JP2001042998A - Portable processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a return to an idle state by easily and speedily completing selecting operation by displaying a menu picture by using a JOG dial key and selecting a choice. SOLUTION: When a portable telephone set is in a standby state, the JOG dial key 80 is pressed to display the menu picture. In this display state, the JOG dial key 80 is rotated to select each of choices in order and then pressed to start operation corresponding to a selected choice. A choice 'OFF' indicating the end of the selecting operation is provided as one of the choices in the menu picture. The 'OFF' is selected by rotating the JOG dial key 80 and the function selecting operation is completed by pressing the JOG dial key 80, so that the menu picture is erased and the portable set is put back into the idle state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable processing apparatus which executes a plurality of functions with a size that can be held by one hand of a user, and more particularly to an apparatus which is effective when applied to a portable telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various functions have been developed in various portable telephones and the like, and various functions can be selected and used by operating a menu key or the like. Also,
In this type of mobile phone, it is common to use one-handed operation. In order to improve operability, when selecting a menu as described above, for example, a thumb or forefinger of one hand holding the mobile phone is used. There is provided a menu selection operation that can be performed by operating a single special shape button.

As this specially shaped button, for example, a JOG dial key which is formed in a disk shape and which can be rotated is known (for example, International Publication WO95 / 31863).
No.). That is, the JOG dial key is provided on the main body case of the mobile phone so as to be rotatable and displaceable in the axial direction. An encoder for detecting an operation in the rotational direction and an encoder for detecting a pressing operation in the axial direction are provided. And a return spring for returning to an original state in response to an axial pressing operation.

With the JOG dial key, a menu screen (selection screen) is activated by a pressing operation in the axial direction, and a rotation operation is performed while the menu screen is displayed, whereby the menu screen is displayed on the menu screen. A plurality of options are selected by moving a cursor or the like. Then, by pressing the JOG dial key again in the axial direction, the option selected on the menu screen is determined, and an operation according to the option can be executed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional mobile phone, in the menu selection operation of the JOG dial key as described above, it is necessary to end the menu screen once displayed and return to the idle state by using the JOG dial key. It is necessary to operate another operation key different from the operation key. For example, when the operation is performed with one hand, the finger is released from the JOG dial key to search for another key, or the operation is performed with both hands. There is a problem that comfort is hindered. In addition, a function is provided that automatically terminates by the operation of a timer when no operation is continued for a certain period of time while the menu screen is displayed, but it takes time to return to the idle state. There's a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to end a selection operation easily and quickly in an operation of displaying a selection screen such as a menu using the special shape button as described above and selecting an option, and returning to an idle state. To provide a portable processing device capable of performing such processing.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable processing apparatus having a main body case having a size that can be gripped by one hand of a user and performing various functions. Display means for displaying a selection screen for selecting an option, first operation for activating display of the selection screen by the display means by one-handed operation, and one of a plurality of options displayed on the selection screen
A special operation means capable of performing a second operation for selecting one of the options, providing an option for instructing termination of the selection operation among a plurality of options displayed on the selection screen, , The end of the selection operation can be instructed by the second operation.

[0008] In the portable processing apparatus of the present invention, the main body case is gripped with one hand, and the first and second operations on the special operation means are performed by the operation with the fingers of the gripped hand.
A selection screen is displayed by the display means, and an operation of selecting a desired option is performed on the selection screen. First, by performing a first operation on the special operation means, the display means is activated to display a selection screen. Then, by performing a first operation on the special operation means, a desired option is selected on the selection screen, and an operation of confirming the selection is performed.

[0009] Among the plurality of options displayed on the selection screen, an option for instructing the end of the selection operation is provided.
By selecting and confirming the option for instructing the end of the selection operation, the end of the selection operation can be instructed. Therefore, the selection operation can be easily and quickly completed using the special shape buttons for selecting various function menus and the like, and the idle state can be restored.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a portable processing device according to the present invention is applied to a portable telephone will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the mobile phone shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The mobile phone according to the present embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 10 that performs wireless communication with a wireless switch (not shown) or the like via an antenna 12.
A voice processing unit 20 for performing signal processing of call voice, a microphone 30 for transmitting, a speaker 40 for receiving, an LCD display unit 50 for displaying various data, and a memory unit for storing various data 60, an operation unit 70 for performing key input using various input keys, a JOG dial key 80 constituting a special operation means according to the present invention, and a control unit for controlling the entire telephone and executing various functions. Control unit 9
0.

The JOG dial key 80 is provided with a special operation member 82 formed in a disk shape and having an outer periphery formed in a fine non-slip uneven shape. This special operation member 8
2 is rotatable on the body case 2 of the mobile phone,
Further, it is provided so as to be capable of being pressed and displaced in the axial direction. The rotation operation of the special operation member 82 is detected by a rotary encoder 84 provided inside the main body case 2, and a detection signal is input to the control unit 90. The pressing operation of the special operation member 82 is detected by a switch 86 provided inside the main body case 2, and the detection signal is input to the control unit 90.

The special operation member 82 is used to hold the main body case 2 of the mobile phone with one hand of the user, and to perform a pressing operation and a rotating operation sequentially with the thumb or the index finger of the held one hand. It can be operated with only operation. In addition, such a special operation member 82 is
A spring member (not shown) provided inside the main body case 2
After the special operation member 82 is pressed in the axial direction, the pressing force is released, thereby acting to return the special operation member 82 to the original position. Further, a constant frictional force is applied to the rotation shaft of the special operation member 82, so that an appropriate frictional force is applied to the rotation operation of the special operation member 82 so that a stable rotation operation can be performed. ing.

The control unit 90 detects the operation state (first and second operations) of the JOG dial key 80 based on detection signals from the rotary encoder 84 and the switch 86, and based on the operation state, displays the LCD. It controls the display of a function selection menu screen (selection screen) on the display unit 50 and the function selection operation on this screen. That is, in the mobile phone of the present embodiment, when the JOG dial key 80 is pressed in the idle state, this is detected by the control unit 90 via the switch 86, and it is determined that this is the first operation.
The display of the function selection menu screen on the LCD display unit 50 is activated.

When the JOG dial key 80 is rotated while the function selection menu screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 50, this is detected by the control unit 90 via the rotary encoder 84, and the second operation is performed. Is determined to be a menu selection operation, and an operation of changing the display of the function selection menu screen on the LCD display unit 50 is performed. This is a selection operation in which a plurality of (three in this example) options displayed on the function selection menu screen are displayed in a blinking order in accordance with the rotating operation of the JOG dial key 80, and a selection operation is performed on the function selection menu screen. And a scroll operation of cyclically changing the displayed plurality of options themselves. In this example, the selection state of the option is indicated by blinking display. However, the configuration may be such that the selection state is indicated by movement of a pointer such as a cursor.

Next, when the JOG dial key 80 is depressed while the option on the function selection menu screen is selected in this way, this is detected by the control unit 90 via the switch 86, and the It is determined that the operation is the menu determination operation by the operation 2 and the function corresponding to the option in the selected state (blinking state in this example) is determined, and the process proceeds to a processing operation for executing this function. As described above, in this example, JOG
A second operation of selecting and confirming a menu is configured by pressing and rotating the dial key 80.

In this embodiment, the function selection menu screen as described above has a hierarchical tree structure.
That is, by selecting a large option on a certain higher-level function selection menu screen, a lower-level function selection menu screen corresponding to this option is displayed, and a detailed option can be selected on this screen. Then, in the mobile phone of this example, among the options on the function selection menu screen of each layer, an option for instructing termination of terminating the function selection operation and returning to the idle state (“OFF” in the following example)
By selecting “OFF” using the second operation of the JOG dial key 80 described above, the function selection operation is completed and the idle state can be restored.

Next, a specific example of the menu selection operation in the above-described portable telephone will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the function selection operation in this example. FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing specific examples of the function selection menu screen used in the function selection operation in this example. . In the following description of the operation, a certain upper function selection menu will be described as a main menu, and a lower function selection menu will be described as a submenu.

In FIG. 3, when the mobile phone is in the standby state (step S0), the main menu screen is displayed by performing the above-described pressing operation (first operation) of the JOG dial key 80 (step S0). Step S
1). FIG. 4A shows an initial display state of the main menu. As shown, on the menu screen,
Icons indicating reception, time, and battery status are displayed, and “security”, “setting function”, and “clock function”, which are options of the first three functions (F1 to F3), are sequentially displayed. I have. By rotating the JOG dial key 80 while the main menu screen is displayed, each option is selected in turn, and the option in the selected state flashes.

Further, by further rotating the JOG dial key 80, the main menu screen is scrolled, and as shown in FIG. 4B, "OFF" which is the last option (F10) of the main menu is displayed. The screen changes to the specified screen. Here, select “OFF” and press JOG dial key 8
When 0 is pressed (step S2; Y), the function selecting operation is completed, the menu screen is erased, and the operation returns to the idle state (step S3).

When an option other than "OFF" is selected and the JOG dial key 80 is pressed while the main menu screen is displayed (step S2; N), a submenu screen corresponding to the selected option is displayed. It is displayed (step S4). In this example, an option of “OFF” is also provided on this sub-menu screen, and this “OFF” option is set by the JOG dial key 8 as in the case of the main menu.
0 JOG dial key 80
Is determined by pressing operation (step S
5; Y), the function selecting operation is completed, the menu screen is erased, and the operation returns to the idle state (step S3). In other words, in this example, by selecting “OFF” in the submenu that is a lower hierarchy, it is possible to directly return to the idle state without pressing another “OFF” key (by simple one-handed operation). Operation can be secured.
By selecting an option other than “OFF” on the submenu screen and pressing the JOG dial key 80 (step S5; N), a desired function can be selected.
An operation based on the selected function, for example, an operation such as each setting can be performed (step S6).

In such an operation, depending on the type of selection on the main menu screen, the process directly proceeds to step S6 without displaying the sub menu.
It is also possible to execute a work based on the selected function. Further, as described above, a menu selection function having not only two layers of main and sub layers but also a larger number of layers may be provided. Then, an option of “OFF” is prepared for each layer so that the end operation can be performed quickly.

As described above, in the portable telephone according to the present embodiment, by operating the special operation member 82 of the JOG dial key 80, the function selection and the end operation thereof can be performed easily and quickly by one-handed operation. It is possible to provide a mobile phone that is excellent in operability and easy to use.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which a JOG dial key is used as the special operation means, the configuration for performing menu selection by one-handed operation is not limited to such a JOG dial key, and various modifications may be made. Is possible. For example, a single operation button provided in the main body case of the portable processing device so as to be capable of being pressed and displaced in a plurality of directions is provided, and a plurality of sensors for detecting a displacement operation of the operation button in a plurality of directions, and a position of the operation button are set. And a return spring for returning to a state before the pressing operation. In other words, this operation button
A plurality of pressing positions are provided on the button surface, and each of the pressing positions is selected and pressed to be displaced in a seesaw shape, and the displacement due to the pressing operation can be detected by different sensors. And one of such operation buttons
By starting a menu display by a displacement operation in one direction (first operation) and selecting and confirming a menu by a displacement operation in another direction (second operation),
The same function as the above-described JOG dial key can be realized.

The special operation means does not necessarily need to be constituted by one operation button, and a plurality of operations which can be operated with the thumb or the index finger of one hand holding the main body case while holding the main body case with one hand. By arranging the buttons close to each other and sequentially pressing the operation buttons, a menu selection and an operation stop (idle return) option provided in the menu may be made selectable. In the above example, an example in which the portable processing device of the present invention is applied to a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to other portable communication devices and the like. Things.

[0025]

As described above, in the present invention, the main body case is gripped with one hand, and the first and second operations on the special operation means are performed by the operation with the fingers of the gripped hand.
A selection screen is displayed by the display means, and in a portable processing device capable of selecting a desired option on the selection screen, among a plurality of options displayed on the selection screen,
An option to instruct the end of the selection operation is provided, and the end of the selection operation can be instructed by the second operation by the special operation means.

For this reason, when performing various selection operations on the selection screen, if the user wants to end the operation, he does not have to go through complicated procedures such as searching for another operation member with his fingers or using both hands. It is possible to instruct the end of the selecting operation by using the operating member used in the selecting operation. Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly end the selection operation and return to the idle state with one-handed operation such as function selection or the like, thereby improving the operability of the portable processing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a function selecting operation in the mobile phone shown in FIG.

4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a function selection menu screen used in a function selection operation in the mobile phone shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... body case, 10 ... wireless communication section, 12 ... antenna, 20 ... voice processing section, 30 ... microphone for transmission, 4
0: speaker for receiving, 50: LCD display unit, 60:
... Memory unit, 70... Operating unit, 80... JOG dial key, 82... Special operating member, 84... Rotary encoder, 86... Switch, 90.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) FF00 FF02 FF23 HH21 HH22 KK00 KK17

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A portable processing device having a main body case having a size that can be gripped by one hand of a user and performing various functions, a display means for displaying a selection screen for selecting a plurality of options. A special operation in which a first operation for activating the display of the selection screen by the display means by one-handed operation and a second operation for selecting one option from a plurality of options displayed on the selection screen can be performed. Operating means, wherein an option for instructing the end of the selecting operation is provided among a plurality of options displayed on the selection screen, and the end of the selecting operation can be instructed by a second operation by the special operating means. A portable processing device, characterized in that: 2. The portable processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of selection screens, and an option for instructing the end of the selection operation is provided for each of the selection screens. 3. Each of the selection screens has a hierarchical structure with each other, and when a specific option is selected on a selection screen of a certain hierarchy, a selection screen of a hierarchy corresponding to the option is displayed. The portable processing device according to claim 2. 4. The portable processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection screen displays a plurality of options in parallel at the same time. 5. The portable processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection screen sequentially displays a plurality of options cyclically in accordance with an operation of the special operation means. 6. The special operation means includes a single operation member provided in a main body case of the portable processing device so as to be displaceable in a plurality of directions, and a plurality of detections for detecting a displacement operation of the operation member in a plurality of directions. Means, and a return spring for returning the position of the operation member to a state before the operation, wherein the first operation is a displacement operation in one direction of the operation member, and the second operation is 2. The portable processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is a displacement operation in another direction. 7. The special operating means includes a disk-shaped operating member rotatably and axially displaceable in a main body case of the portable processing apparatus, and a rotation associated with a rotating operation of the operating member. First detecting means for detecting an angle, second detecting means for detecting displacement of the operating member due to axial pressing, and determining the axial position of the operating member with respect to the axial pressing of the operating member. A return spring for returning to a position before pressing, wherein the first operation is an operation of pressing the operation member in an axial direction in a state before the start of the selection operation, and the second operation is 7. The portable processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, after the operation member is rotated while the selection screen is displayed, the operation member is pressed in the axial direction. 8. The portable processing device according to claim 1, wherein the portable processing device is a mobile phone.