Abstract:
There is provided an electronic device and an information processing program, which may provide a user with information about functions of the electronic device without stress to the user. The electronic device includes: a holding section holding plural pieces of function-introductory information each concerning a plurality of functions of the electronic device; a determination section selecting one out of the plural pieces of function-introductory information, and determining the selected piece of function-introductory information as transmission information to be transmitted to an external display device; and an output section outputting the transmission information.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2010-078240 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 30, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic device performing information processing for presenting functions of the device to a user, and an information processing program used for such an electronic device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     An electronic device such as a TV (Television) apparatus has recently had various functions including a function (an electronic manual) used to present a use procedure of each of the functions on a screen. A user may understand and use the functions of the electronic device by using the electronic manual. A system using such an electronic manual includes, for example, a system used in the case of failure of an electronic device, which enables a manual or test tool necessary for repairing the failure to be displayed on a screen of a portable terminal (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-116483). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the functions of the electronic device, some function is not known by a user, and therefore a function is sometimes not used by a user despite the fact that the function is useful for the user. Therefore, so-called popup display is used as a method for notifying (introducing) to a user various functions of the electronic device, for example, in such a manner that a small window screen is automatically displayed in a part of a screen, and information about a function is presented on the window screen. 
     However, in the information display method using the popup display, since the window screen is automatically displayed in a part of a screen of a TV apparatus or the like, image display or other user operation may be obstructed. Moreover, since information is displayed regardless of user intention, if the information is unnecessary for the user, the user tends to be subjected to mental stress. Therefore, it has been desired to present the various functions of the electronic device without stress to a user so as to improve user convenience. 
     It is desirable to provide an electronic device and an information processing program, which may provide a user with information about functions of the electronic device without stress to the user. 
     An electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a holding section holding plural pieces of function-introductory information each concerning a plurality of functions of the electronic device; a transmission information determination section selecting one out of the plural pieces of function-introductory information, and determining the selected piece of function-introductory information as transmission information to be transmitted to an external display device; and an output section outputting the transmission information. 
     The function-introductory information is to notify a user of (to allow a user to recognize) presence of a function, or to allow a user to take interest in the function, and, for example, includes a summary or an advantage of the function. 
     An information processing program according to an embodiment of the invention allows a computer to select one out of the plural pieces of function-introductory information each concerning a plurality of functions of an electronic device having the computer, and to determine the selected piece of function-introductory information as transmission information to be transmitted to an external display device; and then to output the determined transmission information. 
     In the electronic device and the information processing program according to the embodiments of the invention, a piece of function-introductory information selected from the plural pieces of function-introductory information about a plurality of functions is determined as transmission information to an external display device and outputted. In other words, the selected piece of function-introductory information is displayed on the external display device instead of a screen of the electronic device. 
     According to the electronic device and the information processing program of the embodiments of the invention, a piece of function-introductory information is selected from the plural pieces of function-introductory information about a plurality of functions, and the selected piece of function-introductory information is determined as transmission information to an external display device and outputted. Consequently, the selected piece of function-introductory information is displayed, for example, on another display device disposed beside a user at any time rather than on a screen of the electronic device. Therefore, information about a function may be presented without discomfort to a user looking a screen of an electronic device. Accordingly, information about functions of the electronic device may be provided without stress to the user. 
     Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a TV apparatus (electronic device) and a second display according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of each of the TV apparatus and the second display shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an example of transmission operation of function-introductory information in the TV apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an example of acquisition/display operation of function-introductory information in the second display shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  are schematic diagrams for illustrating screen change operation in the second display shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are schematic diagrams showing an example of screen display patterns in the second display shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a table for illustrating effects of the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are schematic diagrams for illustrating screen change operation in a second display according to modification 1. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing an example of acquisition/display operation of function-introductory information in the second display shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an example of acquisition/display operation of function-introductory information in a TV apparatus according to modification 2. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are schematic diagrams for illustrating screen change operation in a second display according to the modification 2. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a video camera (electronic device) and a second display according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of each of the video camera and a TV apparatus shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are schematic diagrams showing a multi-screen display and a multi-screen projector showing other application examples of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to drawings. Description is made in the following sequence. 
     1. First embodiment (example of transmission of function-introductory information and function-briefing information from TV apparatus to second display) 
     2. Modification 1 (example of another screen display operation in second display) 
     3. Modification 2 (example of another information transmission operation in TV apparatus) 
     4. Second embodiment (example of transmission of function-introductory information and function-briefing information of video camera to second display via TV apparatus) 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  schematically shows an arrangement example of an electronic device (TV apparatus  1 ) and a second display  2  according to a first embodiment of the invention. The TV apparatus  1  has a plurality of functions, and holds electronic manual information (function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  described later) about the functions. The functions include, for example, a program list display, audiovisual program reservation, video recording reservation, USB content reproduction, watching and listening of internet video, and watching and listening of 3D content. 
     The second display  2  is connected to the TV apparatus  1  via a wiring line  30 . The second display  2  is, for example, disposed beside a user  5  facing a display section of the TV apparatus  1  to display a screen (function introduction screen or function explanation screen described later) based on information received from the TV apparatus  1 . 
     An information processing program of the embodiment corresponds to various information processing functions realized in software of the TV apparatus  1  as an electronic device. Here, the software includes a program group that allows a computer in the electronic device to execute the information processing functions. For example, each program may be beforehand incorporated into special hardware for use or installed for use from a network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer. An information processing program of another embodiment described later also corresponds to various information processing functions realized in software of an electronic device of a corresponding embodiment, and may be used in the same way as above. 
     Configuration of TV Apparatus  1  and the Like 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed block configuration of each of the TV apparatus  1  and the second display  2 . 
     TV Apparatus  1   
     The TV apparatus  1  has the display section  11 , a display controller  110 , a display content determination section  12 , a holding section  13 , a transmission information determination section  14 , a transmission section  15 , a transmission controller  150  and an operation detector  16 . A tuner and the like for achieving a TV function are omitted to be shown herein (the same is true in another embodiment described later). 
     The display section  11  performs normal image display, and besides, for example, performs display of an operation screen for using each function based on input operation by the user  5  (based on detection data DF inputted from the operation detector  16 ). The display section  11  includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display controller  110  performs predetermined display control of the display section  11 . 
     The holding section  13  is, for example, a storage section (memory) for holding data for displaying an operation screen (operation screen data DS), data about each function (function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2 ) and a correspondence table  130 . In particular, each of the operation screen data DS, the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  are held by two or more. The correspondence table  130  is used for determination operation of a recommended function described later while holding one function set in correspondence to particular operation. A storage medium for the holding section  13  may include a fixed disc and a removable disc. In addition, various kinds of media such as a magnetic disc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, and a semiconductor memory may be used as the medium. Alternatively, information may be stored on the network. 
     The function-introductory information is to notify a user of (to allow a user to recognize) existence of functions of the TV apparatus  1  or is to allow a user to take interest in the functions, and includes, for example, a summary or an advantage of each function. The function-briefing information is to allow a user to understand content of such functions so that the user advances operation, and includes, for example, explanation of a specific operation procedure or a relevant function. In addition, the function-briefing information may include information to allow a user to memorize existence or an operation method of each function. For example, the function-briefing information may include information about a difficulty of a function so that such a difficulty is displayed to ask a user if the user may utilize the function. The function-briefing information may include explanation information about a function that has ever been used. Alternatively, in a particular function explanation screen, URL about other functions that have ever been used may be displayed. The function-introductory information DM 1  or the function-briefing information DM 2  may represent such information by itself, or may be information indicating an internet site having such information (for example, URL (Uniform Resource Locator). 
     The display content determination section  12  determines the content displayed by the display section  11 , for example, based on input operation by the user  5 . For example, when a function to be used is selected by the user  5 , the section  12  allows the display section  11  to display an operation screen corresponding to the selected function. Specifically, the section  12  acquires one operation screen data DS from the plurality of operation screen data DS held in the holding section  13  based on detection data DF, and supplies the acquired operation screen data DS to the display controller  110 . Determination (selection) of the function to be used is performed by, for example, operation of the user  5  (for example, operation using a remote control  10 ), namely, performed manually. 
     The operation detector  16  has a function to detect predetermined operation (function selection operation and input operation on an operation screen) by the user  5 . Specifically, the operation detector  16  supplies detection data DF (data indicating whether operation is detected) as a result of such detection to the transmission information determination section  14 , as described later. 
     The transmission information determination section acquires a piece of function-introductory information DM 1  and a piece of function-briefing information DM 2  from the plural pieces of function-introductory information DM 1  and of function-briefing information DM 2  held in the holding section respectively, and determines the acquired information DM 1  and DM 2  as transmission information to be transmitted to the second display  2  owned by the user  5 . In the embodiment, for example, the section  14  determines a function (recommended function) depending on a current use condition or operation history of the TV apparatus  1 , and determines function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  about the recommended function as the transmission information. Here, for example, the section  14  uses the correspondence table  130  held in the holding section  13  to determine the recommended function. Specifically, for example, in the case that “program-list display function” is set in correspondence to “channel zapping (changing) operation” in the correspondence table  130 , when channel zapping operation is detected during use of the TV apparatus  1 , the section  14  determines “program-list display” as the recommended function. 
     The transmission section  15  transmits to the second display  2  the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  determined as the transmission information. The transmission controller  150  supplies to the transmission section  15  the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  supplied from the transmission information determination section  14 , and controls transmission operation of the section  15 . A method of transmitting the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  by the transmission section  15  may include not only wire communication using the wiring line  30  but also wireless communication. 
     Second Display  2   
     The second display  2  includes a display section  21 , a display controller  210 , a reception section  22 , a reception controller  220 , a storage section  23 , an input section  24 , a communication section  25  and a communication controller  250 . A display device such as a digital photo frame or PC (Personal Computer), which may be continuously securely set on a predetermined place (rested on a wall, placed on a stand, or the like), is desirably used as the second display  2 . However, this is not limitative, and other display devices such as a remote controller with a display, a mobile phone, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) may be used as long as such a device may communicate with the TV apparatus  1  and thus may perform screen display based on transmission information from the TV apparatus  1 . 
     The reception section  22  receives the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  transmitted from the transmission section  15  of the TV apparatus  1 . The reception controller  220  controls reception operation of the reception section  22 , and supplies the received function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  to the storage section  23 . 
     The storage section  23  is a memory for holding various data including the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  supplied from the reception controller  220 , and various storage media may be used for the section  23  like the holding section  13 . 
     The display section  21  is used to display the various data (including the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2 ) held in the storage section  23 , and may include various kinds of displays like the display section  11 . The display controller  210  performs predetermined display control of the display section  21 . 
     The input section  24  is used to input predetermined information into the second display  2 , and includes, for example, a keyboard, a touchpad, or a touch panel. 
     The communication section  25  performs communication operation with an external network server, for example, in the case that display content of function introduction and of function explanation is held in the external network server (in the case that URL of each of function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  as the display content is received from the server). The communication controller  250  controls communication operation and the like of the communication section  25 . 
     Operation and Effects of TV Apparatus  1   
     Next, operation and effects of the TV apparatus  1  of the embodiment are described.  FIG. 3  shows flow of transmission operation of function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  in the TV apparatus  1 . 
     In the TV apparatus  1 , a recommended function for the user  5  (function to be estimated to be useful for the user  5 ) is determined from a plurality of functions of the TV apparatus  1  depending on, for example, a current use condition or operation history of the user  5  (step S 11 ). Specifically, the transmission information determination section  14  uses the correspondence table  130  held in the holding section  13  to determine the function based on a current use condition or operation history of the user  5 . Specifically, in the correspondence table  130 , for example, a function of “program list display” is set in correspondence to “channel zapping (changing) operation” as the use condition, and a function of “audiovisual reservation” is set in correspondence to “program list display operation”. In other words, when channel zapping operation is detected during use of the TV apparatus  1 , “program list display” or “audiovisual reservation” is determined as the recommended function. Here, input operation by the user  5  is performed by, for example, the remote control  10 , and is supplied to the transmission information determination section  14  as detection data DF via the operation detector  16 . Hereinafter, description is made assuming that the recommended function determined in this way is called recommended function M for convenience. 
     The correspondence table  130 , storing operation history of the user  5 , may hold the operation history set in correspondence to functions. Specifically, the table  130  stores information about use frequency of each function (for example, “program list display is frequently used” or “audiovisual reservation has never been used”) or information about presence of particular operation being repeated (for example, “a certain program is viewed after a channel is changed every week”). Such stored information may be used to determine the recommended function M. For example, “recommended point” is prepared for each function in the correspondence table  130 , and the recommended point is decreased in a function that has been ever used or is frequently used, and increased in a function about a particular operation being repeated. Specifically, when the same program is watched and listened after a channel is changed every week, the recommended point is increased in “audiovisual reservation”. The recommended function M may be determined based on such relative largeness of the recommended point. 
     Next, the transmission information determination section  14  acquires from the holding section  13  function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  about the recommended function M determined in the above way (step S 12 ). 
     Then, the section  14  first determines the function-introductory information DM 1  as transmission information to be transmitted to the second display  2 . The function-introductory information DM 1  is supplied from the transmission information determination section  14  to the transmission controller  150 . The transmission controller  150  controls the transmission section  15  to transmit the function-introductory information DM 1  to the second display  2  (step S 13 ). 
     Next, whether the recommended function M has been tried by the user  5  is determined (step S 14 ). Specifically, the section  14  determines whether the operation detector  16  has detected an input signal (utilization determination signal) indicating that the recommended function M is used (tried) as detection data DF. When the input signal has not been detected (step S 14 : N), the processing is finished. When the utilization determination signal of the recommended function M has been detected (step S 14 : Y), the section  14  determines function-briefing information DM 2  corresponding to the recommended function M (the function-briefing information DM 2  acquired in the step S 12 ) as the transmission information, and transmits the determined information DM 2  to the second display  2  (step S 15 ). The utilization determination signal is inputted to the TV apparatus  1 , for example, through operation of the remote control  10 . 
     In the second display  2 , the function-introductory information DM 1  is received, for example, in the following way, and the display section  21  performs display based on the received function-introductory information DM 1 .  FIG. 4  shows flow of acquisition/display operation of the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  in the second display  2 .  FIGS. 5A to 5C  schematically show change operation of screen display in the second display  2 . 
     In the second display  2 , first, the function-introductory information DM 1  about the recommended function M is acquired from the TV apparatus  1  through the wiring line  30  (step S 16 ). Specifically, the reception controller  220  controls the reception section  22  to receive the function-introductory information DM 1  about the recommended function M, and then the received function-introductory information DM 1  is supplied to the storage section  23 . The display controller  210  controls the display section  21  to display a function introduction screen (function introduction screen A) based on the function-introductory information DM 1  (step S 17 ). 
     For example, when the function-introductory information DM 1  is received ( FIG. 5A ), the display controller  210  controls the display section  21  to display a function introduction screen A in a part of a screen  21   a  of the display section  21  ( FIG. 5B ). When the recommended function M is, for example, “audiovisual reservation”, information including a summary or an advantage of “audiovisual reservation”, such as “a channel is automatically changed at the time of program start” or “the desired program will not be missed”, is displayed on the function introduction screen A. 
     Such a function introduction screen A is continuously displayed on the display section  21  until the user  5  performs new operation to the TV apparatus  1 . Specifically, after the function introduction screen A is displayed, whether function-briefing information DM 2  is acquired is determined (step S 18 ), and when the information DM 2  is not acquired (step S 18 : N), the function introduction screen A is continued to be displayed (return to the step S 17 ). When the function-briefing information DM 2  is acquired (step S 18 : Y), display on the display section  21  is changed from the function introduction screen A to a function explanation screen B (step S 19 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 5C , when the function-briefing information DM 2  is acquired, the display controller  210  controls the display section  21  to display the function explanation screen B over the whole area of the screen  21   a  of the display section  21 . When the recommended function M is, for example, “audiovisual reservation”, information including a specific operation procedure about “audiovisual reservation” is displayed on the function introduction screen A, the information including “when you select and determine a program from a program list, a program explanation screen is displayed”, “when you select and determine an audiovisual reservation button in a bottom of a screen, a confirmation screen is displayed”, or “when you select and determine a determination button after confirming a date and a name of a program, you can set the program to be repeated every week”. 
     While a method of displaying the function explanation screen B on the display section  21  of the second display  2  has been described herein with a case as an example where the screen B is displayed over the whole area of the display section  21  ( FIG. 6A ), the method is not limitative. For example, a display frame for a function explanation screen may be provided separately from a display frame of the normal screen  21   a  ( FIG. 6B ), or the function explanation screen may be displayed in a part of the normal screen  21   a  ( FIG. 6C ). Moreover, in the case that the function explanation screen is displayed in a part of the normal screen  21   a , area, a position and the like of the function explanation screen are not particularly limited. Similarly, a display method of the function introduction screen A is not particularly limited. 
     As hereinbefore, in the embodiment, a recommended function M for the user  5  is determined from various functions of the TV apparatus  1 , and function-introductory information DM 1  about the recommended function M is determined as transmission information to the second display  2 . Consequently, the function-introductory information DM 1  about the recommended function M may be displayed, for example, on the second display  2  as an external display device disposed beside a user instead of the display section  11  of the TV apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 7  shows advantages and disadvantages (in three items of frequency, stress and information capacity) of an example (the embodiment: a case of displaying a function introduction screen on the second display) and of comparative examples 1 and 2 (a case of displaying a function introduction screen on a TV apparatus). In the comparative example 1, manual display is used to display a function introduction screen over the whole screen of a TV apparatus by operation of the user  5  using a remote control or the like. In the comparative example 2, popup display is used to automatically display a function introduction screen (window screen) in a part of the screen. The frequency indicates the number of opportunities when the user  5  may know (recognize) an unknown function, and the stress indicates a mental load caused at the timing of introduction of such an unknown function. 
     In this way, in the comparative example 1 using manual display, since the user  5  intentionally starts up a function introduction screen, the user  5  may not find a desired function unless the user consciously search for the function, leading to few opportunities to know an unknown function. In the comparative example 2 using popup display, since a window screen for function introduction is automatically displayed, opportunities to know an unknown function increase, but a displayed image or other operation by the user  5  may be obstructed because the window screen is displayed regardless of intention of the user  5 . In some function, the number of window screens is increased, or window screens are displayed one after another whenever operation is advanced. Therefore, when information shown on a window screen is unnecessary for the user  5 , the user  5  tends to be subjected to stress. 
     In the embodiment, since the function introduction screen A is displayed on the second display  2  based on the function-introductory information DM 1  transmitted from the TV apparatus  1  as described before, opportunities to know an unknown function increase compared with a case of manual display as in the comparative example 1. In addition, since the function introduction screen A is displayed on the second display  2  different from the TV apparatus  1 , a recommended function M may be presented without discomfort to the user  5  looking the display section  11  of the TV apparatus  1  unlike the case of popup display as in the comparative example 2. Accordingly, information about functions of the TV apparatus may be provided without stress to the user  5 . 
     When display is performed step by step in such a manner that when the user  5  interestedly tries the recommended function M after being informed of a summary of the recommended function M by function-introductory information DM 1 , function-briefing information DM 2  of a detailed procedure or the like of the recommended function M is displayed, information about the function may be clearly provided for the user  5  without stress. Moreover, since the user  5  may perform actual operation at the TV apparatus  1  while the function explanation screen B is displayed on the second display  2 , the user  5  may smoothly advance operation while understanding functions of the TV apparatus  1 . 
     The embodiment has been described with a case where the TV apparatus  1  transmits function-introductory information DM 1 , and then when a utilization determination signal of a recommended function M is detected from the user  5 , function-briefing information DM 2  is transmitted. However, the user  5  does not necessarily try the recommended function M during display of a function introduction screen A for the recommended function M, and is likely to use another function in some cases. For example, while the second display  2  displays a function introduction screen A for “program list display”, a utilization determination signal of another function having no concern with “program list display”, for example, a utilization determination signal of “browser function” may be detected. In such a case, the transmission information determination section  14  can re-determine a function about “browser function” (for example, bookmark function of the browser) as a recommended function M, and can determine function-introductory information DM 1  about the re-determined recommended function M as transmission information. 
     Next, modifications (modifications  1  and  2 ) of the first embodiment are described. The same elements as in the first embodiment are designated by the same symbols, and description of them is appropriately omitted. 
     Modification 1 
     In the first embodiment, when the second display  2  receives function-introductory information DM 1 , a function introduction screen A is displayed on the display section  21 . However, screen display may be performed on the second display  2 , for example, in the following manner. As shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C , when the display section  21  displays the normal screen  21   a , after function-introductory information DM 1  is acquired in the same way as above, the function introduction screen A may be displayed only when an electronic manual is started. Specifically, in the second display  2 , after an electronic manual is started by operation of the user  5 , a function introduction screen A may be displayed based on previously acquired function-introductory information DM 1  in a part of a manual start screen A 0 . The function introduction screen A may be displayed as a part of the manual start screen A 0 . Alternatively, the screen A may be displayed over the whole area of the display section  21  at the start of the electronic manual. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , in the second display  2 , function-introductory information DM 1  about a recommended function M is acquired from the TV apparatus  1  via the wiring line  30  as in the step S 16  (step S 21 ). Then, in the modification, whether the electronic manual is started is determined (step S 22 ), and when the electronic manual is started by operation of the user  5  (step S 22 : Y), a function introduction screen A is displayed as in the step S 17  (step S 23 ). Then, whether function-briefing information DM 2  is acquired is determined as in the steps S 18  and S 19  (step S 24 ), and when the information DM 2  is acquired, a function explanation screen B is displayed (step S 25 ). When the function-briefing information DM 2  is not acquired, display of the function introduction screen A is continued (return to the step S 23 ). 
     In this way, in the second display  2 , after the function-introductory information DM 1  is received from the TV apparatus  1 , display based on the information DM 1  need not be promptly performed, and whether the function-introductory information DM 1  is to be provided may be selected depending on intention of the user  5  (for example, depending on presence of start of the electric manual). 
     Modification 2 
     In the first embodiment, function-briefing information DM 2  is transmitted only when a utilization determination signal of a recommended function M given by the user  5  is detected. However, the function-briefing information DM 2  may be automatically transmitted as transmission information in the following way. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10 , in a TV apparatus  1 , a recommended function M is determined as in the steps S 11  and S 12  (step S 27 ), and function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  about the function M are acquired (step S 28 ). Then, the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  are sequentially automatically transmitted to the second display  2  (steps S 29  and S 30 ). In the second display  2 , for example, a function introduction screen A is displayed on a display section  21  ( FIG. 11A ), and then display is automatically changed from the function introduction screen A to a function explanation screen B ( FIG. 11B ). Such automatic display change may be performed through transmission of a relevant control signal from the TV apparatus  1 , or may be performed according to control at the second display  2 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  schematically shows an arrangement of an electronic device (video camera  4 ), a TV apparatus  1 B and a second display according to a second embodiment. The video camera  4  is connected to the TV apparatus  1 B via a predetermined wiring line  40  (for example, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) or USB (Universal Serial Bus)). In the embodiment, electronic manual information (function-introductory information and function-briefing information) about operation of the video camera  4  is transmitted to the second display  2  via the TV apparatus  1 B. In other words, a recommended function M is determined depending on a current use condition and operation history of the video camera  4 , and function-introductory information DM 1  and function-briefing information DM 2  about the recommended function M are transmitted to the second display  2  via the TV apparatus  1 B as a communication unit. 
     Configuration of Video Camera  4  and the Like 
       FIG. 13  shows a detailed block configuration of each of the video camera  4  and the TV apparatus  1 B. Since a block configuration of the second display  2  is the same as in the first embodiment, description of the configuration is omitted. 
     TV Apparatus  1 B 
     The TV apparatus  1 B includes a display section  11 , a display controller  110 , a holding section  13 B, a transmission section  15 , a transmission controller  150 , an operation detector  16 , a transmission/reception section  19  and a transmission/reception controller  190 . In other words, the TV apparatus  1 B has the holding section  13 B in place of the holding section  13  of the TV apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 2 , and additionally has the transmission/reception section  19  and the transmission/reception controller  190  with the display content determination section  12  and the transmission information determination section  14  being removed. 
     The holding section  13 B is a memory for holding image display data and the like to be supplied to the display controller  110 . The holding section  13 B may include various storage media like the holding section  13 . In the following description, function-introductory information DM 1 , function-briefing information DM 2  and detection data DF are transmitted through the holding section  13 B. However, the data and information may not be necessarily transmitted through the holding section  13 B. 
     The transmission/reception section  19  has a function to transmit the detection data DF to the video camera  4 , and a function to receive the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  from the video camera  4 . The transmission/reception controller  190  controls transmission/reception operation of the transmission/reception section  19 , and has a function to transfer the detection data DF, the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  between the transmission/reception section  19  and the holding section  13 B. 
     Video Camera  4   
     The video camera  4  includes a transmission/reception section  41 , a transmission/reception controller  410 , a holding section  42 , and a transmission information determination section  44 . 
     The transmission/reception section  41  has a function to receive the detection data DF from the transmission/reception section  19  of the TV apparatus  1 B, and a function to transmit the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  to the transmission/reception section  19 . The transmission/reception controller  410  controls transmission/reception operation of the transmission/reception section  41 . The transmission/reception controller  410  further has a function to transfer each of the detection data DF, the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  between the transmission/reception section  41  and the holding section  42 , or the transmission information determination section  44 . 
     The holding section  42  is a memory for holding the function-introductory information DM 1 , the function-briefing information DM 2  and a correspondence table  130 . Various storage media may be used for the holding section  42  like the holding section  13 . 
     The transmission information determination section  44  determines transmission information to be transmitted to the second display  2  depending on a current use condition and operation history of the user  5  (by using the predetermined correspondence table  130 ). A basic function of the transmission information determination section  44  is the same as that of the transmission information determination section  14  in the first embodiment. 
     Operation and Effect of Video Camera  4  and the Like 
     Next, operation and effect of each of the video camera  4  and the TV apparatus  1 B are described. 
     In the TV apparatus  1 B, the detection data DF acquired by the operation detector  16  are supplied to the transmission/reception section  19  via the holding section  13 B and the transmission/reception controller  190 , and in turn transmitted to the video camera  4  from the transmission/reception section  19 . 
     In the video camera  4 , the transmission/reception section  41  receives the detection data DF, and supplies the data to the transmission information determination section  44  via the transmission/reception controller  410  and the holding section  42 . The transmission information determination section  44  determines a recommended function M depending on a current use condition and operation history of the user  5  (by using the predetermined correspondence table  130 ), and determines transmission information for transmitting function-introductory information DM 1  about the recommended function M to the second display  2 . The determined function-introductory information DM 1  is supplied from the holding section  42  to the transmission/reception section  41  via the transmission information determination section  44  and the transmission/reception controller  410 , and in turn transmitted to the TV apparatus  1 B from the transmission/reception section  41 . 
     The transmission/reception section  19  of the TV apparatus  1 B receives the function-introductory information DM 1 , and supplies the information DM 1  to the transmission section  15  via the transmission/reception controller  190 , the holding section  13 B and the transmission controller  150 . The transmission section  15  transmits the function-introductory information DM 1  as the transmission information to the second display  2 . After the function-introductory information DM 1  is transmitted, the function-briefing information DM 2  is transmitted in the same way. 
     As described above, in the embodiment, transmission operation of the function-introductory information DM 1  and the function-briefing information DM 2  is indirectly performed during use of the video camera  4  by using (via) the TV apparatus  1 B instead of the video camera  4  (electronic device). Consequently, for example, even if an electronic device does not have a communication unit, the same effects as in the first embodiment may be obtained by using the TV apparatus  1 B as a communication unit. 
     While the invention has been described with the embodiments and the modifications hereinbefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiment and the like, and various modifications or alterations may be made. For example, content or kinds of the information (operation screen data, function-introductory information and function-briefing information) described in the embodiments and the like are not limitative, and other content or kinds of information may be used. 
     While the embodiments and the like have been described with a case as an example where a recommended function M is determined depending on a current use condition or operation history of the user  5 , this is not limitative. For example, when an electronic device has an imaging function such as a camera function, imaging data of a face of the user  5  may be used to determine the recommended function M. In such a case, for example, the correspondence table  130  beforehand holds an appropriate function set in correspondence to each of several categories about sex, age, expression and the like of the user. Sex, age, expression and the like of the user are extracted from actually obtained imaging data, and the extracted information and the correspondence table  130  are used to select an appropriate function, and the selected function may be determined as the recommended function M. 
     Furthermore, while the embodiments and the like have been described with a case as an example where one of several functions is determined as a recommended function M, the number of recommended functions M may be not only one but also two or more. In this case, two or more pieces of function-introductory information DM 1  determined as transmission information may be sequentially or randomly transmitted to the second display  2 , or may be collectively transmitted to the second display  2  and then sequentially or randomly displayed according to control at the second display  2 . 
     The invention may be applied to a so-called multi-screen display  6  having a main display section  11 A and several sub display sections  11 C, for example, as shown in  FIG. 14A . In such a multi-screen display  6 , for example, the function introduction screen A may be continuously displayed on one sub display section  11 C. Furthermore, the invention may be applied not only to such a display but also to a projector  7 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 14B . In this case, for example, a main display  11 D and several sub displays  11 E may be separately displayed in a projection display region  7 A, and, for example, a function introduction screen A for a recommended function M may be continuously displayed on one sub display  11 E. 
     The block configurations of the TV apparatus, the second display and the video camera described in the embodiments and the like are not limitative, and other block configurations may be used. Furthermore, the above-mentioned electronic device and external display device (second display) are not limitative, and the invention may be applied to other types of devices. 
     Furthermore, while the embodiments and the like have been described with a case as an example where the TV apparatus is connected to the second display through a wiring line, and information is transmitted via the wiring line, such wire transmission is not limitative, and wireless transmission may be used. Moreover, for example, it is acceptable that function-introductory information and the like are outputted from the TV apparatus to a storage device such as USB memory, and the information stored in the USB memory is used for display on the second display. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalent thereof.