Patent Publication Number: US-2009222764-A1

Title: Information processing device, information display method, and computer program

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention contains subjected matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2008-49516 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 29, 2008, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information display method, and a computer program. More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing device, an information display method, and a computer program that display icons on a screen and perform various types of processing. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Numerous information processing devices exist that are configured such that they display a plurality of information items on a screen and allow a user to perform various types of processing rapidly by referring to the displayed plurality of information items. One example of such an information processing device is a video editing system such as that described in Japanese Patent No. 3775611. The video editing system is required to provide rapid editing processing, and it meets the requirement by displaying a plurality of information items on a screen. 
     The editing system that is described in Japanese Patent No. 3775611 has such functions as displaying a thumbnail of a video that the user wants to edit on the screen and displaying a timeline that allows the user to recognize the playback position of the video. The user of the editing system can edit videos quickly by referring to the displayed plurality of information items. 
     A known video editing system, as shown in  FIG. 10 , for example, displays a screen that includes a main screen  11  and sub-screens  12   a,    12   b,    12   c,  and  12   d  that are displayed as overlays on the main screen  11 . The main screen  11  is used to display videos that can be edited and videos that have been edited. The sub-screens  12   a,    12   b,    12   c,  and  12   d  are screens that each provides a different function. For example, the sub-screen  12   a  is a screen for displaying thumbnails of the videos that can be edited and designating a video to be edited. The sub-screen  12   b  is a screen for displaying a state (a playback time, a playback position, or the like) of a video that is designated on the sub-screen  12   a.  The sub-screen  12   c  is a screen for displaying thumbnails of videos that have been edited and designating an edited video. The sub-screen  12   d  is a screen on which various types of buttons and the like for performing editing operations are arrayed. 
     On the screen that is shown in  FIG. 10 , the sub-screens  12   a,    12   b,    12   c,  and  12   d  are switched between displayed and non-displayed states by operating commands from the user, and a state in which all of the sub-screens are displayed can be achieved. Moreover, even in a case where a plurality of the sub-screens are displayed, only one of the sub-screens is actually enabled such that it can accept an operating command from the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The known technologies, in order to distinguish which one of the sub-screens is able to accept an operating command from the user on a screen like that shown in  FIG. 10 , use such methods as displaying a frame around the operable sub-screen and lowering the brightness of the other sub-screens while displaying the operable sub-screen relatively brightly. However, the known technologies have a problem in that they switch the displays instantaneously, and in a case where a plurality of the sub-screens is displayed, it is difficult for the user to discern by a single glance at the screen which of the sub-screens is the enabled (activated) sub-screen. 
     Accordingly, the present invention addresses this problem and provides an information processing device, an information display method, and a computer program that are new and improved and that are capable of changing the enabled screen in response to an operation input from the user and making it easy to distinguish the screen that is enabled to accept the operation input from the user. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device that includes a screen display control portion, an icon display control portion, and an icon moving portion. The screen display control portion controls a display of an area on a screen such that the area is able to accept an input operation by a user based on a display of an object on the screen and an operation signal that corresponds to the input operation by the user and that designates the area. The icon display control portion displays an icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen. The icon moving portion moves the icon dynamically, based on the operation signal, to a target position within the area that is designated by the operation signal. 
     In this configuration, the screen display control portion controls the display of the area on the screen such that the area is able to accept the input operation by the user based on the display of the object on the screen and the operation signal that corresponds to the input operation by the user and that designates the area. Further, the icon display control portion displays the icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen, and the icon moving portion moves the icon dynamically, based on the operation signal, to the target position within the area that is designated by the operation signal. Using the icon moving portion to take the icon that is displayed by the icon display control portion and dynamically move it to the screen that is enabled to accept the operation input from the user, with the enabled screen being changed according to the operation input from the user, makes it easy to determine which screen is enabled to accept the operation input from the user. 
     A user interface portion may also be provided that, in accordance with the user input operation that corresponds to the icon, generates the operation signal such that the operation signal directly designates the object that corresponds to the designated icon. 
     The number of the icons that is displayed by the icon display control portion is more than one, and the icon moving portion may also cause all of the plurality of the icons displayed by the icon display control portion to arrive at the target position at the same time. 
     The number of the icons that is displayed by the icon display control portion is more than one, and the icon moving portion may also move the icons displayed by the icon display control portion such that they arrive at the target position at different times. 
     The icon moving portion may also perform control such that the speed at which the icon that is displayed by the icon display control portion moves becomes slower to the extent that it moves closer to the target position. The icon moving portion may also move the icon that is displayed by the icon display control portion to the target position in a straight line. 
     A numeral may also be associated with the icon. This makes it possible for the user to press a button to which a numeral is assigned, such as a button on a ten-key pad that is provided on a keyboard or the like that is connected to the information processing device, in order to perform an operation on an object that corresponds to the numeral button that the user presses. 
     Based on the operation signal, the screen display control portion may also switch the area that is able to accept the input operation by the user and may switch the display accordingly. The icon moving portion may also move the icon dynamically to a target position within the area that the screen display control portion has made able to accept the input operation by the user. The switching of the display of the area that is enabled to accept the input operation by the user, and the dynamic moving of the icon, make it easy to distinguish the screen that is enabled to accept the operation input from the user. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information display method that includes a step of controlling a display of an area on a screen such that the area is able to accept an input operation by a user based on a display of an object on the screen and an operation signal that corresponds to the input operation by the user and that designates the area. The information display method also includes a step of displaying an icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen. The information display method also includes a step of moving the icon dynamically, based on the operation signal, to a target position within the area that is designated by the operation signal. 
     In this configuration, one of the steps controls the display of the area on the screen such that the area is able to accept the input operation by the user based on the display of the object on the screen and the operation signal that corresponds to the input operation by the user and that designates the area. Another of the steps displays the icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen. Another of the steps moves the icon dynamically, based on the operation signal, to the target position within the area that is designated by the operation signal. The dynamic moving of the displayed icon to the screen that is enabled to accept the operation input from the user, with the enabled screen being changed according to the operation input from the user, makes it easy to determine which screen is enabled to accept the operation input from the user. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program that causes a computer to perform a step of controlling a display of an area on a screen such that the area is able to accept an input operation by a user based on a display of an object on the screen and an operation signal that corresponds to the input operation by the user and that designates the area. The computer program also causes the computer to perform a step of displaying an icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen. The computer program also causes the computer to perform a step of moving the icon dynamically, based on the operation signal, to a target position within the area that is designated by the operation signal. 
     In this configuration, one of the steps controls the display of the area on the screen such that the area is able to accept the input operation by the user based on the display of the object on the screen and the operation signal that corresponds to the input operation by the user and that designates the area. Another of the steps displays the icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen. Another of the steps moves the icon dynamically, based on the operation signal, to the target position within the area that is designated by the operation signal. The dynamic moving of the displayed icon to the screen that is enabled to accept the operation input from the user, with the enabled screen being changed according to the operation input from the user, makes it easy to determine which screen is enabled to accept the operation input from the user. 
     According to the present invention as described above, an information processing device, an information display method, and a computer program can be provided that display on the screen the icon that corresponds to the object that is displayed on the screen and dynamically move the icon according to the operation input from the user, making it possible to change the enabled screen according to the operation input from the user and making it easy to determine which screen is enabled to accept the operation input from the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory figure that explains an overview of a video editing system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory figure that explains an external appearance of a controller  153  according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory figure that explains a hardware configuration of an information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on a display device  160  in the video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart that explains an information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 6C  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 6D  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 7C  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 8C  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 9A  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 9B  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 9C  is an explanatory figure that explains a screen that is displayed on the display device  160 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory figure that shows a screen that is displayed in a known video editing system; 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory figure that explains a modified example of the video editing system according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory figure that explains a hardware configuration of a controller  153   a  that is used in the modified example of the video editing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended 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. 
     First, a video editing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained.  FIG. 1  is an explanatory figure that explains an overview of a video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The video editing system  10  will be explained below using  FIG. 1 . 
     The video editing system  10  performs editing of video data by cutting images and splicing a plurality of images. The video editing system  10  is configured such that it includes an information processing device  100 , an input unit  150 , and a display device  160 . 
     The information processing device  100  houses an internal video editing function and performs video data editing processing by cutting images, splicing a plurality of images, and the like. The editing processing can be performed by a user&#39;s operating of the input unit  150 . 
     The input unit  150  is configured from a keyboard  151 , a mouse  152 , a controller  153 , and the like. By using the input unit  150 , the user can perform the video editing processing, such as cutting an image, splicing images, superimposing subtitles, and the like. 
     The display device  160  displays the video data before it is edited and the video data after it has been edited by the information processing device  100 . The display device  160  also displays a screen, using a graphical user interface (GUI) that also provides a function for performing the editing of the video data. The screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI makes it possible for the user to perform editing operations intuitively. 
     An overview of the operation of the video editing system  10  will be explained briefly below. Video signals for images that are captured by a video camera or the like are input to a recorder (not shown in the drawing) and sequentially recorded. The user of the video editing system  10  performs the editing of the video data by operating the various input devices of the input unit  150  that is connected to the information processing device  100  while looking at the video data that is displayed on the display device  160 . 
     When the user edits the video data, the user&#39;s operating of the various input devices of the input unit  150  with respect to the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI causes control commands for editing to be generated in the information processing device  100 . For example, if the user operates the various input devices of the input unit  150  to designate an editing start point (an in point) and an editing end point (an out point), a control command is generated such that only the video data from the in point to the out point is output. The control commands that are generated by the information processing device  100  are sent to the recorder in which the video signals are recorded, and the edited video signals are output from the recorder to an external destination. 
     The overview of the video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention has been explained using  FIG. 1 . Next, the controller  153  according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. 
       FIG. 2  is an explanatory figure that explains an external appearance of the controller  153  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The external appearance of the controller  153  according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained below using  FIG. 2 . 
     The user of the video editing system  10  uses the controller  153  to perform the work of editing the video data. Buttons and keys are arranged on the controller  153  such that the user can perform the work of editing the video data quickly. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the controller  153  according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that it includes a Start button  153   a,  a Stop button  153   b,  a recording selection button  153   c,  a playback selection button  153   d,  a Play button  153   e,  a Still button  153   f,  a Mark In button  153   g,  a Mark Out button  153   h,  a jogging dial  153   i,  and a ten-key pad  153   j.    
     The Start button  153   a  is a button that the user presses to take the video data that is being edited on the information processing device  100  and record it in the recorder or the like. When the user presses the Start button  153   a,  a recording start command is output from the information processing device  100  that causes the video data for which the editing work is being performed on the information processing device  100  to be recorded in the recorder. The Stop button  153   b  is a button that the user presses to stop the operation of recording in the recorder the video data that is being edited. When the user presses the Stop button  153   b,  a recording stop command is output from the information processing device  100  that stops the recording operation in the recorder. 
     The recording selection button  153   c  is a button that the user presses to select an edited video to be worked on using the controller  153 . By pressing the recording selection button  153   c,  the user enables an operation that selects video data that has been edited by the video editing system  10 . The playback selection button  153   d  is a button that the user presses to select an unedited video to be worked on using the controller  153 . By pressing the playback selection button  153   d,  the user enables an operation that selects video data that has been recorded in the recorder or the like before the video data is edited by the video editing system  10 . 
     The Play button  153   e  is a button that the user presses to play back the video data. When the user presses the Play button  153   e,  a playback start command is output from the information processing device  100  to the recorder or the like that causes the video data that the user has selected to be played back and displayed on the display device  160 . The Still button  153   f  is a button that the user presses to halt the video data that is being played back. When the user presses the Still button  153   f,  a playback halt command is output from the information processing device  100  to the recorder or the like that halts the playback operation for the video data that is being displayed on the display device  160 . 
     The Mark In button  153   g  is a button that the user presses to designate the editing start point (the in point) in the video data that is to be edited. The Mark Out button  153   h  is a button that the user presses to designate the editing end point (the out point) in the video data that is to be edited. By pressing the Mark In button  153   g  and the Mark Out button  153   h,  the user can designate the range of the video data that is to be edited. 
     The jogging dial  153   i  is a rotary encoder that the user operates to select the video data to be played back and to change the playback speed of the video data that is being played back. To select the video data to be played back, the user presses one of the recording selection buttons  153   c  and the playback selection button  153   d  to enable the video data selection operation, then operates the jogging dial  153   i  to select the video data. To change the playback speed of the video data that is being played back, the user presses the Play button  153   e  to play back the video data, and then operates the jogging dial  153   i  to change the playback speed. 
     The ten-key pad  153   j  has keys that are numbered from 0 to 9. The use can input a number by pressing any one of the keys in the ten-key pad  153   j.  In the present embodiment, the user can use the ten-key pad  153   j  to directly select the video data to be played back on the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI and to designate the playback position of the video data. A detailed description of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI in the present embodiment will be provided later. 
     The external appearance of the controller  153  according to the embodiment of the present invention has been explained using  FIG. 2 . Next, a hardware configuration of the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. 
       FIG. 3  is an explanatory figure that explains the hardware configuration of the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration of the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained below using  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that it includes a main central processing unit (CPU)  102 , a graphic processor  104 , a first memory  106 , a second memory  108 , a video mixer  110 , an α blending portion  112 , and a graphic display driver  114 . 
     The main CPU  102  performs numerical computations, information processing, device control and the like and controls the various internal portions of the information processing device  100 . The main CPU  102  is an example of an input portion and a user interface of the present invention. When the user of the video editing system  10  performs an input operation using, for example, the various input devices of the input unit  150 , that is, the keyboard  151 , the mouse  152 , the controller  153 , and the like, an operation signal that corresponds to the input operation arrives at the main CPU through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, for example. The main CPU  102  then performs processing based on the operation signal that corresponds to the user&#39;s input operation. The main CPU  102  can also control the various internal portions of the information processing device  100  by outputting control signals to the various internal portions of the information processing device  100  in accordance with the processing. 
     The graphic processor  104  is an example of a screen display control portion, an icon display portion, and an icon moving portion and performs control that pertains to screen displays, mainly on the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI. For example, if an input operation on the various input devices of the input unit  150  makes it necessary to change what is shown on the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI, the graphic processor  104  receives a control signal from the main CPU, then generates and outputs the screen that is displayed on the display device  160 . The screen image that is output from the graphic processor  104  is a progressive scan type of screen image with 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically. Note that in the present embodiment the main CPU  102  and the graphic processor  104  are connected by a PCI bus  116 . Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the number of pixels on the screen that is generated and output by the graphic processor  104  is not limited to the current example. 
     The first memory  106  is connected to the main CPU  102  by a local bus  118  and is used to record data for the various types of processing that are performed by the main CPU  102 . In the present embodiment, when, for example, the video signals are mixed in the video mixer  110 , as described later, the video signals are recorded temporarily in the first memory  106 , and the recorded data is then read out from the first memory  106 . 
     The second memory  108  is connected to the graphic processor  104  by a local bus  120  and is used to record data for the various types of processing that are performed by the graphic processor  104 . 
     The video mixer  110  mixes and outputs the video signals that are input to the information processing device  100 . In the information processing device  100  according to the present embodiment, the video data before editing and the video data after editing can be displayed alongside one another on the display device  160 . Therefore, the video signals for the video data before editing and the video signals for the video data after editing are mixed and output by the video mixer  110 . The video mixer  110  may also be connected to the main CPU  102  through the local bus  118 . Connecting the main CPU  102  and the video mixer  110  through the local bus  118  makes it possible to transmit the data at high speed. The main CPU  102  that is connected through the local bus  118  also performs image enlargement, image reduction, and position control with respect to the video signals. When the main CPU  102  performs image enlargement, image reduction, and position control with respect to the video signals, the video signals are temporarily recorded in the first memory  106 , and the recorded data is then read out from the first memory  106 , based on an internal synchronization of the information processing device  100 . 
     In the present embodiment, the video signals that are input to the video mixer  110  are interlaced video signals with 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically, and the video signals that are output from the video mixer  110  are progressive scan type video signals with 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically. Note that in the present embodiment, the number of pixels in the video signals that are input to the video mixer  110  and the number of pixels in the video signals that are output from the video mixer  110  are not limited to the current examples. 
     The α blending portion  112  performs an α blending of the screen image that is output from the graphic processor  104  with the video signals that are output from the video mixer  110 , according to a specified ratio. Performing the α blending in the α blending portion  112  makes it possible for the GUI to display the results on the display device  160  without hindering the editing work. The α blending portion  112  may also be connected to the main CPU  102  through the local bus  118 . Connecting the main CPU  102  and the α blending portion  112  through the local bus  118  makes it possible to transmit the data at high speed and to perform the α blending quickly. 
     The graphic display driver  114  accepts as input the video signals that are output from the α blending portion  112  and performs processing of the video signals to display the video on the display device  160 . Performing the processing of the video signals in the graphic display driver  114  makes it possible to display the video properly on the display device  160 . 
     The hardware configuration of the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention has been explained using  FIG. 3 . Next, the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI in the video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. 
       FIG. 4  is an explanatory figure that explains the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI in the video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen that is shown in  FIG. 4  is a screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when, for example, a screen that is generated by the graphic processor  104  through the GUI is mixed together in the video mixer  110  with the video signals that are input to the information processing device  100 . The screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI will be explained below using  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  in the video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that it includes a main screen  131 , as well as sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d  that are displayed in a form that is superimposed on the main screen  131 . 
     The main screen  131  is an area in which the video data is displayed that is based on the video signals that are input to the information processing device  100 . In the present embodiment, the information processing device  100  can display and play back the unedited video and the edited video alongside one another on the main screen  131 . Displaying and playing back the unedited video and the edited video alongside one another on the main screen  131  makes it possible for the user of the video editing system  10  to edit the video data efficiently. 
     The sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d  are screens that are displayed superimposed on the main screen  131 , and they each display various types of information for editing the video data. 
     The sub-screen  132   a  is an area in which unedited video data clips are displayed as still images in a thumbnail format. The thumbnail-format still images that are displayed on the sub-screen  132   a  are examples of objects according to the present invention. The video data clips that are displayed on the sub-screen  132   a  may be, for example, unedited video data clips that are recorded in a specified storage area in a storage medium such as a recorder or the like. The user can select one video data clip to be edited from among the video data clips that are displayed in the thumbnail format on the sub-screen  132   a,  and can perform video editing work on the selected video data clip. 
     The sub-screen  132   b  is an area in which is displayed a status of the video data clip that is selected on the sub-screen  132   a.  For example, the sub-screen  132   b  may display a current playback time and a total playback time for a video data clip that is being played back and displayed on the main screen  131 . The sub-screen  132   b  may also display a time scale or the like for indicating a playback position, the time scale being an example of an object according to the present invention. When the video data clip that is selected on the sub-screen  132   a  is played back, the playback position of the video data clip can be determined by moving the time scale. 
     The sub-screen  132   c  is an area in which edited video data clips are displayed as still images in the thumbnail format. The thumbnail-format still images that are displayed on the sub-screen  132   c  are examples of objects according to the present invention. The video data clips that are displayed on the sub-screen  132   c  may be, for example, edited video data clips that are recorded in a specified storage area in a storage medium such as a recorder or the like. The user can select one video data clip to be edited from among the video data clips that are displayed in the thumbnail format on the sub-screen  132   c,  and can perform video editing work on the selected video data clip. 
     The sub-screen  132   d  is an area in which is displayed information for performing the editing work on the video data clip. The information that is displayed on the sub-screen  132   d  for performing the editing work on the video data clip may include, for example, information on the video data clip that is selected on the sub-screen  132   a.  The information that is displayed on the sub-screen  132   d  may also include a range of the video data clip that is selected on the sub-screen  132   a,  as indicated by an in point and an out point that are respectively designated by the Mark In button  153   g  and the Mark Out button  153   h.  A still image that is displayed on the sub-screen  132   d  in the thumbnail format is an example of an object according to the present invention. Displaying information of this sort on the sub-screen  132   d  makes it possible for the user to use the keyboard  151  and the mouse  152 , and not just the controller  153 , to perform the work of editing the video data clip. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the screens that are displayed on the display device  160  include the four sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d.  The user of the video editing system  10  can perform the editing work while looking at the main screen  131  and the sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d  that are displayed on the display device  160 . 
     Note that even in a case where a plurality of the sub-screens are displayed, only one of the sub-screens is an enabled sub-screen (an activated sub-screen) that can accept an operation. Accordingly, one feature of the present embodiment is that the user can easily tell which of the sub-screens is the activated one, because the graphic processor  104 , for example, causes icons  134  to be displayed on the activated sub-screen in one-to-one relationships with the objects that are displayed on the activated sub-screen. 
     Note that the icons  134  according to the present embodiment are numbered 0 to 9 such that they can accept an operation by one of the ten-key pad  153   j  and a ten-key pad that is located on the keyboard  151 . Note that according to the present invention, the form in which the icons  134  are displayed is obviously not limited to the current example. The icons  134  may also be identified by alphabetic characters such that they can accept an operation by a key that is located on the keyboard  151  apart from the ten-key pad (for example, one of a function key and an alphabetic character key). It is also obvious that the sizes and shapes of the icons  134  are not limited to those that are shown in  FIG. 4 . The number of the icons  134  is also not limited to the current example. The number of the icons  134  may be only one, and it may also be more than one. 
     There are also cases where the user of the video editing system  10  operates the various input devices of the input unit  150  to change which of the sub-screens is activated. One feature of the present embodiment is that when a change is made in which of the sub-screens is activated, the icons  134  are dynamically moved to the sub-screen that is newly activated in such a way that the user can track their movement to the newly activated sub-screen. There are also cases where the user of the video editing system  10  activates the main screen  131  by operating the various input devices of the input unit  150 . One feature of the present embodiment is that in these cases, the icons  134  are not displayed, making it possible to determine that none of the sub-screens is activated. Control of the movement of the icons  134  and whether they are displayed or not displayed may be performed by the graphic processor  104 , for example. 
     The screen that is displayed on the display device  160  by the GUI has been explained below using  FIG. 4 . Next, an information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart that explains the information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention. The information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail below using  FIG. 5 . 
     First, the video editing system  10  is started by the user of the system (Step S 102 ). When the video editing system  10  is started, a screen like that shown in  FIG. 4  is displayed on the display device  160 . In the present embodiment, the main screen  131  is activated immediately after the video editing system  10  is started (Step S 104 ). In the present embodiment, in a case where the main screen  131  is activated as just described, the icons  134  are not displayed. Therefore, the graphic processor  104  performs control such that the icons  134  are not moved to the screen that is displayed on the display device  160 . 
     Next, the user of the video editing system  10  selects a function of the video editing system  10  (Step S 108 ). The selection of the function may be performed, for example, by operating the various input devices of the input unit  150 . To take one example, in a case where the user selects an unedited video to be worked on, the user presses the playback selection button  153   d  to perform the operation of selecting a video data clip that is recorded in a recorder or the like. 
     At Step S 108 , when the user of the video editing system  10  selects a function of the video editing system  10 , a determination is made as to whether or not the selected function is associated with one of the four sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d  (Step S 110 ). For example, the sub-screen  132   a  is the area in which the unedited video data clips are displayed as still images in the thumbnail format, and the unedited video data clips can be selected by pressing the playback selection button  153   d.  Therefore, the function of selecting the unedited video data clips by pressing the playback selection button  153   d  can be said to be associated with the sub-screen  132   a.  Further, the sub-screen  132   b  is the area in which the status of the video data clip that is selected on the sub-screen  132   a  is displayed, and when the video data clip that is designated on the sub-screen  132   a  is played back, the time scale that is displayed on the sub-screen  132   b  moves to indicate the playback position. Therefore, the function of playing back the video data clip by pressing the Play button  153   e  can be said to be associated with the sub-screen  132   b.    
     If the result of the determination at Step S 110  is that the function that was selected by the user of the video editing system  10  is not associated with any of the four sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d,  the processing returns to Step S 104  and establishes a state in which the main screen  131  is activated. On the other hand, if the result of the determination at Step S 110  is that the function that was selected by the user of the video editing system  10  is associated with one of the four sub-screens  132   a,    132   b,    132   c,  and  132   d,  a determination is made by the graphic processor  104  as to whether or not the associated sub-screen is being displayed on the display device  160  (Step S 112 ). 
     If the result of the determination at Step S 112  is that the sub-screen that is associated with the function that was selected by the user of the video editing system  10  is being displayed on the display device  160 , the graphic processor  104  performs an activation of the display to indicate that the sub-screen is activated (Step S 114 ). After the activation of the display is performed at Step S 114 , a determination is made as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  (Step S 118 ). If the icons  134  are not being displayed on the display device  160 , the graphic processor  104  performs an operation to display the icons  134  (Step S 120 ). If the icons  134  are already being displayed on the display device  160 , Step S 120  is skipped. 
     On the other hand, if the result of the determination at Step S 112  is that the sub-screen that is associated with the function that was selected by the user of the video editing system  10  is not being displayed on the display device  160 , the graphic processor  104  performs an operation to display the sub-screen on the display device  160  (Step S 116 ). After the display of the sub-screen on the display device  160  is completed, the activation of the display is performed to indicate that the sub-screen is activated (Step S 114 ). After the activation of the display is performed, the determination as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  is made in the same manner as described above (Step S 118 ). If the icons  134  are not being displayed on the display device  160 , the graphic processor  104  performs the operation to display the icons  134  (Step S 120 ). 
     Next, the graphic processor  104  performs control such that the icons  134  are displayed on the sub-screen that is associated with the function that was selected by the user of the video editing system  10  (Step S 122 ). When the icons  134  are displayed on the sub-screen by the graphic processor  104  at Step S 122 , the graphic processor  104  performs control such that the icons  134  are dynamically moved to the sub-screen in such a way that the user can track their movement to the sub-screen. 
     For example, if the result of the determination at Step S 118  as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  is that the icons  134  are not being displayed on the display device  160 , the graphic processor  104  performs the operation to display the icons  134  at Step S 120 . At Step S 122 , the graphic processor  104  takes the icons  134  that are displayed at Step S 120  and displays them on the sub-screen that is associated with the function that was selected by the user of the video editing system  10 . In this sequence, the display operation at Step S 120  displays the icons  134  in the center portion of the main screen  131 , and then the icons  134  are dynamically moved to the activated sub-screen. 
       FIGS. 6A to 6C  are explanatory figures that explain the operation of displaying and the operation of moving the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 6A  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are being displayed in the center portion of the main screen  131  in a case where the result of the determination at Step S 118  as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  was that the icons  134  are not being displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 6B  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are in the course of being moved toward the sub-screen  132   a  after the icons  134  have been displayed in the center portion of the main screen  131 .  FIG. 6C  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the moving of the icons  134  to the sub-screen  132   a  has been completed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A to 6C , in a case where the icons  134  will be displayed on the sub-screen  132   a,  if the icons  134  are not already being displayed on the display device  160 , the icons  134  are not directly displayed on the sub-screen  132   a.  First, as shown in  FIG. 6A , at the same time that the icons  134  are displayed in the center portion of the main screen  131  for a moment, the sub-screen  132   a  is displayed in an accentuated manner such that the user will understand that the sub-screen  132   a  is activated. After the icons  134  are displayed in the center portion of the main screen  131  for a moment, the displayed icons  134  are dynamically moved to their destination within the sub-screen  132   a  in such a way that the user can track their movement, as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C . In the present embodiment, the icons  134  are moved in such a way that all of the icons  134  arrive at their destination within the sub-screen  132   a  at the same time. Moving the icons  134  dynamically in such a way that the user can track their movement makes it easy for the user of the video editing system  10  to determine, by looking at the moving icons  134  on the display device  160 , which function that corresponds to which sub-screen is enabled. 
     With the screen displayed on the display device  160  as shown in  FIG. 6C , the user can operate the controller  153  to select one video data clip from among the unedited video data clips that are displayed in the thumbnail format on the sub-screen  132   a.  For example, with the screen displayed as shown in  FIG. 6C , if the user presses any one of the number keys on the ten-key pad  153   j,  the main CPU  102  generates an operation signal that selects the unedited video data clip that corresponds to the number key that was pressed. The generating of the operation signal causes the unedited video data clip that corresponds to the number key to be selected. For example, if the user presses the 0 key on the ten-key pad  153   j,  the video data clips that are displayed on the sub-screen  132   a  are scrolled as shown in  FIG. 6D , and the video data clip called “CLIP 0 ” is changed to a selected status. 
     Note that when the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160  by the graphic processor  104  are dynamically moved, they may also be moved in a straight line from the center portion of the main screen  131  to their destination within the sub-screen  132   a.    
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  are explanatory figures that explain the operation of displaying and the operation of moving the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 7A  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are being displayed on the sub-screen  132   a  in a case where the result of the determination at Step S 118  as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  was that the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 7B  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are in the course of being moved from the sub-screen  132   a  to the sub-screen  132   c.    FIG. 7C  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the moving of the icons  134  to the sub-screen  132   c  has been completed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7C , in a case where the icons  134  will be displayed on the sub-screen  132   c,  if the icons  134  are already being displayed on the display device  160  (if the icons  134  are being displayed on the sub-screen  132   a,  as in the example shown in  FIG. 7A ), the icons  134  are not directly displayed on the sub-screen  132   c.  After the sub-screen  132   a  is displayed in an accentuated manner such that the user will understand that the sub-screen  132   c  is activated, the icons  134  are dynamically moved from the sub-screen  132   a  to the sub-screen  132   d  in such a way that the user can track their movement. In the present embodiment, the icons  134  are moved in such a way that all of the icons  134  arrive at their destination within the sub-screen  132   c  at the same time. Moving the icons  134  dynamically in such a way that the user can track their movement makes it easy for the user of the video editing system  10  to determine, by looking at the moving icons  134  on the display device  160 , which function that corresponds to which sub-screen is enabled. 
     With the screen displayed on the display device  160  as shown in  FIG. 7C , the user can operate the controller  153  to select one video data clip from among the edited video data clips that are displayed in the thumbnail format on the sub-screen  132   c.  However, in this case, no video data clips exist that correspond to the icons  134 , so even if the user presses a key on the ten-key pad  153   j,  the state of the sub-screen  132   c  will not change. 
     Note that in this case as well, when the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160  by the graphic processor  104  are dynamically moved, they may also be moved in a straight line from the departure point on the sub-screen  132   a  to their destination within the sub-screen  132   c.    
       FIGS. 8A to 8C  are explanatory figures that explain the operation of displaying and the operation of moving the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 8A  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are being displayed on the sub-screen  132   a  in a case where the result of the determination at Step S 118  as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  was that the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 8B  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are in the course of being moved from the sub-screen  132   a  to the sub-screen  132   b.    FIG. 8C  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the moving of the icons  134  to the sub-screen  132   b  has been completed. 
     In a case where the icons  134  will be displayed on the sub-screen  132   b,  in the same manner as in the case shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7C , the icons  134  are not directly displayed on the sub-screen  132   c  if the icons  134  are already being displayed on the display device  160  (if the icons  134  are being displayed on the sub-screen  132   a,  as in the example shown in  FIG. 8A ), even in a case where the icons  134  will be moved from the sub-screen  132   a  to the sub-screen  132   b.  After the sub-screen  132   b  is displayed in an accentuated manner such that the user will understand that the sub-screen  132   b  is activated, the icons  134  are dynamically moved from the sub-screen  132   a  to the sub-screen  132   b  in such a way that the user can track their movement. In the present embodiment, the icons  134  are moved in such a way that all of the icons  134  arrive at their destination within the sub-screen  132   b  at the same time. Moving the icons  134  dynamically in such a way that the user can track their movement makes it easy for the user of the video editing system  10  to determine, by looking at the moving icons  134  on the display device  160 , which function that corresponds to which sub-screen is enabled. 
     With the screen displayed on the display device  160  as shown in  FIG. 8C , the user can operate the controller  153  to control the playback of the video data clip that is currently being played back. For example, if the user presses a number key on the ten-key pad  153   j,  the graphic processor  104  moves the playback position on the time scale that is displayed on the sub-screen  132   b  to the position that corresponds to the number that was pressed. Moving the playback position on the time scale to the position that corresponds to the number that was pressed makes it possible to play back the video data clip starting at the designated position. 
     Note that in this case as well, when the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160  by the graphic processor  104  are dynamically moved, they may also be moved in a straight line from the departure point on the sub-screen  132   a  to their destination within the sub-screen  132   b.    
       FIGS. 9A to 9C  are explanatory figures that explain the operation of moving the icons  134  that are displayed on the display device  160 . Unlike  FIGS. 6A to 6C ,  FIGS. 7A to 7C , and  FIGS. 8A to 8C ,  FIGS. 9A to 9C  show the operation of moving the icons  134  in a case where the function that the user has selected is a function that does not correspond to any of the sub-screens, so that the icons  134  are erased from the screen. 
       FIG. 9A  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are being displayed on the sub-screen  132   c  in a case where the result of the determination at Step S 118  as to whether or not the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160  was that the icons  134  are being displayed on the display device  160 .  FIG. 9B  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the icons  134  are in the course of being moved from the sub-screen  132   c  to the center portion of the main screen  131 .  FIG. 9C  shows an example of the screen that is displayed on the display device  160  when the moving of the icons  134  to the center portion of the main screen  131  has been completed and the icons  134  have been erased from the screen. 
     Thus, in a case where the function that the user has selected is a function that does not correspond to any of the sub-screens, the icons  134  are dynamically moved in such a way that the user can track their movement, and the icons  134  are erased. This makes it easy for the user of the video editing system  10  to determine that none of the functions that correspond to the sub-screens are enabled. 
     Note that the examples that are shown in  FIGS. 6A to 9C  are obviously nothing more than examples of the operation of moving the icons  134 . According to the present invention, the operation of moving the icons  134  may also be controlled such that it has various sorts of patterns other than those shown in  FIGS. 6A to 9C . 
     For example, in the examples that are shown in  FIGS. 6A to 9C , the icons  134  all arrive at their destination at the same time, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the icons  134  may also be moved such that they arrive at the destination at different times. Even if the icons  134  are moved such that they arrive at the destination at different times, it is still easy for the user to determine which screen is enabled to accept an operation input. Further, in the examples that are shown in  FIGS. 6A to 9C , the icons  134  all start to move at the same time, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the icons  134  may also be controlled such that they start to move at different times. 
     Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether the video editing system  10  has been terminated by the user (Step S 124 ). If the video editing system  10  has not been terminated, the processing returns to Step S 108  and accepts the selection of a function by the user. On the other hand, if the video editing system  10  has been terminated, the processing ends. 
     The information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention has been explained using  FIG. 5 . Note that in the information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the operation of moving the icons  134  may start moving all of the icons  134  at the same time and may also move the icons  134  such that they all arrive at the destination at the same time. Note also that when the icons  134  are moved, they may be moved such that the speed of the movement becomes slower as the icons  134  move nearer to the destination (one of one of the sub-screens and the center portion of the main screen  131 ), and they may also be moved such that the speed of the movement remains constant. 
     According to the video editing system  10  and the information display method according to the embodiment of the present invention, as explained above, the icons that that are displayed on the screen correspond to the objects that are displayed on the screen. In response to an operation input from the user, the activation of the sub-screens is switched, the display is switched accordingly, and the icons  134  are dynamically moved to their destination within the activated sub-screen. Dynamically moving the icons  134  to their destination in this manner makes it easy for the user of the video editing system  10  to determine which screen is enabled to accept an operation input from the user. 
     Note that the various processes described above may also be performed by having one of the main CPU  102  and the graphic processor  104  sequentially read and execute a computer program that is stored in the information processing device  100 . A computer-readable storage medium is also provided in which the computer program is stored. The storage medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, a magneto optical disk, or the like. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
     For example, in the embodiment described above, the icons  134  are moved in a straight line from a start point to an end point, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the icons  134  may also be moved in a curving line and through the center portion of the screen. Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of the icons  134  is displayed, the icons may be moved to their destination after all of the icons  134  are first clustered in the center portion of the screen. 
     Also, in the embodiment described above, an example was explained of a case in which the information processing device  100  and the controller  153  are separate units, but the present invention is not limited to this example.  FIG. 11  is an explanatory figure that shows a configuration of a video editing system  10   a  that is a modified example of the video editing system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a controller  153   a  may operate such that it includes the functions of the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the information may also be displayed on the display device  160 . Note that an input unit  150   a  that includes the keyboard  151 , the mouse  152 , and the like may also be connected to the controller  153   a,  and the user may edit the video data by operating the input unit  150   a.    
       FIG. 12  is an explanatory figure that explains a hardware configuration of the controller  153   a  that is used in the video editing system  10   a  described above. In contrast to the hardware configuration of the information processing device  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention that is shown in  FIG. 3 , the controller  153   a,  as shown in  FIG. 12 , is configured such that it also includes an input operation interface  105  that accepts an input operation from the keyboard  151 , the mouse  152 , and the like. Note that in  FIG. 12 , a signal from the input unit  150   a  is sent to the main CPU  102  through the USB interface, but the signal from the input unit  150   a  may also be sent to the main CPU  102  through the input operation interface  105 .