Patent Publication Number: US-2023136838-A1

Title: Apparatus, method, computer-readable storage medium, and smartphone for causing scrolling of content in response to touch operations

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/485,509, filed Sep. 27, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/105,670, filed Nov. 27, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,157,157), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/455,778, filed Jun. 28, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,852,932), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/888,814, filed Nov. 3, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,387,026), which is based on PCT filing PCT/JP2014/002193, filed Apr. 17, 2014, and claims priority to JP 2013-122746, filed Jun. 11, 2013, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a program. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Recently, client devices equipped with a touchscreen display are rapidly proliferating. In such devices, content displayed on the display is scrolled, as described in PTL 1, for example. With scrolling, content that does not fully fit on the display may be partially displayed on the display, and the entire content may be expressed by scrolling the portion to display, for example. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [PTL 1] 
     JP 2012-524318T 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     Scrolling on a touchscreen display as above may realize a function of moving a portion of content to display on the display, and in addition, a function of moving an operable item displayed on the display. For example, an interface element such as a link or button included in content on a web page may be moved by scrolling to a position easily reached by a user&#39;s finger. The utility of such an operation is increasing as the displays in recent mobile client devices become larger, for example. 
     However, since the original purpose of scrolling is to display content on a display, a function of moving an operable item to a position easily reached by a finger as above may not necessarily be realized. For example, it is difficult to move an interface element to a user-desired position in the case in which the interface element that the user wants to operate is positioned at the edge of content, since scrolling ends at the edge of the content. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes a new and improved display control device, display control method, and program enabling further improvement in the usability of a touchscreen display using scrolling movement. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In a first exemplary aspect, an information processing system includes circuitry that causes a first scrolling of a displayed content region within boundaries of the displayed content region in response to a first user operation. The circuitry also causes a second scrolling of the displayed content region beyond the boundaries thereof in response to a second user operation. 
     In a second exemplary aspect, an information processing method includes causing, with circuitry, first scrolling of a displayed content region within boundaries of the displayed content region in response to a first user operation. The method also includes causing, with the circuitry, a second scrolling of the displayed content region beyond the boundaries thereof in response to a second user operation. 
     In a third exemplary aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is encoded with computer-readable instructions thereon that, when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method that includes causing a first scrolling of a displayed content region within boundaries of the displayed content region in response to a first user operation. The method also includes causing a second scrolling of the displayed content region beyond the boundaries thereof in response to a second user operation. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above, the usability of a touchscreen display using scrolling movement may be further improved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of a client device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating a first display example by a client device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating a second display example by a client device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a first display example by a client device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating a second display example by a client device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating a first display example by a client device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating a second display example by a client device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process by a client device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of upward scrolling movement according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating an example of upward scrolling movement according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating an example of automatic stopping and spacer display according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating a display example when reverting the scrolling movement illustrated in  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is a diagram illustrating another display example when reverting the scrolling movement illustrated in  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating yet another display example when reverting the scrolling movement illustrated in  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating a display example of a horizontal screen according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  16    is a diagram illustrating a display example of a large screen according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail and with reference to the attached drawings. Note that, in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structural elements is omitted. 
     Hereinafter, the description will proceed in the following order. 
     1. First Embodiment 
     1-1. Device configuration
 
1-2. Display examples
 
     2. Second Embodiment 
     3. Third Embodiment 
     4. Fourth Embodiment 
     5. Other embodiments
 
5-1. Upward scrolling movement
 
5-2. Automatic stopping and spacer display
 
5-3. Display when reverting
 
5-4. Display in the case of a horizontal screen
 
5-5. Display in the case of a large screen
 
6. Supplemental remarks
 
     1. First Embodiment 
     (1-1. Device Configuration) 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of a client device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  1   , a client device  100  includes a touchscreen display  110 , a controller  120 , a storage unit  130 , and a communication unit  140 . This functional configuration may be realized by the hardware configuration of an information processing device discussed later, for example. 
     For the sake of brevity, the present advancements are described herein using a client device  100  that is operated using a touchscreen display, such as a smartphone, tablet, portable game console, or media player, for example. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the present advancements may be on other devices using other input methods. For example, the present advancements may be used in conjunction with a user interface that projects a graphical user interface onto a surface and which receives user input by recognizing user movement in a captured image of the surface. The present advancements can also be used in conjunction with a user interface that receives user input based on a user&#39;s proximity thereto rather than based on a user touch of the interface. Thus, the following descriptions are merely exemplary and not limiting upon the scope of the advancements presented herein. 
     The touchscreen display  110  includes a display unit  112  and an operating unit  114 . The display unit  112  is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, for example, that displays and presents various images to a user under control by the controller  120 . The operating unit  114  is a touch sensor of various types, for example, that detects and provides user-given contact with the screen of the display unit  112  to the controller  120  as operating input. 
     Herein, the client device  100  is capable of providing a user with, for example, web pages and content such as images, video, and music by displaying images with the display unit  112  and/or outputting audio with a speaker (not illustrated). The display unit  112  may also display a content list in which are arranged character strings, thumbnail images, icons, or the like that indicate such content. Furthermore, the display unit  112  may also display an interface element in an image. An interface element is a graphical user interface (GUI) component that is displayed together with content and is capable of receiving an operation on the content such as play, stop, or move, or a component that is displayed together with a content list and is capable of receiving an operation on respective content such as play, delete, or move, for example. 
     Also, in some cases content or a content list is displayed while being scrolled on the display unit  112 , for example. More specifically, in the case in which the entirety of a web page does not fit within the size of the display unit  112 , a portion of the web page is displayed on the display unit  112 , and the displayed portion may be moved as a result of a user&#39;s drag operation, flick operation, or the like. As another example, in the case in which a content list displaying all content does not fit within the size of the display unit  112 , a portion of the content list is displayed on the display unit  112 , and the range of content displayed on the content list moves as a result of a user&#39;s drag operation, flick operation, or the like. 
     The controller  120  is a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) that controls respective components of the client device  100  by operating according to a program stored in the storage unit  130 . For example, the controller  120  controls the display on the touchscreen display  110 . More specifically, the controller  120 , according to operating input acquired by the operating unit  114 , controls the display of content or a content list acquired from the storage unit  130  or the communication unit  140  discussed later on the display unit  112 . In addition, the controller  120  may also generate a content list on the basis of information acquired from the storage unit  130  or the communication unit  140 , and cause the generated content list to be displayed on the display unit  112 . Furthermore, the controller  120 , according to operating input acquired by the operating unit  114 , may perform operations on the data of content stored in the storage unit  130 , or perform operations on the data of content on a network via the communication unit  140 . 
     Herein, the controller  120  executes a first scrolling control that scrolls a document displayed on the touchscreen display  110  within a display region that includes the document. In addition, the controller  120  executes a second scrolling control that causes scrolling movement of the display region itself. Herein, the second scrolling control may be a control that causes temporary scrolling movement of the display region. In the second scrolling control, a spacer that differs from a document may be displayed in a blank display part produced by the scrolling movement of the display region. Note that in the second scrolling control, at least some of the interface elements included in the display region remain operable. Each of the above scrolling controls will be discussed in further detail later. 
     The storage unit  130  is semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like, for example, and stores various data used by the client device  100 . Furthermore, the storage unit  130  may also include a removable recording medium connected to the client device  100 . The storage unit  130  stores a program by which a processor functions as the controller  120 , for example. The storage unit  130  may also store the data of content to be played back by the controller  120  and output from the display unit  112  and/or an audio output unit. 
     The communication unit  140  is a communication device connected to a network by various wired or wireless communication schemes. For example, the communication unit  140  downloads the data of content to be output from the display unit  112  and/or an audio output unit from another device on the network. The communication unit  140  may also add another operation, such as delete or move, to content on another device on the network, according to operating input that the controller  120  acquires from the operating unit  114 . Also, the communication unit  140  may download a program by which a processor functions as the controller  120  from another device on the network, and provide the program to the storage unit  130 . 
     (1-2. Display Examples) 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating a first display example by a client device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  2   , a status bar  501 , a menu bar  503 , and a content region  505  are included on a screen  500  being displayed on the touchscreen display  110  of the client device  100 . In the example illustrated in the drawing, a web page is being displayed in the content region  505 . Content such as a web page is one example of that which is referred to as a document in this specification. 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , a web page is being displayed in the content region  505  starting from the first part (Line1). Since later parts of the web page are not being displayed in the content region  505  at this time, the user causes these parts to be displayed by scrolling the content upwards inside the content region  505  with a drag operation or flick operation on the touchscreen display  110 . On the other hand, since the first part (Line1) of the web page is already being displayed in the state illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , from the perspective of viewing content, there is no need to scroll the content downwards any farther. 
     However, in the case in which the user is holding and operating the client device  100  with one hand, and the user&#39;s finger that operates the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content region  505 , for example, it may not be easy in some cases to perform an operation on an interface element at the edge of the web page (near Line1) displayed at the top of the content region  505 . For example, in the case of a web page, there may occur operations such as selecting a link displayed among the content, pressing a button, or selecting text input. Such a phenomenon is particularly notable in the case in which the display position of the content region  505  on the touchscreen display  110  is fixed (that is, does not freely move as a window). Note that although the web page is displayed as Line1, Line2, and so on in the example illustrated in the drawing, this does not mean that the web page contains only text. The web page may also include images as well as interface elements such as links or buttons, which may be displayed in the parts illustrated in the drawing as Line1 and the like. 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the content region  505  itself undergoes scrolling movement under control by the controller  120 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B . In the illustrated example, the content region  505  undergoes scrolling movement downward, moving away from the menu bar  503  that was being displayed adjacent above. This scrolling movement, although temporary, is not transient. In other words, the state of scrolling movement undergone by the content region  505  as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B  may be maintained until the next operation is given by the user, for example. In this state, interface elements such as links and buttons on the web page included in the content region  505  remain operable. Consequently, after causing scrolling movement of the content region  505  and moving the first part of the web page (near Line1) to the bottom of the screen  500 , it is possible for the user to perform a desired operation on an interface element included in that part. As a result, it is possible to easily operate even an interface element in a part that was not easy to operate before the scrolling movement of the content region  505 . 
     Meanwhile, a spacer  507  is displayed in the blank part between the menu bar  503  and the content region  505  produced by the scrolling movement of the content region  505 . The spacer  507  is displayed distinguished from the content displayed in the content region  505 , for example, and may express that downward scrolling of the content has already ended. For the spacer  507 , a simple graphic or other image may be displayed, or separate content such as an advertisement may be displayed, for example. The image or content displayed as the spacer  507  may also appear to slide down from above in conjunction with the downward scrolling movement of the content region  505 , for example. Alternatively, the image or content displayed as the spacer  507  may be positioned behind the content region  505 , and displayed as a hidden part that appears as a result of the downward scrolling movement of the content region  505 . 
     The scrolling movement of the content region  505  as illustrated in  FIG.  2 B  (realized with the second scrolling control by the controller  120 ) may be implemented separately from the scrolling of content displayed in the content region  505  (realized with the first scrolling control by the controller  120 ). For example, the controller  120  may execute the second scrolling control that causes scrolling movement of the content region  505  in the case in which the operating unit  114  of the touchscreen display  110  acquires a second user operation that differs from a first user operation for scrolling content. Herein, the above first user operation and second user operation may be mutually different operations. For example, the first user operation and the second user operation may be mutually different touch operations with respect to a display region (for example, the content region  505 ) on the touchscreen display  110 . More specifically, in the case in which the first user operation for scrolling content is a drag operation and/or a flick operation, the second user operation for causing scrolling movement of the content region  505  may be, for example, flicking on the second tap of a double tap, performing a long press with the pad of a finger, flicking after performing a long press with the pad of a finger, dragging with the pad of a finger, flicking after moving a finger up and down several times while tapping, operating a touch sensor (additionally) provided on the rear face of the client device  100 , operating a touch sensor (additionally) provided on a side face of the client device  100  or at the edge of the display, or shaking the client device  100  while tapping. Note that although a long press or a drag performed with the pad of a finger may be distinguished from a long press or a drag performed with a fingertip according to differences in contact surface area, for example, in this specification these operations may all be described as touch operations. In the present embodiment, the first user operation may be a simple operation compared to the second user operation, like the several examples above. In addition, a designated operation for the purpose of scrolling movement may also include an operation with respect to a region on the touchscreen display  110  other than the content region  505 , and may also include an operation with respect to an operating unit disposed on the case surrounding the touchscreen display  110  (for example, a touch sensor provided on the rear or side face of the client device  100 , or at the edge of the display). 
     In the case in which scrolling movement of the content region  505  starts as a result of a designated operation as above, subsequent drag operations and flick operations may be treated as operations controlling the magnitude of scrolling movement of the content region  505 , until a later-discussed operation that reverts the scrolling movement of the content region  505  is acquired, for example. In other words, in the case of acquiring the above designated operation, the controller  120  may switch the display control mode of the screen  500  from a mode that scrolls content inside the content region  505  to a mode that causes scrolling movement of the content region  505  itself. As a result, it may become easy for the user to place the content region  505  at a desired position via scrolling movement. 
     Alternatively, the controller  120  may execute the scrolling of content followed by scrolling movement of the content region  505  in response to an operation for scrolling content acquired by the operating unit  114 . In this case, scrolling movement of the content region  505  may be executed automatically in the case in which the operation for scrolling content, such as a drag operation or a flick operation, for example, is continually acquired even though the content displayed in the content region  505  has reached the edge (the top edge at which Line1 is being displayed in the example illustrated in the drawing). In this case, the user does not need to switch operation from the case of scrolling content up to that point in order to cause scrolling movement of the content region  505 . At this point, in cases such as when the user did not want to scroll the content region  505  as above, it is sufficient for the user to revert the scrolling of the content region  505  by executing an operation that scrolls the content in the opposite direction, for example. 
     A content region  505  that has undergone scrolling movement may be reverted in the case in which the user executes the above designated operation one more time or in the opposite direction, or executes an operation with respect to an interface element on the web page displayed while the content region  505  has undergone scrolling movement, for example. 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating a second display example by a client device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  3   , a status bar  601 , a menu bar  603 , and a content list region  605  are included on a screen  600  being displayed on the touchscreen display  110  of the client device  100 . In the example illustrated in the drawing, thumbnails of image content are being displayed in the content list region  605 . The thumbnails are displayed with scrolling, since the thumbnails do not fit in the content list region  605  provided by the display unit  112  of the touchscreen display  110 . Such a content list is another example of that which is referred to as a document in this specification. 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , the first part of the thumbnails (P 1  to P 9 ) are being displayed in the content list region  605 . Since later parts of the thumbnails (P 10  onwards) are not being displayed in the content list region  605  at this time, the user causes these thumbnails to be displayed by scrolling the content list upwards with a drag operation or flick operation on the touchscreen display  110 . On the other hand, since the first thumbnail (P 1 ) is being displayed in the state illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , from the perspective of viewing thumbnails, there is no need to scroll the content list downwards any farther. 
     However, in the case in which the user is holding and operating the client device  100  with one hand, and the user&#39;s finger that operates the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content list region  605 , for example, it may not be easy in some cases to perform some kind of operation on a thumbnail (P 1  to P 3 , for example) display at the top of the content list region  605 . For example, in the case of thumbnails of image content, there may occur operations such as selecting a thumbnail to display, delete, or tag image content. Also, as another example, if titles or thumbnail images of music content are displayed in a content list region, there may occur operations such as selecting a title or image to play, delete, or tag music content. 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the content list region  605  itself undergoes scrolling movement under control by the controller  120 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B . In the illustrated example, the content list region  605  undergoes scrolling movement downward, moving away from the menu bar  603  that was being displayed adjacent above. Similarly to the first display example above, this scrolling movement, although temporary, is not transient. In other words, the state of scrolling movement undergone by the content list region  605  as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B  may be maintained until the next operation is given by the user, for example. In this state, thumbnails included in the content list region  605  remain operable (since various operations related to image content are possible, thumbnails may be said to be one type of interface element). Consequently, after causing scrolling movement of the content list region  605  and moving the first thumbnails (P 1  to P 3 , for example) to the bottom of the screen, it is possible for the user to perform a desired operation on these thumbnails. As a result, it is possible to easily operate even a thumbnail that was not easy to operate before the scrolling movement of the content list region  605 . 
     Meanwhile, a spacer  607  is displayed in the blank part between the menu bar  603  and the content list region  605  produced by the scrolling movement of the content list region  605 . The spacer  607  is displayed distinguished from the thumbnails displayed in the content list region  605 , for example, and may express that downward scrolling of the content list has already ended. For the spacer  607 , a simple graphic or other image may be displayed, or separate content such as an advertisement may be displayed, for example. The image or content displayed as the spacer  607  may also appear to slide down from above in conjunction with the downward scrolling movement of the content list region  605 , for example. Alternatively, the image or content displayed as the spacer  607  may be positioned behind the content list region  605 , and displayed as a hidden part that appears as a result of the downward scrolling movement of the content list region  605 . 
     Similarly to the first display example above, the scrolling movement of the content list region  605  as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B  may also be executed separately from the scrolling of a content list displayed in the content list region  605 . Accordingly, for example, the controller  120  may execute scrolling movement of the content list region  605  in the case in which the operating unit  114  of the touchscreen display  110  acquires a designated operation that differs from an operation for scrolling the content list. Since an example of an operation for the scrolling of a content list and an operation for the scrolling movement of a content list region is similar to the example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a content region in the first display example above, duplicate description thereof will be omitted herein. 
     In the case in which scrolling movement of the content list region  605  starts as a result of a designated operation, subsequent drag operations and flick operations may be treated as operations controlling the magnitude of scrolling movement of the content list region  605 , until a later-discussed operation that reverts the scrolling movement of the content list region  605  is acquired, for example. In other words, in the case of acquiring the above designated operation, the controller  120  may switch the display control mode of the screen  600  from a mode that scrolls thumbnails or the like inside the content list region  605  to a mode that causes scrolling movement of the content list region  605  itself. As a result, it may become easy to make adjustments so that the content list region  605  moves to a desired position by scrolling movement. 
     Alternatively, the controller  120  may execute the scrolling of a content list followed by scrolling movement of the content list region  605  in response to an operation for scrolling a content list acquired by the operating unit  114 . In this case, scrolling movement of the content list region  605  may be executed automatically in the case in which the operation for scrolling the content list, such as a drag operation or a flick operation, for example, is continually acquired even though the thumbnails displayed in the content list region  605  have reached the beginning (P 1  in the example illustrated in the drawing). In this case, the user does not need to switch operation from the case of a scrolling content list up to that point in order to cause scrolling movement of the content list region  605 . At this point, in cases such as when the user did not want to scroll the content list region  605  as above, it is sufficient for the user to revert the scrolling of the content list region  605  by executing an operation that scrolls the content list in the opposite direction, for example. 
     A content list region  605  that has undergone scrolling movement may be reverted in the case in which the user executes the above designated operation one more time or in the opposite direction, or executes an operation with respect to a thumbnail displayed while the content list region  605  has undergone scrolling movement, for example. 
     2. Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   . The present embodiment differs from the foregoing first embodiment in that a content region or a content list region undergoes scrolling movement together with a menu bar. Note that since all other points are similar to the first embodiment, duplicate description thereof will be omitted. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a first display example by a client device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  4   , a status bar  501 , a menu bar  503 , and a content region  505  are included on a screen  500  being displayed on the touchscreen display  110  of the client device  100 . In the example illustrated in the drawing, a web page is being displayed in the content region  505 . 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG.  4 A , a web page is being displayed in the content region  505 . Operations performed on the web page displayed in the content region  505 , such as back, forward, reload, stop, and add bookmark, for example, may be acquired by interface elements such as buttons placed on the menu bar  503 . In other words, the menu bar  503  may be referred to as an interface element placement region in which are placed interface elements that accept operations related to the web page. However, in the case in which the user is holding and operating the client device  100  with one hand, and the user&#39;s finger that operates the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content region  505 , for example, it may not be easy in some cases to perform an operation on an interface element placed on the menu bar  503  above. 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the menu bar  503  undergoes scrolling movement together with the content region  505  under control by the controller  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 B and  4 C . In the illustrated example, the menu bar  503  undergoes scrolling movement downward, moving away from the status bar  501  that was being displayed adjacent above. This scrolling movement, although temporary, is not transient. In other words, the scrolled state of the menu bar  503  as illustrated in  FIG.  4 B  or  FIG.  4 C  may be maintained until the next operation is given by the user, for example. In this state, interface elements such as buttons included on the menu bar  503  remain operable. Consequently, after moving the menu bar  503  to the bottom of the screen  500 , it is possible for the user to perform a desired operation on an interface element included on the menu bar  503 . In other words, the user is able to easily operate an interface element on the menu bar  503  without changing his or her grip on the client device  100 , for example. 
     Meanwhile, a spacer  507  is displayed in the blank part between the status bar  501  and the menu bar  503  produced by the scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  and the content region  505 . For the spacer  507 , a simple graphic or other image may be displayed, or separate content such as an advertisement may be displayed, for example. Alternatively, additional interface elements not included on the menu bar  503  may be displayed as the spacer  507 . The image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  507  may also appear to slide down from above in conjunction with the downward scrolling movement of the menu bar  503 , for example. Alternatively, the image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  507  may be positioned behind the menu bar  503  and the content region  505 , and displayed as a hidden part that appears as a result of the downward scrolling movement of the menu bar  503 . 
     The scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 B and  4 C  may also be executed separately from the scrolling of content displayed in the content region  505 . For example, the controller  120  may execute scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  in the case in which the operating unit  114  of the touchscreen display  110  acquires a designated operation that differs from an operation for scrolling the content. Since an example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a menu bar is similar to the example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a content region in the foregoing first embodiment, duplicate description thereof will be omitted herein. 
     Furthermore, for the above designated operation, the controller  120  may respectively set an operation for causing scrolling movement of the content region  505  and an operation for causing scrolling movement of the menu bar  503 , and selectively execute scrolling movement of these regions. For example, the controller  120  may set an operation of flicking after a double tap as the operation for scrolling movement of the content region  505 , and set an operation of flicking after a long press with the pad of a finger as the operation for scrolling movement of the menu bar  503 . 
     In the case in which scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  starts as a result of a designated operation, subsequent drag operations and flick operations may be treated as operations controlling the magnitude of scrolling movement of the menu bar  503 , until a later-discussed operation that reverts the scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  is acquired, for example. In other words, in the case of acquiring the above designated operation, the controller  120  may switch the display control mode of the screen  500  from a mode that scrolls content inside the content region  505  to a mode that causes scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  and the content region  505 . As a result, it may become easy for the user to place the menu bar  503  at a desired position via scrolling movement. 
     As a result of the user placing the menu bar  503  at a desired position with an operation like the above, in some cases the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the menu bar  503  is displayed at the bottom edge of the screen  500 , and the content region  505  is no longer displayed, as in  FIG.  4 C . Also, the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the menu bar  503  is displayed in the approximate center of the screen  500 , and the content region  505  is displayed below, as in  FIG.  4 B . At this point, since the user is conceivably executing scrolling movement of the menu bar  503  in order to operate the menu bar  503 , interface elements being displayed in the content region  505  may also be disabled. Alternatively, interface elements displayed in the content region  505  may also remain operable in order to raise the user&#39;s freedom of operation. 
     A menu bar  503  that has undergone scrolling movement may be reverted together with the content region  505  in the case in which the user executes the above designated operation one more time or in the opposite direction, or executes an operation with respect to an interface element included on the menu bar  503  while the menu bar  503  has undergone scrolling movement, for example. 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating a second display example by a client device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  5   , a status bar  601 , a menu bar  603 , and a content list region  605  are included on a screen  600  being displayed on the touchscreen display  110  of the client device  100 . In the example illustrated in the drawing, thumbnails of image content are being displayed in the content list region  605 . 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG.  5 A , the first part of the thumbnails (P 1  to P 9 ) are being displayed in the content list region  605 . Operations performed on these thumbnails, such as play, delete, and move, for example, may be acquired by interface elements such as buttons displayed on the menu bar  603 . However, in the case in which the user is holding and operating the client device  100  with one hand, and the user&#39;s finger that operates the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content list region  605 , for example, it may not be easy in some cases to perform an operation on an interface element placed on the menu bar  603  above. 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the menu bar  603  undergoes scrolling movement together with the content list region  605  under control by the controller  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C . In the illustrated example, the menu bar  603  undergoes scrolling movement downward, moving away from the status bar  601  that was being displayed adjacent above. Similarly to the first display example above, this scrolling movement, although temporary, is not transient. In other words, the scrolled state of the menu bar  603  as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B  and  FIG.  5 C  may be maintained until the next operation is given by the user, for example. In this state, interface elements such as buttons displayed on the menu bar  603  remain operable. Consequently, after moving the menu bar  603  to the bottom of the screen  600 , it is possible for the user to perform a desired operation on an interface element included on the menu bar  603 . As a result, the user is able to easily operate an interface element on the menu bar  603  without changing his or her grip on the client device  100 , for example. 
     Meanwhile, a spacer  607  is displayed in the blank part between the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  produced by the scrolling movement of the content list region  605  and the menu bar  603 . For the spacer  607 , a simple graphic or other image may be displayed, or separate content such as an advertisement may be displayed, for example. Alternatively, additional interface elements not included on the menu bar  603  may be displayed as the spacer  607 . The image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  607  may also appear to slide down from above in conjunction with the downward scrolling movement of the menu bar  603 , for example. Alternatively, the image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  607  may be positioned behind the menu bar  603  and the content list region  605 , and displayed as a hidden part that appears as a result of the downward scrolling movement of the menu bar  603 . 
     Similarly to the first display example above, the scrolling movement of the menu bar  603  as illustrated in  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C  may also be executed separately from the scrolling of a content list displayed in the content list region  605 . Accordingly, for example, the controller  120  may execute scrolling movement of the menu bar  603  in the case in which the operating unit  114  of the touchscreen display  110  acquires a designated operation that differs from an operation for scrolling the content list. Since an example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a menu bar is similar to the example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a content region in the foregoing first embodiment, duplicate description thereof will be omitted herein. 
     Furthermore, similarly to the first display example above, the controller  120  may respectively set an operation for causing scrolling movement of the content list region  605  and an operation for causing scrolling movement of the menu bar  603 , and selectively execute scrolling movement of these regions. Also, in the case in which scrolling movement of the menu bar  603  starts as a result of a designated operation, subsequent drag operations and flick operations may be treated as operations controlling the magnitude of scrolling movement of the menu bar  603 , until a later-discussed operation that reverts the scrolling movement of the menu bar  603  is acquired, for example. 
     As a result of the user placing the menu bar  603  at a desired position with an operation like the above, in some cases the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the menu bar  603  is displayed at the bottom edge of the screen  600 , and the content list region  605  is no longer displayed, as in  FIG.  5 C . Also, the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the menu bar  603  is displayed in the approximate center of the screen  600 , and the content list region  605  is displayed below, as in  FIG.  5 B . At this point, since the user is conceivably executing scrolling movement of the menu bar  603  in order to operate the menu bar  603 , operations on thumbnails being displayed in the content list region  605  may also be disabled. Alternatively, thumbnails displayed in the content list region  605  may also remain operable in order to raise the user&#39;s freedom of operation. 
     A menu bar  603  that has undergone scrolling movement may be reverted in the case in which the user executes the above designated operation one more time or in the opposite direction, or executes an operation with respect to an interface element included on the menu bar  603  while the menu bar  603  has undergone scrolling movement, for example. 
     3. Third Embodiment 
     Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   . The present embodiment differs from the foregoing first and second embodiments in that a content region or a content list region undergoes scrolling movement together with a menu bar and a status bar. Note that since all other points are similar to the first or second embodiment, duplicate description thereof will be omitted. 
       FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating a first display example by a client device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  6   , a status bar  501 , a menu bar  503 , and a content region  505  are included on a screen  500  being displayed on the touchscreen display  110  of the client device  100 . In the example illustrated in the drawing, a web page is being displayed in the content region  505 . 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG.  6 A , a web page is being displayed in the content region  505 . Operations performed on the web page displayed in the content region  505 , such as back, forward, reload, stop, and add bookmark, for example, may be acquired by interface elements such as buttons placed on the menu bar  503 . Also, status notifications indicating received messages, software updates, and the like regarding the overall system of the client device  100  may be referenced by selecting the status bar  501 , for example. However, in the case in which the user is holding and operating the client device  100  with one hand, and the user&#39;s finger that operates the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content region  505 , for example, it may not be easy in some cases to perform an operation on an interface element placed on the menu bar  503  above, or select the status bar  501  placed even farther above. 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the status bar  501  undergoes scrolling movement together with the menu bar  503  and the content region  505  under control by the controller  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 B and  6 C . In the illustrated example, the status bar  501  undergoes scrolling movement downward, moving away from the top edge of the screen  500 . This scrolling movement, although temporary, is not transient. In other words, the scrolled state of the status bar  501  as illustrated in  FIG.  6 B  or  FIG.  6 C  may be maintained until the next operation is given by the user, for example. While in this state, the status bar  501  remains selectable. In addition, interface elements such as buttons included on the menu bar  503  may also remain operable. Consequently, after moving the status bar  501  and the menu bar  503  to the bottom of the screen  500 , it is possible for the user to select the status bar  501  to display a notification, or perform a desired operation on an interface element included on the menu bar  503 . In other words, the user is able to easily operate an interface element on the menu bar  503  or select the status bar  501 , without changing his or her grip on the client device  100 , for example. 
     Meanwhile, a spacer  507  is displayed in the blank part above the status bar  501  produced by the scrolling movement of the status bar  501 , the menu bar  503 , and the content region  505 . For the spacer  507 , a simple graphic or other image may be displayed, or separate content such as an advertisement may be displayed, for example. Alternatively, additional interface elements not included on the menu bar  503  may be displayed as the spacer  507 . The image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  507  may also appear to slide down from above in conjunction with the downward scrolling movement of the status bar  501 , for example. Alternatively, the image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  507  may be positioned behind the status bar  501 , the menu bar  503 , and the content region  505 , and displayed as a hidden part that appears as a result of the downward scrolling movement of the status bar  501 . 
     The scrolling movement of the status bar  501  as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 B and  6 C  may also be executed separately from the scrolling of content displayed in the content region  505 . For example, the controller  120  may execute scrolling movement of the status bar  501  in the case in which the operating unit  114  of the touchscreen display  110  acquires a designated operation that differs from an operation for scrolling the content. Since an example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a status bar is similar to the example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a content region in the foregoing first embodiment, duplicate description thereof will be omitted herein. 
     Furthermore, for the above designated operation, the controller  120  may respectively set an operation for causing scrolling movement of the content region  505  and an operation for causing scrolling movement of the status bar  501 , and selectively execute scrolling movement of these regions. For example, the controller  120  may set an operation of flicking after a double tap as the operation for scrolling movement of the content region  505 , and set an operation of flicking after a long press with the pad of a finger as the operation for scrolling movement of the status bar  501 . 
     In the case in which scrolling movement of the status bar  501  starts as a result of a designated operation, subsequent drag operations and flick operations may be treated as operations controlling the magnitude of scrolling movement of the status bar  501 , until a later-discussed operation that reverts the scrolling movement of the status bar  501  is acquired, for example. In other words, in the case of acquiring the above designated operation, the controller  120  may switch the display control mode of the screen  500  from a mode that scrolls content inside the content region  505  to a mode that causes scrolling movement of the status bar  501 , the menu bar  503 , and the content region  505 . As a result, it may become easy for the user to place the status bar  501  or the menu bar  503  at a desired position via scrolling movement. 
     As a result of the user placing the status bar  501  or the menu bar  503  at a desired position with an operation like the above, in some cases the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the status bar  501  and the menu bar  503  are displayed at the bottom edge of the screen  500 , and the content region  505  is no longer displayed, as in  FIG.  6 C . Also, the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the status bar  501  and the menu bar  503  are displayed in the approximate center of the screen  500 , and the content region  505  is displayed below, as in  FIG.  6 B . At this point, since the user is conceivably executing scrolling movement of the status bar  501  in order to operate the status bar  501  or the menu bar  503 , interface elements being displayed in the content region  505  may also be disabled. Alternatively, interface elements displayed in the content region  505  may also remain operable in order to raise the user&#39;s freedom of operation. 
     A status bar  501  and a menu bar  503  that have undergone scrolling movement may be reverted together with the content region  505  in the case in which the user executes the above designated operation one more time or in the opposite direction, or ends viewing of a notification displayed in the status bar  501  or executes an operation with respect to an interface element included on the menu bar  503  while the status bar  501  and the menu bar  503  have undergone scrolling movement, for example. 
       FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating a second display example by a client device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  7   , a status bar  601 , a menu bar  603 , and a content list region  605  are included on a screen  600  being displayed on the touchscreen display  110  of the client device  100 . In the example illustrated in the drawing, thumbnails of image content are being displayed in the content list region  605 . 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG.  7 A , the first part of the thumbnails (P 1  to P 9 ) are being displayed in the content list region  605 . Operations performed on these thumbnails, such as play, delete, and move, for example, may be acquired by interface elements such as buttons displayed on the menu bar  603 . Also, notifications indicating received messages, software updates, and the like regarding the overall system of the client device  100  may be referenced by selecting the status bar  601 , for example. However, in the case in which the user is holding and operating the client device  100  with one hand, and the user&#39;s finger that operates the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content list region  605 , for example, it may not be easy in some cases to perform an operation on an interface element placed on the menu bar  603  above, or select the status bar  601  placed even farther above. 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the status bar  601  undergoes scrolling movement together with the menu bar  603  and the content list region  605  under control by the controller  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  7 B and  7 C . In the illustrated example, the status bar  601  undergoes scrolling movement downward, moving away from the top edge of the screen  600 . Similarly to the first display example above, this scrolling movement, although temporary, is not transient. In other words, the scrolled state of the status bar  601  as illustrated in  FIG.  7 B  or  FIG.  7 C  may be maintained until the next operation is given by the user, for example. While in this state, the status bar  601  remains selectable. In addition, interface elements such as buttons included on the menu bar  603  may also remain operable. Consequently, after moving the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  to the bottom of the screen  600 , it is possible for the user to select the status bar  601  to display a notification, or perform a desired operation on an interface element included on the menu bar  603 . In other words, the user is able to easily operate an interface element on the menu bar  603  or select the status bar  601 , without changing his or her grip on the client device  100 , for example. 
     Meanwhile, a spacer  607  is displayed in the blank part above the status bar  601  produced by the scrolling movement of the status bar  601 , the menu bar  603 , and the content list region  605 . For the spacer  607 , a simple graphic or other image may be displayed, or separate content such as an advertisement may be displayed, for example. Alternatively, additional interface elements not included on the menu bar  603  may be displayed as the spacer  607 . The image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  607  may also appear to slide down from above in conjunction with the downward scrolling movement of the status bar  601 , for example. Alternatively, the image, content, or interface elements displayed as the spacer  607  may be positioned behind the status bar  601 , the menu bar  603 , and the content list region  605 , and displayed as a hidden part that appears as a result of the downward scrolling movement of the status bar  601 . 
     Similarly to the first display example above, the scrolling movement of the status bar  601  as illustrated in  FIGS.  7 B and  7 C  may also be executed separately from the scrolling of a content list displayed in the content list region  605 . For example, the controller  120  may execute scrolling movement of the status bar  601  in the case in which the operating unit  114  of the touchscreen display  110  acquires a designated operation that differs from an operation for scrolling the content list. Since an example of an operation for the scrolling of a content list and an operation for the scrolling movement of a status bar is similar to the example of an operation for the scrolling of content and an operation for the scrolling movement of a content region in the foregoing first embodiment, duplicate description thereof will be omitted herein. 
     Furthermore, similarly to the first display example above, the controller  120  may respectively set an operation for causing scrolling movement of the content list region  605  and an operation for causing scrolling movement of the status bar  601 , and selectively execute scrolling movement of these regions. Also, in the case in which scrolling movement of the status bar  601  starts as a result of a designated operation, subsequent drag operations and flick operations may be treated as operations controlling the magnitude of scrolling movement of the status bar  601 , until a later-discussed operation that reverts the scrolling movement of the status bar  601  is acquired, for example. 
     As a result of the user placing the status bar  601  or the menu bar  603  at a desired position with an operation like the above, in some cases the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  are displayed at the bottom edge of the screen  600 , and the content list region  605  is no longer displayed, as in  FIG.  7 C . Also, the user&#39;s next operation may be acquired in a state in which the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  are displayed in the approximate center of the screen  600 , and the content list region  605  is displayed below, as in  FIG.  7 B . At this point, since the user is conceivably executing scrolling movement of the status bar  601  in order to operate the status bar  601  or the menu bar  603 , operations on thumbnails being displayed in the content list region  605  may also be disabled. Alternatively, thumbnails displayed in the content list region  605  may also remain operable in order to raise the user&#39;s freedom of operation. 
     A status bar  601  and a menu bar  603  that have undergone scrolling movement may be reverted together with the content list region  605  in the case in which the user executes the above designated operation one more time or in the opposite direction, or ends viewing of a notification displayed in the status bar  601  or executes an operation with respect to an interface element included on the menu bar  603  while the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  have undergone scrolling movement, for example. 
     4. Fourth Embodiment 
     Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIG.  8   . In the present embodiment, the scrolling movement starting from a content region (or a content list region), the scrolling movement starting from a menu bar, and the scrolling movement starting from a status bar in the foregoing first through third embodiments are used differently according to the support state of the operating system (OS) of the client device  100  or an application displayed on-screen. 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process by a client device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the operating unit  114  of the client device  100  acquires a designated operation indicating scrolling movement that is not the scrolling of content (or a content list) (step S 101 ). Herein, the designated operation may be, as discussed earlier, flicking on the second tap of a double tap, performing a long press with the pad of a finger, flicking after performing a long press with the pad of a finger, dragging with the pad of a finger, flicking after moving a finger up and down several times while tapping, operating a touch sensor (additionally) provided on the rear face of the client device  100 , operating a touch sensor (additionally) provided on a side face of the client device  100  or at the edge of the display, or shaking the client device  100  while tapping, for example. 
     At this point, in the case of determining that the operating unit  114  has acquired the designated operation, the controller  120  may control the display unit  112  to display an effect indicating that a separate scrolling display mode has started. For example, an effect like peeling paper may be displayed in the portions undergoing scrolling movement on-screen (for example, the content region  505  in the example of  FIG.  2   , the menu bar  503  in the example of  FIG.  4   , or the status bar  501  in the example of  FIG.  6   ). Also, an effect may be displayed in which these portions are reduced slightly and appear to be floating. These effects may be displayed not only at the start, but also during the scrolling movement. 
     Next, a determination of whether or not the OS supports a scrolling movement function is made (step S 103 ), and if the OS supports the function (YES), scrolling movement starting from the status bar like in the third embodiment is executed (step S 105 ). In the present embodiment, since the status bar is displayed by a function of the OS, OS support of a scrolling movement function may be a condition for realizing scrolling movement starting from the status bar. Obviously, scrolling movement starting from the menu bar or scrolling movement starting from the content region (or content list region) may also be executed, even in the case in which the OS supports the function. 
     Conversely, in the case in which the OS does not support the function in the determination of step S 103  (NO), a determination of whether or not the application being displayed on-screen supports a scrolling movement function is made (step S 107 ). At this point, if the application supports the function (YES), scrolling movement starting from the menu bar like in the second embodiment is executed (step S 109 ). In the present embodiment, since the menu bar is displayed by a function of the application, application support of a scrolling movement function may be a condition for realizing scrolling movement starting from the menu bar. Obviously, scrolling movement starting from the content region (or content list region) may also be executed, even in the case in which the application supports the function. 
     Conversely, in the case in which the application does not support the function in the determination of step S 107  (NO), scrolling movement starting from the content region (or content list region) like in the first embodiment is executed (step S 111 ). At this point, the controller  120  adds a dummy content portion, advertising, or the like to be displayed as a spacer at the beginning of the content (or content list), for example, such that this content portion or advertising is displayed following the ordinary scrolling of the content (or content list). 
     5. Other Embodiments 
     (5-1. Upward Scrolling Movement) 
       FIGS.  9  and  10    are diagrams illustrating examples of upward scrolling movement according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS.  9 A to  9 C  illustrate an example of a content display, while  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  illustrate an example of a content list display. The foregoing first through third embodiments are described by taking as an example the case in which the user&#39;s finger operating the touchscreen display  110  is positioned at the bottom of the content region  505  (or the content list region  605 ). Similarly, usability improvement using upward scrolling movement may also be attempted in the case in which the user&#39;s finger is positioned at the top of the content region  505  (or the content list region  605 ). 
     For example, as illustrated in the examples of  FIGS.  9 A and  10 A , the content region  505  (or the content list region  605 ) may undergo upward scrolling movement to place interface elements or thumbnails closer to a range easily operated by the user. Similarly, as illustrated in the examples of  FIGS.  9 B and  10 B , the menu bar  503  or  603  may also undergo upward scrolling movement in the case in which the menu bar  503  or  603  is displayed at the bottom edge rather than the top edge of the screen  500  or  600 . Also, as illustrated in the examples of  FIGS.  9 C and  10 C , the status bar  501  or  601  may also undergo upward scrolling movement in the case in which the status bar  501  or  601  is displayed at the bottom edge of the screen  500  or  600 . 
     (5-2. Automatic Stopping and Spacer Display) 
       FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating an example of automatic stopping and spacer display according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, scrolling movement starting from the status bar  601  is executed. In  FIG.  11 A , thumbnails (P 10  to P 17 ) of image content displayed in the content list region  605  are scrolled, without starting a mode for scrolling movement of the status bar  601 . At this point, if a designated operation as discussed above is acquired, such as a long press with the pad of a finger, scrolling with the pad of a finger, or shaking the client device  100  while tapping, for example, the controller  120  starts the mode for scrolling movement of the status bar  601 . 
       FIG.  11 B  is a display example of when the mode for scrolling movement of the status bar  601  is started. At this point, the status bar  601 , the menu bar  603 , and the content list region  605  move slightly downward while keeping the displayed content (like when captured). The spacer  607  is displayed in the blank part produced by the movement. In the illustrated example, the spacer  607  may be an image like a string by which the status bar  601  hangs from the top edge of the screen  600 . At the time of  FIG.  11 B , this string is very slack. 
       FIG.  11 C  is a display example while scrolling movement of the status bar  601  is in progress. At this point, the status bar  601 , the menu bar  603 , and the content list region  605  are moving downward while continuing to keep the displayed content at the time of  FIG.  11 A . As discussed above, even in this state it is still possible to select the status bar  601  or operate an interface element included on the menu bar  603 . Also, the string being displayed as the spacer  607  is gradually losing slack to reflect that the distance has widened between the top edge of the screen  600  and the status bar  601 . 
       FIG.  11 D  is a display example of when scrolling movement of the status bar  601  has stopped. At this point, the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  have moved close to the bottom edge of the screen  600 , and are estimated to be at a position that is sufficiently easily to operate with a user&#39;s finger positioned at the bottom of the screen  600 , for example. Consequently, the controller  120  may also set this position as a limit point for the scrolling movement of the status bar  601 . At this point, the string being displayed as the spacer  607  is being displayed in a taut state to reflect that the downward movement of the status bar  601  has reached the limit. 
     In the illustrated example, the scrolling movement of the status bar  601  and the menu bar  603  may be stopped at a suitable position without user adjustment, as a result of the controller  120  of the client device  100  automatically determining a travel amount for the scrolling movement of the status bar  601 . Herein, the travel amount of the scrolling movement may be determined according to the display size of interface elements that remain operable, or in other words, the display size of the status bar  601  or interface elements displayed on the menu bar  603  in the above example. Also, by displaying an image expressing the relationship between an automatically determined travel amount and the current travel amount, like the string in the above example, the user is able to intuitively recognize how far the scrolling movement has advanced. Obviously, similar control and display is likewise possible for scrolling movement of the menu bar  603  or the content list region  605 , as well as the scrolling movement of respective regions on the screen  500 . 
     (5-3. Display when Reverting) 
       FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating a display example when reverting the scrolling movement illustrated in  FIG.  11   .  FIG.  12 A  is the same display as  FIG.  11 D , but if at this point a designated operation for reverting scrolling movement is acquired, such as an operation of tapping and then flicking upward, for example, the controller  120  starts a control for reverting the scrolling movement of the status bar  601 . In the illustrated example, the scrolling movement is automatically reverted by the above designated operation.  FIG.  12 B  illustrates a midway state. Unlike the example of  FIG.  11 C , for example, the string displayed as the spacer  607  remains in a taut state, and movement may be expressed as though the status bar  601  is being dragged upward, for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12 C , when the status bar  601  moves up to the top edge of the screen  600 , the mode for scrolling movement of the status bar  601  ends, and subsequently, the scrolling display of the thumbnails displayed in the content list region  605  is resumed. Note that although in the above example the scrolling movement is automatically reverted by the operation in  FIG.  12 A , in another example, the scrolling movement may be reverted manually by the user executing an upward drag operation or flick operation until reaching the state in  FIG.  12 C . In this case, it is also possible to stop the upward operation partway through, and again return to the state in  FIG.  12 A . Thus, the display of the spacer  607  in  FIG.  12 B  may be a somewhat slack string similar to  FIG.  11 C  to express that the status bar  601  is movable both upwards and downwards. 
       FIG.  13    is a diagram illustrating a another display example when reverting the scrolling movement illustrated in  FIG.  11   .  FIG.  13 A  is the same display as  FIG.  11 D , but at this point an operation selecting the status bar  601  is acquired. As discussed earlier, since notifications indicating received messages, software updates, and the like are displayed on the status bar  601 , if the status bar  601  is selected, a status screen  609  as illustrated in  FIG.  13 B  may be referenced. In the illustrated example, by selecting a close button  611  displayed on the status screen  609 , the display of the status screen  609  ends, and in addition, the display position of the status bar  601  reverts back as illustrated in  FIG.  13 C , and the scrolling movement mode ends. 
       FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating yet another display example when reverting the scrolling movement illustrated in  FIG.  11   .  FIG.  14 A  is the same display as  FIG.  11 D , but at this point an operation via an interface element included on the menu bar  603  produces a screen transition within an application, or in other words, a change in the display of a document. In the illustrated example, a transition to a map display screen  650  as illustrated in  FIG.  14 B  is being executed, and at this point the scrolling movement of the status bar  601  is reverted back. The position of the status bar  601  may revert back immediately, or revert over a designated amount of time while displaying an animation or the like. On the other hand, although a screen transition is not produced in the display of  FIG.  14 A  even in the case in which an operation, such as deleting content, for example, is executed on a thumbnail of image content displayed in the content list region  605  via an interface element included on the menu bar  603 , the scrolling movement of the status bar  601  may revert back as illustrated in  FIG.  14 C . 
     (5-4. Display in the Case of a Horizontal Screen) 
       FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating a display example of a horizontal screen according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example in  FIG.  15 A , when a contact region (Touch) exists on the right side of a horizontal screen  700 , the displayed content undergoes scrolling movement to the right, and a spacer  707  is displayed in the emptied part. Also, in the example in  FIG.  15 B , when a contact region (Touch) exists on the left side of the horizontal screen  700 , the displayed content undergoes scrolling movement to the left, and a spacer  707  is displayed in the emptied part. In this way, the embodiment of the present disclosure discussed above is also applicable to a horizontal screen similarly to a vertical screen in a client device  100  such as a smartphone. 
     (5-5. Display in the Case of a Large Screen) 
       FIG.  16    is a diagram illustrating a display example of a large screen according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example in  FIG.  16 A , when a contact region (Touch) exists in the lower-right of a large screen  800 , the displayed content undergoes scrolling movement down and to the right, and a spacer  807  is displayed in the emptied L-shaped part. Also, in the example in  FIG.  16 B , when a contact region (Touch) exists in the lower-left of the large screen  800 , the displayed content undergoes scrolling movement down and to the left, and a spacer  807  is displayed in the emptied L-shaped part. In this way, the embodiment of the present disclosure discussed above is also applicable to a large screen the may be scrolled both vertically and horizontally in a client device  100  such as a tablet. In this case, the travel direction of the scrolling movement may be determined according to a position on a touchscreen display or on a case near a touchscreen display at which a designated user operation was executed, as in the above examples. 
     6. Supplemental Remarks 
     In the foregoing embodiment, display control for a client device is executed internally within the client device, such that the client device functions as the display control device. However, an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, a server that communicates with a client device via a network may also provide the function of display control for the client device. In this case, one or multiple server devices constituting the server function as the display control device. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a display control device (a client device or a server device) as described in the foregoing, a system, an information processing method executed by a display device or system, a program for causing a display control device to function, and a non-transient tangible medium storing a program, for example. 
     The foregoing thus describes a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure in detail and with reference to the attached drawings. However, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to persons ordinarily skilled in the technical field of the present disclosure that various modifications or alterations may occur insofar as they are within the scope of the technical ideas stated in the claims, and it is to be understood that such modifications or alterations obviously belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. 
     Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below. 
     (1) An information processing system, comprising: circuitry configured to cause a first scrolling of a displayed content region within boundaries thereof in response to a first user operation, and cause a second scrolling of the displayed content region beyond the boundaries thereof in response to a second user operation. 
     (2) The information processing system of (1), wherein the first user operation and the second user operation are different. 
     (3) The information processing system of (2), wherein the first user operation includes fewer gestures than the second user operation. 
     (4) The information processing system of any one of (1) to (3), wherein an operation item in the content region remains active after the second scrolling of the content region. 
     (5) The information processing system of (4), wherein the content region is scrolled to a position within the boundaries thereof in response to operation of the operation item. 
     (6) The information processing system of any one of (1) to (5), wherein after the second scrolling an area beyond the boundaries of the content region is displayed differently from the content region to distinguish the area beyond the boundaries of the content region from the content region. 
     (7) The information processing system of (6), wherein the content region is part of a graphical user interface that further includes a menu region and a status region. 
     (8) The information processing system of (7), wherein the status region and the menu region remain at a fixed position in the graphical user interface during both the first and the second user operations. 
     (9) The information processing system of any one of (6) to (7), wherein the area beyond the boundaries of the content region includes an image. 
     (10) The information processing system of any one of (6) to (9), wherein the area beyond the boundaries includes an advertisement. 
     (11) The information processing system of any one of (9) to (10), wherein the image included in the area beyond the boundaries of the content region is positioned behind the content region such that scrolling the content region beyond the boundaries thereof reveals a portion of the image. 
     (12) The information processing system of any one of (1) to (11), wherein user operations after the second user operation control a magnitude of the second scrolling. 
     (13) The information processing system of (12), wherein the second scrolling is canceled in response to a predetermined user operation. 
     (14) The information processing system of (8), wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive a third user operation that is different from the first and second user operations, and to cause a third scrolling to scroll both the menu region and the content region together to reveal an area between the status region and the menu region, the area between the status region and the menu region being different from the status region, the menu region and the content region. 
     (15) The information processing system of (14), wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive a fourth user operation to cause a fourth scrolling to scroll the status region, the menu region and the content region together to reveal an area beyond the status region, the area beyond the status region being different from the status region, the menu region and the content region. 
     (16) The information processing system of (15), wherein the status region and the menu region are disposed at a top of the graphical user interface. 
     (17) The information processing system of (16), wherein the status region and the menu region are disposed at a bottom of the graphical user interface. 
     (18) The information processing system of any one of (1) to (18), wherein the circuitry receives user operation via a touchscreen. 
     (19) An information processing method, comprising: causing, with circuitry, a first scrolling of a displayed content region within boundaries thereof in response to a first user operation; and causing, with the circuitry, a second scrolling of the displayed content region beyond the boundaries thereon in response to a second user operation. 
     (20) A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-readable instructions thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising: causing, with circuitry, a first scrolling of a displayed content region within boundaries thereof in response to a first user operation; and causing, with the circuitry, a second scrolling of the displayed content region beyond the boundaries thereon in response to a second user operation. 
     (21) A display control device including: 
     a display controller that controls display on a touchscreen display, 
     wherein the display controller 
     executes a first scrolling control that scrolls a document displayed on the touchscreen display within a display region that includes the document, and a second scrolling control that causes scrolling movement of the display region, and 
     during the scrolling movement by the second scrolling control, causes a spacer that differs from the document to be displayed in a blank display part produced by scrolling movement of the display region, and in addition, causes at least a portion of interface elements included in the display region to remain operable, and 
     wherein a first user operation for causing the display controller to execute the first scrolling control and a second user operation for causing the display controller to execute the second scrolling control are touch operations that differ from each other with respect to the display region on the touchscreen display. 
     (22) The display control device according to (21), 
     wherein the display controller temporarily causes scrolling movement of the display region in the second scrolling control. 
     (23) The display control device according to (21) or (22), 
     wherein the first user operation is an operation simpler than the second user operation. 
     (24) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (23), 
     wherein the display controller automatically determines a travel amount of the scrolling movement in the second scrolling control. 
     (25) The display control device according to (24), 
     wherein the travel amount of the scrolling movement is determined according to a display size of the interface elements that remain operable. 
     (26) The display control device according to (24) or (25), 
     wherein the spacer is an image expressing a relationship between the automatically determined travel amount and a current travel amount. 
     (27) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (26), 
     wherein, during the scrolling movement in the second scrolling control, the display controller causes interface elements placed within the document to remain operable. 
     (28) The display control device according to (21), 
     wherein the display region includes the document and an interface element placement region in which interface elements that accept operations related to the document are placed, and 
     wherein, during the scrolling movement in the second scrolling control, the display controller causes interface elements placed in the interface element placement region to remain operable. 
     (29) The display control device according to (28), 
     wherein, during the scrolling movement in the second scrolling control, the display controller disables interface elements placed within the document. 
     (30) The display control device according to (21), 
     wherein the display region includes the document and a status display region that displays a status of a device that includes the touchscreen display, and 
     wherein, during the scrolling movement in the second scrolling control, the display controller causes the status display region to remain operable. 
     (31) The display control device according to (30), 
     wherein, in the second scrolling control, the display controller reverts the scrolling movement when display of a status screen displayed by an operation on the status display region ends. 
     (32) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (31), 
     wherein, in the second scrolling control, the display controller reverts the scrolling movement when display of the document is changed by an operation on the interface elements that remain operable. 
     (33) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (31), 
     wherein, in the second scrolling control, the display controller reverts the scrolling movement when an operation on the interface elements that remain operable is executed. 
     (34) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (33), 
     wherein, on the touchscreen display, a position of the display region is fixed in a case in which the second scrolling control is absent. 
     (35) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (34), 
     wherein a travel direction of the scrolling movement in the second scrolling control is determined according to a position on the touchscreen display or on a case near the touchscreen display at which the second user operation was executed. 
     (36) The display control device according to any one of (21) to (35), further including: 
     a display unit, operating unit, storage unit, and communication unit constituting the touchscreen display, 
     wherein the display controller controls display by the display unit. 
     (37) The display control device according to (36), 
     wherein the display control device is a smartphone or tablet. 
     (38) A display control method including: 
     executing, by a processor that controls display on a touchscreen display, a first scrolling control that scrolls a document displayed on the touchscreen display within a display region that includes the document, and a second scrolling control that causes scrolling movement of the display region, and 
     during the scrolling movement by the second scrolling control, causing, by the processor, a spacer that differs from the document to be displayed in a blank display part produced by scrolling movement of the display region, and in addition, causing, by the processor, at least a portion of interface elements included in the display region to remain operable, 
     wherein a first user operation for causing the processor to execute the first scrolling control and a second user operation for causing the processor to execute the second scrolling control are touch operations that differ from each other with respect to the display region on the touchscreen display. 
     (39) A program causing a computer that controls display on a touchscreen display to realize 
     a function that executes a first scrolling control that scrolls a document displayed on the touchscreen display within a display region that includes the document, and a second scrolling control that causes scrolling movement of the display region, and a function that, during the scrolling movement by the second scrolling control, causes a spacer that differs from the document to be displayed in a blank display part produced by scrolling movement of the display region, and in addition, causes at least a portion of interface elements included in the display region to remain operable, wherein a first user operation for causing the computer to execute the first scrolling control and a second user operation for causing the computer to execute the second scrolling control are touch operations that differ from each other with respect to the display region on the touchscreen display. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           100  client device 
           110  touchscreen display 
           112  display unit 
           114  operating unit 
           120  controller 
           130  storage unit 
           140  communication unit