CA2256980A1 - Portable radio information terminal apparatus, screen operating method, recording medium and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable radio information terminal apparatus includes an image displaying unit and a plurality of input devices each for entering an independent input signal and is capable of carrying out control of information based on a plurality of hierarchical layers. The portable radio information terminal apparatus is further provided with:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for forming a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by the input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input devices during an operation carried out by the portable radio information terminal apparatus at one of the hierarchical layers; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with one of the hierarchical layers to another screen associated with the same hierarchical layer without a transition from the same hierarchical layer to another hierarchical layer in the case of an outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by the input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices.

Description

PORIABLE RADIO INF~RMATION TERMINAL APPARA$US, ~Kk~W OPERATING ~Ll~Ov, k~kvING MEDIUM AND
INFORMATION PRO~SlNG APPARAIUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention relates to a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus and a screen operating method. More parti~ll~rly, the present invention relates to a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus for controlling received message information in a structure of hierarchical layers and displaying a screen of a hierarchical layer. In particular, the present invention relates to a pager and a-screen operating method adopted in the pager.
A portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus is a handy and portable, it is capable of functioning as a t~rmin~l of a communication network. In recent years, there have been implemented portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus with a variety of configurations and functions to meet a rapidly growing demand in a wide range of applications in the field of information c~mmllnication network.

An example of such a portable radio information terminal apparatus is a pager which is widely used for carrying out communications by radio signals.
An early pager generates beeping sound of a bell when a CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 calling signal is received from a radio base station. A radio calling signal is capable of cAlling the user carrying this pager even if the user is present at a separated place. The radio calling signal is normally used to urge the user to respond to the calling signal by using a wire telephone closest to the user.
By the way, a signal generated by the radio base station is not merely ended with such a cAlling signal. A signal generated by the radio base station is also capable of conveying information.
On the pager side, on the other hand, information conveyed by an incoming signal is decoded and a result of the decoding is stored in a memory unit and displayed on a liquid crystal display panel as a message. A pager having functions to decode, store and display such information has been developed and widely used at the present time.
The pager organizes message texts each obtained as a result of decoding an incoming signal into message files stored in a memory unit. Each message file includes message attributes and control information in addition to a message text.
Examples of message attributes are the time and date of the reception, the size and the type of the message. The type of a message indicates the message has been originated by an individual, a message provided by an organization such as an information service company as a service, and so on. The type of a message is represented by a code number attached to the message.

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CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 In particular, a signal transmitted by an information -service company may convey an identification code. Such an identification code is detected automatically to be automatically appended as a code number for each message type.
For example, a lock flag is attached to the control information to prevent the message from being deleted from the file.
Another example, an index is attached to the control information to indicate or update a scroll format in a scroll operation.
In addition, a message text of up to typically 4 lines each comprising m~ ~ 20 characters appears on an embodied liquid crystal display panel in an operation to display the message text on the screen. In the case of a message text comprising a large number of lin~s, the user is allowed t~ carry out A scroll operation to scroll up or down the message text by entering a command in order to sequentially view all the lines of the message text.
By the way, the conventional pager is provided with a tahle of contents or a table of messages representing a plurality of received message texts stored in the memory unit to make the message texts easy to reference. The table of contents normally comprises shortened headlines each created by the user for a message text after the user reading the message text. The user CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 then catalogs the he~dl;ne into the table of contents as a caption for the message text by using some input means. In general, however, the table of contents has a thumb-nail format, comprising captions which are each a copy of a portion generally the beginning of the received message text.
In order to manage data of the table of contents and messages efficiently, the data is organized into a hierarchical information structure. In the hierarchical information structure, the table of contents is placed at the top hierarchical layer whereas messages texts or message files are put at a hierarchical layer at a low level. Each displayed screen is associated with a hierarchical layer.
The following is adescription of control of information based on the hierarchical structure adopted in the conventional pager and operations accompanying the control with reference to Fig. 12.
Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a hierarchical structure of data adopted in the conventional portable radio information terminal apparatus.
As shown in the figure, a table of contents (or a table of messages) is placed at the top hierarchical layer. The table of contents is displayed on the screen as a message table screen 300.
When it is desired to display a first message text, the user operates an input-device to select a headline of the first message text. In the example, the operation to select a headline is CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 denoted by reference numeral 301.
When a confirm~tion button is operated after the headline has been selected, the operation of the confirmation button is regarded as adecision 302 made by the user to display the first message text on the screen and a transition from the top hierarchical layer to a layer at a low level takes place automatically. This transition causes the message table screen 300 to be replaced with the first message text 303.
If it is desired to further display a third message text 306 instead of the first message text 303 at the low level hierarchical layer appearing on the screen, for example, an escape key is operated as indicated by reference numeral 304 to escape from the present low level hierarchical layer, and return to the top layer to redisplay the message table screen 300. Then, the user operates an input-device to select a headline of the third message text as indicated by the reference numeral 301. When a confirmation button is operated after the he~line has been selected, the operation of the confirmation button is regarded as adecision 305 to display the third message text 306 on the screen and a transition from the top hierarchical layer to a layer at a low level takes place automatically. This transition changes the first message text 301 to the third message text 306.
As described above, in a portable radio information terminal apparatus adopting the conventional hierarchical data structure, CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 when it is desired to replace a message text of the low level hierarchical layer displayed on the screen with another message text placed at the same layer, the display needs to be once returned to the top layer and then the user makes a transition from the top layer back to the low level layer after selecting a hea~line of the other message text. The transition causes the desired message text to be displayed on the screen.
In the configuration described above wherein, when it is desired to replace a message text of the low level hierarchical layer displayed on the screen with another message text placed at the same layer, the display must be once returned to the top layer and then the user needs to make a transition from the top layer back to the low level layer after selecting a headline of the desired message text, the user is forced to repeat input operations a number of times. As a result, the operation is cumbersome for users and it is feared that mistakes in operation may be made.
In addition, not only it is cumbersome to operate, but it also takes time to complete processing performed in response to the input operations carried out by the user. As a result, there is also raised a problem of difficulty to complete the processing in a short period of time.

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention addressing the problems of the screen operation configuration encountered in the co-lven~ional portable radio information tPrmin~l apparatus as described above to provide a new portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus which is capable of making transition from a displayed screen placed at a low layer of a hierarchical structure comprising a pl~rality of layers for controlling data to another screen placed at the same layer im~ tely through a simple input operation and to provide a screen operating method for the new portable radio information terminal apparatus.
A screen operating method according to claim 1 is adopted in a portable radio information terminal apparatus which:
controls data of a hierarchical information table comprising a low-level layer for placing at least a plurality of messages each conveyed by an incoming radio wave and a high-level layer for placing at least a table of contents for the messages;
is capable of carrying out processing including an operation to display any message at the low-level layer; and has an input means for use by the user for entering a command, an image displaying unit for displaying a screen and an inter-layer transition means for making an inter-layer transition between the high-level layer and the low-level layer of the hierarchical information table.

....... ....... .

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 The image operating method includes a step of carrying out a screen switching operation based on an infra-layer transition wherein the screen displayed on the image displaying unit is switched from one of the messages placed at the low-level layer to another message placed at the same layer right away without a transition from the low-level layer to the high-level layer in accordance with a command entered via the input means.
Thus, by merely entering a command via the input devices, it is possible to easily carry out a short-cut operation wherein the screen displayed on the image displaying unit is switched from one of the messages placed at the low-level layer to another message placed at the same layer right away. As a result, there is exhibited an effect that makes it possible to eliminate a complex operation of the conventional screen operating method to make an inter-layer transition a number of times and, hence, to improve operatability of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus.
A portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus according to claim 2 has:
A data control means based on a low-level layer for placing at least a plurality of messages each conveyed by an incoming radio wave and a high-level layer for placing at least a table of contents for the messages;
an input means used by the user for entering a standalone command and composed of a plurality of input devices each capable ..... .. .. .

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 of generating an independent input signal;
an image displaying unit for displaying a screen; and and an inter-layer transition means for making an inter-layer transition between the high-level layer and the low-level layer of the hierarchical information table.
The portable radio information t~rmin~1 apparatus further comprises:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for forming a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by the input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input devices; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with a layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen associated with the same layer without a transition from the layer to another layer of the hierarchical information structure in the case of an outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by the input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices.
Thus, when the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means detects simultaneous input signals, the infra-layer CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 transition means carries out a short-cut operation, that is, a screen switching operation based on an infra-layer transition wherein the screen displayed on the image displaying unit is switched from one of the messages placed at the low-level layer to another message placed at the same layer right away without a transition from the low-level layer to the high-level layer. In addition, it is possible to provide a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus wherein a sequence of operations are specified by merely entering a command, that is, by merely carrying out simultaneous operations that generate a plurality of input signals at the same time.
A recording medium according to claim 3 is used for storing at least 2 means each as a program, that is, a procedure fetchable for execution by a computer employed in a portable radio information t~rmi n~l apparatus which includes an image displaying unit in addition to a plurality of input devices and is capable of carrying out control of information based on a plurality of hierarchical layers. The 2 means recorded in the recording means are:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for formung a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by the input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input devices during an CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 operation carried out by the portable radio information terminal apparatus at one of the hierarchical layers; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with one of the hierarchical layers to another screen associated with the same hierarchical layer without a transition from the same hierarchical layer to another hierarchical layer in the case of an outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by the input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices.
As a result, by incorporating the recording medium in the portable radio information t~rmi n~ apparatus having a message storing memory unit and an information control means based on a hierarchical information structure composed of a plurality of layers in addition to the computer including a central processing unit, the input devices and the image displaying unit as a memory for storing operating procedures to be executed by the central processing unit, it is possible to implement a portable radio information terminal apparatus having:
a function of the infra-layer transition means to carry out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition from the current layer to another layer, if a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input devices are detected; and a function to carry out a screen operation in an inter-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at another layer, if a predetermined input signal is generated.
According to claim 4 microcomputer includes:
an embedded central processing unit; and an embedded storage unit for storing programs as procedures which can each be fetched for execution by the central processing unit.
The microcomputer is employed in a portable radio information terminal apparatus which also includes an image displaying unit in addition to a plurality of input devices and is capable of carrying out control of information based on a plurality of hierarchical layers, wherein the programs stored in the storage unit at least include the following 2 means:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for forming a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by the ....

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 - input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input devices during an operation carried out by the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus at one of the hierarchical layers; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with one of the hierarchical layers to another screen associated with the same hierarchical layer without a transition from the same hierarchical layer to another hierarchical layer in the case of an outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by the input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices.
As a result, by letting the central processing unit sequentially execute the means stored in the memory unit, it is possible to easily implement a portable radio information terminal apparatus having a simple configuration provided with:
a function of the infra-layer transition means to carry out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 from the ~ulLenL layer to another layer, if a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input devices are detected; and a function to carry out a screen operation in an inter-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at another layer, if a predetermined input signal is generated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components in a portable radio information t~rmi n~ 1 apparatus implemented by a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a complete configuration of the portable radio information terminal apparatus shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of a rotary/press input device employed in the portable radio information t~rmi n~l apparatus provided by the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a transition diagram showing a process of transitions in handling interruptions generated by a input device;
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a front view of the external appearance of the portable radio information terminal apparatus shown in Fig 2;
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing operating mode CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 transitions occurring in the portable radio information tPrmin~l apparatus provided by the present invention;
Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing inter-layer and infra-layer transitions during an operation of the portable radio information terminal apparatus provided by the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a table of contents displayed on a screen of the portable radio information t~r~in~l apparatus provided by the present invention;
Fig. 9 shows a flowchart representing operations carried out by the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus provided by the present invention to change the screen in accordance with input signals;
Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a recording medium implemented by a second emkodiment of the present invention;
Fig. ll is a block diagram showing the configuration of a microcomputer implemented by a third emhodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing inter-layer transitions during an operation of the conventional portable radio information terminal apparatus.

DEIPILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will become more apparent from the ... . .

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 following detailed description of some preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying diagrams. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is no more than a preferred example showing the essential configuration and operation of the present invention. Thus, the embodiment may have limitations which are desirable from the technological configuration point of view.
However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment unless otherwise specified explicitly in adescription to limit the scope of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main components composing of a portable radio information terminal apparatus implemented by a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a complete configuration of the portable radio information t~r~in~l apparatus and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a front view of the external appearance of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus shown in Figs. 2.
Used as a pager, the portable radio information t~rmi n~l apparatus 1 provided by the present invention serves as a communication means which comprises an antenna 2, a receiver unit 3 and a demodulation unit 4 as shown in Fig. 2. The antenna 2 receives a radio wave conveying an information signal from a transmitter such as a remote radio station. Connected to the antenna 2, the receiver unit 3 amplifies and detects the signal CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 received by the antenna 2. Connected to the receiver unit 3, the demodulation unit 4 serves as a decoder for decoding a signal output by the receiver unit 3 to produce code information.
In addition, the modulation unit 4 also has an A/D converter for generating digital information. The modulation unit 4 further has a function to compare the code information obtained as a result of decoding with an ID code to form a judgment as to whether or not the received information signal is indeed a signal destined for this portable radio information terminal apparatus 1.
The ID code is recorded in advance in an ID memory unit (not shown in the figure) implemented typically by an EEPROM. It should be noted that the ID memory unit itself is not shown in the figure. A
signal output by the demodulation unit 4 is supplied to a CPU 5.
The CPU 5 is further connected to a message storing memory unit 7 which is implemented typically by an SRAM.
The CPU 5 is a component for carrying out data processing and input/output processing. To put it in detail, the CPU 5 executes a variety of programs or executable procedures stored in advance in ROM units internal and external to the CPU 5 to read in an input signal received from an input-device to be described later, to write data into a file on the message storing memory unit 7, to read out a file from the message storing memory unit 7 and to control all operations of the portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 including an operation to display information such as .

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 a message indicating existence of an incoming signal and warnings including an alarm indicating a voltage abnormality on a display screen.
In addition, the CPU 5 also composes and copies a table of contents and a screen image of the table of contents. The CPU 5 also places the table of contents at the top layer and message files at a low level layer in a hierarchical structure as well as manages information of the hierarchical structure.
A message included in the code information produced by the demodulation unit 4 from a received signal is written and stored in the message storing memory unit 7. The message is read out from the message storing memory unit 7 to be displayed on a display screen. The message storing memory unit 7 can also be implemented by a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory and an EEPROM in addition to the SRAM described above.
operated by the user, the input-device mentioned above comprises a rotary input device 9 and a press switch 8 forming a single assembly with the rotary input device 9. The single assembly comprising the press switch 8 and the rotary input device 9 constitutes a rotary/press input device 39 which will be described in detail later.
Also operated by the user, the input-device mentioned above further has an input switch 16. The input switch 16 is a non-rotary input device which is actuated by a non-rotary operation.

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 When a non-rotary operation such as a pressure or a touch is carried out by the input switch 16, an input signal 16a is generated.
The input signal 16a generated by the input switch 16 is referred to as a non-rotary input signal. In this embodiment, the input switch 16 is used as an input-device for carrying out an escape operation or a simultaneous compound input operation to be described later.
The rotary input device 9, the press switch 8 and the input switch 16 are connected to an input-device control unit 10 which is connected to the CPU 5.
The CPU 5 is connected to a display-panel driving unit 11.
Also connected to the display-panel driving unit 11 is a liquid crystal display panel 12 for displaying a screen. The display-panel driving unit 11 and the liquid crystal display panel 12 form an image displaying unit.
A display signal output by the CPU 5 is transmitted to the display-panel driving unit 11 which supplies a driving signal to the liquid crystal display panel 12. Driven by the driving signal, the liquid crystal display panel 12 forms a screen.
The CPU 5 is also connected to a message-signal outputting unit 13 which is connected to a speaker 14 used as an audio message device. The CPU 5 outputs an operation signal to drive the speaker 14 by way of the message-signal outputting unit 13 for CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 converting the operation signal into an audio signal for driving the speaker 14.
The CPU 5, the input-device control unit 10 and other components described above constitute a control means. Main components of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 are described as follows.
As shown in the figure, connected to a data bus serving as a data transfer means 20 are components such as the CPU 5, a system memory unit 6, a ROM unit 6/, the message storing memory unit 7, an input-signal processing unit 10B, the display-panel driving unit 11 and the message-signal outputting unit 13.
Thus, the CPU 5 is capable of exchanging data with the system memory unit 6, the ROM unit 6', the message storing memory unit 7, the input-signal processing unit 10B, the display-panel driving unit 11 and the message-signal outputting unit 13 through the data transfer means 20.
The system memory unit 6 is used for storing a means for organizing information into a hierarchical structure and a variety of control procedures for mainly adding, deleting and locking data in addition to controlling all operations of the portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 as programs executable by the CPU
5.
On the other hand, the ROM unit 6' is used for storing mainly a variety of execution procedures related to applications as CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 programs executable by the CPU 5. The ROM unit 6' is implemented by a storage device such as a read only MOS memory or a flash memory.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of the rotary/press input device 39. As shown in the figure, the rotary/press input device 39 provided by the embodiment includes a rotary input device 9 used as a rotary operation unit and a press switch 8 serving as a press operation unit which are built into a single assembly.
Such a rotary/press input device 39 allows the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 to be made small in size and the number of components to be reduced. The rotary/press input device 39 is implemented typically by so-called a jog dial or a rotary encoder. The rotary operation unit is provided with a disc-shaped knob which can be rotated freely. The press operation unit generates an intermittent signal when the disc-shaped knob is pressed in.
Tw~ kinds of signal can be resulted readily when the disc-shaped knob is rotated in the clockwise (right) direction or the counterclockwise (left) direction respectively. Further, an intermittent input signal is generated by pressing the disc-shaped knob in. Thus, the number of switch devices is reduced. As a result, the rotary/press input device 39 can be made small in size and the operatability thereof is improved.

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CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 The disc-shaped knob of the rotary input device 9 can be rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow Pr. When an input operation is carried out by rotating the rotary input device 9 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a signal 9a corresponding to the rotating direction is generated. This signal is referred to as a rotary input signal 9a.
When the knob is pressed in a direction indicated by an arrow Pf, the press switch 8 strokes to move. As a result, an intermittent signal 8a is generated. This intermittent signal 8a is referred to an intermittent input signal 8a.
Information of the rotating direction of the knob of the rotary input device 9 is detected by a rotational-direction detecting circuit lOC employed in the input-device control circuit 10 through a tPrmi n~l as a signal which is then supplied to an interrupt interface unit lOA.
The interrupt interface unit lOA in turn generates an interrupt signal based on the signal supplied thereto and forms a signal lOAa shown in Fig. 1. The signal lOAa conveying the information of the rotating direction is supplied to the input-signal processing unit lOB.
When the input-signal processing unit lOB receives the signal lOAa, it outputs to the data transfer means 20 immediately as it is or after holding the signal lOAa.
The information is used in execution of a means for CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 det~rmining the rotational direction of the rotary device. It should be noted that this means is stored in the system memory unit 6 (not shown in the figures).
When an input-signal processing unit 10B outputs the signal lOAa i~m~~iately without holding it, the information of the rotational direction of the knob is used only once. That is, an operation carried out on the knob corresponds to one execution of processlng .
On the other hand, when an input-signal processing unit 10B
outputs the signal 10Aa after holding it, the information of the rotational direction of the knob can be used repeatedly. That is, with the knob put in a state of being rotated continuously, the process is carried out repetitively.
In addition, information of the rotational quantity and the speed of the knob of the rotary input device 9 is supplied to a rotational-quantity/rotational-speed detecting circuit 10D
employed in the input-device control circuit 10 through a terminal as a signal which is then similarly supplied to the interrupt interface unit 10A as shown in Fig. 3. The information can be used in the process carried out thereafter.
As shown in Fig. 3, an intermittent input signal 8a generated by the press switch 8 is supplied to a switch-on/off-state detecting circuit 10E employed in the input-device control circuit 10 through a terminal as a signal which is then likewise supplied CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 to the interrupt interface unit 10A.
In addition, the rotary input device 9 and the press switch 8 are separately designed so that they can be operated independently of each other. They can also be operated simultaneously as well.
The rotary input device 9 employed in the rotary/press input device 39 described a~ove, functions as an input-device operated by the user for supplying a cnmm~n~ signal for controlling operations in general including a change cn~m~n~ signal to scroll the display on the screen and a select signal to specify a specific portion on the screen. On the other hand, the press switch 8 employed in the rotary/press input device 39 described above functions as an input-device operated by the user for supplying a signal used mainly for confirming a selected portion or a displayed number and typically for causing the operation of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 to transit from a layer in the hierarchical structure to another.
The rotary input signal 9a, the intermittent input signal 8a and the non-rotary input signal 16a generated by the rotary input device 9, the press switch 8 and the input switch 16 respectively are each converted by the interrupt interface unit 10A into an interrupt signal supplied to the CPU 5 by way of an interrupt receiving terminal.
When the rotary input signal 9a, the intermittent input signal 8a or the non-rotary input signal 16a is generated as a .. . . . ~

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 result of an operation carried out on the rotary input device 9, the press switch 8 or the input switch 16 respectively, an interrupt signal is supplied by the interrupt interface unit lOA
to the CPU 5. The interrupt signal brings the CPU 5 into an interrupt handling phase.
Fig. 4 is a transition diagram showing a typical transition in handling interruption generated by the input device. The process begins with a state of processing W30 according to a non-interrupt procedure. In the event of an interrupt signal W31 generated in this state W30, the interrupt signal W31 is received by the CPU 5 and the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 transits to a state of the interrupt-signal processing W32. In this state W32, an interrupt signal is processed in accordance with an interrupt signal processing procedure stored in the system memory unit 6. This procedure begins with identification of an input-device that has generated the interrupt signal. An input-device generating the interrupt signal can be identified directly from an interrupt receiving terminal that receives the interrupt signal or from information conveyed by the input signal lOAa supplied by the interrupt interface unit lOA to the interrupt-signal processing unit lOB.
In identifying the input device having generated an interrupt, it is possible to ascertain simultaneous inputs from a plurality of input devices. Illustratively, if a plurality of input devices CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 is operated concurrently, an interrupt W31 is accepted only from one of these devices which generates the interrupt signal first.
That a queuing list is referenced in the state W32 of interrupt h~n~ling, however, makes it possible to verify the simultaneous inputs originating from the multiple devices.
After an input device generating the interrupt signal has been identified as described above, that is, after an input-device operated by the user has been identified, a state transition W33 shown in Fig. 4 occurs from the interrupt-signal processing state W32 to an interrupt h~n~ling state W34. At a state transition W33, an interrupt handling procedure associated with the identified input-device is read out from the system memory unit 6 to be followed in execution of processing to handle the interrupt.
Normally, data such as a value entered by the user throuth the identified input device is confirmed in this processing. At the end of this processing, a transition W35 occurs between the state W34 and the state W30 in which the CPU 5 resumes the non-interrupt processing. In this resumed processing, the value entered via the interrupting input-device can be used.
Next, a variety of means stored in the ROM unit 6' are explained by referring to Fig. 1.
As shown in the figure, a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26, an infra-layer transition means 27, a scroll-processing means 30 and an inter-layer transition means 31 CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 are each stored in the ROM unit 6' as a program, that is, a procedure executable by the CPU 5.
The standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 forms a judgment as to whether an input generated by an input means comprising a plurality of input-devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input-devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input-devices.
The infra-layer transition means 27 carries out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition from the current layer to another layer, if the outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 indicates that an input generated by the input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input-devices.
Any program format can be used for prescribing the means described above as long as the program can be executed directly or indirectly. It is thus desirable to adopt an absolute binary addressing format, and a relocatable binary format which needs readdressing at execution time is also acceptable. In the case of the latter format, however, it is necessary to keep a linkage CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 means in the system memory unit 6 as a resident tool.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a front view of the external configuration of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 implemented by the embodiment. The configuration of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 implemented by the embodiment is explained by referring to this figure as follows.
The portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 implemented by the embodiment is accommodated in a thin hexahedron cabinet 15. At about the center of the front face of the cabinet 15, there is provided a liquid crystal display panel 12 for displaying a message, a date and/or the time of the day.
At the upper right corner of the cabinet 15, a jog dial used as the rotary/press input device 39 described earlier is installed in such a way that a portion of the jog dial protrudes outward from the cabinet 15. The rotary/press input device 39 has a knob serving as the rotary input device 9 which can be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise directions freely.
A press switch 8 is assembled with the rotary input device 9 as a single assembly. When the knob of the rotary input device 9 is pressed in, the press switch 8 is actuated.
At a position on the lower side adjacent to the liquid crystal display panel 12, the input switch 16 functioning as an escape key is embedded in such a way that the input switch 16 can be pressed and operated freely. The input switch 16 is operated by CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 the user to enter a command to escape or to return to a screen of an upper layer, a message halting cn~m~n~ to stop alarming sound generated as a message indicating an incoming call or a cnmm~nd to control an operation.
The input switch 16 is slightly dented on the surface of the cabinet 15 toward the inner side of the cabinet 15 to form such a structure that an inadvertent external force will never be applied to the switch 16 accidentally. With such a structure, a malfunction can be avoided.
On the liquid crystal display panel 12, it is possible to display a message text composed of up to typically 4 lines each comprising maximum 20 alphabetical and numerical characters.
The configuration of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 implemented by the embodiment has heen described so far. Next, the operation of the portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 is explained as follows.
First of all, normal operations to receive a radio signal and to display a message are discussed by referring mainly to Fig. 2.
When an electric wave conveying information or a message destined for a specific portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 is transmitted from a radio transmitting station, the t~rmi n~l apparatus 1 receives the radio wave using the antenna 2.
In the receiver unit 3, the radio wave is subjected to signal processing such as conversion into a signal having an intermediate ... ... ~, ..

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 frequency, amplification and detection. In the demodulation unit 4, after the fact that the message is indeed destined for the portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 itself has been confirmed, the received information signal is decoded. The decoded information signal is finally stored in the message storing memory unit 7 in an operation controlled by the CPU 5.
To put it in detail, a new message file is created for each message text. A message text is written into a message file which is placed at a low level layer in the hierarchical information structure.
An item representing a newly created message file is further added to the table of contents placed at a high level hierarchical layer.
It should be noted that the high level and low level hierarchical layers are no more than layers of a logical hierarchical configuration. Thus, the table of contents and a plurality of message files can be physically laid out in the message storing memory unit 7 as files or a folder.
The CPU 5 controls the operation of the portable radio information t~rmi n~l apparatus 1 by executing control programs stored in the system memory unit 6. First of all, the CPU 5 forms a judgment as to whether or not an information signal has been received. If an information signal is judged to have been received, the display-panel driving unit 11 is operated to display a message CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 of the received information signal read out from the message storing memory unit 7 on the liquid crystal display panel 12 as a text composed of up to typically 4 lines each comprising maximum 20 alphabetical and numerical characters.
It should be noted that the image displaying unit does not have to be implemented by the liquid crystal display panel 12. An image displaying unit of any arbitrary type can be employed. In addition, the configuration of a screen is not limited to a configuration composed of up to 4 lines each comprising m~im.lm 20 alphabetical and numerical characters. Any arbitrary screen configuration is applicable.
In addition, when an information signal is judged to have been received, the CPU 5 issues a command to operate the message-signal outputting unit 13. Operated by the command, the message-signal outputting unit 13 supplies an alarm signal to the speaker 14 to generate sound for making the user aware of the fact that an information signal has been received.
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing operating mode transitions occurring in the portable radio information terminal apparatus l provided by the present invention. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing inter-layer and infra-layer transitions in the operation of the portable radio information terminal apparatus provided by the present invention.
The inter-layer and infra-layer transitions occurring in the CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 portable radio information t~rmin~1 apparatus 1 and the operating mode transitions accompanying the inter-layer and infra-layer transitions are explained by referring to Figs. 6 and 7.
In the operating mode transitions shown in Fig. 6 as well as the inter-layer and infra-layer transitions shown in Fig. 7, the present operating mode is the mode Mdl displaying the table of contents placed at the top layer of the hierarchical information structure. In this case, the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus 1 is operating at the top hierarchical layer. Thus, at the present time, the table of contents is displayed on the screen as shown in Fig. 8.
In Fig. 8, notations Sml to Sm4 denote thumb-nail data (or headlines) of first to fourth message texts respectively. A cursor on the screen points to the thumb-nail image Sm2 of the second message text which appears as an inverted display hatched with slanting parallel lines. The cursor indicates that the second message text can be currently selected.
In the operating mode Mdl, the knob of the rotary input device 9 is used for selecting a headline of a message text cataloged in the table of contents. If the knob is rotated in the clockwise direction, the cursor moves from the image Sm2 of the second message text to the image Sm3 of the third message text on the right side of the image Sm2 in a right select phase p9b. If the knob of the rotary input device 9 used for selecting a message ........ . ~ .. . ...... ... .....

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 text is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, on the other hand, the cursor moves from the image Sm2 of the second message text to the image Sml of the first message text on the left side of the image Sm2 in a left select phase p9a.
If the press switch 8 is pressed in with the cursor on the screen pointing to the thumb-nail image Sm2 of the second message text, to display the second message text is confirm~ in a confirmation/transition phase p8 shown in Figs. 6 and 7. At that time, the operating mode transits from the table-of-contents displaying mode Mdl to the inter-layer transition mode MD2 through the confirmation/transition phase p8 as shown in Figs. 6. The portable radio information terminal apparatus l then operates in this inter-layer transition mode MD2, making a preparation for opening a message file used for storing the second message text before a transition to the mode Md3 for displaying a message text placed at a low level hierarchical layer (a phase p316).
In the mode Md3 for displaying a message text, the portable radio information termin~l apparatus 1 displays the second message text on the screen. The user is capable of scrolling the screen by operating the rotary input device 9 as described below.
In the message displaying mode Md3, the knob of the rotary input device 9 is used for scrolling a displayed message text up and down. To put it in detail, if the rotary input device 9 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, a transition takes CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 place through an upward scroll phase p9c shown in Fig. 6, scrolling a displayed message text up. If the rotary input device 9 is rotated in the clockwise direction, on the other hand, a transition takes place through a downward scroll phase p9d shown in Fig. 6, scrolling a displayed message text down.
If it is desired to switch the displayed screen from the second message text to the third or fourth message text, a short cut operation to make an infra-layer transition can be carried out.
For example, by pressing in the press switch 8 of the rotary/press input device 39 and the input switch 16 at the same time, a plurality of input signals are generated to make an operating mode transition from the message displaying mode Md3 to the infra-layer transition mode Mdfourthrough an infra-layer transition phase 89 shown in Fig. 6. The infra-layer transition mode Md4 is present at the same layer as the mode Md3.
In the infra-layer transition mode Md4, a short cut operation to transit to another message text at the same layer is carried out by typically pushing the press switch 8 of the rotary/press input device 39 and rotating the rotary input device 9 of the rotary/press input device 39 in the clockwise direction to make a transition through a succeeding-candidate selection phase p9f to display the succeeding candidate, that is, the first 4 lines of the third message text on the screen.
If the rotary input device 9 of the rotary/press input device CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 39 is further rotated in the clockwise direction while the press switch 9 is being pushed, a further succeeding c~ te, that is, the first 4 lines of the fourth message text, is displayed on the screen.
If the rotary input device 9 of the rotary/press input device 39 is rotated back in the counterclockwise direction while the press switch 9 is being pushed, on the other hand, a transition is made through a preceding-c~n~ te selection phase p9e to display the preceding candidate, that is, the first 4 lines of the previous third message text, on the screen.
As described above, a direct jump to another message text at the same current layer is possible.
As the desired candidate, that is, the first 4 lines of fourth message text for example, appears on the screen, the operation to push the press switch 8 is stopped. Consequently, the candidate is confirmed and a transition from the infra-layer transition mode Md4 back to the message displaying mode Md3 (a transition phase p27) occurs to complete the short cut from the second message text to the fourth message text.
Note that, when it is desired to go back from the message displaying mode Md3 to the mode Mdl for displaying the table of contents placed at the top hierarchical layer, only the input switch 16 is operated to make a transition through an escape phase pl6 to the inter-layer transition mode Md2 before the final ~ . ~ .. ~.

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 transition from the mode Md3 to the mode Mdl for displaying the table of contents through a transition phase p31a.
Fig. 9 shows a flowchart reprèsenting processing carried out by the portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 implemented by the first embodiment of the present invention to display a message text on the screen. Detailed operations of the processing are explained by referring to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9.
As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step Sl at which the CPU 5 executes the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 stored in the ~OM unit 6' to display the table of contents (or the table of messages). The flow of the processing then goes on to a step S2 at which an input signal generated by the input device is detected.
At the step S2, the input signal is examined to form a judgment as to whether the input signal has been generated by the rotary input device 9 of the rotary/press input device 39. If the input signal has been generated as a result of rotating the knob of the rotary input device 9, which functions as a select switch at the layer of the table of contents, in the counterclockwise direction, the flow of the processing proceeds to a step S3 through the left select phase p9a to select a file on the left side. The flow of the processing then goes back to the step S1.
If the input signal has been generated as a result of rotating the knob of the rotary input device 9 in the clockwise CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 direction, on the other hand, the flow of the processing proceeds to a step S4 through the right select phase p9b to select a file on the right side. The flow of the processing then goes back to the step S1.
If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S2 indicates that the input signal has been generated by an end switch, a transition through a t~rmin~tion phase p4 takes place to end the processing.
If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S2 indicates that the input signal has been generated by the press switch 8 of the rotary/press input device 39 which functions as a confir~tion switch at the layer and a transition switch to the low-level layer, the flow of the processing continues to a step S5 through a confirmation/transition phase p8. At the step S5, the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 issues a command 26b to the inter-layer transition means 31 as shown in Fig.
1.
Receiving the c~mm~nd 26b, the inter-layer transition means 31 extracts a message text from a specified message file at the step S5. The flow of the processing then goes on to a step S6 at which the CPU 5 executes a message displaying means stored in the system memory unit 6 to display the extracted message text on the screen. It should be noted that the message displaying means itself is shown in none of the figures.

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 The flow of the processing then goes on to a step S7 at which the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 detects an input signal generated by the input device.
At the step S7, the input signal is examined to form a judgment as to whether the input signal has been generated by the rotary input device 9 of the rotary/press input device 39. If the input signal has been generated as a result of rotating the knob of the rotary input device 9, which functions as a scroll switch at the layer of the message, in the counterclockwise direction, the flow of the processing proceeds to a step S8 through the upward scroll phase p9c to scroll the screen in the upward direction. At the step S8, the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 issues a command 26b to the scroll-processing means 30 as shown in Fig. 1. Receiving the command 26b, the scroll-processing means 30 carries out scroll processing in the upward direction. The flow of the processing then goes back to the step S6.
If the input signal has been generated as a result of rotating the knob of the rotary input device 9 in the clockwise direction, on the other hand, the flow of the processing proceeds to a step S9 through the downward scroll phase p9d to scroll the screen in the downward direction. At the step S9, the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 issues a command 26b to the scroll-processing means 30 as shown in Fig. 1.

, . .

CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 Receiving the command 26b, the scroll-processing means 30 carries out scroll processing in the downward direction. The flow of the processing then goes back to the step S6.
If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S7 indicates that the input signal has been generated by the end switch, a transition through the t~rmin~tion phase p4 takes place to end the processing. In addition, if the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S7 indicates that the input signal has been generated by the input switch 16, the flow of the processing goes back to the step Sl through the escape phase pl6.
If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S7 indicates that the input signal is not a standalone signal generated by an input device but a plurality of simultaneous input signals such as a press and a rotation generated by a plurality of input devices at the same time, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S10 through the infra-layer transition phase p89 to switch the screen to another message text at the same hierarchical layer. At the step S10, the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 issues a command 26a to the infra-layer transition means 27 as shown in Fig. 1.
At the step S10, the infra-layer transition means 27 forms a judgment as to whether the simultaneous operations of the press and the rotation have been going on continuously. If the simultaneous operations of the press and the rotation have not CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 been going on continuously, the flow of the processing goes back to the step S6 through a transition phase p27.
If the simultaneous operations of the press and the rotation have been going on continuously, on the other hand, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S11 to wait for a signal input to be generated by the rotary input device 9 of the rotary/press input device 39. As an input signal resulting from a rotation of the rotary input device 9 in the counterclockwise direction is detected, the flow proceeds to a step S12 through a preceding-c~n~idate select phase p9e. At the step S12, the head of a message text stored in the preceding-c~n~ te file is displayed. The flow of the processing then goes back to the step S10.
If an input signal resulting from a rotation of the rotary input device 9 in the clockwise direction is detected, on the other hand, the flow proceeds to a step S13 through a succeeding-candidate select phase p9f. At the step S13, the head of a message text stored in the succeeding-candidate file is displayed. The flow of the processing then goes back to the step S10.
As described above, the embodiment substantially improves the way of operating the portable radio information terminal apparatus 1 as the user likes. With the conventional configuration, it is feared that incorrect processing is inadvertently carried out due to complicated operations such as a transition to another message text through the screen displaying the table of contents placed at CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 the top hierarchical layer. In the case of the portable radio information t~rm;n~l apparatus 1 provided by the present invention, however, no complicated operation is required. That is to say, a short-cut operation can be carried out in place of such a complicated operation. As a result, higher reliability can be obtained.
Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a recording medium 40 implemented by a second embodiment of the present invention. The recording m~ m 40 implemented by the second embodiment of the present invention is explained by referring to this figure as follows.
The recording m~ m 40 implemented by the second embodiment of the present invention is a single-chip semiconductor memory which includes at least 3 means described below. The 3 means are each a procedure, that is, a program which can be read and executed by a computer. The 3 means can be accessed through chip pins 4Oa.
The first means is the aforementioned standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 to be read out for execution by a central processing unit of a computer employed in a portable radio information terminal apparatus which also comprises an image displaying unit, a plurality of input devices and an information control means based on a hierarchical information structure composed of a plurality of layers. The CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 is executed by the central processing unit during an operation of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus at one of the hierarchical layers to form a judgment as to whether an input received from the input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input devices.
The second means is the aforementioned infra-layer transition means 27 to be read out for execution by a central processing unit of the computer to carry out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition from the current layer to another layer, if the outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 indicates that an input generated by the input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input devices.
The third means is the aforementioned inter-layer transition means 31 to be read out for execution by a central processing unit of the computer to carry out a screen operation in an inter-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 hierarchical information structure to another screen at another layer, if a predetermined input signal is generated.
The recording m~ m 40 can be incorporated in a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus having a computer including a central processing unit, a plurality of input devices, an image displaying unit, a message storing memory unit and an information control means based on a hierarchical information structure composed of a plurality of layers as a memory for storing operating procedures to be executed by the central processing unit.
By mounting the recording medium 40 on the portable radio information terminal apparatus and letting the central processing unit sequentially execute the 3 means which are each stored in the recording m~illm 40 as a procedure, it is possible to implement a portable radio information terminal apparatus having:
a function of the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 to detect a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by input devices during an operation of the portable radio information terminal apparatus at one of the hierarchical layers;
a function of the infra-layer transition means 27 to carry out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 from the current layer to another layer, if a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input devices are detected; and a function of the inter-layer transition means 31 to carry out a screen operation in an inter-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at another layer, if a predetermined input signal is generated.
The recording medium 40 provided by this embodiment can be applied to mainly a flash memory. In addition, the recording medium can be applied to a read-only MOS memory, an SRAM, an EPROM, an EEPROM and the other so-called non-volatile semiconductor recording mediums.
In addition, the recording medium 40 can also be applied to an optical recording medium, an optical magnetic recording medium and a magnetic recording medium as well.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a microcomputer 80 implemented by a third embodiment of the present invention. The microcomputer 80 implemented by the third embodiment of the present invention is explained by referring to the figure.
Designed into a one-chip product, the microcomputer 80 implemented by the third embodiment of the present invention CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 81, a working memory unit 82, a display interface unit 83, an output interface unit 84, an input interface unit 85 and a memory unit 91 which are connected to each other by an internal bus 86 as shown in the figure.
External pins provided on the chip of the microcomputer 80 are interrupt input pins 87 connected to an interrupt input t~rmin~l of the CPU 81, an output pins 88 connected to the display interface unit 83 and the output interface unit 84, input pins 89 connected to the input interface unit 85 and common bus pins 90 connected to the internal bus 86.
The memory unit 91 is used for storing programs that can be executed by the CPU 81. The programs include a system control means 95, an input/output control means 96, a display control means 97, the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26, the infra-layer transition means 27, the scroll-processing means 30 and the inter-layer transition means 31.
The system control means 95 is executed to control not only operations of the components inside the chip of the microcomputer 80 but also operations of the whole portable radio information terminal apparatus including the microcomputer 80 itself and operations of components in the portable radio information terminal apparatus other than the microcomputer 80. The procedure implementing this system control means is adapted to the portable CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 radio information t~rmin~l apparatus provided by the present invention.
By the same token, the input/output control means 96 is executed to control not only exchanges of data and signals among the components inside the chip of the microcomputer 80 but also exchanges of data and signals between the whole portable radio information terminal apparatus including the microcomputer 80 itself as well as components in the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus other than the microcomputer 80 and the external world. The procedure implementing this system control means is adapted to the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus provided by the present invention.
On the other hand, the display control means 97 is executed to control operations to display a message text on a screen on an image displaying unit connected to the microcomputer 80.
The standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 is read out for execution by the central processing unit 81 of the microcomputer 80 employed in a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus which also comprises an image displaying unit, a plurality of input devices and an information control means based on a hierarchical information structure composed of a plurality of layers. The standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 is executed by the central processing unit 81 during an operation of the portable radio information terminal apparatus at CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 one of the hierarchical layers to form a judgment as to whether an input received from the input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by the input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of the input devices.
The infra-layer transition means 27 is read out for execution by the central processing unit 81 of the microcomputer 80 to carry out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition from the current layer to another layer, if the outcome of the judgment formed by the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 indicates that an input generated by the input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input devices.
The scroll-processing means 30 is read out for execution by the central processing unit 81 of the microcomputer 80 to carry out scroll processing.
The inter-layer transition means 31 to be read out for execution by the central processing unit 81 of the microcomputer 81 to carry out a screen operation in an inter-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 hierarchical information structure to another screen at another layer, if a predetermined input signal is generated.
The microcomputer 80 can be incorporated in a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus equipped with components including a c~m~ mication mech~ni.~m unit, a memory unit for recording a received message, a plurality of input devices, an image displaying unit for displaying information, an information control means based on a hierarchical information structure composed of a plurality of layers and a power-supply circuit.
By incorporating the microcomputer 80 in such a portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus and letting the central processing unit 81 sequentially execute the means stored in the memory unit 91, it is possible to provide a portable radio information termin~l apparatus with:
a function of the standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means 26 to detect a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by input devices during an operation of the portable radio information t~rmin~l apparatus at one of the hierarchical layers;
a function of the infra-layer transition means 27 to carry out a screen operation in an infra-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at the same layer without a transition CA 022~6980 1998-12-23 from the current layer to another layer, if a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by a plurality of input devices are detected; and a function of the inter-layer transition means 31 to carry out a screen operation in an inter-layer transition, wherein the display appearing on the image displaying unit is switched from a present screen at a current layer of the hierarchical information structure to another screen at another layer, if a predetermined input signal is generated.

Claims (4)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A screen operating method for a portable radio information terminal apparatus which:
controls data of a hierarchical information table comprising a low-level layer for placing at least a plurality of messages each conveyed by an incoming radio wave and a high-level layer for placing at least a table of contents for said messages;
is capable of carrying out processing including an operation to display any message at said low-level layer; and has an input means for use by the user for entering a command, an image displaying unit for displaying a screen and an inter-layer transition means for making an inter-layer transition between said high-level layer and said low-level layer of said hierarchical information table, said method including a step of carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition wherein said screen displayed on said image displaying unit is switched from one of said messages placed at said low-level layer to another message placed at the same layer without a transition from said low-level layer to said high-level layer in accordance with a command entered via said input means.

2. A portable radio information terminal apparatus which:
controls data of a hierarchical information table comprising a low-level layer for placing at least a plurality of messages each conveyed by an incoming radio wave and a high-level layer for placing at least a table of contents for said messages;
is capable of carrying out processing including an operation to display any message placed at said low-level layer; and has an input means used by the user for entering a standalone command and composed of a plurality of input devices each capable of generating an independent input signal, an image displaying unit for displaying a screen and an inter-layer transition means for making an inter-layer transition between said high-level layer and said low-level layer of said hierarchical information table, said portable radio information terminal apparatus further comprising at least 2 means, namely:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for forming a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by said input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by said input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of said input devices; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with a layer of said hierarchical information structure to another screen associated with the same layer without a transition from said layer to another layer of said hierarchical information structure in the case of an outcome of said judgment formed by said standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by said input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by said input devices.

3. A recording medium for storing at least 2 means each as a program fetchable for execution by a computer employed in a portable radio information terminal apparatus which includes an image displaying unit in addition to a plurality of input devices and is capable of carrying out control of information based on a plurality of hierarchical layers, said 2 means being:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for forming a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by said input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by said input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of said input devices during an operation carried out by said portable radio information terminal apparatus at one of said hierarchical layers; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with one of said hierarchical layers to another screen associated with the same hierarchical layer without a transition from said same hierarchical layer to another hierarchical layer in the case of an outcome of said judgment formed by said standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by said input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by said input devices.

4. A microcomputer including:
an embedded central processing unit;
an embedded storage unit for storing programs as procedures which can each be fetched for execution by said central processing unit; and an embedded data transfer means which can be connected to external equipment and is used for connecting at least said central processing unit to said storage unit, said microcomputer provided with a function to transmit a signal based on a processing result output by said central processing unit to external equipment by radio communication or wire communication and employed in a portable radio information terminal apparatus which also includes an image displaying unit in addition to a plurality of input devices and is capable of carrying out control of information based on a plurality of hierarchical layers, wherein said programs stored in said storage unit at least include the following 2 means:
a standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means for forming a judgment as to whether an input signal generated by said input devices is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by said input devices or a standalone input signal generated by one of said input devices during an operation carried out by said portable radio information terminal apparatus at one of said hierarchical layers; and an infra-layer transition means for carrying out a screen operation based on an infra-layer transition to switch a displayed screen associated with one of said hierarchical layers to another screen associated with the same hierarchical layer without a transition from said same hierarchical layer to another hierarchical layer in the case of an outcome of said judgment formed by said standalone/simultaneous-input-signals judging means indicating that an input signal generated by said input means is a plurality of simultaneous input signals generated at the same time by said input devices.