JP2003029896A - Portable terminal equipment and its scroll control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by quickly executing cursor movement or scroll on a screen by a track ball, and easily executing the scroll by each page unit. SOLUTION: A track ball control part 12 detects the rotating speed of a ball at operating a track ball operating part 5, and a display control part 13 controls the switching of the operation of cursor movement or scroll on the display screen of a display 4 according to the rotating speed. When the rotating speed of the ball is not more than a prescribed threshold, the normal cursor movement or scroll is executed by each small unit such as line unit, and when the rotating speed of the ball is not less than the threshold, page scroll or the like is executed by each large unit such as page unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device, and more particularly to a mobile terminal device capable of operating scrolling of a screen displayed on a display and movement of a cursor by a trackball operating means and a scroll control method for the mobile terminal device. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, P equipped with a mobile phone and communication means
As mobile terminal devices such as DAs have become more sophisticated and diversified, large-sized and high-definition displays have come into wide use. In such a mobile terminal device, generally, a navigation key that can be operated in multiple directions is used to scroll the screen displayed on the display or move the cursor.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a conventional mobile phone, which includes four direction operation keys 35-1 and an enter key 35-2.
It has a navigation key consisting of and. In this navigation key, the direction operation key 35-1 is used, for example, to move the cursor to one of the function icons displayed in the upper, lower, left, right, and center of the display screen, or to scroll the function items displayed below the icon. It is pressed to select or scroll a sentence such as an electronic mail displayed on the display screen. On the other hand, the confirm key 35-2 is pressed when confirming and executing the selected icon or function item.

[0004]

However, with the navigation key according to the above-mentioned prior art, in order to move the cursor quickly or scroll quickly, the direction operation key 35-1 is continuously pushed or pressed. I have to continue. This kind of operation puts a strain on your fingers,
In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform the operation quickly and the operability is poor.

Further, since the navigation keys according to the prior art cannot scroll page by page, there is a problem that it is inconvenient when reading a text such as a received mail displayed on the display screen. . To solve this, the above-mentioned four direction operation keys 35
In addition to -1, a dedicated key for scrolling in page units may be provided, but this leads to a complicated device configuration and is disadvantageous in terms of downsizing.

Furthermore, since the cursor cannot be moved or scrolled diagonally, for example, when it is desired to select another functional icon diagonally arranged from a certain functional icon displayed on the display screen, the cursor is first moved up and down or left and right. There is a problem that a two-step operation of moving the cursor in the vertical direction after moving in the same direction is required, and the operation cannot be performed quickly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to perform an operation excellent in operability, in which the cursor can be moved and scrolled quickly, and the page unit can be easily scrolled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal device including means and a scroll control method thereof.

[0008]

The present invention is, firstly, a portable terminal device equipped with trackball operating means for selecting or moving information displayed on a display screen by a rotating operation. A ball as an operating body of the operating means, a rotation speed detecting means for detecting a rotation speed of the ball, and an operation for selecting or moving information on the display screen when the rotation speed of the ball is higher than a predetermined threshold value. And a display control means for switching between.

According to the above arrangement, it is possible to switch and control operations such as cursor movement and scrolling according to the speed by simply changing the operation speed of the trackball. This improves the operability regarding scrolling of the display screen.

Secondly, the display control means sets 1 when the rotation speed of the ball is slower than a predetermined threshold value.
Move cursor by line, character or small unit, or 1
Scrolls by lines or small units, and switches the operation so that the cursor is moved or scrolled in page units, display screen units, or predetermined large units when the rotation speed of the ball is faster than a predetermined threshold value. It is characterized by

According to the above structure, the cursor is moved or scrolled in small units such as one line, or the cursor is moved or scrolled in large units such as page, depending on the operation speed of the trackball.
A desired scrolling operation or the like can be appropriately and quickly performed by an easy operation, and operability is improved.

Thirdly, the rotation speed detecting means is
The ball comprises a pair of rotation amount detection means arranged to face the center of the ball along a detection direction of the ball in one direction, and compares the detection amounts by the pair of rotation amount detection means with each other. It is characterized by further comprising direction detection means for detecting the rotation direction of the ball in the detection direction.

The pair of rotation amount detecting means includes, for example, a roller portion having a roller that supports the ball and rotates according to the rotation of the ball, and a rotation detecting portion that detects the rotation amount of the roller. However, they are arranged so as to face each other substantially in parallel with the ball in between. In such a pair of rotation amount detection means, the rotation direction of the ball in the detection direction is determined by comparing and determining the rotation amount detection means having the larger detection amount. Therefore, the rotation direction of the ball can be detected without providing a means for detecting the rotation direction of the rotation amount detection means itself such as a roller.

Fourthly, the rotation speed detecting means is
Two rotation speed detecting means for respectively detecting rotation speeds of the ball in two orthogonal directions are provided, and the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the ball are detected based on the ratio of the detection speeds by the two rotation speed detecting means. The present invention is further characterized by further comprising a ball rotation direction / speed detecting means.

According to the above construction, the rotational velocities in the two orthogonal directions are respectively detected, and the ratio of the two detected velocities is obtained by vector synthesis or the like, so that even when the trackball is operated in an arbitrary direction such as an oblique direction. The rotation direction (operation direction) and rotation speed (operation speed) of the ball can be detected, and operations such as scrolling in any direction can be controlled.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone in functional blocks. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example of the mobile terminal device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone is provided with an antenna 2 which can be freely put in and taken out on the upper part of a main body case 1, and a receiving speaker 3, a display 4, a trackball operating section 5, in order from the top on the operation surface side. A function key 6 for operating power ON / OFF, a call start, a call end, etc., a ten-key pad 7 for inputting a telephone number and a sentence, and a transmission microphone 8 are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, this portable telephone has a wireless communication section 9 for transmitting and receiving a wireless communication signal,
The control unit 10 includes an MPU or the like for controlling each unit and signal processing, and a memory 11 including ROM and RAM for storing information, and the control unit 10 is connected to each of the components. The control unit 10 has the functions of the trackball control unit 12 and the display control unit 13. The trackball operation unit 5 includes an encoder 15 that detects a rotation amount of a ball that is an operation body, and a confirmation switch 16 that performs a pressing operation such as function confirmation.

In FIG. 2, the radio wave received by the antenna 2 is demodulated by the radio communication unit 9, and the demodulated data is the control unit 1.
0 is transmitted. The control unit 10 displays on the display 4 the received information such as the telephone number of the communication partner and the mail text.
Further, the control unit 10 converts the reception information regarding the call into a voice signal and outputs it as voice from the receiving speaker 3. Further, the voice of the user received by the transmission microphone 8 is converted into an electric signal and sent to the control unit 10, modulated by the wireless communication unit 9, and then wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 2 to the other party.

The memory 11 stores a control program, a telephone number, and other information, and the necessary information is read and written under the control of the control unit 10. By operating the key operation unit including the numeric keypad 7 and the function key 6, a telephone number or character information is input, and control signals for controlling transmission / reception and other functions are transmitted to each unit.

The trackball operation unit 5 is used for moving the cursor or scrolling by rotating the ball with a fingertip, and based on the ball operation, the trackball control unit 12 of the control unit 10 moves or scrolls the cursor. The operation is controlled. Also, the display control unit 1
3, the cursor displayed on the display 4 is moved and the character information is scrolled.

In the following first to third embodiments, the main configuration and operation of the mobile terminal device according to the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numeral is given to the same component. Further, the scroll control method according to the present invention will be described in the operation description of the mobile phone of the embodiment described later.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a mechanical structure of a trackball operating portion 5 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in the plan view of FIG. It is sectional drawing shown. Further, FIG. 5 shows a trackball operation unit 5 and a trackball control unit 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of No. 2, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to the trackball operation of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the trackball operating section 5 includes a ball 50 as an operating body, a base 51 as a case, a ball rotation detecting section 52 for detecting the rotation of the ball 50, and a ball. A rotatable roller portion 53 that supports 50, and a sheet 54 that is provided between the base body 51a and the base to shield the inside of the device from dust and the like.
And is configured. The base body 51 is the main body case 1.
It is housed inside, is mounted on a printed circuit board 14 on which circuits such as the wireless communication section 9, the control section 10 and the memory 11 are mounted, and is fitted into the opening of the main body case 1. A ball 50, a part of which is projected above the main body case 1 for ball operation, is rotatably accommodated.

The ball rotation detecting section 52 includes a bracket 52.
A shaft 521 whose both ends are rotatably supported by 0 and 520;
The roller 522 comes into contact with the ball 50 and rotates together with the ball 50 by a frictional force, and the rotor 523 whose outer peripheral surface is magnetized by alternating N pole and S pole. Then, the ball rotation detection unit 52 detects the ball 50 in two directions (X,
In order to detect the rotation in the (Y direction), two sets are arranged in directions orthogonal to each other.

The roller portion 53 has a structure in which the rotor 523 in the ball rotation detecting portion 52 is omitted, and is arranged to support the ball 50 together with the two ball rotation detecting portions 52 by the three rollers 522. On the printed circuit board 14, an encoder 15 composed of a Hall element for detecting the rotation of the roller 522 is provided at a position facing the rotor 523.
Is provided. Further, just below the ball 50, a pressing switch having a function of the confirmation switch 16, which is a switch means such as a micro switch or a tact switch, is provided.

Next, the functions and operations of the trackball operation section 5 and the trackball control section 12 configured as described above will be described. When the operator rolls the ball 9 with his fingertip, the rotation is transmitted to the roller 522 by a frictional force and rotates together with the rotor 123 provided coaxially. Then, the rotor 123 causes the Hall element of the encoder 15 to generate an alternating magnetic field by the N pole and the S pole provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The encoder 15 converts the change in the magnetic field into an electric signal, and generates a pulse train at intervals according to the rolling speed of the ball 50 or the rotation speed of the roller 522.

Hereinafter, the procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. Here, the rotation amount calculation unit 121 and the rotation speed detection unit 122 in the trackball control unit 12 correspond to the rotation speed detection unit, and the scroll determination unit 123 and the display control unit 13 correspond to the display control unit. The trackball control unit 12 also has a function of operation control means.

When the operator rotates the ball 50 with his fingertip while looking at the display screen of the display 4 in order to perform a desired operation, the rotation of the ball 50 is transmitted to the ball rotation detecting section 52 as described above, and the encoder 15 is operated. Outputs a pulse train corresponding to the ball rotation (step S61). The rotation amount calculation unit 121 of the trackball control unit 12-1 counts this pulse train to calculate the rotation amount of the roller 522 (step S62). Then, the rotation speed detection unit 122 including a calculation unit such as a differentiator converts the obtained rotation amount into the rotation speed of the roller 522, for example, by performing a differential calculation (step S63).

Next, in the scroll determination unit 123 having a calculation unit such as a comparator, this rotation speed is compared with a predetermined rotation speed threshold value (step S64). Here, if the rotation speed does not reach the threshold value, that is, if the operator rolls the ball 50 slowly, the process proceeds to step S65, and the display control unit 13 is subjected to normal scrolling, for example, scrolling line by line, Alternatively, the cursor movement is instructed for each character. On the display 4, under the control of the display control unit 13, the displayed selection items and sentences are scrolled line by line, or the cursor is moved character by character. For example, when scrolling the display of a text of a long mail that does not fit on the display screen, the lines next to the end line are sequentially displayed by scrolling line by line.

On the other hand, in step S64, the roller 5
If the rotation speed of 22 exceeds the threshold value, that is, if the operator rolls the ball 50 fast, step S66.
Then, the display control unit 13 is instructed to scroll page by page or move the cursor. On the display 4, under the control of the display control unit 13, the displayed text and selection items are scrolled in a unit of screen, and the cursor is positioned at the top line of the next page. For example, when page scrolling is performed on the display of a text of a long mail that cannot fit on the display screen, it is displayed page by page so that the line next to the last line displayed becomes the first line. Here, the page unit means a display screen unit, that is, a screen area, but may be a display information group unit.

Next, in the scroll determination section 123,
It is determined whether or not the scroll operation is continuing depending on whether or not the rotation of the ball 50 is stopped (step S6).
7). As a result, if the rotation of the ball 50 is not stopped, the process returns to step S61, and the ball rotation is detected again. On the other hand, if the rotation of the ball 50 is stopped, it is determined that the scroll operation has been completed, and the scrolling or cursor moving process is ended. Here, the operator can perform the finalizing operation at the scrolled screen or the position of the cursor by pressing the ball 50 and then pressing the finalizing switch 16. For example, in the case of the function selection mode, the selected function can be executed.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, scrolling or cursor movement on the display screen on the display is performed line by line or character by character as usual by simply changing the operation speed of the trackball. Alternatively, it is possible to easily switch the scroll mode to operate, for example, in page units. As a result, operability regarding cursor movement and scrolling can be improved.

Further, by providing a confirmation switch under the trackball, the confirmation operation can be performed by the trackball pressing operation subsequent to the selection by scrolling the display screen or moving the cursor by the trackball rotation operation. In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide an enter key, and the two operations of selecting the information content on the screen, confirming the selected information content and executing the function can be performed with only one finger on the ball. Can be simplified and the device configuration can be simplified and downsized.

In the first embodiment described above, an example in which normal scrolling is switched to page-based scrolling when the ball rotation speed exceeds a predetermined value has been described. Alternatively, high-speed scroll may be performed such that only the page title is enumerated and scrolled when the predetermined rotation speed is exceeded.

As a method of detecting the rotational speed of the trackball in the ball rotation detecting section 52, a method using magnetic means using a Hall element has been shown, but the method is not limited to this, and for example, a hole is formed on the outer circumference. It is also possible to adopt an optical detection method using an opened rotating disk and a combination of an LED and a phototransistor, a mechanical contact mechanism in which a metal contact is provided on the rotating body, or a mechanical method using a potentiometer or the like. it can. In addition to the tact switch, the pressing switch of the confirmation switch 16 is
A thin switch such as a membrane type switch or a thin metal dome type switch may be used.

The display contents on the display 4 to be scrolled can be applied to display various contents such as texts of electronic mails, information contents distributed on the Internet, maps and the like.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a mechanical structure of a trackball operating portion 5 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA in the plan view of FIG. FIG. 9 is a sectional view for explaining the behavior when the ball 50 is rotated. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the trackball operation unit 5 and the trackball control unit 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure relating to the trackball operation of the second embodiment. Is.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the trackball operation unit 5 has ball rotation detection units 52a and 52b which constitute a pair of rotation amount detection means and are arranged to face each other with the ball 50 in between. At the same time, ball rotation detectors 52c and 52d forming a pair of rotation amount detectors are arranged at positions orthogonal to the above. Also, encoder 1
5a to 15d are arranged so as to correspond to the ball rotation detection units 52a to 52d. The same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the functions and operations of the trackball operation section 5 and the trackball control section 12 configured as described above will be described. Here, consider a case where the operator rotates the ball 50 in the direction of the arrow with the fingertip as shown in FIG.
In the stationary state, the ball 50, which was in uniform contact with the pair of rollers 522a and 522b, receives a moment with the surface in contact with the sheet 54 as a fulcrum by the rotational urging force from the finger in the operating state, and the ball 50 moves leftward in the drawing. Move slightly to. Then, the contact of the roller 522b with the ball 50 becomes insufficient and the ball slips, so that the rotation speed becomes slower than that of the roller 522a which receives the biasing force and surely contacts. As a result, there is a difference in the output pulse train interval between the encoders 15a and 15b, and by comparing this difference, the rotation direction of the ball 50 can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to control the scroll direction by detecting the rotation direction.

The procedure will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 10 according to the procedure of the flowchart of FIG.
The same components as those in FIGS. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Here, the speed comparison unit 124 and the rotation direction detection unit 125 correspond to the direction detection means.

The processes of steps S111 to S113 are the same as steps S61 to S63 of the flowchart of FIG. 6 shown in the above-described first embodiment. However, the second
In the embodiment, the rotation speed is obtained by detecting the rotation amount of the ball 50 in each of the pair of ball rotation detection units 52a and 52b arranged facing each other.

Then, in the speed comparing section 124 having a calculating section such as a comparator, the rollers 522a and 52
The rotation speeds of 2b are compared (step S114). As described above, the roller 522 rotates as the ball 50 rotates.
Since the rotational speeds of a and 522b are different from each other, in the rotational direction detecting unit 125, the roller 5 having the higher rotational speed is rotated.
The rotation direction of the operated ball 50 can be detected by detecting 22a (step S11).
5).

Subsequent steps S116 to S119 are steps S64 to S6 shown in the first embodiment.
7, the scroll determination unit 123 compares the rotation speed of the ball 50 with a threshold value, and the normal scroll or page scroll is performed according to the result.
Instruct 3 Then, depending on whether or not the rotation of the ball 50 is stopped, it is determined whether or not the scroll operation is continued, and if it is stopped, the scroll or cursor movement processing is ended. Here, the operator presses the ball 50 and presses the confirmation switch 16 to perform the confirmation operation at the position of the scrolled screen or cursor,
You can perform selected functions.

For example, in the case of scrolling the display of a text of a long mail that does not fit on the display screen, slowly rotating the ball 50 causes normal scrolling, scrolling line by line and displaying the lines next to the end line in order. To be done. Also,
When the ball 50 is rotated quickly, the page is scrolled and displayed in page units so that the next row after the last row displayed as page scroll becomes the first row.

As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, since the operation direction of the trackball can be recognized, by changing the operation speed of the trackball with respect to the vertical and horizontal directions of the display screen, Since the cursor can be moved or scrolled line by line or character by character as usual, or the front, rear, left and right can be scrolled in page units, further improving the operability.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of the trackball operation unit 5 and the trackball control unit 12 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows the operation procedure about trackball operation of an embodiment. The mechanical structure of the trackball operation unit 5 is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The third embodiment is an example in which the function of the above-described second embodiment is modified, and in addition to the vertical and horizontal operation directions of the trackball, recognition is also performed in an oblique direction, and an arbitrary direction is recognized. This enables scrolling in the direction or movement of the cursor.

The operation of the trackball operating section 5 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As an example, consider a case where the operator rotates the ball 50 diagonally downward left in FIG. 7 with a fingertip. In the stationary state, the pair of rollers 522a, 522b and 522c, 52
The ball 50, which is in uniform contact with the 2d, receives a moment with the surface in contact with the seat 54 as a fulcrum by the rotational urging force from the finger in the operating state, and slightly moves in a diagonally lower left direction in the drawing. Then, the rollers 522b and 522
The contact of c with the ball 50 becomes insufficient and slips,
Rollers 522a and 522 that are surely contacted by the urging force
Rotation becomes slower than d. As a result, the encoder 15
Since the interval between the output pulse trains of a and 15d becomes small and the rotation amount detection value becomes large, it is possible to recognize that the rotation direction of the ball 50 is diagonally downward left by detecting the value and performing vector combination. At the same time, the rotation speed in that direction can be obtained.

Next, the functions and operations of the trackball operation unit 5 and the trackball control unit 12 will be described according to the procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 13 with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The same components as those in FIGS. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Where the first
The speed comparison unit 126, the second speed comparison unit 127, and the rotation direction / speed detection unit correspond to the ball rotation direction / speed detection means.

The processing of steps S131 to S133 is the same as steps S111 to S113 in the above-described second embodiment.
Is the same as. However, in the third embodiment, two pairs of ball rotation detectors 52a, 52b and 52 arranged facing each other are provided.
The rotation amount and the rotation speed of the ball 50 are calculated for all c and 52d.

Then, in the first speed comparing section 126,
The rotation speeds of the rollers 522a and 522b that face each other are compared, and the larger speed value is extracted (step S1).
34). Similarly, the second speed comparison unit 127 compares the rotation speeds of the rollers 522c and 522d and extracts the larger speed value (step S135). Next, the rotation direction / speed detection unit 128 vector-synthesizes the extracted speeds in mutually orthogonal directions. As a result, the rotational direction of the operated ball 50 and the speed in that direction are obtained (step S136).

Subsequent steps S137 to S140 are steps S64 to S6 shown in the first embodiment.
7, the scroll determination unit 123 compares the rotation speed of the ball 50 with a threshold value, and the normal scroll or page scroll is performed according to the result.
Instruct 3 Then, depending on whether or not the rotation of the ball 50 is stopped, it is determined whether or not the scroll operation is continued, and if it is stopped, the scroll or cursor movement processing is ended. Here, the operator presses the ball 50 and presses the confirmation switch 16 to perform the confirmation operation at the position of the scrolled screen or cursor,
You can perform selected functions.

For example, when scrolling the display of a large map that does not fit within the display screen, slowly rotating the ball 50 in a predetermined direction causes normal scrolling, and scrolls little by little in the corresponding direction so that the end of the map becomes one. It is displayed so that the copies are switched in order. Further, if the ball 50 is rotated in a predetermined direction at a high speed, page scrolling is performed, and the map is displayed in a screen unit in the corresponding direction while being rapidly switched.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, since the operation direction and the rotation speed of the trackball can be recognized, the display screen can be changed by changing the operation speed of the trackball in any direction. Move or scroll the cursor in any direction as usual 1
Since it is possible to perform line by line, character by character, or page by page scrolling, the operability is significantly improved. The third embodiment is particularly useful in a scroll operation in an arbitrary direction when browsing content on the Internet or searching a map.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a trackball is provided in place of the conventional navigation key using a four-way switch, the rotational speed of the trackball is detected, and the cursor movement or scrolling operation is quickly performed according to the speed. Therefore, the operability can be improved. Also, by switching the operation according to the rotation speed of the trackball, in addition to the normal scrolling in which the cursor movement and the scrolling operation are performed line by line or character by character, page by page scrolling is possible, and a dedicated switch or the like is provided. Since it can be realized with a simple mechanism without
The device configuration can be simplified and downsized. Furthermore, in this case, it is possible to improve the operation speed when browsing content such as sentences and maps, and reduce the burden on the operating finger.

Further, by detecting the rotational speed of the trackball in an arbitrary direction, it is possible to easily move the cursor in an arbitrary direction such as an oblique direction on the display screen or scroll the display screen. Also in this case, by switching the normal scroll and the page scroll according to the operation speed of the trackball, the cursor or the pointer such as the arrow can be moved in any direction and the display content can be scrolled easily and quickly.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly move or scroll the cursor or scroll page by page easily, and to provide a portable device having an operation means with excellent operability. A terminal device and a scroll control method thereof can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks of the configuration of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a mechanical configuration of a trackball operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a sectional view showing an AA section in the plan view of FIG. 3. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a trackball operation unit and a trackball control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to a trackball operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a mechanical configuration of a trackball operation unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a sectional view showing an AA section in the plan view of FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the behavior when the ball is rotated.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a trackball operation unit and a trackball control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure related to a trackball operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a trackball operation unit and a trackball control unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to a trackball operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of a conventional mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 body case 4 display 5 Trackball operation unit 10 Control unit 12 Trackball controller 121 Rotation amount calculation unit 122 Rotational speed detector 123 Scroll determination unit 124 Speed comparison unit 125 Rotation direction detector 126 First speed comparison unit 127 Second speed comparison unit 128 rotation direction / speed detector 13 Display control unit 15 encoder 16 Confirmation switch 50 balls 51 base 52 Ball rotation detector 522 Laura 523 rotor

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04M 1/02 H04M 1/02 B 1/23 1/23 P 1/247 1/247 (72) Inventor Akiju Mori Kanagawa 4-3 Tsunashima Higashi 4-chome, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama-shi, Matsushita Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B019 DB10 HD04 5B087 AE09 BB29 DD06 DE06 5E501 AB03 AC15 BA05 CA04 CB10 FA02 FB03 FB22 FB32 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD06 GG11 MM21 HH06 MM25 5K027 AA11 BB02 CC08 FF22

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A mobile terminal device comprising a trackball operating means for selecting or moving information displayed on a display screen by a rotating operation, the ball serving as an operating body of the trackball operating means, and the ball. A rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the ball, and a display control means for switching the operation of selecting or moving the information on the display screen when the rotation speed of the ball is higher than a predetermined threshold value. A characteristic mobile terminal device. 2. The display control means, when the rotation speed of the ball is slower than a predetermined threshold value, moves the cursor by one line, one character or each small unit, or scrolls by one line or each small unit. 2. The operation is switched so that the cursor is moved or scrolled in page units, display screen units, or a predetermined large unit when the rotation speed of the ball is faster than a predetermined threshold value. Mobile terminal device. 3. The rotation speed detecting means comprises a pair of rotation amount detecting means arranged so as to face the center of the ball along a detection direction in one direction of the ball. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising direction detection means for comparing a detection amount by the rotation amount detection means and detecting a rotation direction in the detection direction of the ball. 4. The rotation speed detecting means comprises two rotation speed detecting means for respectively detecting rotation speeds of the ball in two directions orthogonal to each other, and a ratio of the detection speeds by the two rotation speed detecting means is set. The mobile terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising ball rotation direction / speed detection means for detecting a rotation direction and a rotation speed of the ball based on the ball rotation direction / speed detection means. 5. A scroll control method in a mobile terminal device comprising trackball operating means for selecting or moving information displayed on a display screen by rotational operation, wherein a rotational speed of a ball of the trackball operating means is controlled. A rotation speed detection step of detecting, a comparison step of comparing the rotation speed of the ball with a predetermined threshold value, and a selection of information on the display screen when the rotation speed of the ball is faster than a predetermined threshold value or A display control step of switching a scroll operation related to movement, and a scroll control method comprising: