JP2001119453A - Character display control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character display control method that can realize more enjoyable character display. SOLUTION: A choice of 'determination of a character through shuffling at dialing/arrival of a call' is provided to a menu for selection of a displayed character as one of choices. When a user makes dialing while this choice is selected, a character is displayed on a screen from one to another sequentially or through shuffling at random and then a character having been displayed at a start of a speech is displayed afterward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a screen display control method for a portable device such as a portable telephone terminal, a portable information terminal, etc., and more particularly, to displaying a mascot character on a screen of a display unit to provide a user with a feeling of attachment. The present invention relates to an improvement in a character display control method for making a character embrace.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A portable device such as a portable telephone terminal is usually used personally by a user and is always carried around.
In recent years, the price of mobile phone terminals has been reduced and replacement is easy, so if the specifications of a certain type of mobile phone terminal are such that the user will soon get bored, The user of the telephone terminal may immediately purchase another model. That is, even a model that has not been made obsolete may be discarded just because the user is tired, and waste of resources may occur. For mobile phone handset manufacturers, this also leads to a switch from their own products to products of other companies, and thus to a decrease in market share.

[0003] For this reason, conventionally, models with various ideas and preferences have been put on the market to cause a user's attachment to the model. As one example, the user can select a desired character from a plurality of mascot characters (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “characters”) prepared in advance in a memory by operating buttons, keys, and the like. A mobile phone terminal having a function of displaying a selected character on a screen of a display unit such as an LCD has already been realized.

In this type of model, a built-in processing circuit displays a menu for character selection on a screen of a display unit in response to a user's operation of a specific button or key. After the user sees this menu and selects one of the characters, the selected character is displayed on a part of the screen. Therefore, the user can select a favorite character and display it on the screen, and can switch the display to another character when he or she gets tired of the character. In this type of model, when an event such as a call from the mobile phone terminal or an incoming call to the mobile phone terminal occurs, the processing circuit animates the character on the screen of the display unit. That is, for example, the displayed rabbit is made to dance.

[0005]

The functions of character selection and animation display described above generally prolong the period during which the user has a feeling of attachment to the model.
However, the types of characters that can be prepared in advance are limited in terms of memory capacity and other aspects, and are usually several types. At this level, it is difficult to ensure the user's feeling of attachment over a long period of time. That is, all characters may get bored in a relatively short period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and by improving a character display method in a portable device, the playfulness of a user can be more strongly tickled and the user's playfulness can be tickled. The purpose is to enhance the feeling of attachment.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a character display control method according to the present invention comprises:
(1) A portable device including an operation unit operated by a user, a processing circuit that executes processing in accordance with an operation of the operation unit, and a display unit that displays a mascot character on a screen thereof under control of the processing circuit. In the character display control method executed by the processing circuit, (2) a menu including a plurality of character options and a shuffle option is displayed on the screen of the display unit, and (3) the user operates the operation unit. If one of the character options is selected through, the mascot character corresponding to the character option in advance is displayed on the screen of the display unit, and when a predetermined event occurs in that state, the mascot character is animated. (4) If the user selects the shuffle option through the operation of the operation unit, prepare in advance A predetermined or recently displayed mascot character of the plurality of types of mascot characters displayed on the screen of the display unit, and if a further predetermined event occurs in that state, the time until the event ends Alternatively, the plurality of types of mascot characters are sequentially or randomly switched and displayed on the screen of the display unit until a predetermined time elapses from the occurrence of the event, and displayed on the screen of the display unit. The mascot character displayed at the time is continuously displayed on the screen of the display unit.

As described above, in the present invention, a menu including a plurality of character options and a shuffle option is displayed on the screen of the display unit. In a preferred embodiment, a non-display option for not performing the menu display is also displayed. When the user selects a specific character by selecting a character option, the display of a character corresponding to the option is started, and when the shuffle display is selected by selecting the shuffle option, the display of a character based on the history ( Display of characters that have been displayed recently). In this state, when a predetermined event further occurs, if a specific character is selected, animation display of the character is performed, and if shuffle display is selected, shuffle display is executed. After the end of the shuffle display, the character displayed at the end of the shuffle display is continuously displayed on the screen of the display unit.

Therefore, according to the present invention, for the user,
Select and specify the desired character from the prepared items and display it. Enjoy watching the animation when a predetermined event occurs, or set the character to be shuffled and display when the predetermined event occurs. It is possible to enjoy and enjoy what character is displayed at the end of the shuffle display.

[0010] Further, if the same character is displayed for a long period of time, the user may become tired. At that time, conventionally, a thinking operation to determine a character was performed by thinking "what character should be next?" In contrast, in the present invention, the user only has to select the shuffle display. Then, the device side (processing circuit) determines and changes the character by shuffling at the time of occurrence of the predetermined event, so that the user does not have to worry about "what character should be next?"

Regarding what kind of character is displayed at the end of the shuffle display, the user can enjoy the game as a kind of fortune-telling or a game, either internally or with friends.

For example, if the shuffle display is designed or set to start in response to an event of a call operation and to end in response to a line connection with the other party (shift to an animation display or the like), the shuffle display is set. The length of the period in which the call is made depends on when the other party performs an incoming call operation (how quickly the call is answered). Therefore, the display character at the end of the shuffle display, that is, the type of the display character for a while after that, changes depending on when the other party answers the telephone. Therefore, the user can enjoy “dividing at which character the shuffle stops” with fortune-telling or game feeling according to his / her preference.

Further, depending on the design of the device, it is possible to mount a fortune-telling function or the like in cooperation with the length of the shuffle display period on the device itself. By doing so, the effect of enhancing playfulness, which is a characteristic effect of the present invention, becomes more remarkable.

The present invention is applied to a portable device, and is not limited to a portable telephone terminal. However, the mobile phone terminal is one of the environments in which the present invention can be most suitably implemented in view of the extremely high attribution to an individual and the fact that the screen size is significantly restricted. It can be said that. If the portable device is a mobile phone terminal,
Preferably, the predetermined event includes an outgoing call from the terminal, an incoming call to the terminal, an operation of an operation member to which a function is not currently assigned among operation members constituting an operation unit, and a function setting for a processing circuit. At least one of the operation and the function setting release operation is specified.

For example, when outgoing calls and incoming calls are defined as the above-mentioned predetermined events, the user can enjoy by paying attention to "which character was displayed in the current outgoing call (incoming call)". This also becomes a material for conversation with the other party and also makes the call bounce, and therefore, the user's attachment to the target model of the present invention is more remarkably caused.

The operation of an operation member to which no function is currently assigned among the operation members constituting the operation portion, for example, the operation of an on-hook button (call end button) during standby, etc., is defined as the above-mentioned predetermined event. By doing so, it is possible to realize a more enjoyable display such that the user can see the animation display of the character without shifting to the transmission state or the reception state.

Further, when a function setting operation or a function setting releasing operation for the processing circuit, for example, a locking operation and a releasing operation thereof, an animation display or a shuffle display is executed, the user enjoys watching it. Also, in the case of the shuffle display, the frequency of character change increases, and in that respect, the enjoyment for the user increases.

Furthermore, the type of mascot character or its background to be displayed or its pattern can be changed according to the state of a battery supplying drive power to the processing circuit, the state of a signal input to the processing circuit, the function setting state for the processing circuit, and the current state. It is desirable to change according to either the time or the season. Conventionally, the state of the battery (for example, the remaining battery level), the state of the input signal (for example, the received electric field strength), the function setting state for the processing circuit (for example, the operation of buttons and keys to prevent erroneous operation while carrying the mobile phone terminal). A setting state in which the processing circuit does not respond to operation (lock), a setting state in which the button is automatically locked when the user does not operate the mobile phone terminal for a certain period of time (auto button lock), Mobile phone terminals and the like that display the current date and the like have been known, but those displays are mainly signs and do not have an effect of causing a feeling of attachment.

As in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the character or its background type or pattern (including the pose of the character and the scenery behind it) is changed according to the state of the battery and the state of the input signal. This makes it possible to convey “inorganic” or “pure technical” information such as the state of the battery and the state of the input signal to the user in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. Further, by changing the type or design of the character or its background on the screen in accordance with the function setting state for the processing circuit, it is possible to convey the type of setting state to the user in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. Furthermore, if the type of the character or its background or the pattern is changed according to the current time or the season, the user may feel a sense of the season or the time by looking at the character or its background, and modify or enhance the mood. Can be.

When a lock setting has been made so that the operation of all or a specific one of the operation members constituting the operation unit is invalid for the processing circuit, the mascot is displayed using the entire screen of the display unit. It is desirable to display a character. In the case of character display using the entire screen of the display unit, that is, character display in the full screen mode, a finer, larger and more beautiful display can be performed as compared with display using a part of the screen. By displaying a character in the full screen mode when the display is in a locked state and it is not necessary to perform a display related to a call or the like (that is, when it is not necessary to use a part of the screen for displaying a call state or the like). Thus, the user can be aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the character display in the full screen mode can be shuffled at the start, etc., and the character can be automatically changed according to the passage of season or time. tickle. Further, by displaying the character in the full screen mode in conjunction with the auto button lock function, the character in the full screen mode can be displayed after a certain period of time, and can be enjoyed as a screen saver movement of the PC.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a portable telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an outline of its internal circuit. In FIG. 1A, a speaker 10, a display unit 12, various buttons, and a microphone 14 are provided in order from the top on the front surface of the housing. As buttons provided on the front of the housing, in addition to buttons to which various numbers and symbols are assigned, an off-hook button 16 that is operated when a line is connected,
There are an on-hook button 18 that is operated when the power is turned on and a line is disconnected, a clear button 20 that can be used for a reverse operation, and an auto redial transmission button 22 that is used for an automatic redial transmission. Further, an antenna 24 is provided on the top of the housing.
A function selection key 26 is provided on each side of the housing. The function selection key 26 is pressed up as shown in FIG. 1B, vertically pressed as shown in FIG. 1C, and depressed as shown in FIG. 1D. Four states, that is, a state in which the operation is performed and a state in which no operation is performed. The push-up / press-down operation is performed at the time of a selection operation described later, and the vertical push-down operation is performed at the time of calling a menu display or determining operation.

In FIG. 2, a circuit for performing modulation / demodulation of a voice, modulation / demodulation of a radio signal, and various kinds of additional functional processes is shown in FIG.
It is depicted as a processing circuit 28. The processing circuit 28
It is composed of SIC and the like. The memory 30 includes a processing circuit 28
Of software for operating the
8 is used as a work storage area for the operation of
It is composed of ROM, RAM and the like. In the figure, reference numeral 32 denotes FIG.
The operation unit includes various buttons and function selection keys 26 shown in FIG. For example, when a user calls an arbitrary party, the antenna 24 is extended upward in FIG. 1A, the power is turned on by operating the on-hook button 18, and the telephone number is operated by operating the number buttons. Input (input error is deleted by operating clear button 20), and off-hook button 16
Operate. The processing circuit 28 responds accordingly to the antenna 24
A calling operation is performed using When an incoming call arrives at the other party, the processing circuit 28 displays “Talking” on the screen of the display unit 12 such as an LCD.
And so on. At the end of the call, the user operates the on-hook button 18. The processing circuit 28 executes a disconnection process in response to this. Although not shown, a battery for supplying drive power to the processing circuit 28 and other circuits is built in as is well known and common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

The feature of the present embodiment is that the user can select a character by operating the operation unit 32, and when a predetermined event occurs, the character can be displayed in an animation. In this case, it is possible to select a shuffle display of the character, and to enjoy the shuffle display when a predetermined event occurs.

In selecting a character, for example, the operation shown in FIG. 3 is performed. First, under the control of the processing circuit 28, it is assumed that the initial screen shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the screen of the display unit 12 (clock display in this example). When the user vertically presses the function selection key 26 in this state, the processing circuit 28 displays the uppermost submenu on the screen of the display unit 12.

When the user selects "setting" from the items included in the uppermost sub-menu by a selection operation (up / down) and a determination operation (vertical pressing) by the function selection key 26, the processing circuit 28 is the display unit 12
A submenu including an item "screen setting" is displayed on the screen. When the user performs a selection operation and a determination operation with the function selection keys 26 while a submenu including an item “screen setting” is displayed and selects “screen setting”, the processing circuit 28 performs “character display”. And a submenu including items such as “Character Screen” described later. Instead of operating the function selection key 26,
By operating buttons such as numbers and symbols provided on the front of the housing, the same selection operation and determination operation can be performed, and a submenu of a necessary hierarchy can be displayed. Thus, in the following description, terms such as a selection operation and a determination operation will be used without distinguishing whether the operation is the operation of the function selection key 26 or the operation of a button such as a numeral.

When the user selects the “character display” by a selection operation and a determination operation in a state where the submenu including the item “character display” is displayed, the processing circuit 28 displays on the screen of the display unit 12. , For example, FIG.
The image shown in (b) is displayed. Here, it is assumed that the setting for executing the character display has not been made in the previous operation. Therefore, on the screen, a setting state of “do not display” for the character display is displayed.

When the user performs a selection operation while the screen shown in FIG. 3B is displayed, the processing circuit 2 responds accordingly.
Reference numeral 8 changes the display relating to the setting state of the character display. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, settings for displaying a rabbit, a dolphin, a panda, etc. (FIGS. 4A to 4C), and transmission / reception of a character to be displayed are performed as shown in FIG. A setting for determining that the character is sometimes shuffled (FIG. 4D) and a setting for not displaying the character (FIG. 4E) are prepared. When the user performs a selection operation, the character string displayed on the screen, that is, the character string indicating the setting state changes cyclically according to the flow of the arrow line shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the user performs a decision operation in a state where the character string "display rabbit" is displayed on the screen of the display unit 12, the processing circuit 28 displays The screen display of the unit 12 is shifted to a screen display related to a higher-order submenu. Further, in the present embodiment, the operation from the menu display screen to the screen shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3D, the processing circuit 28
Instead of the date display in the clock display shown in (a),
A rabbit, which is a character selected by the user, is displayed. It should be noted that, in the following description, it is not pointed out,
It is assumed that video data necessary for display is stored in the memory 30.

In this embodiment, the processing circuit 2
8 changes the picture according to the current season or time when displaying the character as shown in FIG. For example, if the current time is "Autumn", a rabbit singing fruits is displayed, and if it is "Winter", a rabbit with a collar is displayed. For example, if "morning", a wake-up rabbit is displayed, and if "at a meal", a eating rabbit is displayed.
In the present embodiment, as noted in FIG. 5A, the character pattern is changed according to the current electric field strength and the remaining battery level. For example, when the electric field strength is sufficiently high or the remaining battery level is sufficiently large, a character indicating a healthy state is displayed, and when the electric field strength or the remaining battery level is slightly degraded, a character in a weakened state is displayed. When the electric field strength or the remaining battery level is extremely deteriorated, a character in a tired state is displayed, and when the electric field strength indicates that the character is out of the service area or when the remaining battery level is almost 0, the user sleeps. Display the character in the state.

After the character has been set through the above-described operation procedure and processing procedure, the character can be displayed in various forms according to various events and in various forms.

For example, it is assumed that the user performs a transmission operation using the operation unit 32 after the procedure shown in FIG. At this time, assuming that a specific character, for example, a rabbit is selected and set through the procedure shown in FIG. 3, the processing circuit 28 causes the rabbit to be animated, for example, danced on the screen of the display unit 12.

In the procedure shown in FIG.
If the shuffle display shown in (d) is selected,
The processing circuit 28 executes the shuffle display shown in FIG. In the figure, a hatched screen area is an area where characters are shuffled and displayed. The shuffle display here means, for example,
The first 200ms is a rabbit followed by 200ms
c indicates that the character images prepared in advance in the memory 30 such as... are sequentially or randomly replaced and displayed. This shuffle display ends when a line connection with the other party is established and a call becomes possible. The processing circuit 28 continues to display the character displayed on the screen of the display unit 12 at that time on the screen of the display unit 12 thereafter. For example, if a dolphin was displayed on the screen of the display unit 12 at the time of the start of the call, the dolphin is displayed in the rectangle indicated by the broken line as shown in FIG. During a call, it is desirable to display this character as an animation. Also, it is desirable to change the character's energy according to the electric field strength and the remaining battery level, as in the case of the standby mode. FIG. 5 shows the operation at the time of outgoing call, but the same processing is executed at the time of incoming call.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to display a character in full screen at the time of locking. For that purpose, first, after setting the character to be displayed through the procedure shown in FIG. 3, it is necessary to execute the operation and processing procedure related to the setting of the character screen as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6A, as an example, FIG.
3 shows a standby display image when a rabbit is selected through the procedure shown in FIG. 3, that is, a state in which the rabbit is displayed on the screen together with the current date, day of the week, time, and the like. When the user operates the function selection key 26 or the like in this state, the processing circuit 28 displays a menu screen on the screen of the display unit 12. When the user further follows the menu screen and performs an operation of shifting to a submenu including both items of “character display” and “character screen” (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), the processing circuit 28 Display 12
Is shifted to a display as shown in FIG. 6B.

In this state, assuming that the user selects and decides "not display" for the character screen setting, the state shown in FIG.
The state shifts to the state shown in FIG.

When the user performs a selection operation in the state shown in FIG. 6B, the processing circuit 28 changes the screen display of the display unit 12 from the state shown in FIG. 6B to the state shown in FIG. To the state of. At this time, the setting “display (button is locked)” for the character screen setting is displayed on the screen as a selection preparation state. When the user performs a determination operation in this state, the screen display of the display unit 12 shifts to a state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, there are two types of settings for the character screen, "not display" and "display (button locked)". It is assumed that the settings are cyclically displayed according to the arrow lines in the figure.

When the user has completed the operation of setting the character to be displayed and has selected "display" in the "character screen", if the user is in a standby state, FIG.
Are displayed on the screen of the display unit 12 as shown in FIG.
In this state, the user operates the function selection key 26 or the like to display a menu on the screen of the display unit 12 by the processing circuit 28, and further follows this menu to change the "auto setting" from "setting" to "lock setting". Suppose that a submenu including an item "lock" is displayed.

At this time, if the setting that the auto button lock function is not used is made, the processing circuit 28 displays a screen as shown in FIG. Here, about the auto button lock function,
As shown in FIG. 9, four types of settings are prepared, and when the user performs a selection operation, the display contents on the screen of the display unit 12 are cyclically switched along the arrow lines in the figure and displayed. It is supposed to be.

When the user performs the selection operation an appropriate number of times in the state shown in FIG. 8B, the processing circuit 28 displays, for example, "Use (3 minutes after no operation)" for the auto button lock (FIG. 8). (D)) Further, when the user performs a determination operation, the processing circuit 28 enables an auto button lock setting of “use (no operation, 3 minutes later)”. In this state, if the state in which the user does not operate any key or button continues for 3 minutes or more, the processing circuit 28 does not respond to the operation of some or all of the buttons and keys constituting the operation unit 32. That is, it is in the locked state. Further, at the same time, the processing circuit 28 causes the character to be displayed in full screen on the screen of the display unit 12 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the character and its background pattern are different depending on the season or time when the full screen display is started or during the execution of the full screen display. When the shuffle option is selected in the procedure shown in FIG. 3, the character can be shuffled at the time of transition to the lock transition state.

When the user, for example, presses and holds the function selection key 26 (for a predetermined time or more) in the state shown in FIG. 8F, the processing circuit 28 releases the locked state, and The full screen display shown in (f) is canceled, and the display returns to the display shown in FIG. 8 (g) (display similar to FIG. 8 (a)). When the shuffle display is selected, the character may be shuffled when the lock is released. When a specific character is selected, the character may be animated upon unlocking.

In the case of shifting to the locked state,
As described above, there are some cases other than the transition due to the continuation of the no-operation period under the auto button lock setting. For example, in the state shown in FIG.
When the menu is displayed by the vertical push operation 6 or the like, for example, a submenu of the highest hierarchy as shown in FIG. 8C is displayed. In this state, if the user selects "dial lock" and performs a determination operation, a simple dial lock state in which a specific button cannot be operated unless a password is input is established. In this state, FIG.
The full screen display as shown in FIG.

On the screen shown in FIG. 8C,
When the simple dial lock is set and the auto dial lock is set on a screen (not shown), FIG.
As shown in (e), once the power is turned off and re-introduced, the simple dial lock is automatically set. At this time, the screen display shown in FIG. 8F may be performed.

Further, when the user long-presses the function selection key 26 in the state shown in FIG. Also at this time, a full screen display as shown in FIG.

Further, in this embodiment, once a character is set in the procedure shown in FIG. 3, the user can call up the character on the screen at any time to animate the character. For example, FIG.
As shown in (a), it is assumed that the user has selected a rabbit in the previous operation. Also, it is assumed that the mobile phone is currently in a standby state. In this state, the user operates a button that is invalid in the standby state, for example, the on-hook button 18.
Is performed, the processing circuit 28 displays an animation of the character (here, rabbit) in the screen area indicated by hatching, as shown in FIG. 10B. When the shuffle display is selected in the procedure shown in FIG. 3, the character can be shuffled instead of or together with the animation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a mobile phone terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular, FIG.
FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams each showing an operation state of a function selection key.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit built in the mobile phone terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a display character setting processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a character option and a shuffle option in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure at the time of a transmission operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of setting a character screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating character screen setting state options according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a lock setting and release processing procedure according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an auto button lock setting state in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a character calling procedure in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 display unit, 26 function selection keys, 28 processing circuit,
30 memory, 32 operation units.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/725 H04B 7/26 109T 9A001 (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Yamamoto 5-1-1 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo No. Japan Radio Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C001 BA00 BA06 BC00 BC05 CB00 CB01 CB07 CB08 CC00 CC03 CC08 DA00 DA06 5C082 AA21 BA12 BA43 BB01 CA76 CB01 MM05 5E501 AA04 AB03 AC15 AC35 BA03 BA17 CA04 CB03 EA32 EB05 A15 FA0 5 FF22 5K067 BB04 DD52 EE02 FF23 FF31 9A001 DD11 GG22 HH28 HH30

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A portable device comprising: an operation unit operated by a user; a processing circuit that executes processing in accordance with an operation of the operation unit; and a display unit that displays a mascot character on a screen thereof under the control of the processing circuit. In the character display control method executed by the processing circuit in the die device, a menu including a plurality of character options and a shuffle option is displayed on a screen of a display unit, and a user operates any of the menus by operating the operation unit. When a character option is selected, a mascot character corresponding to the character option in advance is displayed on the screen of the display unit, and when a predetermined event occurs in that state, the mascot character is animated. If the user selects the shuffle option through the operation of the operation unit, A predetermined or recently displayed mascot character of a plurality of types of mascot characters is displayed on the screen of the display unit, and if a predetermined event occurs in that state, the event is terminated until the event ends or the event is terminated. Until a predetermined time has elapsed from the occurrence of the mascot characters of the plurality of types are sequentially or randomly replaced and displayed on the screen of the display unit,
A character display control method, characterized in that after the end of the replacement display, the mascot character displayed at the time of the end is continuously displayed on the screen of the display unit. 2. The character display control method according to claim 1, wherein the portable device is a terminal of a mobile phone, and the predetermined event comprises a call from the terminal, a call to the terminal, and an operation unit. A character display control method, which is one of an operation of an operation member to which a function is not assigned at present and a function setting operation or a function setting release operation for a processing circuit. 3. The character display control method according to claim 1, wherein a mascot character to be displayed or its background type or picture is input to a state of a battery for supplying drive power to the processing circuit and to the processing circuit. A character display control method characterized by changing according to any of a signal state, a function setting state for a processing circuit, and a current time or season. 4. The character display control method according to claim 1, wherein a lock setting is set such that all or specific operations of the operation members constituting the operation unit are invalid for the processing circuit. A character display control method comprising: displaying a mascot character using the entire screen of the display unit when the mascot character is displayed.