JP2002108816A - Terminal control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry a terminal device without trouble of carrying a memo, etc., for an operation guide by enabling a user to access a Web page displaying the operation guide anytime, to economize a memory capacity for storing a help file and to provide a common user interface as a Web user interface. SOLUTION: A Web page 6 constituting the user interface is accessed by connecting the terminal device 1 to a server 4. In order to carry out a prescribed function, pictures corresponding to the prescribed function are displayed sequentially by using the Web page 6 constituting this user interface to carry out the prescribed function (program) directly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal control system suitable for use in portable electronic equipment and capable of improving operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Equipment used in various fields, from office equipment to home appliances, is becoming more diversified and multifunctional. In addition, a computer is incorporated in each device, and the operation is becoming complicated. The same goes for devices such as mobile phones, and it is difficult to use all functions without occasionally referring to an operation manual. For this reason, if you are unfamiliar with the usage, you may have trouble operating on the go. For devices such as personal computers, a help screen is displayed to provide operation guidance,
Alternatively, a method of connecting to a host computer via a network and displaying an online help screen has been adopted. However, in a portable device such as a mobile phone, the storage capacity is not large enough to store the help file. Therefore, a card-type portable operation memo that simply summarizes operation methods is generally prepared.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved. For example, even if there is a portable operation memo in the form of a card, there is no guarantee that many users who use the mobile phone keep the memo for a long time after starting to use it. In addition, the contents of the operation memo are too simple and may not be useful for complicated operations. On the other hand, if a help screen for explaining the operation of the device is stored in the memory of the device, the user can use it at any time to check or confirm the operation method. However, as mentioned above,
Storing a help screen specifically describing the operation method requires a large storage area, and increases the price of the device. Therefore, it is not realistic to adopt this for all portable devices. In addition, a difference in user interface between terminals due to a difference in a communication carrier or a maker or a difference in a model also causes a need for help.

[0004]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems. <Configuration 1> A terminal device including a browser capable of browsing a web page of a server through a network and a storage device storing user information, and a web including control data for operating the storage device of the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device. A terminal control system comprising a server that allows the terminal device to browse a page.

<Configuration 2> A terminal device provided with a browser capable of browsing a web page of a server through a network, and a storage area provided for each user of the terminal device and storing user information of a predetermined user. A terminal control system comprising: a server that allows the terminal device to browse a web page including control data for operating a storage area of a user of the terminal device in response to the request.

<Structure 3> A terminal device having a browser capable of browsing a web page of a server through a network and having a plurality of functions, and a web including control data for operating a predetermined function of the terminal device at the request of the terminal device A terminal control system comprising a server that allows the terminal device to browse a page.

<Structure 4> A request step for requesting the server to provide a web page including a control command for operating a control unit of a terminal device, the request step having a function of browsing a server web page through a network; Executing a receiving step of receiving a web page including the control command transmitted in response, and outputting the control command included in the web page received in the receiving step to a control unit of the terminal device; A recording medium that records a computer program.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the terminal control system of the present invention. In this example, the operability of the terminal device 1 such as a mobile phone is improved. The terminal device 1 is connected to a server 4 via a base station 2 and a network 3. In this figure, the storage device 5 of the server 4 is displayed outside the server 4. The storage device 5 may be built in the server 4 or may be externally attached. The storage device 5 stores a web page 6 for displaying the operation procedure of the terminal device 1 in detail. Further, the storage device 5 stores a control program 7 for converting, transmitting and receiving data to be transmitted to the terminal device 1. In addition, a message board 8 in which a user can freely write an operational question, an opinion, and the like is stored in the storage device 5. If necessary, a user memory 9 may be provided. Here, it is preferable to store at least a terminal ID, a subscriber number, a password, a model, an address book, redial data, recall data, various setting states of the terminal, and the like.

FIG. 1 shows a display 11 of the terminal device 1.
And the main functional blocks inside are displayed on the right side of the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 includes a display 11, a browser 12, a transmission / reception unit 13, an operation key 14, a storage device 15, and a control unit 16. The browser 12 is a computer program having a function of browsing the web page 6 stored in the storage device 5 of the server 4. The transmission / reception unit 13 is a part that controls transmission / reception operations of a general mobile phone.

The operation keys 14 include at least a cross key (or a touch key on the display 11, a jog dial or the like) for operating a pointing device such as a mouse, and an on-hook and off-hook key. Etc. may be included. The storage device 15 stores at least the terminal I
It is preferable to store D, subscriber number, model, address book, redial data, recall data, terminal setting status, and the like. The control unit 16 is a processor that controls the operation of the terminal device 1. Here, a case where the user wants to know the redial operation of the terminal device 1 will be described.

The general techniques used in the system of the present invention are HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML
(EXtensible Markup Language) and other Internet programming technologies.
Communication is performed between the server 4 and the terminal device 1 based on an ansfer protocol). That is, from the terminal device 1 to the server 4
Requesting a predetermined file (web page 6), the server transmits the predetermined file to the terminal device 1 in response to the request, and the terminal device 1 receives and displays or controls the predetermined file.

If the predetermined file is realized on the server side (web page 6 + control program 7), for example, HTML + CGI (Common Gateway Interface), Ja
Described in va servlet and so on. In addition, if it is realized on the client side (web page 6 (including control program 7)), for example, HTML + Java script, V
It is described in a script language such as B script or a Java applet. Java is Sun Micros
VB is a programming language developed by ystems, Inc.
It is a programming language developed by oft.

Further, the web page 6 is structured like a wizard, and its function can be realized by sequentially reading and inputting the explanation along the screen. As a result, in the present invention, the help function and the user interface function are shared, and a complicated operation of performing key operations while referring to the help screen is not required.

FIG. 2 is a screen transition diagram showing the operation procedure of the terminal device in the system of the present invention. In the terminal device 1, the browser 12 is assumed to be running at all times. However, unless there is a request from the terminal device 1 or the server 4,
It does not send or receive data. In the present embodiment, the user information is stored in the storage device 15 and the terminal device 1
The operation function is realized by the control unit 16 executing a script program on the client side.

In order to know the method of the redial operation, the user operates the mobile phone 1 to display the screens in the order shown in FIG. The screen of step S1 is a screen displayed on the display 11 of the terminal device 1 in an initial state (standby state). Here, general information such as the battery capacity, the state of radio waves, the date and time of the day, and the like are displayed. Further, a menu button 21 is displayed on this screen.
The menu button 21 is a button for displaying a menu for selecting an operation when operating the terminal device 1.

The menu button 21 is the first key for realizing all functions, and a predetermined function is realized by operating a key from this key in accordance with an instruction on the screen. By operating a pointing device included in the operation keys 14 of the terminal device 1 shown in FIG.
By clicking 1, the transmission / reception unit 13 of the terminal device 1 requests the server 4 for the next new file. Thereby, the next new web page 6 is displayed. In the following figures, the position of the cursor to be moved by the pointing device is indicated by a white arrow, and the selected operation is displayed so as to be surrounded by a broken-line frame.

The web page displayed here is shown at step S2 in FIG. The function screen of the web page 6 lists the types of operation functions as shown in the figure. When a target operation is found and clicked from the types of operation functions, an operation guide for the next operation is displayed.

Since the operation that the user wants to know is a telephone operation, a part indicated as "telephone" is designated and clicked. Thereby, the screen of step S3 is displayed.
In step S3, several types of telephone specific operations are displayed in a bulleted list. The operation to be performed at present is a redial operation. Therefore, the user clicks the item indicated as redial.

As a result, a predetermined script program (here, the storage device 15)
A telephone number search command 23 for acquiring a redial telephone number from the redial memory area in the control unit 1 of the terminal device
6 is executed. Then, as shown in step S4, a call destination screen for redial is displayed. When the calling operation is performed, a process of outputting a predetermined script program (here, a calling command 24 instructing to call the currently displayed redial telephone number) to the control unit 16 of the terminal device is executed. Is done. Control unit 16
Receives this command and calls the redial phone number.

Although one redial telephone number is displayed in step S4, if a plurality of telephone numbers are stored in the redial memory area of the storage device 15, a screen for selecting the plurality of telephone numbers is displayed. May be displayed to allow any of the numbers to be selected. When any one of the telephone numbers is selected, the screen shifts to the screen of step S4.

In the well-known online help,
The operation of redialing will be specifically described in this screen in order. The user of the terminal device 1 operates the operation keys 14 of the terminal device 1 in order while watching the explanation. However, performing such operations in order while looking at the small display of the terminal device 1 is considerably complicated. Further, the display area is not large enough to display the help screen and the operation screen at the same time. So, for example,
By creating a web page corresponding to the operation guide with audio content, an audio guide process for outputting the operation guidance by voice may be executed. The operation guide is read aloud by voice, and the operation is easy if the operation screen is displayed on the display during the actual operation.

In the above embodiment, not a pure help screen, but a web page for assisting the operation of the terminal device and allowing a desired operation to be executed as it is is displayed. There are several other operation examples. That is, when the item "redial" is selected in step S3 of FIG. 2, the redial operation is executed as it is.
That is, the telephone number search command 23 and the calling command 2
4 may be continuously executed by the control unit. In step S4, a screen for confirming the state is displayed. If the redial destination is wrong, the operation may be stopped.

Therefore, by utilizing such a web user interface (referred to as such for convenience), it is possible to guide a target function and execute the function.

In the case of such an operation, the terminal device 1
Users felt, difficult to use terminal device,
Or you may notice features you want to add. Such information is very useful information for upgrading software and developing new products. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a message board 8 that permits free writing may be provided in the server 4. This can be referred to by other users, and becomes a Q & A page.

FIG. 3 is a screen transition diagram showing an operation procedure when the item "setting" of the guide screen displayed in step SS2 of FIG. 2 is selected. The setting items of the terminal device 1 include, for example, a ring tone, an answering machine function, security, and the like. Here, the case where the ring tone is set will be described.

When "SETTING" is selected on the screen of step S2 in FIG. 2, a selection screen for a function to be set is displayed (step S11). Next, select the ringtone selection screen (Settings,
Download, creation, etc.) are displayed (step S1).
2). This “setting” shifts to a selection screen for selecting a ringtone. “Download” shifts to a screen for downloading a ringtone (ringtone) from a predetermined website. “Create” shifts to a screen for creating a ringtone. The downloaded or created ring tone is automatically added to the storage unit so that it can be selected from the selection screen.

Next, in order to select a ringtone, a "setting"
When is clicked, a ring tone selection screen displaying a list of ring tones is displayed (step S13). Here, when a predetermined ring tone is selected (double-clicked), a predetermined script program (here, a ring tone setting command 25 for setting a ring tone) is output to the control unit 16 as described above. The control unit 16 of the terminal device 1 receives the command and sets the selected ringtone in the ringtone area of the storage device 15. When this setting is completed, step S
The process proceeds to 14 to display a completion screen.

FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram showing an operation procedure when "address book" is selected on the guide screen in step S3 of FIG. The "address book" function includes "call from address book", "registration to address book", "deletion from address book", and "edit address book data". Here, registration in the address book will be described in detail.

When "address book" is selected on the screen of step S3 in FIG. 2, a search command 26 for the address book is output to the control unit 16 of the terminal device 1. as a result,
A list of address books is displayed (step S21).
If you select a given name on this list screen and double-click (or operate the off-hook key),
The calling command 27 is output to the control unit 16 of the terminal device 1 together with the telephone number corresponding to the selected name. The control unit 16 receives this and calls the corresponding telephone number.

When the "register" button 31 is clicked while the address book list is displayed, the screen shifts to a screen for newly registering address data in the address book.
When the "edit" button 32 is clicked, the screen shifts to the edit screen of the selected address data. When the "delete" button 33 is clicked, the screen shifts to a screen for deleting the selected address data.

For example, when the "registration" button 31 is clicked, the screen shifts to a new address data registration screen (step S22). This screen is a screen for inputting a name, and includes a name input text box 34, a kana input key 35 (for example, a key corresponding to each kana character),
A “Convert” button 37 and a “Next” button 38 are displayed. By clicking the corresponding key of the input key 35, for example, "a", "i",.
4 can be entered. Text box 3
The kana character input to No. 4 can be converted to kanji by clicking a “convert” button 37. When a name is entered in the text box 34, a "Next" button 38
Click to move to the next address data entry screen.

When the "Next" button 38 is clicked, the screen shifts to a telephone number input screen (step S23). This screen is a screen for inputting the telephone number of the other party, and includes a telephone number input text box 39 and numeric input keys 40.
(For example, a key corresponding to each of the numbers), "Next"
Button 41 is displayed. On this screen, by clicking the numeric input key 40, for example, "090 ..."
In the text box 39.

When the input of the telephone number is completed in the text box 39 and the "next" button 41 is clicked, the browser executes the predetermined script program (for the control device 16 and the storage device 15 as described above). (A process of outputting a program (address book registration command) for registering address data in the address book). The control unit 16 of the terminal device 1 receives the command and stores the address data (name, telephone number) in the address book of the storage unit 15.
Register When the registration process is completed, the process shifts to step S24 to display a completion screen. The address data to be registered can be added as necessary by adding an input screen (for example, a mail address input screen).

As described above, by selecting items corresponding to predetermined functions along the GUI (graphical user interface) displayed on the display of the terminal device, each function can be executed. There is an effect that operability is further improved. In addition, there is also an effect that the terminal device does not need to store a user interface program in advance if it has a browser.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the control concept on the server 4 side and the terminal device 1 side. FIG. 5A shows an example in which the storage device 15 is provided on the terminal device 1 side. The control unit 52 of the server 4 stores the corresponding HTML file 51 in response to a request from the browser 12 of the terminal device 1. What is necessary is just to make a response to browse. Browser 1 of terminal device 1
2 executes a predetermined control process (command process) using the HTML file 51 (web page) downloaded in response to the response.

For example, a case where a telephone number is registered in the storage device 15 of the terminal device 1 will be described as an example. HTML file 51
When the browser executes the programs (scripts, Java applets, etc.) included in, the telephone number and the telephone number registration command are sent to the control unit 16.
Thus, the control unit 16 writes the telephone number at a predetermined address in the storage device 15. Thus, the telephone number can be registered.

On the other hand, in FIG.
The storage device 53 stores data such as a telephone number to be registered in the terminal device 1 of the user. That is, data such as the telephone number of each user is stored on the server side for each user. This is for saving the memory area of the terminal device 1 of the user. In this case, a process of writing the telephone number in the storage device 53 on the server side is required in response to a request from the terminal device 1 side.

In this case, first, the telephone number and the subscriber information (ID (identification number) of the terminal device,
The server 4 sends the subscriber number and password of the terminal device to the server 4 and issues a request to execute the authentication control program stored in the server 4. The control unit 52 of the server 4
Activate the authentication control program and authenticate the sent subscriber information. If the authentication is successfully completed, the storage device 5
The telephone number is written and registered in the storage area for the corresponding user of No. 3.

In the case (B), the storage device is the server 4
Therefore, even when making a call using the telephone directory, the server 4 must always send a request for transmitting registered telephone number data to the server 4 and receive the telephone number to make a call.

The above-mentioned execution on the client side or execution on the server side can be exchanged by appropriately changing the program. In the case of (A) described above, since the user's storage device 15 is provided on the terminal device 1 side,
There is a sense of security that personal data is less likely to leak from the terminal device. However, it is troublesome to transfer data when the terminal device is replaced.

On the other hand, in the case of (B), the server 4
There is a storage device 53 for each user on the side, so when the terminal device is replaced, the data can be transferred only by changing the subscriber information (terminal ID and subscriber number) stored in the storage device 53. It has the effect of becoming. Further, since the server 4 has a terminal device control program, it is possible to save memory on the terminal device 1 side.

If the server 4 is operated by a telecommunications carrier and supports all terminal devices in a group under the control of the telecommunications carrier, the method of operating the terminal devices in the group is reduced to one. It has the effect of becoming. In addition, if a terminal device manufacturer or the like operates and handles all terminal devices of the manufacturer, the operation method of the terminal device of the manufacturer can be unified. Further, if each model is supported, different functions can be provided for each model.

As described above, the browser 12 described in the embodiment of the present invention extends the function of a conventional browser to output commands to a control unit of a terminal device as well as a function of simply referring to information. The feature is that the terminal device is directly controlled. Such a computer program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium built in the terminal device 1, or can be recorded on another portable recording medium and installed for use. .

As described above, by connecting the terminal device to the server and accessing the web page corresponding to the user interface, the memory of the terminal device is saved, and there is no memo for operation guidance. In addition, the terminal device can be carried safely without the need for help information. In addition, since a plurality of terminals access a web page corresponding to a common user interface, a common user interface can be supplied to a plurality of terminals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a terminal control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a screen transition diagram showing an operation procedure of a terminal device in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a screen transition diagram showing an operation procedure of a terminal device in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram showing an operation procedure of a terminal device in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control conceptual diagram of a terminal control system in the system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal device 3 Network 4 Server 5 Storage device 6 Web page 7 Control program 8 Message board 11 Display 12 Browser 14 Operation key 15 Storage device 16 Control part

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device having a browser capable of browsing a web page of a server through a network and a storage device storing user information, and control data for operating the storage device of the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device. A terminal control system comprising a server that allows the terminal device to browse a web page. 2. A terminal device having a browser capable of browsing a web page of a server through a network; and a storage area provided for each user of the terminal device and storing user information of a predetermined user; A terminal control system comprising: a server that allows the terminal device to browse a web page including control data for operating a storage area of a user of the terminal device. 3. A terminal device having a browser capable of browsing a web page of a server through a network and having a plurality of functions, and a web page including control data for operating a predetermined function of the terminal device at the request of the terminal device. A terminal control system comprising a server that allows the terminal device to browse. 4. A requesting step having a function of browsing a web page of a server through a network, requesting the server for a web page including a control command for operating a control unit of a terminal device, and responding to the requesting step. And a computer program for executing a receiving step of receiving a web page including the control command transmitted thereto, and an output step of outputting a control command included in the web page received in the receiving step to a control unit of the terminal device. Recording medium on which is recorded.