Information processing device and display control method

Abstract

To flexibly and efficiently display various types of information.SOLUTION: An information processing device is connected to a display device and a pointing device, simultaneously activates multiple applications, generates display signals to respectively display multiple application screens generated by each application on divided regions on a screen 20 of the display device, accepts a user instruction by a slider icon 24 of an allocation change of the divided regions through an operation of a user to the pointing device, changes the allocation of divided regions 21 to 23 according to the user instruction, determines whether a size of a first region satisfies predetermined conditions in the first region where an application screen with a specific aspect ratio is displayed, generates a floating region 26 that is independent of the allocation of the divided regions on the screen 20 of the display device when it is determined that the size of the first region does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, and displays the application screen with the specific aspect ratio within the floating region 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a display control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to effectively utilize a display screen controlled by an information processing device, there is a technology described in JP 2020-102084 A (Patent Document 1). This publication states that "the display of a display object is changed more appropriately in response to dynamic resizing of a plurality of divided areas provided on a display screen." and "The display control device includes a divided area setting unit that dynamically changes the size of a divided area provided on a screen in response to an operation from a user, a placement area in which at least one display object is placed, and a display control unit that changes the relative positional relationship between the placement areas provided in the same divided area in response to a change in the size of the divided area, and a priority setting unit that sets the relative priority between the placement areas provided in the same divided area, and the display control unit is characterized in that when at least a portion of the placement areas overlap due to a change in the relative positional relationship between the placement areas provided in the same divided area, the display control unit controls the display of the display object on a placement area basis based on the priority set for the placement area." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-102084 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the above technology, it is possible to display different information in each of the divided areas of the entire display screen, and the user can freely change the layout of the divided areas. By changing the layout of the divided areas, the aspect ratio of each divided area can be flexibly changed. Any information can be displayed in each divided area, and video content including moving images and still images can be displayed. However, when displaying video content, it is necessary to maintain the aspect ratio. Even if the aspect ratio of a divided area that displayed a video changes due to a change in the divided layout, the aspect ratio of the video is maintained, so there may be cases where the aspect ratio of the divided area and the aspect ratio of the video are significantly different. In such cases, the reduction in the video becomes more noticeable than the reduction in the area of ​​the divided area, making it difficult to view the video content. When outputting video content, there is a problem that there is a substantial limit to changing the layout by dividing the display screen in order to ensure the visibility of the content. This problem is not limited to video content, but occurs widely when information that needs to be output in a specific aspect ratio is displayed in a divided area whose layout can be changed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to flexibly and efficiently display a variety of information on one screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a representative information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that is connected to a display device and a pointing device, starts multiple applications simultaneously, and generates a display signal for displaying multiple application screens generated by each application in a divided area on the screen of the display device, and includes a user instruction receiving unit that receives a user instruction by a user's operation on the pointing device, a processing unit that executes the multiple applications, and a display control unit that manages the divided areas and generates the display signal. The user instruction receiving unit receives a user instruction to change the allocation of the divided areas. The display control unit changes the allocation of the divided areas according to the user instruction, and determines whether the size of the first area satisfies a predetermined condition in a first area in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed. When the display control unit determines that the size of the first area does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it generates a floating area independent of the allocation of the divided areas on the screen of the display device, and displays the application screen having the specific aspect ratio in the floating area. Furthermore, one representative display control method of the present invention is a display control method in an information processing device connected to a display device and a pointing device, which launches multiple applications simultaneously and generates display signals for displaying multiple application screens generated by each application in divided areas on the screen of the display device, and includes the steps of: the information processing device receiving a user instruction to change the allocation of the divided areas by a user's operation on the pointing device, changing the allocation of the divided areas in accordance with the user instruction, determining whether the size of a first area in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed satisfies a specified condition, and if it is determined that the size of the first area does not satisfy the specified condition, generating a floating area on the screen of the display device independent of the allocation of the divided areas, and displaying the application screen having the specific aspect ratio in the floating area. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a variety of information can be displayed flexibly and efficiently. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of screen display control by the information processing device according to the embodiment; [Diagram 2] Floating area diagram [Diagram 3] Illustration of redisplay of divided areas [Figure 4] Configuration diagram of information processing device [Diagram 5] Flowchart of floating area generation process [Figure 6] Flowchart of the process of erasing floating areas due to overflow DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0010] 1 is an explanatory diagram of screen display control by an information processing device of the embodiment. The information processing device of the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and controls a screen 20 of a display device mounted on the vehicle. The information processing device can divide the screen 20 and generate and manage a plurality of divided regions. The information processing device can run multiple applications simultaneously. The information processing device generates a display signal for displaying a plurality of application screens generated by a plurality of applications in a plurality of divided areas, respectively. The multiple applications include, but are not limited to, a map application that displays maps and provides route guidance, a video output application that outputs video content of recorded videos and television broadcasts, and a management application that manages the information processing device from a menu screen. The information processing device assigns one application to one divided area.

[0011] In the example of FIG. 1, the screen 20 is a rectangle whose horizontal sides are longer than its vertical sides. The information processing device divides a screen 20 into two parts, left and right, and defines the left side as a divided area 21. In the information processing device, the right side of screen 20 is divided into two parts, left and right, and further divided into two parts, top and bottom, with the upper side being divided into divided area 22 and the lower side being divided into divided area 23. The information processing device accepts a drag operation on the slider icon 24 by the user, and changes the allocation of the divided areas 21 to 22 in accordance with the movement of the slider icon 24. The left edge of the divided area 21 coincides with the left edge of the screen 20 , the top and bottom edges coincide with the top and bottom edges of the screen 20 , and the right edge is defined by the position of the slider icon 24 . The right edge of the divided area 22 coincides with the right edge of the screen 20 , the top edge coincides with the top edge of the screen 20 , and the left and bottom edges are defined by the position of the slider icon 24 . The right edge of the divided area 23 coincides with the right edge of the screen 20 , the bottom edge coincides with the bottom edge of the screen 20 , and the left and top edges are defined by the position of the slider icon 24 . The user can change the shape of the divided areas 21 to 23 all at once by changing the position of the slider icon 24 through a drag operation.

[0012] In FIG. 1(a), the information processing device displays video content 25 in divided area 21, a map in divided area 22, and a menu screen in divided area 23. Of these display outputs, the aspect ratio of video content 25 is fixed. For example, the aspect ratio of video content created for analog broadcasting is 4:3, and the aspect ratio of video content created for digital broadcasting is 16:9. Cinemascope size of 2.35:1 is also used for movie content. Video content 25 is displayed so that the area is maximized while maintaining the aspect ratio in divided area 21. The allocation change to divided area 21 is an increase or decrease in the width, and the vertical width does not change. Since the vertical width of video content 25 is also changed according to the change in the width, when divided area 21 is reduced, the unused areas above and below video content 25 become larger. Note that the unused areas are displayed in a single color such as black or gray.

[0013] 1(b), the information processing device accepts an operation of dragging slider icon 24 to the left, and changes the allocation of divided areas 21 to 23. Divided area 21 decreases in width, and video content 25 is reduced while maintaining its aspect ratio. If the width of divided area 21 becomes smaller than a certain size, video content 25 becomes excessively small, making it difficult to visually recognize the contents of video content 25.

[0014] 1(c), when the information processing device determines that the size of divided area 21 does not satisfy a predetermined condition, it generates floating area 26 on screen 20 independent of the allocation of divided areas 21 to 23, and displays video content 25 in floating area 26. With the generation of floating area 26, the information processing device temporarily erases divided area 21 that had been displaying video content 25, and displays a screen divided into two, upper and lower, displaying divided areas 22 and 23.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the floating region. When a drag operation on the floating area 26 is received (d1), the information processing device changes (e1) the position of the floating area 26 with respect to the screen 20. This operation does not affect the allocation of the divided areas 22-23. When a pinch-in or pinch-out operation on floating area 26 is received (d2), the information processing device changes the size of floating area 26 and video content 25 while maintaining the aspect ratio (e2). This operation does not affect the allocation of divided areas 22-23. When a double tap operation on floating area 26 is received (d3), the information processing device erases (e3) floating area 26 and video content 25. This operation does not affect the distribution of divided areas 22 to 23, and the screen is maintained as being divided into two, top and bottom.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the redisplay of the divided area 21. When a specific movement operation of dragging floating area 26 to the left side of screen 20 where split area 21 was located is received (f1), the information processing device redisplays split area 21, displays video content 25 in split area 21, and erases floating area 26 (g1). At this time, the information processing device displays a map in split area 22 and a menu screen in split area 23. When an operation for generating the divided area 21 using the slider icon 24 (for example, an operation for dragging the slider icon 24 to the right) is received (f2), the information processing device redisplays the divided area 21, displays the video content 25 in the divided area 21, and erases the floating area 26 (g2). At this time, the information processing device displays a map in the divided area 22, and displays a menu screen in the divided area 23. When a specific movement operation of dragging floating area 26 to a specific position on the left side of screen 20 is received (f3), the information processing device determines the second area located at the position to which floating area 26 has been moved. Here, as an example, a case is shown in which the second area is divided area 22. The information processing device displays video content 25 that was displayed in floating area 26 in divided area 22, and erases floating area 26. The information processing device redisplays divided area 21, and displays the map that was displayed in divided area 22 in divided area 22 (g3). Split area 23 continues to display the menu screen. Here, a specific movement operation is, for example, a movement operation in which part of the floating area 26 extends outside the screen 20, but the information processing device may determine that a specific movement operation has occurred when the outer edge of the floating area 26 approaches or reaches the outer edge of the screen 20.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device. The information processing device 40 is connected to the display device 10 and the pointing device 30 . The display device 10 is provided, for example, on the dashboard of a vehicle, and has a screen 20 . The pointing device 30 is a device that accepts a user operation indicating a position on the screen 20. The pointing device 30 is, for example, a touch panel provided on the screen of the display device 10, or a touch pad installed separately from the display device 10. The pointing device 30 may be a device that identifies a user's pointing gesture with a camera or other spatial recognition sensor to specify a position on the screen.

[0018] The information processing device 40 includes a user instruction accepting unit 41, a processing unit 42, and a display control unit 43. The functions of the user instruction accepting unit 41, the processing unit 42, and the display control unit 43 may be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing corresponding programs.

[0019] The user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction given by a user's operation on the pointing device 30 . The processing unit 42 executes applications corresponding to various functions of the information processing device 40. The processing unit 42 can start and execute multiple applications simultaneously. The multiple applications include a map application that displays a map and provides route guidance, a video content application that outputs video content, and a management application that manages the information processing device from a menu screen. The video content application is an application that outputs video content having a specific aspect ratio, and includes, for example, a video playback application that plays videos recorded on a DVD disc or a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, a television broadcast reception application that receives a television broadcast and outputs a broadcast screen, and a network video playback application that receives a video stored in an external server via a network and plays it. The video output application is an application that outputs video content having a specific aspect ratio. For example, the aspect ratio of video content created for analog broadcasting is 4:3, and the aspect ratio of video content created for digital broadcasting is 16:9. Cinemascope size of 2.35:1 is also used for movie content.

[0020] The display control unit 43 includes a display area management unit 51 and a display signal generation unit 52 . The display area management unit 51 sets and manages a display area on the screen 20. The display area management unit 51 can set one display area on the entire screen 20, or can divide the screen 20 to set a plurality of display areas (divided areas). The display area management unit 51 can also set a display area (floating area) that is superimposed on another display area and whose position and size can be changed independently of the other display areas. The display area management unit 51 assigns one application to one display area. The display signal generating unit 52 synthesizes a plurality of application screens generated by a plurality of applications, and generates a display signal for displaying each of the application screens in the assigned display area.

[0021] When the user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction to change the allocation of the divided areas, the display area management unit 51 of the display control unit 43 changes the allocation of the divided areas in accordance with the user instruction. The display area management unit 51 determines whether the size of a first area, which is a divided area in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed, satisfies a predetermined condition described later. If it is determined that the size of the first area does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the display area management unit 51 generates a floating area on the screen 20 independent of the allocation of the divided areas, and displays the application screen having the specific aspect ratio in the floating area.

[0022] When the user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction requesting the movement of the floating area, the display area management unit 51 of the display control unit 43 moves the floating area according to the user instruction. When a specific movement operation is performed to bring the floating area closer to the outer edge of the screen 20, the display area management unit 51 determines a second area, which is a divided area at the position to which the floating area has moved. The display area management unit 51 displays the application screen displayed in the floating area in the second area and erases the floating area. The specific movement operation is, for example, a movement operation in which a part of the floating area extends outside the screen 20. The information processing device may determine that the specific movement operation is performed when the outer edge of the floating area approaches or reaches the outer edge of the screen 20, or a threshold may be set in advance and that the information processing device may determine that the specific movement operation is performed when a part of the floating area extends outside the screen 20 by more than the threshold. In the latter case, the floating area may be allowed to extend outside the screen 20 due to a user's erroneous operation.

[0023] When an application screen that was displayed in the floating area is displayed in the second area, if another application screen is displayed in the second area, the display area management unit 51 of the display control unit 43 displays the other application screen in the first area.

[0024] Display area management section 51 of display control section 43 can temporarily erase the first area from screen 20 when displaying a floating area, and redisplay the first area when displaying another application screen in the first area. The first area may also be redisplayed when the floating area moves to the location where the first area was displayed, or when an operation requesting the display of the first area is received.

[0025] The shape of the screen 20 of the display device 10 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, it is a rectangle with the horizontal side longer than the vertical side. The arrangement of the split screens on the screen 20 is also arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the display area management unit 51 of the display control unit 43 divides the screen 20 of the display device 10 into two halves, left and right, into one of the two split areas, and further divides the other halves, left and right, into two split areas, top and bottom, and arranges them as two more split areas. If one of the divided regions obtained by dividing the screen 20 into two, left and right, is a first region (a divided region in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed), the display region management unit 51 of the display control unit 43 generates a floating region on the condition that the horizontal length (width) of the region is equal to or less than a threshold. Since the vertical length (height) of one of the divided regions obtained by dividing the screen 20 into two, left and right, does not change when the allocation of the divided region is changed, it is possible to easily and reliably determine whether or not a floating region is required based on the width alone. This threshold may be changed depending on the aspect ratio of the video content. In other words, if video content with a large aspect ratio is displayed, the threshold is increased, and if video content with a small aspect ratio is displayed, the threshold is decreased. If one of the divided regions obtained by dividing the screen 20 into two regions, left and right, and then further dividing the other region into two regions, top and bottom, is the first region, the display region management unit 51 of the display control unit 43 uses the height and width of the region as a predetermined condition. This is because the height and width of these divided regions can be changed by changing the allocation. In this case, instead of determining based on the height and width of the region, the aspect ratio of the first region and the aspect ratio of the video content may be compared, and a floating region may be generated if the difference or ratio between them is equal to or exceeds a threshold value.

[0026] 5 is a flowchart of a process for generating a floating area. This flowchart starts with three divided areas being displayed. The user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction from the pointing device 30 (step S101).

[0027] The display area management unit 51 changes the allocation of the divided areas according to a user instruction (step S102). The display area management unit 51 identifies a target area for determination (step S103). The target area for determination is an area that displays video content with a specific aspect ratio and may require a floating area due to a change in the allocation of the divided areas. In this case, the target area is the area that displays the video content, i.e., the divided area allocated to the video content application.

[0028] The display area management unit 51 determines whether or not the height of the target area is fixed at the height of the screen 20 (step S104). One of the divided areas obtained by dividing the screen 20 into two parts, left and right, is an area fixed at the height of the screen 20. The other of the divided areas obtained by dividing the screen 20 into two parts, left and right, and further dividing it into two parts, top and bottom, is not an area fixed at the height of the screen 20.

[0029] If the height of the target area is not fixed to the height of the screen 20 (step S104; No), the display area management unit 51 judges whether the height of the target area is equal to or less than the height threshold (step S105). This height threshold may be changed depending on the aspect ratio of the video content. That is, when video content with a large aspect ratio is displayed, the threshold is made smaller, and when video content with a small aspect ratio is displayed, the threshold is made larger.

[0030] If the height of the target area is fixed to the height of the screen 20 (step S104; Yes), or if the height of the target area is not equal to or less than the height threshold (step S105; No), the display area management unit 51 determines whether the width of the target area is equal to or less than the width threshold (step S106). This width threshold may be changed depending on the aspect ratio of the video content. That is, if video content with a large aspect ratio is displayed, the threshold is increased, and if video content with a small aspect ratio is displayed, the threshold is decreased.

[0031] If the width of the target area is not equal to or less than the width threshold (step S106; No), the display area management unit 51 ends the process. If the height of the target area is equal to or less than the height threshold (step S105; Yes), or if the width of the target area is equal to or less than the width threshold (step S106; Yes), the display area management unit 51 generates a floating area (step S107) and outputs the video displayed in the target area to the floating area (step S108). The display area management unit 51 erases the target area and changes to a two-split screen (step S109), and ends the process.

[0032] 6 is a flowchart of a process for erasing a floating area caused by overflow. This flowchart starts with two divided areas and a floating area being displayed. The user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction from the pointing device 30 (step S201).

[0033] The display area management unit 51 moves the floating area in accordance with a user instruction (step S202), and determines whether the floating area has protruded beyond the edge of the screen 20 (step S203). If the floating area does not protrude from the screen 20 (step S203; No), the display area management unit 51 fixes the floating area at the destination (step S204) and ends the process.

[0034] If the floating area protrudes from the screen 20 (step S203; Yes), the display area management unit 51 determines the split screen in which the floating area protrudes (step S205). The display area management unit 51 displays the video that was displayed in the floating area in the determined split area (step S206). The display area management unit 51 redisplays the split area that was temporarily erased when the floating area was generated (step S207), and displays the information that was displayed in the determined split area in the redisplayed split area (step S208), and ends the process.

[0035] When the divided area, which is the first area, is redisplayed and an image is displayed therein, the size of the image may be a preset size, and the size of the redisplayed divided area may be determined so that the image can be displayed in the preset size. The size may be the minimum size that can be displayed in the divided area, that is, a size corresponding to the vertical and horizontal thresholds of the first area.

[0036] The floating area protrudes from the screen 20 when the coordinates of the outer edge of the floating area are outside the screen 20. The extent to which the image is displayed in the second area can be set arbitrarily. That is, the image may be displayed in the second area when the outer edge of the floating area reaches the outer edge of the screen 20, or a threshold may be set in advance and the image may be displayed in the second area when a part of the floating area protrudes outside the screen 20 by more than the threshold. In the latter case, protrusion of the floating area due to a user's erroneous operation can be tolerated. When the floating area protrudes while straddling multiple divided areas, a divided area to be set as the second area is selected. For example, the divided area having a large area overlapping with the floating area may be set as the second area. Although the floating area protrudes from the screen 20 as an example, the image may be displayed in the second area under other conditions, such as when the floating area is sufficiently close to the outer edge of the screen 20. In other words, any condition may be used as long as it indicates that an operation to move the floating area to the outer edge of the screen 20 has been performed.

[0037] Although the process of determining both the height and width of a divided area obtained by dividing screen 20 into two halves, left and right, and further dividing the other into two halves, top and bottom, has been exemplified, only the height may be determined for a divided area obtained by dividing screen 20 into two halves, left and right, and further dividing the other into two halves, top and bottom. Furthermore, instead of the height and width of a divided area, the area of ​​a video that can be displayed in the divided area after the allocation change may be calculated to determine whether or not a floating area is required. For example, the processes of S104 to S106 may be replaced with a process of comparing the aspect ratio of the target area after the allocation change with the aspect ratio of the video content displayed there, and generating a floating area if the difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0038] As described above, the information processing device 40 is connected to the display device 10 and the pointing device 30, starts a plurality of applications simultaneously, and generates a display signal for displaying a plurality of application screens generated by each application in a divided area on the screen of the display device 10. The information processing device 40 includes a user instruction receiving unit 41 that receives a user instruction by a user's operation on the pointing device 30, a processing unit 42 that executes the plurality of applications, and a display control unit 43 that manages the divided areas and generates the display signal. The user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction for changing the allocation of the divided areas. The display control unit 43 changes the allocation of the divided areas according to the user instruction, and determines whether the size of the first area satisfies a predetermined condition in a first area in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed. When the display control unit 43 determines that the size of the first area does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it generates a floating area independent of the allocation of the divided areas on the screen of the display device, and displays the application screen having the specific aspect ratio in the floating area. According to this device, the allocation of divided areas can be freely changed while ensuring the visibility of applications with a fixed aspect ratio, so that a variety of information can be displayed flexibly and efficiently.

[0039] The user instruction receiving unit 41 receives a user instruction to move the floating area, and the display control unit 43 moves the floating area in accordance with the user instruction.When an operation to move the floating area to the outer edge of the screen of the display device is performed, the display control unit 43 determines a second area to which the floating area is moved, displays the application screen that was displayed in the floating area in the second area, and erases the floating area. When the display control unit 43 displays the application screen that was displayed in the floating area in the second area, if another application screen is displayed in the second area, the display control unit 43 displays the other application screen in the first area. The display control unit 43 temporarily erases the first area from the screen of the display device when displaying the floating area, and re-displays the first area when displaying the other application screen in the first area. According to this device, it is possible to flexibly move content between the floating area and the divided area.

[0040] The screen of the display device 10 is a rectangle with its horizontal side longer than its vertical side, and the display control unit 43 divides the screen of the display device 10 into two halves, left and right, into one of the divided areas, and further divides the other of the two halves, left and right, into two further divided areas, top and bottom, and if one of the divided areas obtained by dividing the screen of the display device 10 into two halves, left and right, is the first area, the display control unit 43 uses the horizontal length of that area as the specified condition, and if either of the divided areas obtained by dividing the other of the two halves, left and right, into two further halves, top and bottom, is the first area, the display control unit 43 uses the vertical length of that area as the specified condition. According to this device, the necessity of a floating area can be efficiently determined by a determination process adapted to a three-division display.

[0041] The user's operation on the pointing device 30 is a drag operation. This device makes it possible to provide a floating display with good operability by taking advantage of the characteristics of the split display, and improves the degree of freedom in the layout of the split display.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are included. For example, the above-mentioned embodiment is described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to the embodiment having all the described configurations. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the deletion of the configurations, and it is also possible to replace or add the configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10: display device, 20: screen, 21-23: divided areas, 24: slider icon, 25: video, 26: floating area, 30: pointing device, 40: information processing device, 41: user instruction receiving unit, 42: processing unit, 43: display control unit, 51: display area management unit, 52: display signal generation unit

Claims

1. An information processing device that is connected to a display device and a pointing device, that simultaneously starts a plurality of applications, and that generates a display signal for displaying a plurality of application screens generated by the respective applications in divided regions on a screen of the display device, a user instruction receiving unit that receives a user instruction input by a user's operation on the pointing device; A processing unit that executes the plurality of applications; a display control unit that manages the divided regions and generates the display signals; Equipped with the user instruction receiving unit receives a user instruction to change the allocation of the divided areas; The display control unit is Changing the allocation of the divided regions in accordance with the user instruction; determining whether a size of a first area, in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed, satisfies a predetermined condition; When it is determined that the size of the first area does not satisfy a predetermined condition, a floating area independent of the allocation of the divided areas is generated on the screen of the display device, and an application screen having the specific aspect ratio is displayed in the floating area.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, the user instruction receiving unit receives a user instruction requesting movement of the floating area; The display control unit is Moving the floating area in accordance with the user instruction; When an operation of moving the floating area to an outer edge of a screen of the display device is performed, a second area is determined to be located at a position to which the floating area has been moved; The application screen that was displayed in the floating area is displayed in the second area, and the floating area is erased.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, When the application screen that was displayed in the floating area is displayed in the second area, if another application screen is displayed in the second area, the display control unit displays the other application screen in the first area.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, The information processing device is characterized in that the display control unit temporarily erases the first area from the screen of the display device when displaying the floating area, and re-displays the first area when displaying the other application screen in the first area.

5. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The screen of the display device is a rectangle whose horizontal side is longer than its vertical side, the display control unit divides the screen of the display device into two halves, left and right, into one of the divided regions, and further divides the other of the two halves, left and right, into two further divided regions, top and bottom, the display control unit, if one of the divided regions obtained by dividing the screen of the display device into two regions into left and right halves is the first region, uses a horizontal length of the divided region as the predetermined condition; The display control unit uses a vertical length of a divided area obtained by dividing the screen of the display device into two areas, one into left and right, and the other into two areas, one into top and bottom, as the first area if the first area is one of the divided areas.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

6. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The predetermined condition varies depending on the aspect ratio of the application screen.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

7. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The predetermined condition is that the difference or ratio between the aspect ratio of the first region and the aspect ratio of the application screen is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

8. 8. An information processing device according to claim 1, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user's operation on the pointing device is a drag operation.

9. 1. A display control method for an information processing device that is connected to a display device and a pointing device, that simultaneously starts a plurality of applications, and that generates a display signal for displaying a plurality of application screens generated by the respective applications in divided regions on a screen of the display device, comprising: The information processing device, accepting a user instruction for changing the allocation of the divided areas by a user's operation on the pointing device; Changing the allocation of the divided regions in accordance with the user instruction; determining whether a size of a first area, in which an application screen having a specific aspect ratio is displayed, satisfies a predetermined condition; When it is determined that the size of the first area does not satisfy a predetermined condition, a floating area independent of the allocation of the divided areas is generated on the screen of the display device, and an application screen having the specific aspect ratio is displayed in the floating area.

2. A display control method comprising the steps of:

Images