Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program inputs to a graphical user interface

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/297,777 (filed on Nov. 16, 2011), which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-268479 (filed on Dec. 1, 2010), which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, which enable a multi-touch operation to be made, and a program therefor.

In recent years, there have been known various terminal apparatuses that enable multi-touch operations to be made. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-522669 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a portable electronic apparatus that enables, through a multi-touch operation by a user, an enlargement operation and the like with respect to an object displayed on a display screen to be made (see paragraph [0018], FIG. 1 and the like in Patent Document 1).

The use of such terminal apparatuses that enable multi-touch operations to be made will likely increase. Thus, it is desired to improve operability for users who perform the multi-touch operations.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, there is a need for providing an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, which enable a multi-touch operation to be made with high operability, and a program therefore. In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed towards an apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions and a control unit executing the instructions to send signals to display first and second indicators on a display device. The control unit further executes the instructions to receive first and second user inputs and, in response to the received inputs, to send signals to change a display state of the first indicator according to the first input. The control unit further executes the instructions to send signals to change a display state of the second indicator according to the second input and initiate an operation to be performed based on a combination of the first and second inputs.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed toward a method comprising sending signals to display first and second indicators on a display device. The method further comprises receiving first and second user inputs and, in response to the received inputs, sending signals to change a display state of the first indicator according to the first input. The method further comprises sending signals to change a display state of the second indicator according to the second input. The method further comprises initiating an operation to be performed based on a combination of the first and second inputs.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed toward a tangibly embodied non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method comprising sending signals to display first and second indicators on a display device. The method further comprises receiving first and second user inputs. The method further comprises, in response to the received inputs, sending signals to change a display state of the first indicator according to the first input and sending signals to change a display state of the second indicator according to the second input. The method further comprises initiating an operation to be performed based on a combination of the first and second inputs.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, multi-touch operations with high operability become possible.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an outer appearance of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a display apparatus connected thereto;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a view for describing an example of a method of determining a correspondence relation between an operator and a cursor pointer shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views for describing touch operations for controlling a left pointer and a right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIG. 8 is a view for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIG. 9 is a view for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIG. 10 is a view for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIG. 11 is a view for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIG. 13 is a view for describing touch operations for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action assigned to the touch operations;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic views showing a modification of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic views showing a modification of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 16 is a view schematically showing a modification of variations of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing another example of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Information Processing Apparatus

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an outer appearance of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

The information processing apparatus 100 includes a casing 1 that is held by a user 30 and a touch pad 2 provided in front of the casing 1 to serve as an input unit. The touch pad 2 according to this embodiment is capable of receiving various types of multi-touch operations with one or more operators 3 .

The casing 1 is formed of, for example, metal such as aluminum and stainless steel, plastic, or other various materials. The casing 1 has such a size such that user 30 is capable of carrying the apparatus 100 . For example, when seen from the user 30 in FIG. 1 , the size of the casing 1 is about 15 cm in a longitudinal direction, about 10 cm in a lateral direction, and about 1 cm in thickness. However, the size of the casing 1 can be appropriately set. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , the information processing apparatus 100 including the casing 1 having a size of 30 cm or more in the longitudinal and lateral directions may be used while placed on a desk.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, as the plurality of operators 3 serving to perform touch operations with respect to the touch pad 2 , thumbs of the user 30 are used. However, other fingers may also be used (see FIG. 17 ). Alternatively, as the operators 3 , a stylus, pen, joystick, or other suitable apparatus may be used.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the touch pad 2 according to this embodiment includes a position detector 101 and a pressure sensor 102 . The position detector 101 includes a sensor unit and an arithmetic circuit unit (not shown). When the operator 3 comes close to or in contact with the touch pad 2 , the sensor unit outputs a proximity or contact signal to the arithmetic circuit unit. The arithmetic circuit unit generates, based on the output proximity or contact signal, information on a proximity or contact position of the operator 3 , for example. Alternatively, information on a movement direction, movement amount, movement speed, acceleration speed, or the like of the operator 3 may be generated. In addition, information on a contact area, contact angle, or the like of the operator 3 may be generated.

As used herein, the term “touch operation” refers to various touch operations performed when the operator 3 comes close to or in contact with the touch pad 2 . It should be understood that, in certain variations, the operator 3 need not touch or make contact with touch pad 2 in order to perform a touch operation. Further, the proximity and contact positions are collectively referred to as touch position of the operator 3 .

As mentioned above, the touch pad 2 according to this embodiment is a touch pad of a so-called multi-touch type. Thus, it is possible to detect touch operations by the operators 3 with respect to the touch pad 2 . For example, the user 30 can perform a pinch operation with two fingers. The pinch operation is, for example, an operation of bringing the two fingers into contact with the touch pad 2 at the same time and opening or closing the two fingers or the like while keeping the in-contact state. Here, the operation of opening the two fingers or the like held in contact with the touch pad 2 is referred to as pinch-out operation. Meanwhile, the operation of closing the two fingers or the like held in contact with the touch pad 2 is referred to as pinch-in operation.

The pressure sensor 102 serves to detect whether or not the touch pad 2 is pressed by the operator 3 . For example, when the pressure sensor 102 detects the pressing force above a threshold level, it is determined that the touch pad 2 is pressed. A method of determining existence, absence of pressure, change in pressure, or amount of pressure by the pressure sensor 102 , the structure of the pressure sensor 102 , a method of detecting the pressing force, and the like can be appropriately set.

In this embodiment, the touch pad 2 of a capacitive type is used. However, a touch pad of another type, such as, for example, a resistive touch pad, a surface acoustic wave touch pad, and an infrared touch pad may be used instead.

Alternatively, or in addition to touch pad 2 , a “touch operation” may be detected by any suitable method and/or by using any suitable apparatus. For example, various optical detection apparatuses (e.g., cameras, electric eyes or other light-sensing devices) may be used to sense a “touch operation” or any of the other operations discussed herein. Also, detection apparatuses that detect infrared radiation or other radiation outside of the visible spectrum may be used to sense a “touch operation” or any of the other operations discussed herein. These devices may be used in conjunction with other equipment that may, for example, aid in sensing the location of the user's fingers, stylus or other user control apparatus (e.g., gloves may be used to enhance the visual signature of the user's fingers, for example).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , the information processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 , a storage 105 , and a display interface 106 .

The storage 105 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage 105 may be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or other solid-state memories. A part or all of the RAM 104 and the storage 105 corresponds to a storage means according to this embodiment. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 100 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown), and thus the storage means may include the ROM.

The display interface 106 serves to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a display apparatus 40 (see FIG. 3 ) including a display screen 41 . Via the display interface 106 , image data of still images, moving images, and the like, control signals for controlling the operation of the display apparatus 40 , and the like are output. The image data, the control signals, and the like are output to the display apparatus 40 in a wireless or wired manner.

The information processing apparatus 100 may be provided with a drive unit and a communication unit (not shown). The drive unit may be, for example, a device capable of driving a removable recording medium such as an optical recording medium, a floppy (registered trademark) disc, a magnetic recording tape, and a flash memory.

The communication unit may be, for example, a modem, a router, and other communication apparatuses for communicating with other devices that are capable of connecting to a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the like. The communication unit may communicate in a wired or wireless manner.

Data processing by the information processing apparatus 100 is realized by software stored in the storage 105 or the like in cooperation with hardware resources of the information processing apparatus 100 . For example, by the CPU 103 loading a program of instructions stored in the storage 105 or the like into the RAM 104 and executing it, various types of data processing are realized. In this embodiment, the CPU 103 functions as a first display processor, a second display processor, and an action executing unit. It should be noted that the RAM 104 may include a video RAM (VRAM) (not shown) for displaying images.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing the information processing apparatus 100 and the display apparatus 40 connected thereto. As shown in FIG. 3 , a plurality of cursor pointers 43 are displayed on the display screen 41 . The plurality of cursor pointers 43 are displayed as the CPU 103 serving as the second display processor outputs display signals of the cursor pointers 43 to the display apparatus 40 .

In this embodiment, a cursor pointer 43 a and a cursor pointer 43 b may be displayed on the display screen 41 . The cursor pointer 43 a is, for example, operated mainly by the left operator 3 a being a left finger or the like. Further, the cursor pointer 43 b is, for example, operated mainly by the right operator 3 b being a right finger or the like. That is, operations for each cursor pointer, which respectively control those two cursor pointers 43 a and 43 b , may be input to the touch pad 2 by the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b . Hereinafter, the cursor pointer 43 a is referred to as the left pointer 43 a and the cursor pointer 43 b is referred to as the right pointer 43 b.

The left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b may be displayed in different colors, or exhibit different shading as shown in FIG. 3 , for example, so that the pointers can be discriminated from each other. With this, the pointers 43 a and 43 b can be operated with high operability. In order to discriminate the pointers 43 a and 43 b from each other, the shape, size, or the like of the pointers 43 a and 43 b may be appropriately set. However, the pointers 43 a and 43 b may be displayed in an indiscriminable manner.

In this embodiment, a coordinate system may be set with a center O of the touch pad 2 being a reference. Coordinate information including information of positional coordinates of the operators 3 a and 3 b in that coordinate system is output to the display apparatus 40 . In the display apparatus 40 , a coordinate system may be set with a center O′ of the display screen 41 being a reference. In the coordinate system, based on the coordinate information received from the information processing apparatus 100 , the pointers 43 a and 43 b are displayed at positions corresponding to touch positions 5 a and 5 b of the operators 3 , respectively. The coordinate systems may be appropriately set in the touch pad 2 and the display screen 41 .

Operation of Information Processing Apparatus

An operation of the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation.

It may be determined whether or not a contact or proximity of the operator 3 with respect to the touch pad 2 is detected as an initial input operation (Step 101 ). When the contact or the like with the touch pad 2 is detected (“Yes” in Step 101 ), a correspondence relation between the operator 3 and the cursor pointer 43 displayed on the display screen 41 is determined.

FIG. 5 is a view for describing an example of a method of determining the correspondence relation between the operator 3 and the cursor pointer 43 . In this embodiment, based on a touch position 5 of the operator 3 with respect to the touch pad 2 , the correspondence relation is determined.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the touch pad 2 may be divided into the left area 2 a and the right area 2 b . When the touch position 5 of the operator 3 is located within the left area 2 a , the operator 3 and the left pointer 43 a may be caused to correspond to each other. Thus, the operator 3 functions as the left operator 3 a . The left pointer 43 a is displayed at a position on the display screen 41 , which corresponds to the touch position 5 of the left operator 3 a . When the touch position 5 of the operator 3 is located within the right area 2 b , the operator 3 and the right pointer 43 b may be caused to correspond to each other.

After the left operator 3 a and the left pointer 43 a are caused to correspond to each other, a contact or the like of the other operator 3 with the touch pad 2 may be detected. In this case, irrespective of a touch position 5 of the other operator 3 , the operator 3 and the right pointer 43 b may be caused to correspond to each other. Thus, the operator 3 functions as the right operator 3 b . The right pointer 43 b is displayed at a position on the display screen 41 , which corresponds to the touch position 5 of the right operator 3 b.

Thus, in this embodiment, the touch pad 2 is divided into the left area 2 a and the right area 2 b . With respect to the initial input operation on the left area 2 a , the operator is caused to correspond to the left pointer 43 a . On the other hand, with respect to the initial input operation on the right area 2 b , the operator is caused to correspond to the right pointer 43 b . This may allow the user 30 to perform intuitive operations. It should be noted that the correspondence relations between the touch positions 5 of the operators 3 and the pointers 43 a and 43 b are not limited to that described above and can be appropriately set. In addition, a method of setting areas for dividing the touch pad 2 can be set.

When the two operators 3 input the initial input operations almost at the same time, the correspondence relations are determined in the following manner, for example. For example, one operator 3 inputs the initial input operation on the left area 2 a , and the other operator 3 inputs the initial input operation on the right area 2 b . In this case, the operator 3 on the left area 2 a is caused to correspond to the left pointer 43 a , and the operator 3 on the right area 2 b is caused to correspond to the right pointer 43 b.

Within either the left area 2 a or the right area 2 b , the two operators 3 input the initial input operations almost at the same time. In this case, for example, the operator 3 closer to the left side of the touch pad 2 is caused to correspond to the left pointer 43 a . Then, the other operator 3 is caused to correspond to the right pointer 43 b.

The correspondence relations between the operators 3 and the pointers may be determined according to the order in which the initial input operations are input. For example, the operator 3 that has input the initial input operation to the touch pad 2 first is caused to correspond to the left pointer 43 a . A method of determining the correspondence relations between the operators 3 and the pointers can be appropriately determined.

It is determined whether or not touch operations for respectively controlling the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b , which are displayed on the display screen 41 , have been received (Step 103 ). When it is determined that the touch operations for each of the pointers 43 a and 43 b have been received (“Yes” in Step 103 ), an action assigned to a combination of the touch operations is executed (Step 104 ).

FIGS. 6A to 13 are views for describing examples of the touch operations for respectively controlling the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b and actions assigned to combinations of the touch operations.

As shown in FIG. 6A , an icon 47 as a GUI object is displayed on the display screen 41 . The icon 47 is displayed as the CPU 103 serving as the first display processor outputs a display signal of the icon 47 to the display apparatus 40 . Further, on the display screen 41 , a window 44 a of a folder A storing the icon 47 and a window 44 b of another folder B are displayed.

The icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a serving as a first pointer. At this time, in order to express that the icon 47 has been designated by the left pointer 43 a , a frame, a color, or the like may be applied to the icon 47 . As shown in FIG. 6A , the right pointer 43 b serving as a second pointer is located within the window 44 b of the folder B.

In this state, the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b perform click operations almost at the same time. Consequently, as an action assigned to a combination of the click operations, movement processing of the icon 47 to a position of the right pointer 43 b is executed. With this, an instant drag and drop operation is realized. It should be noted that instead of the click operations, other touch operations (e.g., double click operations, operations including any number of clicks, tap, double tap, operations including any number of taps, drag operations, etc. may be input in order to execute the movement processing of the icon 47 .

As shown in FIG. 6B , as the action assigned to the click operations by the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b , copy processing of the icon 47 may be realized. At the position of the right pointer 43 b , that is, within the folder B, a copy 47 ′ of the icon 47 is created. Alternatively, the click operations by the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b may be assigned with the movement processing shown in FIG. 6A . Moreover, double click operations by the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b may be assigned with the copy processing shown in FIG. 6B .

Every time the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b perform click operations, an indication indicating the movement processing and an indication indicating the copy processing may be displayed on the display screen 41 . Then, by moving the operators 3 a and 3 b away from the touch pad 2 , the processing displayed at that time may be executed as the action.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , the left pointer 43 a designates the icon 47 . Then, the right pointer 43 b determines the destination position. In this manner, the icon 47 can be moved with high operability. Further, the right pointer 43 b determines the display position for the copy 47 ′, and hence the icon 47 can be copied with high operability.

It should be noted that the right pointer 43 b may designate the icon 47 . Further, the left pointer 43 a may determine the destination position for the icon 47 or the display position for the copy 47 ′. Further, in FIGS. 6A and 6B , the icon 47 is stored in the folder A, and the right pointer 43 b is located within the window 44 b of the folder B. However, the icon 47 may be stored on a desk top. Alternatively, the right pointer 43 b may be located on the desk top. In either case, the movement processing or copy processing may be executed as described above.

As shown in FIG. 7A , the icon 47 is displayed on the display screen 41 . The icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a serving as a first cursor pointer and the right pointer 43 b serving as a second cursor pointer.

In this state, the right operator 3 b is moved with the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b being pressed against the screen, so that a relative distance between the operators 3 a and 3 b may be increased. Thus, the right pointer 43 b moves on the display screen 41 so that the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b move away from each other. At this time, as the action assigned to a combination of the touch operations, copy processing of the icon 47 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 7A , the created copy 47 ′ moves together with the right pointer 43 b . When the pressing of the operators 3 a and 3 b is released, the movement of the copy 47 ′ is terminated.

As shown in FIG. 7B , the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b designate a plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c at the same time. By moving the right pointer 43 b , copy processing may be executed with respect to the plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c at the same time. It should be noted that in FIGS. 7A and 7B , when the right pointer 43 b is moved, the copy processing may be executed. However, the copy processing may be executed when the left pointer 43 a is moved.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b designate the icon 47 . In this state, the operators 3 a and 3 b are moved with the operators 3 a and 3 b being pressed against the screen, so that a relative distance between the operators 3 a and 3 b is increased. Thus, the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b move away from each other on the display screen 41 . At this time, deletion processing of the icon 47 is executed as the assigned action.

In this embodiment, images 48 obtained by separating the icon 47 into two are displayed on the display screen 41 . With this, it is possible to visually recognize that the deletion processing has been executed. It should be noted that the moved operators 3 a and 3 b are moved back to their original positions with the operators 3 a and 3 b being pressed against the screen. Specifically, when the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved back to their original positions, execution of the deletion processing may be cancelled.

As shown in FIG. 7B , the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b designate the plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c at the same time. In this state, the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved. In this manner, the deletion processing may be executed on the plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c at the same time.

The pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved away from each other in the left- and right-hand directions on the display screen 41 . At this time, the copy processing shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be executed. Then, the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved away from each other in upper and lower directions on the display screen 41 . At this time, the deletion processing shown in FIG. 8 may be executed.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-8 , the icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b . When the right pointer 43 b is moved so that the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved away from each other from such a state, the copy processing of the icon 47 is executed. With this, the icon 47 can be copied with relative ease and high operability. Further, when the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved away from each other, the deletion processing of the icon 47 is executed. With this, the icon 47 can be deleted with high operability.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the icon 47 of an image file is displayed on the display screen 41 . The icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a serving as the first cursor pointer. Further, the icon 47 is designated by the right pointer 43 b serving as the second cursor pointer.

In this state, the operators 3 a and 3 b are moved relative to each other with the left operator 3 a and the right operator 3 b being pressed against the screen so that a relative distance between the operators 3 a and 3 b is decreased. At this time, only one or both of the operators 3 a and 3 b may be moved. The pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved relative to each other on the display screen 41 so that the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b approach each other. At this time, compression processing of the image file as data related to the icon 47 is executed as the action.

Compression rate for the image file to be compressed may depend on an amount of change of the relative distance between the pointers 43 a and 43 b . For example, the compression rate may be set such that it becomes higher as the pointers 43 a and 43 b approach relative to each other. Alternatively, when the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved relative to each other, the image file may be compressed at a compression rate.

The data to be compressed is not limited to the image file; and a moving image file, an audio file, or the like may be compressed. Further, a compression method and the like can be appropriately set. As shown in FIG. 9 , an icon 47 ″ of the compressed image file is displayed in a size smaller than that of the icon 47 of the image file before the compression. With this, the user 30 is allowed to visually recognize that the compression processing has been executed, with the result that intuitive operations become possible.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b . When the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved relative to each other so that the pointers 43 a and 43 b approach each other from such a state, the compression processing of the data related to the icon 47 is executed. With this, the data related to the icon 47 can be compressed with high operability.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the icon 47 of the image file is displayed on the display screen 41 . The icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a serving as the first cursor pointer. In this state, the left operator 3 a performs a click operation. Then, as a first action assigned to this click operation, reproduction processing of the image file is executed. As shown in FIG. 10 , an image 45 is displayed on the display screen 41 .

As shown in FIG. 10 , the icon 47 is designated by the right pointer 43 b serving as the second cursor pointer. In this state, the right operator 3 b performs a click operation. Then, as a second action assigned to this click operation, a context menu 46 related to the icon 47 is displayed. In the context menu 46 , various processing items that will be executed with respect to the image file are displayed. For example, in the context menu 46 , items of the reproduction processing, print processing, copy processing, cut processing, deletion processing, and the like are displayed.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b . However, either the left pointer 43 a or the right pointer 43 b may designate the icon 47 . Then, the operator 3 a or 3 b may perform the click operation.

As shown in FIG. 10 , when the click operation is input as an operation with respect to the left pointer 43 a designating the icon 47 , reproduction processing of the image file is executed. Then, when the same click operation is input with respect to the right pointer 43 b designating the icon 47 , display processing of the context menu 46 , which is different from the reproduction processing, is executed. That is, for each of the pointers 43 a and 43 b , an action corresponding to an operation can be appropriately set. With this, multi-touch operations with high operability become possible. Further, different processing can be executed with respect to the same operations, and hence various types of processing can be executed without a need of complicated operations.

As the operation with respect to the left pointer 43 a or the right pointer 43 b , there are exemplified various touch operations such as a click operation, a double click operation, a tap operation, and a drag operation. As the action to be assigned to the operation, there are exemplified various types of processing with respect to various GUIs displayed on the display screen 41 , such as designation, movement, enlargement, reduction in size, rotation, and deletion of the object displayed on the display screen 41 , and reproduction of the data related to the object.

The operation using only the left operator 3 a or the right operator 3 b alone may be classified as a combination with a non-operation by the other operator.

As shown in FIG. 11 , a window A is displayed on the display screen 41 . The window A is, for example, a window of a folder, a window of an application for creating mails, documents, or the like, a window of a web browser, or the like.

In this embodiment, an icon of the folder, the application, or the like is designated by the left pointer 43 a or the right pointer 43 b . Then, the operator 3 a or 3 b performs an operation such as a click operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 , display processing of the window A is executed as the action assigned to this click operation.

In this state, both of the operators 3 a and 3 b are operated so that a relative distance between the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b is decreased in the left- and right-hand directions on the display screen 41 . Then, also after the pointers 43 a and 43 b are located at almost the same position in the left- and right-hand directions on the display screen 41 , the pointers 43 a and 43 b are moved in the same direction. That is, the operators 3 a and 3 b are operated so that the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b intersect in the left- and right-hand directions on the display screen 41 .

As shown in FIG. 11 , until the relative distance between the pointers 43 a and 43 b becomes equal to or larger than a distance L after the intersection of the pointers 43 a and 43 b , the operators 3 a and 3 b are operated. Then, window switch processing of switching the window to be in a focused state is executed as the assigned action. With this, as shown in FIG. 11 , the window in the focused state is switched from the window A to a window B.

As mentioned above, the window switch processing may be executed with respect to an operation of changing the relative distance between the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b . The operation of causing the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b to intersect is set assuming a physical operation of turning sheets of paper or the like. That is, the user can execute the window switch processing by intuitive operations. It should be noted that the window switch processing may be executed with respect to the operation of changing the relative distance between the pointers 43 a and 43 b in the upper and lower directions on the display screen 41 .

As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B , a plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c are displayed on the display screen 41 . In this state, operations of moving the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b are input. Then, designation processing of designating icons 47 a and 47 b out of the plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c at the same time is executed as an action assigned to combination of the above-mentioned touch operations.

In FIG. 12A , the positions of a start point 49 a and an end point 50 a of the left pointer 43 a and the positions of a start point 49 b and an end point 50 b of the right pointer 43 b may be calculated. Then, a designation area 52 surrounded by straight lines 51 linking the four points is determined. The icons 47 a and 47 b located within this designation area 52 are designated. With this, for example, as compared to the case of setting the designation area by one pointer, it is possible to easily set a larger area as the designation area 52 with high operability.

In FIG. 12B , positional information representing movement tracks of the pointers 43 a and 43 b is calculated. By a straight line 51 linking the start points 49 a and 49 b , a straight line 51 linking the end points 50 a and 50 b , and a curved line 53 representing tracks of the pointers 43 a and 43 b , a designation area 52 ′ is set. The icons 47 a and 47 b located within this designation area 52 ′ are designated. With this, according to the positions of the plurality of icons 47 a to 47 c displayed on the display screen 41 , icons 47 a and 47 b can be designated with high operability.

It should be noted that an icon designated from the icons 47 a and 47 b located within the designation area 52 or 52 ′ may be additionally selected. For example, before or after the designation area 52 or 52 ′ is determined, attribute information of the designated icon may be set. Then, only an icon including such attribute information may be selected as the designated icon. Before or after the designation area 52 or 52 ′ is determined, an icon is selected by the left pointer 43 a or the right pointer 43 b . Then, only an icon including the same attribute information as the selected icon may be designated.

As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B , by moving the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b , the icons 47 a and 47 b located within the designation area 52 ( 52 ′) surrounded by the start points and the end points of the two pointers 43 a and 43 b may be designated. With this, the icons 47 a and 47 b can be designated with high operability.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b determine the designation area 52 , and the icon 47 of the image file is designated. Then, from the positions of the end points 50 a and 50 b of the pointers 43 a and 43 b , the pointers 43 a and 43 b are brought close to each other. At this time, the compression processing of the image file may be executed as the assigned action. In the case where the compression rate depends on the amount of change of the relative distance between the pointers 43 a and 43 b , this amount of change can be easily adjusted.

As mentioned above, in the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the touch pad 2 receives the operations of the left pointer 43 a and the right pointer 43 b . Then, the action previously assigned to the combination of the operations of the pointers 43 a and 43 b is executed with respect to the icon 47 . With this, by appropriately setting the action assigned to the combination of the operations, multi-touch operations with high operability become possible.

Further, in the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the processing shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 can be executed. That is, when at least one pointer designates the icon 47 and the operations of the pointers 43 a and 43 b in this state are received, the action previously assigned to the combination of those operations is executed with respect to the designated icon 47 . With this, the action with respect to the icon 47 can be executed with high operability.

As the touch operations of the pointers 43 a and 43 b , operations other than the touch operations shown in FIGS. 6 to 13 may be input. Further, as the action assigned to the combination of the touch operations of the pointers, an action other than the actions described above may be executed.

Additional Example

Embodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and various modifications can be made.

FIGS. 14A-15B are schematic views showing a modified example of the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 14A , an information processing apparatus 300 includes a touch pad 302 , a D-pad 310 , and operation buttons 320 . As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 300 may be provided with the operation buttons 320 and the like.

As shown in FIG. 14B , an information processing apparatus 400 includes a touch pad 402 a and a touch pad 402 b . The touch pad 402 a is used for a touch operation by a left operator. The touch pad 402 b is used for a touch operation by a right operator. As shown in the figure, due to the provision of the plurality of touch pads for each of the operators, the correspondence relations between the operators and the pointers can be easily determined. Thus, the operations for respectively controlling the pointers can be intuitively performed with high operability. Further, in the case of using a so-called relative coordinate system, the operability of each pointer can be kept high. In the relative coordinate system, each pointer is operated based on relative coordinate information being information of the movement direction and movement amount of each pointer.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B , as an information processing apparatus 500 or 600 according to a modified example of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus including a display screen 541 or 641 may be used. The information processing apparatuses 500 or 600 is typically manufactured in a size that the user is capable of carrying.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the touch pad serving as the input unit, the CPU, and the like are integrally provided. However, a main body including the CPU and an input controller including the touch pad may be provided separately. That is, for example, a remote controller having an outer appearance that is substantially the same as the outer appearance of the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 and a main body including the CPU provided separately from the controller may constitute an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, as the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment, an information processing apparatus without the touch pad may be used. In this case, to this information processing apparatus, the touch pad serving as an external input apparatus is connected in a wired or wireless manner. Then, a contact signal or the like output from this touch pad serving as the external input apparatus is received. That is, as the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment, an information processing apparatus having a structure for receiving the operation of each pointer through the external input apparatus may be used. In this case, an interface or the like provided for connection to the external input apparatus functions as the input unit.

In the above description, the touch pad serving as the input unit includes the pressure sensor. However, the touch pad does not need to include the pressure sensor and detect the pressing operations of the operators. In this case, it is only sufficient that various types of processing are executed according to operations of contact and separation of the operators. Moreover, as mentioned above, embodiments herein need not include a pressure sensor. “Touch operations” may be detected by, in addition to or alternative to pressure sensing, any other suitable methods such as by using optical or infrared detectors.

In the above description, two operators of the left operator and the right operator are illustrated. However, two or more operators may input the touch operations to the touch pad.

In the above description, in the absolute coordinate system, the operators control the cursor pointers. However, a relative coordinate system may be used. Further, when a contact or proximity with respect to the touch pad 2 is not detected for a period of time, the cursor pointer may be hidden.

In the above description, based on the touch positions of the operator or the order in which the touch operations are input, the correspondence relations between the operators and the cursor pointers are determined. However, the correspondence relations may be determined based on contact angles obtained when the operators come in contact with the touch pad. For example, the contact areas of the operators are detected, and the contact angles are calculated from the shape of each area, a change of the shape, or the like. A method of calculating the contact angles can be appropriately set.

In the touch pad 2 shown in FIG. 1 , an operator comes in contact with the touch pad 2 in order to move in a direction from the left-hand side to the upper right-hand side. In this case, this operator is caused to correspond to the left pointer. An operator comes in contact with the touch pad 2 in order to move in a direction from the right-hand side to the upper left-hand side of the touch pad 2 . In this case, this operator is caused to correspond to the right pointer. With this, generally, the left pointer is caused to correspond to operations by the left hand and the right pointer is caused to correspond to operations by the right hand. As a result, intuitive operations become possible.

FIG. 16 is a view schematically showing an embodiment of the present disclosure. An information processing apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 16 includes a touch panel 750 of a multi-touch type as the input unit capable of receiving touch operations by one or more operators. Thus, no pointer needs to be displayed on a display screen 741 . The user 730 inputs touch operations to the display screen 741 by use of a plurality of operators 703 a and 703 b . Then, with respect to an icon 747 displayed on the display screen 741 , an action assigned to those touch operations is executed. With this, multi-touch operations with high operability become possible.

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.