Abstract:
An information processing apparatus including: a display being capable of displaying moving image data having a predetermined outer peripheral area and having a first resolution; a moving image data generating section that generates the moving image data having a second resolution; a first scaling section that performs scaling processing so that an area except the predetermined outer peripheral area in the moving image data having the second resolution substantially matches the first resolution; and a displaying section that causes the display to display the area except the predetermined outer peripheral area in the moving image data subjected to the scaling processing by the first scaling section.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-213617, filed on Jul. 21, 2004; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to an information processing apparatus that can display image data on a display and a display control method for use in the apparatus.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     When a TV broadcast video signal is displayed on a screen of a CRT TV receiver, generally the video signal contains an image area on which viewer eyes fall and a control area called an overscan area existing in the surroundings of the image area and existing in an area on which viewer eyes do not fall.  
         [0006]     To display TV broadcast video using a display different in standard from a CRT TV receiver, the user eyes may fall on the overscan area that is obtrusive for the viewer.  
         [0007]     For example, in a personal computer containing a TV tuner, etc., not only graphics (still image), but also video (moving image) of TV broadcast, etc., can be recorded on a record medium and can be reproduced on a screen of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). When video produced assuming that the video is viewed with a CRT TV receiver, etc., is taken into the personal computer, the video is recorded and reproduced also containing the overscan area and when the video is output to the LCD, the user eyes fall on the overscan area in the form of noise, etc., and the user feels displeasure.  
         [0008]     To display a video signal in a letter box format containing a no-image portion providing no image information on a screen although it differs from the overscan area, a related art of suppressing display of the no-image portion is known. For example, JP-A-10-233976 discloses a TV receiver including vertical scaling up means for scaling up video signal in the vertical direction and horizontal scaling up means for scaling up video signal in the horizontal direction so that the no-image portion of the video signal in the letter box format is not viewed from the display.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     However, the related art disclosed in JP-A-10-233976 is intended for a TV receiver for receiving TV video and is not intended for an information processing apparatus that can display both a moving image and a still image like the personal computer described above. Thus, each of a moving image having an overscan area and a still image having no overscan area cannot be displayed in the appropriate form on the LCD of the personal computer, etc.  
         [0010]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a display control method capable of displaying image data on a display in the appropriate form. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the appearance of a computer according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the computer in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a drawing to describe a window mode;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a drawing to describe a full screen mode;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are drawings showing a screen example for performing alpha blending processing of video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data);  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a high quality video engine installed in the computer in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a drawing showing an example of scaling processing for displaying an image on an LCD screen as video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data) are alpha-blended;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a drawing showing another example of scaling processing for displaying an image on an LCD screen as video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data) are alpha-blended;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a drawing showing an example of an interface for appropriately displaying video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data) on the LCD screen;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a drawing showing an example of a setting screen provided by an application for enabling the user to specify the display suppression range (containing an overscan area) on the LCD screen; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing a procedure of display control processing executed in the computer in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is shown an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]     To begin with, the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The information processing apparatus is implemented as a notebook personal computer  10 , for example.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the notebook personal computer  10  with a display unit thereof open. The computer  10  is made up of a computer main unit  11  and a display unit  12 . A display implemented as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  17  is built in the display unit  12 , and a display screen of the LCD  17  is positioned almost in the center of the display unit  12 .  
         [0025]     The display unit  12  is attached to the computer main unit  11  for rotation between an open position and a closed position of the computer. The computer main unit  11  has a thin box-shaped cabinet on which a keyboard  13 , a power button  14  for turning on/off power of the computer  10 , an input operation panel  15 , a touch pad  16 , and the like are placed.  
         [0026]     The input operation panel  15  is an input unit for inputting an event corresponding to the pressed button and includes a plurality of buttons for starting a plurality of functions. The buttons also contain a TV start button  15 A and a DVD/CD start button  15 B. The TV start button  15 A is a button for reproducing TV broadcast program data. When the user presses the TV start button  15 A, an application program for reproducing TV broadcast program data is started automatically. The DVD/CD start button  15 B is a button for reproducing video content recorded on a DVD or a CD. When the user presses the DVD/CD start button  15 B, an application program for reproducing video content is started automatically.  
         [0027]     To display moving image data such as TV broadcast program data or video content on the LCD  17  with high image quality, the computer  10  of the embodiment is provided with a function of automatically putting the moving image data into high image quality when the moving image data is reproduced.  
         [0028]     Next, the system configuration of the computer  10  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the computer  10  includes a CPU  111 , a north bride  112 , main memory  113 , a graphics controller  114 , a high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , a TMDS (Rx) processing section  116 , an LVDS (Tx) processing section  117 , a switch  118 , a south bridge  119 , a BIOS-ROM  120 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  121 , an optical disk drive (ODD)  122 , a TV tuner  123 , an embedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC)  124 , and the like.  
         [0030]     The CPU  111  is a processor provided for controlling the operation of the computer  10  and executes the operating system (OS) and various application programs loaded into the main memory  113  from the hard disk drive (HDD)  121 .  
         [0031]     The OS has a window system for displaying a plurality of windows on a display screen.  
         [0032]     Moving image data (for example, TV broadcast program data received by the TV tuner  123 , video content recorded on a storage medium such as a DVD or an HDD, etc.,) is displayed in a window corresponding to a video reproduction application program for reproducing the moving image data. In this case, for example, the window corresponding to the video reproduction application program is placed on a desktop screen and the moving image data is displayed in the window (window mode).  
         [0033]     The computer  10  can also display the moving image data on the display screen of the LCD  17  in a full screen mode. In the full screen mode, basically the moving image data is displayed in almost all area on the display screen, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this case, the desktop screen and the window corresponding to any application program other than the video reproduction application program are not displayed as a rule. A menu bar, etc., of the window corresponding to the video reproduction application program is not displayed either and the moving image data is displayed in almost all area on the display screen.  
         [0034]     However, the moving image data may be subjected to blending (for example, alpha blending) processing of superposing graphics data (still image data), for example, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The display screen shown in  FIG. 5A  is a screen displaying video provided by performing blending processing of still image data  302  into moving image data  301  on the LCD  17 . In this case, the size of the still image data  302  is smaller than that of the moving image data  301 .  
         [0035]     Video provided by performing blending processing of still image data  303  of substantially the same size as the moving image data  301  into the moving image data  301  may be displayed on the LCD  17 .  FIG. 5B  shows an example of the screen.  
         [0036]     The CPU  111  also executes system BIOS (Basic Input Output System) stored in the BIOS-ROM  120 . The system BIOS is a program for controlling hardware.  
         [0037]     The north bride  112  is a bridge device for connecting a local bus of the CPU  111  and the south bridge  119 . The north bride  112  contains a memory controller for controlling access to the main memory  113 . The north bride  112  also has a function of executing communications with the graphics controller  114  via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus, etc.  
         [0038]     The graphics controller  114  is a display controller for controlling the LCD  17  used as a display monitor of the computer  10 . The graphics controller  114  has video memory (VRAM) and generates a video signal for forming a display image displayed on the LCD  17  from display data drawn in the video memory (VRAM) by OS/application program. The display image displayed on the LCD  17  usually is made up of the image of the desktop screen and the image of each window placed on the desktop screen. However, to display the moving image data in the full screen mode, the display image displayed on the LCD  17  usually is implemented as the image of the moving image data. Therefore, to display the moving image data in the full screen mode, the video signal for forming the display image of the moving image data is output from the graphics controller  114 .  
         [0039]     The video signal generated by the graphics controller  114  is output to a line  1  and a line  2 A. The video signal output to the line  1  is implemented as an 18-bit signal in LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) format, for example. The video signal output to the line  2 A is implemented as a 24-bit signal in TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) format, for example. The graphics controller  114  also has an interface for outputting an analog video signal to an external CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an interface for outputting an analog video signal through an S video terminal to an external machine.  
         [0040]     Further, the graphics controller  114  also has a scaling function to change the resolution and the aspect ratio of still image data of graphics, etc. When still image data of graphics, etc., needs to be blended (for example, alpha-blended) into moving image data, the graphics controller  114  can send the still image data to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  together with the moving image data.  
         [0041]     The TMDS (Rx) processing section  116  converts the 24-bit signal in the TMDS format sent from the graphics controller  114  via the line  2 A into a 24-bit RGB digital signal and sends the 24-bit RGB digital signal to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  via a line  2 B.  
         [0042]     The high quality video engine (HVE)  115  is a video processing controller for executing video processing to put the video signal generated by the graphics controller  114  into high image quality, which will be hereinafter referred to as image quality correction processing. The high quality video engine (HVE)  115  has video memory (VRAM)  115 A.  
         [0043]     The image quality correction processing is executed in the video memory (VRAM)  115 A. The image quality correction processing is video processing dedicated to a moving image to put a moving image into high image quality and is executed to display a smooth high-quality moving image on the LCD  17 . In the image quality correction processing, processing of contrast adjustment, brightness adjustment, hue adjustment, saturation adjustment, gamma correction, white balance adjustment, intensity adjustment, sharpness adjustment, edge enhancement, response speed improvement, etc., can be performed to improve the image quality of a moving image.  
         [0044]     The high quality video engine (HVE)  115  can also perform the image quality correction processing for a video signal input from an external video machine through a composite input terminal.  
         [0045]     The video signal subjected to the image quality correction by the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  is sent via a line  2 C to the LVDS (Tx) processing section  117 .  
         [0046]     The LVDS (Tx) processing section  117  converts the RGB digital signal subjected to the image quality correction output from the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  into a signal in LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) format and outputs the signal in the LVDS format to a line  2 D. To use an external LCD panel, a connection terminal is connected to output of the LVDS (Tx) processing section  117 .  
         [0047]     Further, the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  also has a scaling function to change the resolution and the aspect ratio of the video signal. The video signal is scaled after image quality correction processing of the video signal is executed. The moving image can be displayed with higher image quality by performing image quality correction processing for pre-scaled data and scaling the video signal subjected to the image quality correction processing rather than by performing image quality correction processing for the post-scaled video signal.  
         [0048]     The switch  118  functions as a selector for selectively outputting one of a video signal generated by the graphics controller  114  and a video signal subjected to image quality correction by the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  to the LCD  17 . The switch  118  has a first input terminal connected to the line  1 , a second input terminal connected to the line  2 D, and an output terminal connected to the LCD  17 . The switch  118  selects one of the first input terminal and the second input terminal in response to a switch control signal SW supplied from the EC/KBC  124  and connects the selected input terminal to the output terminal.  
         [0049]     In the embodiment, the switch  118  makes it possible to use the following two display control modes:  
         [0050]     (1) Normal mode: In the normal mode, the video signal from the graphics controller  114  is sent to the LCD  17  not via the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 . The normal mode is used when the display image displayed on the LCD  17  contains a still image, for example.  
         [0051]     (2) High image quality mode: In the high image quality mode, the video signal from the graphics controller  114  is sent to the LCD  17  via the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 . The high image quality mode is used to display moving image data (containing the case where still image data is blended) in the full screen mode, for example.  
         [0052]     However, the specific example of switching of the switch  118  described above is only one example, and the high image quality mode may be adopted at all times regardless of a moving image or a still image.  
         [0053]     The south bridge  119  controls devices on an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus. The south bridge  119  contains an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the HDD  121  and the ODD  122 . Further, the south bridge  119  also has a function to control the TV tuner  123  and a function to control access to the BIOS-ROM  120 .  
         [0054]     The optical disk drive (ODD)  122  a drive unit for driving a storage medium such as a DVD or a CD storing video content. The TV tuner  123  is a receiver for receiving broadcast program data of a TV broadcast program, etc.  
         [0055]     The embedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC)  124  is a one-chip microcomputer into which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard (KB)  13  and the touch pad  16  are integrated. The embedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC)  124  has a function of turning on/off the power of the computer  10  in response to user&#39;s operation of the power button  14 .  
         [0056]     Further, the embedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC)  124  has a function of setting and changing the rightness of illumination (backlight, etc.,) of the LCD  17 , a function of communicating with the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  via the I2C bus, and a function of supplying the above-mentioned switch control signal SW to the switch  118 .  
         [0057]     Next, a configuration example of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 .  
         [0058]     As shown in the figure, the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  includes an RGB/YUV conversion section  201 , an image quality correction processing section  202 , an alpha blending processing section  203 , a scaling processing section  204 , a scaling register  205 , a YUV/RGB conversion section  206 , and the like. The placement relationships among the elements may be changed whenever necessary.  
         [0059]     The RGB/YUV conversion section  201  converts a video signal transmitted from the graphics controller  114  through the TMDS (Rx) processing section  116  from the 24-bit RGB signal into a 24-bit YUV signal.  
         [0060]     The image quality correction processing section  202  performs operation processing on the YUV signal for image quality correction (contrast adjustment, brightness adjustment, hue adjustment, saturation adjustment, gamma correction, white balance adjustment, intensity adjustment, sharpness adjustment, edge enhancement, response speed improvement, etc.).  
         [0061]     When still image data of graphics, etc., is input together with moving image data, the alpha blending processing section  203  performs blending processing of the still image data into the moving image data based on a variable representing transparency (alpha). The variable (alpha) determines the transparency of the still image data blended into the moving image data. The alpha blending processing section  203  is not limited to placement between the image quality correction processing section  202  and the scaling processing section  204 . For example, the alpha blending processing section  203  may be placed following the scaling processing section  204 .  
         [0062]     The scaling processing section  204  performs scaling processing of the YUV signal subjected to image quality correction in accordance with scaling parameter information set in the scaling register  205 . The scaling processing is processing to change the size (resolution) of moving image data. As the scaling processing is performed, the size (resolution) of the moving image data is changed to the size suited for the size of the display screen of the LCD  17  (panel resolution). The scaling parameter information contains the resolution of moving image data (and still image data), the aspect ratio of moving image data (and still image data), the panel resolution of the LCD  17 , the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of moving image data (and still image data), etc. The panel resolution of the LCD  17  may be not only the physical resolution, but also the screen resolution set by the user.  
         [0063]     The scaling parameter information stored in the scaling processing section  204  can be set and changed by the EC/KBC  124 . When moving image data and still image data are input, basically scaling processing based on the common enlargement ratio or reduction ratio to both is performed, but change may be made so that scaling processing based on different enlargement ratios or reduction ratios is performed.  
         [0064]     The YUV/RGB conversion section  206  converts the scaled video signal from the YUV signal into an RGB signal. This RGB signal is sent to the LCD  17 .  
         [0065]     In addition, a mask processing section for performing masking processing for the surrounding portion of the moving image data input to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  may be provided. The mask processing section may be contained in the scaling processing section  204 . In this case, the mask processing section also includes a register for storing masking parameter information indicating the image range for masking, and the configuration is set so that the masking parameter information can be set and changed by the EC/KBC  124 .  
         [0066]     The processing to put into high image quality, performed by the processing sections described above may be performed for the RGB video signal rather than for the YUV video signal.  
         [0067]     Next, an example of scaling processing for displaying an image on the screen of the LCD  17  as video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data) are alpha-blended will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0068]     It is assumed that the screen (panel) of the LCD  17  has a first resolution (1024×768).  
         [0069]     As shown in (a) in  FIG. 7 , video information received by the TV tuner  123  or video information  101 A stored in a storage medium such as a DVD has a second resolution (720×480), for example. The video information  101 A contains viewer-oriented information (for example, actual content, etc.,)  101 B and an overscan area  101 C surrounding the viewer-oriented information  101 B. The video information is sent to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  through the graphics controller  114  as a YUV signal with the second resolution (720×480) intact.  
         [0070]     On the other hand, as shown in (b) in  FIG. 7 , graphics information  102 A generated in the graphics controller  114  as a third resolution (400×200), for example. The graphics information  102 A having the third resolution (400×200) is sent to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  as an RGB signal.  
         [0071]     As shown in (c) in  FIG. 7 , the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  performs alpha blending processing of the video information  101 A having the second resolution (720×480) and the graphics information  102 A having the third resolution (400×200). Video information  103 A with a still image  103 B subjected to alpha blending processing is generated in an area except an overscan area  103 C.  
         [0072]     As shown in (d) in  FIG. 7 , the video information  103 A generated by the alpha blending processing is scaled up by a scaling processing function of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  at the enlargement ratio satisfying the condition described below to generate video information  104 A. The resolution of the video information  104 A after scaled up becomes larger than the resolution (1024×768) of the screen of the LCD  17 . As graphics information  103 B is scaled up, graphics information  104 D contained in the video information  104 A after scaled up is generated.  
         [0073]     The enlargement ratio satisfying the condition to scale up the video information  103 A to the video information  104 A is the enlargement ratio for causing an overscan area  101 C in the video information  104 A to overflow the resolution of the LCD screen. That is, it is the enlargement factor at which the size of an area  104 B which is not the overscan area  104 C in the video information  104 A roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 . As the video information  103 A is scaled up to the video information  104 A at the enlargement ratio, the viewer eyes do not fall on the overscan area  104 C and fall on the area  104 B which is not the overscan area  104 C in the video information.  
         [0074]     In the example in (d) in  FIG. 7 , the size of the still image  104 D after scaled up is smaller than the size of the screen of the LCD  17  (1024×768), but scaling processing may be performed so that the size of the still image  104 D after scaled up roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 . In this case, for example, the reduction ratio in the scaling processing described in (b) in  FIG. 7  may be adjusted or the position of the still image relative to the moving image in the alpha blending processing may be adjusted. The enlargement ratio in the scaling processing described in (d) in  FIG. 7  may be adjusted.  
         [0075]     The size of the overscan area is not definitely determined; it is desirable that the width of the area off the screen on which the viewer eyes do not fall should be set to about 20 dots in the horizontal direction and about 40 lines in the vertical direction, for example.  
         [0076]     The image data generated by performing the processing in  FIG. 7  is displayed on the LCD  17  in the form as shown above in  FIG. 5A , for example.  
         [0077]     Next, an example of scaling processing for displaying an image on the screen of the LCD  17  as video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data) are alpha-blended will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 .  
         [0078]     It is assumed that the screen (panel) of the LCD  17  has the first resolution (1024×768).  
         [0079]     As shown in (a) in  FIG. 8 , video information received by the TV tuner  123  or video information  201 A stored in a storage medium such as a DVD has the second resolution (720×480), for example. The video information  201 A contains viewer-oriented information (for example, actual content, etc.,)  201 B and an overscan area  201 C surrounding the viewer-oriented information  201 B. The video information is sent to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  through the graphics controller  114  as a YUV signal with the second resolution (720×480) intact.  
         [0080]     On the other hand, as shown in (b) in  FIG. 8 , graphics information  202 A generated in the graphics controller  114  has the second resolution (720×480), for example. The graphics information  202 A is scaled down to a third resolution (700×400), for example, by a scaling processing function of the graphics controller  114 . The reduction ratio at this time can be determined by referencing the resolution (size) of the video information  201 A and the size of the viewer-oriented information  201 B, for example. The reduction ratio may be set fixedly or may be set or changed in response to the video information display size specified by the user through a setting screen. Graphics information  202 B scaled down to the third resolution (700×400) is sent to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  as an RGB signal.  
         [0081]     As shown in (c) in  FIG. 8 , the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  performs alpha blending processing of the video information  201 A having the second resolution (720×480) and the graphics information  202 B having the third resolution (700×400). Video information  203 A with a still image  203 B subjected to alpha blending processing is generated in an area except an overscan area  203 C.  
         [0082]     As shown in (d) in  FIG. 8 , the video information  203 A generated by the alpha blending processing is scaled up by the scaling processing function of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  at enlargement ratio from the third resolution (700×400) to the first resolution (1024×768) (enlargement ratio larger than general enlargement ratio) As a result, the resolution of the video information  204 A after scaled up becomes larger than the resolution (1024×768) of the screen of the LCD  17 . Graphics information  204 B after scaled up matches the resolution (1024×768) of the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0083]     The enlargement ratio satisfying the condition to scale up the video information  203 A to the video information  204 A is the enlargement ratio for causing an overscan area  204 C in the video information  204 A to overflow the resolution of the LCD screen. That is, it is the enlargement factor at which the size of an area  204 B which is not the overscan area  204 C in the video information  204 A roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 . As the video information  203 A is scaled up to the video information  204 A at the enlargement ratio, the viewer eyes do not fall on the overscan area  204 C and fall on the area  204 B which is not the overscan area  204 C in the video information. In the example in (d) in  FIG. 8 , the size of the still image after scaled up roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0084]     The size of the overscan area is not definitely determined; it is desirable that the width of the area off the screen on which the viewer eyes do not fall should be set to about 20 dots in the horizontal direction and about 40 lines in the vertical direction, for example.  
         [0085]     The image data generated by performing the processing in  FIG. 8  is displayed on the LCD  17  in the form as shown above in  FIG. 5B , for example.  
         [0086]      FIG. 9  is a drawing to show an example of an interface for appropriately displaying video information (moving image data) and graphics information (still image data) on the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0087]     An OS  151  manages an application  152 , etc., and can send a notification of the desktop screen size (corresponding to the LCD screen size), etc., as required.  
         [0088]     The application  152  can acquire the resolution (size) of the LCD screen from the OS  151 , etc., can acquire the resolution (size) of video information and the resolution (size) of graphics information, and can acquire information specified by the user on a predetermined setting screen (information indicating the user specifies which of a limitation mode (first mode) to suppress displaying the surrounding portion (containing an overscan area) in video information on the LCD screen and a non-limitation mode (second mode) to display the surrounding portion, information specifying the range of a moving image not to be displayed on the LCD screen, etc.,).  
         [0089]     The application  152  can determine the reduction ratio of scaling processing to be performed in the graphics controller  114 , the enlargement ratio of scaling processing of video information (and still image information) to be performed in the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , etc., can control the graphics controller  114  through a driver  153  so as to perform scaling processing of graphics information at the determined reduction ratio, and can control the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  through system BIOS  120 A and the EC/KBC  124  so as to perform scaling processing of video information at the determined enlargement ratio. Further, the application  152  may be designed to determine the mask range to mask video information and control the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  through the system BIOS  120 A and the EC/KBC  124  so as to perform masking processing in the mask range.  
         [0090]     The driver  153  can control the graphics controller  114  in accordance with a command from the application  152  and can start a specific function of the system BIOS  120 A. For example, the driver  153  sets the reduction ratio or the enlargement ratio of the scaling processing of graphics information in the graphics controller  114 . When graphics information to be alpha-blended into video information exists, the graphics information may be scaled down to a predetermined resolution.  
         [0091]     The graphics controller  114  not only can send video information to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  as a YUV signal, but also can send the graphics information to be alpha-blended into the video information to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  as an RGB signal. The graphics controller  114  can also perform scaling processing of graphics information at the reduction ratio set by the driver  153  before sending the graphics information to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 .  
         [0092]     When the system BIOS  120 A is called from the driver  153 , it starts a specific function and sets information indicating the enlargement ratio of scaling processing of video information (and still image information) to be performed in the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  in a predetermined register of the EC/KBC  124 . Further, the system BIOS  120 A may be designed to set information indicating the mask range to perform masking processing of video information in a predetermined register of the EC/KBC  124 .  
         [0093]     When information concerning the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  is set in a predetermined register of the EC/KBC  124 , the EC/KBC  124  sets information indicating the enlargement ratio of scaling processing of video information (and still image information) in the scaling register  205  of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 . Further, the EC/KBC  124  may be designed to set information indicating the mask range to perform masking processing of video information in a predetermined register of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 .  
         [0094]     The high quality video engine (HVE)  115  performs scaling processing for the input video information at the enlargement ratio set in the scaling register  205  and displays the post-processed video information on the LCD  17 . In this case, the resolution of the video information after subjected to the scaling processing becomes larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . Particularly, the overscan area overflows the screen of the LCD  17  and the size of user-oriented information roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0095]     When not only the video information, but also the graphics information subjected to the scaling down processing in the graphics controller  114  is input to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  alphas-blends the graphics information into the video information and then performs scaling processing at the enlargement ratio set in the scaling register  205 , for example.  
         [0096]     When graphics information not subjected to the scaling down processing by the graphics controller  114  is input to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  may perform scaling processing of video information and the graphics information at different enlargement ratios. At this time, a modification may be made so as to perform alpha blending processing after the scaling processing. In this case, however, the resolution of the video information after subjected to the scaling processing is made larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  (particularly, the overscan area is made to overflow the screen of the LCD  17  and the size of user-oriented information is made to roughly match the size of the screen of the LCD  17 ) and the resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing is made to fall within the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . (The resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing may be larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  in some cases.).  
         [0097]     When graphics information not subjected to the scaling down processing in the graphics controller  114  is input, scaling processing of the graphics information and video information from which the surrounding portion (the portion corresponding to the overscan area) is excluded may be performed at different enlargement ratios. In this case, however, the resolution of the video information after subjected to the scaling processing is made to match the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  and the resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing is made to fall within the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . (The resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing may be larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  in some cases.)  
         [0098]     When graphics information not subjected to the scaling down processing in the graphics controller  114  is input, masking processing may be performed for the surrounding portion in input video information based on the mask range information set in the predetermined register before scaling processing of the graphics information and the video information is performed. In this case, the resolution of the video information containing the mask portion after subjected to the scaling processing is made to match the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  and the resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing is made to fall within the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . (The resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing may be larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  in some cases.)  
         [0099]     When the parameters of the enlargement ratio, the reduction ratio, etc., used for the scaling processing are fixed values, processing of setting or changing the parameters dynamically through the OS  151 , the application  152 , the driver  153 , the system BIOS  120 A, the EC/KBC  124 , etc., shown in  FIG. 9  becomes unnecessary (similar description applies when the parameters used for the masking processing are fixed values).  
         [0100]     The software specifications may be changed for setting the resolution of generated graphics information smaller than the resolution of video information. For example, the resolution 720×480 is set to 700×400. Alternatively, the application  152  may transfer information to and from the OS  151  assuming that the resolution of graphics information is 720×480, and may transfer information to and from the driver  153  assuming that the resolution of graphics information is 700×400. In doing so, the graphics information scaling down processing in the graphics controller  114  becomes unnecessary.  
         [0101]     By the way, how much noise appears in the overscan area varies depending on various conditions. The mentality for the overscan area varies largely from one video producer to another; the mentality largely differs making a comparison between the age in which video display means was almost limited to a CRT TV receiver and the future. Considering such a point, it is desirable that the user should be allowed to specify the display suppression range on the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0102]      FIG. 10  is a drawing to show an example of a setting screen provided by the application for enabling the user to specify the display suppression range (containing the overscan area) on the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0103]     The setting screen shown in the figure is a screen for the user to make setting concerning display limitation in displaying video information on the LCD  17 .  
         [0104]     Provided at the top of the setting screen is a set item  300  for the user to specify one of a limitation mode to limit video information display (namely, to display only the area of viewer-oriented information and not to display the overscan area) and a non-limitation mode not to limit video information display (namely, to display both the area of viewer-oriented information and the overscan area). The set item  300  is provided with an ON area and an OFF area. When the user clicks on the ON area, the limitation mode is set; when the user clicks on the OFF area, the non-limitation mode is set.  
         [0105]     Provided in the lower portion of the setting screen is an area for the user to specify the area range to limit video information display in the limitation mode when the user clicks on the ON area. In the area, the user cannot make setting in the non-limitation mode and can make setting in the limitation mode.  
         [0106]     A rectangular area  301  in the lower portion of the setting screen represents the whole displayed video information. The hatched area in the area  301  represents an area containing the overscan area to be non-displayed, which will be hereinafter referred to as “non-display area.” The inner area represents an area to be displayed, which will be hereinafter referred to as “display area.” 
         [0107]     Provided in the lower portion of the setting screen are a first control bar for controlling the width of the non-display area positioned at the top and the bottom of the area  301  and a second control bar for controlling the width of the non-display area positioned at the left and the right of the area  301 . One-way arrows  302 A and  302 B attached to the first control bar and one-way arrows  303 A and  303 B attached to the second control bar indicate the boundary between the non-display area and the display area.  
         [0108]     When the user clicks on the portion of the two-way arrow in each control bar, the width of the display area is widened one bit at a time or one line at a time in both directions (at this time, the one-way arrows also move). When the user clicks on the portion of the two-way arrow in each control bar with a Ctrl key pressed, the width of both sides of the non-display area is widened one bit at a time or one line at a time in both directions (at this time, the one-way arrows also move). As the user drags each of the one-way arrows  302 A,  302 B,  303 A, and  303 B, the four boundary lines between the non-display area and the display area can be moved separately.  
         [0109]     The settings made on the setting screen are acquired by the application  152  and are used to determine the enlargement ratio, the reduction ratio in various types of scaling processing or determine the mask range in masking processing, etc.  
         [0110]     Next, an example of the operation of display control processing will be discussed with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 11  (also with reference to other drawings of  FIG. 9 , etc., as required).  
         [0111]     The application  152  acquires the desktop screen size (1024×768) corresponding to the screen size of the LCD  17  from the OS  151  (step S 11 ) and also acquires information set by the user on the setting screen (the size of the display area (for example, 700×480) or the size of the non-display area). (step S 12 ).  
         [0112]     The application  152  recognizes the resolution of graphic information (720×480) and the resolution of video information (720×480) based on the specifications, determines the reduction ratio of scaling processing performed in the graphics controller  114 , the enlargement ratio of scaling processing of video information and still image information performed in the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , etc., based on various acquired information pieces, controls the graphics controller  114  through the driver  153  so as to perform scaling processing of graphics information at the determined reduction ratio, and sets the scaling parameter in the scaling register  205  of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  through the system BIOS  120 A and the EC/KBC  124  so as to perform scaling processing of video information at the determined enlargement ratio (step S 13 ).  
         [0113]     The driver  153  controls the graphics controller  114  in accordance with a command from the application  152  so as to scale down graphics information in the graphics controller  114  (graphics information to be alpha-blended into video information) to a predetermined resolution (for example, 700×400). The reduction ratio at this time can be determined by referencing the resolution (size) of the video information and the size of the viewer-oriented information, for example. Accordingly, the graphics controller  114  scales down the resolution of the graphic information to 700×400 (step S 14 ).  
         [0114]     The graphics information with the resolution scaled down to 700×400 is sent from the graphics controller  114  to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 . The video information with the resolution 720×480 is also sent to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 .  
         [0115]     The high quality video engine (HVE)  115  alpha-blends the input graphics information into the input video information (step S 15 ) and performs scaling processing of the video information after subjected to the alpha blending processing at the enlargement ratio set in the scaling register  205  (step S 16 ).  
         [0116]     The enlargement ratio at this time corresponds to the ratio for scaling up from the resolution 700×400 to the resolution 1024×768, for example, (in this case, the enlargement ratio is larger than the standard enlargement ratio for scaling up from the resolution 720×480 to the resolution 1024×768).  
         [0117]     The video information thus subjected to the scaling processing is displayed on the screen of the LCD  17  (step S 17 ).  
         [0118]     As a result, the resolution of the displayed video information becomes larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . Particularly, the overscan area overflows the screen of the LCD  17  and the size of the user-oriented information roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0119]     When the user clicks on the OFF area to set the non-limitation mode on the setting screen shown in  FIG. 10 , control for changing the processing sequence described above becomes necessary. In this case, setting change of various types of processing is made so as to perform scaling processing of video information at the standard enlargement ratio for scaling up from the resolution 720×480 to the resolution 1024×768 in the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  without performing scaling processing of scaling down graphics information under the control of the application  152 , etc.  
         [0120]     According to the example described above, it is efficiently made possible for user eyes not to fall on the overscan area without performing masking processing, etc. In the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , the common enlargement ratio can be used for scaling processing of video information and graphics information, so that the development cost and the manufacturing cost of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 , etc., can be reduced.  
       MODIFITED EXAMPLE 1  
       [0121]     Next, a modified example of the operation will be discussed. In the modified example, the need for the scaling down processing of the graphics information in the graphics controller  114  can be eliminated. That is, the processing at step S 14  previously described with reference to  FIG. 11  becomes unnecessary. Instead, the graphics information and the video information are input to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  at the same resolution (720×480) and thus the processing at steps S 15  and S 16  change.  
         [0122]     For example, the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  performs scaling processing of the graphics information and video information from which the surrounding portion (the portion corresponding to the overscan area) is excluded at different enlargement ratios and then performs alpha blending processing. In this case, however, the resolution of the video information excluding the overscan area after subjected to the scaling processing is made to match the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  and the resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing is made to fall within the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . (The resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing may be larger than the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  in some cases.) At this time, the enlargement ratio for the video information is set to the ratio for scaling up from the resolution 700×400 to the resolution 1024×768, for example. On the other hand, the enlargement ratio for the graphics information is set to the ratio for scaling up from the resolution 720×480 to the resolution 1024×768, for example.  
         [0123]     As a result, the resolution of the video information excluding the overscan area roughly matches the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 , and the size of the user-oriented information roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0124]     When the user clicks on the OFF area to set the non-limitation mode on the setting screen shown in  FIG. 10 , control for changing the processing sequence described above becomes necessary. In this case, setting change of various types of processing is made so as to perform scaling processing of graphics information and video information (video information with the surrounding portion (the portion corresponding to the overscan area)) at the standard enlargement ratio for scaling up from the resolution 720×480 to the resolution 1024×768 in the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  under the control of the application  152 , etc.  
         [0125]     According to the example described above, the need for the scaling down processing of the graphics information in the graphics controller  114  can be eliminated. It is efficiently made possible for user eyes not to fall on the overscan area without performing masking processing, etc.  
       MODIFIED EXAMPLE 2  
       [0126]     Next, a modified example of the operation will be discussed. Also in the modified example, the need for the scaling down processing of the graphics information in the graphics controller  114  can be eliminated. That is, the processing at step S 14  previously described with reference to  FIG. 11  becomes unnecessary. Instead, the graphics information and the video information are input to the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  at the same resolution (720×480) and thus the processing at steps S 15  and S 16  change.  
         [0127]     For example, the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  performs masking processing for the surrounding portion (the portion corresponding to the overscan area) in the video information and then performs alpha blending processing and performs scaling processing. In this case, however, the resolution of the video information (containing the mask portion) after subjected to the scaling processing is made to match the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17  and the resolution of the graphics information after subjected to the scaling processing is made to roughly match the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 . At this time, the enlargement ratio used for the scaling processing is set to the standard ratio for scaling up from the resolution 720×480 to the resolution 1024×768.  
         [0128]     As a result, the resolution of the video information containing the mask portion roughly matches the resolution of the screen of the LCD  17 , and the size of the user-oriented information roughly matches the size of the screen of the LCD  17 .  
         [0129]     When the user clicks on the OFF area to set the non-limitation mode on the setting screen shown in  FIG. 10 , control for changing the processing sequence described above becomes necessary. In this case, setting change of various types of processing is made so as to perform the standard scaling processing described above without performing masking processing (with masking processing released).  
         [0130]     According to the example described above, the scaling down processing of the graphics information in the graphics controller  114  can be made unnecessary. The standard enlargement ratio can be used in the scaling processing of the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  and can be set to a fixed value.  
         [0131]     The graphics controller  114  and the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  can also be implemented in one LSI. In this case, the graphics controller  114  and the high quality video engine (HVE)  115  function as two signal processing sections in the LSI.  
         [0132]     In the embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus is a personal computer is illustrated, but the invention is not limited to it and can also be applied to other machines such as a PDA and a mobile telephone.  
         [0133]     In the embodiment, the resolution of the screen of the display is larger than the resolution of graphics information and that of video information and therefore scaling processing of scaling up an image is performed in the high quality video engine (HVE)  115 . When the screen of the display of the information processing apparatus incorporating the invention is small (as with a mobile telephone, etc.,), scaling processing of scaling down an image rather than scaling up processing needs to be performed.  
         [0134]     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above and that the invention can be embodied with the components modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention can be embodied in various forms according to appropriate combinations of the components disclosed in the embodiment described above. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiment. Further, the components in different embodiments may be used appropriately in combination.