Patent Publication Number: US-2015089413-A1

Title: Information display control device, information display control method, and storage medium containing program stored thereon

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an information display control device, an information display control method, and a storage medium containing a program stored thereon. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Typical electronic information display control devices, such as personal computers and smart phones, can execute many applications. Such information display control devices can exchange usable data between two applications. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-58206 discloses a device that can transfer data (a data file) associated with one application to the other application through drag and drop operations by a user. 
     Although this conventional technique can transfer data among a plurality of applications, a user must preliminarily know whether the data can be used in designated applications or not. For example, before specific data is transferred from an application that can use multiple types of data to the other application that can use only the specific data among the multiple types of data, a user must determine the data usable in both applications in advance to avoid erroneous operations such as transmission of wrong data. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an information display control device that can readily determine data usable in a plurality of applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above. 
     An aspect of the present invention is an information display control device including: a display unit; an icon display controller that displays a plurality of application icons on the display unit; and a usable data display controller that displays a mark on the display unit in association with each of the application icons, the mark representing a data type usable in common in applications among a plurality of data types corresponding to the application icons displayed by the icon display controller. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a lesson support system in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a scientific calculator (a student terminal) in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of another scientific calculator (a student terminal) in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a personal computer (a teacher terminal) in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a list on icon information data in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a data transmitting process in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an information display control process in a first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  illustrate example display screens in an information display control process in a first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  illustrate example display screens in an information display control process in a first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 10A to 10C  illustrate example display screens in an information display control process in a first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate example display screens in an information display control process in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a mobile terminal in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a mobile terminal in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a list of icon information data in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an information display control process in a second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 16A to 16C  each illustrate an example touch screen in an information display control process in a second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 17A to 17C  each illustrate an example touch screen in an information display control process in a second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 18A to 18C  each illustrate an example touch screen in an information display control process in a second embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 19A to 19C  each illustrate an example touch screen in an information display control process in a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The scope of the invention, however, should not be limited to the illustrated examples. 
     1 First Embodiment 
     In a first embodiment of the present invention, an information display control device according to the present invention is applied to a personal computer. 
     [1.1 Configuration of Lesson Support System  100 ] 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the schematic configuration of a lesson support system  100  in the first embodiment. 
     The lesson support system  100  supports a lesson using scientific calculators and includes three scientific calculators  2   a  to  2   c  and a personal computer  4  as shown in the drawing. The scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b  are graphic scientific calculators capable of displaying a graph, and the scientific calculator  2   c  is a general scientific calculator capable of calculating only a general function. 
     [1.2 Configuration of Scientific Calculators  2   a  and  2   b  (Student Terminals  5   a  and  5   b )] 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functional configuration of scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b.    
     As shown in the drawing, the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b  each include a display unit  22 , an input unit  21 , a communication unit  26 , a storage medium reading unit  27 , a storage unit  24 , and a central processing unit (CPU)  25 . 
     The display unit  22  includes a display  220  capable of displaying various color information on the display  220  based on display signals from the CPU  25 . 
     The input unit  21  includes a key group  210  and outputs a signal corresponding to the type of the pressed key to the CPU  25 . 
     The communication unit  26  can communicate with a personal computer  4  (a teacher terminal  1  described below) and any other scientific calculator  2 . 
     The storage medium reading unit  27  reads information from a storage medium  27   a  such as an SD card and records information on the storage medium  27   a.    
     The storage unit  24  is a memory that stores programs and data for implementing various functions of the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b  and that functions as a work area of the CPU  25 . In the first embodiment, the storage unit  24  stores a graph function program  240 , memory data  242 , and program data  243 . 
     The graph function program  240  is a basic program of the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b  and is an application (or an application program) for calculating various functions and displaying graphs. 
     The memory data  242  includes setup data, data on a view window or a screen (i.e., data on a display range and a scale interval of the coordinate system), list data, data of the graph displaying range, and graph expression data. 
     The program data  243  includes key operation data indicating operational procedures of the key group  210 . 
     The CPU  25  comprehensively controls individual portions of the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b.  Specifically, the CPU  25  deploys a system program and a specified program among various application programs stored in the storage unit  24 , and performs various processes in cooperation with the deployed program. 
     The scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b  are respectively used as student terminals  5  by different students during a lesson. 
     [1.3 Configuration of Scientific Calculator  2   c  (Student Terminal  5   c )] 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functional configuration of a scientific calculator  2   c.    
     As shown in the drawing, the scientific calculator  2   c  includes a display unit  22 , an input unit  21 , a communication unit  26 , a storage medium reading unit  27 , a storage unit  28 , and a central processing unit (CPU)  25 . That is, the scientific calculator  2   c  includes the storage unit  28  in place of the storage unit  24  in the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b.  Since each portion other than the storage unit  28  has the same configuration as that of the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b,  the redundant description on the configuration is omitted. 
     The storage unit  28  is a memory that stores programs and data for implementing various functions of the scientific calculator  2   c  and that functions as a work area of the CPU  25 . In the first embodiment, the storage unit  28  stores a general function program  280 , memory data  282 , and program data  283 . 
     The general function program  280  is a basic program of the scientific calculator  2   c  and is an application (or an application program) for calculating various functions. 
     The memory data  282  includes setup data and list data, for example. 
     The program data  283  includes key operation data indicating operational procedures of the key group  210 . 
     The scientific calculator  2   c  is used as a student terminal  5  by a student other than the students using the scientific calculators  2   a  and  2   b  during a lesson. 
     [1.4 Configuration of Personal Computer  4  (Teacher Terminal  1 )] 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functional configuration of a personal computer  4 . 
     As shown in the drawing, the personal computer  4  is an information display control device according to the present invention and includes a display unit  42 , an input unit  41 , a storage medium reading unit  47 , a communication unit  46 , a storage unit  44 , and a CPU  45 . 
     The display unit  42  includes a display  420  capable of displaying various color information on the display  420  based on display signals from the CPU  45 . The display  420  is integrated with a touch panel  411  and can receive touch operations by a user. 
     The input unit  41  includes a key group  410  and the touch panel  411  and outputs signals corresponding to the type of the pressed key and the location of the touch panel  411  to the CPU  45 . 
     The storage medium reading unit  47  reads information from a storage medium  47   a  such as an SD card and records information on the storage medium  47   a.    
     The communication unit  46  can communicate with student terminals  5  (scientific calculators  2   a  to  2   c ). 
     The storage unit  44  is a memory that stores programs and data for implementing various functions of the personal computer  4  and that functions as a work area of the CPU  45 . In the first embodiment, the storage unit  44  stores an information display control program  440  according to the invention, an emulation program  441  and icon information data  442 . 
     The information display control program  440  allows the CPU  45  to execute an information display control process described below (see  FIG. 7 ). The information display control program  440  in the first embodiment can emulate the student terminal  5 . 
     The emulation program  441  emulates the scientific calculators  2   a  to  2   c.    
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the icon information data  442  includes application icons K (for example, see  FIG. 8A ) representing applications stored (registered) in association with various pieces of application information. The application information associated with each application icon K includes the application name, the application type, the data types of a plurality of pieces of data used in the application, and data icons L (for example, see  FIG. 9A ) representing the data types. In the first embodiment, an application icon K representing the graph function program  240  and an application icon K representing the general function program  280  are stored in the icon information data  442 . The application icon K representing the graph function program  240  is associated with a plurality of data types including list data, program data A (program data  243 ), graph display range data, and graph expression data. The application icon K representing the general function program  280  is associated with a plurality of data types including list data and program data B (program data  283 ). 
     If external data transmitted from another device can be used in the application represented by any application icon K stored in the icon information data  442 , the external data is stored (registered) as an application icon K+ (for example, see  FIG. 8A ) in the icon information data  442 . The application icon K+ is associated with the same application information as an application icon K representing the application that can use the external data. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the storage unit  44  has a table  443  including data of other devices which is generated for each student terminal  5  in an information display control process (see  FIG. 7 ) described below. The table  443  including the data of other devices includes memory data  242 ,  282  transmitted from the corresponding student terminals  5  and program data  243 ,  283  in association with each other. When the student terminals  5  are emulated, the table  443  is used as their virtual storage units  24 ,  28 . 
     The CPU  45  comprehensively controls individual portions of the personal computer  4 . Specifically, the CPU  45  deploys a system program and a specified program among various application programs stored in the storage unit  44 , and performs various processes in cooperation with the deployed program. 
     The personal computer  4  emulates the scientific calculators  2   a  to  2   c  when the CPU  45  executes the emulation program  441 . Thus, for example, the data area of the virtual storage unit  44  of the virtual scientific calculator implemented by the emulation is formed in the storage unit  44 . At this time, a screen of the display  220  and a key group  210  in the virtual scientific calculator are displayed on the display  420  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The personal computer  4  is used as a teacher terminal  1  by a teacher during the lesson. 
     Now referring back to  FIG. 1 , the personal computer  4  is connected with a projector  402 . The projector  402  enlarges and displays the screen of the display  420  of the personal computer  4 . The projector  402  may be any known projector. 
     [1.5 Operations of Student Terminal  5 ] 
     A data transmitting process executed by a student terminal  5  will now be described. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a data transmitting process. 
     The CPU  25  executes the data transmitting process by deploying the data transmitting program (not shown) upon an execution instruction for the data transmitting process inputted to the student terminal  5  via the input unit  21  by a user. The data transmitting process is executed before an information display control process (see  FIG. 7 ) described below in the teacher terminal  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the CPU  25  detects a key operation by a user (Step W 1 ) in the data transmitting process. The key operation may be a single key operation or may be multiple key operations. 
     The CPU  25  then determines whether a series of key operations detected in Step W 1  is the operation for turning on an transmitting mode (i.e., for permitting transmission) of memory information (memory data  242 ,  282  and program data  243 ,  283 ) in its terminal (a student terminal  5 ) or not (Step W 2 ). 
     In Step W 2 , if it is determined that the series of the key operations is the operation for turning on the transmitting mode of the memory information (Step W 2 ; Yes), then the CPU  25  transmits terminal identifying data for identifying its terminal to the teacher terminal  1  via the communication unit  26  (Step W 3 ), transmits its memory information (Step W 4 ), and the process returns to Step W 1  described above. 
     In Step W 2 , if it is determined that the operation for turning on the transmitting mode of the memory information is not performed (Step W 2 ; No), then the CPU  25  determines whether the graph function program  240  or the general function program  280  is executed or not (Step W 5 ). If it is determined that no program is executed (Step W 5 ; No), then the process goes to another process. 
     In Step W 5 , if it is determined that the graph function program  240  or the general function program  280  is executed (Step W 5 ; Yes), then the CPU  25  performs a scientific calculator process by the program data  243 ,  283 , the memory data  242 ,  282  and the like (Step W 6 ), and the process returns to Step W 1  described above. 
     [1.6 Operations of Teacher Terminal  1 ] 
     The information display control process executed by the teacher terminal  1  will now be described. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the information display control process. 
     The CPU  45  executes the information display control process by reading the information display control program  440  from the storage unit  44  and deploying the program  440  upon an execution instruction for the information display control process inputted to the teacher terminal  1  via the input unit  41  by a user. In the first embodiment, terminal identifying data and memory information on a student terminal  5  have already been transmitted to the teacher terminal  1  by the above-mentioned data transmitting process. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , in the information display control process, the CPU  45  performs a screen display process for displaying various application icons K (for example, see  FIG. 8A ) on the display  420  (Step S 1 ). In Step S 1 , the CPU  45  reads icon information data  442  from the storage unit  44  to display the application icons K (including application icons K+ of external data) registered in the icon information data  442 . 
     In the first embodiment, in the screen display process, the CPU  45  emulates student terminals  5 , whose terminal identifying data has been transmitted to the teacher terminal  1 , and displays the application icons K of virtual applications implemented by the emulation on the display  420 . 
     Specifically, the CPU  45  generates a table  443  including the data on other devices corresponding to the terminal identifying data as a virtual data area of virtual student terminals  5  implemented by the emulation in the storage unit  44 , receives memory data  242 ,  282  and program data  243 ,  283  stored in the storage units  24 ,  28  of the student terminals  5  whose terminal identifying data has been transmitted to the teacher terminal  1 , and stores the memory data  242 ,  282  and the program data  243 ,  283  in the table  443  including the data of other devices. This allows the CPU  45  to execute the graph function program  240  and the general function program  280  of the student terminals  5  as virtual applications. 
     The CPU  45  displays the application icons K of the graph function program  240  and the general function program  280  preregistered in the icon information data  442  (or registered at the time of the emulation) on the display  420 . At this time, the CPU  45  registers the terminal identifying data in the icon information data  442  in association with the application icons K, and displays the display  220  and the key group  210  of a virtual student terminal  5  on the display  420 . 
     The CPU  45  then determines whether there is a new application that is not registered in the icon information data  442  or not (Step S 2 ). If it is determined that there is a new application (Step S 2 ; Yes), then the new application is installed if the new application has not been installed yet (Step S 3 ), and the process goes to Step S 6  described below. 
     In Step S 2 , if it is determined that there is no new application (Step S 2 ; No), then the CPU  45  determines whether there is external data transmitted from an external device or not (Step S 4 ). The external data can be used in any application registered in the icon information data  442 . 
     In Step S 4 , if it is determined that there is external data (Step S 4 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  stores the external data in the storage unit  44  (Step S 5 ). 
     The CPU  45  then registers the external data or the application information of the new application in the icon information data  442  (Step S 6 ), and the process returns to Step S 1  described above. Note that the application information includes the application name (or the external-data name), application icon K, the application type, and the data types and their data icons L. If there is newly registered data having a data type that differs only in data format and detailed content from the type of registered data, then the CPU  45  adds different indexes (e.g., A, B, . . . ) to the data icons L to indicate that data conversion is required for the data to be used for each other&#39;s application. 
     In Step S 4 , if it is determined that there is no external data (Step S 4 ; No), then the CPU  45  determines whether an execution operation (e.g., double tapping) of the application is performed on the application icon K by a user or not (Step S 7 ). 
     In step S 7 , if it is determined that an execution operation is performed on the application icon K (Step S 7 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  opens the screen of the application represented by the application icon K to execute the application (Step S 8 ). At this time, the CPU  45  displays the application icon K in a display mode indicating that the application is being executed. 
     The CPU  45  then receives various operations on the application that is being executed by a user and performs processes corresponding to them (Step S 9 ), and then determines whether the application execution state is ended according to a user operation or not (Step S 10 ). If the CPU  45  determines that the application execution state is not ended (i.e., the state is maintained) (Step S 10 ; No), then the process returns to Step S 9 . If it is determined that the state is ended (Step S 10 ; Yes), then the process returns to Step S 2 . 
     In Step S 7 , if it is determined that no operation for executing the application is performed on the application icon K (Step S 7 ; No), then the CPU  45  determines whether an operation for detecting a common data application is performed on the application icon K by a user or not (Step S 11 ). The operation for detecting the common data application is an operation for detecting an application having usable data in common with the application specified by a user, and is, for example, an operation such that a user touches any application icon K for a predetermined time (e.g., two seconds) or more. 
     In Step S 11 , if it is determined that no operation for detecting the common data application is performed by a user (Step S 11 ; No), then the CPU  45  determines whether another operation is performed by a user or not (Step S 12 ). If it is determined that another operation is performed (Step S 12 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  executes the process in accordance with the operation. If it is determined that another operation is not performed (Step S 12 ; No), then the process returns to Step S 2 . 
     In Step S 11 , if it is determined that the operation for detecting the common data application is performed on the application icon K by a user (Step S 11 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  detects and identifiably displays the application having usable data in common with the application of the application icon K specified by a user (hereinafter, referred to as “a specified application icon K 1 ” (for example, see  FIG. 8C )) (Step S 13 ). 
     Specifically, the CPU  45  detects the data types usable in common in the application of the specified application icon K 1  and other applications, from the multiple data types corresponding to the application icons K displayed on the display  420  based on the icon information data  442  read from the storage unit  44 . That is, the CPU  45  detects an application icons (hereinafter, referred to as “corresponding application icons K 2 ” (for example, see  FIG. 8C )) of the applications having usable data types in common with the application of the specified application icon K 1 , among all the application icons K except the specified application icon K 1  from the icon information data  442 . 
     The CPU  45  then identifiably displays the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icons K 2  individually. The identifiable display only needs to distinguish the specified application icon K 1 , the corresponding application icons K 2 ; and the application icons K other than the icons K 1  and K 2  and an example of the identifiable display includes surrounding the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icons K 2  with frames of different colors. 
     At this time, the CPU  45  further identifiably displays a corresponding application icon K 2 , for which the data type are completely shared with the application of the specified application icon K 1  (are used in common), and a corresponding application icon K 2 , for which the data types are only partially shared with the application of the specified application icon K 1 , among the corresponding application icons K 2 . An example of the identifiable display includes surrounding the corresponding application icon K 2 , for which the data type are completely shared with the application of the specified application icon K 1 , with a solid color frame; and surrounding the corresponding application icon K 2 , for which the data types are only partially shared with the application of the specified application icon K 1 , with a dashed color frame. 
     The CPU  45  then determines whether the specified application icon K 1  and a corresponding application icon K 2  displayed on the display  420  are brought close to each other according to a user operation or not (Step S 14 ). If it is determined that they are not brought close to each other (Step S 14 ; No), then the process goes to Step S 12 . 
     In Step S 14 , if it is determined that the specified application icon K 1  and a corresponding application icon K 2  are brought close to each other (Step S 14 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  displays the data icons L (see  FIG. 9A ) corresponding to the data types detected in Step S 13  in association with each of the application icons K on the display  420  (Step S 15 ). Specifically, the CPU  45  retrieves the data icons L corresponding to the data types usable in both of the applications from the icon information data  442  and displays them in association with each of the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icon K 2 . 
     At this time, the CPU  45  identifiably displays the data icons L in the same manner as the corresponding application icon K (the specified application icon K 1  or the corresponding application icon K 2 ). Additionally, the CPU  45  distinguishably displays the data icon L representing the data type that requires conversion of the data format for use in another application from the data icon L representing the data type that does not require such a conversion. 
     The CPU  45  then determines whether a data icon L associated with one of the application icons K (i.e., one of the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icon K 2 ) is moved onto the other of the application icons K (i.e., the other of the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icon K 2 ) according to a user operation (Step S 16 ). 
     In Step S 16 , if it is determined that a data icon L associated with one of the application icons K is moved onto the other of the application icons K (Step S 16 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  moves or copies the data of the data type corresponding to the data icon L to the application represented by the other application icon K and allows the data to be used in the application data (Step S 17 ). The process then returns to Step S 2 . 
     At this time, the CPU  45  determines whether to move or copy the data according to the moving operation of the data icon L by a user. If the data is moved, then the data is eliminated from the source application. If the data corresponding to the moved data icon L requires conversion of its data format when used in the destination application, the data format is converted by the CPU  45  to be used in the destination application. 
     In Step S 16 , if it is determined that a data icon L associated with one application icon K is not moved onto the other application icon K (Step S 16 ; No), then the CPU  45  determines whether the data icons L, which are of the same type, respectively associated with the two application icons K (the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icon K 2 ) are exchanged according to a user operation or not (Step S 18 ). 
     In Step S 18 , if it is determined that the data icons L associated with the two application icons K are not exchanged (Step S 18 ; No), then the CPU  45  goes to another process. 
     In Step S 18 , if it is determined that the data icons L associated with the two application icons K are exchanged (Step S 18 ; Yes), then the CPU  45  exchanges the data of the data types corresponding to the data icons L between the two applications represented by the two application icons K (Step S 19 ). The process then returns to Step S 2 . 
     [1.7 Example of Operation of Teacher Terminal  1 ] 
     An operation of the teacher terminal  1  described above will now be described with specific examples. 
       FIGS. 8A to 11B  illustrate example display screens on a display  420  in an information display control process described above. 
     When a user performs an information display control process through a predetermined operation, a student terminal  5  is emulated. An application icon K of a virtual application implemented by the emulation appears on the display  420  (Step S 1 ). Specifically, an application icon Ka representing the graph function program  240  and an application icon Kb representing the general function program  280  are displayed. At this time, the display  220  of the virtual student terminal  5  by the emulation is also displayed on the display  420 . 
     If external data of the graph function program  240  is transmitted by the above-mentioned data transmitting process from the two student terminals  5   a  and  5   b  (Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; Yes), then the external data is stored in a storage unit  44  (Step S 5 ) and the application information on the external data is registered in icon information data  442  (Step S 6 ). Specifically, an application icon in group  1  labeled with “+” indicating the external data on the graph scientific calculator of the student terminal  5   a,  the application type “graph function”, the data type  1  “list data”, the data type  2  “program data type A”, the data type  3  “data of the graph displaying range”, and the data type  4  “graph expression data”; and an application icon in group  2  labeled with “+” indicating the external data on the graph scientific calculator of the student terminal  5   b,  the application type “graph function”, the data type  1  “list data”, the data type  2  “program data type A”, the data type  3  “data of the graph displaying range”, and the data type  4  “graph expression data” are registered in the icon information data  442 . The data icons associated with the respective data types are registered. 
     The external data transmitted from the student terminals  5   a  and  5   b  includes different list data (numeric data) and program data. In addition, the program data from the student terminal  5   a  is a primary regression expression and the program data from the student terminal  5   b  is a quadratic regression expression. 
     The two application icons K+ of the external data newly registered in the icon information data  442  appear on the display  420  (Step S 1 ). Each of the two application icons K+ is a combination of the application icon Ka representing the graph function program  240 , a symbol “+” representing external data, and a symbol “Group  1 ” or “Group  2 ” representing a student terminal  5   a  or  5   b.    
     With reference to  FIG. 8A , if a user performs an execution operation of the application through double tapping of the application icon K+ in group  1  with a touch pen (Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; Yes), then the application icon K+ is displayed in a specified state, and the graph function program  240 , which is a virtual application, is executed (Step S 8 ). If a user performs the graph displaying function through a predetermined operation, then a graph of a primary regression expression based on the list data, the program data, the data of the graph displaying range, and the graph expression data corresponding to the application icon K+ in group  1  appear on the display  220  in the virtual student terminal  5  on the display  420  (Step S 9 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 8B , if a user performs an execution operation of the application through double tapping of the application icon K+ in group  2 , instead of group  1  (Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; Yes), then the application icon K+ is displayed in a specified state, and the graph function program  240 , which is a virtual application, is executed (Step S 8 ). If a user performs the graph displaying function through a predetermined operation, then a graph of a quadratic regression expression based on the list data, the program data, the data of the graph displaying range, and the graph expression data corresponding to the application icon K+ in group  2  appear on the display  220  in the virtual student terminal  5  on the display  420  (Step S 9 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 8C , if a user performs an operation for detecting the common data application through touching the application icon K+ in group  2  for two seconds or more (Step S 10 ; Yes, Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; No, Step S 11 ; Yes), then the colored application icon K+ is displayed as the specified application icon K 1 , and the other three application icons K are detected as the corresponding application icons K 2  based on the icon information data  442  and are surrounded by color frames having a color different from that of the specified application icon K 1  (Step S 13 ). Specifically, data types  1  to  4  for each of the application icons are determined based on the icon information data  442 , and the application icons including common data types are detected as the application icons including common data, and displayed with color or displayed with different color frames. 
     At this time, the application icon K+ in group  2  and the application icon Ka representing the graph function program  240  in the corresponding application icons K 2  are surrounded by a solid color frame indicating that the data types are completely common with those of the specified application icons K 1 , and the application icon Kb representing the general function program  280  is surrounded by a dashed color frame indicating that the data types are partially common with those of the specified application icon K 1 . Specifically, the application icon Ka of the graph function program includes data types  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4  based on the icon information data  442 , and the application icon Kb of the general function program  280  includes data types  1  and  2 . Only a part of the data types, i.e., the data types  1  and  2 , is common, and thus the application icon Kb is surrounded by a dashed color frame. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9A , if the specified application icon K 1  is brought close to the corresponding application icon K 2  (the application icon K+ in group  2 ) through a drag operation by a user (Step S 14 ; Yes), then multiple data icons L corresponding to multiple data types usable in both of the applications are read from the icon information data  442 , and are displayed such that the data icons L are partly overlapped with the adjacent sides of the two application icons K (Step S 15 ). At this time, the multiple data icons L displayed on each of the application icons K correspond to the graph expression data, the data of the graph displaying range, the list data, and the program data (see  FIG. 5 ). In addition, each of the data icons L is identifiably displayed in the same manner as the corresponding application icon K. That is, each of the data icons L associated with the specified application icon K 1  is displayed with color and each of the data icons L associated with the corresponding application icon K 2  is surrounded by a solid color frame. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9B , if a user traces the screen to make a round trip between the data icons L of the program data displayed on the two respective application icons K (Step S 16 ; No, Step S 18 ; Yes), then the program data is exchanged between the two applications represented by the two application icons K (Step S 19 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 9C , if a user performs an execution operation of the application through double tapping on the application icon K+ in group  1  (Step S 2  No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; Yes), then the identifiable display of the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icon K 2  are eliminated together with the data icons L, the application icon K+ in group  1  is displayed in a specified state, and the graph function program  240  is executed (Step S 8 ). When a user performs the graph displaying function through the predetermined operation, a graph of a quadratic regression expression, maintaining the original list data, is displayed because the program data has been exchanged between the graph function program  240  in group  1  and the graph function program  240  in group  2  by the operation described above (Step S 9 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 10A , if the use performs an execution operation of the application through double tapping of the application icon K+ in group  2 , instead of group  1  (Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; Yes), then the graph function program  240  is executed similarly (Step S 8 ), and if the graph displaying function is executed, then a graph of a primary regression expression, maintaining the original list data, is displayed (Step S 9 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 10B , if a user performs an execution operation of the application through double tapping of the application icon Ka representing the graph function program  240  (Step S 10 ; Yes, Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; Yes), then the application icon Ka is displayed in a specified state, and the graph function program  240  is executed (Step S 8 ). If a user executes a function of displaying list data through a predetermined operation, then the list data corresponding to the application icon Ka appears on the display  220  in the virtual student terminal  5  on the display  420  (Step S 9 ). 
     If a user performs an operation for detecting the common data application through touching the application icon Ka for two seconds or more (Step S 10 ; Yes, Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; No, Step S 11 ; Yes), then the color application icon Ka is displayed as the specified application icon K 1 , and the application icon Kb is detected based on the icon information data  442  as the corresponding application icon K 2  and is surrounded by a color frame having a color different from that of the specified application icon K 1  (Step S 13 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 10C , if the specified application icon K 1  is brought close to the corresponding application icon K 2  through a drag operation by a user (Step S 14 ; Yes), then multiple data icons L corresponding to multiple data types usable in both of the applications are read from the icon information data  442  and appear on adjacent sides of the two application icons K (Step S 15 ). At this time, the multiple data icons L displayed on each of the application icons K correspond to the list data and the program data (see  FIG. 5 ). In addition, the data icons L are identifiably displayed in the same manner as the corresponding application icon K. The data icons L of the program data, however, require a conversion of the data format to use the program data in the mutual applications, and thus are surrounded by dashed color frames in contrast to the data icons L of the list data. Specifically, based on the icon information data  442 , data type  2  of the application icon Ka of the graph function program  240  is “program data type A” and data type  2  of the application icon Kb of the general function program  280  is “program data type B”, and thus it is determined that a conversion of the data format is needed to use the program data and then the application icons Ka and Kb are surrounded by dashed color frames. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11A , if a user long touches the data icon L of the list data associated with the corresponding application icon K 2  on the corresponding application icon K 2  and moves the data icon L onto the specified application icon K 1  (Step S 16 ; Yes), then the list data associated with the corresponding application icon K 2  is moved to the application represented by the specified application icon K 1  (Step S 17 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 11B , if a user performs an execution operation of the application through double tapping of the specified application icon K 1  (the application icon Ka) (Step S 2 ; No, Step S 4 ; No, Step S 7 ; Yes), then the identifiable display of the specified application icon K 1  and the corresponding application icon K 2  are eliminated together with the data icons L, the application icon Ka is displayed in a specified state, and the graph function program  240  is executed (Step S 8 ). When a user executes the function of displaying the list data through a predetermined operation, then the list data, to which the original list data of the application icon Kb has been added, appears as the list data of the application icon Ka (Step S 9 ) because the original list data of the application icon Kb has been moved to the application of the application icon Ka through the operation described above. 
     In the first embodiment, as shown in Steps S 13  to S 15  in  FIG. 7 ,  FIGS. 9A to 9C , and  FIGS. 10A to 10C , the data types usable in common by applications among the multiple data types corresponding to the application icons K displayed on the display  420  are detected based on the icon information data  442 , and the data icons L representing the detected data types are displayed in association with each of the multiple application icons K. The user, therefore, can readily determine data (data types) usable in common in a plurality of applications by just looking at the data icons L associated with the application icons K. 
     As shown in Steps S 16  to S 19  in  FIG. 7 ,  FIGS. 9A to 9C , and  FIGS. 11A and 11B , if a data icon L associated with a first application icon K is moved onto a second application icon K according to a user operation, then the data of the data type corresponding to the data icon L can be used in the application of the second application icon K. The user, therefore, can readily determine whether the data can be used in another application or not and can readily move, copy, and exchange the data by a simple operation such as mere movement of the data icon L. 
     As shown in Step S 13  in  FIG. 7 ,  FIGS. 8A to 8C , and  FIGS. 10A to 10C , the specified application icon K 1  that has been specified by a user and the corresponding application icon K 2  of the application having a usable data type in common with the application of the specified application icon K 1  are identifiably displayed, and thereby a user can readily identify the application that has data compatibility with a user-specified application. 
     As shown in Step S 15  in  FIG. 7 , and  FIGS. 10A to 10C , a data icon L representing the data type that requires conversion of the data format to be used in another application is distinguishably displayed from a data icon L representing the data type that does not require the conversion, and thereby a user can readily determine whether the data conversion is needed or not in the movement of the data. 
     In addition, as shown in Step S 17  in  FIG. 7 , when a data icon L is moved onto the application icon K of another application according to a user operation, the data conversion is performed for the data corresponding to the data icon L, if needed, and thereby a user can move the data without considering the need for the data conversion. 
     2 Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. In the second embodiment, an information display control device according to the present invention is applied to a mobile terminal (a smartphone). 
     [2.1 Configuration of Mobile Terminal  6 ] 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of a mobile terminal  6  in the second embodiment and  FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating the schematic functional configuration of the mobile terminal  6 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , the mobile terminal  6  has a substantially flat shape and can obtain information such as a movement distance and a movement track when a user carries the mobile terminal  6  by, for example, fixing it on his/her arm or put it in his/her pocket. 
     Specifically, with reference to  FIG. 13 , the mobile terminal  6  is an information display control device according to the present invention and includes a touch screen  61 , a positioning sensor  62 , an acceleration sensor  63 , a communication unit  66 , a memory  64 , and a CPU  65 . 
     The touch screen  61  is an electrostatic touch panel. The touch screen  61  displays a key group for inputting characters or the like, outputs a signal corresponding to the type or the position of the pressed key to the CPU  65 , and displays various pieces of information based on display signals input from the CPU  65 . 
     The positioning sensor  62  is a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. The positioning sensor  62  is set to ON (an operational state) in response to a command from the CPU  65  or a user operation to perform a sensing operation. 
     The acceleration sensor  63  resolves the acceleration applied to the mobile terminal  6  into three axial components. The acceleration sensor  63  is also set to ON (an operational state) in response to a command from the CPU  65  or a user operation to perform a sensing operation. 
     The communication unit  66  provides data communications with communicable external devices (e.g., another mobile terminal  66   a,  an exercise meter  66   b,  and a heartbeat sensor  66   c ) through any wireless communication scheme, such as, a network, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth™ communication scheme. 
     The memory  64  stores programs and data for implementing various functions of the mobile terminal  6  and functions as a work area of the CPU  65 . In the second embodiment, the memory  64  stores an information display control program  640  according to the invention, data  641  received from an external device, multiple applications  643 , and icon information data  642 . 
     The information display control program  640  allows the CPU  65  to execute an information display control process described below (see  FIG. 15 ). The information display control process is the same process as that in the first embodiment. 
     The data  641  is the data received from an external device through the communication unit  66 . 
     The multiple applications  643  are installed in the memory  64  through presetting or downloading. In the second embodiment, the installed applications  643  include application A (a running application with a heartbeat sensor)  643   a,  application B (a mail application)  643   b,  application C (a running application with ranking)  643   c,  application D (a camera application)  643   d,  application E (a walking application)  643   e,  application F (a transfer guiding application)  643   f,  application G (a telephone application)  643   g,  and application H (a calculation application)  643   h.    
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , the icon information data  642  includes application icons M (for example, see  FIG. 16A ) representing applications stored (registered) in association with various pieces of application information. The application information associated with each application icon M includes the application name, the application type, the data types of a plurality of pieces of data used in the application, and data icons N (for example, see  FIG. 17A ) representing the data types. In the second embodiment, icons for the application A (a running application with a heartbeat sensor)  643   a  to the application H (a calculation application)  643   h  are stored in the icon information data  642  as application icons M. Each of the application icons M representing, for example, the application A (a running application with a heartbeat sensor)  643   a  and the application C (a running application with ranking)  643   c  is associated with multiple data types including GPS movement track data, exercise data, movement distance data, and heartbeat data. 
     If external data transmitted from an external device can be used in the application represented by any application icon M stored in the icon information data  642 , then the external data is stored (registered) as application icons M+ (for example, see  FIG. 16A ) in the icon information data  642 . The application icons M+ are associated with application information similarly to the application icons M representing the applications that can use the external data. 
     The CPU  65  comprehensively controls individual portions of the mobile terminal  6 . Specifically, the CPU  65  deploys a system program and a specified program among various application programs stored in the memory  64 , and performs various processes in cooperation with the deployed program. 
     [2.2 Operations of Mobile Terminal  6 ] 
     An information display control process executed by a mobile terminal  6  will now be described. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the information display control process. 
     The CPU  65  performs the information display control process by reading the information display control program  640  from the memory  64  and deploying the program  640  upon an execution instruction of the information display control process inputted to the mobile terminal  6  according to a user operation. 
     With reference to  FIG. 15 , in the information display control process, the CPU  65  performs a screen display process for displaying various application icons M (for example, see  FIG. 16A ) on the touch screen  61  (Step T 1 ). In Step T 1 , the CPU  65  reads the icon information data  642  from the memory  64  to display the application icons M (including application icons M+ of external data) registered in the icon information data  642 . 
     The CPU  65  then determines whether there is a new application that is not registered in the icon information data  642  or not (Step T 2 ). If it is determined that there is a new application (Step T 2 ; Yes), then the new application is installed if it has not been installed yet (Step T 3 ), and the process goes to Step T 6  described below. 
     In Step T 2 , if it is determined that there is no new application (Step T 2 ; No), then the CPU  65  determines whether there is external data transmitted from an external device or not (Step T 4 ). The external data is the data usable in an application registered in the icon information data  642 . 
     In Step T 4 , if it is determined that there is external data (Step T 4 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  stores the external data in the memory  64  (Step T 5 ). 
     The CPU  65  then registers the external data or the application information of the new application in the icon information data  642  (Step T 6 ), and the process returns to Step T 1 . Note that the application information includes the application name (or the external-data name), application icon M, the application type, and the data types and their data icons N. If there is newly registered data having a data type that differs only in data format and detailed content from the type of registered data, then the CPU  65  adds different indexes (e.g., A, B,) to the data icons N to indicate that data conversion is required for the data to be used for each other&#39;s application. 
     In Step T 4 , if it is determined that there is no external data (Step T 4 ; No), then the CPU  65  determines whether an execution operation (e.g., double tapping) of the application is performed on the application icon M by a user or not (Step T 7 ). 
     In step T 7 , if it is determined that an execution operation is performed on the application icon M (Step T 7 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  opens the screen of the application represented by the application icon M to execute the application (Step T 8 ). At this time, the CPU  65  displays the application icon M in a display mode indicating that the application is being executed. 
     The CPU  65  then receives various operations on the application that is being executed by a user and performs processes corresponding to them (Step T 9 ), and then determines whether the application execution state is ended according to a user operation or not (Step T 10 ). If the CPU  65  determines that the application execution state is not ended (i.e., the state is maintained) (Step T 10 ; No), then the process returns to Step T 9 . If it is determined that the state is ended (Step T 10 ; Yes), then the process returns to Step T 2 . 
     In Step T 7 , if it is determined that no operation for executing the application is performed on the application icon M (Step T 7 ; No), then the CPU  65  determines whether an operation for detecting a common data application is performed on the application icon M by a user or not (Step T 11 ). The operation for detecting the common data application is an operation for detecting an application having usable data in common with the application specified by a user, and is, for example, an operation such that a user touches any application icon M for a predetermined time (e.g., two seconds) or more. 
     In Step T 11 , if it is determined that no operation for detecting the common data application is performed by a user (Step T 11 ; No), then the CPU  65  determines whether another operation is performed by a user or not (Step T 12 ). If it is determined that another operation is performed (Step T 12 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  executes the process in accordance with the operation. If it is determined that another operation is not performed (Step T 12 ; No), then the process returns to Step T 2 . 
     In Step T 11 , if it is determined that the operation for detecting the common data application is performed on the application icon M by a user (Step T 11 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  detects and identifiably displays the application having usable data in common with the application of the application icon M specified by a user (hereinafter, referred to as “a specified application icon M 1 ” (for example, see  FIG. 16B )) (Step T 13 ). 
     Specifically, the CPU  65  detects the data types usable in both the application of the specified application icon M 1  and other applications, from the multiple data types corresponding to the application icons M displayed on the touch screen  61  based on the icon information data  642  read from the memory  64 . That is, the CPU  65  detects the application icons (hereinafter, referred to as “corresponding application icons M 2 ” (for example, see  FIG. 16B )) of the applications having usable data types in common with the application of the specified application icon M 1 , among all the application icons M except the specified application icon M 1  from the icon information data  642 . 
     The CPU  65  then identifiably displays the specified application icon M 1  and the corresponding application icons M 2  individually. The identifiable display only needs to distinguish the specified application icon M 1 , the corresponding application icons M 2 , and the application icons M other than the icons M 1  and M 2 ; and an example of the identifiable display includes surrounding the specified application icon M 1  and the corresponding application icons M 2  with frames of different colors. 
     At this time, the CPU  65  further identifiably displays a corresponding application icon M 2 , for which the data types are completely shared with the application of the specified application icon M 1  (are used in common), and a corresponding application icon M 2 , for which the data types are only partially shared with the application of the specified application icon M 1 , among the corresponding application icons M 2 . An example of the identifiable display includes surrounding the corresponding application icon M 2 , for which the data types are completely shared with the application of the specified application icon M 1 , with a solid color frame; and surrounding the corresponding application icon M 2 , for which the data types are only partially shared with the application of the specified application icon M 1 , with a dashed color frame. 
     The CPU  65  then determines whether the specified application icon M 1  and a corresponding application icon M 2  displayed on the touch screen  61  are brought close to each other according to a user operation or not (Step T 14 ). If it is determined that they are not brought close to each other (Step T 14 ; No), then the process goes to Step T 12 . 
     In Step T 14 , if it is determined that the specified application icon M 1  and a corresponding application icon M 2  are brought close to each other (Step T 14 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  displays the data icons N (for example, see  FIG. 17A ) corresponding to the data types detected in Step T 13  in association with each of the application icons M on the touch screen  61  (Step T 15 ). Specifically, the CPU  65  retrieves the data icons N corresponding to the data types usable in both of the applications from the icon information data  642  and displays them in association with each of the specified application icon M 1  and the corresponding application icon M 2 . 
     At this time, the CPU  65  identifiably displays the data icons N in the same manner as the corresponding application icon M (the specified application icon M 1  or the corresponding application icon M 2 ). Additionally, the CPU  65  distinguishably displays the data icon N representing the data type that requires conversion of the data format for use in another application from the data icon N representing the data type that does not require such a conversion. 
     The CPU  65  then determines whether a data icon N associated with one of the application icons M (i.e., one of the specified application icon M 1  and the corresponding application icon M 2 ) is moved onto the other of the application icons M (i.e., the other of the specified application icon M 1  and the corresponding application icon M 2 ) according to a user operation (Step T 16 ). 
     In Step T 16 , if it is determined that a data icon N associated with one of the application icons M is moved onto the other of the application icons M (Step T 16 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  moves or copies the data of the data type corresponding to the data icon N to the application represented by the other application icon M and allows the data to be used in the application data (Step T 17 ). The process then returns to Step T 2 . 
     At this time, the CPU  65  determines whether to move or copy the data according to the moving operation of the data icon N by a user. If the data is moved, then the data is eliminated from the source application. If the data corresponding to the moved data icon L requires conversion of its data format when used in the destination application, the data format is converted by the CPU  65  to be used in the destination application. 
     In Step T 16 , if it is determined that a data icon N associated with one application icon M is not moved onto the other application icon M (Step T 16 ; No), then the CPU  65  determines whether the data icons N, which are of the same type, respectively associated with the two application icons M (the specified application icon M 1  and the corresponding application icon M 2 ) are exchanged according to a user operation or not (Step T 18 ). 
     In Step T 18 , if it is determined that the data icons N associated with the two application icons M are not exchanged (Step T 18 ; No), then the CPU  65  goes to another process. 
     In Step T 18 , if it is determined that the data icons N associated with the two application icons M are exchanged (Step T 18 ; Yes), then the CPU  65  exchanges the data of the data types corresponding to the data icons N between the two applications represented by the two application icons M (Step T 19 ). The process then returns to Step T 2 . 
     [2.3 Example of Operation of Mobile Terminal  6 ] 
     An operation of the mobile terminal  6  described above will now be described with specific examples. 
       FIGS. 16A to 19C  illustrate example display screens on the touch screen  61  in the information display control process described above. 
     When a user performs the information display control process through a predetermined operation, the application icon M of each of application A  643   a  to application H  643   h  stored in the memory  64  is displayed on the touch screen  61  (Step T 1 ). 
     In the following description, the application number (alphabet) of each of the application A  643   a  to the application H  643   h  is added to the tail of the symbol of the application icon M to clarify which application icon M corresponds to which application. Specifically, the application icon M of the application A  643   a,  for example, is referred to an “application icon MA”. 
     If external data  1  and external data  2  are transmitted from another mobile terminal  66   a  and an exercise meter  66   b  (Step T 2 ; No, Step T 4 ; Yes), then these pieces of external data  1  and  2  are stored in the memory  64  as data  641  received from the external devices (Step T 5 ) and the pieces of application information on the pieces of external data  1  and  2  are registered in icon information data  642  (Step T 6 ). Note that the external data  1  is data for the running application and the external data  2  is data on exercise (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 16A , the two application icons M+ of the pieces of the external data  1  and  2  newly registered in the icon information data  642  appear on the touch screen  61  (Step T 1 ). These two application icons M+ are labeled with a symbol “+” representing external data. 
     With reference to  FIG. 16B , if a user performs an operation for detecting the common data application through touching the application icon MA for the application A  643   a  for two seconds or more (Step T 2 ; No, Step T 4 ; No, Step T 7 ; No, Step T 11 ; Yes), then the colored application icon MA is displayed as a specified application icon M 1 , and an application icon MC, an application icon ME, and the application icons M+ for the external data  1  and  2  are detected as the corresponding application icons M 2  based on the icon information data  642  and are surrounded by color frames having a color different from that of the specified application icon M 1  (Step T 13 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 16C , if the specified application icon M 1  is moved to the right to be swapped with the application icon MB on the right through a drag operation by a user and then is brought close to the corresponding application icon M 2  (the application icon MC) by further movement to the right as shown in  FIG. 17A  (Step T 14 ; Yes), then multiple data icons N corresponding to multiple data types usable in both of the applications are read from the icon information data  642 , and are displayed such that the data icons N are partly overlapped with the adjacent sides of the two application icons M (Step T 15 ). At this time, the multiple data icons N displayed on each of the application icons M (the application icon MA and the application icon MC) correspond to movement distance data, GPS movement track data, and exercise data (see  FIG. 14 ). In addition, the data icons N are identifiably displayed in the same manner as the corresponding application icon M. That is, each of the data icons N associated with the specified application icon M 1  (the application icon MA) is displayed with color and each of the data icons N associated with the corresponding application icon M 2  (the application icon MC) is surrounded by a solid color frame. 
     To perform a touch operation without any erroneous operation (any false touch) for the data icons N smaller than the application icon M, the area around a portion in which the data icons N are displayed (e.g., the area indicated by the two-dot chain line in  FIG. 17A ) may be enlarged. 
     With reference to  FIG. 17B , if a user taps the data icon N of the movement distance data associated with the corresponding application icon M 2 , then a new data icon N of the movement distance data appears adjacent to the data icon N for copying. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 17B and 18A , if a user moves the data icon N of the movement distance data for copying onto the specified application icon M 1  while switching the place with the data icon N associated with the specified application icon M 1  (Step T 16 ; Yes), then the movement distance data associated with the corresponding application icon M 2  is copied to the application (the running application with a heartbeat sensor) represented by the specified application icon M 1  (Step T 17 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 18B , if the device is left for a little while without any touch operation, then the data icons N that are not changed before and after the copy operation are eliminated and the data icon N of the copied movement distance data provided with a symbol “+” indicating additional data is displayed. If the device is further left in this state, then the identifiable display of the respective application icons M is eliminated together with the data icon N of the movement distance data (not shown). 
     If a user performs an operation for detecting the common data application through touching the application icon MC of the application C  643   c  for two seconds or more (Step T 2 ; No, Step T 4 ; No, Step T 7 ; No, Step T 11 ; Yes), then the colored application icon MC is displayed as the specified application icon M 1 , and an application icon MA, an application icon ME, and the application icons M+ for the external data  1  and  2  are detected as the corresponding application icons M 2  based on the icon information data  642  and are surrounded by color frames having a color different from that of the specified application icon M 1  (Step T 13 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 18C , if a user moves the specified application icon M 1  obliquely downward to the left through a drag operation and moves the specified application icon M 1  to the position between the two application icons M+, then the application icon M+ of the external data  1  is pushed to the right side. If a user further moves the specified application icon M 1  through a drag operation to bring the specified application icon M 1  close to the corresponding application icon M 2  (the application icon M+ of the external data  2  (Step T 14 ; Yes), then, with reference to  FIG. 19A , the data icon N of the exercise data usable in both of the applications is read from the icon information data  642  and appear on the adjacent sides of the two application icons M (Step T 15 ). 
     If a user moves the data icon N of the exercise data associated with the specified application icon M 1  from the specified application icon M 1  through a drag operation without tapping, then the data icon N is duplicated. One of the data icons N is displayed with a symbol “−” indicating the data to be deleted while being associated with the specified application icon M 1  (remaining in the original position), and the other data icon N is displayed with a symbol “+” indicating data to be added to another application and is moved in accordance with user&#39;s drag operation. 
     With reference to  FIG. 19B , if a user moves the data icon N of the exercise data onto the corresponding application icon M 2  (the application icon M+ of the external data  2 ) (Step T 16 ; Yes), then the exercise data corresponding to the specified application icon M 1  is moved into the exercise data corresponding to the corresponding application icon M 2  (Step T 17 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 19C , if the device is left for a little while without any touch operation, then the data icon N that is not changed before and after the moving operation is eliminated. If the device is further left in this state, then the identifiable display of the respective application icons M is eliminated together with the data icon N of the exercise data (not shown). 
     The second embodiment can achieve the same advantageous effects as the first embodiment. 
     The first and second embodiments of the present invention described above can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the information display control devices according to the invention are the personal computer  4  and the mobile terminal  6 . The invention however should not be limited to these products and can be applied to a variety of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and game devices. 
     If the two application icons K (M) are brought close to each other, then a data icon L (N) is displayed in association with each of the application icons K (M), but the mark displayed at this time may not be the data icon L (N) but may be any other mark that represents a data type and can be distinguished from the one representing another data type. 
     The scope of the invention should not be limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and includes the scope of the invention described in the appended claims and the range of equivalents. 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-195314 filed on Sep. 20, 2013 including description, claims, drawings, and abstract are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although various exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, the scope of the invention is intended to be limited solely by the scope of the claims that follow.