JP2002297114A - Method and device for character display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user of the degree of freshness, and urgency, of character information, etc., by letting the user intuitively recognize information regarding the time lapse or rest period of the character information. SOLUTION: When characters are displayed on a display device 10 capable of color display, the outlines of the characters, the characters themselves, the background of the characters, etc., are colored and the hue, lightness, tone, etc., of the color are changed stepwise with the elapsed time from set time or with the rest time to set time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
A, Characters that can be displayed with information on the lapse of time from the set time and the remaining time until the set time in information equipment and the like equipped with a display device capable of displaying color, such as FAX and mobile phones. The present invention relates to a display method and a character display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional techniques will be described below separately for a technique for displaying the time by changing the color of characters and a technique for displaying character information including time information.

As a technique for displaying the time by changing the color of a character, there is a display device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-94963. This display device sequentially changes the coloration area colored in the character string representing the time to indicate the lapse of time from the current time to the next display time,
The current time is displayed visually clearly.

[0004] Another technique is a display device mounted on a car navigation system. When a set time is reached, such as early morning, daytime, dusk, or night, the display device changes the background color of the map, the character color on the map, and the like. Has the function of changing

On the other hand, as a technique for displaying character information including time information, there is a technique of displaying a file creation date and an update date with respect to a file name, a mail reception time with respect to a mail title and a text, and the like. The time information is
"February 16, 2000" and "2000/3/5/1
0:18 "or the like, and is usually displayed at a location distant from the character information representing the data content or on another screen.

[0006]

Among the above-mentioned prior arts, a technique for changing the color of a character (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-94963).
In the display device and the car navigation display device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H10-260, in order to express a state in which the information of the “point” relating to the time of the current time changes based on the current time, a display device of the display device is used. It merely changes the color of the characters and the background of the characters.

On the other hand, in the prior art for displaying character information including time information, when a user checks time information related to character information, the user searches for a position distant from the character information or time information displayed on another screen. And it takes time to operate the display device. For example, for information on the file creation date, it was necessary to open another screen (properties, etc.) from the file and check the date information. Also, when checking the reception time while reading an e-mail on a portable information terminal, etc., it is necessary to perform operations such as scrolling to move to the screen where the time information is displayed due to the screen size. there were.

[0008] Further, in the characters output on the paper, the user can intuitively elapse the time of the character information (freshness of information, urgency, etc.) due to the degree of fading of ink, discoloration of ink, deterioration of output paper, and the like. Could be recognized, but the characters displayed on the information device were always constant irrespective of the lapse of time, and it was not possible to intuitively recognize the information about the lapse of character information.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem of the prior art, and directly expresses character information in order to express a period from a set time to a current time, that is, information of a "line" relating to time. Character display that adds color information that changes over time to allow the user to intuitively recognize the information about the elapsed time or remaining period of the character information and inform the freshness or urgency of the character information It is an object to provide a method and a character display device.

[0010]

According to the character display method of the present invention, in a method of displaying a character on a display device capable of color display, a color is arranged on at least one of the outline of the character, the character itself, and the background of the character. Then, by changing at least one of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color in a stepwise manner with the passage of time from a set time determined by an operator or an external factor, information relating to the passage of time is added to the original information of the character. This is additionally displayed, thereby achieving the above object.

A character display method according to the present invention is a method of displaying a character on a display device capable of color display, wherein a color is arranged on at least one of the outline of the character, the character itself, and the background of the character, and the hue of the color is provided. By changing at least one of the brightness and the color tone stepwise according to the remaining time up to a set time determined by the operator or an external factor, information relating to the remaining time is added to the original information of the character and displayed. Thereby, the above object is achieved.

When the color is changed, at least two or more changes in the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color are combined, so that the original information of the character can include a plurality of changes relating to at least one of the passage of time and the remaining time. Information can be added.

A character display device according to the present invention includes a display device capable of color display, a time counting device for counting time to generate time data, and controlling the time data sent from the time counting device. And a control device for giving a command to the display device, the control device reads the current time from the timing device, and when a predetermined period determined by an operator or an external factor elapses, the display device displays the current time. The apparatus is instructed to gradually change at least one of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color arranged in at least one of the outline of the character, the character itself, and the background of the character, whereby the object is achieved. Achieved.

The operation of the present invention will be described below.

In the present invention, the reception time of the mail, etc.
In order to express the period from the set time before the current time to the current time, colors are previously arranged in a character string holding information on time, and at least one of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color is set. By stepwise changing, the information about the elapsed time of the displayed string is
The user can intuitively recognize the freshness of the information originally represented by the character string.

Further, in order to express a period from a set time later than the current time to a current time, such as a scheduled work completion date in the schedule management software or the like, a character string holding information relating to the time is colored in advance. And by changing at least one of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color in a stepwise manner, the information on the remaining time of the displayed character string can be changed to the urgency of the information originally represented by the character string. Can be intuitively recognized by the user.

Further, when there are a plurality of set times irrespective of the past or future than the present time, in order to express a plurality of periods regardless of the elapsed time or the remaining time,
A character string displayed by arranging colors in advance on a character string holding a plurality of pieces of information relating to time and changing at least two or more of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color in combination and changing them stepwise. Can be intuitively recognized by the user as information relating to a plurality of times as freshness or urgency of the information originally represented by the character string.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the colors arranged in characters are changed stepwise according to the passage of time from a set time, and information relating to the passage of time is added and displayed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The character display device 1a is, for example, a personal computer.
Further, the character display device 1a may be a device such as an electronic device or an information device provided with a display device capable of color display. For example, a PDA, which is a portable information terminal provided with a color liquid crystal display device, or a portable information terminal. Communication devices such as a telephone, a PHS, a general telephone, and a facsimile are exemplified.

The character display device 1a controls a display device 10 capable of color display, a time counting device 20 that counts time to generate time data, and a time data sent from the time counting device 20. 10 is provided with a control device 30 for issuing a command, and the control device 30 includes an input device 40,
The storage device 50 and the communication device 60 are connected.

As the display device 10, for example, a color liquid crystal display device or a CRT display device can be used, and as the timer device 20, a timer counter or the like can be used.

The control device 30 comprises a CPU 31 and a memory 32
The CPU 31 controls the entire character display device 1a and executes a character display program 51 stored in the storage device 50. The memory 32 includes an input device 40
, Data to be displayed on the display device 10, time data sent from the timer device 20, data necessary for executing the program 51, and the like. The memory 32 is accessed by the CPU 31. Further, the CPU 31 executes the character display program 51 based on various data stored in the memory 32, and stores a starting point time as a reference for changing the character color and a period for changing the character color in the memory 32. Store. Further, the CPU 31 reads the current time from the clock device 20 and issues an instruction to the display device 10 to change the color of the character when the period stored in the memory 32 has elapsed.

The input device 40 is used to select a period during which the display device 10 changes the color of a character and a type of the color change. Furthermore, it is also possible for the operator to input and determine the set time (start time) from the input device 40. As the input device 40, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like can be used. In the case of a character display device including a touch panel display device as the display device 10, a touch sensor or the like can be suitably used as the input device 40.

The storage device 50 has a character display program 51 for changing the color of a character over time, and data 52 necessary for executing the character display program 51.
Is stored. The data 52 includes calendar data 52a for correctly displaying time, a color display period setting table 52b, a color change setting table 52c, and a character display setting table 52. The calendar data 52a stores a table (not shown) including year, month, day of the week, and day. As the storage device 50, any recording medium that can store the above data and programs can be used. For example, a hard disk or C
A D-ROM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or the like is suitably used as the recording medium. The data and the program are not limited to the recording medium in the storage device 50, and may be stored in the memory 32 or in a ROM (not shown), for example. In particular, the ROM method is used for mobile phones,
It can be suitably used for portable information terminals such as PDAs.

The communication device 60 is connected to an external server or the like, and is used for connection to the Internet, transmission and reception of mail, and the like. For example, a modem, a TA, or the like can be suitably used as the communication device 60.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the color display period setting tables 111 and 112 as an example of the color display period setting table 52b stored in the storage device 50. The color display period setting tables 111 and 112 are assigned numbers from 1 to n.
-1, 112-1 and color display end period 111-2, 1
12-2 is set. The color display period setting table is individually set in accordance with the number of display periods, and FIG.
(A) is a color display period setting table with three display periods (t)
c. tbl3) 111, and FIG. 2B shows a color display period setting table (tc.tbl6) 112 with six display periods.
Is shown.

For example, one of the color display period setting tables 111
In the second table, the first display period is 10 minutes after the start time (in this embodiment, the mail reception time), and the first display color of a color change setting table described later is displayed. The second display period is from 10 minutes to 30 minutes later, and is a period for displaying the second display color in the color change setting table. Further, a period from 30 minutes later to 60 minutes after the color display end period 111-2 is set as the third display period, and the third display color in the color change setting table is set as the display period. The color display ends when 60 minutes have elapsed, and the display color returns to the display color before the start time. When the color display end period is not set as in the second table of the color display period setting table 111, the final display color is permanently displayed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the color change setting tables 121 and 122 as an example of the color change setting table 52c stored in the storage device 50. Like the color display period setting table, numbers 1 to n are assigned to the color change setting tables 121 and 122, and display colors 121-1 and 122-1 are set to the respective numbers.
The color change setting tables are individually set according to the number of display colors. FIG. 3A shows a color change setting table (cc.tbl3) 121 having three display colors, and FIG. Color change setting table (cc.tbl6) 122 with 6 colors
Is shown.

Display colors are set in the display colors 121-1 and 122-1 by the number of colors to be displayed. For example, in the first table of the color change setting table 121, BK is set.
The luminance values for displaying the colors (black), DG (dark gray), and LG (light gray) are set. These colors sequentially represent colors to be displayed in the first display period, the second display period, and the third display period up to the color display end period of the color display period setting table. In this table, the lapse of time is represented by changing the brightness stepwise. However, the hue change is used as in the second color change setting table 121, or the hue change is Can be used to represent the passage of time.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the character display setting table 130 as an example of the character display setting table 52d stored in the storage device 50. The character display setting table 130 is set in advance as to what kind of color change is performed by each software (in this embodiment, mail software) and each character string. The setting contents are 1 to n
Numerals up to are assigned, and a color display period setting 130-1, a color change setting 130-2, and a change part setting 130-3 are set for each number. Color display period setting 1
30-1 determines which table of the color display period setting table is to be referred to, and the color change setting 130-2 specifies which table of the color change setting table is to be referred to. Is determined. Further, in the change part setting 130-3, it is set which of the outline of the character of the target character string, the character itself and the background of the character is to be colored. Further, when the operator selects a color display period setting table or a color change setting table from the input device 40, the contents of the character display setting table set for each software or character string can be freely switched. Further, a plurality of pieces of information can be added simultaneously by combining a plurality of color arrangements of a plurality of changed portions (for example, the outline of the character and the character itself) with one software or character string.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display screen 140 as an example of a character display screen displayed on the display device 10. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a received mail list is shown as an example of the character display screen 140. The character display screen 140 displays a character string 140-
1. A character string 140-2 indicating the sender and a character string 140-3 indicating the reception time of the mail are displayed in the form of a list in ascending order of reception time. In the present embodiment, only the subject of the mail 140-1 is changed in color.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the character display program 51 for changing the color of the designated character string with the passage of time on the character display screen 140. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the character display program 51 will be described along the steps in FIG.

In step S1, when an e-mail is received from the outside via the communication device 60, the received data is stored in the memory 32 and the storage device 50, and the content of the data stored in the memory 32 is received by the e-mail to the display device 10. Display as a list.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 31
Reads the current time from the timekeeping device 20, sets the time data as the starting time of the elapsed time, and stores it in the memory 32. Further, the time data is displayed as a mail reception time in the character string 140-3 column of the display screen 140.

Next, in step S3, a character display program 51 for changing the color of the designated character string over time is executed. The character display program 51 is executed by the CPU 31.

Next, in step S4, the CPU 31
Reads the character display setting table and stores it in the memory 32. In the present embodiment, the character display setting table 1 is used for the character string 140-1 representing the mail subject (title).
It is assumed that a third table 30 has been set, and the display color of the character string 140-1 to be changed set in the character display setting table is changed over time.

Next, in step S5, the CPU 31
Is the character display setting table 130 read in step 4
The color display period setting table and the color change setting table referred to by are read and stored in the memory 32. In the present embodiment, the second table (hereinafter, tc.tbl6-2) of the color display period setting table 112 and the first table (hereinafter, cc.
tbl6-1).

Next, in step S6, the CPU 31
Is tc. tbl6-2, the first table in the display period, and cc. The first table of the display color of tbl6-1 is referred to and stored in the memory 32. In the present embodiment, the display period is 30 minutes, and the display color is G (green).

Next, in step S7, the character string 14
0-1 is currently cc. It is displayed as the display color referenced at tbl6-1.

Next, in step S8, the CPU 31
Reads the current time from the timing device 20, and reads tc. tb
At 16-2, it is determined whether or not the color display period referred to has elapsed. The color display period is determined based on the period from the start time set in step S2 to the current time. When the color display period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S9, and when the color display period is within the display period, the process returns to step S7 to continuously display the currently referred display color.

In step 9, tc. tbl6-
2, cc. The color display period and the display color referred to at tbl6-1 are advanced by one. In the present embodiment, the color display period is 3
It is set to 0 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours and 12 hours. By repeating steps S7, S8 and S9, G (green) → YG (yellow-green) → Y
The display color is changed each time each display period elapses (yellow) → R (red) → Br (brown).

Next, in step S10, the CPU 3
1 is currently tc. It is determined whether or not the display period referenced at tbl6-2 is the color display end period. If it is the color display end period, the process proceeds to step S11, and if not, the process returns to step S7.

In step S11, the current cc. t
The display color referred to by bl6-1, that is, DBr (dark brown), which is the final display color, is displayed.

Next, in step S12, the CPU 3
1 currently refers to tc. It is determined whether data exists in the color display end period of tbl6-2 (whether or not the color display end period is set). If the color display end period has been set, the process proceeds to step S13, and if not, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S13, the CPU 31 reads the current time from the timekeeping device 20, and reads tc. tbl
It is determined whether or not the color display end period referred to in 6-2 has elapsed. Then, if the color display end period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S15, and if within the display period, the process returns to step S11 to continuously display the currently referred display color.

In step S14, tc. tbl
If the color display end period of -2 is not set, the final display color is permanently displayed unless the operator inputs an instruction to end the character display program 51 from the input device 40. On the other hand, the character display program 5
If an instruction to end the process 1 is issued, step S1
Go to 5.

In step S15, when the color display termination period has expired, or when the operator has issued a command to terminate the character display program 51 and has been forcibly terminated, the final display color is displayed before the program is executed. Is changed to the default display color that has been displayed, and the process of changing the color of the character display ends.

(Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the colors arranged in characters are changed stepwise according to the remaining time until a set time, and information on the remaining time is added and displayed.

Since the structure of the character display device of the present invention is the same as that of the character display device 1a shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the description is omitted here.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the color display period setting tables 151 and 152 as an example of the color display period setting table 52b stored in the storage device 50. In the color display period setting tables 151 and 152, numbers from 1 to n are assigned, and each number is assigned to the color display period 151.
-1, 152-1 and final color display period 151-2, 1
52-2 is set. The color display period setting table is individually set in accordance with the number of display periods, and FIG.
(A) is a color display period setting table with three display periods (t)
c. tbl3) 151, and FIG. 7B shows a color display period setting table (tc.tbl6) 152 with six display periods.
Is shown.

For example, 1 of the color display period setting table 151
In the second table, the period before the time when the color change starts up to 30 minutes before the end point time (in this embodiment, the time when the input schedule item is executed) is set as the first display period, and the color change setting described later is performed. This is the period for displaying the first display color of the table. In addition, a period from 30 minutes to 10 minutes before is a second display period, and is a period for displaying the second display color in the color change setting table. Further, the period from 10 minutes before to the end point time is the final color display period set in the final color display end period 151-2, and the third display color in the color change setting table is the display period. Then, when the end point time has elapsed, the color display ends, and the display color returns to the display color before the color change.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of the color change setting tables 161 and 162 as an example of the color change setting table 52c stored in the storage device 50. Like the color display period setting table, the color change setting tables 161 and 162 are assigned numbers from 1 to n, and display colors 161-1 and 162-1 are set to the respective numbers.
The color change setting table is individually set according to the number of display colors. FIG. 8A shows a color change setting table (cc.tbl3) 161 having three display colors, and FIG. Color change setting table (cc.tbl6) 162 with six colors
Is shown.

In the display colors 161-1 and 162-1, display colors are set by the number of colors to be displayed. For example, in the first table of the color change setting table 161, LG is set.
(Light gray), DG (dark gray), and BK (black) are displayed. These colors represent colors to be displayed in the first display period, the second display period, and the final color display period of the color display period setting table, respectively. In this table, the lapse of time is represented by changing the brightness stepwise.
As in the second of Table 1, the hue change is used,
By using the color change as in the n-th of 62,
It is also possible to express the remaining time.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of the character display setting table 170 as an example of the character display setting table 52d stored in the storage device 50. In the character display setting table 170, what kind of color change is performed by each software (schedule management software in this embodiment) and each character string is set in advance. The setting contents are assigned numbers from 1 to n, and each number is assigned a color display period setting 170-1 and a color change setting 170-2.
And a change part setting 170-3. The color display period setting 170-1 determines which table in the color display period setting table is to be referred to, and the color change setting 170-2 specifies which table in the color change setting table. It is decided to refer to. In the changed part setting 170-3, it is set which of the outline of the character of the target character string, the character itself, and the background of the character is to be colored. Further, when the operator selects a color display period setting table or a color change setting table from the input device 40, the contents of the character display setting table set for each software or character string can be freely switched. Further, a plurality of pieces of information can be added simultaneously by combining a plurality of color arrangements of a plurality of changed portions (for example, the outline of the character and the character itself) with one software or character string.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a character display screen 180 as an example of a character display screen displayed on the display device 10. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a weekly schedule display screen in schedule management software is shown as an example of the character display screen 180. On the character display screen 180, the column 180-1 of the day of the week is shown as Monday, T from left to right.
, and rows 180-2 of time are arranged from top to bottom.
The schedule is written at the place where the alleged column and the row of time intersect. Currently, "Visit to Company T" 180-3 at 10:00 on Tuesday, and "Department M" at 9:00 on Thursday.
The schedule "TG" 180-4 has been input. In the present embodiment, the schedule execution time of 180-3 and 180-4 is the end time, and the period from the current time to the end time, that is, the remaining time changes, so that 180-3 and 180-4 are changed. The color arranged in the character string changes.

FIG. 11 shows the character display screen 180
9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of a character display program 51 for changing a color of a designated character string according to a remaining time. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the character display program 51 will be described along the steps in FIG.

In step S 1, when the operator inputs a schedule item in which day and time are set from the input device 40, the input schedule data is stored in the memory 32.
Then, the data stored in the storage device 50 and the contents of the data stored in the memory 32 are displayed on the display device 10 in the columns of the day and time set by the schedule management software.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 31
Sets the day of the week and the time of the schedule set in step S1 as the ending time of the lapse of time and stores it in the memory 32.

Next, in step S3, a character display program 51 for changing the color of the designated character string in accordance with the remaining time is executed. The character display program 51 is executed by the CPU 31.

Next, in step S4, the CPU 31
Reads the character display setting table and stores it in the memory 32. In the present embodiment, one item of the schedule, 1
It is assumed that the third table of the character display setting table 170 is set for 80-3, and the character string 180-3 to be changed set in the character display setting table is set according to the remaining time. Changes the display color of the character itself.

Next, in step S5, the CPU 31
Is the character display setting table 130 read in step 4
The color display period setting table and the color change setting table referred to by are read and stored in the memory 32. In the present embodiment, the second table of the color display period setting table 162 (hereinafter, tc.tbl6-2) and the first table of the color change setting table 162 (hereinafter, cc.
tbl6-1).

Next, in step S6, the CPU 31
Is tc. tbl6-2, the first table in the display period, and cc. The first table of the display color of tbl6-1 is referred to and stored in the memory 32. In the present embodiment, the display period is 12 hours or more, and the display color is B (blue).

Next, in step S7, the CPU 31
Reads the current time from the aging device 20, sets the period from that time to the end time set in step S2 as the current remaining period, and stores it in the memory 32. For example, if the current time is December 11, 2000 (Monday) 8: 0
0, the end time when the schedule is executed is 20001
At 10:00 on Tuesday, February 12, the current remaining period is 26h.

Next, in step S8, step S
7 is the remaining period set at tc. tbl6-2
CPU 3 determines whether or not it is within the color display period referenced by
Determined in 1. For example, if the current remaining period is 26h, the currently referred color display period is 12h or more and is within the referred display period, so that step S1 is performed.
Go to 0. If it is outside the display period, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, tc. tbl6
-2, cc. The color display period referred to at tbl6-1 and the display color corresponding to the display period are advanced by one, and the process returns to step S8 to determine the display period again. In this embodiment, the color display period is 12 hours or more, 12 hours to 6 hours,
The time is set to 6 hours to 3 hours, 3 hours to 1 hour, 1 hour to 0.5 hour, and 0.5 hours to the end time, and the display color is changed from B (blue) to G corresponding to the display period. (Green) → YG
The display color is changed every time each display period elapses (yellow-green) → Y (yellow) → Or (orange) → R (red).

Next, in step S10, the character string 1
80-3 itself is currently cc. The color is displayed in the display color referred to in tbl6-1, and the display is performed.
Proceed to.

Next, in step S11, the CPU 3
1 is currently tc. It is determined whether or not the display period referred to at tbl6-2 is the last color display period. If it is the last color display period, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is not the last color display period, the process returns to step S7, and the processes from step S7 to step S11 are repeated.

In step S12, the CPU 31 reads the current time from the aging device 20, and determines whether or not the current time is the end time set in step S2. If the current time is equal to the end time, the process proceeds to step S13. If the current time is not the end time, the final display color is continuously displayed.

In step S13, the remaining time until the set schedule is exhausted, and the schedule is completed. Therefore, the CPU 31 terminates the character display program 51.

Next, in step S14, the final display color is changed to the default display color displayed before the execution of the program, and the processing for changing the character display color is completed.

(Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, when the color of a predetermined character string is changed stepwise, the hue of the color,
An example will be described in which at least two or more changes in lightness and color tone are combined to add and display information on a plurality of times.

Since the structure of the character display device of the present invention is the same as that of the character display device 1a shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the description is omitted here. The character display screen will be described using the mail reception list of the character display screen 140 shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the addition of information relating to a plurality of times means that a plurality of starting times as starting points of the passage of time are set for the same character string, and a plurality of starting times from the different starting times are set. The progress can be arbitrarily determined without using different elements such as lightness, hue, and color tone of the color to divide the changed portion.
It is to express by color. It is also possible to set a plurality of end times instead of a plurality of start times, and add information on a plurality of remaining times. Note that the plurality of starting times in the present embodiment are two times, that is, a time when a mail is received and a time when a mail title is selected and a screen of a mail body is opened, and a character string 140-1 that displays the subject of the mail. Is changed.

In the character string 140-1, a color display period, a color change, and a changed part are set in the character table setting table. Regarding the color display period and the color change, which table to refer to is set in the color display period setting table and the color change setting table, which are different tables in which the details of the change are set. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since there are a plurality of starting times, different character display methods are set for each starting time by the character display setting table.

In this embodiment, the content of the color change is set differently with respect to the above and the starting point times, and the color display period and the changed portion are set in common.

FIG. 12 shows a character string 14 as time elapses.
It is a schematic diagram for explaining how 0-1 changes color. In this figure, graphs 190-1 and 190-2 showing the contents of the color change according to the elapsed time are shown. 0:00, 8:30, 9:
00,... 190-3 and 190-4 indicate the starting times of the graphs 190-1 and 190-2, respectively.
The start time of 190-1 is 8:00, and the start time of 190-2 is 8:30.

The graph 190-1 is a graph showing the color change content starting from the time when the mail is received. The color display period is set to change every hour, and the color change content is such that the hue of the color arranged every time the color display period changes is R (red) → Y (yellow) → G (green). It is set to change. Therefore, the start time from 8:00 to 9:00 is indicated by R (red), and from 9:00 to 10: 00.
Up to 00 is indicated by Y (yellow), and after 10:00 G
(Green).

The graph 190-2 is a graph showing the color change content starting from the time when the title of the mail is selected and the screen of the mail body is opened. Color display period is 19
Like 0-1, it is set so as to change every hour, and the color change content is such that the lightness of the colors arranged is changed from low lightness to medium lightness to high lightness every time the color display period changes. It is set as follows. Therefore, the start time from 8:30 to 9:30 is displayed in a low brightness color, and from 9:30 to 1:30
Up to 0:30 is displayed in a medium brightness color, and after 10:30 is displayed in a high brightness color.

Graphs 190-1 and 190-2 are color changes performed simultaneously on a predetermined character string 140-1, and show how the color arrangement of the character string changes over time. This will be described below.

First, the starting point time is set first.
The color change of 0-1 is started first. 8:00 of the starting time
The hue of the color scheme displayed by default is R (red)
(The brightness at this time is changed to the brightness of the color displayed by default.) At 8:30, another color change, 190-2, also starts to change, and at this stage, both changes of 190-1 and 190-2 are performed in an overlapping manner. The display color at this time is displayed in a color with low brightness while the hue remains R (red). 9: 0 in the display color
0 is displayed, and the hue changes to Y (yellow) while maintaining the low brightness state at 9:00. And 9:30
To a medium brightness color with the hue remaining at Y (yellow) at the time of 10:
The hue is G while maintaining the medium brightness state at the time of 00.
(Green), and at 10:30, the hue remains G (green) and continues to change to a high brightness color. Thus, R (red) → R of low brightness every 30 minutes from the starting time 8:00
(Red) → low-brightness Y (yellow) → medium-brightness Y (yellow) → medium-brightness G (green) → high-brightness G (green) It is possible to simultaneously display the passage of time.

[0082]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
With respect to the display of a character string having time information, in order to express a period from a set time relating to the character string to a current time, the character string is arranged on at least one of a character itself, a character outline and a character background. The user can intuitively recognize the information about the elapsed time of the displayed character string by changing the displayed color stepwise according to the elapsed time. In addition, the above color change, the temporal change of the color existing in nature, for example, the color change of the leaves of hardwood,
By using a color change or the like when the soil is weathered, the user can intuitively recognize how the information of the target character string becomes older as time passes. Furthermore, on a screen where a large number of target character strings are displayed, the freshness of information indicating which information is new and which information is old,
The user can instantly judge and recognize.

For example, in the display of the mail software or the portable information terminal equipped with the mail function described in the above embodiment, the reception time of the mail is set as the set time, and the display color of the title of the mail or the text of the mail is changed. The user can recognize how long ago the target mail was received by changing the mail gradually in accordance with the lapse of time from the set time. Also, by changing the color of the e-mail title on the e-mail reception list screen, users can instantly recognize the freshness of the information for each e-mail, and perform operations such as reading, replying, and deleting e-mails. Helps determine priorities for doing so.

Further, according to the present invention, when displaying a character string having time information, the character itself, the outline of the character and the background of the character are displayed in accordance with the remaining time until the set time relating to the character string. By gradually changing the color assigned to at least one of the above, the user can intuitively recognize information on the remaining time of the displayed character string.

For example, in a schedule management software or the like, a date or time when a schedule important to a user is performed is set as a set time, and the display color of a character string representing the schedule is gradually changed according to the remaining time up to the set time. By making the change, the user can intuitively recognize the remaining time until the important schedule.

Further, according to the present invention, by changing the color of a character string in a stepwise manner and directly adding information on the elapsed time or remaining time to the character string, the user can open another screen or change the screen. The information regarding the elapsed time or remaining time of the character string can be instantly recognized without performing an operation such as scrolling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a character display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a color display period setting table in a character display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a color change setting table in a character display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a character display setting table in the character display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a character display screen in a character display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a character display program in the character display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a color display period setting table in a character display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a color change setting table in a character display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a character display setting table in a character display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a character display screen in a character display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a character display program in a character display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining a color change of a character in a character display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a Character display device 10 Display device 20 Timekeeping device 30 Control device 31 CPU 32 Memory 40 Input device 50 Storage device 51 Character display program 52 Data required for executing character display program 52a Calendar table 52b Color display period setting table 52c Color Change setting table 52d Character display setting table 111, 112, 151, 152 Color display period setting table 111-1, 112-1, 151-1, 152-1 Color display period 111-2, 112-2 Color display end period 121 , 122, 161, 162 Color change setting table 121-1, 122-1, 161-1, 162-1 Display color 130, 170 Character display setting table 130-1, 170-1 Color display period setting 130-2, 170 -2 Color change setting 130-3, 170- Change part setting 140, 180 Character display screen 140-1 Subject 140-2 Sender 140-3 Reception time 151-2, 152-2 Final color display period 180-1 Day of the week 180-2 Hours 180-3, 180-4 Schedule 190 -1, 190-2 Graph 190-3, 190-4 Starting time

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) // G01C 21/00 G01C 21/00 A G08G 1/0969 G08G 1/0969 F term (reference) 2F002 AA06 EA01 EB12 EE03 EH00 GA06 2F029 AA02 AC06 AC19 5C082 AA01 BA02 BA34 BB01 BB32 CA12 CA21 CA82 CB01 DA32 MM10 5H180 AA01 BB05 FF27 FF33 FF40

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for displaying a character on a display device capable of color display, wherein at least one of a character outline, a character itself, and a character background is displayed.
Color, and at least one of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color is changed stepwise according to the passage of time from a set time determined by an operator or an external factor. Character display method characterized by adding and displaying information relating to the progress of a character. 2. A method for displaying a character on a display device capable of color display, wherein at least one of a character outline, a character itself, and a character background is displayed.
Color, and at least one of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color is changed stepwise according to the remaining time up to a set time determined by the operator or an external factor, thereby remaining in the original information of the character. A character display method characterized by adding and displaying information on time. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the color is changed, at least two or more changes of the hue, lightness, and color tone of the color are combined, and the original information of the character is related to at least one of the passage of time and the remaining time. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pieces of information are added.
Character display method described in. 4. A display device capable of color display, a clock device for counting time to generate time data, and a control device for controlling the time data sent from the clock device and giving a command to the display device Wherein the control device reads the current time from the timing device,
When a predetermined period determined by an operator or an external factor has elapsed, at least one of the hue, brightness, and color tone of the color arranged on at least one of the outline of the character, the character itself, and the background of the character on the display device. A character display device for giving an instruction to change one stepwise.