An information processing apparatus may include a display, a touch acquisition unit, a rotation acquisition unit, and a display control unit. The touch acquisition unit may be configured to receive a proximity signal indicative of a user input to a touch panel of the information processing apparatus. The rotation acquisition unit may be configured to receive a rotation signal indicative of a rotation of the information processing apparatus. The display control unit may be configured to generate a first signal to cause the display to display an image. Additionally, the display control unit may be configured to, when the rotation signal indicates a rotation while the proximity signal indicates a user input, generate a second signal to cause the display to change the image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-058987, filed on Mar. 17, 2011, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, computation capability and communication speed of an information processing apparatus are being rapidly improved. However, for example, in a relatively small information processing apparatus such as a portable terminal, a display unit for displaying a processing result has a limited size, such that an amount of information that can be displayed is also limited and high performance as described above may not be sufficiently used.

A technique for effectively utilizing a display unit of an information processing apparatus is being developed. For example, enlarging a display unit while securing a manipulation capability by providing a touch panel in the display unit is known. Techniques using a pushed state of a touch panel as a manipulation input are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Nos. 2010-109552 and 2009-009252.

Further, a technique for using a state change of a body of an information processing apparatus as a manipulation input and realizing a variety of manipulation inputs without reducing a display unit is also known. A technique using application of vibration to a body as a manipulation input is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-334642. A technique for using tilt of a body as a manipulation input is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2005-245619

SUMMARY

In an apparatus such as a portable terminal having a touch panel, a manipulation using a touch panel is performed, such that a screen area relative to a size of the apparatus can be relatively large and legibility is excellent. Further, since as much information as possible is displayed in a limited display area, a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel has high definition.

However, when a touch panel manipulation is performed, the manipulation is performed by a user's finger and, accordingly, it is necessary to provide a display area equal to or greater than a certain size. Further, a display object (character, icon or the like) selected by the finger may need to have a size equal to or greater than a certain value to be selected by the finger. Because of this, in particular, in a small terminal such as a portable telephone, if a number of small display objects are displayed, the display object may be enlarged to be selected and a complicated manipulation is necessary. Further, if such an enlargement manipulation is assumed, a high-definition display device capable of originally displaying much information in a limited range may not be sufficiently utilized. Thus, in a device in which the touch panel manipulation is performed, a selected display object may need to have a physical size equal to or greater than a certain value, and if the device is included in a small mobile device, a manipulation using a finger is difficult.

A method of sorting selection objects present near a pen has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-54854. However, since the manipulation objects are rearranged, it takes time for a user to understand a relationship with positions before a manipulation. Further, enlargement/focus-displaying of an object having the closest coordinate of a finger in a proximity state is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2009-116583. However, in this method, since a display area is hidden by a finger, it is difficult for a limited area to be effectively used.

Further, issuing a command by “shaking” a device has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-334642. However, it is difficult to manipulate a specific object on a display screen by “shaking” the device. Further, moving an object according to a tilt of a game stage is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2005-245619, but changing a display for a manipulation such as touch by a user is not considered.

It is desirable to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program which are new and improved and capable of performing a desired manipulation on a display screen without performing is a complicated manipulation.

Accordingly, there is disclosed an information processing apparatus, which may include a display, a touch acquisition unit, a rotation acquisition unit, and a display control unit. The touch acquisition unit may be configured to receive a proximity signal indicative of a user input to a touch panel of the information processing apparatus. The rotation acquisition unit may be configured to receive a rotation signal indicative of a rotation of the information processing apparatus. The display control unit may be configured to generate a first signal to cause the display to display an image. Additionally, the display control unit may be configured to, when the rotation signal indicates a rotation while the proximity signal indicates a user input, generate a second signal to cause the display to change the image.

There is also disclosed a method of controlling a display of an information processing apparatus. A processor may execute a program to cause an information processing apparatus to perform the method. The program may be stored on a storage medium of the apparatus and/or a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium. The method may include generating a first signal to cause the display to display an image. The method may also include receiving a proximity signal indicative of a user input to a touch panel of the information processing apparatus. Additionally, the method may include receiving a rotation signal indicative of a rotation of the information processing apparatus. The method may also include, when the rotation signal indicates a rotation while the proximity signal indicates a user input, generating a second signal to cause the display to change the image.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program capable of performing a desired manipulation on a display screen without performing complicated manipulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Further, a description is given in the following order.

1. Overview of Present Embodiment

2. Example of Configuration of Portable Terminal

3. Example of Operation of Portable Terminal

4. Process Flow of Portable Terminal

FIG. 1is a diagram showing an appearance of a portable terminal100according to the present embodiment. The portable terminal100is an example of an information processing apparatus. Referring toFIG. 1, the portable terminal100includes a body110, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)120is provided in the body110. The LCD120is an example of a display unit (i.e., a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module), and an image is displayed as an output of the portable terminal100. Further, the display unit is not limited to the LCD120, but any display apparatus, such as an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, may be used. A touch panel130is provided in the LCD120. The touch panel130detects proximity of a user to a surface of the LCD120. Note that “proximity” may include both actual touch contact, as well as non-contacting proximity. Alternatively, if a manipulation unit such as a button is provided, the touch panel130may not be provided. The portable terminal100may have, for example, various functions such as voice communication, network communication, playing of music or videos, or capturing of moving images or still images. In addition to the LCD120and the touch panel130, other apparatuses, such as a speaker, a microphone, a camera, input/output terminals, or an antenna, for realizing functions of the LCD120and the touch panel130may be provided in the body110.

Referring toFIG. 1, an example of an image displayed on the LCD120will be described. For example,FIG. 1shows a state in which a screen of a WEB acquired via a wireless communication network is displayed on the LCD120. The user can perform a manipulation such as scroll, enlargement and reduction of the WEB screen by manipulating the touch panel130and select the character, the icon or the like displayed on the WEB screen.

The portable terminal100often has such a size that it is held by a hand, and as shown inFIG. 1, if a manipulation is performed by a finger on the touch panel130, a portion of the display screen is hidden below the finger. In this case, if a character, an icon or the like is hidden below the finger, it is difficult to view or select the character, the icon or the like.

In this case, in the present embodiment, if the user tilts the portable terminal100and views the LCD120from a tilted direction, a display state of the display screen displayed on the LCD120is changed as if the display screen is viewed from the tilted direction, and a view seen from the tilt direction is provided. Such a process enables the character, the icon or the like located below the finger to be viewed and selected by the user, such that the user can perform a manipulation while confirming an object selected by the finger.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the portable terminal100is rotated around an axis200by a certain angle in a direction indicated by an arrow A1and the LCD120is viewed from a tilted left direction. The portable terminal100detects that the portable terminal100is rotated from the state shown inFIG. 1to the state shown inFIG. 2, changes the display of the LCD120based on a detection result, and moves the entire screen to the left for offset display. Accordingly, in the state ofFIG. 1, the character, the icon or the like located below the finger (a thumb of a right hand) is displayed offset to the left of the finger (i.e., at least a portion of an image is offset with respect to the LCD120). Accordingly, since the character, the icon or the like hidden below the finger in the state ofFIG. 1is displayed to the left of the finger, the user can view the character, the icon or the like hidden below the finger and perform a manipulation to select the character, the icon or the like. WhileFIG. 2only illustrates that rotation around the axis200in the direction indicated by the arrow A1causes movement of the entire screen to the left, it should be understood that rotation around the axis200in a direction opposite of the direction indicated by the arrow A1would cause movement of the entire screen to the right.

Thus, according to the portable terminal100of the present embodiment, even when a size of the LCD120is relatively small and a finger occupancy size on the LCD120is relatively great, a display object located below the finger can be recognized by a simple manipulation to tilt the portable terminal100. Accordingly, even when the character, the icon or the like hidden below the finger is very small, a desired character, icon or the like can be selected and a desired manipulation can be performed. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given.

2. Example of Configuration of Portable Terminal

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the portable terminal100according to the present embodiment. Referring toFIG. 3, the portable terminal100includes an LCD120, a touch panel130, an acceleration sensor (tilt sensor)140, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)150, a RAM160, a storage unit (nonvolatile memory)162, and a communication unit170. Further,FIG. 4is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the CPU. Functions of a tilt (i.e., rotation) acquisition unit151, a contact (i.e., touch) acquisition unit152, and a display control unit154shown inFIG. 4are realized by the CPU150. The touch panel130has, for example, a capacitive touch sensor or a pressure-sensitive touch sensor, and is provided over an entire area on the LCD120.

The LCD120receives a display image from the CPU150. The touch panel130provides the CPU150with information of presence or absence of contact or proximity of a user with or to the LCD120and a position on the LCD120that the user contacts or comes close to (i.e., a proximity signal indicative of a user input to the touch panel130).

The acceleration sensor140is a sensor for detecting acceleration that may be applied to the body110of the portable terminal100. Information of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor140(i.e., a rotation signal indicative of a rotation of the portable terminal100) is provided to the CPU150. Based on a change of the acceleration, for example, a state change of the body110, such as tilt of the body110or vibration of the body110, can be detected. Further, the acceleration sensor140may be, for example, any type of acceleration sensor, such as a biaxial acceleration sensor or a triaxial acceleration sensor, according to a type of state change of the body110necessary for a process in the CPU150. Further, another sensor capable of detecting the state change of the body110may be used in place of the acceleration sensor140. For example, the tilt of the body110may be detected based on a result of detecting a face of the user using a sensor capable of recognizing a position of the face of the user in place of the acceleration sensor140.

The CPU150controls operation of each unit of the portable terminal100.FIG. 4is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the CPU150. The CPU150is a processor for executing a program stored in the storage unit160. The CPU150realizes the functions of the tilt acquisition unit151, the contact acquisition unit152, and the display control unit154shown inFIG. 4by executing a program. In addition to such functions, the CPU150realizes various functions of the portable terminal100such as voice communication, network communication, playing of music or videos, or capturing of moving images or still images. In order to realize the functions, the CPU150acquires information from the touch panel130and the acceleration sensor140and provides an image to the LCD120, and exchanges data with the RAM160, the storage unit160and the communication unit170. Further, the CPU150may acquire or provide information with other devices of the portable terminal100to realize the above functions.

Hereinafter, the respective functions of the tilt acquisition unit151, the contact acquisition unit152, and the display control unit154realized by the CPU150will be described. These functions are realized by the CPU150executing the program stored in the storage unit160as described above, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, some or all of the functions may be realized by a dedicated circuit configuration separately provided from the CPU150. Further, the program may be stored, for example, in an external memory separate from the portable terminal100and connected to the portable terminal100.

The tilt acquisition unit151acquires the tilt of the body110based on the acceleration information of the body110of the portable terminal100provided from the acceleration sensor140. Specifically, the tilt acquisition unit151may calculate a direction and an angle of the tilt (i.e., amount of rotation) of the body110about an axis parallel to a surface of the LCD120based on a direction and a size of the acceleration of the body110. The tilt acquisition unit151may provide the calculated direction and angle of the tilt of the body110to the display control unit154.

In the following description, a case in which a character displayed on the LCD120is selected by a drag manipulation, a menu is displayed, and then a process according to the menu is performed on the selected character will be described by way of example. The contact acquisition unit152acquires information of presence or absence of contact or proximity of a user with or to the LCD120and a position on the LCD120that the user contacts or comes close to, which are provided from the touch panel130. For example, if the touch panel130is configured of a capacitive sensor, the contact acquisition unit152may acquire the information of presence or absence of the contact or proximity of the user with or to the LCD120and the position on the LCD120that the user contacts or comes close to based on a change of a capacitance value provided from the touch panel130. If the contact acquisition unit152detects that the user comes close within a given distance instead of contacting the LCD120, for example, based on the change of the capacitance value, the contact acquisition unit152may acquire position information of the user contacting the LCD120and may receive a selection manipulation. Further, for example, the contact acquisition unit152may acquire contact or proximity with or to an area on the LCD120in which an icon (or character) is displayed, for example, as an icon pressing manipulation. Further, if the contact or the proximity with or to the area on the LCD120in which the icon or the like is displayed is continued for a given time or more, the contact acquisition unit152may acquire this contact, for example, as an icon pressing and holding manipulation. Further, when a contact position is moved in a state in which the contact on the LCD121is continued, the contact acquisition unit152may acquire this contact as a movement manipulation (referred also to as a flick manipulation). The contact acquisition unit152may acquire the pressing manipulation, the pressing and holding manipulation, or the movement manipulation, for example, for icons and provide the manipulation to the display control unit154.

The display control unit154provides a display image to the LCD120(i.e., generates a signal to cause the LCD120to display the display image). Further, the display control unit154changes the display image (i.e., generates a signal to cause the LCD120to change the display image) based on the information of the tilt of the body110acquired by the tilt acquisition unit151. Specifically, the display control unit154performs offset display as shown inFIGS. 2, 5A and 5Bbased on the information of the tilt of the body110. Here, the display control unit154may change the display image based on the tilt of the body110acquired by the tilt acquisition unit151and some or all of various contact manipulations acquired by the contact acquisition unit152. This display change includes at least the display change according to the tilt of the body110acquired by the tilt acquisition unit151. Further, the display control unit154controls the display according to a user manipulation on the display screen based on the user contact or proximity information acquired by the contact acquisition unit152. For example, the display control unit154performs a process of scrolling, enlarging or reducing the screen according to the manipulation of the user. Further, the display control unit154performs, for example, a process of causing the character, the icon or the like selected according to the drag manipulation of the user to be in a display state according to the selection or a process of displaying a menu screen after the selection manipulation is performed, and outputs a processing result to the LCD120.

Various data about the process of the portable terminal100is temporarily or permanently stored in the RAM160and the storage unit162. The RAM160includes a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, and temporarily stores, for example, data of the display screen. Further, the storage unit162may be a nonvolatile storage device, for example, an optical disc such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory), a BD (Blu-ray disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or CD (Compact Disc), or a hard disk. The storage unit162may be a storage device embedded in the portable terminal100or a removable medium (i.e., a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium) such as a memory card detachably provided in the portable terminal100. Alternatively, the storage unit162may include a plurality of types of storage devices or removable media. A program executed by the CPU150to realize the functions of the tilt acquisition unit151, the contact acquisition unit152, and the display control unit154, and various other functions may be stored in the storage unit162. This program may be stored in the storage unit162in advance. A program stored and provided in the removable medium or a program downloaded from a network via the communication unit170may be temporarily stored in the RAM160or the storage unit162. Further, information exchanged between the CPU150and the LCD120, the touch panel130, the acceleration sensor140, and the communication unit170and information generated through the process in the CPU150may be temporarily stored in the RAM160or the storage unit16.

The communication unit170is a communication interface that includes a communication device for connection to a network. The communication unit170may be, for example, a port or a communication card for USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB (Wireless USB). The communication unit170connects to a network such as the Internet, home LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication or satellite communication, and exchanges various data about the process of the portable terminal100. The communication unit170may download a program executed by the CPU150in order to realize the functions of the tilt acquisition unit151, the contact acquisition unit152, and the display control unit154, and various other functions from a network, and store the program in the storage unit160.

3. Example of Operation of Portable Terminal

FIG. 5is a diagram showing an example of operation of the portable terminal100according to the present embodiment.FIG. 5Ashows the same state as inFIG. 2, in which a state in which the portable terminal100is tilted by a certain angle around an axis200from the state inFIG. 1is shown.FIG. 5Bis a schematic diagram showing a display state of the LCD120in a range indicated by a frame W inFIG. 5A.

In the state shown inFIG. 1, the contact acquisition unit152of the CPU150acquires a position of the cross210shown inFIG. 1as information of a position on the LCD120that the user contacts. If the portable terminal100is tilted to be in the state shown inFIG. 5A, the CPU150acquires tilt information using the tilt acquisition unit151and the display control unit154changes the display image as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5Bbased on the tilt information.

Specifically, a display screen corresponding to the position of the cross210is hidden below the user's finger (a thumb of a right hand) in the state ofFIG. 1. On the other hand, in a state ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bin which the portable terminal100has been tilted, a display object corresponding to the position of the cross210inFIG. 1is offset to the position of the cross220, and the entire screen is also offset to the left according to the offsetting of the display object. The cross220is displayed as a cursor indicating a position selected by the user. Since a relative positional relationship between the finger and the selected position is shown on the display screen, a straight line230connecting the cross220indicating the selected position (cursor) and an actual contact or proximity position of the finger is displayed. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize a position on the display screen selected by the finger by recognizing the position of the cross220. Accordingly, the user can view the display object present in the position of the cross210inFIG. 1and hidden behind the finger and perform a manipulation such as selection of the display object.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating the display state shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B.FIG. 6schematically shows a state in which a finger contacting a surface of the LCD120is viewed from a direction along the display surface. InFIG. 6, a display object located below the finger is assumed to be present at a distance d downward from the display surface. As shown inFIG. 6, the display object located below the finger is hidden behind the finger and not viewed when viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow A2. On the other hand, the display object can be viewed when viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow A3. According to the present embodiment, as the offset display shown inFIGS. 5A and 5Bis performed, a display effect can be obtained as if the display object is present at the distance d downward from the display surface, as shown inFIG. 6, and the display object located below the finger can be viewed.

In the present embodiment, if the contact or the proximity of the finger of the user is acquired, the offset display is performed. Accordingly, if the user does not put the finger on the LCD120and the finger does not contact or come close to the surface of the LCD120, the offset display is not performed even when the body110is tilted. Also, once the offset display is performed, if the user removes the finger from the LCD120, the offset display is undone even when the body110is tilted. This is because the display object is hidden below the finger when the user performs a touch manipulation, and the display object is viewed when there is no finger on the LCD120. Accordingly, if the user performs a touch manipulation, the display object hidden below the finger can be reliably viewed and, otherwise, the display state can be prevented from being onerously switched.

As described above, in the present embodiment, if the portable terminal100is tilted, the offset display is performed, such that the display object such as the character or the icon hidden behind the finger can be viewed, the display object can be selected by a manipulation such as a drag, and a menu corresponding to the selected display object can be displayed. Here,FIG. 9is a schematic diagram showing an example of a manipulation when a display object is selected and a menu display manipulation after the selection. In the selection of the display object and a menu display manipulation after selection termination, a combination as shown inFIG. 9is considered as an example. In a normal touch panel, a selection of the character, the icon or the like on the LCD120is performed by a drag manipulation. After the character, the icon or the like is selected by the drag, the finger is released from the touch panel to display a menu.

Further, in a proximity touch panel (capacitive touch panel), detection of a change of capacitance enables a manipulation to be performed in a state in which the finger comes close to the display surface without the finger contacting the display surface. In such a touch panel, a selection can be performed on the display screen by an air drag manipulation in a state in which the finger comes close to a proximity area in which capacitance change occurs, and the menu can be displayed by moving the finger away from the proximity area. Further, in a pressure-sensitive touch panel, a selection can be performed by a drag on the display screen, and then a menu can be displayed by pushing the finger. In any of the touch panels, if a menu is displayed, a desired manipulation can be performed on the selected icon according to the menu.

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram showing a comparative example in which an area pointed by a finger is displayed enlarged.FIG. 7shows a state in which a character string and a keyboard are displayed on the display unit302of the portable terminal300. The display unit302includes a touch panel. If a user points to the vicinity of a portion “application” in the character string with the finger310, since the pointed portion is hidden by the finger310and not viewed, the pointed portion and an ambient area thereof are displayed enlarged in a circle320in the portion on the finger310as if they were enlarged by an enlargement mirror. However, in the comparative example shown inFIG. 7, an enlargement display range in the circle320is very narrow and other areas are hidden behind the finger310. Further, in the comparative example shown inFIG. 7, if a character, an icon or the like hidden behind the finger310is selected, it is enlarged in the area of the circle320and then a selection manipulation, a menu display manipulation or the like may need to be performed. Thus, efforts are taken twice and it is difficult to intuitively perform a fast manipulation while viewing the screen.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the entire display screen, including an area originally hidden behind the finger, is displayed offset on the LCD120by tilting the portable terminal100. Since the position of the cross220indicating the cursor moves by moving the finger, a desired position and range can be pointed from the entire area of the display screen by a one-touch manipulation even when the character, the icon or the like is much smaller than the finger.

Further, a display offset amount in the LCD120may not be necessarily changed according to a tilt amount of the portable terminal100. For example, if the tilt of the portable terminal100exceeds a certain value (a reference angle α (i.e., a threshold amount of rotation)) as shown inFIG. 8, a display state may be switched.FIG. 8is a schematic diagram showing a process of switching from a normal display to the offset display ofFIG. 2when the portable terminal100is rotated around an axis200in a direction indicated by an arrow A1and tilted. As shown inFIG. 8, if an angle in a state in which the LCD120and the user are arranged face to face is 0°, the offset display is not performed but a normal display is performed on the LCD120in a range from 0° to the reference angle α.

On the other hand, if the portable terminal100is tilted in excess of the reference angle α, the display state of the LCD120is switched and the offset display is performed. Accordingly, in a state of a manipulation angle β shown inFIG. 8, the offset display is performed. Thus, the normal display is performed in the range from 0° to the reference angle α, such that if the user does not intend the offset display, the display state can be prevented from being onerously switched according to a small change of the tilt. If the portable terminal100is tilted in excess of the reference angle α, the display offset amount may be changed according to a tilt amount. Further, the portable terminal100is titled in excess of the reference angle α, the offset amount may be constant though the tilt amount is changed.

Further, setting and releasing (i.e., undoing) the offset display can be performed according to a tilt direction of the portable terminal100. As shown inFIG. 8, if the portable terminal100is rotated over the reference angle α in a direction indicated by the arrow A1, the offset display is performed, and if the portable terminal100is rotated in a reverse direction of the arrow A1and an angle is equal to or smaller than the reference angle α, the offset display may be released.

Further, the offset display is not limited to the case in which a one-dimensional selection manipulation such as a character selection is performed. For example, the offset display may also be used when selection objects410such as news screens on a WEB are densely present in a certain range400, as shown inFIG. 10.

4. Process Flow of Portable Terminal

FIG. 11is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process in the portable terminal100of the present embodiment. InFIG. 11, a mode in which a character, an icon or the like is selectable on the display screen of the LCD120is referred to as a selection mode. Further, in the selection mode, a mode in which a body is tilted over a reference angle α and offset display is performed is referred to as a rotation mode.

First, if the tilt of the portable terminal100is changed in step S10, a judgment is first made as to whether a current mode is the selection mode. If the mode is the selection mode, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, a judgment is made as to whether a finger has made contact (i.e., whether the proximity signal indicates a user input). If the finger has made contact, the process proceeds to step S14.

In the subsequent step S14, a judgment is made as to whether a mode is the rotation mode. If the rotation mode is previously set, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, a determination as to whether the portable terminal100is rotated over a certain angle within a certain time in a reverse direction of a rotation direction when the rotation mode is set. In step S16, if the portable terminal100is rotated over a certain angle within a certain time, the process proceeds to step S18, in which the rotation mode is released. On the other hand, if the portable terminal100is not rotated over a certain angle within a certain time in step S16, the process proceeds to step S20, in which the rotation mode is maintained and a selected area is updated according to a movement of the finger in consideration of tilt display.

Further, if a mode is not the rotation mode in step S14, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, a judgment is made as to whether the portable terminal100is rotated (i.e., whether the rotation signal indicates a rotation) over a certain angle within a certain time. If it is judged in step S22that the portable terminal100is rotated over a certain angle within a certain time, the rotation mode is set and the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the selected area is updated according to the movement of the finger in consideration of the tilt display. On the other hand, if the portable terminal100is not rotated over a certain angle within a certain time in step S22, the process proceeds to step S26without setting the rotation mode. In step S26, the selected area is updated according to the movement of the finger in a normal display mode.

Further, if the finger does not make contact in step S12, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, a selectable command is displayed and the selection mode is released.

If the mode is not the selection mode in step S10, the process proceeds to step S30, in which it is detected whether a pressing and holding manipulation is performed by the user. If the pressing and holding manipulation is performed, the process proceeds to step S32, the selection mode is set and a selectable command is displayed. If the pressing and holding manipulation is not performed, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment as described above, if the portable terminal100is tilted, the offset display is performed, such that a display object of the character, the icon or the like hidden behind the finger can be viewed. Thus, such a display object can be selected by a manipulation such as a drag and a desired manipulation can be performed.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. 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. Further, it should be understood that, as used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “one or more” in open-ended claims containing the transitional phrase “comprising,” “including,” and/or “having.”

For example, in each embodiment, the portable terminal has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The information processing apparatus may be, for example, any apparatus that includes a display unit and can be tilted by a user, such as a tablet PC (Personal Computer) or a portable game machine.

For example, the present technology can adopt the following configurations.

(1) An information processing apparatus comprising:

a tilt acquisition unit for acquiring tilt of a body in which a display unit on which an image is displayed is provided;

a contact acquisition unit for acquiring contact or proximity of a user with or to the display unit; and

a display control unit for making a display change in the displayed image based on the acquired tilt of the body if the contact or the proximity is acquired.

(2) The information processing apparatus according to the (1), wherein the display control unit displays the displayed image offset based on the acquired tilt of the body.

(3) The information processing apparatus according to the (1), wherein the display control unit makes the display change in the displayed image if an angle of the acquired tilt of the body is equal to or greater than a given threshold.

(4) The information processing apparatus according to the (1), wherein the display control unit returns the display change to an original state if the body is tilted in a reverse direction of the acquired tilt of the body after the display control unit makes the display change based on the acquired tilt of the body.
(5) The information processing apparatus according to the (2), wherein the display control unit displays the displayed image offset and displays a cursor indicating a position on the display unit pointed by a user offset from a position in which the contact or proximity is acquired.
(6) The information processing apparatus according to the (5), wherein the display control unit performs a display to indicate a relationship between a position of the cursor that is displayed offset and a position in which the contact or proximity is acquired.
(7) An information processing method comprising:

acquiring tilt of a body in which a display unit on which an image is displayed is provided;

acquiring contact or proximity of a user with or to the display unit; and

making a display change in the displayed image based on the acquired tilt of the body if the contact or the proximity is acquired.

(8) A program for causing a computer to function as:

a device configured to acquire tilt of a body in which a display unit on which an image is displayed is provided;

a device configured to acquire contact or proximity of a user with or to the display unit; and

a device configured to make a display change in the displayed image based on the acquired tilt of the body if the contact or the proximity is acquired.