit at a second time point, wherein

said storage step including storing the variation,

said regenerating step including regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on said time information and said variation,

said electronic label including an alarm which is activated at a preset time.

17. The information processing method according to claim 16 wherein

said storage step stores the entire information relevant to said pre-set processing unit at a time point.

18. The information processing method according to claim 16 further comprising:

a hysteresis acquisition step of acquiring an operation hysteresis on said pre-set processing unit;

said storage step storing the information on the operation hysteresis; and

said regenerating step regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on said time information and said information on the operation hysteresis.

19. The information processing method according to claim 16 wherein

said storage step effects storage at regular intervals.

20. The information processing method according to claim 16 wherein

said storage step effects storage at a time point when the state of said pre-set processing unit is changed.

21. The information processing method according to claim 16 wherein said object information of different attributes is the text information, speech information and the picture information inclusive of moving pictures;

said regenerating step displaying said tag sheet on a display picture of said display device.

22. The information processing method according to claim 16 including

displaying the time;

displaying a plurality of time intervals;

selecting a desired time interval from displayed time intervals; and

controlling the display state of said pre-set processing unit and time display responsive to the selected time interval.

23. The information processing method according to claim 22 wherein a plurality of pre-set constant time intervals are displayed as said plural time intervals.

24. The information processing method according to claim 23 variable time intervals are also displayed with a pre-set changing point as a unit.

25. The information processing method according to claim 22 wherein the amount of change of the time display on said time display means is controlled with a variable speed based on a command from outside.

26. The information processing method according to claim 25 wherein the amount of change of the time display on said time display means is controlled with acceleration based on an acceleration command from outside.

27. The information processing method according to claim 22 wherein the time display color is controlled responsive to the time interval selected by said selection means.

28. The information processing method according to claim 22 wherein the information of a pre-set processing unit associated with the time information from said storage means is retrieved based on the time displayed on said time display means.

29. The information processing method according to claim 28 wherein the state of said pre-set processing unit based on the retrieved information of said pre-set unit.

30. The information processing method according to claim 29 wherein said object information of different attributes is the text information, speech information and the picture information including moving pictures;

said pre-set processing unit is data for displaying a tag sheet on a display picture of a display device; and

wherein

said tag sheet is displayed on a display picture of a display device.

31. The information processing method according to claim 16 further comprising:

controlling the time axis of the display state of the pre-set processing unit based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of rotatable operating means.

32. The information processing method according to claim 31 wherein

the control function of the time axis of the display state of said pre-set processing unit derived from an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation by said operating means responsive to an operating signal corresponding to movement actuation in one direction of said operating means.

33. The information processing method according to claim 31 wherein

the control of the time axis of the display state of said pre-set processing unit derived from an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation from said operating means is reversed responsive to a pre-set key operation.

34. The information processing method according to claim 31 further comprising:

retrieving the information of the pre-set processing unit corresponding to said time information based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of said operating means.

35. The information processing method according to claim 34 wherein

said pre-set unit in which the object information of different attributes can be pasted is stored in association with the time information;

and wherein

the state of said pre-set processing unit is regenerated based on the information of the retrieved pre-set unit.

36. The information processing method according to claim 35 wherein said object information of different attributes is the text information, speech information and the picture information including moving pictures;

said pre-set processing unit is data for displaying a tag sheet on a display picture of a display device; and

wherein

said tag sheet is displayed on a display picture of a display device.

37. The information processing method according to claim 31 wherein

the time axis increasing/decreasing interval of the display state of the pre-set processing unit is controlled based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of said rotatable operating means.

38. The information processing method according to claim 31 wherein

time axis variation of the display state of said pre-set processing unit is variably controlled based on an operating signal corresponding to the speed of rotational actuation of said rotatable operating means.

39. The information processing method according to claim 31 wherein

the display state of said pre-set processing unit is controlled responsive to an operating signal corresponding to movement actuation in said one direction of said operating means.

40. A computer readable medium for permitting an information processing apparatus to execute a program including steps of:

storing a pre-set processing unit in a memory;

displaying said pre-set processing unit being an electronic label that is displayed as a graphical image on a display and occupying a predetermined area on the display, said pre-set processing unit also being configured to have user-selectable object information having different attributes and time information associated therewith, displaying said object information in said predetermined area within said electronic label when said label is displayed;

regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit associated with a predetermined date and time based on said time information, said state of said pre-set processing unit being indicative of what object information is associated with said pre-set processing unit as a function of time; and

determining a variation between the attributes concerning said pre-set processing unit at a first time point and the attributes concerning said pre-set processing unit at a second time point, wherein

said storage step includes storing the variation,

said regenerating step includes regenerating the state of said pre-set processing unit based on said time information and said variation,

said electronic label including an alarm which is activated at a preset time.

50. A medium for permitting an information processing apparatus to execute a program according to claim 40 including

displaying the time;

displaying a plurality of time intervals;

selecting a desired time interval from displayed time intervals; and

controlling the display state of said pre-set processing unit and time display responsive to the selected time interval.

51. A medium for permitting an information processing apparatus to execute a program according to claim 40 including controlling the time axis of the display state of the pre-set processing unit based on an operating signal corresponding to rotational actuation of rotatable operating means.