JP2003108360A - Information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the visibility of an indicated image associated with a piece of information when various pieces of the information are stored and used in an information terminal device used in association with an apparatus. SOLUTION: The information terminal device has a display control means that determines the size of an indicated image displayed on a selective display screen based on the number of the indicated images displayed on the selective display screen, before the displayed information is associated with the indicated image to display the indicated image on a selective display screen displaying the indicated image, when information displayed on a display means is stored in a storage means on the instructions of a user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information terminal device or the like installed in a home or the like for the purpose of effectively utilizing equipment related to life.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of infrastructures for gas, electricity, water, etc. has been remarkable, and its operation is being automated from various aspects such as charge calculation and maintenance of equipment. In addition to the maintenance and management, peripheral services for promoting the use of equipment are being developed.

In order to facilitate such maintenance management and to effectively provide the services associated therewith, an information terminal device is installed in each home and various contents are supplied from the server device existing on the Internet line. A system for downloading and utilizing data has been proposed.

[0004] For example, as an example thereof, maintenance management of a gas meter or provision of services related thereto can be mentioned. Some gas meters in recent years are equipped with an automatic meter reading function and an automatic gas shutoff function. These data are received by the information terminal device at regular or emergency calls, and are sent through the Internet network, which is an information communication network. There has been proposed a system of transferring to an information management server device. Alternatively, as a service related to gas, an application service provider or the like that distributes content data such as a notification of a gas charge and a service of providing recipes related to various dishes has appeared, and the information terminal device has changed to these content server devices. An environment where users can connect and receive services is about to be built.

[0005]

However, since such an information terminal device is mainly used for maintenance and management of the gas meter, the amount of information displayed on the display screen at one time is not so large.
The display screen does not have to be as large as that of a monitor device in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). However, when trying to display a service from the content server device as described above, a large screen is required because the amount of information displayed on the display screen increases, and the larger the size, the easier it is to view. On the other hand, if, for example, the place of use is a kitchen with a cooktop or a gas stove, the kitchen space in a normal home will be too small and the cooking utensils will overflow. Is often difficult, and its size is inevitably limited. Therefore, on such a limited small display screen, it is not possible to display the required number unless the icons to be operated when obtaining information are made small, and the visibility of the icons deteriorates. In other words, even if small icons whose patterns are hard to recognize are displayed, it is impossible to understand the work that can be done intuitively just by looking at those icons. Also,
It is difficult to immediately grasp the content of the displayed character only with the character indicating the work content or the character such as the URL.

[0006]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention associates the displayed information with the instruction image when storing the information displayed on the display means in the storage means. By associating (associating), a newly associated instruction image is added to the selection display screen displaying the instruction image processed before that, and the size of the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen is selected by the selection. A display control means for determining based on the number of instruction images displayed on the display screen is provided.

[0007] The instruction image refers to an image in which the content of the associated information can be grasped and the associated information can be accessed by looking at the image. An example is a simple icon or a pictorial icon that can be understood.

According to such an information terminal device, the instruction image is determined based on the number displayed on the selection display screen, in other words, based on the number of stored information. It is possible to increase the total number, or only the newly displayed one may be larger than the previously displayed one. Therefore, the visibility of each instruction image can be improved, and the newly stored information can be easily determined.

In order to intuitively grasp the remaining number of instruction images that can be displayed on the selection display screen and efficiently store information, in order to efficiently store information, the number of predetermined instruction images and the instructions displayed on the selection display screen are set. It is preferable to calculate the difference from the number of images and display the calculated difference on the selection display screen.

In order to assist what the instruction image represents and to be able to grasp the content of the information associated more clearly, the character indicating the content of the information associated with the instruction image is indicated. What is displayed on the display means together with the image is preferable.

In order to delete the instruction images that are no longer needed and update the instruction images leaving only what is needed safely,
When the user newly stores the instruction image in the storage means in a state where the number of the instruction images reaches a predetermined number, it is desirable that the user can select the erasable instruction image so that the instruction image can be erased.

Further, in order to improve convenience for the user,
It is desirable to allow the user to frequently use or display information important to the user in a larger size by the operation of the user.

In order to reconfirm the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen and store the information efficiently, if the number of instruction images exceeds a predetermined number, a warning display to that effect is displayed. The thing displayed on a display means is mentioned.

In order to be able to intuitively understand what kind of information the instruction image or the selection display screen displayed on the display means corresponds to, at least in accordance with the displayed information. It is preferable to reflect the set color attribute on the instruction image or the selection display screen.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system constructed to carry out the communication method of the present embodiment. This system is designed so that various services associated with gas consumption can be received in each home, and information that handles content data D3 that is various information that can be used in association with the meter (gas meter) 1 that is a device. The terminal device 2 and the content holding server device 6 that provides the content data D3 are connected via the Internet line network 4 which is an information communication line network, whereby the content data D3 is transferred from the content holding server device 6 to the information terminal. Device 2
You can download it to. Although details will be described later, the content data D3 in this embodiment includes meter setting information necessary for exchanging data regarding automatic meter reading and emergency disconnection with the meter 1, and also performs housework around the kitchen. It includes data related to the information providing service useful above (hereinafter referred to as housework data) and the like.

In the present embodiment, when downloading the above-mentioned content data D3, in order to easily connect to the content holding server device 6 on the Internet line network 4, the information terminal device is provided on the telephone line network 5. Two
Manages at least a part of the connection data D1 required to connect the content holding server device 6 to
An information management server device 3 is provided for making settings for generating a selection display screen that facilitates access to the downloaded content data D3. That is, when the information terminal device 2 is initialized and activated, the information terminal device 2 is automatically connected to the information management server device 3 through the telephone line network 5 based on the initial connection information, and then the information management server device 3 is connected.
To the information terminal device 2 through the telephone line network 5 from the connection data necessary for connecting to the content holding server device 6. Then, based on the acquired connection data, the connection to the content holding server device 6 is established via the provider P (ISP) of the user's contract partner.
Also, after the initial setting connection with the information management server device 3 is completed,
When browsing the content data D3 by connecting to the content holding server apparatus 6 in an appropriate storage area of the information terminal device 2, the browsed content data D3 is downloaded, and the downloaded content data D3 can be easily accessed. An image control program including display control data for controlling the selection display screen W1 for storing the image is stored. With this image control program, content data D
3 to generate the selection display screen W1 for browsing, and at the time of use, control the icon 7 or the like that is the instruction image on the selection display screen W1, specifically, storing the content data D3, registering the icon 7, It controls the determination and change of the size, the display arrangement of the icon 7, the deletion of the icon 7, and the like.

The meter 1 has a CPU 1 as shown in FIG.
It has hardware resources such as a, a memory 1b, and a wireless terminal 1c. Then, through wireless communication between the wireless terminal 1c of the meter 1 and the wireless terminal 2e of the information terminal device 2, the result of automatic meter reading performed by the meter 1, abnormal call information such as gas emergency cutoff generated by the meter 1, and the like,
It can be transmitted to the information terminal device 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal device 2 is installed, for example, on the wall surface of the kitchen, and as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the CPU 2a, the memory 2b, the external storage device 2c, a display means. A hard key including the display 2d, a user interface 2e such as a touch panel, a wireless terminal 2f, a communication interface 2g, and the like, and a memory 2b and an external storage device 2c.
A program to be executed by the CPU 2a is stored in an appropriate storage area such as. Then, the external storage device 2c is C
It functions as a storage means for storing the downloaded content data D3 and icon 7 in cooperation with PU2a,
Further, the display control means is realized by the CPU 2a executing the program. The hard keys on the user interface 2e include, for example, a "favorite" hard key, a "determine" hard key, a "move" hard key, and the like. In addition, considering the installation location, conventional equipment used for maintenance of gas meters was installed on the outdoor wall where the gas meter is installed or on the meter box, but it is not related to gas such as gas cookers and gas water heaters. It is desirable to install in an indoor kitchen, assuming that housework data such as device information and recipes for various dishes are distributed. Although this embodiment also shows an example of installation on the wall of the kitchen, the kitchen of a general household is often filled with cooking tools and cooking equipment, and storage equipment for storing them, and a large space is provided on the kitchen wall. It is often difficult to secure. Therefore, the display 2d in the information terminal device 2 occupies too much space when it is sized like that of a notebook computer, for example. However, if the size is the same as that of a mobile phone, for example, the characters and images that can be displayed will be small and it will be difficult to see, and it will be difficult to use especially at home for the elderly. Will end up. For this reason,
The size of the display 2d is set to be about 1/4 the size of the display of a general laptop computer or larger than that of a mobile phone or the like. As described above, the wireless terminal 2f communicates with the meter 1 under the control of the CPU 2a, receives the automatic meter reading result output from the meter 1, abnormal call information, and the like. The setting data is transmitted. The communication interface 2g includes the NCU 52 and the telephone line network 5.
Data is transmitted and received by accessing the Internet line network 4 via the Internet and accessing the content holding server device 6 by dial-up connection.

For such an information terminal device 2, the information management server device 3 has a CPU 3 which functions as an output means.
a, a memory 3b, a communication interface 3c, a user management database in which user management data necessary for initial setting operation is accumulated, display control data for generating a selection display screen in the information terminal device 2, and an instruction image. It is provided with a hardware resource such as an external storage device 3d which functions as a storage means for storing a certain icon and a program for controlling a selection display screen, and a CPU 3a for executing an initial setting operation in an appropriate storage area.
The program to be executed is stored in advance. Then, by executing the program based on the request from the information terminal device 2, the information terminal device 2 communicates with the information terminal device 2 via the communication interface 3c and the NCU 54, and the information holding device device 6 stores the information terminal device 2 as described above. Is set so that it can be connected to, and the above-mentioned image control program is installed in the information terminal device 2,
When the content data D3 is stored, the icon 7 is stored in association with the content data 3D, and the size of the icon 7 is set so that it can be determined according to the number of icons 7 to be displayed.

In the above, when the initial setting of the information terminal device 2 is completed, the content data D3 is browsed, and the browsed content data D3, specifically, the display 2d.
It is possible to download an image or the like displaying various kinds of information displayed on and to store it in the external storage device 2c according to a user's instruction. In this case, the icon 7 set corresponding to the content or genre of the content data D3
However, a selection display screen W for displaying a list of these icons 7
It is registered in 1. The registration operation of the icon 7 on the selection display screen W1 will be described below.

The icon 7 is a graphical user interface for browsing the content data D3 obtained by connecting the information terminal device 2 to the content holding server device 6 when the user needs it. It is set to a pattern or a pattern corresponding to the content. That is, when the downloaded content data D3 is browsed again, the icon 7 is an image showing the desired content data D3 on the display 2d by selecting the desired icon 7 and pressing the “OK” hard key. Will be displayed. Icon 7
Are those corresponding to the content data D3 of new information such as new information and advertisements, news, those corresponding to the content data D3 of notifications from gas companies such as gas charges and gas related information, and products such as gas appliances and foods. It corresponds to the content data D3 for sale, corresponds to the content data D3 such as a recipe for cooking, and stores the content data D3 registered by the user, and corresponds to the favorite displaying the selection display screen W1. It is something to do. Then, the icon 7 is assigned one pattern for each of these genres.

Further, each icon 7 is color-coded corresponding to the genre of the corresponding content data D3. For example, the icon 7 corresponding to the content data D3 of this new arrival information is orange, the icon 7 corresponding to the content data D3 of notification is blue, the icon 7 corresponding to the content data D3 of product sale is pink, and cooking recipes, etc. The icon 7 corresponding to the content data D3 is green, the icon 7 corresponding to the favorite is yellow, and the color attribute is set for each genre, and the genre to which the icon 7 belongs is associated with just looking at the color. To get it.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the display screen of the icon 7. Although only the frame of the icon 7 is shown in the figure, the actual selection display screen W1 shows a pattern associated with the genre in the frame. As shown in (a) to (h) of FIG. 5, the icon 7 has a substantially square shape, and a maximum of 16 icons can be displayed on one selection display screen W1 formed by two screens.
Individuals can be registered. That is, when 16 icons 7 are registered, a list of 8 icons 7 is displayed on the first screen, and by switching the screen,
The remaining eight icons 7 are displayed in a list on the next screen.

In this embodiment, the number of the icons 7 to be displayed on the selection display screen W1 depends on the number of the icons 7 to be displayed.
The sizes of the icons 7, that is, the external dimensions are made different. In order to change the size of the icon 7, an icon 71 of maximum size is stored for each genre, and an icon 72 of minimum size and an icon 73 of intermediate size thereof are stored.
Is, for example, 1/4 and 2/3 of the icon 71 of the maximum size.
The size is about the same. The minimum size icon 72 and the intermediate size icon 72 are respectively the maximum size icon 7 based on the number of icons 7 displayed on the selection display screen W1.
It may be generated by reducing 1.

When the downloaded content data D3 is stored, that is, registered as a favorite, the operation of newly adding and displaying the icon 7 is carried out by the procedure shown in FIG. Prior to this registration, an image of the content data D3 to be registered is displayed on the display 2d.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether the number of already registered icons 7 is 2 or less. Two
If it is determined that the following is true, the icon 71 of the maximum size is displayed in step S2. Specifically, when the number of registered icons 7 is 1, that is, when only one icon 7 is displayed in the selection display screen W1, as shown in FIG. The icon 71 of the maximum size is displayed at the center position of the selection display screen W1. In the case of two, as shown in (b) of the same figure, the icon 71 of the maximum size is displayed, the previously registered icon 71 is displayed in the right half area of the selection display screen W1, and it is registered later. Icon 7 is displayed in the left half area. In this case, the icon 71 registered later is the icon 71 registered earlier.
It is displayed at a slightly higher position so that it can be easily recognized.

If it is determined in step S1 that the number is not 2 or less, it is determined in step S3 whether the number of already registered icons 7 is 3 or more and 5 or less. If the number of the icons 7 is within this range, the icon 73 of the intermediate size is displayed in step S4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5C, when three icons 7 are displayed, the intermediate size icon 73 is used, and new registration is performed from the right side of the screen to the left side in the order of registration. What was done is displayed. In this case, by arranging the three icons 73 at different positions in the vertical direction, they are arranged so that they can be easily recognized. When four icons 7 are displayed, as shown in (d) of the same figure, the two oldest in the order of registration are displayed vertically in the area on the right side of the screen as the icon 72 of the minimum size, and the remaining two are displayed. Icon 7 is an intermediate size icon 7
Display with 3. Similarly, in the case of five icons 7, as shown in (e) of the figure, the icon 7 registered up to that point is displayed as the icon 72 of the minimum size, and the last registered icon 7 is displayed. The middle dimension icon 7
3 is displayed in the area on the left side of the screen.

When it is determined in step S4 that the number of already registered icons 7 is out of the range, the minimum size icon 72 is displayed in step S5. That is, when 6 to 8 icons 7 are displayed, the icons 72 having the smallest dimension are arranged and displayed in two rows. In the case of six pieces, as shown in (f) of FIG. 5, instead of being aligned in the same row as the lower row, the upper side is displaced by about a half width of the icon 72 to improve visibility. In the case of seven pieces, as shown in (g) of the figure, three pieces are arranged near the center of the upper row and four pieces are arranged in the lower row. Further, in the case of 8 pieces, as shown in (h) of FIG.

In this embodiment, on the selection display screen W1, below the icon 7, a character indicating the outline of the content data D3 associated with the icon 7 is simultaneously displayed in a predetermined number of characters. . The displayed characters do not have to indicate the genre, but at least a part of the associated content data D3 in the genre including the icon 7 is displayed. Since the user can associate and recall which information of the genre was based on this character, it is not always necessary to express all the contents accurately.

In the above, first, when the information terminal device 2 is connected to the content holding server device 6, the parent screen PW for introducing the configuration of the content data D3 supplied by the icon 70 is displayed on the display 2d thereof (FIG. 7). Although only the frame of the icon 70 is shown in FIG. 7, a picture corresponding to the genre is displayed in the frame on the actual parent screen PW. The icon 70 displayed on the parent screen PW has the same pattern as the icon 7 displayed on the selection display screen W1, and when the content data D3 is searched on the selection display screen W1, the icon 70 is displayed on the content holding server device 6. It can be used with the same usability as when connecting and searching the content data D3. In this main screen PW,
When the user clicks the icon 70 of the genre that the user wants to browse, the icons 70 corresponding to the content data D3 included in the genre are displayed in a list together with the characters indicating the details. Here, it is assumed that the product sale icon 70 is selected.

When the product sales icon 70 is selected, a list of recommended products, such as recommended products, gas tables, dishwashers / dryers, rice, and kerosene, is displayed in a list. The icon 70 is selected by selecting the desired icon 70 with the "move" hard key and then pressing the "determine" hard key. Next, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first item displayed on the display 2d after selecting the product sale icon 70 on the parent screen PW.
On the selection screen, for example, if you select a gas table,
An icon 7 for selecting a product included in the gas table, for example, the gas table stove 1 and the gas table stove 2 is displayed on the second selection screen. On the second selection screen, select the gas table stove 2 and press the “OK” hard key, and then the selection screen will be displayed and the procedure screen will appear. Product information, product specifications, price, quantity input, price calculation, Screens such as purchase confirmation and result display are displayed in sequence, the user refers to the information on the screen, and when purchasing, enter the desired quantity on the quantity input screen, check the purchase amount on the amount calculation screen, When the purchase is confirmed on the purchase confirmation screen, the result display screen informs that the purchase procedure is completed. In this way, the screen of each stage is displayed in a series of operations,
If a certain hard key is operated while a certain screen is displayed and registration is performed on the favorite, information on each stage of product sales is stored in the storage area as appropriate, and the icon 7 associated with that screen, that is, The same icon 7 as the product sale icon 7 is stored in the storage area, and characters corresponding to the stage of each screen are stored and registered in the selection display screen W1.

The registration process of the content data D3 will be described with reference to the screen display of the display 2d.
When a registration instruction is input on the screen on which the content data D3 to be registered is displayed as shown in FIG. 9A, a registration confirmation message is displayed together with the soft keys "Yes" and "No" ( FIG. 9A). Then, select the soft key "Yes" with the "Move" hard key and operate the "Enter" hard key.
As shown in (c) of (3), a message indicating that registration has been performed is displayed, and then the original screen is automatically displayed.
When registering this content data D3, and thus registering the icon 7, the upper edge of the screen, that is, the title bar 8
The background color of the part is matched with the color attribute of the icon 7 to be registered so that it can be intuitively recognized to which genre the content data D3 currently working belongs.

In the case of registering the content data D3 to the favorites, if the icon 7 has already been registered in the selection display screen W1, the selection display screen is displayed depending on how many icons 7 are registered this time. The sizes of the icons 7 displayed on W1 are different. That is, when registering a new icon 7, the number of icons 7 registered in the current selection display screen W1 is counted. Then, the size of the icon 7 is determined based on the counted number of the icons 7. For example, when the number of registered icons 7 is two, the two registered icons 7 are changed to the size for displaying three icons 7, and the icons of the same size are newly added. 7 is displayed. The size of the icon 7 displayed on the selection display screen W1 is as described above, and is determined by the icon 7 to be newly displayed. Then, based on the determination, the size of the icon 7 displayed up to that point is maintained and displayed, or
Alternatively, it is determined whether to change and display.

As described above, the selection display screen W1 is composed of two screens. Therefore, when eight icons 7 are registered in the first screen, the second screen is displayed. The ninth and subsequent icons 7 will be registered in. In this case, although the icon 7 is the ninth in the registration order, it is the second screen, so the first icon 7
Will be displayed in the same size as when is registered.
In other words, even when the number of registered icons 7 is small, even if the number of registered icons 7 is small, it is displayed on the second screen as a large icon 7, and the number of registered icons 7 increases. The icon is changed to a small icon 7 for display.

As described above, when the number of registered icons 7 does not reach the maximum number of registrations that can be registered, the icon associated with the content data D3 to be registered as it is if the registration operation is executed. Although 7 can be registered, if the number of already registered icons 7 has reached the maximum registration number, a warning message to that effect is displayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when registering the content data D3 relating to the gas table, if the number of icons 7 corresponding to the registered content data D3 is the registration upper limit number, a registration confirmation screen is displayed. When it is displayed ((a) in FIG. 10) and registration is executed, a warning message for confirming whether or not to perform replacement registration is displayed because the maximum number of registrations has been exceeded ((b) in FIG. 10). After that, the selection display screen W1 is displayed to select the icon 7 to be deleted ((c) of FIG. 10). When the replacement icon 7 is selected on the displayed selection display screen W1, a message confirming the replacement is displayed together with the soft keys “Yes” and “No” for confirming the execution of the replacement ((in FIG. 10). d)). When the soft key "Yes" for executing the replacement is selected and the "OK" hard key is pressed, a message indicating that the replacement registration is completed is displayed ((e) in FIG. 10), and the replacement is selected. The content to be newly registered is registered in place of the content associated with the icon 7, the icon 7 associated with the content is registered in the selection display screen W1, and the screen being browsed is automatically displayed. Is displayed. Also in the replacement registration of the icon 7, the replacement confirmation screen, the message screen, etc. are made to match the color attribute of the icon 7 for registering the background color of the upper edge portion of those screens, that is, the title bar 8.

With respect to such registration of the content data D3, when the unnecessary content data D3 is deleted, the following procedure is performed. As shown in FIG. 11A, first, on the selection display screen W1, the icon 7 corresponding to the content data D3 to be deleted is selected, and then the “OK” hard key is pressed. By pressing the "OK" hard key, as shown in FIG. 11B, a screen for confirming whether or not this deleting operation may be executed is displayed on the display 2d. The display 2d displays a message confirming deletion and soft keys "Yes" and "No" for confirming the intention. Then, the soft key "Yes" is selected by the "Move" hard key to execute the deletion. When the deletion is executed, a message indicating the deletion is displayed ((c) in FIG. 11), and then the icon 7 is automatically displayed.
The selection display screen W1 with the reduced number of is displayed.

Even in such a deletion process, if the number of icons 7 is reduced from 6 to 5 by deleting the icons 7, the size of the icons 7 is changed and displayed on the selection display screen W1. is there. In this case, for example, if the icon 7 registered last is left and the other icons 7 are deleted, the size of the icon 7 registered last is changed to a large size.
When the number of icons 7 is reduced from 4 to 3, all the icons 7 displayed on the selection display screen W1 are changed from the display of FIG. 5D to the display of FIG. 5C. Are displayed in the same size. Even in each screen in the process of deleting the icon 7, the color matching the color attribute of the icon 7 selected to be deleted is set as the background color of the title bar. Therefore, even if the icon 7 is not displayed during such processing, it is possible to know which genre of icon 7 is being processed.

According to the information terminal device 2 as described above, the content holding server device 6 is connected to download the necessary content data D3, and the icon 7 associated with the content data D3 is displayed on the selection display screen W1. By registering, if the icon 7 is selected, the content data D3 can be browsed more quickly and repeatedly. If the number of icons 7 is less than the maximum number that can be displayed on one screen of the selection display screen W1, the outer dimensions of the icons 7 are increased based on the number of displayed icons 7, and therefore the display 2d is displayed. Even if the size, that is, the effective display area is small, the target icon 7 can be easily confirmed. Further, since the color of the icon 7 is set for each genre, it is possible to quickly and intuitively grasp which genre the genre belongs to by determining the color attribute of the icon 7. in addition,
Below the icon 7, since a character specifically showing the content of the content data associated with the icon 7 is displayed, even if the icons 7 of the same genre are displayed adjacent to each other, individual icons are displayed. The content of the content data associated with 7 can be recognized.

Further, when the number of icons 7 registered in the selection display screen W1 has reached the registration upper limit number, if further icons 7 are to be registered, a warning that the replacement is necessary is given, and the warning is given. After accepting the one, one of the registered icons 7 is deleted and newly registered, so that the icon 7 that the user needs can be surely left, and it is possible to prevent the icon 7 from being deleted by mistake. can do. Similarly, when deleting icon 7,
Before deleting the selected icon 7, a warning message will be displayed to confirm the deletion, and the icon 7 will be deleted by accepting the warning. It is possible to reliably prevent erroneous operation.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the registered icons 7 are displayed in a large size, and the remaining number of the icons 7 that can be registered is displayed as a solid icon 7 that is smaller than the registered icons 7.
May be displayed by. That is, FIG.
As shown in (a) to (h), the number of registered icons 7 is equal to the number of registered icons 7, and therefore the selection display screen W
The icon 7 of the latest registration is displayed in a size determined based on the number displayed on the display 11 to make it as easy to see as possible, and the registration display remaining on the screen displayed at that time of the selection display screen W11. I try to grasp the numbers at a glance.

Since the selection display screen W11 is set so that the maximum number of 16 icons 7 that can be registered can be displayed on the two screens, eight icons 7 can be displayed on one screen. Can be displayed. Therefore, in one screen unit, the number of registered icons 7 is subtracted from 1/2 of the set upper limit registration number, and the difference is displayed by the blank icon 75. For this reason,
The blank icon 75 is almost 1 on the selection display screen W11.
The size is set so that a maximum of 7 can be displayed in the area of / 2.

Specifically, when the icon 7 is not registered, only eight blank icons 75 are displayed. When only one icon 7 is registered, in other words, when only one icon 7 is displayed in the selection display screen W11 ((a) of FIG. 12), the area on the left side of the selection display screen W11 is displayed. In addition to displaying the icon 71 of the maximum size, a blank icon 75 having no pattern, which is smaller than the icon 72 of the minimum size, is displayed in the area on the right side of the selection display screen W11 for the remaining number, that is, seven blank icons. Similarly, as shown in (b) of the same figure, in the case of two, the most recently registered icon is displayed as the icon 71 of the maximum size, and the previously registered icon 7 is displayed as the icon 7 of the minimum size.
2, and six blank icons 75 are displayed below the icon 72 of the minimum size.

As shown in (c) and (d) of FIG.
If the number of registered icons is 3 and 4, the most recently registered icon 7 is the icon 7 of the intermediate size.
The icon with the smallest dimension 72
In addition to being displayed, the remaining blank icons 75 are displayed. Further, as shown in (e) and (h) of FIG. 12, when 5 to 8 icons 7 are displayed, the icons 72 of the minimum size are arranged and displayed in two rows, and the blank icon 75 is displayed. The remaining number is displayed.

In this way, the remaining number of registered icons 7 is displayed on the selection display screen W11 as a blank icon 75 having a size different from the registered icons 7, so that the number of icons that can be registered is intuitively displayed. It can be grasped very easily.

Further, in the above embodiment, the display control means automatically assigns the icon size in accordance with the number of icons registered on the selection display screen, but it is easy for the user to use. Alternatively, the size of the icon may be arbitrarily changed, or a large icon may be replaced with another icon. By doing so, the user can assign a large icon to a process that is frequently used by the user or an important process, and an information terminal device that is easier for the user to use can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, an example of a system that can receive various services associated with gas consumption is used, but not limited to gas, infrastructure-related services such as electric power and water, other networks and dedicated terminals. It can be applied to services using.

In the above embodiment, the information management server device 3 and the content holding server device 6 are separate server devices, but they may be the same server device. In this case, the communication line can use both the communication via the Internet and the line via the dedicated line.

Further, although the shape of the icon used in the above-described embodiment is substantially square, it may be changed to an optimal rectangle or ellipse in order to use the display screen space effectively and display it as large as possible. .

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the description is made at the time of registering the icon when the user stores the content selected by himself / herself. However, when downloading from the server device, a similar screen is included in the data of the server device. It may also provide icon placement.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the icon registered in the favorite is selected and the "OK" hard key is pressed, the corresponding data is downloaded from the server device. The configuration may be such that it is downloaded and stored in the terminal device side and the stored data is read, or it is possible to have a storage area for storing the data body to be registered as a favorite and copy it there. In this case, even if the information on the server device is replaced, your favorite data can be retained,
It does not damage the necessary information.

In the above embodiment, the icon 71 having the maximum size is generated by reducing the size of the icon 71, but the icon data of various sizes may be stored in the storage means of the information terminal device. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that it is provided from the server device each time.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the scene in which the user decides that the information he / she decides necessary is registered in the favorites is described, but when the content data is distributed from the server device, it is associated with the content information. The sizes of the plurality of icons may be changed by the judgment of the server device side. As a result, it is possible to particularly indicate the information that the user wants to be informed by a large icon, and it is possible to promote the user to access a certain specific content.

[0054]

Since the present invention has the above-described structure, the instruction image associated with the information stored in the storage means can be easily visually recognized based on the number displayed on the selection display screen. Can be displayed on. Therefore, when browsing the stored information, the information desired to be browsed can be quickly found.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view schematically showing an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing hardware resources of the information terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the size of the screen of the information terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing hardware resources of an information management server device used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a display configuration of icons of the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an icon display procedure of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a content data selection screen of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of content data of the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen configuration when registering the icon of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display screen when registering the replacement of icons according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen configuration when the icon of the embodiment is deleted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display configuration of icons according to a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Information terminal device 3 ... Information management server device 2a ... CPU 2c ... external storage device 2d ... Display

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Toshihiko Yasui             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Yamamoto             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Ban             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B069 AA01 BA04 CA03 CA19 FA02                       LA03                 5B085 BE07 CE03 CE06

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying various kinds of information, a storage means for storing the displayed information, and a correspondence between the information displayed when the displayed information is stored in the storage means and an instruction image. However, the instruction image is added to the selection display screen for displaying one or more instruction images, and the size of the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen is set to the size of the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen. An information terminal device, comprising: a display control unit that determines the number based on the number. 2. The display control means calculates a difference between a predetermined number of instruction images and the number of instruction images displayed on the selection display screen, and displays the calculated difference on the selection display screen. Item 1. The information terminal device according to item 1. 3. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays a character indicating the content of the information associated with the instruction image on the display means together with the instruction image. 4. The display control means displays an instruction image that can be deleted by the user when the user newly stores the instruction image in the storage means when the number of instruction images reaches a predetermined number. Selectable and made erasable.
Information terminal device described. 5. The information terminal according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display a warning display to that effect when the number of instruction images exceeds a predetermined number. apparatus. 6. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means can change the size of the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen by a user's operation. 7. The information according to claim 1, wherein the display control means reflects at least the color attribute set according to the displayed information on the instruction image or the selection display screen. Terminal device. 8. The information terminal device according to claim 1, which is connected through a communication line network, and displays an instruction image associated with various kinds of information and one or more instruction images on the information terminal device. Display control data for adding the instruction image to the selection display screen and determining the size of the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen based on the number of instruction images displayed on the selection display screen. An information management server device, comprising: a storage unit that stores the information and an output unit that outputs the instruction image and the display control data to the information terminal device in response to a request from the information terminal device. 9. The display control data calculates a difference between a predetermined number of instruction images and the number of instruction images displayed on the selection display screen, and displays the calculated difference on the selection display screen. 9. The information management server device according to claim 8, which includes data for use. 10. One or more of: a step of displaying various kinds of information; a step of storing the displayed information; a step of associating the displayed information with the designated image when storing the displayed information; The step of adding the instruction image to the selection display screen for displaying the instruction image, and the size of the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen when the instruction image is added, the instruction image displayed on the selection display screen And a step of making a decision based on the number of. 11. A program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the means of the information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 12. A program for causing a computer to function as all or a part of the means of the information management server device according to claim 8 or 9.