PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
A method, system, and/or computer program product moves a movable object displayed on a display screen using an electronic device. The method comprises the electronic device displaying a first frame around a first area on a display screen, and displaying a second frame around a second area on the display screen. The second frame displayed is larger than the first frame, and adjusts in size until it intersects a movable object. Once the second frame intersects the movable object, a half line is displayed from the first frame to the movable object, and in response to receiving a movement signal, a display of the movable object is then displayed in the first area.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of a user interface on a display screen. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for controlling a moving object displayed on a display screen. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for moving a moving object displayed on a display screen. 
         [0002]    Operations using a moving object (for example, a cursor or other user-selectable moving objects) displayed on a display screen are intuitive and have excellent usability, thus being widely used. 
         [0003]    The size and resolution of displays have increased in recent years. For example, 24-inch, 27-inch or more liquid crystal displays and ultra wide liquid crystal displays with an aspect ratio of 21:9 are on sale. For example, notebook computers incorporating a high-resolution display, such as an IGZO liquid crystal display with a resolution of 3200×1800 pixels and a Retina liquid crystal display with a resolution of 2880×1800 pixels or 2560×1440 pixels, are available to purchase. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, large-sized liquid crystal TV sets have become widespread and have become widely used as computer displays. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, a technique for combining two or more displays for one computer to increase a desktop area as a single screen (multi-display) has become widespread. 
         [0006]    However, moving the object on the display screen of the liquid crystal display, the large-sized liquid crystal TV set, or the multi-display sometimes has a problem in that an area in which the object is moved is wide or a physical space for operating a pointing device is limited. This often requires that the user repeat a specific operation of the pointing device to move the object on the display screen of the liquid crystal display, the large-sized liquid crystal TV set, or the multi-display (see examples shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
         [0007]    Furthermore, tablet computers and smartphones have rapidly come into widespread use in recent years. 
         [0008]    However, some of the tablet computers require that the users perform an operation with either hand while holding the tablet computer with both hands owing to the weight. In another case, the user sometimes may perform an operation only with one hand while holding the tablet computer or the smartphone with the same hand (for example, a case where the user carries a bag with the other hand or a case where the user holds a train strap with the other hand) (see examples shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2E ). Thus, to move the moving object on the display screen of the tablet computer or the smartphone, the user often needs to place the tablet computer or the smartphone on a desk or the knees, making both hands free, or change a clutch to perform an operation. 
         [0009]    Like the above multi-display, there is another technique for enabling an operation on a single screen by combining the display screens of a plurality of tablet computers or smartphones or combining a tablet computer or a smartphone with a display. With this technique, when the user holds one tablet computer with both hands (see  FIG. 2D ), or when the user performs an operation with only one hand while holding the tablet computer with that hand, the user cannot hold or operate other tablet computers or smartphones. Thus, to move the moving object from the one tablet computer to another tablet computer, the user often needs to place the one tablet computer on a desk or the knees or otherwise make both hands free to perform an operation. 
         [0010]    Known prior art discloses an invention related to a cursor control method. An object of the invention is to move a cursor to a desired item area at a high speed to allow quick selection of an item in a window. Known prior art discloses a cursor control method when selecting an item displayed on a window provided on a screen. The method determines a cursor moving direction using a line segment connecting two positions of a pointer before and after the cursor moves out of one item area, determines another item area that the cursor meets first in the extension of the line segment in the cursor moving direction to be a target area, and moves the pointer to a preset position of the target area when the cursor comes out of the one item area. Known prior art further discloses a cursor control method when selecting an item displayed on a window provided on a screen. The method determines a cursor moving direction using a line segment connecting a preset position of one item area and the position of a pointer immediately before the pointer moves, determines another item area that the cursor meets first in the extension of the line segment in the cursor moving direction to be a target area, and moves the pointer to a preset position of the target area when the cursor comes out of the one item area or when a mouse button is pressed in the item area. 
         [0011]    Known prior art discloses an invention related to a window display unit. An object of the invention is to provide a window display unit in which the movement of the line of sight on the window and the movement of a mouse cursor can be minimized and high-speed, high-efficiency operations can be achieved. The window display unit includes detection means for detecting the position of the cursor, window display means for displaying a window in the vicinity of the cursor, fixed-position display means for displaying the window at a predetermined position, and display control means for displaying the window in the vicinity of the cursor or a predetermined position depending on the position of the cursor. 
         [0012]    Known prior art discloses an apparatus and a method for displaying a plurality of icons capable of moving the icons all together while changing the relative positions thereof, as well as a computer program for executing the method. 
         [0013]    Known prior art discloses displaying a mark or the like at the position of a cursor in a small subwindow provided on a screen to make the position of the cursor easily found in a moment, displaying the cursor in a desired shape, and displaying the cursor so as to be easily viewed depending on the position on the screen. 
         [0014]    Known prior art discloses a method for moving the display of a cursor instantly to a cursor return position on the screen of a display device that an operator sets. 
         [0015]    Known prior art describes a mouse utility called a through loop with which a mouse cursor jumps from one end of a display screen to the other end of the screen. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0016]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a method, system, and/or computer program product moves a movable object displayed on a display screen using an electronic device. The method comprises the electronic device displaying a first frame around a first area on a display, and displaying a second frame around a second area on the display. The second frame displayed is larger than the first frame, and adjusts in size until it intersects a movable object. Once the second frame intersects the movable object, a half line is displayed from the first frame to the movable object, and in response to receiving a movement signal, a display of the movable object is then displayed in the first area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram showing an example of an electronic device that can be used in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram showing another example of an electronic device that can be used in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing a prior art example in which the user wants to select an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram showing a prior art example in which the user wants to move a file icon (a moving object) to a trash-bin icon distant from the present position on a multi-display composed of four liquid crystal displays by using a mouse. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a diagram showing a prior art example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and wants to move an icon on the display of the tablet computer to a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2D  is a diagram showing a prior art example in which the user holds a tablet computer, which is one of three tablet computers whose display screens constitute a single display screen (a multi-display), and wants to move an icon on the one tablet computer onto another tablet computer by using only a finger of one hand. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2E  is a diagram showing a prior art example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and wants to select an icon located at a position on the display of the tablet computer that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a diagram showing different examples of the frame displayed so as to converge to the origin at the position of the present position of the object in the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a diagram showing an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3E  is a diagram showing an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing an example in which the user moves an icon (a moving object) under a mouse cursor to a trash bin distant from the mouse cursor on a multi-display composed of four liquid crystal displays with a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing an example in which the user moves an icon (a moving object) under a mouse cursor to a trash bin distant from the mouse cursor on a multi-display composed of four liquid crystal displays with a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and moves an icon (a moving object) on the display of the tablet computer to a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and moves an icon (a moving object) on the display of the tablet computer to a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds one of three tablet computers, which constitute a single display screen (a multi-display), with both hands and moves an icon on the table computer to another tablet computer only with a finger of one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds one of three tablet computers, which constitute a single display screen (a multi-display), with both hands and moves an icon on the tablet computer to another tablet computer only with a finger of one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6C  is a diagram showing an example in which the user operates a moving object icon with a finger of one hand in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
           [0036]      FIG. 6D  is a diagram showing an example in which the frames of the display screens of the three tablet computers are integrated into one outer periphery in the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
           [0037]      FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and selects an icon located at a position on the tablet computer that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and selects an icon located at a position on the tablet computer that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7C  is a diagram showing an example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand, selects an icon located at a position on the tablet computer that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand, and operates the selected icon with the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 8A  is a diagram showing an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display using a mouse and displays a plurality of frames according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8B  is a diagram showing an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a movable object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display using a mouse and displays a plurality of frames according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9A  is a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of frame display means for displaying a frame(s) and a process of reduced-size display means for displaying a reduced-size display associated with the frame(s), a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse. 
           [0043]      FIG. 9B  is a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of the frame display means for displaying a frame(s). 
           [0044]      FIG. 9C  is a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of the frame display means for displaying at least one specific frame and a process of the reduced-size display means for displaying a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse. 
           [0045]      FIG. 9D  is a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of the frame display means for displaying at least one specific frame. 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably having the hardware configuration shown in  FIG. 1A or 1B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference sign denotes the same object in all of the drawings unless otherwise noted. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are merely for explaining preferred forms of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0048]    An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited, provided that it displays a moving object on a display screen. Examples of the electronic device include, but are not limited to, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, an all-in-one personal computer, a tablet computer (for example, an Android® tablet, a Windows® tablet, and an iOS tablet), a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a medical tablet, a game tablet, a car navigation system, a portable navigation system, and a multimedia kiosk. 
         [0049]    In the embodiment of the present invention, examples of “a movable object” include a cursor and a user-selectable movable object. 
         [0050]    An example of the “cursor” is a cursor of a pointing device. Examples of the “cursor of a pointing device” include cursors of a mouse, a touchpad, a pointing stick (e.g., TrackPoint®), a joystick, a trackball, a tablet pen, and a light pen. 
         [0051]    An example of the “user-selectable movable object” is an icon. Examples of the “icon” include a folder icon, a file icon, a shortcut icon, an alias icon, and an icon or a cursor displayed under an operating finger or an operating pen on a touch panel screen. 
         [0052]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are diagrams showing examples of an electronic device having a hardware configuration for implementing an electronic device that can be used in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram showing an example of the electronic device, such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or an all-in-one personal computer. 
         [0054]    An electronic device  101  includes a CPU  102  and a main memory  103 , which are connected to a bus  104 . Preferably, the CPU  102  is based on a 32-bit or 64-bit architecture. Examples of the CPU  102  include Core™ i series, Core™ 2 series, Atom™ series, Xeon® series, Pentium® series and Celeron® series of Intel Corporation; A series, Phenom™ series, Athlon™ series, Turion™ series, and Sempron™ of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.; and Power™ series of International Business Machines Corporation. 
         [0055]    The bus  104  may connect to a display  106 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), via a display controller  105 . Examples of the liquid crystal display (LCD) include a touch panel display and a floating touch display. The display  106  can be used to display a moving object via an appropriate graphic interface, which is displayed when software running in the electronic device  101 , for example, an electronic device program running in the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, operates. 
         [0056]    The bus  104  can optionally connect to, for example, a disk  108 , such as a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive (SSD), via a SATA/IDE controller  107 . 
         [0057]    The bus  104  can optionally connect to a drive  109 , such as a CD, DVD or BD drive, via the SATA/IDE controller  107 . 
         [0058]    The bus  104  can optionally connect to a keyboard  111  and a mouse  112  via a peripheral equipment controller  110 , such as a keyboard/mouse controller or a USB bus. 
         [0059]    The disk  108  can store an operating system, for example, Windows® OS, UNIX®, or Mac OS®; programs that provide a Java® processing environment, such as J2EE, a Java® application, a Java® virtual machine (VM), and a Java® Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler; an application program according to the embodiment of the present invention; other programs; and data, all of which can be loaded into the main memory  103 . 
         [0060]    The disk  108  may be installed in the electronic device  101  or may be connected to the electronic device  101  via a cable or a wired or wireless network so that the electronic device  101  is accessible thereto. 
         [0061]    The drive  109  can be used to install a program, such as an operating system, an application, or an electronic device program according to an embodiment of the present invention, to the disk  108  from a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a BD when needed. 
         [0062]    The communication interface  114  conforms to, for example, an Ethernet® protocol. The communication interface  114  is connected to the bus  104  via a communication controller  113  and plays the role of connecting the electronic device  101  to a communication line  115  by wire or wirelessly and provides a network interface layer to a TCP/IP communication protocol, which is the communication function of the operating system of the electronic device  101 . The communication line  115  may be a wireless LAN environment based on a wireless LAN connection standard, a WiFi wireless LAN environment, such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, or a mobile phone network environment (for example, a 3G or 4G environment). 
         [0063]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram showing an example of the electronic device, such as a tablet computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a medical tablet, a game tablet, a car navigation system, a portable navigation system, or a multimedia kiosk. 
         [0064]    In an electronic device  121  shown in  FIG. 1B , a CPU  122 , a main memory  123 , a bus  124 , a display controller  125 , a display  126 , a disk (SSD)  128 , a communication controller  133 , a communication interface  134 , and a communication line  135  correspond to the CPU  102 , the main memory  103 , the bus  104 , the display controller  105 , the display  106 , the disk  108 , the communication controller  113 , the communication interface  114 , and the communication line  115  of the electronic device  101  shown in  FIG. 1A , respectively. 
         [0065]    For a tablet computer or the like, an example of the CPU  122  may include a CPU for a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet computer, or an A series processor of Apple, Inc. 
         [0066]    The disk  128  may store a smartphone OS (for example, an Android® OS, a Windows® phone OS, a Windows® OS, and an iOS), an application program according to an embodiment of the present invention, other programs, and data, all of which may be loaded into the main memory  123 . 
         [0067]    Keyboard implementation means  130  displays a software keyboard as an application on the display  126 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 2A to 2E  show prior art examples in which moving objects are moved or selected. 
         [0069]      FIG. 2A  shows a prior art example in which the user wants to select an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse. 
         [0070]    Suppose that the user wants to select an icon  206  with a mouse. The present position of a mouse cursor  205  is distant from the target icon  206 . 
         [0071]    (A) To move the mouse cursor  205 , the user moves the mouse on a mouse pad (first operation). As a result, the mouse cursor  205  moves ( 205 - 1 ). However, the mouse cursor  205  has not yet arrived at the target icon  206 . 
         [0072]    (B) The user again moves the mouse on the mouse pad (second operation). As a result, the mouse cursor  205  moves ( 205 - 2 ). However, the mouse cursor  205  has not yet arrived at the target icon  206 . 
         [0073]    (C) The user again moves the mouse on the mouse pad (third operation). As a result, the mouse cursor  205  moves ( 205 - 3 ) and arrives at the target icon  206 . 
         [0074]    (D) The mouse cursor  205  has arrived at the target icon  206 . 
         [0075]    As described above, in the example shown in  FIG. 2A , the user can select the icon  206  by moving the mouse three times on the mouse pad. 
         [0076]      FIG. 2B  shows a prior art example in which the user wants to move a file icon (a moving object) to a trash-bin icon distant from the present position on a multi-display composed of four liquid crystal displays by using a mouse. 
         [0077]    Suppose that the user wants to move a file icon  215  to a trash-bin icon  216  on the multi-display. The present position of the file icon  215  is distant from the target trash-bin icon  216 . 
         [0078]    (A) To move the file icon  215  to the trash-bin icon  216 , the user selects the file icon  215  with the mouse. A mouse cursor  217  is displayed on the file icon  215 . The user moves the mouse on the mouse pad to drag the file icon  215  (first operation). As a result, the file icon  215  moves ( 217 - 1 ). However, the file icon  215  has not yet arrived at the target trash-bin icon  216 . 
         [0079]    (B) The user again moves the mouse on the mouse pad while dragging the file icon  215  with the mouse (second operation). As a result, the file icon  215  moves ( 217 - 2 ). However, the file icon  215  has not yet arrived at the target trash-bin icon  216  of the file icon  215 . 
         [0080]    (C) The user again moves the mouse on the mouse pad while dragging the file icon  215  with the mouse (third operation). As a result, the file icon  215  moves ( 217 - 3 ). However, the file icon  215  has not yet arrived at the target trash-bin icon  216 . The user again moves the mouse on the mouse pad while dragging the file icon  215  with the mouse (fourth operation). The file icon  215  moves ( 217 - 4 ) and arrives at the trash-bin icon  216 . 
         [0081]    (D) The file icon  215  has entered the trash-bin icon  216 . 
         [0082]    As described above, in the example shown in  FIG. 2B , the user can move the file icon  215  to the trash-bin icon  216  by moving the mouse four times on the mouse pad. 
         [0083]      FIG. 2C  shows a prior art example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and wants to move an icon on the display of the tablet computer to a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand. 
         [0084]    The user holds a tablet computer  231  with a right hand  221  because the user holds an item (i.e. baggage) with a left hand  222 . Suppose that the user wants to move an icon  241  to an upper part  242  of the display screen by using only a finger of the right hand  221 . 
         [0085]    (A) To move the icon  241  to a target position  242 , the user taps or double-taps the icon  241  with the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  221 . However, the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  221  cannot reach the target position  242  of the icon  241  because the right hand  221  holds the tablet computer  231 . Accordingly, the user cannot move the icon  241  to the target position  242  while holding the tablet computer  231 . 
         [0086]    Thus, the user temporarily sets down the item in the left hand  222  and holds the tablet computer  231  with the left hand  222  and taps or double-taps the icon  241  with the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  221  and drags the forefinger or thumb to the target position  242  of the icon  241  without holding the tablet computer  231  with the right hand  221 . 
         [0087]    (B) The icon  241  has been moved to the target position  242  of the icon  241 . 
         [0088]    As described above, in the example shown in  FIG. 2C , the user can move the icon  241  through the action of temporarily placing the baggage held by the left hand  222 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 2D  shows a prior art example in which the user holds a tablet computer, which is one of three tablet computers whose display screens constitute a single display screen (a multi-display), and wants to move an icon on the one tablet computer onto another tablet computer by using only a finger of one hand. “Pinch,” is an example of a method for implementing a multi-display on a plurality of tablet computers or smartphones. 
         [0090]    The user uses the display screens of a first tablet computer  241 - 1 , a second tablet computer  241 - 2 , and a smartphone  241 - 3  as a multi-display. The user needs to operate the first tablet computer  241 - 1  while holding the first tablet computer  241 - 1  with both hands because of its heavy weight. 
         [0091]    Suppose that the user wants to move an icon  251  displayed at the lower left of the display screen of the first tablet computer  241 - 1  to a target position  252  at the upper right of the second tablet computer  241 - 2 . 
         [0092]    (A) To move the icon  251  to the target position  252 , the user taps or double-taps the icon  251  with the forefinger or thumb of a left hand  261 . However, the forefinger or thumb of the left hand  261  cannot reach the target position  252  of the icon  251  because the left hand  261  holds the tablet computer  241 - 1 . Accordingly, the user cannot move the icon  251  to the target position of the icon  251  while holding the tablet computer  241 - 1  ( 253  and  254 ). 
         [0093]    Thus, the user temporarily places the tablet computer  241 - 1  on a desk, taps or double-taps the icon  251  with the forefinger or thumb of a right hand  262 , and drags the forefinger or thumb to the target position  252  of the icon  251 . 
         [0094]    (B) The icon  251  has been moved to the target position  252  of the icon  251 . 
         [0095]    As described above, in the example shown in  FIG. 2D , the user can move the icon  251  through the action of temporarily placing the tablet computer  241 - 1  on a desk. 
         [0096]      FIG. 2E  shows a prior art example in which the user holds a tablet computer with one hand and wants to select an icon located at a position on the display of the tablet computer that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand. 
         [0097]    The user holds a tablet computer  271  with a right hand  291  because the user grasps a strap with a left hand  292 . Suppose that the user wants to select an icon  281  at the upper left by using only a finger of the right hand  291 . 
         [0098]    (A) The forefinger or thumb of the right hand  291  cannot reach the target icon  281  because the user holds the tablet computer  271  with the right hand  291 . Accordingly, the user cannot select the icon  281  while holding the tablet computer  271 . 
         [0099]    Thus, the user temporarily releases the strap grasped by the left hand  292  to hold the tablet computer  271  with the left hand  292  and taps or double-taps the icon  281  with the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  291  without holding the tablet computer  271  with the right hand  291 . 
         [0100]    (B) The icon  281  has been selected with the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  291 . 
         [0101]    As described above, in the example shown in  FIG. 2E , the user can select the icon  281  through the action of temporarily releasing the strap grasped by the left hand  292 . 
         [0102]      FIGS. 3A to 3C ,  FIGS. 3D and 3E ,  FIGS. 4A and 4B ,  FIGS. 5A and 5B , FIGS.  6 A and  6 B,  FIG. 6C ,  FIG. 6D ,  FIGS. 7A and 7B , and  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a method for moving a moving object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that this embodiment is merely an example and that the present invention is not limited to the method for manipulating the mouse and the method for operating the tablet computer of this embodiment. Those skilled in the art can appropriately change the method for manipulating the mouse and the method for operating the tablet computer in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0103]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0104]    Suppose that the user wants to select an icon  312  with a mouse. The present position of a mouse cursor  311  is distant from the target icon  312 . 
         [0105]    (A) The user presses the left button of the mouse ( 321 ). The electronic device  101  receives the detection of press of the mouse. 
         [0106]    (B) The user is pressing the left button of the mouse ( 322 ). In response to the reception of detection of the press, the electronic device  101  displays a frame  313  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The frame  313  corresponds to a reduced or substantially reduced shape of the frame of the display screen, for example, a rectangle. The shape corresponding to a reduced or substantially reduced shape of the frame of the display screen can be a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the display screen. The frame  313  need not correspond to the shape of the frame of the display screen and may be a frame of any shape, for example, a circular frame (see  FIG. 6A ), a substantially circular frame, an elliptical frame, or a substantially elliptical frame. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the frame may be of any geometric shape, including, but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an ellipse. 
         [0107]    In response to the reception of detection of the press, the electronic device  101  displays a small circle  314  with its origin at the position of the mouse cursor  311  when receiving the detection of the press. The small circle  314  may have such a size that the mouse only needs to be moved a little, for example, a size that the mouse cursor  311  can pass through the circumference of the small circle  314  by one movement on the mouse pad. 
         [0108]    After displaying the frame  313  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen, the electronic device  101  automatically moves the frame  313  to the inside of the display screen ( 313 - a ,  313 - b ,  313 - c , and  313 - d ). The electronic device  101  moves the frame  313  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the mouse cursor  311  when receiving the detection of the press. The electronic device  101  can increase the moving speed of the frame  313 , for example, with acceleration, as the frame  313  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  101  can increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame  313  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frame  313  is moved inward, the frame  313  is gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user manually moves the frame  313  displayed on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen so as to be superposed on the target icon  312  by sliding the wheel button of the mouse back and forth. For example, the user can move the frame  313  to reduce it by sliding the wheel button backward and can move the frame  313  to enlarge it by sliding the wheel button forward. The electronic device  101  can move the frame  313  while reducing or enlarging it in response to a user&#39;s mouse operation. 
         [0109]    (C) In response to that the frame  313  is present on the target icon  312  (that is, the frame  313  is superposed on the target icon  312 ) ( 313 - 1 ), the user releases the left button of the mouse ( 323 ). If the frame  313  is reduced past the target icon  312  while the electronic device  101  is automatically moving the frame  313  inward, the user can enlarge the frame  313  to superpose it on the target icon  312  by sliding the wheel button of the mouse forward while pressing the left button of the mouse. 
         [0110]    (D) To determine the target position of the mouse cursor  311 , the user again presses the left button of the mouse and moves the mouse cursor  311  in the small circle  314  while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to the left button of the mouse being pressed and the mouse cursor  311  moving in the small circle  314  ( 324 ), the electronic device  101  obtains a half-line  315 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  311 . The electronic device  101  may display the half-line  315 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  316 - 1  of the half-line  315 - 1  and the frame  313 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a description for identifying the intersection  316 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  316 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  315 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  101  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  316 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  315 - 1  and the frame  313 - 1  intersect is the intersection  316 - 1 . 
         [0111]    (E) Since the intersection  316 - 1  is not present on the target icon  312 , the user again moves the mouse cursor  311  in the small circle  314  while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to that the left button of the mouse is being pressed and that the mouse cursor  311  moves in the small circle  314  ( 325 ), the electronic device  101  displays a half-line  315 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  311 . The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  316 - 2  of the half-line  315 - 2  and the frame  313 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  316 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0112]    (F) Since the intersection  316 - 2  is not present on the target icon  312 , the user again moves the mouse cursor  311  in the small circle  314  while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to that the left button of the mouse is being pressed and that the mouse cursor  311  moves in the small circle  314  ( 326 ), the electronic device  101  displays a half-line  315 - 3  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the target position of the mouse cursor  311 . The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  316 - 3  of the half-line  315 - 3  and the frame  313 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  316 - 3  as a target position candidate. 
         [0113]    (G) Since the intersection  316 - 3  is present on the target icon  312  (that is, the intersection  316 - 3  is superposed on the icon  312 ), the user moves the mouse cursor  311  along the half-line  315 - 3  while pressing the left button of the mouse ( 327 ) so as to pass over the frame (that is, the circumference) of the small circle  314 . The electronic device  101  detects the passage of the mouse cursor  311  over the circumference as the mouse moves. 
         [0114]    In response to the detection of passage of the mouse cursor  311  over the circumference, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  311  so as to jump to the intersection  316 - 3  or the intersection of the half-line and the frame  313 - 1  when the mouse cursor  311  passes over the circumference. Alternatively, in response to the detection of passage of the mouse cursor  311  over the circumference, the electronic device  101  may move the mouse cursor  311  gradually or with acceleration to the intersection  316 - 3  (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  311 ) or moves the mouse cursor  311  gradually or with acceleration to the intersection of the half-line and the frame  313 - 1  when the mouse cursor  311  passes over the circumference (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  311 ). 
         [0115]    (H) The electronic device  101  displays the mouse cursor  311  on the icon  312 . The electronic device  101  erases the small circle  314 , the frame  313 - 1 , and the half-line  315 - 3  from the display screen. 
         [0116]    In response to the mouse cursor  311  moving to the intersection  316 - 3  or the intersection of the half-line and the frame  313 - 1  when the mouse cursor  311  passes over the circumference, the user releases the left button of the mouse ( 328 ). 
         [0117]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the user can accurately and efficiently select an icon distant from the present position of the mouse cursor. 
         [0118]      FIG. 3C  shows an embodiment of the frame  313 , which is different from that shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0119]    (B-1) In response to the reception of detection of the press of the left button of the mouse, the electronic device  101  displays an ellipse  314 - 1  with its origin at the position of the mouse cursor  311  when receiving the detection of the press. The ellipse  314 - 1  may have such a size that the mouse only needs to be moved a little, for example, a size that the mouse cursor  311  can pass over the circumference of the ellipse  314 - 1  by one movement on the mouse pad. 
         [0120]    (B-2) In response to the reception of detection of the press of the left button of the mouse, the electronic device  101  displays a rectangle  314 - 2  with its origin at the position of the mouse cursor  311  when receiving the detection of the press. The rectangle  314 - 2  need not correspond to the rectangular shape of the frame of the display screen. The rectangle  314 - 2  may have such a size that the mouse only needs to be moved a little, for example, a size that the mouse cursor  311  can pass through the circumference of the rectangle  314 - 2  by one movement on the mouse pad. 
         [0121]    (B-3) In response to the reception of detection of the press of the left button of the mouse, the electronic device  101  displays a rectangle  314 - 3 . The rectangle  314 - 3  corresponds to the rectangular shape of the frame  313  (that is, a reduced-size display). The present position (the origin) of the mouse cursor  311  in the rectangle  314 - 3  corresponds to the present position of the mouse cursor  311  in the frame  313 . Alternatively, the rectangle  314 - 3  may correspond to the rectangular shape of the display screen (that is, a reduced-size display), and the present position (the origin) of the mouse cursor  311  in the rectangle  314 - 3  corresponds to the present position of the mouse cursor  311  in the display screen. The rectangle  314 - 3  may have such a size that the mouse only needs to be moved a little, for example, a size that the mouse cursor  311  can pass over the circumference of the rectangle  314 - 3  by one movement on the mouse pad. 
         [0122]      FIGS. 3D and 3E  show an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display by using a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0123]    Suppose that the user wants to select an icon  352  with a mouse. The present position of a mouse cursor  351  is distant from the target icon  352 . 
         [0124]    (A) The user presses the left button of the mouse ( 361 ). The electronic device  101  receives the detection of press of the mouse. 
         [0125]    (B) The user is pressing the left button of the mouse ( 362 ). In response to the reception of the detection of the press, the electronic device  101  displays a frame  353  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The frame  353  corresponds to a reduced or substantially reduced shape of the frame of the display screen, for example, a rectangle. The frame  353  need not correspond to the shape of the frame of the display screen and may be a frame of any shape, for example, a circular frame (see  FIG. 6A ), a substantially circular frame, an elliptical frame, or a substantially elliptical frame. 
         [0126]    After displaying the frame  353  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen, the electronic device  101  automatically moves the frame  353  to the inside of the display screen ( 353 - a ,  353 - b ,  353 - c , and  353 - d ). The electronic device  101  moves the frame  353  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the mouse cursor  351  when receiving the detection of the press. The electronic device  101  can increase the moving speed of the frame  353 , for example, with acceleration, as the frame  353  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  101  may increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame  353  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frame  353  is moved inward, the frame  353  is gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frame  353  displayed on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen so as to be superposed on the target icon  352  by sliding the wheel button of the mouse back and forth. For example, the user may move the frame  353  while reducing it by sliding the wheel button backward, and may move the frame  353  while enlarging it by sliding the wheel button forward. In this manner, the electronic device  101  may move the frame  353  while reducing or enlarging it in response to a user&#39;s mouse operation. 
         [0127]    (C) In response to that the frame  353  is present on the target icon  352  (that is, the frame  353  is superposed on the target icon  352 ) ( 353 - 1 ), the user releases the left button of the mouse ( 363 ). If the frame  353  is reduced past the target icon  352  while the electronic device  101  is automatically moving the frame  353  inward, the user can move the frame  353  while enlarging it onto the target icon  352  by sliding the wheel button of the mouse forward while pressing the left button of the mouse. 
         [0128]    (D) To determine the target position of the mouse cursor  351 , the user again presses the left button of the mouse and moves the mouse cursor  351  in the vicinity of the origin while pressing the left button of the mouse. The vicinity may be a distance in which the mouse only needs to be moved a little, for example, a distance that the mouse cursor  351  can move in the vicinity by one movement on the mouse pad. For example, the vicinity may correspond to the area of the small circle  314  shown in  FIG. 3A . In response to that the left button of the mouse is being pressed and that the mouse cursor  351  moves in the vicinity, the electronic device  101  obtains a half-line  355 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  351 . The electronic device  101  may display the half-line  355 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  356 - 1  of the half-line  355 - 1  and the frame  353 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a description for identifying the intersection  356 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  356 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  355 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  101  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  356 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  355 - 1  and the frame  353 - 1  intersect is the intersection  356 - 1 . 
         [0129]    (E) Since the intersection  356 - 1  is not present on the target icon  352 , the user again moves the mouse cursor  351  in the vicinity described above while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to the left button of the mouse being pressed and the mouse cursor  351  moving in the vicinity ( 365 ), the electronic device  101  displays a half-line  355 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  351 . The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  356 - 2  of the half-line  355 - 2  and the frame  353 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  356 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0130]    (F) Since the intersection  356 - 2  is not present on the target icon  352 , the user again moves the mouse cursor  351  in the vicinity while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to the left button of the mouse being pressed and the mouse cursor  351  moving in the vicinity ( 366 ), the electronic device  101  displays a half-line  355 - 3  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  351 . The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  356 - 3  of the half-line  355 - 3  and the frame  353 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  356 - 3  as a target position candidate. 
         [0131]    (G) Since the intersection  356 - 3  is present on the target icon  352  (that is, the intersection  356 - 3  is superposed on the icon  352 ), the user moves the mouse cursor  351  along the half-line  355 - 3  ( 367 ) with acceleration. The electronic device  101  can detect that the mouse cursor  351  has moved a fixed distance with acceleration, for example, a distance corresponding to a fixed number of pixels. 
         [0132]    In response to the detection of the accelerated movement of the mouse cursor  351  by a fixed distance, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  351  so as to jump to the intersection  356 - 3 . For example, in response to the detection of the accelerated movement of the mouse cursor  351  by a fixed distance, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  351  gradually or with acceleration to the intersection  356 - 3  (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  351 ). 
         [0133]    Alternatively, the electronic device  101  may determine whether the mouse cursor  351  has moved at a predetermined acceleration or higher. 
         [0134]    In response to the detection of movement of the mouse cursor  351  at the predetermined acceleration or higher, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  351  so as to jump to the intersection  356 - 3 . 
         [0135]    Alternatively, since the intersection  356 - 3  is present on the target icon  352  (that is, the intersection  356 - 3  is interposed on the target icon  352 ), the user may perform a specific mouse operation (for example, pressing a specific button) or a specific keyboard operation (for example, pressing a specific function key). The electronic device  101  can detect the user&#39;s specific operation. 
         [0136]    In response to the detection of the specific operation, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  351  so as to jump to the intersection  356 - 3 . 
         [0137]    In response to the detection of the accelerated movement of the mouse cursor  351  by a fixed distance or in response to the detection of the user&#39;s specific operation, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  351  so as to jump to the intersection  356 - 3 . For example, in response to the detection of the accelerated movement of the mouse cursor  351  by a fixed distance or in response to the detection of the user&#39;s specific operation, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  351  gradually or with acceleration to the intersection  356 - 3  (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  351 ). 
         [0138]    (H) The electronic device  101  displays the mouse cursor  351  on the icon  352 . The electronic device  101  erases the frame  353 - 1  and the half-line  355 - 3  from the display screen. 
         [0139]    In response to that the mouse cursor  351  has moved to the intersection  356 - 3 , the user releases the left button of the mouse ( 368 ). 
         [0140]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3D and 3E , the user can accurately and efficiently select an icon distant from the present position of the mouse cursor. 
         [0141]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show an example in which the user moves an icon (a moving object) under a mouse cursor to a trash bin distant from the mouse cursor on a multi-display composed of four liquid crystal displays with a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0142]    Suppose that the user wants to move a file icon  411  to a trash-bin icon  412  on the multi-display. The present position of the file icon  411  is distant from the trash-bin icon  412 . 
         [0143]    (A) The user presses the left button of the mouse ( 421 ). The electronic device  101  receives the detection of press of the mouse. 
         [0144]    (B) The user is pressing the left button of the mouse ( 422 ). In response to the reception of detection of the press, the electronic device  101  displays a frame  413  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The frame  413  corresponds to a reduced or substantially reduced shape of the frame of the display screen, for example, a rectangle. The frame  413  need not correspond to the shape of the frame of the display screen and may be a frame of any shape, for example, a circular frame (see  FIG. 6A ), a substantially circular frame, an elliptical frame, or a substantially elliptical frame. 
         [0145]    In response to the reception of detection of the press, the electronic device  101  displays an ellipse  414  (a horizontally long ellipse) with its origin at the position of a mouse cursor  417  when receiving the detection of the press. The ellipse  414  may have such a size that the mouse only needs to be moved a little, for example, a size that the mouse cursor  417  can pass over the circumference of the ellipse  414  by one movement on the mouse pad. 
         [0146]    After displaying the frame  413  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen, the electronic device  101  automatically moves the frame  413  to the inside of the display screen ( 413 - a ,  413 - b ,  413 - c , and  413 - d ). The electronic device  101  moves the frame  413  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the mouse cursor  417  when receiving the detection of the press. The electronic device  101  can increase the moving speed of the frame  413 , for example, with acceleration, as the frame  413  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  101  may increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame  413  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frame  413  is moved inward, the frame  413  is gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frame  413  displayed on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen so as to be superposed on the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 , by sliding the wheel button of the mouse back and forth. The user can move the frame  413  while reducing it by, for example, sliding the wheel button backward and can move the frame  413  while enlarging it by sliding the wheel button forward. In this manner, the electronic device  101  can move the frame  413  while reducing or enlarging it in response to a user&#39;s mouse operation. 
         [0147]    (C) In response to the frame  413  being superposed on the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411  ( 413 - 1 ), the user releases the left button of the mouse ( 423 ). If the frame  413  is reduced past the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 , while the electronic device  101  is automatically moving the frame  413  inward, the user can move the frame  413  while enlarging it onto the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 , by sliding the wheel button of the mouse forward while pressing the left button of the mouse. 
         [0148]    (D) To determine the target position of the file icon  411 , the user again presses the left button of the mouse and moves the mouse cursor  417  in the ellipse  414  while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to the left button of the mouse being pressed and the mouse cursor  411  moving in the ellipse  414  ( 424 ), the electronic device  101  obtains a half-line  415 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  417 . The electronic device  101  may display the half-line  415 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  416 - 1  of the half-line  415 - 1  and the frame  413 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a description for identifying the intersection  416 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  416 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  415 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  101  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  416 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  415 - 1  and the frame  413 - 1  intersect is the intersection  416 - 1 . 
         [0149]    (E) Since the intersection  416 - 1  is not present on the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 , the user again moves the mouse cursor  417  in the ellipse  414  while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to the left button of the mouse being pressed and the mouse cursor  417  moving in the ellipse  414  ( 425 ), the electronic device  101  displays a half-line  415 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  417 . The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  416 - 2  of the half-line  415 - 2  and the frame  413 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  416 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0150]    (F) Since the intersection  416 - 2  is not present on the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 , the user again moves the mouse cursor  417  in the ellipse  414  while pressing the left button of the mouse. In response to the left button of the mouse being pressed and the mouse cursor  417  moving in the ellipse  414  ( 426 ), the electronic device  101  displays a half-line  415 - 3  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the mouse cursor  417 . The electronic device  101  further obtains the intersection  416 - 3  of the half-line  415 - 3  and the frame  413 - 1 . The electronic device  101  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  416 - 3  as a target position candidate. 
         [0151]    (G) Since the intersection  416 - 3  is present on the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 , (that is, the intersection  416 - 3  is superposed on the trash-bin icon  412 , which is the target position of the file icon  411 ), the user moves the mouse cursor  417  along the half-line  415 - 3  so as to pass over the frame of the ellipse  414  (that is, the circumference of the ellipse  414 ) while pressing the left button of the mouse ( 427 ). The electronic device  101  detects the passage of the mouse cursor  417  over the circumference of the ellipse  414  as the mouse moves. 
         [0152]    In response to the detection of passage of the mouse cursor  417  over the circumference of the ellipse  414 , the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  417  so as to jump to the intersection  316 - 3  or the intersection of a half-line and the frame  413 - 1 . Alternatively, in response to the detection of passage of the mouse cursor  417  over the circumference of the ellipse  414 , the electronic device  101  may move the mouse cursor  417  gradually or with acceleration to the intersection  416 - 3  (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  417 ) or to the intersection of a half-line and the frame  413 - 1  when the mouse cursor  417  passes over the circumference of the ellipse  414  (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  417 ). 
         [0153]    (H) The electronic device  101  puts the file icon  411  into the trash-bin icon  412  (the file icon  411  is not actually viewed on the display screen). Since the mouse cursor  417  is superposed on the file icon  411 , the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  417  onto the trash-bin icon  412 . The electronic device  101  erases the ellipse  414 , the frame  413 - 1 , and the half-line  415 - 3  from the display screen. 
         [0154]    In response to the file icon being moved into the trash-bin icon, that is, in response to that the file icon has moved to the intersection or the intersection of a half-line and the frame when the file icon has passed over the circumference, the electronic device releases the left button of the mouse ( 428 ). 
         [0155]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the user can accurately and efficiently move a file icon to a trash-bin icon distant from the present position of the file icon. 
         [0156]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show an example in which the user holds a tablet computer (corresponding to an electronic device  121 , thus, hereinafter also referred to as an electronic device  121 ) with one hand and moves an icon (a moving object) on the display of the tablet computer to a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0157]    The user holds a tablet computer  501  with a right hand  521  because a left hand  522  is injured. Suppose that the user wants to move an icon  511  to an upper central portion  512  of the display screen. 
         [0158]    (A) To move the icon  511  to the target position  512 , the user taps or double-taps the icon  511  with the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  521 . 
         [0159]    (B) The user further holds (presses and holds) the icon  511 . The electronic device  121  receives the detection of the hold. 
         [0160]    (C) In response to the reception of detection of the hold, the electronic device  121  displays a frame  513  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The frame  513  corresponds to a reduced or substantially reduced shape of the frame of the display screen, for example, a rectangle. The frame  513  need not correspond to the shape of the frame of the display screen and may be a frame of any shape, for example, a circular frame (see  FIG. 6A ), a substantially circular frame, an elliptical frame, or a substantially elliptical frame. 
         [0161]    After displaying the frame  513  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen, the electronic device  121  automatically moves the frame  513  to the inside of the display screen ( 513 - a ,  513 - b ,  513 - c , and  513 - d ). The electronic device  121  moves the frame  513  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the forefinger or thumb when receiving the detection of the hold. The electronic device  121  can increase the moving speed of the frame  513 , for example, with acceleration, as the frame  513  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  121  may increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame  513  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frame  513  is moved inward, the frame  513  is gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frame  513  displayed on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen so as to be superposed on the target icon  512  by changing the strength of the hold (that is, the strength of pressure of the forefinger or thumb on the display screen). For example, the user can move the frame  513  while reducing it by increasing the strength of the hold and can move the frame  513  while enlarging it by decreasing the strength of the hold. In this manner, the electronic device  121  can move the frame  513  while reducing or enlarging it depending on the strength of the hold. 
         [0162]    (D) In response to that the frame  513  is displayed on the target position  512  of the icon  511  ( 513 - 1 ), the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the display screen. If the frame  513  is reduced past the target position  512  of the icon  511  while the electronic device  121  is automatically moving the frame  513  inward, the user can move the frame  513  while enlarging it onto the target position  512  of the icon  511  by decreasing the strength of the hold. 
         [0163]    (E) In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  obtains a half-line  515 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and a point on the frame  513 - 1 , for example, farthest from the end point. The electronic device  121  may display the half-line  515 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  516 - 1  of the half-line  515 - 1  and the frame  513 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display a description for identifying the intersection  516 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  516 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  515 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  121  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  516 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  515 - 1  and the frame  513 - 1  intersect is the intersection  516 - 1 . 
         [0164]    (F) Since the intersection  516 - 1  is not present on the target position  512  of the icon  511 , the user again taps or double-taps the icon  511  and moves the icon  511  while holding it with the forefinger or thumb. In response to that the icon  511  is being held and moved ( 506 ), the electronic device  121  displays a half-line  515 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the forefinger or thumb. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  516 - 2  of the half-line  515 - 2  and the frame  513 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  516 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0165]    (G) Since the intersection  516 - 2  is present on the target position  512  of the icon  511 , the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the icon  511 . Alternatively, since the intersection  516 - 2  is present on the target position  512  of the icon  511 , the user moves the forefinger or thumb to the outside of the icon  511  while holding it. 
         [0166]    In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  moves the icon  511  so as to jump to the intersection  516 - 3 . Alternatively, in response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  moves the icon  511  from the present position to the intersection  516 - 3  while displaying it. 
         [0167]    (H) The electronic device  121  displays the icon  511  on the intersection  516 - 3 . The electronic device  121  erases the frame  513 - 1  and the half-line  515 - 3  from the display screen. 
         [0168]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the user can accurately and efficiently move an icon to a position that the forefinger or thumb cannot reach. 
         [0169]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an example in which the user holds one of three tablet computers (corresponding to the electronic device  121 , thus, hereinafter also referred to as an electronic device  121 ), which constitute a single display screen (a multi-display), with both hands and moves an icon on the table computer to another tablet computer only with a finger of one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0170]    The user uses the display screens of a first tablet computer  601 - 1 , a second tablet computer  601 - 2 , and a smartphone  601 - 3  as a multi-display. A technique for using the display screens of a plurality of devices as a multi-display is known to those skilled in the art, and thus, a description thereof will be omitted in this specification. The user needs to operate the first tablet computer  601 - 1  while holding it with both hands because of its heavy weight. 
         [0171]    Suppose that the user wants to move an icon  611  displayed at the lower left of the first tablet computer  601 - 1  to the upper right (a target position)  612  of the second tablet computer  601 - 2 . However, a left hand  621  holds the tablet computer  601 - 1  together with a right hand  622 , so that the forefinger or thumb of the left hand  621  cannot reach the target position  612  of the icon  611 . 
         [0172]    (A) To move the icon  611  to the target position  612 , the user taps or double-taps the icon  611  with the forefinger or thumb of the left hand  621 . 
         [0173]    (B) The user further holds (presses and holds) the icon  611 . The electronic device  121  receives the detection of the hold. 
         [0174]    (C) In response to the reception of detection of the hold, the electronic device  121  displays a circle (a frame)  613  with the position of the forefinger or thumb when receiving the detection of the hold as the origin so that the circumference is placed at a position farthest from the origin among the display screens of the first tablet computer  601 - 1 , the second tablet computer  601 - 2 , and the smartphone  601 - 3  (that is, so that at least one of the vertices of the display screens of the first tablet computer  601 - 1 , the second tablet computer  601 - 2 , and the smartphone  601 - 3  is included). The frame need not be circular but may be substantially circular, elliptical, or substantially elliptical. The frame may be a frame in which the frames of the display screens of the first tablet computer  601 - 1 , the second tablet computer  601 - 2 , and the smartphone  601 - 3  are connected into one outer periphery (see  FIG. 6D ). 
         [0175]    After displaying the frame  613 , the electronic device  121  automatically moves the frame  613  to the inside of the display screen ( 613 - a ,  613 - b ,  613 - c , and  613 - d ). The electronic device  121  moves the frame  613  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the forefinger of thumb when receiving the detection of the hold. The electronic device  121  may increase the moving speed of the frame  613 , for example, with acceleration, as the frame  613  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  121  may increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame  613  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frame  613  is moved inward, the frame  613  is gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frame  613  so as to be displayed on the target position  612  of the icon  611  by changing the strength of the hold (that is, the strength of pressure of the forefinger or thumb on the display screen). For example, the user may move the frame  613  while reducing it by increasing the strength of the hold and may move the frame  613  while enlarging it by decreasing the strength of the hold. In this manner, the electronic device  121  can move the frame  613  while reducing or enlarging it depending on the strength of the hold. 
         [0176]    (D) In response to that the frame  613  is displayed on the target position  612  of the icon  611  ( 613 - 1 ), the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the display screen. If the frame  613  is reduced past the target position  612  of the icon  611  while the electronic device  121  is automatically moving the frame  613  inward, the user may move the frame  613  while enlarging it onto the target position  612  of the icon  611  by decreasing the strength of the hold. 
         [0177]    (E) In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  obtains a half-line  615 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and a point on the frame  613 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display the half-line  615 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  616 - 1  of the half-line  615 - 1  and the frame  613 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display a description for identifying the intersection  616 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  616 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  615 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  121  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  616 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  615 - 1  and the frame  613 - 1  intersect is the intersection  616 - 1 . 
         [0178]    (F) Since the intersection  616 - 1  is not present on the target position  612  of the icon  611 , the user again taps or double-taps the icon  611  and moves the icon  611  while holding it with the forefinger or thumb. In response to that the icon  611  is being held and moved ( 606 - 1 ), the electronic device  121  displays a half-line  615 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the forefinger or thumb. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  616 - 2  of the half-line  615 - 2  and the frame  613 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  616 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0179]    Since the intersection  616 - 2  is present on the target position  612  of the icon  611 , the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the icon  611 . 
         [0180]    In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  moves the icon  611  so as to jump to the intersection  616 - 3 . Alternatively, in response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  may move the icon  611  from the present position to the intersection  616 - 3  while displaying it. Alternatively, since the intersection  616 - 2  is present on the target position  612  of the icon  611 , the user may move the forefinger or thumb to the outside of the icon  611  while holding it. 
         [0181]    (G) In response to the detection of the release or movement of the forefinger or thumb to the outside of the icon  611 , the electronic device  121  displays the icon  611  on the intersection  616 - 3 . The electronic device  121  erases the frame  613 - 1  and the half-line  615 - 2  from the display screen. 
         [0182]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the user can accurately and efficiently move an icon to a position that the forefinger or thumb cannot reach in a multi-display environment. 
         [0183]      FIG. 6C  shows an example in which the user operates a moving object icon with a finger of one hand in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0184]    (H) The user taps or double-taps the display screen to call menus  631  to  635 . In response to the tap or double-tap, the electronic device  121  displays the menus  631  to  635  on the display screen ( 608 - 1 ). The individual menus  631  to  635  correspond to icons to be operated. Suppose that the menu  632  is for operating an icon  611 . 
         [0185]    (I) The user taps or double-taps the menu  632 . In response to the tap or double-tap on the menu  632 , the electronic device  121  displays operation menus  641  to  645  for the icon  611  on the display screen ( 609 - 1 ). The individual operation menus  641  to  645  correspond to menus for operating the icon  611 . Examples of the operation menus  641  to  645  include starting, updating, and deleting an application associated with the icon  611 . 
         [0186]      FIG. 6D  shows another embodiment of the frame  613  shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0187]    Since the embodiment of  FIG. 6D  performs the same processes as in (A) and (B) of  FIG. 6A  and (G) of  FIG. 6B , descriptions thereof will be omitted here. The processes in (C-1), (D-1), (E-1), and (F-1) of  FIG. 6D  correspond to the processes in (C) of  FIG. 6A  and (D), (E), and (F) of  FIG. 6B , respectively. 
         [0188]    (C-1) In response to the reception of detection of the hold, the electronic device  121  displays frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3 , which are the frames of the display screens of the first tablet computer  603 - 1   a , the second tablet computer  603 - 2   a , and the smartphone  603 - 3   a  and are connected into one outer periphery, with the origin at the position of the forefinger or thumb when receiving the detection of the hold. In other words, the first tablet computer  603 - 1   a  displays part  623 - 1  of the frame, the second tablet computer  603 - 2   a  displays part  623 - 2  of the frame, and the smartphone  603 - 3   a  displays part  623 - 3  of the frame. 
         [0189]    After displaying the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3 , the electronic device  121  automatically moves the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  to the inside of the display screen. The electronic device  121  moves the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the forefinger or thumb when receiving the detection of the hold. The electronic device  121  can determine how to converge the individual frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3 . The electronic device  121  can increase the moving speeds of the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3 , for example, with acceleration, as the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  121  may increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  are moved inward, the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  are gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  so as to be displayed on the target position  612  of the icon  611  by changing the strength of the hold (that is, the strength of pressure of the forefinger or thumb on the display screen). For example, the user may move the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  while reducing them by increasing the strength of the hold and may move the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  while enlarging them by decreasing the strength of the hold. In this manner, the electronic device  121  can move the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  while reducing or enlarging them depending on the strength of the hold. 
         [0190]    (D-1) In response to that the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  are displayed on the target position  612  of the icon  611  ( 624 - 1 ,  624 - 2 , and  624 - 3 ), the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the display screen. If the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  are reduced past the target position  612  of the icon  611  while the electronic device  121  is automatically moving the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  inward, the user can move the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  while enlarging them onto the target position  612  of the icon  611  by decreasing the strength of the hold. 
         [0191]    (E-1) In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  obtains a half-line  625 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and a point on the frames  623 - 1 ,  623 - 2 , and  623 - 3  farthest from the origin. The electronic device  121  may display the half-line  625 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  626 - 1  of the half-line  625 - 1  and the frame  624 - 2 . The electronic device  121  may display a description for identifying the intersection  626 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  626 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  625 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  121  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  626 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  625 - 1  and the frame  624 - 2  intersect is the intersection  626 - 1 . 
         [0192]    (F-1) Since the intersection  626 - 1  is not present on the target position  612  of the icon  611 , the user, for example, again taps or double-taps the icon  611  and moves the icon  611  while holding it with the forefinger or thumb. In response to that the icon  611  is being held and moved ( 606 - 1   a ), the electronic device  121  displays a half-line  625 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the forefinger or thumb. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  626 - 2  of the half-line  625 - 2  and the frame  624 - 2 . The electronic device  121  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  626 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0193]    Since the intersection  626 - 2  is present on the target position  612  of the icon  611 , the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the icon  611 . 
         [0194]    In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  moves the icon  611  so as to jump to the intersection  626 - 2 . Alternatively, in response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  may move the icon  611  from the present position to the intersection  626 - 2  while displaying it. Alternatively, since the intersection  626 - 2  is present on the target position  612  of the icon  611 , the user may move the forefinger or thumb to the outside of the icon  611  while holding it. 
         [0195]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6D , the user can accurately and efficiently move an icon to a position that the forefinger or thumb cannot reach in a multi-display environment, as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0196]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an example in which the user holds a tablet computer (corresponding to the electronic device  121 , thus, hereinafter also referred to as an electronic device  121 ) with one hand and selects an icon located at a position on the tablet computer that a finger of the one hand cannot reach by using only the finger of the one hand according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0197]    The user holds a tablet computer  701  with a right hand  721  because grasping a strap with a left hand  722 . Suppose that the user wants to select an icon  711  at the upper left by using only a finger of the right hand  721 . The forefinger or thumb of the right hand  721  cannot reach the target icon  711  because the user holds the tablet computer  701  with the right hand  721 . 
         [0198]    (A) To select the icon  711 , the user taps or double-taps an area on the display screen that the forefinger or thumb of the right hand  521  can reach with the forefinger or thumb. In response to the tap or double-tap, the electronic device  121  displays a cursor (a moving object) (not shown) indicating that the forefinger or thumb is in contact with the display screen directly under or in the vicinity of the forefinger or thumb. 
         [0199]    (B) The user further holds the tapped or double-tapped area. The electronic device  121  receives the detection of the hold. 
         [0200]    (C) In response to the reception of detection of the hold, the electronic device  121  displays a frame  713  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The frame  713  corresponds to a reduced or substantially reduced shape of the frame of the display screen, for example, a rectangle. The frame  713  need not correspond to the shape of the frame of the display screen and may be a frame of any shape, for example, a circular frame (see  FIG. 6A ), a substantially circular frame, an elliptical frame, or a substantially elliptical frame. 
         [0201]    In response to the reception of detection of the hold, the electronic device  121  displays a small circle  714  with its origin at the position of the forefinger or thumb when receiving the detection of the hold. The small circle  714  may have a size that the forefinger or thumb only needs to be moved a little. 
         [0202]    After displaying the frame  713  on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen, the electronic device  121  automatically moves the frame  713  to the inside of the display screen ( 713 - a ,  713 - b ,  713 - c , and  713 - d ). The electronic device  121  moves the frame  713  so as to converge to the origin at the position of the forefinger or thumb when receiving the detection of the hold. The electronic device  121  may increase the moving speed of the frame  713 , for example, with acceleration, as the frame  713  moves inward. Alternatively, the electronic device  121  may increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame  713  by, for example, a user&#39;s mouse or keyboard operation. As the frame  713  moves inward, the frame  713  is gradually reduced. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frame  713  displayed on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen so as to be superposed on the target icon  711  by changing the strength of the hold (that is, the strength of pressure of the forefinger or thumb on the display screen). For example, the user may move the frame  713  while reducing it by increasing the strength of the hold and may move the frame  713  while enlarging it by decreasing the strength of the hold. In this manner, the electronic device  121  can move the frame  713  while reducing or enlarging it depending on the strength of the hold. 
         [0203]    (D) In response to that the frame  713  is superposed on the target icon  711  ( 713 - 1 ), the user releases the forefinger or thumb from the display screen. If the frame  713  is reduced past the target icon  711  while the electronic device  121  is automatically moving the frame  713  inward, the user can move the frame  713  while enlarging it onto the target icon  711  by decreasing the strength of the hold. 
         [0204]    (E) In response to the detection of the release, the electronic device  121  obtains a half-line  715 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin and a point on the frame  713 - 1 , for example, farthest from the end point. The electronic device  121  may display the half-line  715 - 1  on the display. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  716 - 1  of the half-line  715 - 1  and the frame  713 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display a description for identifying the intersection  716 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  716 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  715 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  121  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  716 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  715 - 1  and the frame  713 - 1  intersect is the intersection  716 - 1 . 
         [0205]    (F) Since the intersection  716 - 1  is not present on the target icon  711 , the user, for example, again taps or double-taps the small circle  714  and moves therein while holding it with the forefinger or thumb. In response to that the forefinger or thumb holds the interior of the small circle  714  and moves therein ( 706 ), the electronic device  121  displays a half-line  715 - 2  connecting the end point at the origin and the present position of the forefinger or thumb. The electronic device  121  further obtains the intersection  716 - 2  of the half-line  715 - 2  and the frame  713 - 1 . The electronic device  121  may display a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  716 - 2  as a candidate target position. 
         [0206]    (G) Since the intersection  716 - 2  is present on the target icon  711  (that is, the intersection  716 - 2  is superposed on the target icon  711 ), the user moves the forefinger or thumb along the half-line  715 - 2  so as to pass over the frame (that is, the circumference) of the small circle  714  while pressing it with the forefinger or thumb ( 707 ). As the forefinger or thumb moves, the electronic device  121  detects that the forefinger or thumb has moved over the circumference. 
         [0207]    In response to the detection of passage of the forefinger or thumb over the circumference, the electronic device  121  moves the cursor under the forefinger or thumb so as to jump to the intersection  716 - 2  or the intersection of a half-line and the frame  713 - 1  when the forefinger or thumb has passed over the circumference. Alternatively, in response to the detection of passage of a mouse cursor over the circumference, the electronic device  121  may move the mouse cursor so as to move (for example, so as to jump) to the intersection  716 - 2  gradually or with acceleration or to move the mouse cursor to the intersection of a half-line and the frame  716 - 2  gradually or with acceleration (for example, while showing its locus). 
         [0208]    (H) The electronic device  121  displays an icon  717  on the intersection  716 - 2 , that is, on the icon  711 . The electronic device  121  erases the frame  713 - 1  and the half-line  715 - 2  from the display screen. 
         [0209]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the user can accurately and efficiently select an icon located at a position that the forefinger or thumb cannot reach. 
         [0210]      FIG. 7C  shows an example in which the user operates a selected icon with a finger of one hand according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         [0211]    (I) The user taps or double-taps the display screen to call menus  731  to  735 . In response to the tap or double-tap, the electronic device  121  displays the menus  731  to  735  on the display screen ( 709 ). The individual menus  731  to  735  correspond to icons to be operated. Suppose that the menu  734  is for operating an icon  711 . 
         [0212]    (J) The user taps or double-taps the menu  734 . In response to the tap or double-tap on the menu  734 , the electronic device  121  displays operation menus  741  to  745  for the icon  611  on the display screen ( 710 ). The individual operation menus  741  to  745  correspond to menus for operating the icon  711 . Examples of the operation menus  741  to  745  include starting, updating, and deleting an application associated with the icon  711 . 
         [0213]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show an example in which the user selects an icon distant from the present position of a mouse cursor (a moving object) on a wide-type liquid crystal display using a mouse and displays a plurality of frames according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0214]    Suppose that the user wants to select an icon  812  with a mouse. The present position of a mouse cursor  811  is distant from the target icon  812 . 
         [0215]    (A) The user presses the left button of the mouse ( 821 ). The electronic device  101  receives the detection of press of the mouse. 
         [0216]    (B) The user is pressing the left button of the mouse ( 822 ). In response to the reception of detection of the press, the electronic device  101  displays a plurality of frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c  indicating the target positions of the mouse cursor  811  on or in the vicinity of the corners (vertices) of the frame of the display screen. The electronic device  101  displays no frame at a corner (vertex) of the frame of the display screen close to the mouse cursor  811 . This is because moving the mouse cursor  811  to the corner (vertex) of the frame of the display screen close to the mouse cursor  811  by using a conventional method is sometimes easier than a method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0217]    The frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c  may be circular, substantially circular, elliptical, substantially elliptical, or of another shape. The sizes of the frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c  need only be large enough to display the mouse cursor  811  on the frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c  and can be set as appropriate by those skilled in the art. 
         [0218]    The target positions of the mouse cursor  811  are limited to the plurality of frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c . This is because the limitation or restriction on the target positions can omit a user&#39;s excessive operation for determining the target positions of the mouse cursor  811 , thus offering higher usability. 
         [0219]    (C) The electronic device  101  obtains a half-line  815 - 1  connecting an end point at the origin at the position of the mouse cursor  811  when receiving the detection of the press and, for example, the center of the frame  813 - b  closest to the target position of the mouse cursor  811  among the frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c . Alternatively, the electronic device  101  may obtain a half-line  815 - 1  connecting the end point at the origin at the position of the mouse cursor  811  when receiving the detection of the press and, for example, the center of the frame  813 - b  farthest from the end point among the frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c . The electronic device  101  may further obtain the intersection  816 - 1  of the half-line  815 - 1  and the frame  813 - b . However, if the coordinates of the intersection  816 - 1  are stored, there is no need to obtain the intersection  816 - 1  because it is the center of the frame  813 - b . The electronic device  101  may display a description for identifying the intersection  816 - 1  on the display. The description may be a sign with which the user can easily perceive the intersection  816 - 1  as a target position candidate, for example, an icon indicating the intersection. However, if the half-line  815 - 1  is displayed on the display, the electronic device  101  need not necessarily display the description for identifying the intersection  816 - 1  on the display. This is because a point at which the half-line  815 - 1  and the frame  813 - b  intersect is the intersection  816 - 1 . 
         [0220]    (D) Since the intersection  816 - 1  is close to the target icon  812 , the user moves the mouse cursor  811  along the half-line  815 - 1  while pressing the left button of the mouse so as to pass over the frame (that is, the circumference) of the small circle  814  ( 824 ). The electronic device  101  detects the passage of the mouse cursor  811  over the circumference as the mouse moves. 
         [0221]    In response to the detection of passage of the mouse cursor  811  over the circumference, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  811  so as to jump to the intersection  816 - 1 . Alternatively, in response to the detection of passage of the mouse cursor  811  over the circumference, the electronic device  101  may move the mouse cursor  811  gradually or with acceleration to the intersection  816 - 1  (for example, while showing the locus of the mouse cursor  811 ). 
         [0222]    (E) The electronic device  101  displays the mouse cursor  811  on the intersection  816 - 1 . The electronic device  101  erases the small circles  814 , the frames  813 - a ,  813 - b , and  813 - c , and the half-line  815 - 1  from the display screen. 
         [0223]    (F) The target icon  812  is presently close to the mouse cursor  811 . Thus, the user moves the mouse cursor  811  onto the target icon  812  while dragging the mouse. In response to the detection of the movement, the electronic device  101  moves the mouse cursor  811  onto the target icon  812  according to a conventional method. 
         [0224]    (G) The electronic device  121  displays the mouse cursor  811  on the target icon  812 . 
         [0225]    As described above, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , to move a mouse cursor to an icon distant from the present position of the mouse cursor, the user temporarily moves the mouse cursor to a position close to the icon and then moves the mouse cursor to the icon, thereby efficiently selecting the target icon. 
         [0226]      FIGS. 9A to 9D  show a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the steps of  FIGS. 9A to 9D , the electronic device is an electronic device according to the present application and includes the electronic device  101  shown in  FIG. 1A  and the electronic device  121  shown in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0227]      FIG. 9A  is a flowchart for executing a process for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of frame display means for displaying a frame(s) and a process of reduced-size display means for displaying a reduced-size display associated with the frame(s), a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse. 
         [0228]    In step  901 , the electronic device starts a program for executing the above processes. 
         [0229]    In step  902 , the electronic device receives the detection of a specific user operation of a pointing device (for example, for a mouse, a left click) or a specific user operation of an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap). Alternatively, the electronic device may detect a specific user operation of a keyboard (for example, a press of a particular key). 
         [0230]    In step  903 , in response to the reception of detection of the specific operation in step  902 , the electronic device displays one or a plurality of frames on or in the vicinity of the frame of a display screen. The frame(s) may be of a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the display screen of a single display, a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of a combination of display screens of a plurality of displays, or at least one circle, ellipse, substantial circle, or substantial ellipse. The frame(s) may include at least one of vertices of one or a plurality of display screens. The vertices of the display screens are the corners thereof. 
         [0231]    In response to the reception of detection of the specific operation in step  902 , the electronic device displays a reduced-size display associated with the frame of the display screen, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse (hereinafter also referred to as a reduced-size display or the like) including the origin at the position of the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger on the display when receiving the detection of the specific operation (hereinafter, the cursor indicates the above two cursors). The cursor is a moving object displayed on the display screen. Alternatively, in response to the reception of detection of the specific operation in step  902 , the electronic device may display a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse with its center at the origin at the position of the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger when receiving the detection of the specific operation. 
         [0232]    The electronic device may display the frame(s) and the reduced-size display or the like on the display screen at the same time, or alternatively, may first display the frame(s) and next the reduced-size display or the like, or may first display the reduced-size display or the like and then the frame(s). 
         [0233]    In step  904 , the electronic device can automatically move the frame(s) displayed in step  903  to the inside of the display screen. The electronic device moves the frame(s) so as to converge to the origin at the position of the cursor when receiving the detection of the specific operation. The electronic device can increase the moving speed of the frame(s), for example, with acceleration, as the frame(s) move(s) inward. The electronic device can increase, decrease, or stop the movement of the frame(s) displayed in step  903  by, for example, a user operation of the pointing device or keyboard. Alternatively, the user may manually move the frame(s) so as to be displayed at the target position of the object by operating a specific button of the pointing device (for example, by sliding the wheel button of the mouse back and forth). 
         [0234]    In step  905 , the electronic device detects a specific user operation of the pointing device or a specific user operation with an operating finger and determines whether to terminate the movement of the frame(s). If the specific operation indicates termination of the movement of the frame(s), the electronic device advances the process to step  906 . If the specific operation does not indicate termination of the movement of the frame(s), the electronic device returns the process to step  904  and continues the movement of the frame(s). 
         [0235]    In step  906 , the electronic device detects that the cursor is moving in the reduced-size display or the like. 
         [0236]    In step  907 , the electronic device obtains a half-line connecting an end point at the origin and the present position of the cursor whose movement is detected in step  906 . The electronic device can display the obtained half-line on the display. 
         [0237]    In step  908 , the electronic device obtains the intersection of the half-line obtained in step  907  and a frame at the position determined in step  905 . The electronic device can display a description for identifying the obtained intersection on the display. 
         [0238]    In step  909 , the electronic device determines whether the cursor is moving and has passed over the frame of the reduced-size display or the like. If the cursor has passed over the frame of the reduced-size display or the like, the electronic device advances the process to step  910 . If the cursor has not passed over the frame, the electronic device returns the process to step  907  and repeats steps  907  to  909 . 
         [0239]    In step  910 , the electronic device moves the cursor to the intersection calculated in step  908  or to the intersection of a half-line when the cursor passed over the frame of the reduced-size display or the like in step  909  and the frame at the position determined in step  905  and displays the cursor on the display. 
         [0240]    In step  911 , the electronic device can enter a standby mode for the next process or terminate the program for executing the process. 
         [0241]      FIG. 9B  is a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of the frame display means for displaying a frame. 
         [0242]    Steps  921  and  922  correspond to steps  901  and  902  shown in  FIG. 9A , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  921  and  922  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0243]    In step  923 , in response to the reception of detection of a specific user operation of the pointing device in step  922  (for example, for a mouse, a left click) or a specific user operation of an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), the electronic device displays one or a plurality of frames on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The frame(s) may be of a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the display screen of a single display, a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of a combination of display screens of a plurality of displays, or at least one circle, ellipse, substantial circle, or substantial ellipse. The frame(s) may include at least one of vertices of one or a plurality of display screens. The vertices of the display screens are the corners thereof. 
         [0244]    In the process shown in  FIG. 9B , the display of the reduced-size display or the like in step  903  of  FIG. 9A  is not performed. 
         [0245]    Steps  924  and  925  correspond to steps  904  and  905  shown in  FIG. 9A , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  924  to  925  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0246]    In step  926 , the electronic device determines whether the cursor has moved a short distance in the vicinity of the origin at the position of the pointing device or the operating finger when the specific operation is detected in step  922 . The vicinity may be a distance in which the pointing device or the operating finger only needs to be moved a little. The short-distance movement includes a movement in the area of a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse calculated (a reduced-size display or the like) including the origin (a virtual reduced-size display or the like that is not displayed on the display screen), a movement corresponding to a fixed number of pixels in the vicinity of the origin or in the virtual reduced-size display or the like, and a movement of the target icon in the icon display area. An example of the movement corresponding to a fixed number of pixels in the vicinity of the origin is, if the electronic device is a tablet computer, a movement over a distance corresponding to the number of pixels in which the forefinger or thumb of a hand that holds the tablet computer can move on the display screen. 
         [0247]    Steps  927  and  928  correspond to steps  907  and  908  shown in  FIG. 9A , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  927  and  928  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0248]    In step  929 , the electronic device determines whether the cursor is moving and has moved a fixed distance with acceleration, for example, a distance corresponding to a fixed number of pixels, in the vicinity of the origin. If the cursor has moved the fixed distance with acceleration, the electronic device advances the process to step  930 . In contrast, if the cursor has not moved the fixed distance with acceleration, the electronic device returns the process to step  927  and repeats steps  927  to  929 . 
         [0249]    Alternatively, the electronic device may determine whether the cursor has moved at a predetermined acceleration or higher. If the cursor has moved at a predetermined acceleration or higher, the electronic device advances the process to step  930 . If the cursor has not moved at a predetermined acceleration or higher, the electronic device returns the process to step  927  and repeats steps  927  to  929 . 
         [0250]    Alternatively, the electronic device may detect a user&#39;s specific operation of the mouse (for example, a press of a specific button) or a user&#39;s specific operation of the keyboard (for example, a press of a specific function key). If detecting the specific operation, the electronic device advances the process to step  930 . If not detecting the specific operation, the electronic device returns the process to step  927  and repeats steps  927  to  929 . 
         [0251]    Steps  930  and  931  correspond to steps  910  and  911  shown in  FIG. 9A , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  930  and  931  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0252]      FIG. 9C  is a flowchart for moving a movable object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of the frame display means for displaying at least one specific frame and a process of the reduced-size display means for displaying a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse. 
         [0253]    Steps  941  to  942  correspond to steps  901  and  902  shown in  FIG. 9A , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  941  and  942  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9C . 
         [0254]    In step  943 , in response to the reception of detection of a specific user operation of the pointing device in step  942  (for example, for a mouse, a left click) or a specific user operation of an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), the electronic device displays one or a plurality of frames on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The display position(s) of the frame(s) on the display screen is (are) specified or designated in advance. The frame(s) is (are) displayed on at least one of the corners of the frame of the display screen. The vertices of the display screen indicate the corners. The electronic device need not display the frame(s) at a corner (vertex) of the frame of the display screen close to the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger on the display (hereinafter, the cursor indicates the above two cursors). This is because moving the cursor to the corner (vertex) of the frame of the display screen close to the cursor by using a conventional method is sometimes easier than a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0255]    In response to the reception of detection of the specific operation in step  942 , the electronic device displays a reduced-size display associated with the frame of the display screen, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse (hereinafter also referred to as a reduced-size display or the like) including the origin at the position of the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger on the display when receiving the detection of the specific operation (hereinafter, the cursor indicates the above two cursors). The cursor is a movable object displayed on the display screen. Alternatively, in response to the reception of detection of the specific operation in step  942 , the electronic device may display a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse with its center at the origin at the position of the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger when receiving the detection of the specific operation. 
         [0256]    The electronic device may display the frame(s) and the reduced-size display or the like on the display screen at the same time, or alternatively, may first display the frame(s) and next the reduced-size display or the like, or may first display the reduced-size display or the like and then the frame(s). 
         [0257]    In step  944 , the electronic device detects that the cursor has moved in the reduced-size display or the like. 
         [0258]    In step  945 , the electronic device obtains a half-line connecting an end point at the origin of the cursor, whose movement is detected in step  944 , and the present position of the target position of the cursor. Alternatively, the electronic device may correct the half-line so as to be interposed on a frame closest to the target position of the at least one frame displayed in step  943 . Alternatively, the electronic device may correct the half-line so as to be interposed on a frame farthest from the end point of the at least one frame displayed in step  943  (for example, so as to be interposed on the center point of the farthest frame). 
         [0259]    The electronic device can display the obtained half-line on the display. 
         [0260]    In step  946 , the electronic device obtains the intersection of the half-line obtained in step  945  and the frame at the position specified in step  945 . The electronic device can display a description for identifying the obtained intersection on the display. 
         [0261]    In step  947 , the electronic device determines whether the cursor is moving and has passed over the frame of the reduced-size display or the like. If the cursor has passed over the frame of the reduced-size display or the like, the electronic device advances the process to step  948 . If the cursor has not passed over the frame, the electronic device returns the process to step  945  and repeats steps  945  to  947 . 
         [0262]    In step  948 , the electronic device moves the cursor to the intersection calculated in step  946  and displays the cursor on the display. 
         [0263]    In step  949 , the electronic device can enter a standby mode for the next process or terminate the program for executing the process. 
         [0264]      FIG. 9D  is a flowchart for moving a moving object displayed on a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a process of the frame display means for displaying at least one specific frame. 
         [0265]    Steps  951  and  952  correspond to steps  901  and  902  shown in  FIG. 9A , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  951  and  952  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9D . 
         [0266]    In step  953 , in response to the reception of detection of a specific user operation of the pointing device in step  952  (for example, for a mouse, a left click) or a specific user operation of an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), the electronic device displays one or a plurality of frames on or in the vicinity of the frame of the display screen. The display position(s) of the frame(s) on the display screen can be specified or designated in advance. The frame(s) is (are) displayed on at least one of the corners of the frame of the display screen. The vertices of the display screen indicate the corners. The electronic device need not display the frame(s) at a corner (vertex) of the frame of the display screen close to the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger on the display (hereinafter, the cursor indicates the above two cursors). This is because moving the cursor to the corner (vertex) of the frame of the display screen close to the cursor by using a conventional method is sometimes easier than a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0267]    Alternatively, in response to the reception of detection of a specific user operation of the pointing device in step  952  (for example, for a mouse, a left click) or a specific user operation with an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), the electronic device may display a frame including an object (for example, an icon) farthest from an origin at the position of the cursor of the pointing device or a cursor displayed under the operating finger on the display when receiving the detection of the specific operation (hereinafter, the cursor indicates the above two cursors) or frame(s) each including an object at a decreasing distance from the object farthest from the origin. 
         [0268]    In step  954 , the electronic device determines whether the cursor has moved in the vicinity of the origin at the position of the pointing device or the operating finger when detecting the specific operation in step  952 . The vicinity may be a distance in which the pointing device or the operating finger only needs to be moved a little. 
         [0269]    In step  955 , the electronic device obtains a half-line connecting an end point at the origin of the cursor, whose movement is detected in step  954 , and the present position of the cursor. Alternatively, the electronic device may correct the half-line so as t be interposed on a frame closest to the target position of the at least one frame displayed in step  953 . Alternatively, the electronic device may correct the half-line so as to be interposed on a frame farthest from the end point of the at least one frame displayed in step  953  (for example, so as to be interposed on the center point of the farthest frame). 
         [0270]    The electronic device can display the obtained half-line on the display. 
         [0271]    In step  956 , the electronic device obtains the intersection of the half-line obtained in step  955  and the frame at the position specified in step  955 . Alternatively, if the center of a frame at which the half-line obtained in step  955  is located at the position specified in step  955  (for example, the center of a frame circular in shape) has already been obtained, the electronic device may read the obtained center as the intersection. 
         [0272]    The electronic device can display a description for identifying the obtained intersection on the display. 
         [0273]    In step  957 , the electronic device determines whether the cursor is moving and has moved a fixed distance with acceleration, for example, a distance corresponding to a fixed number of pixels, in the vicinity of the origin. If the cursor has moved the fixed distance with acceleration, the electronic device advances the process to step  958 . If the cursor has not moved the fixed distance with acceleration, the electronic device returns the process to step  955  and repeats steps  955  to  957 . 
         [0274]    Steps  958  and  959  correspond to steps  948  and  949  shown in  FIG. 9C , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions of steps  958  and  959  will be omitted in the description of the steps in  FIG. 9D . 
         [0275]      FIG. 10  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably having the hardware configuration shown in  FIG. 1A or 1B . 
         [0276]    An electronic device  1001  is an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes the electronic device  101  shown in  FIG. 1A  and the electronic device  121  shown in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0277]    The electronic device  1001  includes frame display means  1011 , frame moving means  1012 , reduced-size display means  1013 , object-movement detection means  1014 , intersection calculation means  1015 , selection means  1016 , passage detection means  1017 , and object moving means  1018 . 
         [0278]    The frame display means  1011  displays at least one frame on or in the vicinity of the frame of a display screen in response to an instruction from the user. Alternatively, the frame display means  1011  may display at least one frame on a target position candidate of a moving object displayed on the display screen in response to an instruction from the user. Alternatively, the frame display means  1011  may display at least one frame on the target position candidate of the object in response to an instruction from the user. Examples of the instruction from the user include specific user operations for issuing an instruction to start a process for moving the object, such as a specific operation of a pointing device (for example, a press of a specific button), a specific user operation of an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), and a specific keyboard operation (for example, a press of a specific function key). 
         [0279]    The frame moving means  1012  moves the frame(s) so as to converge to the origin at the position of a moving object displayed on the display screen when receiving the detection of a specific user operation of the pointing device shown in step  902  of  FIG. 9A  (for a mouse, a left click), the detection of a specific user operation of an operating finger (for example, for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), or the detection of a specific user operation of a keyboard (for example, a press of a specific key). Alternatively, the frame moving means  1012  may move the frame(s) by reducing or enlarging the frame(s). The frame moving means  1012  may move the frame(s) by automatically reducing the frame(s). Alternatively, the frame moving means  1012  may move the frame(s) by reducing or enlarging the frame(s) in accordance with a user operation. Alternatively, the frame moving means  1012  may move the frame(s) with acceleration. The frame moving means  1012  may move the frame(s) by decreasing or increasing the speed in accordance with a user operation. 
         [0280]    The reduced-size display means  1013  displays a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse (hereinafter also referred to as a reduced-size display or the like) including the origin. Alternatively, the reduced-size display means  1013  may display a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse with its center at the origin. 
         [0281]    The reduced-size display means  1013  calculates a reduced-size display associated with the frame, or a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse about the origin and displays a virtual reduced-size display or the like in which the calculated reduced-size display or the like is not displayed on the display screen. 
         [0282]    The object-movement detection means  1014  detects a short-distance movement of a movable object displayed on a display screen. Examples of the short-distance movement include a movement in the area of a reduced-size display or the like displayed by the reduced-size display means  1013 , a movement in the area of a virtual reduced-size display or the like that is calculated by the reduced-size display means  1013  and is not displayed on the display screen, a movement corresponding to a fixed number of pixels in the vicinity of the origin or within the virtual reduced-size display or the like, and a movement in the area of a moving object icon. An example of the movement corresponding to the fixed number of pixels in the vicinity of the origin is, if the electronic device is a tablet computer, a movement corresponding to the number of pixels in which the forefinger or thumb of a hand that holds the table computer can move on the display screen. 
         [0283]    The intersection calculation means  1015  obtains the intersection of the frame(s) and a half-line connecting an end point at the origin located at the position of a movable object displayed on the display screen when receiving the detection of a specific user operation of the pointing device shown in step  902  of  FIG. 9A  (for a mouse, a left click), the detection of a specific user operation of an operating finger (for a tablet computer, a tap or double-tap), or the detection of a specific user operation of a keyboard (for example, a press of a specific key). 
         [0284]    The selection means  1016  detects that the intersection obtained by the intersection calculation means  1015  has been selected as the target position of the moving object displayed on the display screen. The selection means  1016  can change the intersection depending on the movement of the object in the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse. 
         [0285]    The passage detection means  1017  detects that the moving object displayed on the display screen has passed over the frame of the reduced-size display, of the circumference of the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse. 
         [0286]    The object moving means  1018  moves the object to the intersection obtained by the intersection calculation means  1015 . The object moving means  1018  can move the object as the object passes over the frame of the reduced-size display, of the circumference of the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse. 
         [0287]    An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for moving a movable object to a target position (for example, a position distant from the present position of a pointing device) with high accuracy and high efficiency or for selecting an object (for example, an icon) distant from the present position of the pointing device without excessively leaving the present position of the pointing device. 
         [0288]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique for moving a moving object (for example, a cursor under an operating finger) to a target position with high accuracy and high efficiency while holding a tablet computer or a smartphone with one hand when an operation with the one hand is needed or for operating an object (for example, an icon) located at a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach. 
         [0289]    The present invention provides a technique for moving a moving object displayed on a display screen. The technique may include a method, an electronic device, an electronic device program, and an electronic device program product for moving a moving object displayed on a display screen. 
         [0290]    A method according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of displaying at least one frame on or in the vicinity of a display screen frame, in response to an instruction from a user, with its origin at the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; moving the frame so as to converge to the origin; selecting an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to a short-distance movement of the object, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and a position to which the object moves by the short-distance movement; and moving the object to the intersection and displaying the object. 
         [0291]    A method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a method for moving a moving object displayed on a display screen. The method includes the steps of displaying at least one frame on a target position candidate of the object, in response to an instruction from the user, with its origin at the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; selecting an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to a short-distance movement of the object, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and a position to which the object moves by the short-distance movement; and moving the object to the intersection and displaying the object. 
         [0292]    A method according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of displaying at least one frame on or in the vicinity of a display screen frame in response to an instruction from a user, with its origin at the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; displaying a reduced-size display including the origin and associated with the frame, or a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse, each including the origin, or displaying a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse with its center at the origin; moving the frame so as to converge to the origin; selecting an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to the movement of the object in the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and the target position of the object in the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse; and moving the object to the intersection in response to that the object passes over the frame of the reduced-size display or the circumference of the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse, and displaying the object. 
         [0293]    An electronic device program according to the present invention causes an electronic device to execute the steps according to one of the methods according to the first to third aspects. 
         [0294]    An electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes frame display means that displays at least one frame on or in the vicinity of a display screen frame in response to an instruction from a user, with its origin at the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; frame moving means that moves the frame so as to converge to the origin; selection means that selects an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to a short-distance movement of the object, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and a position to which the object moves by the short-distance movement; and object moving means that moves the object to the intersection. 
         [0295]    An electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes frame display means that displays at least one frame on a target position candidate of the object in response to an instruction from the user, with its origin at the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; selection means that selects an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to a short-distance movement of the object, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and a position to which the object moves by the short-distance movement; and object moving means that moves the object to the intersection. 
         [0296]    An electronic device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention includes frame display means that displays at least one frame on or in the vicinity of a display screen frame in response to an instruction from a user, with its origin at the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; reduced-size display means that displays a reduced-size display including the origin and associated with the frame, or a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse, each including the origin, or displaying a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse with its center at the origin; frame moving means that moves the frame so as to converge to the origin; selection means that selects an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to the movement of the object in the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and the target position of the object in the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse; and object moving means that moves the object to the intersection in response to that the object passing over the frame of the reduced-size display or the circumference of the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse. 
         [0297]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device may further include reduced-size display means that displays a reduced-size display including the origin and associated with the frame, or a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse, each including the origin. 
         [0298]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device may further include reduced-size display means that displays a reduced-size display associated with the frame, a circle, an ellipse, a substantial circle, or a substantial ellipse with its center at the origin. 
         [0299]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the selection means may change the intersection as the object moves in the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse. 
         [0300]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the object moving means may move the object in response to that the object passes over the frame of the reduced-size display or the circumference of the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse. 
         [0301]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame moving means may move the frame by reducing or enlarging the frame. 
         [0302]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame moving means may move the frame by automatically reducing the frame. In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame moving means may move the frame by reducing or enlarging the frame according to an operation of the user. 
         [0303]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame moving means may move the frame with acceleration. In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame moving means may move the frame by decreasing or increasing the speed according to an operation of the user. 
         [0304]    In an embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the frame is displayed on a first display screen of a first electronic device and a second display screen of a second electronic device, the first electronic device may display part of the frame on the first display screen, and the second electronic device may display the rest of the frame on the second display screen. 
         [0305]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the first electronic device may display the origin and the reduced-size display, the circle, the ellipse, the substantial circle, or the substantial ellipse on the first display screen, and the second electronic device may display the intersection on the second display screen. 
         [0306]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the second electronic device may move the object to the intersection and display the object. 
         [0307]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame display means may display the frame in response to a specific user operation indicating start of the process of moving the object. 
         [0308]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame may have a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the display screen of a single display, a shape corresponding to a combination of the outer peripheries of the display screens of a plurality of displays, or at least one circle, ellipse, substantial circle, or substantial ellipse. 
         [0309]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame may include at least one vertex of the display screen. 
         [0310]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the moving object may be a cursor or a user-selectable moving object. 
         [0311]    An electronic device program according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in one or a plurality of flexible disks, MOs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, BDs, hard disk drives, memory media connectable to a USB, and any electronic-device-readable recording medium, such as a ROM, an MRAM, or a RAM. The electronic device program may be loaded into a recording medium from another data processing system, such as a server computer, connected via a communication line, or may be copied from another recording medium. The electronic device program according to an embodiment of the present invention may be compressed or divided into a plurality of pieces and stored in one or a plurality of recording media. Note that it is of course possible to provide electronic device program products according to an embodiment of the present invention in various forms. Examples of the electronic device program products according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a storage medium in which the electronic device program is recorded and a transmission medium that transmits the electronic device program. 
         [0312]    Note that the outline of the present invention described above does not include all necessary features of the present invention and a combination or sub-combination of these components may also be the present invention. 
         [0313]    It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the hardware components of the electronic device used in an embodiment of the present invention, such as combining them with a plurality of machines and distributing the functions thereto. These changes are of course included in the spirit of the present invention. These components are merely examples, and all the components are not absolutely necessary for the present invention. 
         [0314]    The present invention may be achieved as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A typical example of implementation using a combination of hardware and software is implementation in an electronic device in which the electronic device program is installed. In such a case, by loading the electronic device program into the memory of the electronic device and executing it, the electronic device program controls the electronic device and causes the electronic device to implement processes according to the present invention. The electronic device program may include sets of instructions expressed by any language, code, or notation. Such instructions allow the electronic device to implement a specific function directly or after one or both of (1) converting it to another language, code, or notation and (2) copying it to another medium. 
         [0315]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a moving object can be moved to a target position with high accuracy and high efficiency, or a moving object distant from the present position of the pointing device can be selected without excessively leaving the present position of the pointing device. 
         [0316]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the case where a user holds a tablet computer or a smartphone with one hand and needs to operate it with the one hand, the user can move a moving object to a target position with high accuracy and high efficiency, or can operate a moving object located at a position that a finger of the one hand cannot reach. 
         [0317]    As described above, the present invention can provide a highly usable technique for moving a moving object. 
         [0318]    An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for moving a moving object to a target position with high accuracy and high efficiency or for selecting an object distant from the present position of the pointing device without excessively leaving the present position of the pointing device. 
         [0319]    In one or more embodiments, the present invention includes the steps of displaying at least one frame on or in the vicinity of a display screen frame in response to an instruction from a user; moving the frame so as to converge to the origin which is the present position of the object when receiving the instruction from the user; selecting an intersection of the frame and a half-line as a target position of the object in response to a short-distance movement of the object, the half-line connecting an end point at the origin and a position to which the object moves by the short-distance movement; and moving the object to the intersection and displaying the object.