JP2008217483A - Function achievement system in application program of portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a function achievement system capable of efficiently retrieving a target function from among many functions, with which each application is provided, and being jumped to the target function. <P>SOLUTION: When retrieval of a function name corresponding to an input retrieval phrase is instructed, a retrieval application reads function names corresponding to the input retrieval phrase by a retrieval file every application program and displays them to a display screen. When any function name is selected from among the displayed function names, an application ID for starting an application program to which the selected function name belongs and a function ID corresponding to the selected function name are stored in a reference data storage part, and the application program corresponding to the application ID is started. The started application program jumps to a function corresponding to the function ID when it is determined that the function ID is stored in the reference data storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a function reaching system in an application program of a mobile phone for efficiently searching a large number of functions provided in each of various existing application programs provided in the mobile phone.

  Recent mobile phones have many function programs such as an Internet access function, an e-mail transmission / reception function, a photography function, a language switching function, as well as a voice communication function and a communication function with a remote terminal, which are the original functions of a terminal phone. Application program).

  In mobile phones equipped with a large number of application programs, the most commonly used method for calling up the functions intended by the user is to group the functions hierarchically, After the display, the selection of the group is requested, and the screen operation of changing to the small item belonging to the selected group is repeated several times to reach the target function.

  Conventionally, a plurality of application programs are installed in a memory of a mobile phone, and each application program has a configuration in which a large number of functions included in each application program are hierarchically divided into a plurality of groups.

  For example, a case where a setting screen for switching the language of a mobile phone is called is illustrated. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing display screens sequentially displayed on the display unit (liquid crystal display panel) when calling a setting screen for switching the language of the mobile phone in a conventional mobile phone.

  First, a menu screen is displayed, and each item of a plurality of installed application programs is displayed on the menu screen, and a selection of an application program is requested from them. In the example of FIG. 11A, a camera (photographing) application program (number key 1), a mail (e-mail transmission / reception) application program (number key 2), and a phone book application program (number key 3). ), Music application program (number key 4), game application program (number key 5), tool application program (number key 6), office application program (number key 7), connection application program Nine types of application programs (number key 8) and gallery application program (number key 9) can be selected.

  On the menu screen, the user selects a tool application program (number key 6) by operating a button. Then, the application program of the tool selected by the user is activated. Then, in the application program of the activated tool, each function item of the upper hierarchy group is displayed, and a function item selection is requested from among them.

  In the example of FIG. 11 (b), in the tool screen, as the function items of the upper layer group, the theme (number key 1), memory (number key 2), file (number key 3), setting (Numeric key 4), Voice (Numeric key 5), Application (Numeric key 6), One touch (Numeric key 7), Transfer (Numeric key 8), Device (Numeric key 9) The function can be selected.

  On the tool screen, the user selects a setting function (number key 4) by operating a button. Then, with respect to the function item selected in the immediately preceding step (on the tool screen), each function item of the group in the next lower hierarchy is displayed, and then the function item is requested to be selected. That is, the screen shifts to each function selection screen of the group in the lower hierarchy of the setting selected by the user on the tool screen.

  In the example of FIG. 11C, on the setting screen, as the function items of the group one level lower than the setting, the telephone (number key 1), call setting (number key 2), connection setting ( Four types of functions can be selected: number key 3) and date / time setting (number key 4). On the setting screen, the user selects a telephone function (number key 1) by operating a button. Then, with respect to the function item selected in the immediately preceding step (on the setting screen), each function item of the group in the next lower hierarchy is displayed, and then the function item is requested to be selected.

  In the example of FIG. 11 (d), on the screen of the telephone, as the function items of the group one level below the telephone, general settings (number key 1), standby screen (number key 2), display Three types of functions (number key 3) can be selected. On the telephone screen, the user selects a general setting function (number key 1) by operating a button. Then, with respect to the function item selected in the immediately preceding step (on the telephone screen), each function item in the group in the next lower hierarchy is displayed, and then the function item is requested to be selected.

  In the example of FIG. 11 (e), in the general setting screen, as the function items of the group one level lower than the general setting, the telephone language (number key 1), English prediction (number key 2), Three types of functions of the prediction dictionary (number key 3) can be selected. Note that the three functions of the telephone language, the English prediction, and the prediction dictionary are configured as one group in the tool application program, and are stored as one of the lowest function groups as the lowest hierarchy.

  On the general setting screen, the user selects a telephone language function (number key 1) by operating a button. Then, for example, Japanese is set as the telephone language (as the language used for the display screen). As an example, it is assumed that two languages, English and Japanese, can be set as the telephone language. As described above, for example, when switching the language of a mobile phone, the user can select the language for the first time by performing a selection operation of “menu” → “tool” → “setting” → “phone” → “general setting”. You can reach the screen to switch.

  As described above, the function reaching system in the conventional mobile phone application has the following problems. First, there is a problem that the desired function cannot be reached without going through several item screens. In addition, in the case where the target function is rarely used, the user does not know the operation procedure on each screen until the target function is reached. For example, the procedure for reaching the target function is checked in the operation manual book. It is forced to do troublesome work such as. In addition, if the user does not remember which screen the target function has been reached through, it is inefficient when performing the same operation next time.

  In order to deal with the above problem, a search engine that searches for and outputs a function name corresponding to a search keyword by inputting a search keyword is provided, and the search engine includes keyword information corresponding to function names of all functions of the mobile terminal. A keyword table for storing and holding, a search keyword input in the past and an input character history storage unit for storing and holding the frequency of use, and an input unit for receiving input information input from a display screen or an operation unit provided in the portable terminal When inputting the search keyword character string via the input means, the character that estimates the word from the character string by referring to the input character history storage means, complements the character string, and outputs the search keyword candidate Completion means and function name corresponding to the input search keyword are output by searching the keyword table. In both cases, when any function name is selected from the output function names, the search means for executing the function of the function name and the search condition for adding / changing the keyword when inputting the search keyword are specified. In addition, a portable terminal provided with table updating means for adding, changing, or deleting keyword information in the keyword table according to the input search keyword and output means for displaying the output of the character complementing means or search means on the display screen is proposed. (See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2005-78501

  On the other hand, in recent mobile phone software, from a security point of view, data and tables in application programs cannot be referenced from other application programs or jumped into specific functions from other application programs. It has become. Therefore, it is impossible to search for functions in the application program from other application programs.

  Paragraph 0059 of Patent Document 1 describes jumping to a processing screen for a function selected from the search result screen (a screen for setting date and time is shown as an example). However, the above Patent Document 1 does not disclose the concept of an application program, and it is unclear whether the search engine is an application program. In the keyword table, the function name is only in the form of all functions of the mobile terminal. Is not stored, and it is unclear what means can be used to jump to the selected function (eg, “date time”). Therefore, in the present situation where it is impossible to search for functions in an application program from other application programs, the mobile terminal described in Patent Document 1 is difficult to cope with the above-described problems. There is.

  Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to perform a number of functions provided in each of various application programs provided in a mobile phone by repeating a number of existing screen operations that reach a target function by tracing a plurality of layers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a function reaching system in an application program for a mobile phone that can efficiently search for a target function from among a large number of functions included in each application program and jump to the target function.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the function reaching system in the application program of the mobile phone according to claim 1 has a plurality of application programs installed in the memory of the mobile phone. A plurality of functions provided hierarchically divided into a plurality of groups, and in the menu, each item of the plurality of application programs is displayed, and a first step of requesting selection of the application program from the first step; In the second step of starting the application program selected in the first step, and in the started application program, each function item of the higher-level group is displayed, and then the function item is requested to be selected. A third step, a fourth step for displaying each function item of the next lower-level group for the function item selected in the immediately preceding step, and then requesting selection of the function item; In a function reaching system in a mobile phone application that reaches a target function by following a plurality of layers by performing a fifth step of performing four steps once or a plurality of times,
The memory of the mobile phone has a shared area that can be referred to by each of the application programs, and a search file for each of the application programs is provided in the shared area,
The search file for each application program is associated with a function ID assigned to individually identify a plurality of lowest function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy included in each application program, and the function ID. And at least one function name belonging to each of the lowest function groups is stored,
Search application means is installed as one of a plurality of application programs in the memory of the mobile phone,
The search application means includes a search phrase input means for inputting a search phrase from a display screen or an operation unit provided in the mobile phone, a search instruction means for instructing a search for a function name that matches the input search phrase, A function name selection unit that reads a function name that matches a search term input from the search file for each application program; and a function name display unit that displays the function name read by the function name selection unit on the display screen; When any function name is selected from the displayed function names, an application ID for starting an application program to which the selected function name belongs is stored in a reference data storage unit, and the selection is performed. A reference data storage means for reading out the function ID corresponding to the function name and storing it in the reference data storage unit; And an application program activation unit for starting an application program corresponding to the application ID stored in the serial reference data storage unit,
When each of the application programs is activated, a function ID determination unit that determines whether or not the function ID is stored in the reference data storage unit, and a case where the function ID determination unit determines that the function ID is stored And a function directing means for jumping to a function corresponding to the function ID.

  The function reaching system in the mobile phone application program according to claim 2 is the function reaching system in the mobile phone application program according to claim 1, wherein the function ID determination means stores the function ID in each of the application programs. If it is determined that the target function is not found, the third step to the fifth step are performed by following the plurality of hierarchies to reach the target function by an existing button operation.

  According to the function reaching system in the application program of the mobile phone according to claim 1, when the user activates the search application means installed as one of the plurality of application programs in the memory of the mobile phone, When a search term is input from the display screen or operation unit of the mobile phone, and the user instructs to search for a function name that matches the input search term, the search term input from the search file for each application program Is read, and the read function name is displayed on the display screen. When the user selects any function name from the displayed function names (selection candidates), the application ID for starting the application program to which the selected function name belongs is stored in the reference data storage unit, and The function ID corresponding to the selected function name is read from the search file of the application program to which the selected function name belongs, and stored in the reference data storage unit, and corresponds to the application ID stored in the reference data storage unit. Start the application program. The application program started by the search application means determines whether or not the function ID is stored in the reference data storage unit, and jumps to the function corresponding to the function ID when it is determined that the function ID is stored. To do.

  Therefore, since the search file for each application program is provided in the shared area that can be referred to by each application program, any application program can refer to the contents thereof. The search file includes a function ID assigned to individually identify a plurality of lowest function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy provided in each application program, and each lowest function associated with the function ID. Since at least one function name belonging to the group is stored, the retrieval application means can retrieve the function ID of the lowest function group by the function name belonging to the lowest function group, and the function is stored in the reference data storage unit. The ID can be stored, the corresponding application program can be activated by the application ID corresponding to the function name, and the function ID can be passed to the activated application program. The activated application program can jump to the function specified by the function ID stored in the reference data storage unit. Thereby, the target function that the user wants to search can be easily found, and the target function can be reached directly without following a plurality of hierarchies.

  According to the function reaching system in the application program of the mobile phone according to the second aspect, in each application program, the target function can be reached by tracing a plurality of hierarchies by an existing screen operation that repeats a plurality of button operations.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the function reaching system in the application program of the mobile phone of the present invention uses a known hardware configuration of the mobile phone, and since the hardware configuration itself is well known, the illustration is omitted. It includes a numeric keypad for input, an arrow key (cross key), a key for selection input, a transmission / reception unit, and a control unit (CPU, memory, interface, etc.) provided in the mobile phone.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing each application program installed in the memory of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention and a search file for each application program. The memory of the mobile phone has a private area 1 where each application program is installed, and a shared area 2 where each application program can be referred to. Each application installed in the private area 1 can refer to data and tables in the application program from other application programs or jump to a specific function from other application programs from the viewpoint of security. It is a mechanism that cannot be done (in this sense, it is called a private area).

  In FIG. 1, as an example, as an application program, a camera application program 3, a mail application program 4, a telephone directory application program 5, a music application program 6, a game application program 7, a tool application program 8, Nine types of application programs are installed: a search application program 9, a connection application program 10, and a gallery application program 11. In the embodiment, the search application means described in claim 1 is configured by a search application program 9 installed in the private area 1 as one of the application programs.

  In addition, each of the application programs 3 to 8, 10, and 11 excluding the search application program 9 has a configuration in which a large number of functions included in each application program are hierarchically divided into a plurality of groups.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional group in a tool application program and its hierarchical structure as a specific example. In FIG. 2, since it is difficult to illustrate all the hierarchical structures, only a part of them (specifically, only the hierarchical structure belonging to the lower level of the setting) is shown, and the other hierarchical structures are not illustrated. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the highest-level function group grouped in the highest hierarchy of the application program of the tool is “theme”, “memory”, “file”, “setting”, “voice”, “application”. , “One Touch”, “Transfer”, and “Device”. Next, a function group (hereinafter referred to as “setting-second function group”) grouped in the next lower hierarchy of “setting”, which is one function of the highest-level function group, is “phone”, It consists of four functions: “communication setting”, “connection setting”, and “date / time setting”.

  Next, the function groups (set-phone-third function group) grouped in the next lower hierarchy of “phone” which is one function of the setting-second function group are: A function group (three groups of “General Settings”, “Standby Screen”, and “Display” and further grouped into a lower hierarchy of “General Settings” which is a setting-phone-third function group ( The setting-telephone-general setting-fourth function group) is one of a plurality of lowest-level function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy, "phone language", "English prediction" ”And“ prediction dictionary ”.

  It should be noted that the function groups grouped in the lower hierarchy of “standby screen” and “display” in the setting-phone-third function group are not shown.

  In addition, function groups (set-communication setting-third function group) grouped in the next lower layer of "communication setting" which is one function of the setting-second function group are as follows. , One of a plurality of lowest functional groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy, “caller ID notification”, “interrupt call service”, “SMS transmission when call is rejected”, “when call is rejected” It consists of 10 functions: "Standard text", "Videophone still image", "International access code replacement", "Auto redial", "Display information after call", "One-touch dial", "Any key answer" ing.

  Next, function groups grouped in the next lower layer of “connection setting” which is one function of the setting-second function group (denoted as setting-connection setting-third function group) Is composed of two functions of “access point” and “packet connection setting”, and is further grouped into a lower hierarchy of “access point” which is one function of setting-connection setting-third function group The function group (set-telephone-access point-fourth function group) is one of a plurality of lowest function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy, It consists of two functions: “Edit” and “Create new access point”. In addition, “packet connection setting”, which is one of the functions in the setting-connection setting-third function group, is set to one of a plurality of lowest-order function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy. Yes.

  The function group (set-date / date setting-third function group) grouped in the next lower hierarchy of “date / time setting”, which is one of the functions in the setting-second function group, is the highest. It is one of the lowest function groups grouped in the lower hierarchy, and is “Time Setting”, “Time Zone”, “Date Setting”, “Date Format”, “Date Separator”, “Time It consists of six functions of “display format”.

  As described above, the lowest function group grouped in the lowest hierarchy belonging to the lower level of the setting in FIG. 2 is set-phone-general setting-fourth function group (phone language, English prediction, prediction dictionary), Settings-Communication settings-3rd function group (caller ID notification, interrupt call service, SMS transmission at call rejection, fixed message at call rejection, videophone still image, international access code replacement, automatic redial, post-call information Display, one-touch dialing, any key answer), setting-telephone-access point-fourth function group (access point editing, new access point creation), setting-connection setting-third function group (packet connection setting), setting-date and time Settings-for the third function group (time setting, time zone, date setting, date format, date separator, time display format) One of a functional group.

  In FIG. 2, the lowest function group belonging to the lower level of the setting is illustrated, but the lowest function belonging to the lower level is also included in each function of the theme, memory, file, voice, application, one-touch, transfer, and device. Group exists. A function ID (to be described later) is assigned to the lowest function group in order to individually identify a plurality of lowest function groups.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a search file for each application program is provided in the shared area 2 that can be referred to by each application program. The search file for each application program includes a function ID (function ID area) assigned to individually identify a plurality of lowest function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy included in each application program, and a function ID. And at least one function name (function name area) belonging to each lowest function group is stored.

  In the example of FIG. 1, corresponding to an application program installed in a private area (except for a search application), a camera search file 12, a mail search file 13, a phone book search file 14, music search Eight types of search files including a file 15, a game search file 16, a tool search file 17, a connection search file 18, and a gallery search file 19 are stored in the shared area 2.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of a search file of a tool application program (tool search file 17 of FIG. 2) as a specific example of the search file. As shown in FIG. 3, one record of the search file is composed of a function ID area and a function name area. Further, a function ID assigned to individually identify the lowest function group grouped in the lowest hierarchy provided in the application program of the tool is assigned. In association with FIG. 2, “1” is assigned as the function ID to the setting—phone—general setting—fourth function group, and the function name “1” associated with the function ID “1” is associated with the function name “1”. “Phone language”, “English prediction”, and “prediction dictionary” are stored.

  Similarly, “2” is assigned as the function ID to the setting-communication setting-third function group, and the function name “caller ID notification” included in the function group is associated with the function ID “2”. "Interrupt call service", "Send SMS when rejected", "Standard text when rejected", "Videophone still image", "Replace international access code", "Auto redial", "Display information after calling" , “One-touch dial” and “Any key answer” are stored.

  Similarly, “3” is assigned as a function ID to the setting-phone-access point-fourth function group, and the function name “access” included in this function group is associated with the function ID “3”. “Edit point” and “Create new access point” are stored. The setting-connection setting-third function group is assigned “4” as the function ID, and the function name “packet connection setting” included in this function group is stored in association with the function ID “4”. . The setting-date / time setting-third function group is assigned “5” as the function ID, and is associated with the function ID “5”, and the function names “time setting”, “time zone”, “Date setting”, “date format”, “date separator”, and “time display format” are stored.

  Processing of the function reaching system in the application program of the mobile phone configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the search application program executed by the CPU of the mobile phone. The search application program is activated when the user selects search (number key 7) by operating a button on the menu screen shown in FIG. When the search application program is started, first, a search phrase input screen as a standby screen is displayed (step S01). FIG. 8 shows one aspect of the search term input screen. The search phrase input screen includes a text box 20 (search phrase input means) for inputting a search phrase, a search button 21 (search instruction means) for confirming the input search phrase and executing a search, and a search A return button 22 for ending the application program and returning to the menu screen is displayed.

  Subsequent to step S01, search word input processing is performed in the text box 20 (step S02). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the search button 21 is operated (step S03), and the search button 21 is not operated. For example, step S03 is determined as NO, and it is determined whether or not there is an operation of the return button 22 (step S04). If there is no operation to the return button 22, step S04 will be determined as NO and it will return to step S02. Therefore, until there is an operation on the search button 21 or the return button 22, Steps S02 and S03 are determined to be NO, Step S04 is determined to be NO, and the processing routine that returns to Step S02 is repeated and waits.

  The user operates the return button 22 when finishing the search application program. If the return button 22 is operated, step S04 is determined as YES, and the search application program is terminated. Therefore, the screen returns to the menu screen shown in FIG. On the other hand, when performing a search, the user operates the mobile phone key while viewing the search phrase input screen to input the target search phrase, confirms whether the search phrase is correct, and then operates the search button 21. To do. When the search button 21 is operated, the search phrase is confirmed, and step S03 is determined as YES and the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, the CPU performs a search process for search terms. That is, the search term is searched for all the search files for each application program. The content of the search determines whether the function name stored in the function name area of the search file is a function name including a phrase that matches the input search phrase, and matches the input search phrase. Data that is a function name including a phrase is selected as a search candidate.

  Here, the search process in step S05 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of search processing executed by the CPU. When the search process is started, the CPU sets an initial value “1” in the search file register K for designating a search file (step S101). Next, an initial value “1” is set in the data identification register i for designating a data record in the search file (step S102). Next, an initial value “0” is set in a search candidate number counter C that counts the number of search candidates when a function name including a portion that matches the search word is temporarily stored as a search candidate (step S103). Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the K-th search file specified by the value of the search file register K is set as a search target file (in this case, the first search file), and the i-th data specified by the value of the data identification register i. Is the search determination data (in this case, the first data) (step S104), and whether or not the function name stored in the function name area of the i-th data includes a phrase that matches the search phrase. Determination is made (step S105).

  If the function name stored in the function name area of the i-th data includes a phrase that matches the search phrase, this function name is a search candidate, and step S105 is determined to be YES. The value of the number counter C is incremented by 1 (step S106). Next, the application ID of this application program is stored in the search candidate buffer (C) designated by the value of the search candidate number counter C (step S107), and the function ID of the i-th data is stored in the search candidate buffer (C). And the function name are stored (step S108), and the process proceeds to step S109.

  The application ID for starting the application program is stored in the management information storage area set in the memory when the application program is installed.

  As an example of determining whether or not a function name includes a phrase that matches the search phrase, for example, when the search phrase is “language”, among the function names of the search file of the tool shown in FIG. "Is included as a search candidate because" language "is included in the function name. Therefore, the application ID of the application program “tool”, the function ID “1”, and the function name “phone language” are stored in the search candidate buffer.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the search candidate buffer, one data storage area is composed of an application ID area, a function name area, and a function ID area. In FIG. 10, the value C represents the value of the search candidate number counter C. That is, for example, when the value of the search candidate number counter C is “1”, the application ID, function name, and function ID are stored in the first data storage area of the search candidate buffer.

  On the other hand, if the function name stored in the function name area of the i-th data does not include a word that matches the search word in step S105, this function name is not a search candidate. Step S105 is determined as NO, and the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, the value of the data identification register i is updated by adding 1 (step S109), and it is determined whether or not the updated value of the data identification register i exceeds the number of data in the Kth search file. (Step S110). If the value of the data identification register i does not exceed the number of data items in the Kth search file, step S110 is determined to be NO, and the process returns to step S104, where the Kth specified by the updated data identification register i value. The same processing as described above is performed for the function name of the next data in the search file.

  The CPU repeats the above processing routine to determine whether or not the function name stored in the function name area of the data includes a phrase that matches the search phrase for all data in the Kth search file. I do. When the processing for all data in the Kth search file is completed and step S109 is executed, the value of the data identification register i exceeds the number of data in the Kth search file, and step S110 is determined as YES. Then, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S111, the value of the search file register K is incremented by +1, so that the next search file is designated (step S111), and the updated search file register K value is set to the number of files in the search file ( In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not “8” is exceeded as shown in FIG. 1 (step S112). If the updated value of the search file register K does not exceed the number of search files, step S112 is determined to be NO, the value of the data identification register i is returned to “1” (step S113), and the process returns to step S104. For the next search file specified by the updated value of the search file register K, the same processing as described above is performed for the function name of the search file data specified by the value of the data identification register i.

  The CPU repeats the above processing routine to include a phrase in which the function name stored in the function name area of the data matches the search phrase with respect to all the data of all the search files stored in the shared area 2. It is determined whether or not. When the processing for all the search file data is completed and step S111 is executed, the value of the search file register K exceeds the number of files, and step S112 is determined to be YES, and the search processing subroutine is exited. Return to the main routine of the search application program.

  When the search process is completed as described above, the CPU displays a search result screen as shown in FIG. 9A, for example (step S06). Next, it is determined whether there is no function name including a phrase that matches the search phrase (whether there is no search phrase match) as a search processing result (step S07). That is, it is determined whether or not the value of the search candidate number counter C is “0”. If the value of the search candidate number counter C is “0”, it is determined that there is no search term match (YES in step S07). Determined). On the other hand, if the value of the search candidate number counter C is not “0”, it is determined that there is a search term match (step S07 is determined as NO).

  If it is determined in step S07 that the search phrase does not match, “not applicable” is displayed as a search result on the search result screen (step S08), and the process returns to step S01 (returns to the search phrase input screen of FIG. 8).

  If it is determined in step S07 that the search terms match, a list of search candidate function names is displayed on the search result screen (step S09). That is, the function name of each search candidate data stored in the search candidate buffer is displayed in a list on the search result screen.

  For example, when the search term is “language”, only one of “phone language” is a search candidate among the function names of the search file of the tool shown in FIG. 3, and “phone language” is displayed as a search result on the search result screen. Is displayed [see FIG. 9A]. For example, when the search term is “date”, among the function names of the search file of the tool shown in FIG. 3, three of “date setting”, “date format”, and “date separator” are search candidates, As a search result, three lists of “phone language”, “date format”, and “date separator” are displayed in a list on the search result screen [see FIG. 9B].

  In the search result screen of FIG. 9, a selection button 23 for inputting that one of the search candidates displayed in a list has been selected and one of the search candidates displayed in a list are currently selected. A cross key 24 for moving the position of the shaded display indicating a possible state to another search candidate and a return button 22 for returning to the search word input screen are displayed.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S10 to determine whether or not there is an operation of the selection button 23 (step S10). If there is no operation of the selection button 23, it is determined as NO in step S10 and whether or not the return button 22 is operated. It is determined whether or not (step S11). If there is no operation to the return button 22, step S11 will be determined to be NO and it will return to step S10. Therefore, until there is an operation on the selection button 23 or the return button 22, step S10 is determined as NO, step S11 is determined as NO, and the processing routine returning to step S10 is repeated and waits.

  The user operates the return button 22 to return to the search phrase input screen. When the return button 22 is operated, step S11 is determined as YES, and the process returns to step S01. Therefore, the screen returns to the search phrase input screen shown in FIG. On the other hand, when selecting a search candidate, the user operates the cross key 24 while looking at the search word input screen to move the shaded display portion to the target function name, and whether the target function name is correct. Then, the selection button 23 is operated. If the selection button 23 is operated, the target function name is confirmed, and step S10 is determined as YES and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the CPU stores the application ID and function ID of the selected function name search candidate buffer in the reference data storage unit (step S12). As shown in FIG. 10, the reference data storage unit includes an application ID area and a function ID area. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the first search candidate is selected. For example, when “telephone language” is selected by operating the selection button 23 in FIG. 9A, the application ID of the tool and the function ID “phone language” corresponding to the function name “phone language” are stored in the reference data storage unit. 1 "is stored.

  Next, in step S13, an application program corresponding to the application ID stored in the reference data storage unit is started (step S13), and the search application program is terminated. For example, in the case of FIG. 9A, the tool application program is started.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of each application program. FIG. 6 shows a tool application program as an example. Each application program is activated (when the CPU starts executing each application program), first, the contents of the function ID area of the reference data storage unit are read (step A01). Next, it is determined whether or not the contents of the read function ID area exist (whether or not there is a function ID) (step A02).

  If the content of the read function ID area does not exist in step A02 (as an example, the content of the read function ID area = “0 (no data)”), step A02 is determined to be NO, and step A03 Then, the function is selected by operating an existing button, the function ID is determined (step A03), and the process jumps to the function specified by the function ID determined in step A03 (step A04). In this case, a target function is reached by following a plurality of layers by a button operation on each display screen already set in the application program.

  On the other hand, when the content of the read function ID area exists in step A02 (for example, when the selection button 23 is operated in FIG. 9A, the content of the read function ID area is “1”). Then, step A02 is determined as YES, the process proceeds directly to step A04, and the process jumps to the function specified by the read function ID (function ID stored in the reference data storage unit) (step A04). Therefore, in the above example, the display jumps to the display screen of the function group “general setting” designated by the function ID “1”.

  In this manner, the target function can be efficiently searched from among a large number of functions included in each application program, and the target function can be directly jumped to. Therefore, the user selects a telephone language function (numeral key 1) by operating a button on the general setting screen shown in FIG. 11E, for example, as the telephone language (the language used for the display screen). As) can be switched to Japanese.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the characteristic part of the present invention is that a search file for each application program is provided in the shared area 2 that can be referred to by each application program. Thereby, any application program can refer to the contents. In addition, in the search file, a function ID assigned to individually identify a plurality of lowest function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy included in each application program, and each lowest corresponding to the function ID That is, at least one function name belonging to the function group is stored. Thereby, the search application program can search the function ID of the lowest function group by the function name belonging to the lowest function group, store the function ID in the reference data storage unit, and correspond by the application ID corresponding to the function name. An application program can be activated and a function ID can be passed to the activated application program. Further, the activated application program determines whether or not the function ID is stored in the reference data storage unit, and if the function ID is stored, the application program can jump to the function specified by the stored function ID. . Thereby, the target function that the user wants to search can be easily found, and the target function can be reached directly without following a plurality of hierarchies.

It is a figure which shows each application program installed in the memory of the mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the search file for every application program. It is a figure which shows the functional group in the application program of a tool, and its hierarchical structure. It is a figure which shows the content of the search file of the application program of a tool as a specific example of a search file. It is a flowchart of the search application program which CPU of a mobile telephone runs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the search process which CPU of a mobile telephone performs. It is an outline flowchart of each application program which CPU of a cellular phone performs. It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the menu screen displayed on the display screen of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the search phrase input screen displayed on the display screen of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the search result screen displayed on the display screen of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of a search candidate buffer, and the memory | storage of the data to a reference data storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation procedure which reaches | attains the target function by following the several hierarchy by the conventional button operation in the display screen of a mobile telephone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Private area 2 Shared area 3 Camera application program 4 Mail application program 5 Phone book application program 6 Music application program 7 Game application program 8 Tool application program 9 Search application program 10 Connection application program 11 Gallery application Application program 12 Camera search file 13 Mail search file 14 Phonebook search file 15 Music search file 16 Game search file 17 Tool search file 18 Connection search file 19 Gallery search file 20 Text box 21 Search button 22 Back button 23 Select button 24 Four-way controller

Claims (2)

A plurality of application programs are installed in the memory of the mobile phone, and each application program has a configuration in which a large number of functions included in each application program are hierarchically divided into a plurality of groups.
A first step of displaying each item of the plurality of application programs in the menu and requesting selection of the application program from among the items;
A second step of starting the application program selected in the first step;
In the activated application program, after displaying each function item of the group in the upper hierarchy, a third step for requesting selection of the function item from there,
For the function item selected in the immediately preceding step, after displaying each function item of the next lower hierarchy group, a fourth step for requesting selection of the function item from there,
By performing the fourth step once or by repeating the fifth step a plurality of times,
In a function reaching system in a mobile phone application that reaches a target function by traversing multiple layers,
The memory of the mobile phone has a shared area that can be referred to by each of the application programs,
In the shared area, a search file for each application program is provided,
The search file for each application program is associated with a function ID assigned to individually identify a plurality of lowest function groups grouped in the lowest hierarchy included in each application program, and the function ID. And at least one function name belonging to each of the lowest function groups is stored,
Search application means is installed as one of a plurality of application programs in the memory of the mobile phone,
The search application means includes
Search phrase input means for inputting a search phrase from a display screen or an operation unit provided in the mobile phone;
Search instruction means for instructing a search for a function name that matches the input search term;
A function name selection means for reading a function name that matches a search term input from the search file for each application program;
Selected function name display means for displaying the function name read by the function name selecting means on the display screen;
When any function name is selected from the displayed function names, an application ID for starting an application program to which the selected function name belongs is stored in the reference data storage unit and the selected function name is selected. Reference data storage means for reading out the function ID corresponding to the function name and storing it in the reference data storage unit;
Application program starting means for starting an application program corresponding to the application ID stored in the reference data storage unit,
Each application program is
Function ID determination means for determining whether or not the function ID is stored in the reference data storage unit when activated;
A function reaching system in an application program for a mobile phone, comprising: a function direct means for jumping to a function corresponding to the function ID when the function ID determination means determines that a function ID is stored .   When each of the application programs determines that the function ID determination unit has not stored a function ID, the application program performs the third step to the fifth step and follows a plurality of layers by an existing button operation. The function reaching system in the application program of the mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the function reaching system is reached.

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