JP2005086613A - Portable information equipment and operation function control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an operation means such as a key multifunctional without deteriorating a feeling of operation. <P>SOLUTION: A camera key 104, an e-mail key 105, a cross key 106, a determination key 107, an address key 108 and a network connection key 109, etc. are provided on the front surface of a main body part of a cellular phone 1. The e-mail key 105 is operated in transition to an e-mail mode and in e-mail program loading, however, at a state of a camera mode, it is functioned as a key for switching photographed image size. The address key 108 is operated when addressbook data is displayed, however, at the state of the camera mode, it is functioned as a key for performing sub-menu display. The network connection key 109 is an operation key for external network connection, however, at the state of the camera mode, it is functioned as the key for switching a photographic scene (photographing conditions). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information device having both a communication function and a photographing function, such as a mobile phone with a camera.

In recent years, for example, mobile information devices such as mobile phones have come to have both a communication function such as telephone and network connection and a digital camera function. In a portable information device, it is not preferable to make the key size extremely small from the viewpoint of operability, and the lower limit of the key size is naturally limited. On the other hand, since the size of the apparatus main body is required to be reduced from the viewpoint of portability, the number of keys that can be arranged on the device is naturally limited. Therefore, it is considered to assign a plurality of functions to a specific key such as a numeric keypad and change the function of the key by switching the setting mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-67120 A

  However, as described above, when a plurality of functions are simply assigned to a specific key and the function of the key is changed by switching the mode, depending on the key to which the plurality of functions are assigned, it is usually necessary to operate a key that is not frequently used. In some cases, the frequency of operating keys that are not normally used increases. For this reason, the operation feeling is deteriorated due to forced operation of keys that are not normally used and an increase in the operation frequency.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and provides a portable information device and an operation function control program capable of making an operation unit such as a key multifunctional without deteriorating the operational feeling. It is for the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the portable information device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a portable information device that includes both a communication unit that communicates with the outside and a photographing unit that photographs a subject. Communication operating means provided for controlling the means, setting means for selectively setting a first mode for operating the communication means and a second mode for operating the photographing means, and the setting means And when the second mode is set, the control unit controls a predetermined operation of the photographing unit in response to an operation of the communication operation unit.

  That is, in the portable information device having both the communication means and the photographing means, the opportunity for operating the communication means is far more than the opportunity for operating the photographing means. Therefore, since the operation frequency for the communication operation means provided for controlling the communication means is high, the communication operator is generally arranged at a place where the thumb operation is easy, and the user can Get used to the operation without discomfort. Therefore, in the present invention, paying attention to this point, when the second mode is set, the predetermined operation of the photographing unit is controlled in response to the operation of the communication operation unit. Therefore, when controlling the predetermined operation of the photographing means, it is only necessary to operate the communication operation means which is generally arranged at a place where the thumb operation is easy and the user is accustomed to the operation without feeling uncomfortable. The operation means can be multifunctional without deteriorating the operational feeling.

  In the portable information device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the predetermined operation is an operation for setting a size of an image photographed by the photographing function. Therefore, when the communication operation means is operated in the second mode, the image size is set.

  In the portable information device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined operation is an operation for setting shooting conditions for the shooting function. Therefore, when the communication operation unit is operated in the second mode, the shooting condition is set.

  In the portable information device according to the invention described in claim 4, the photographing means further includes a display means for displaying the subject to be photographed, and the communication operation means is the display means of the apparatus main body. It is arranged on the same surface side as the arranged surface. Therefore, in the second mode, the communication operation unit can be operated while viewing the subject displayed on the display unit.

  In the operating function control program according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the communication function means has both a communication means for communicating with the outside and a photographing means for photographing the subject, and a communication operation means for controlling the communication means. And a setting unit that selectively sets a first mode in which the communication unit is operated and a second mode in which the photographing unit is operated. When the second mode is set, in response to the operation of the communication operation unit, the mode is made to function as a control unit that controls a predetermined operation of the photographing unit. Therefore, when the computer executes processing according to this program, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the first and fifth aspects of the invention, in the portable information device having both the communication means and the photographing means, the opportunity to operate the communication means is less than the opportunity to operate the photographing means. Since the operation frequency for the communication operation means provided for controlling the communication means is high, the communication operator is generally arranged at a place where the thumb operation is easy and the operation frequency is high. The user can get used to the operation without discomfort. Therefore, when controlling the predetermined operation of the photographing means, it is only necessary to operate the communication operation means which is generally arranged at a place where the thumb operation is easy and the user is accustomed to the operation without feeling uncomfortable. The operation means can be multifunctional without deteriorating the operational feeling.

Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view (open state: front view and rear view) of a mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment, and the mobile phone 1 has a two-fold structure including a lid portion and a main body portion. The antenna 103 is provided on the back surface of the main body and is extendable. The speaker 101 is provided on the front side of the lid and performs audio output. The main display unit 102 is a QVGA color liquid crystal, and is disposed at a substantially central portion on the front surface of the lid.

  On the front surface of the main body, a camera key 104, a mail key 105, a cross key 106, an enter key 107, an address key 108, a net connection key 109, a clear key 110, an on-hook key 111, an off-hook key 112, and a numeric key 113 are provided. Yes. The camera key 104 is operated when shifting to the camera mode (shooting mode) and when starting up the imaging unit, and is used for camera-movie switching.

  The mail key 105 is a key that is operated when the mail mode is changed and when the mail program is loaded. The cross key 106 is operated when the cursor and focus are moved, and functions in the camera mode as exposure correction in the left-right direction and zoom adjustment in the up-down direction. The enter key 107 is operated when various modes are determined, and functions as a shutter key in the camera mode.

The address key 108 is a key that is operated when displaying the address book data, and a key that is operated when displaying the submenu in the camera mode. The network connection key 109 is an operation key for connecting to an external network, and is a key operated when switching shooting scenes (shooting conditions) in the camera mode. The clear key 110 is a cancel instruction key, and the numeric keypad 113 is used for character input and dial input.
The microphone 114 is provided in the lower part of the main body, and performs voice input during a call.

  On the back of the lid, a recording microphone 115, a sub display unit 116 made of color liquid crystal, a notification LED 117, an imaging lens 118, and a flash LED 119 that emit light when receiving a call are arranged. An informing speaker 120 is disposed on the back surface of the main body. This notification speaker 120 notifies incoming calls and the like, and is arranged on the back surface of the main body so that a notification sound can be heard even when the lid is closed to the main body.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 1. The wireless unit 121 is connected to the antenna 103 and performs communication processing including modulation / demodulation based on the QPSK method and terminal authentication processing based on the CDMA method. The control unit 122 controls the device and performs WWW connection control, and measures the current time based on the communication data processing unit 1221, the system ROM 1222, the audio interface 1223, and a built-in clock (not shown). The time counter 1224 is provided. The communication data processing unit 1221 includes a CLEP speech decoding and coding processing circuit, a packet data generation circuit, and a packet data restoration circuit, and performs data processing according to a communication protocol. The system ROM 1222 stores a basic system such as an OS. The audio interface 1223 inputs and outputs audio signals processed by the communication data processing unit 1221. The speaker 101, the microphone 114, and the recording microphone 115 are connected to the audio interface 1223. The input unit includes the camera key 104 to the numeric keypad 113.

  The address / data bus processing unit 123 controls / manages data input / output timing and the like between the control unit 122 and peripheral circuits (circuits within a broken line frame). The RAM 124 stores various data generated in the device such as address book data and mail data. A program ROM (NOR Flash) 125 stores various application programs as will be described later. The sound source IC 126 stores and outputs the waveform of the notification sound. The amplifier 127 amplifies the output from the sound source IC 126, and the notification speaker 120 reproduces it.

  The display module system driver 128 drives the main display unit 102, the sub display unit 116, the notification LED 117, and the flash LED 119. The imaging device 130 includes a CCD or the like on which a subject image is formed by the imaging lens 118, and the DSP 129 processes an image signal from the imaging device 130.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory area of the program ROM 125. The program ROM 125 includes a first table storage area 1251, a second table storage area 1252, a software program storage area 1253, and other storage areas 1254. The software program storage area 1253 stores the camera application which is a feature of the present embodiment including the image compression encoding processing function, and the other storage area 1254 stores other applications.

  The first table storage area 1251 stores a correspondence table MT between the number of operations of the mail key 105 and the shooting size shown in FIG. In the correspondence table MT, shooting sizes of different images are stored corresponding to the count values N to N + 8.

  The second table storage area 1252 stores a correspondence table NT between the number of operations of the net connection key 109 and the shooting scene (shooting conditions) shown in FIG. The correspondence table NT stores different shooting scenes (shooting conditions) corresponding to the count values N to N + 8.

  FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the memory area of the RAM 124. The RAM 124 includes a camera mode setting content storage table 1241, an address book storage area 1242, a mail data storage area 1243, an image memory 1244, and other work areas 1245. As shown in FIG. 5B, the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 is selected from the shooting size area 1246 for storing any shooting size selected from the correspondence table MT and the correspondence table NT. The photographic scene area 1247 stores any photographic scene (photographing condition). The address book storage area 1242 stores a plurality of names, telephone numbers, mail addresses, etc. as one record. The mail data storage area 1243 stores mail data created using mail software and received mail data. The other work area 1245 stores various data as work memory.

  Next, the operation of the mobile phone 1 according to the above configuration will be described. In the incoming call waiting state and when the camera mode is not set, the mobile phone 1 functions in the same manner as a general mobile phone. That is, as described above, the mail key 105 functions as a key that is operated when the mail mode is shifted and when the mail program is loaded, and the address key 108 functions as a key that is operated when displaying address book data. The network connection key 109 functions as an operation key for external network connection.

  When the user performs one-touch operation on the camera key 104 to use the mobile phone 1 as a camera, the control unit 122 shifts to the camera mode in response to the operation of the camera key 104 while maintaining the incoming call waiting state. . With the shift to the camera mode, the control unit 122 causes the main display unit 102 to display the subject image formed on the imaging device 130 by the imaging lens 118 on the monitor. Then, the process is executed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 based on the program stored in the program ROM 125 while displaying the subject image on the main display unit 102.

  That is, it is determined whether or not an operation of the camera key 104 is detected (step S1). If an operation of the camera key 104 is detected in the camera mode, the camera mode is exited and the movie shooting mode is entered (step S2). When the camera mode is exited, the stored content of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 is cleared.

  If the camera key 104 is not operated (step S1; NO), it is determined whether or not the operation of the mail key 105 is detected (step S3). When the operation of the mail key 105 is detected, the count value N is updated by detecting the number of operations of the mail key 105 in the camera mode, and the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 is updated according to the value of the count value N. The icon is updated and the icon displayed on a part of the main display unit 102 is switched according to the contents of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 (step S4), and the process returns.

  That is, immediately after the operation of the mail key 105 is detected, the count value is in the initial value N state. That is, since the image size corresponding to the count value N (initial value) in the shooting size correspondence table MT (FIG. 4A) is “UXGA”, the shooting size area 1246 of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 contains “UXGA” is stored. If, for example, the fourth operation of the mail key 105 is detected in step S3, the count value is “N + 4”. At this time, in the correspondence table MT (FIG. 4A), the photographing size corresponding to the count value “N + 4” is “VGA”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, “VGA” is stored and updated in the shooting size area 1246 of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241. Therefore, the mail key 105 functioning as a key operated at the time of shifting to the mail mode and loading the mail program in the communication mode functions as a key for switching the image size in the camera mode.

  If the operation of the mail key 105 is not detected (step S3; NO), it is determined whether or not the operation of the address key 108 is detected (step S5). When the operation of the address key 108 is detected, the display of the main display unit 102 on which the subject image is displayed is switched and a submenu is displayed (step S6). The display of the submenu continues until a predetermined menu omission operation is detected (step S7). If a menu omission operation is detected, the process returns to return to the subject image by switching the submenu display. . Therefore, the address key 108 functioning as a key operated when displaying the address book data in the communication mode functions as a key for switching the sub menu display in the camera mode.

  If the operation of the address key 108 is not detected (step S5; NO), it is determined whether or not the operation of the network connection key 109 is detected (step S8). When the operation of the network connection key 109 is detected, the number of operations of the network connection key 109 in the camera mode is detected and the count value N is updated, and the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 is set to the value of the count value N. In accordance with the contents of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 (step S9), the process returns.

  That is, immediately after the operation of the network connection key 109, the count value is in the initial value N state. That is, since the image size corresponding to the count value N (initial value) in the shooting scene correspondence table NT (FIG. 4B) is “portrait shooting”, the shooting scene area 1247 of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241 is displayed. “Person image” is stored. If, for example, the fourth operation of the net connection key 109 is detected in step S8, the count value is “N + 4”. At this time, in the correspondence table NT (FIG. 4B), the shooting scene corresponding to the count value “N + 4” is “twilight shooting”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, “Twilight shooting” is stored and updated in the shooting scene area 1247 of the camera mode setting content storage table 1241. Therefore, the network connection key 109 functioning as an operation key for external network connection in the communication mode functions as a key for switching a shooting scene (shooting conditions) in the camera mode.

  If the operation of the network connection key 109 is not detected (step S8; NO), it is determined whether or not the operation of the determination key 107 is detected (step S10). When the operation of the enter key 107 is detected, the image of the subject imaged on the imaging device 130 by the imaging lens 118 is captured. At this time, the shooting size of the imaging device 130 is switched to the size stored in the shooting size area 1246, and the DSP 129 is controlled to perform image processing according to the shooting scene stored in the shooting scene area 1247 (step S11). ).

  Subsequently, after the captured image is displayed on the main display unit 102 (step S12), the image display is continued until a save operation is detected (step S13). Then, when the save operation is detected by operating the enter key 107 again (step S13; YES), the captured image is stored in the image memory 1244 using the shooting date and time as the file name (step S14). To return.

  In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a comparison of having a communication function and a photographing function, such as a PDA, a digital camera, and a portable game machine. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to other devices having a small size.

(A) is the front view of the mobile phone in this Embodiment, (b) is a rear view. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a mobile telephone. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the memory area of program ROM. (A) is a conceptual diagram showing a correspondence table between the number of operations of the mail key 105 and the shooting size, and (b) is a conceptual diagram showing a correspondence table between the number of operations of the network connection key 109 and a shooting scene (shooting conditions). (A) is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the memory area of RAM, (b) is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of a camera mode setting content storage table. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone 102 Main display part 104 Camera key 105 Mail key 106 Cross key 107 Enter key 108 Address key 109 Net connection key 110 Clear key 111 On-hook key 112 Off-hook key 113 Numeric keypad 117 LED for notification
118 Imaging Lens 121 Radio Unit 122 Control Unit 124 RAM
125 program ROM
128 Display module drivers 129 DSP
130 Imaging Device 1221 Communication Data Processing Unit 1222 System ROM
1241 Camera mode setting contents storage table 1242 Address book storage area 1243 Mail data storage area 1244 Image memory 1245 Work area 1246 Shooting size area 1247 Shooting scene area 1251 First table storage area 1252 Second table storage area 1253 Software program storage area MT support Table NT compatible table

Claims (5)

A portable information device having both a communication means for communicating with the outside and a photographing means for photographing a subject,
Communication operation means provided for controlling the communication means;
Setting means for selectively setting a first mode for operating the communication means and a second mode for operating the photographing means;
And a control unit that controls a predetermined operation of the photographing unit in response to an operation of the communication operation unit when the second mode is set by the setting unit. machine.   The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of setting a size of an image photographed by the photographing function.   The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of setting a shooting condition of the shooting function. The photographing means further includes a display means for displaying the subject to be photographed,
2. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the communication operation unit is disposed on the same side as the surface of the apparatus main body on which the display unit is disposed. A computer included in a portable information device that has both a communication unit that communicates with the outside and a photographing unit that photographs a subject, and that is provided with a communication operation unit to control the communication unit.
Setting means for selectively setting a first mode for operating the communication means and a second mode for operating the photographing means;
When the second mode is set by the setting means, an operation function is provided to function as a control means for controlling a predetermined operation of the photographing means in response to an operation of the communication operation means. Control program.

Images