JP2003140796A - Electronic equipment with menu function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load of an operation for selecting an item by a menu function. SOLUTION: In this portable telephone equipment 9 equipped with a menu function for selecting a plurality of functions, functions in the same hierarchy are divided into different pictures so as to be displayed and selected according to a state transition chart 20 managed by a MENU state managing part 19. When the MENU key of a KEY input part 13 is depressed, a basic function menu 21 is displayed, and not only an item indicating a function belonging to a basic function but also the transition to a sound relevant menu 21 or a display relevant menu 23 in the same hierarchy can be selected. Even in the sound relevant menu 21 or the display relevant menu 23, not only an item indicating a function belonging to the sound relevant function or the display relevant function but also the transition to another menu can be selected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a menu function capable of selecting a plurality of functions in a menu format, such as a mobile phone device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic device having many functions has a GUI (Gr.
aphical User Interface) is often provided. Since the functions provided in the electronic device are displayed in the menu format, the user of the electronic device can select and use the required function without having to remember all the functions. Personal computers and PDAs (Personal Digital Ass
In general-purpose information processing devices such as istant), application programs installed and operated provide a function of selecting a command or the like in a menu format. Nowadays, so-called home electric appliances are also equipped with a microcomputer so as to have multiple functions, and the functions can be selected in a menu format.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which a conventional mobile phone device is displaying a screen for function selection in a menu format. The size of the housing of the mobile phone device is limited to improve portability, and the size of the display device provided in the housing, the size of the input device, the number of operable portions, and the like are also limited. The display screen 1 is a liquid crystal display device (LC
D) or the like is used to list various selectable functions 2 in a list format. Corresponding to the function 2, the assignment 3 of the selection key operated to select the function is also displayed. In FIG. 8, when any key of “*”, “$” or “#” is operated, any function of “library”, “incoming call history” or “notepad memory” is selected. It "0", "1", "2", "3",
When you operate any one of the number keys of "4", "5", "6", "7" or "8", "your own telephone number", "Internet", "management function", "display setting" Any one of "1", "display setting 2", "clock / alarm function", "time / charge function", "additional service" or "sound-related function" is selected.

A general mobile phone device has more functions 2 than can be displayed on one display screen 1.
Further, the types of selection key assignments 3 that can be associated with the respective functions 2 are also limited. Therefore, the function 2 that is the display target in the menu format is hierarchized in multiple stages. In this way, the menu function of the conventional general hair position telephone equipment is
Select functions in a hierarchical structure. For example, when the operation of pressing the number key of "0" is performed, "own telephone number" is displayed. Since "your own telephone number" is generally one type of data,
It can be displayed with one operation. When setting the ringing tone volume or the like, usually, the "sound-related function" shown in FIG. 9 is selected by the number key "8". Although not shown, the "sound-related function" further includes a plurality of functions, one of which is the "normal ring volume" function. The ringing tone volume can be set after selecting the function of "normal ringing tone volume", reviewing it, and transiting to a menu for setting a specific tone volume.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, not all the functions 2 are displayed on one screen of the display screen 1, but the icons 4 and 5 are displayed respectively. Figure 8
The icon 4 shown in indicates that the screen is scrolled downward by operating a downward key provided as a jog dial or the like on the mobile phone device. By operating the downward direction key, the item 2 "library" displayed at the top of the display screen 1 disappears from the upper edge, and FIG.
The display changes as shown in. In FIG. 9, 1 of the display screen 1
A "sound-related function" of "8" is added at the bottom. Further, in FIG. 9, an icon 5 indicating an upward direction is displayed instead of the icon 4 indicating a downward direction in FIG. 8. If there is a selectable function below the "sound-related function", the icon 4 of the downward arrow in FIG. 9 can be displayed in FIG. 9 as well, and it can be displayed that it is possible to continue scrolling. .

[0006]

Since the portable telephone device has many functions and the display device and the input device are restricted due to the portability, a hierarchical menu function is provided. In the menu structure as described above, the "local telephone number" can be displayed by one operation, but the "normal ring volume setting" and the like require multiple operations.

Generally, in the menu function, the depth of the hierarchy in which the function is arranged is adjusted according to the operation frequency. However, the frequency of use of the function varies depending on the user, and even the same user initially uses only a part of the entire function, and the number of the function to be used increases as the user gets used to it. Furthermore, when it comes to the familiarization stage where you can use it freely, you will only use certain functions. If you get used to it to some extent, you will not make a mistake in the operation until you select the desired function, but you will often make a mistake in operating the menu function until you get used to it. Also, if the menu function is complicatedly layered, it is unavoidable that you cannot reach the desired function only after operating it several times, because you do not know at what stage you want to use the function. . At this time, in the hierarchical structure, in order to shift from the state displaying the branches of a certain hierarchy to the state displaying the other branches,
It is necessary to return to the upper layer once and enter another branch again to search for a function, which makes the operation of returning to the upper layer particularly complicated. It should be noted that a browser of a Web page on the Internet or the like has a function of returning to a home page. However, on a page that has undergone multiple steps from the home page, complicated multiple-step operations must be repeated in order to move to another page.

[0008] In recent years, mobile phone devices have tended to have more functions such as the Internet, games, ringtones, and imaging. Since the number of operation keys is limited, it is inevitable that the number of menu items will increase, and it is expected that the hierarchy will become more complicated, and it will become more difficult to know where the user wants a function.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, icons 4, 5 are displayed.
It is possible to notify that there is a function 2 that is not displayed on the display screen 1 by displaying such as. However, it is impossible to know what kind of function 2 is provided without actually displaying it. If many functions 2 are displayed, the operation keys that can be assigned as the selection key assignment 3 are insufficient,
It is necessary to assign the same key to different functions 2 depending on the display state, and it becomes confusing when used.

Larger display screen 1 than mobile phone devices
Even in an information processing device or the like that uses, if the number of items displayed on one screen increases, the burden of searching for necessary items increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a menu function, which can reduce the burden of the operation of selecting an item.

[0012]

The present invention has a display device and an input device, displays a list of selectable items on the display device in a menu format screen, and is selected by an operation input to the input device. In an electronic device with a menu function that operates according to an item, display item limiting means for limiting the number of items displayed on the display device to a predetermined number or less, and all items to be selected in a menu format in multiple stages. Hierarchize, divide the items belonging to the hierarchy into a plurality of screens in at least one stage of hierarchy, and limit the items belonging to the screen in each screen and the items for transition to other screens by the display item limiting means. The electronic device with menu function is characterized by including a menu display control means for controlling to display on a display device within the range of the number of items.

According to the present invention, an electronic device with a menu function has a display device and an input device, displays a list of selectable items on the display device in a menu format screen, and allows operation input to the input device. A display item limiting unit and a menu display control unit are included to perform an operation according to the selected item. Since the display item limiting means limits the number of items displayed on the display device to a predetermined number or less, it is possible to prevent the number of displayed items from being too confusing to understand. The menu display control means hierarchizes all items to be selected in a menu format in a plurality of stages, divides items belonging to the hierarchy into a plurality of screens in at least one stage hierarchy, and belongs to the screen in each screen. The items and items for transiting to other screens are controlled to be displayed on the display device within the range of the number of items limited by the display item limiting means. In the same hierarchy, the items are displayed on a plurality of screens, and the items to be directly selected and the items transiting to other screens are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to easily select the items. When selecting an item belonging to another screen in the same hierarchy, you can select it by making a transition between screens, and you do not have to go back to the higher hierarchy once. The burden of selecting operations can be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, the menu display control means divides the item belonging to the at least one layer into the plurality of screens according to the relevance of the operation represented by the item, and the other screens. As an item for transitioning to
It is characterized in that the display is controlled so as to correspond to the relevance of the operation.

According to the present invention, a plurality of items belonging to the same hierarchy are divided into a plurality of groups according to the relevance of the operation represented by each item, and each group is displayed on the screen. When displaying one screen, the items for transitioning to other screens are displayed so as to correspond to the relevance of the operation of that item, so when the target item does not exist on the displayed screen. It is possible to easily display which screen the screen should be changed to.

Further, in the present invention, the menu display control means sets an item for transitioning to at least one screen of the plurality of screens belonging to the hierarchy to one of the plurality of screens of a predetermined hierarchy. It is characterized by controlling to display.

According to the present invention, it is possible to make a transition to a specific screen of a predetermined hierarchy such as a basic screen from any level of hierarchy, so that it is possible to reach a target item even if a plurality of levels of hierarchy are followed. For example, the item search can be redone.

The present invention is further characterized by further having a function as a portable telephone device. According to the present invention, in a mobile phone device having a limited display device or input device, even if the function is increased and the menu is complicated, the operation that is easy for the user to understand can be performed and the operation load can be reduced. .

Further, the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as an electronic device having the menu function described in any of the above.

According to the present invention, an application program or the like can cause a computer to operate as an electronic device with a menu function in which a menu function for selecting many items can be easily understood and a user's operation load is reduced. .

Furthermore, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium having recorded therein a program for operating a computer as an electronic apparatus having the menu function described in any of the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to cause a computer to read a program so that a menu function for selecting many items can be easily understood and operated as an electronic device with a menu function which reduces a user's operation load. it can.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1A shows a schematic system configuration of a portable telephone device 9 as an electronic device with a menu function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile telephone device 9 according to the present embodiment includes a wireless telephone device 10, an input device 11,
And an output device 12. The input device 11 has 0 to 9
A KEY input unit 13 including a ten-key indicating the numbers, directional keys indicating the left and right, a MENU key for instructing a menu display, a cancel key for instructing cancellation of the operation, and the like is provided. The output device 12 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD).
An image display device such as the LCD display unit 14 is provided. The wireless telephone device 10 includes a control unit 1 that performs overall control.
5 is included. The control unit 15 includes an LCD control unit 16 that controls the LCD display unit 14 and a KEY control unit 17 that controls the KEY input unit 13. Wireless telephone device 1
0 is a communication control unit 18 and a MENU state management unit 19
Including and The communication control unit 18 includes an antenna, a high frequency circuit, and the like, and controls telephone communication via radio waves. The configuration including the input device 11, the output device 12, the control unit 15, and the communication control unit 18 as described above is conventionally common to the mobile phone device 9.

Only the keys used in this embodiment are shown in the KEY input section 13. In the present embodiment, the key is used as the main input device 11, but it is also possible to perform input using a jog dial, voice recognition, a touch panel, or the like. The output device 12 is not limited to the LCD display unit 14, and may be a display device such as a light emitting diode (LED), a projector, or holography.

In the portable telephone device 9 of this embodiment, the MEN
The U state management unit 19 manages the menu function displayed on the LCD display unit 14. The MENU state management unit 19 uses the state transition table 20 set in advance as a display item limiting unit.
Prepared for. The state transition table 20 limits the number of items to be displayed as a menu, and makes the display easy for the user to see. The LCD control unit 16 serves as a menu display control unit and controls the state transition of the menu screen displayed on the LCD display unit 14 according to the state transition table 20. K
The EY control unit 17 processes the signal from the KEY input unit 13 according to the state of the menu displayed on the LCD display unit 14.

FIG. 1B shows an outline of the state transition of the menu screen according to the state transition table 20. In the present embodiment, the selection of a plurality of functions of the mobile phone device 9 is performed by displaying the items representing the functions in a menu format having a multi-level hierarchy. In the hierarchical structure of the present embodiment, the same hierarchy of the first stage is used for the functions belonging to the basic function menu 21, the functions belonging to the sound related menu 22, and the display related menu 2.
The functions are classified into 3 and displayed on different screens. However, the basic function menu 21 also displays items representing functions that transit to the sound-related menu 22 and the display-related menu 23. Similarly, in the sound-related menu 22,
Display-related menu 23 and basic function menu 21
Includes a basic function menu 21 and a sound-related menu 22.
Items that represent functions that transition to are also displayed.

FIG. 2 shows the menu display operation in the embodiment of FIG. In START, it is assumed that the MENU function is not displayed. After the operation is started, in step s1, it is determined whether or not there is a key input to the KEY input unit 13, and if there is no key input, the key input is determined in the side step s1 and the key input is waited. Step s
If there is a key input in 1, it is determined in step s2 whether the MENU key has been pressed. Each key generates a signal representing a unique code when pressed, and the KEY control unit 17 can determine the type of the key according to the code. When it is determined in step s2 that the pressed key is not the MENU key, a process corresponding to the input key is performed in step s3, and the process returns to step s1.

When it is determined in step s2 that the MENU key is pressed, the MENU function is started from step s4. At step s5, the LCD control unit 16 causes
According to the state transition table 20 of (a), the LCD display unit 14
Then, display the menu on one screen. Immediately after the MENU key is pressed, the basic function menu 21 shown in FIG. 1B is displayed. In step s6, the key input is awaited. If there is a key input in step s6, the KEY control unit 1
7 reads the state transition table 20 in step s7 and executes the function corresponding to the item selected by the key. In this embodiment, as will be described later, M is executed by executing the MENU function.
The ENU function may be terminated, and it is determined in step s8 whether such a key has been operated. When it is determined in step s8 that the MENU has ended, the process returns from step s3 to step s1. MENU in step s8
When it is determined that the process is not finished, the process moves to the next state such as the display of the next layer or the display of the next screen in step s9, and returns to step s5.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 show display examples of the basic function menu 21, the sound related menu 22, the display related menu 23 and the lower hierarchy menu in this embodiment, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1B, in the present embodiment, the basic function menu 21, the sound-related menu 22 and the display-related menu 23 belong to the same hierarchy and are displayed as different display screens 31. Items corresponding to a plurality of functions 32 are displayed on each display screen 31 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, and selection key assignments 33 assigned to the respective functions are also displayed. The fact that another display screen 31 exists in the same layer means that the other screen transition displays 34, 35
Displayed by. By selecting the other screen transition display 34 on the left side in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, from the basic function menu 21 to the display related menu 23, from the sound related menu 22 to the basic function menu 21, and from the display related menu 23. A transition to the sound related menu 22 can be selected. By selecting the other screen transition display 35 on the right side in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the basic function menu 21 to the sound related menu 22, the sound related menu 22 to the display related menu 23, and the display related menu 2
A transition from 3 to the basic function menu 21 can be selected. The transition to the basic function menu 21, the sound-related menu 22, and the display-related menu 23 means that the functions related to the respective menus on the other screen transition displays 34 and 35 are "basic function", "sound-related function", and Since it is displayed as "display-related function", the user can easily understand.

FIG. 6 shows the sound-related menu 2 of FIG. 4 in (a).
Shows the menu of the next lower hierarchy that is displayed when "Normal call" is selected with the numeric keypad "1" in 2.
(B) shows a menu of a lower hierarchy. here,
FIG. 6B shows a display state when “Ring volume” is selected with the numeric keypad “2” in FIG. 6A, and the volume is set in five levels from volume 1 to volume 5 or silence is set. The display screen of a ring volume setting menu is shown. The user can select and set the volume to be changed, and can terminate the MENU function after the setting.

FIG. 7 shows the contents of the state transition table 20 shown in FIG. As described above, the first-stage hierarchy includes the basic function menu 21, the sound-related menu 22, and the display-related menu 23 as state 1, state 2 and state 3, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the basic function menu 21
In the lower hierarchy of the state 1 corresponding to, the state 1-1 selected by the numeric keypad “1” represents “library”. As shown in FIG. 4, if the numeric keypad “1” is input in the sound-related menu 22, the state 2 of the lower hierarchy of the state 2 is displayed.
As “1,” “normal communication” is selected. Furthermore, FIG.
As shown in (a), if the numeric keypad "2" is entered in the normal communication menu, the state further shifts to the lower state 2-1-2 and the state of the menu display for "ring tone volume" setting is entered.

Therefore, when the user of the mobile phone device 9 wants to change the volume of a normal incoming call, he first presses the MENU key to display the basic function menu 31 on the display screen 31 of FIG. 3, and press the right key to make the sound shown in FIG. Related menu 2
Display 2. From the sound-related menu 22, use the numeric keypad "1" to display the normal incoming menu of FIG.
Press "2" on the ten-key pad to display the ringing volume setting menu of FIG. 6 (b). As shown in FIG. 7, if the ten keys displayed as the selection key assignment 33 in FIG. 6B are operated, the corresponding settings are made and the ME
The NU function can be terminated. Also, if you press the "Cancel" key, you will always return to the upper layer and the MEN
Operate the U key to always display the basic function menu 2 in status 1.
Return to 1. However, in the same hierarchy, for example, a direct transition between the sound related menu 22 and the display related menu 23 is possible without returning to the basic function menu 21,
The complexity of operation can be avoided.

The portable telephone device 9 described above is realized by a program for causing menu processing to function. Note that similar menu processing can be similarly performed in various electronic devices with menu functions shown in the related art.

The subject matter of the invention may be the program itself or a recording medium in which the program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

First, in the present invention, as this recording medium,
The control unit 15 including the microcomputer shown in FIG. 1 and a memory (not shown) required for processing by a microcomputer such as a general personal computer or PDA, such as a ROM, is a program. Although not shown, a program reading device may be provided as an external storage device, and a program medium readable by inserting a recording medium therein may be used. In any case, the stored program may be configured to be accessed and executed by a microcomputer,
Alternatively, in any case, the program may be read, and the read program may be loaded into a program storage area (not shown) of the microcomputer x and the program may be executed. It is assumed that this loading program is stored in the main body device in advance.

The program medium is a recording medium which can be separated from the main body, and is a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as an FD (flexible disk) or HD (hard disk), or a CD.
-Disk systems for optical disks such as ROM / MO / MD / DVD, card systems such as IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, or mask ROM, EPROM, EE
It may be a medium that fixedly carries the program, including a semiconductor memory such as a PROM or a flash ROM.

Further, in the present invention, as a system configuration connectable to a communication network including the Internet, a medium for carrying the program fluidly so as to download the program from the communication network may be used.

The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to the program and may be data.

Next, in the present invention, the program itself may be the process itself executed by the microcomputer, or it can be loaded by accessing a communication network including the Internet.
Alternatively, it may be taken in or sent out from here. Further, it may be a result of processing in the mobile phone device 9 or another information processing device, that is, a generated product based on the loaded program. Alternatively, it may be a result of processing in the mobile phone device 9 or the information processing device when it is sent from here, that is, a generated result.
Note that these items are not limited to programs and may be data.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, all items to be selected in the menu format are hierarchized in a plurality of stages,
In at least one level of hierarchy, items are displayed on multiple screens, and the items that are directly selected and the items that transit to other screens are displayed, making it easy to select items. . When selecting an item belonging to another screen in the same hierarchy, it is possible to make a selection by making a transition between screens, and it is possible to reduce the burden of the operation of selecting an item.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of items belonging to the same layer are displayed separately on a plurality of screens, and when displaying one screen, an item for transition to another screen is displayed.
Since it is displayed so as to correspond to the relevance of the operation of the item, it is possible to easily display which screen the screen should be changed to.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is possible to transit to a specific screen of a predetermined hierarchy such as a basic screen from any hierarchy, it is possible to easily re-search the item. .

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user of the operation of the portable telephone device having a limited display device or input device.

Further in accordance with the present invention, a computer
It can be operated as an electronic device with a menu function that reduces the operational burden on the user.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to cause a computer to read the program and operate it as an electronic device with a menu function which reduces the operational burden on the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic system configuration of a mobile phone device 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a state transition diagram of menu display.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of a menu function in the mobile phone device 9 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic function menu 21 displayed on the mobile phone device 9 of FIG.

4 is a diagram showing a sound-related menu 22 displayed on the mobile phone device 9 of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a display-related menu 23 displayed on the mobile phone device 9 of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a menu of a lower layer of the sound-related menu 22 of FIG.

7 is a chart showing the contents of a state transition table 20 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a menu display on a conventional mobile phone device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a menu display on a conventional mobile phone device.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Mobile phone equipment 10 Wireless telephone device 11 Input device 12 Output device 13 KEY input section 14 LCD display 15 Control unit 16 LCD control unit 17 KEY controller 18 Communication control unit 19 MENU status management section 20 State transition table 21 Basic function menu 22 Sound related menu 23 Display related menu 31 Display screen 32 functions 33 Select key assignment 34,35 Other screen transition display

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display device and an input device are provided, and a list of selectable items on the display device is displayed in a menu format screen.
In an electronic device with menu function that operates according to the item selected by operation input to the input device, display item limiting means for limiting the number of items displayed on the display device to a predetermined number or less All the items to be targeted are hierarchically divided into a plurality of stages, the items belonging to the hierarchy are divided into a plurality of screens in the hierarchy of at least one stage, and in each screen, the items belonging to the screen and other screens are transited. An electronic device with a menu function, comprising: a menu display control unit that controls the display item to be displayed on the display device within the range of the number of items limited by the display item limiting unit. 2. The menu display control means divides an item belonging to the at least one layer into the plurality of screens according to the relevance of the operation represented by the item, and transits to the other screen. The electronic device having a menu function according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled so that a display corresponding to the relevance of the operation is performed as an item. 3. The menu display control means, on at least one screen of a plurality of screens belonging to the hierarchy,
3. An electronic device having a menu function according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled to display an item for transition to a predetermined hierarchy. 4. The electronic device having a menu function according to claim 1, further comprising a function as a mobile phone device. 5. A program for operating a computer as an electronic device having the menu function according to claim 1. 6. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for operating a computer as an electronic device having the menu function according to any one of claims 1 to 4.