JP2004062647A - Information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure various operations only by a control switch in an information terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: A display screen has a plurality of tabs arrayed in a given direction. Every time the control switch supported for rocking motion and pressing motion in predefined ranges is pressed, a selected tab shifts in sequence, and the selected tab becomes active. A setting screen related to the selected tab is then displayed. When the plurality of tabs are partly displayed on the display screen, the pressing operation of the control switch can change the tabs that appear on the display part in sequence. Only by the operation of the control switch, a tab can be specified, selected and determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information terminal device that selects one item from a plurality of items defined on a display screen and displays a display screen corresponding to the selected item, and in particular, a portable information terminal having such a function. The present invention relates to a device (Personal Digital Assistant: PDA).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in information terminal devices and the like, a device is known in which a dial switch such as a rotary switch is rotated to select a desired menu item from a plurality of menu items and the like. (Hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 1), a left dial input device and a right dial input device are provided on the left and right sides, respectively, and a menu item on a menu screen is rotated by using one of the left and right dial input devices. By scrolling up and down, the screen shifts to another menu screen hierarchically positioned below the menu item selected by the pressing operation.
[0003]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-240693 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 2) discloses that the scroll direction is changed between the portrait mode and the landscape mode so that the display mode may be either portrait or landscape. By operating a single rotary switch, the displayed content can be scrolled.
[0004]
In addition, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-188656 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 3), a selection candidate displayed on a display device is selected in accordance with a rotation operation of a pushable dial, and the selection is designated by a push operation of the pushable dial. It describes that a selection candidate is specified and various processes are performed according to the selection candidate.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-151774 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 4) provides a rotary switch and a push button, selects data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit by rotating the rotary switch, and operates the push button. It describes that data is determined by a push operation.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional example 1, scrolling is performed by rotating the rotary switch, and only one press of the rotary switch is assigned as a selection. Simply scrolling is performed on the display screen, and the pointed item is displayed. It is only selected by pressing down the rotary switch. For other operations on the display screen, other than this rotary switch, for example, a touch operation is used, and this rotary switch can be used for other operations. Not so.
[0007]
In addition, the operation of the rotation and push-down switches described in the above-mentioned conventional examples 2 to 4 is also similar to the above-described conventional example 1, and only the operation of scrolling and selecting on the display screen can be performed. Is not used. Thus, there is a problem that various operations cannot be performed only with the rotary switch in the conventional examples 1 to 4.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal device that can perform various operations with a single switch and has excellent operability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, it has a control switch unit that can be rocked or rotated and can be pressed, and a display unit that displays a plurality of items. An information terminal device characterized by sequentially selecting one item from items is obtained.
[0010]
In the present invention, the plurality of items are a plurality of tabs arranged in a predetermined direction, and the tabs are sequentially selected in the predetermined direction each time the control switch is pressed.
[0011]
According to the present invention, the control switch unit includes a control switch unit capable of swinging or rotating operation and pressing operation, and a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of tabs having at least one or more selection items. The toughness is selected along the left and right directions by a pressing operation, and a cursor is moved to the one or more selection items of the selected tab by a swing or rotation operation of the control switch unit, and the selection item is selected. The information terminal device is characterized in that the selection item is selected by a pressing operation of the control switch unit in a state where the cursor is positioned on the information terminal device.
[0012]
According to the present invention, a control switch unit capable of swinging or rotating operation and being pressable, a display unit displaying a plurality of items in a two-dimensional array, and a swinging or rotating operation of the control switch unit According to the first selection control means for selecting one item from the plurality of items along one direction of the two-dimensional array, and by pressing the control switch unit, one direction of the two-dimensional array An information terminal device comprising: a second selection control unit that selects one item along different directions.
[0013]
In the present invention, the plurality of items are a plurality of tabs, and the first selection control means sequentially selects the tabs along a vertical direction each time the control switch unit swings or turns, The second selection control means sequentially selects the tab in the left-right direction each time the control switch is pressed.
[0014]
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the control switch part which can be rocked or rotated and which can be pressed, the first screen which displays a plurality of items in a one-dimensional array, and the plurality of items are displayed in a two-dimensional array A display unit capable of displaying a second screen to be displayed, and, on the first screen, one item from the plurality of items along the arrangement direction by swinging or rotating the control switch unit. A first selection control unit for selecting, and a second selection control unit for selecting one item along one direction of the array by pressing the control switch unit on the second screen, On the first screen, there is provided a transition means for transitioning to a screen relating to an item selected by a swing or a rotation operation of the control switch unit by a pressing operation of the control switch unit. That information terminal device can be obtained.
[0015]
In the present invention, the first screen is a menu screen including a plurality of menu items, the second screen is a screen of a plurality of tabs, and the first selection control unit includes a control switch unit. Each time the rocking or rotating operation is performed, the menu items are sequentially selected along the vertical direction, and the second selection control means sequentially switches the tab along the horizontal direction each time the control switch unit is pressed. The selection means shifts to a screen related to the menu item selected by the swinging or rotating operation of the control switch unit by pressing the control switch unit.
[0016]
In the present invention, in a state in which the plurality of tabs are displayed on the display unit, a tab shift unit that shifts to another screen related to the selected tab by a pressing operation of the control switch unit for a predetermined time or more. It has.
[0017]
In the present invention, the control switch section can be swingably operated within a predetermined range and can be pressed only at a substantially central position within the range.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components in the illustrated example are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples, unless otherwise specified.
[0019]
First, referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated personal digital assistant (PDA) is large enough to be gripped by a user's palm, and a liquid crystal panel 12 having a touch panel 12a is provided on almost the entire front surface of an exterior case 11. (The touch panel 12a is disposed on, for example, the surface of the liquid crystal panel 12). Further, as will be described later, a control switch (hereinafter referred to as a side controller) 13, an escape switch 14, a power on / off switch (hereinafter referred to as a power switch) 15, an external memory medium such as a memory card, etc. , A communication card such as a communication card, an insertion slot 16 into which an external device such as an external hard disk is inserted, an external connection terminal 17 used for charging or transmitting / receiving various data to / from a personal computer, and a touch pen (a stylus pen). A storage section 19 for storing the storage 18 is provided.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the side controller 13, an escape switch 14 and the power switch 15, are arranged in a row on the side surface of the case 11, in the illustrated example, the side controller 13 in order from the upper side of the figure, an escape switch 14 , And the power switch 15. The side controller 13 so as to outer casing 11 liquid crystal panel 12 comes in front, for example, when gripped by the left hand side controller 13 left thumb is placed in a position likely to be located.
[0021]
An outwardly extending protrusion 11 a is formed above the side controller 13, and a part of the side controller 13 is exposed on a side surface of the outer case 11. The side controller 11 is configured to be swingable (rotatable) within a predetermined range in a direction (vertical direction) indicated by a solid arrow A in the drawing, and a shaft (not shown) extending from the front (front) to the back of the outer case 11. ), And supported in a direction perpendicular to the shaft body (a direction inward from the side surface in the drawing) (solid arrow B). The pivot (swing) range is limited substantially in a single push-up or push down operation to the rotation (swinging) operable range by the left thumb. Then, on the exposed surface of the side controller 13, for example, protruding portions 13a of the waveform is formed.
[0022]
As described above, the side controller 13 is rotated (swinged) or pressed by the left thumb, for example. At this time, the left thumb touches the protrusion 13a. The side controller 13 is located at a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as a reference position) when not operated, and when the left thumb is pushed upward from the reference position, the side controller 13 is moved by a predetermined rotation amount (swing amount). Rotates (swings) and does not rotate (swing) any more. Then, when the left thumb is released from the side controller 13 (that is, when the force for rotating (swinging) the side controller 13 is eliminated), the side controller 13 automatically moves to the reference position (within a predetermined rotation amount range). (The position substantially at the center).
[0023]
Similarly, when the left thumb is pressed down from the reference position in the downward direction, the side controller 13 rotates (swings) by a predetermined amount of rotation (swinging amount) and does not further rotate (swing). When the left thumb is released from the side controller 13, the side controller 13 automatically returns to the reference position. It is desirable that the pressing operation can be performed only at the reference position. This is to prevent an erroneous operation of pressing the side controller at the time of turning (swinging) up and down. Further, as described above, since the side controller 13 is operated with the left thumb holding the PDA itself, the movement of the thumb is restricted and complicated operation is difficult. Therefore, since the swing operation is easier to perform than the rotation operation that requires a more complicated operation, the side controller 13 should preferably be a swing operation.
[0024]
Side controller 13 sends out an operation signal corresponding to the aforementioned rotation operation (swing operation) or pressing operation, in response to the operation signal, as described later, various processes are executed.
[0025]
As described above, the escape switch 14 is disposed below the side controller 13, the power switch 15 is disposed below the escape switch 14, and a plurality of dot-like protrusions are formed on the surface of the power switch 15. It is. The side controller 13, the escape switch 14, and the power switch 15 are arranged, for example, at positions that can be operated with the left thumb. In the illustrated example, the escape switch 14 is pressed (solid arrow C), whereby an escape (ESC) signal is transmitted, and an escape operation is performed as described later. The power switch 15 is slid (indicated by a solid arrow D) (the power is turned on when pushed upward in the figure, and the power switch 15 returns to the original position. When the power switch 15 is pushed upward while the power is on, the power is turned off, and the power is turned off. switch 15 is returned to its original position).
[0026]
The external connection terminal 17 allows the illustrated PDA to transmit and receive data to and from a personal computer or the like, for example, by connecting to a dedicated charging device having a communication function (a so-called cradle device). In addition, charging can be performed by the external connection terminal 17. The liquid crystal panel 12 is, for example, a color liquid crystal display, and is provided with a backlight as needed. The touch panel 12a has, for example, a touch sensor that detects a contact position (touch position) and a contact trajectory when touching (tapping) with the touch pen 18.
[0027]
Next, referring to FIG. 2, the illustrated PDA has a central processing unit (CPU) 21 and controls the entire PDA according to a control program stored in a storage unit 22 such as a ROM. And various processes described later are performed in accordance with the application program (also simply referred to as an application) stored in the storage unit 22. The application program may be fetched from an external memory medium inserted into the insertion slot 16 or by communication from outside. Further, a writable / readable storage unit 22a such as a RAM is connected to the CPU 21 (the stored contents are not erased even when the power is turned off).
[0028]
As shown, together with the side controller 13 is connected via a side controller operation detecting unit 23 to the CPU 21, an escape switch 14 is connected via an escape switch operation detecting section 24. Further, the power switch 15 is connected through the power switch operation detection unit 25 in the CPU 21. Further, the touch panel 12a is connected through a touch panel operation detection unit 26 in the CPU 21, the liquid crystal panel 12 via the liquid crystal panel driving unit 27 is connected.
[0029]
The illustrated PDA is provided with a mail transmission / reception unit (mail transmission / reception function) 28 (may be provided on a communication card or the like inserted into the above-described insertion slot 16). The mail transmission / reception unit 28 is connected to the CPU 21. I have. The mail transmitting / receiving unit 28 is connected to, for example, a communication device (not shown) such as a mobile phone, or the above-described communication card, and sends and receives mail via the communication device. Then, each time the mail is transmitted and received, the CPU 21 records the transmitted mail and the received mail in the storage unit 22a. These sent mail and received mail can be read out from the storage unit 22a and browsed.
[0030]
Now, when the power switch 15 is pushed up while the PDA is in the power-off state, the power switch operation detection unit 25 detects this push-up operation and sends a power switch 15 operation signal to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 turns on the power of the PDA in response to the power switch operation signal. Then, when the power is turned on, the CPU 21 controls the driving of the liquid crystal panel driving unit 27 and displays an initial screen (a menu screen, which is one of application programs) on the liquid crystal panel 12 (hereinafter, this menu screen is called a launcher screen). ) Is displayed.
[0031]
On the launcher screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, mail, browser, address book, schedule, memo pad, file viewer, accessories, system, settings, etc. are displayed together with icons as menu items (selection items). . That is, the application program related to these menu items (application software) is stored in the storage unit 22. A task bar 32 is displayed below the launcher screen, and a title bar 31 is displayed above it. Further, a scroll button (upper scroll button) 51 and a screen color conversion button (upper screen color conversion button) 52 are displayed on the upper left of the launcher screen, and a scroll button (lower scroll button) 53 and a screen color are displayed on the lower left. A conversion button (lower screen color conversion button) 54 is displayed.
[0032]
When the cursor (focus) 55 is positioned at the uppermost menu item among the menu items, since the cursor 55 cannot be further scrolled upward, the upper scroll button 51 is displayed on the launcher screen. Do not show. Similarly, when the cursor 55 is positioned at the lowermost menu item among the menu items (this state is not shown in FIG. 8), the lower scroll button 53 is displayed on the launcher screen. Does not appear in
[0033]
Now, when the upper scroll button 51 is touched (tapped) with the touch pen 18, the touch panel operation detecting unit 26 detects the tap operation, and the CPU 21 moves the cursor 55 upward by one in the figure (that is, the upper scroll button 51). If one is touched, the cursor 55 will move to the menu item located one level above the menu item currently located).
[0034]
Similarly, when the lower scroll button 53 is touched one time with the touch pen 18, the cursor 55 moves to the menu item located one lower side of the menu item currently located. Further, when the upper or lower screen color conversion button 52 or 54 is tapped, the screen color of the launcher screen changes every time the tap operation is performed, whereby the screen color of the liquid crystal panel 12 can be changed. Then, when one of the menu items is touched with the touch pen 18, the application program related to the menu item is activated, and the screen transitions to the screen related to the menu item.
[0035]
On the other hand, when the side controller 13 is rotated upward (swinged) from the reference position, the side controller operation detecting section 23 detects the upward operation and gives an upper operation signal to the CPU 21. Thus, the CPU 21 moves the cursor 55 upward on the launcher screen. In addition, when the side controller 13 is turned (swinged) downward from the reference, the side controller operation detecting unit 23 detects the lower operation and sends a lower operation signal to the CPU 21.
[0036]
Thereby, the CPU 21 moves the cursor 55 downward on the launcher screen. Then, when the cursor is positioned on one of the menu items and the side controller 13 is pressed, the side controller operation detecting section 23 detects this pressing operation and gives a pressing operation signal to the CPU 21. As a result, the CPU 21 starts the application program related to the menu item where the cursor 55 is located, and transitions to the operation screen related to the menu item. In other words, on the launcher screen on which the menu items are displayed (so-called menu screen), an application program related to the menu item selected by the rotation (swing) operation of the side controller 13 is started by pressing the side controller 13, and The screen shifts to another screen related to the menu item.
[0037]
Here, when a setting is selected and activated on the launcher screen by a tap operation or a side controller operation, a setting top screen (not shown) is displayed. The setting top screen includes, for example, a setting tool and a communication setting column. When a setting tool is selected and activated by a tap operation or a side controller operation, the CPU 21 displays the setting tool screen shown in FIG. indicate.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, a title bar 31 and a task bar 32 are displayed on the setting tool screen, and a plurality of tabs 33, which are items, are displayed in a predetermined direction (right and left directions in the figure) below the title bar 31. Are arranged along. A tab field 34 is defined by these tabs 33, and only a part (four in FIG. 3) of the tabs 33 appears on the setting tool screen, and the other tabs are hidden on the right side of the screen (that is, the setting tab is displayed). The number of tabs appearing in the tab field 34 on the tool screen is predetermined, and tabs exceeding the predetermined number are hidden).
[0039]
A setting window 35 related to the tab selected as described later is defined below the tab column 34, and an initialization button 36 is displayed below the setting window 35. Note that shift buttons 37 and 38 are displayed at the right end of the tab field 34 (hereinafter, the shift button 37 is referred to as a right tab shift button 37 and the shift button 38 is referred to as a left tab shift button 38). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the screen of the selected tab (active tab), a setting window section 35 relating to the selected tab, for example, ON / OFF of the setting function of XX is set. It is possible to set ON / OFF of the setting function of OFF or XXX.
[0040]
In FIG. 3, when a tab is selected, the cursor is positioned on the selected tab 33 in the display screen. In this state, when the side controller 13 is turned (swinged) downward, the cursor is Moves to the position of □ ON in the function setting of ○○○. Here, when the side controller 13 is pressed, the display of the position of □ ON is changed to ■, and the function of ○ is set. Then, when the side controller 13 is further turned (swinged) downward, the cursor is moved to the position of □ ON in the function setting of xxx, and the cursor is similarly operated by the pressing operation of the side controller 13. , Xxx functions can be set.
[0041]
In this state (the state where the cursor is positioned at the ON position), when the side controller 13 is pressed continuously for a predetermined time or more, the screen shifts to a further lower layer setting screen relating to this tab screen described later (the tab position is Does not switch). When the cursor is returned to the tab 33 by the upward rotation (swinging) operation of the side controller 13, the selection of the tab screen (the tab 33 in the right direction) is performed by the pressing operation of the side controller 13 as described later. Switching) is possible.
[0042]
Referring to FIG. 3, if one of the tabs 33 displayed in the tab field 34 is tapped, the CPU 21 selects the tapped tab 33 (hereinafter, this tab is referred to as a selection tab). The storage unit 22a is accessed to display the item contents (setting screen) corresponding to the selection tab on the setting window unit 35. Thereafter, when a tap operation is performed on a tab that is not currently selected (hereinafter, referred to as a non-selection tab) 33, the CPU 21 sets the non-selected tab 33 on which the tap operation has been performed as the selection tab 33, and item contents (setting screen) corresponding to the selection tab. Is displayed in the setting window section 35.
[0043]
As described above, only a part of the tab 33 appears on the setting tool screen, and the other tabs are hidden. In FIG. 4, the tap operation on the rightmost tab "D" is performed. Then, the tab "D" is selected as described above, and a setting screen corresponding to the tab "D" is displayed in the setting window section 35. At this time, the entire display area of the tab "D" is displayed. To do. The CPU 21 moves the tab "D" one position to the left (that is, the position of the tab "C") (see FIG. 5).
[0044]
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 sequentially shifts the tabs “D” to “B” to the left and shifts the tabs “D”, “C”, and “B” to the tab “C” shown in FIG. , “B”, and “A”. Then, the tab "E" is positioned at the position of the tab "D", and the tab "A" is hidden.
[0045]
When the tab "D" is the last tab, that is, when only the tabs "A" to "D" are present, when the tab "D" is tapped in the state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 21 sequentially shifts the tabs “D” to “B” to the left, and shifts the tabs “D”, “C”, and “B” to the tabs “C”, Positioned at positions "B" and "A". Then, the position of the tab “D” becomes blank, and the tab “A” is hidden.
[0046]
By the way, when the right shift button 37 is tapped on the setting tool screen of FIG. 3, the selection tab 33 is sequentially shifted rightward in FIG. On the other hand, when the left shift button 38 is tapped, the selection tab 33 is sequentially shifted leftward in FIG. Then, in the state shown in FIG. 6, that is, when the right shift button 37 is tapped when the tab “D” (last tab) is the selection tab, the CPU 21 performs a right shift operation, and the tab “A” as the first tab "As a selection tab (see FIG. 7).
[0047]
Further, when the left shift button 38 is tapped when the tab “A” (the top tab) is the selected tab, the CPU 21 performs a left shift operation, and the tab “D” which is the last tab is selected as the selected tab (FIG. 6). reference).
[0048]
In this way, the tabs 33 that have been hidden according to the tap operation of the right or left shift button 37 or 38 sequentially appear on the setting tool screen, and the tabs that previously appeared on the setting rule screen sequentially appear. You will hide.
[0049]
In addition, when the initialization button 36 is tapped, the setting content of the currently selected tab is initialized (for example, a state at the time of factory shipment).
[0050]
By the way, when the tab selection is performed by the tap operation as described above, the operation requires both hands, and therefore, when one hand is closed by going out or the like, the operation may not be performed. For this reason, in this embodiment, the tab selection operation by the CPU 21 is enabled by operating the side controller 13. As described above, when the setting tool screen shown in FIG. 3 is selected, the CPU 21 does not receive the turning (swinging) operation of the side controller 13 but only the pushing operation (see FIG. 10 described later). On the setting tool screen shown, a rotation (swing) operation of the side controller 13 is received and a tab selection operation is performed.
[0051]
In FIG. 3, when the setting tool screen is being displayed, when the side controller 13 is pressed, the CPU 21 selects a tab located to the right of a currently selected selection tab (hereinafter, referred to as a currently selected tab). The currently selected tab is not selected as a tab. Then, each time the side controller 13 is pressed, the CPU 21 shifts the tab to be selected to the right. That is, each time the side controller 13 is pressed, the CPU 21 shifts rightward and sequentially changes the selection tab. That is, on a screen displaying a plurality of tabs such as a setting tool screen, unlike the above-described launcher screen (a so-called menu screen displaying a plurality of menu items), tabs are sequentially selected (switched) by a pressing operation of the side controller 13. )be able to.
[0052]
When the side controller 13 is pushed in when the last tab is the selection tab, the CPU 21 shifts rightward and sets the first tab as the selection tab. Further, when the escape switch 14 is pressed, the CPU 21 returns to the setting top screen. Then, when the escape switch 14 is pressed on the setting top screen, the CPU 21 returns to the launcher screen. Further, when a pressing operation of the side controller 13 is performed for a predetermined time or more while a certain tab, for example, the tab B is selected by the pressing operation of the side controller 13, the detailed setting related to the tab B illustrated in FIG. 9 is performed. The screen shifts to screen B '. The tab detailed setting screen B ′ is a detailed setting screen related to the setting contents of the tab B, which enables setting of a lower layer than the setting screen of the tab B. When the screen shifts to this screen, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, various setting tabs, for example, the setting of ○ in FIG. An operation to determine the above-mentioned selection tab, for example, the above-mentioned even-numbered tab is performed by the pushing operation of the side controller 13. Then, after various settings are completed on this screen, if the long press operation of the side controller 13 or the operation of the above-described escape switch 14 is performed, the screen returns to the setting tool screen of FIG. Further, here, the long-pressing operation of the side controller 13 may cause a shift to a lower-level detailed setting screen.
[0053]
In this manner, each time the side controller 13 is pressed, the selected tab is sequentially changed by shifting to the right, so that tab selection can be performed with an extremely simple operation. Can be improved. That is, a plurality of tabs are arranged in a predetermined direction, and each time the side controller 13 is pressed, the focus is moved in a predetermined direction to make the tab active as a selection tab. At this time, if there is a hidden tab, the tab appearing on the display screen is changed according to the pressing operation of the side controller 13. Further, by a long press operation of the side controller 13, the display screen can be shifted to a detailed setting screen or the like related to the selected (active) tab.
[0054]
Referring to FIG. 10, when a setting tool is selected and activated on a setting top screen (not shown), CPU 21 may display a setting tool screen shown in FIG. In the setting tool screen, tabs 33 are two-dimensionally arranged, and in the illustrated example, “A” to “O” are displayed as tabs. In the setting tool screen, up and down shift buttons 39 and 40 are defined in addition to the left and right shift buttons 38 and 37. When the left and right shift buttons 38 and 37 are tapped, as described with reference to FIG. Each can be switched left and right. Similarly, when the up / down shift buttons 39 and 40 are tapped, the selection tabs are switched in the up / down direction, respectively. On the other hand, when the side controller 13 is rotated (swinged), the selection tab is switched in accordance with the swinging direction (that is, the tab is switched in the direction indicated by the solid double-headed arrow in FIG. 10. For example, the tab “A”). Is selected, when the side controller 13 is rotated (swinged), the tabs are switched in the order of tabs “A”, “F”, and “K”. Each time the pressing operation is performed, for example, the tabs “A”, “B”,..., “E”, “F”, “G”,..., “O”, “A”,. Tabs are switched.
[0055]
In the above example, the selection of the tab is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the tab, and a function item indicating an application, various icons, menu items, and the like may be two-dimensionally arranged. Further, an application or the like may be executed by a long pressing operation of the side controller 13. Alternatively, various items may be selected only by the rotation (swing) operation of the side controller 13, and the selected items may be executed by the pushing operation of the side controller 13.
[0056]
Furthermore, in the above example, the selection of a tab on the setting tool screen has been described. However, if an item such as a tab appears on a display screen (operation screen) other than the setting tool screen, the selection operation is performed in the same manner. It can be performed.
[0057]
As described above, each time the control switch unit supported to be swingable and pressable in a predetermined range is pressed, the selection items are sequentially switched, and the selection item is selected from a plurality of items and activated. Therefore, the selection item can be selected from a plurality of items by a simple operation, and the operability can be improved.
[0058]
In addition, since a plurality of items are arranged along a predetermined direction, and each time the control switch unit is pressed, a selection item is selected and activated along the predetermined direction, so that the currently selected item is selected. This has the effect that the user can easily identify the item that is present and has good operability.
[0059]
Further, when a plurality of items are arranged in a predetermined direction as a plurality of tabs, and when a part of the plurality of tabs is displayed on the display screen, each time the control switch unit is pressed, the control switch unit is pressed in a predetermined direction. The tabs are sequentially selected along the line to make them active, and the tabs appearing on the display screen are sequentially changed, so that the operability is improved.
[0060]
In addition, the control switch unit is supported by an axis extending in a predetermined direction, is swingably supported from a predetermined reference position in a predetermined range around the axis, and is orthogonal to the swing direction at the reference position. , So that the control switch can be easily operated with one hand, and the operability is improved.
[0061]
In addition, the display unit is arranged over most of the front surface of the information terminal device housing, and the control switch unit is disposed on the side surface of the information terminal device housing in a predetermined direction from the front surface to the back surface of the information terminal device housing. Is set to be a direction orthogonal to the side surface, so that the arrangement direction of the display unit, the control switch unit, and the function items is easy for the user to use, and the operability is improved.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, various operations can be performed with a single control switch unit, and as a result, there is an effect that operability can be extremely improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an example of a portable information terminal device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system used in the portable information terminal device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting tool screen displayed on the portable information terminal device shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a tab arrangement on a setting tool screen shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition (movement) of a tab when a hidden tab exists in the state illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of tab transition (movement) when there is no hidden tab in the state illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining selection of a tab by operating a shift button.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a launcher screen displayed on the portable information terminal device shown in FIG.
9 is a diagram showing an example of a tab setting screen displayed on the portable information terminal device shown in FIG.
10 is a diagram showing another example of a setting tool screen displayed on the portable information terminal device shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 outer case 12 liquid crystal panel 13 control switch (side controller)
14 Escape switch 15 Power on / off switch (power switch)
16 insertion slot 17 external connection terminal 18 touch pen (stylus pen)
19 Storage Unit 21 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
22 storage unit 23 side controller operation detection unit 24 escape switch operation detection unit 25 power switch operation detection unit 26 touch panel operation detection unit 27 liquid crystal panel drive unit

Claims (9)

A control switch unit that can be rocked or rotated and pressed.
A display unit for displaying a plurality of items,
An information terminal device, wherein one item is sequentially selected from the plurality of items each time the control switch unit is pressed. The plurality of items are a plurality of tabs arranged in a predetermined direction,
The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the tab is sequentially selected in the predetermined direction each time the control switch is pressed. A control switch unit that can be rocked or rotated and pressed.
A display unit capable of displaying a plurality of tabs having at least one or more selection items,
By pressing the control switch unit, the tough is selected along the left and right directions,
By swinging or rotating the control switch unit, a cursor is moved to the one or more selection items of the selected tab,
An information terminal device, wherein the selection item is selected by a pressing operation of the control switch unit in a state where a cursor is positioned on the selection item. A control switch unit that can be rocked or rotated and pressed.
A display unit for displaying a plurality of items in a two-dimensional array,
A first selection control unit that selects one item from the plurality of items along one direction of the two-dimensional array by swinging or rotating operation of the control switch unit;
An information terminal device comprising: a second selection control unit that selects one item along a direction different from one direction of the two-dimensional array by a pressing operation of the control switch unit. The plurality of items are a plurality of tabs,
The first selection control means sequentially selects the tab along the vertical direction each time the control switch unit swings or rotates,
5. The information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the second selection control unit sequentially selects the tab in the left-right direction each time the control switch unit is pressed. 6. A control switch unit that can be rocked or rotated and pressed.
A display unit capable of displaying a first screen for displaying a plurality of items in a one-dimensional array and a second screen for displaying a plurality of items in a two-dimensional array;
A first selection control unit configured to select one item from the plurality of items along the direction of the arrangement by swinging or rotating the control switch unit on the first screen;
On the second screen, a second selection control means for selecting one item along one direction of the array by pressing the control switch unit,
An information terminal device, comprising: a shift unit that shifts to a screen related to an item selected by swinging or rotating the control switch unit by pressing the control switch unit on the first screen. . The first screen is a menu screen including a plurality of menu items, and the second screen is a screen of a plurality of tabs.
The first selection control means sequentially selects the menu items along a vertical direction each time the control switch unit swings or rotates,
The second selection control means sequentially selects the tab in the left-right direction each time the control switch unit is pressed,
7. The information terminal according to claim 6, wherein the shift unit shifts to a screen corresponding to the menu item selected by swinging or rotating the control switch unit by pressing the control switch unit. apparatus. In a state in which the plurality of tabs are displayed on the display unit, a tab shift unit that shifts to another screen related to the selected tab by a pressing operation continued for a predetermined time or more of the control switch unit is provided. The information terminal device according to claim 5 or 7, wherein: The information according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control switch unit is capable of swinging operation within a predetermined range and being operable only at a substantially central position within the range. Terminal device.

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