JP2022085595A - Electronic device, control program, and control method of electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily find a necessary icon from among many icons.SOLUTION: An electronic device (1) includes: a display unit (11) for displaying one or more menus (35); and a menu display control unit (22) which selects display mode from a first mode to a second mode. The first mode displays one menu. The second mode displays all menus. When an icon (14) is operated in the second mode, the menu display control unit selects the first mode to display a menu including the icon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control program, and a control method of the electronic device that display a large number of icons corresponding to applications, functions, and the like.

In recent years, electronic dictionaries include various dictionaries such as Japanese dictionaries and English-Japanese dictionaries, as well as more than 200 diverse contents and applications. In addition, with the increasing number of functions, in addition to information recording functions such as word book function, bookmark function, marker function, and handwritten memo function, calculator function, game function, ebook function, camera function, call function, and communication function , TOEIC (registered trademark) and other test functions are installed.

Along with this, a large number of icons corresponding to various applications and functions have been generated, grouped, and included in a plurality of menus. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the user to know where the desired icon is, and until the desired icon is reached, the user has to switch between a plurality of menus and display the icon included in the menu to search for it.

In recent years, various interfaces have been developed to make it easier to find icons. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, an electronic device that improves the visibility of icons by changing the display mode of a plurality of icons between a mode in which a plurality of icons are displayed in a list without overlapping and a mode in which the icons are displayed in an overlapping manner. Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-109966

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, from a state in which all icons are arranged and displayed in a plurality of columns, the icons in the front row or the last row are superimposed and enlarged on top of other icons by a user flick operation. It is something to do. The user needs to repeat the flick operation until the desired icon is found, which is a problem that it takes time.

One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that makes it easy to find a necessary icon from a large number of icons.

In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention has a display unit that displays one or a plurality of menus including at least one icon that accepts a user's operation, and a display unit that displays one or a plurality of menus according to the user's operation. A menu display control unit for switching and displaying a menu display from the first form to the second form is provided, the first form displays one menu among a plurality of menus, and the second form displays the plurality of menus. When an arbitrary icon is operated in the second form, the menu display control unit switches to the first form and displays a menu including the icon among the plurality of menus. do.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, the control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for an electronic device that displays one or a plurality of menus including at least one icon for accepting a user's operation on the display unit. Therefore, an arbitrary function icon is operated in the first form display step for displaying one of a plurality of menus, the second form display step for displaying all of the plurality of menus, and the second form display step. When this is done, the first form switching step of switching to the first form and displaying the menu including the function icon among the plurality of menus is included.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it becomes easy to find a necessary icon from a large number of icons.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the main part structure of the electronic dictionary which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the electronic dictionary shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu display of the 1st form of the electronic dictionary shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu display of the 2nd form of the electronic dictionary shown in FIG. It is a transition diagram which shows an example of the transition of the menu display of the electronic dictionary shown in FIG. It is a transition diagram which shows another example of the transition of the menu display of the electronic dictionary shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process executed by the menu display control unit shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the appearance of the electronic dictionary shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the electronic device according to the present invention will be described based on an example in which the electronic dictionary 1 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be any electronic device that displays a plurality of menus, and is also applicable to electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, television receivers, and portable Blu-ray players.

<Main part composition>
Hereinafter, the main part configuration of the electronic dictionary 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the main part configuration of the electronic dictionary 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the electronic dictionary 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic dictionary 1 includes a touch panel 10, an input unit 16, an output unit 17, a communication unit 18 for communicating with other devices, a control unit 20, and a storage unit 30.

The touch panel 10 integrates a touch operation detection sensor that functions as an operation unit 15 with a display or the like that functions as a display unit 11, and detects the position of a finger or a pen that is in contact with or close to the screen.

As described above, the operation unit 15 receives the user's touch operation and the like.

The display unit 11 displays various information and is realized as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a plasma display, and other displays in addition to a liquid crystal display. The display unit 11 includes a menu display area 12 for displaying a menu 35 including at least one function icon 14, and another display area 13 for displaying contents other than the menu display area 12.

The touch panel 10 may be included in the configuration of the electronic dictionary 1, or may be an external device or the like that is communicably connected to the electronic dictionary 1.

The input unit 16 is, for example, various keys for accepting a user's input operation, and includes a character key, a decision key, a cursor key, and the like. The input operation may be the pressing of various keys, the one using the handwritten character recognition function, or the one using the voice recognition function. Further, the image recognition function of the image taken by the camera may be used.

The output unit 17 outputs various information other than images and characters, and is realized by, for example, a speaker that outputs voice or sound.

The storage unit 30 stores various data used by the control unit 20. The storage unit 30 includes a first menu storage unit 31, a second menu storage unit 32, a third menu storage unit 33, and an operation icon storage unit 34.

The first menu storage unit 31 includes a first icon storage unit 31a that stores the function icon 14 included in the first menu 35a. The second menu storage unit 32 includes a second icon storage unit 32a that stores the function icon 14 included in the second menu 35b. The third menu storage unit 33 includes a third icon storage unit 33a that stores the function icon 14 included in the third menu 35c.

In the following description, when the first menu 35a, the second menu 35b, the third menu 35c, etc. are not distinguished from each other and are described for the purpose of generically referring to them, they are described as the menu 35.

The function icon 14 corresponds to various applications and functions included in the electronic dictionary 1, and by touching the function icon 14, the corresponding application can be started or the corresponding function can be exerted.

The function icons 14 are classified by the selection frequency, for example, and are included in each menu 35. The function icon 14 having a high selection frequency is included in, for example, the first menu 35a, which is the main menu, and the function icon 14 having the next highest selection frequency is included in the second menu 35b. Further, the function icon 14 corresponding to a necessary function or the like, which is not so frequently selected, is included in the third menu 35c.

The operation icon storage unit 34 stores the function icon 14 operated by the user while all the menus 35 are displayed. The details of the operation icon storage unit 34 will be described later with reference to FIG.

As described above, the menu 35 may be provided with three or two. Further, four or more may be provided as needed. Further, the function icons 14 may be classified according to the selection frequency, or for example, the corresponding functions may be classified according to the function icons 14 related to each other. Further, it may be classified according to other conditions.

The storage unit 30 may be a storage unit in the electronic dictionary 1 or an external storage such as a USB memory that is communicably connected to the electronic dictionary 1.

The control unit 20 controls each unit of the electronic dictionary 1 in an integrated manner. The control unit 20 includes a display control unit 21, an input control unit 23, an output control unit 24, and a communication control unit 25.

The display control unit 21 includes a menu display control unit 22 that controls the display unit 11 and controls the menu display area 12. The menu display control unit 22 selects and displays the menu 35 to be displayed on the display unit 11 from the first menu 35a, the second menu 35b, and the third menu 35c according to the user's operation. Details of the processing executed by the menu display control unit 22 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

The input control unit 23 controls the input unit 16, the output control unit 24 controls the output unit 17, and the communication control unit 25 controls the communication unit 18.

<Menu display of the first form>
Next, the menu display of the first form of the electronic dictionary 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a menu display of the first form of the electronic dictionary 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 11 of the electronic dictionary 1 includes a menu display area 12 for displaying various menus 35, and another display area 13 for displaying various contents, applications, and the like.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the other display area 13, the text displayed as a result of searching for "Mt. Fuji" in the dictionary content or the like (hereinafter referred to as "Mt. Fuji search result") is shown.

The first menu 35a is displayed in the menu display area 12. As described above, the first menu 35a includes, for example, the function icons 14 classified according to the selection frequency. As an example, a home icon 52, a character size icon, an English board icon, a continuous reading icon, a cursor icon, a tool icon, an enter icon, a back icon, and a menu switching icon 50 are displayed.

By touch-operating these function icons 14, the functions corresponding to each function icon 14 can be exhibited. For example, the home icon 52 can display the home screen by a user's touch operation. In addition, the character size icon can change the character size, and the English board icon can call the "English board" where English sentences can be input. The continuous reading icon allows you to read aloud sentences continuously, and the cross-shaped cursor icon allows you to move the cursor. The tool icon can call tools such as calendars and calculators, the enter icon can confirm menu selection and character input, and the back icon can display the previous screen.

The menu switching icon 50 can switch the menu display from the first form to the second form by touch operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the first mode displays only one of the three menus 35, for example, the first menu 35a. The first menu 35a is displayed in a vertical row so as to fit in the menu display area 12, for example.

On the other hand, in the second form of menu display, all three menus 35 are displayed as described later based on FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the menu switching icon 50 may be provided with an image or characters indicating that the menu 35 can be expanded and all the menus 35 can be displayed when the menu display is in the first mode. .. Further, the menu switching icon 50 can display only one menu 35 by folding the menu 35 so as not to interfere with the display of contents or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, when the menu display is in the second form. An image or characters indicating the above may be applied.

<Menu display of the second form>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu display of the second form of the electronic dictionary 1. The second form of the menu display will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the second form, unlike the first form, all three menus 35 are displayed. That is, all of the first menu 35a, the second menu 35b, and the third menu 35c are displayed.

Here, the second menu 35b includes a plurality of function icons 14. For example, a previous find icon, a next find icon, a history icon, a wordbook icon, a marker test icon, a wordbook registration icon, a two-screen search icon, and a memorized memo creation icon are displayed. By touch-operating these function icons 14, the functions corresponding to each function icon 14 can be exhibited.

For example, the previous heading icon can display the previous heading, and the next heading icon can display the next heading. The history icon can display the search history or the bookmark of the electronic book, and the wordbook icon can display the words registered in the wordbook. The marker test icon can be registered by drawing a marker on the phrase you want to remember, or you can hide the marker part and perform a test to guess that part. The wordbook registration icon allows you to register a word in the wordbook, and the two-screen search icon allows you to open another window and search for another word. The memorized memo creation icon can save a copy of the screen on which comments etc. are written by hand.

Similarly, the third menu 35c includes a plurality of function icons 14, and for example, a quick-view icon, a setting icon, a vertical / horizontal switching icon, a power icon, and a menu switching icon 50 are displayed. By touch-operating these function icons 14, the functions corresponding to each function icon 14 can be exhibited.

For example, the quick-view icon can omit example sentences and supplementary explanations on the detail screen of the content, and display the meaning in bullet points. The setting icon can display the setting menu screen, and the vertical / horizontal switching icon can switch between the vertical display and the horizontal display of the screen. Also, the power icon can be turned on and off.

In the second mode, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, three menus 35 are displayed side by side in three vertical columns. First, the third menu 35c is displayed so as to fit in the menu display area 12. The second menu 35b and the first menu 35a are displayed in the extended area 60 arranged continuously with the menu display area 12. The extended area 60 is an area superimposed on the other display area 13 and displayed, and is an area in which the second menu 35b and the first menu 35a are displayed.

That is, the second menu 35b is displayed in the extended area 60 so as to abut on the third menu 35c on the left side of the third menu 35c displayed in the menu display area 12. Further, on the left side of the second menu 35b, the first menu 35a is displayed in the extended area 60 so as to abut on the second menu 35b.

By displaying all the menus 35 in this way, the user lists all the function icons 14 without switching the menu 35 from the first menu 35a to the second menu 35b and from the second menu 35b to the third menu 35c. It can be displayed and visually recognized at the same time. This allows the user to easily find the desired function icon 14.

Further, as described above, the third menu 35c can be displayed so as to fit in the menu display area 12, but the first menu 35a and the second menu 35b are superimposed on the other display area 13 and expanded. It is displayed in the area 60.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the "search result of Mt. Fuji" displayed in the other display area 13 below the extension area 60 may continue to be displayed as it is. That is, the layout may not be changed so that it can be visually recognized even if it is superimposed and displayed. More specifically, it is not necessary to perform the reduced display and the change of the line feed position of the text to shorten the length of one line of the text, which are usually performed so that the text can be visually recognized even if the text is superimposed.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the extended area 60 is superimposed and displayed on a part of the “Mt. Fuji search result” displayed in the other display area 13 (the end on the menu display area 12 side). ing. At this time, the "search result of Mt. Fuji" is displayed without changing the layout and size of the display of the first form shown in FIG.

As a result, even if the menu display is switched from the first form to the second form and the superimposed display is performed, the size and display position of the characters in the "Mt. Fuji search result" do not change, so the part that the user was reading. You can prevent losing track of where it was.

Further, even if the menu display is switched from the second form to the first form and the superimposed display is canceled, the "Mt. Fuji search result" is displayed as it is without changing the character size or display position.

Therefore, the user can smoothly continue to read the "Mt. Fuji search result" from the place where the reading was interrupted when the menu display returns to the first form.

<Switching by icon selection>
In the second form, when any of the function icons 14 is selected by the user, the menu 35 is switched to the first form so as not to interfere with the display of contents and the like, and only one menu 35 is displayed. ..

In this case, in the conventional menu display, it was usual to switch to the main menu. Specifically, in the case of an electronic dictionary having a main menu and a submenu, when the user switches from the main menu to the submenu and selects the icon of the submenu, the menu display returns to the main menu. Then, even if the user wants to use the selected icon continuously, it is necessary to switch from the main menu to the submenu again and reselect the icon of the submenu, which is troublesome.

In the electronic dictionary 1 according to the first embodiment, when any of the function icons 14 is selected by the user in the second embodiment, the selected function icon 14 is stored in the operation icon storage unit 34 by the control unit 20. Will be done.

Here, for example, the first menu 35a is the main menu, and the second menu 35b and the third menu 35c are submenus.

The menu display control unit 22 acquires the information of the function icon 14 selected from the operation icon storage unit 34. When the menu 35 including the function icon 14 selected by the user is a submenu, the menu display control unit 22 switches to the first mode in which the submenu is displayed instead of the main menu and displays the menu.

Specifically, when the menu 35 including the function icon 14 selected by the user is the second menu 35b, the second menu 35b is switched to and displayed in the first form. Further, when the menu 35 including the function icon 14 selected by the user is the third menu 35c, the third menu 35c is switched to the first mode in which the third menu 35c is displayed and displayed.

As a result, the user can continuously use the smoothly selected function icon 14 without switching the menu again.

Further, in the second mode, when the menu switching icon 50 is operated by the user, the menu display control unit 22 switches to the first mode in which the first menu 35a is displayed and displays the icon 50. As a result, the user can switch to and display the first menu 35a without selecting the function icon 14.

In the second form, when the menu switching icon 50 is operated by the user, the menu display control unit 22 displays the menu 35 displayed in the first form immediately before displaying the second form. The menu may be displayed in the form.

For example, in the first mode immediately before, the user operates the menu switching icon 50 while the second menu 35b is displayed, and the menu of the second mode is displayed. After that, when the user operates the menu switching icon 50 without operating the icon 14, the configuration returns to the first form and the second menu 35b may be displayed.

FIG. 5 is a transition diagram showing an example of the transition of the menu display of the electronic dictionary 1. The transition of the menu display of the electronic dictionary 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the upper part of the figure, the first menu 35a which is the menu display of the first form, the second menu 35b which is the menu display of the first form, and the third menu display which is the menu display of the first form. Examples of menu 35c are shown respectively. An example of the menu display of the second form is shown in the lower part of the figure, and all the menus 35 are displayed side by side in three vertical columns.

When the user selects the menu switching icon 50 included in the first menu 35a, which is the menu display of the first form in the upper row, the menu 35 is switched to the menu 35 in the second form in the lower row (arrow X1). Similarly, when the user selects the menu switching icon 50 included in the second menu 35b of the first form, the user switches to the menu 35 of the second form in the lower row (arrow X2). When the menu switching icon 50 included in the third menu 35c of the first form is selected, the menu 35 of the second form in the lower row is switched (arrow X3).

As described above, in the first mode, regardless of which menu is displayed, the menu switching icon 50 is included in the menu, and the menu switching icon 50 is displayed at the bottom of the menu. Will be done.

In this way, since the menu switching icon 50 is displayed at the same position regardless of the menu, the user can grasp the position of the menu switching icon 50 regardless of which menu is currently displayed. Easy to use and improve usability.

As a result, all the function icons 14 can be displayed by selecting the menu switching icon 50 regardless of the menus of the first menu 35a, the second menu 35b, and the third menu 35c of the first form. can. Therefore, the user can easily find the desired icon.

In the first mode, a function icon 14 that is often selected, such as a home icon 52, may be displayed on all menus 35, even if the menu switching icon 50 is not used. Even when the home icon 52 is displayed on all menus 35, it is preferable to display the home icon 52 at the same position on all menus 35. For example, in FIG. 5, it may be displayed at the top of all menus 35.

Further, in the second mode, the menu switching icon 50 is displayed at the bottom of the third menu 35c, and the menu switching icon 50 is not displayed in the first menu 35a and the second menu 35b. In other words, the menu switching icon 50 is displayed only in one menu displayed in the menu display area 12.

As a result, even in the second mode in which a plurality of menus are displayed, only one menu switching icon 50 is displayed, so that the user does not have to be confused as to which menu switching icon 50 should be selected. The switching icon 50 can be selected.

The menu switching icon 50 is not displayed in the menu that fits in the menu display area 12 (the third menu 35c in the present embodiment), but is displayed in the extended area 60 (the first in the present embodiment). It may be displayed on either the menu 35a or the second menu 35b).

On the other hand, when the user selects the function icon 14 (for example, "continuous reading icon") included in the first menu 35a which is the menu display of the second form in the lower row, the "continuous reading icon" in the upper row is included. , Switch to the first menu 35a of the first form (arrow Y1).

Further, when the user selects the function icon 14 (for example, "next finding icon") included in the second menu 35b, which is the menu display of the second form in the lower row, the "next finding icon" in the upper row is included. , Switch to the second menu 35b of the first form (arrow Y2).

Similarly, when the user selects the function icon 14 (for example, "setting icon") included in the third menu 35c, which is the menu display of the second form in the lower row, the first "setting icon" in the upper row is included. Switch to the third menu 35c of the form (arrow Y3).

As described above, when the user selects an arbitrary function icon 14 from the menu 35 displayed in the second form, the menu including the function icon 14 selected by the user is displayed in the first form. As a result, as described above, the user can continuously use the smoothly selected function icons 14 without switching the menu again.

Further, when the user selects the menu switching icon 50 included in the third menu 35c, which is the menu display of the second form in the lower row, the user switches to the first menu 35a of the first form in the upper row (arrow Z1). As a result, the user can switch to and display the first menu 35a without selecting the function icon 14.

As described above, in the second form, when the user selects the menu switching icon 50, the menu 35 displayed in the first form immediately before the second form is displayed is switched to the menu of the first form. It may be replaced.

FIG. 6 is a transition diagram showing another example of the transition of the menu display of the electronic dictionary 1.

In the first mode, the menu switching icon 50 may display the identification information of the menu 35 currently displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, in the first mode, when the currently displayed menu 35 is the first menu 35a, the number "1" may be displayed in the icon of the menu switching icon 50. Further, in the case of the second menu 35b, the number "2" may be displayed, and in the case of the third menu 35c, the number "3" may be displayed. As a result, the user can easily recognize which menu the currently displayed menu 35 is.

Further, when the menu switching icon 50 is operated in the second form, the menu switching icon 50 is switched to the first menu 35a of the first form in the upper row (arrow Z1), so that the user can recognize the switching destination menu 35. The number "1" may be displayed in the 50 icons.

In the above-mentioned second mode, when the user selects the menu switching icon 50, the number corresponding to the menu of the switching destination is switched to the first mode in which the menu 35 displayed immediately before is displayed. May be displayed. For example, in the first form immediately before the menu display of the second form is performed, if the displayed menu is the second menu 35b, the number "2" may be displayed in the icon.

<Processing flow>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the menu display control unit 22.
An example of the process executed by the menu display control unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the menu display control unit 22 displays the menu of the first form (first form display step S1).

Next, the menu display control unit 22 determines whether or not the menu switching icon 50 has been touch-operated (S2). If it is determined that the menu switching icon 50 is not touch-operated (NO in S2), the process waits as it is. When it is determined that the touch operation has been performed (YES in S2), the menu display is switched from the first form to the second form (second form display step S3).

Next, the menu display control unit 22 determines whether or not any of the function icons 14 has been touch-operated (S4). If it is determined that any of the function icons 14 is not touch-operated (NO in S4), the process waits as it is. When it is determined that the touch operation has been performed (YES in S4), the process is switched to the first mode in which the menu 35 including the function icon 14 is displayed (first mode switching step S5), and the process is terminated.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to those having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated. The same applies to the following embodiments.

In the first embodiment, when the menu display is switched from the first form to the second form, the first menu 35a and the second menu 35b are displayed in an extended area 60 superimposed on the other display area 13. Is displayed in. Therefore, the lower portion of the display area 13 (hereinafter, referred to as “superimposed display portion”) that is superimposed and displayed cannot be visually recognized.

The superimposed display portion is a portion corresponding to the end portion on the menu display area 12 side of the “Mt. Fuji search result” in FIG. 4, and is a portion that cannot be visually recognized because the extended area 60 is superimposed and displayed. Is.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, since the first menu 35a and the second menu 35b are set to have high transmittance, the superimposed display portion can be seen through under the first menu 35a and the second menu 35b. Is displayed in.

Therefore, when the menu display is switched from the first form to the second form, the layout of the superimposed display portion is not changed and is displayed so as to be seen through. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from losing sight of the part that was being read.

Further, when the menu display is further switched from the second form to the first form and the superimposed display is canceled, the layout of the superimposed display portion is similarly displayed without being changed. Moreover, since the superimposed display portion is seen through in the second embodiment, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from losing sight of the portion being read.

As a result, the size and display position of the characters do not change, and the superimposed display portion can be seen through. Therefore, when the menu display returns to the first form, the user can read from the interrupted part. You can continue reading sentences more smoothly.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of the appearance of the electronic dictionary 1.

In the above embodiment, the display unit 11 of the electronic dictionary 1 is configured to be horizontally long, and the menu display area 12 is arranged at the right end portion of the display unit 11. On the other hand, the display unit 11 of the electronic dictionary 1 of the third embodiment is vertically elongated as shown in FIG. 8, and the menu display area 12 is arranged at the lower end portion 11a of the display unit 11.

In the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, for example, the three menus 35 are displayed side by side in three horizontal rows. First, the third menu 35c is displayed so as to fit in the menu display area 12a. The second menu 35b is displayed above the third menu 35c so as to be in contact with the third menu 35c. Further, on the upper side of the second menu 35b, the first menu 35a is displayed so as to come into contact with the second menu 35b.

By displaying in this way, all of the three menus 35 can be displayed even in the vertically long display unit 11, and all the function icons 14 can be visually recognized without switching the menu 35. Can be done. This allows the user to easily find the desired function icon 14.

In the present embodiment, the menu display area 12a is arranged at the lower end portion 11a of the display unit 11, but may be arranged at the upper end portion 11b of the display unit 11. In this case, the three menus 35 are displayed side by side in three horizontal columns. First, the first menu 35a is displayed so as to fit in the menu display area 12b. The second menu 35b is displayed below the first menu 35a so as to be in contact with the first menu 35a. Further, below the second menu 35b, the third menu 35c is displayed so as to come into contact with the second menu 35b.

[Example of implementation by software]
The control block of the electronic dictionary 1 (particularly, each block included in the control unit 20 of FIG. 1) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or by software. You may.

In the latter case, the electronic dictionary 1 includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function. The computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium", for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program may be further provided. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. It should be noted that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

〔summary〕
The electronic device (electronic dictionary) 1 according to the first aspect of the present invention has a display unit 11 that displays one or a plurality of menus 35 including at least one icon (function icon) 14 that accepts a user's operation, and the user's operation. Correspondingly, the menu display control unit 22 for switching and displaying the menu display from the first form to the second form is provided, and the first form displays the menu 35 of the plurality of menus 35 and the second form. The form displays all of the plurality of menus 35, and the menu display control unit 22 switches to the first form when any icon 14 is operated in the second form, and the plurality of menus 35. Of these, the menu 35 including the icon 14 is displayed.

According to the above configuration, since all the menus 35 are displayed, the user does not have to switch the menu 35 from the first menu 35a to the second menu 35b and from the second menu 35b to the third menu 35c. The function icons 14 can be displayed in a list and visually recognized at the same time, and the desired function icons 14 can be easily found.

Further, in the second mode, when any function icon 14 is selected by the user, the menu 35 including the function icon 14 selected by the user is not the predetermined main menu (for example, the first menu 35a). Is displayed after switching to the first form. Therefore, the user can continuously use the smoothly selected function icons 14 without switching the menu again.

In the electronic device 1 according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the display area of the menu 35 of the second form includes the menu display area 12 of the first form and an extended area continuous with the menu display area 12, and the menu display. The control unit 22 displays the display target including the area on which the extended area overlaps in the second form without changing the size and arrangement as when the menu 35 is displayed in the first form.

According to the above configuration, even if the menu display is switched from the first form to the second form, the size and display position of the characters do not change, so that the user can prevent the user from losing track of where he / she was reading. .. Therefore, when the user returns to the first form, the user can smoothly continue to read the text or the like from the portion where the reading is interrupted.

In the electronic device 1 according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the menu display control unit 22 allows the extended area of the second form to be seen through the area displayed by superimposing the menu 35. Display on.

According to the above configuration, the first menu 35a and the second menu 35b are set to have high transmittance, and the superimposed display portion is displayed so as to be seen through. As a result, even if the menu display is switched, the size and display position of the characters do not change, and the superimposed display portion can be seen through, so that the user can prevent the user from losing track of where the part was being read. Therefore, when the user returns to the first form, the user can continue to read the text or the like more smoothly from the portion where the reading is interrupted.

In the electronic device 1 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the menu display control unit 22 displays each menu 35 including the menu switching icon 50 in the first aspect. When the menu switching icon 50 is operated, the first form is switched to the second form.

According to the above configuration, any of the menus of the first menu 35a, the second menu 35b, and the third menu 35c of the first form can be switched to the second form by selecting the menu switching icon 50. Therefore, all the function icons 14 can be displayed, and a desired icon can be easily found.

In the electronic device 1 according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the menu display control unit has a menu on only one of the plurality of menus displayed in the second aspect. The display includes the switching icon, and when the menu switching icon is operated, the second mode is switched to the first mode.

According to the above configuration, in the second mode in which a plurality of menus are displayed, a menu switching icon is displayed in only one menu. Therefore, the user can select the menu switching icon 50 without being confused as to which menu switching icon 50 should be selected. The symbol of the menu switching icon 50 in the first form and the symbol of the menu switching icon 50 in the second form may be the same or different.

In the electronic device 1 according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the menu display control unit 22 displays the identification information of the menu 35 being displayed on the menu switching icon 50.

According to the above configuration, since the identification information of the currently displayed menu 35 is displayed on the menu switching icon 50, the user can easily recognize which menu the currently displayed menu 35 is. can do.

The control program according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is a control program for operating the computer as the electronic device 1 according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and causes the computer to function as the menu display control unit 22.

The control method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a control method for the electronic device 1 that displays one or a plurality of menus 35 including at least one icon 14 that accepts a user's operation on the display unit 11, and the plurality of menus 35. When any icon 14 is operated in the first form display step for displaying one of the menus 35, the second form display step for displaying all of the plurality of menus 35, and the second form display step. It includes a first form switching step of switching to the first form and displaying a menu 35 including the icon 14 among the plurality of menus.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment, new technical features can be formed.

1 Electronic dictionary (electronic device)
11 Display section 12 Menu display area 14 Function icon (icon)
22 Menu display control unit 35 Menu 50 Menu switching icon S1 First form display step S3 Second form display step S5 First form switching step

Claims (8)

A display unit that displays one or more menus that include at least one icon that accepts user operations.
A menu display control unit for switching the menu display from the first form to the second form according to the user's operation is provided.
In the first form, one of a plurality of menus is displayed, and the menu is displayed.
The second form displays all of the plurality of menus and displays all of them.
The menu display control unit is an electronic device that switches to the first form and displays a menu including the icon among the plurality of menus when an arbitrary icon is operated in the second form. The display area of the menu of the second form includes the menu display area of the first form and an extension area continuous with the menu display area.
The menu display control unit displays a display target including an area on which the extended area overlaps in the second form without changing the size and arrangement as when the menu is displayed in the first form. The electronic device according to claim 1. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the menu display control unit displays the extended area of the second form so that the area on which the menu is superimposed can be seen through. In the first form, the menu display control unit displays each menu including the menu switching icon, and switches from the first form to the second form when the menu switching icon is operated. Item 5. The electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. In the second mode, the menu display control unit displays the menu switching icon including the menu switching icon in only one of the plurality of displayed menus, and the menu switching icon is operated. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the second form is sometimes switched to the first form. The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the menu display control unit displays identification information of the menu being displayed on the menu switching icon. A control program for operating a computer as the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer functions as the menu display control unit. A control method for an electronic device that displays one or more menus including at least one icon that accepts user operations on the display unit.
The first form display step of displaying in the first form of displaying one of a plurality of menus, and
A second form display step of displaying in the second form of displaying all of the plurality of menus, and
An electronic device including a first form switching step of switching to the first form and displaying a menu including the icon among the plurality of menus when an arbitrary icon is operated in the second form display step. Control method.

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