Abstract: A method of three-dimensionally rotating a plurality of menus displayed in an ordered stack on a display unit of a portable telephone. The method displays the plurality of menus three-dimensionally on the display unit according to the ordered stack. The menu displayed in front is a current menu and the remainder of the menus are displayed in order behind the current menu. A menu rotation direction is selected and the plurality of menus are rotated in the menu rotation direction in accordance with the ordered stack. In this manner, the next menu in the ordered stack is rotated in the menu rotation direction to the front and becomes the current menu.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which push distribution data can be preferentially played back. On a station display screen displayed for a client, an icon 531-7 corresponding to a “recommended music” station in which push distribution data is registered is added. The icon 531-7 is displayed at the topmost level (highest portion) of the screen so that it can be more noticeable than icons 531-1 through 531-6 corresponding to the other stations. When power is supplied to the client, the icon 531-7 is selected to play back a so-called “melodious portion” or a climax portion of music data (push distribution data) registered in the “recommended music” station. In a message window 571, for example, a method for purchasing content corresponding to the push distribution data which is currently played back can be indicated.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to allow a client to make a request for music data stored in a server and to receive it and play it back. A client program 421 controls the sending of a request signal to a server 401, the reception and playback processing of music data from the server 401, and the display of a GUI performed by a display controller 426, and outputs the music data received by a communication unit 423 from the server 401 to an audio data converter 424. A server program 411 controls the sending of music data to the client 402, and registration of information in a music database 415, a link information database 416, and a ranking information database 417, searches the music database 415 for the requested music data, and sends the music data to the client 402. The present invention can be applied to a personal computer, a PDA, a cellular telephone, a desk-top playback device, a portable playback device, and a simplified playback device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which a display screen for assisting a user utilizing a client to make a request for music data to a server can be provided. Icons 431-1 through 431-6 correspond to stations of a link information list. For example, when a music piece registered in a “user A's favorites” station is being played back, a cursor line 432 is adjusted to the icon 431-1 corresponding to the “user A's favorites” station, and an icon 421-1 is displayed in an enlarged size, and the station name (“A Station”) corresponding to the icon is displayed. The user is then able to move the cursor line 432 by operation a remote commander to change the station (selecting the radio station when receiving radio broadcasting) or to zoom in on (tracing the hierarchy to lower levels) the selected station.

Abstract: In the present invention, when menus are displayed on a display unit, they are colored and displayed according to their kinds, so that the user can easily and immediately recognize the kinds of menus.