JP2004348599A - Information processor and method, and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly start a desired program for a PDA, etc. <P>SOLUTION: When a status area 203 is stroked from the left to the right, as illustrated, a next turn silk plug-in screen appears from left in a silk plug-in area 202, corresponding to this operation so that the screen covers the silk plug-in screen currently loaded. Conversely, when the status area 203 is stroked from the right to the left, a previous turn silk plug-in screen appears from right in the silk plug-in area 202, corresponding to this operation so that the screen covers the silk plug-in screen currently loaded. This invention is applicable to a PDA. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a control program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method and a control program that allow an installed program to be quickly switched by an easy operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Usually, a plurality of programs are installed in a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and the like, and a user selects and activates a desired program as needed.
[0003]
In the following, switching of an installed silk plug-in in a PDA on which PalmOS5 (trademark), which is a type of operation system, is executed will be considered. Here, the silk plug-in refers to an auxiliary program that realizes, for example, a kana-kanji conversion function, a handwritten character input function, a calculator function, and the like. The installed silk plug-in can execute only one silk plug-in at a time.
[0004]
As a user operation on a PDA, a method of touching a touch panel provided on a screen with a pen or a finger is widely used. With respect to the touch panel, taps and strokes corresponding to clicks and drags of mouse operations on the personal computer are possible. There is a technique for displaying a predetermined setting screen corresponding to the length of a stroke by performing a stroke as if a straight line is drawn on a touch panel (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-7023
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, in order to switch to a desired silk plug-in, tap the button for list display provided on the screen to display a list of installed silk plug-ins, and execute the silk plug from the list In, and tapping the OK button provided on the screen requires a three-step operation, and there is a problem that the operation for quickly switching to a desired silk plug-in is troublesome. .
[0007]
However, a method is also conceivable in which icons corresponding to the installed silk plug-ins are provided on the screen and the user taps them so that the user can switch to the desired silk plug-in with only one-step operation. However, this method is not suitable for a PDA having a relatively small display because a relatively large screen is required to display a plurality of icons corresponding to each silk plug-in.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to enable a PDA or the like to promptly start a desired program.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes an operation input unit that inputs a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on an operation screen, and a determination that determines whether the user operation input by the operation input unit is a predetermined stroke. Means, and program switching means for switching the running program to another installed program in accordance with the result of the determination by the determining means.
[0010]
The program may be a silk plug-in for function expansion.
[0011]
The installed program may be set so that the order in which the programs are started is set. The program switching unit may include a stroke similar to a straight line drawing in which a user operation is performed in the first direction by the determination unit. If it is determined that the program is executed, a program in the order next to the program being executed is started out of the other installed programs, and the user operation is performed by the determination unit in the second order opposite to the first direction. When it is determined that the stroke is similar to the drawing of a straight line in the direction, a program in the order before the program being executed among other installed programs can be activated.
[0012]
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke in the first direction, displays the screen of the program in the next order activated by the program switching unit in the first direction. When the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke in the second direction, the screen of the program in the previous sequence activated by the program switching unit is turned in the second direction. Display control means for causing the display to appear.
[0013]
An information processing method according to the present invention includes an operation input step of inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on an operation screen, and determining whether the user operation input in the processing of the operation input step is a predetermined stroke. And a program switching step of switching a running program to another installed program in accordance with a result of the determination in the determination step.
[0014]
The control program of the present invention determines an operation input step of inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on an operation screen, and determines whether the user operation input in the processing of the operation input step is a predetermined stroke. According to another feature of the present invention, the program causes a computer to execute a process including a determining step and a program switching step of switching a running program to another installed program in accordance with a determination result of the determining step.
[0015]
In the information processing apparatus and method, and the control program according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the user's operation is a stroke similar to drawing a straight line. Other programs that are running are started.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention is as follows. This description is for confirming that a specific example supporting the invention described in the claims is described in the embodiment of the invention. Therefore, even if there is a specific example which is described in the embodiment of the invention but is not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirement, the fact that the specific example is It does not mean that it does not correspond to the requirement. Conversely, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.
[0017]
Furthermore, this description does not mean that the invention corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention is all described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of the invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, It does not deny the existence of inventions that are added or added by amendment.
[0018]
That is, the information processing apparatus (for example, the PDA 1 in FIG. 1) of the present invention includes an operation input unit (for example, the touch panel 36 in FIG. 5) for inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on the operation screen, and an operation input unit. A determining means (for example, CPU 131 in FIG. 5 performing the processing in step S4 in FIG. 12) for determining whether or not the input user operation is a predetermined stroke, and a program being executed according to the determination result of the determining means. And a program switching unit (for example, the CPU 131 of FIG. 5 that performs the processing of steps S5 and S6 of FIG. 12) for switching the program to another installed program.
[0019]
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that, when the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke similar to drawing a straight line in the first direction, the screen of the program in the next order activated by the program switching unit Appears in the first direction, and when the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke similar to the drawing of a straight line heading in the second direction, the previous sequence activated by the program switching unit (For example, the CPU 131 of FIG. 5 that performs the process of step S7 of FIG. 12) that causes the program screen of FIG.
[0020]
According to the information processing method of the present invention, an operation input step of inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on an operation screen (for example, the processing of step S2 in FIG. 12), and a user operation input in the processing of the operation input step Is a predetermined stroke (for example, the processing of step S4 in FIG. 12), and program switching for switching the program being executed to another installed program is performed according to the determination result of the determination step. (For example, steps S5 and S6 in FIG. 12).
[0021]
Note that the correspondence between the components described in the claims of the program of the present invention and the specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention is the same as that of the above-described information processing method of the present invention, and therefore the description is omitted. I do.
[0022]
The appearance of a PDA according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are front views of the main body, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are rear views of the main body.
[0023]
The PDA 1 is divided into a display section 11 and a main body section 13 with a center hinge section 12 as a boundary, and is formed to be foldable via the hinge section 12.
[0024]
An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 28 and a transparent touch panel 36 laminated on the surface of the LCD 28 are provided on almost the entire surface 11-1 of the display unit 11. That is, when the user touches the fingertip or the pen 2 with an arbitrary position on the LCD 28, the coordinates are detected by the touch panel 36, and a predetermined process corresponding to the detected coordinates is performed.
[0025]
The hinge section 12 is provided with a camera section 21 formed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like.
[0026]
When the PDA 1 is folded, the application programs installed on the PDA 1 (for example, a program for managing a schedule, a program for managing a telephone directory, etc.) A button 32 on which a symbol representing each program is printed is provided, and when the user presses the button 32, an application program corresponding to the button 32 is started.
[0027]
A scroll button 32 for scrolling an image displayed on the LCD 28 is provided at the center of the area of the surface 13-1 where the buttons 32 are arranged. Further, below the button 32 on the surface 13-1, a keyboard 34 for inputting characters, symbols, numerals, and the like is provided.
[0028]
The right side surface 13-2 of the main body 13 is provided with an MS slot 41 in which a Memory Stick (trademark) 3 (hereinafter, referred to as MS3), which is a kind of nonvolatile semiconductor memory, can be mounted. Note that a function expansion module having the same shape as the memory stick (for example, an IOMS that is a communication function expansion module using Bluetooth (trademark)) can also be mounted in the MS slot 41.
[0029]
The left side surface 13-3 of the main body 13 is provided with a battery lid 26 that opens and closes when a removable battery 162 (FIG. 5) made of a lithium ion battery or the like that supplies power to the main body 13 is attached or detached. A jog dial 25 that can be pressed and rotated is provided on the left side surface 13-3 so as to slightly protrude from the side surface.
[0030]
On the rear surface 13-4 of the main body 13, a CF slot 42 in which a CompactFlash (registered trademark) 4 (hereinafter, referred to as CF4), which is a kind of nonvolatile semiconductor memory, can be mounted. As shown in FIG. 4, the CF slot 42 pops up from the back when the CF 4 is mounted. In the CF slot 42, a function expansion module having the same shape as the memory stick (for example, a communication function expansion module using PHS) can also be mounted.
[0031]
A connector 67 for connecting an accessory such as a cradle 91 (FIG. 5) for charging the removable battery 162 is provided on the lower end surface 13-5 of the main body 13.
[0032]
Next, an example of the internal configuration of the PDA 1 will be described with reference to FIG. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131 performs various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 132 or an application program or a silk plug-in loaded from a storage unit 139 into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 133. Execute. The RAM 133 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 131 to execute various processes.
[0033]
The CPU 131, the ROM 132, and the RAM 133 are mutually connected via a CPU interface 135. A display control unit 136 that controls an image to be displayed on the LCD 28 is connected to the CPU interface 135.
[0034]
The display control unit 136 is connected to the VRAM 138 in addition to the camera unit 21 and the LCD 28 under the control of the CPU 131. The display control unit 136 stores the image captured by the camera unit 21 in the VRAM 138, and the image stored in the VRAM 138 or the image stored in another memory (MS3, CF4, RAM 133, storage unit 139). Is displayed on the LCD 28. The VRAM 138 can store an image captured by the camera unit 21 and an image to be displayed on the LCD 28.
[0035]
The CPU interface 135 further includes an input unit 137 including the jog dial 25, various buttons 32 and 33, a keyboard 34, and the like, a touch panel 36, an infrared communication port 62, a slot I / F 64 corresponding to the MS slot 41 and the CF 42, A connector 67 to which the removable main battery 162 and the backup battery 163 are charged and to which the cradle 91 or the like which is a relay device for communication with another external device 152 is connected, and an audio output to be connected to the remote controller 101 or the headphone 153 A headphone jack 24 as a unit is connected.
[0036]
The coordinates detected by the touch panel 36 are provided to the CPU 131 via the CPU interface 135 and the bus 134, and the CPU 131 obtains predetermined information corresponding to the provided coordinates.
[0037]
A storage unit 139 including an EEPROM or a hard disk is connected to the CPU interface 135 as necessary. Further, the CPU interface 135 includes an interface (I / I / O) for a wireless communication unit 146 that performs wireless communication according to Bluetooth or the like, and a non-contact IC card that reads and writes data to and from an IC card such as FeliCa (trademark). F) 147 is connected.
[0038]
Application programs and silk plug-ins read from a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, which are appropriately mounted on the external device 152, receive infrared communication via the infrared port 62 and wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 146. Alternatively, the data is supplied to the PDA 1 as necessary by means such as wired communication via the cradle 91 and installed in the storage unit 139. Alternatively, an application program or a silk plug-in read from the MS 3 or the CF 4 appropriately attached to the slot I / F 64 is also installed in the storage unit 139 as necessary.
[0039]
Further, the CPU interface 135 has an LCD that is turned on when the display unit 11 is closed with respect to the main unit 13 and is turned off when the display unit 11 is open with respect to the main unit 13. An open / close switch 144 and an LCD rotation switch 145 that is turned on when the display unit 11 is turned by a predetermined angle or more are provided.
[0040]
Further, the CPU interface 135 is connected to a main battery mounting portion 161 to which the removable main battery 162 is mounted, and a backup battery 163 composed of a rechargeable button battery or the like serving as a standby power supply when the removable main battery 162 is removed. Have been.
[0041]
The CPU 131 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 132 or an application program installed in the storage unit 19 and loaded from the storage unit 139 to the RAM 133, a silk plug-in, or the like.
[0042]
Next, the screen of the LCD 28 will be described with reference to FIG. On the screen of the LCD 28, a standard display area 201, a silk plug-in area 202, and a status area 203 are provided.
[0043]
When the application program is being executed, a screen of the application program is displayed in the standard display area 201. When the application program is not executed, the application icons 204 corresponding to the installed application programs are displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (however, strictly speaking, the application program is also displayed at this time). This is not to say that the application program is not executed at all, but the application program for displaying the application icon 204 and allowing the user to select it is executed).
[0044]
In the silk plug-in area 202, a user interface (area for input by the user) corresponding to the silk plug-in being executed (loading) is displayed. In the status area 203, a status icon 205 indicating the status of a predetermined item of the PDA 1 (for example, battery capacity, presence or absence of MS3 or the like in the MS slot 41 or CF slot 42, volume setting, etc.), time, and the like are displayed. .
[0045]
Next, two types of user operation methods for switching the silk plug-in will be described.
[0046]
In a first operation method, a silk-plug-in switching screen showing a list of installed silk-plug-ins and an OK button 214 is displayed in the standard display area 201 as shown in FIG. This is a method of tapping the OK button 214 after displaying and selecting the switched silk plug-in by tapping.
[0047]
In the case of FIG. 7, three types of silk plug-ins (Decuma Japan (trademark) 211 for realizing a handwritten character input function, MiniCalc 212 for realizing a computer function, and a handwriting input function installed as standard in PalmOS5 are implemented in the PDA 1). In this state, the standard input (Graffiti) 213) is installed, and the Decumap Japan 211 is loaded, and the user interface corresponding to the Decum Japan 211 is displayed in the silk plug-in area 202.
[0048]
For example, in the standard display area 201 of FIG. 7, when the user taps and selects the MiniCalc 212 and taps the OK button 214, the currently loaded Decuma Japan 211 is unloaded (terminated), and the MiniCalc 212 is loaded. Accordingly, a user interface corresponding to the MiniCalc 212 is displayed in the silk plug-in area 202.
[0049]
A second operation method for switching the silk plug-in is a method in which the status area 203 is stroked in the horizontal direction by the pen 2 (possibly with a fingertip). It is assumed that the order is set in advance for the installed silk plug-ins before describing the second operation method. For example, the order may be set in the order of installation, the names of the silk plug-ins may be arranged in alphabetical order, or the user may be able to set the names arbitrarily.
[0050]
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the status area 203 is stroked from left to right, the silk plug-in area 202 corresponding to this operation is loaded in the silk plug-in area 202 as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C in order. The next screen of the silk plug-in A appears in the following order from the left side so as to cover the screen of the silk plug-in.
[0051]
Conversely, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the status area 203 is stroked from right to left, in response to this operation, the silk plug-in area 202 contains the current stroke as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C in order. The screen of the silk plug-in B in the previous order appears from the right side so as to cover the screen of the silk plug-in being loaded.
[0052]
Therefore, the user can switch the silk plug-in by an intuitive operation of performing a stroke operation on the status area 203 and cause the screen of the switched silk plug-in to appear in the same direction as the direction of the stroke operation. it can.
[0053]
A process of the CPU 131 that executes the second operation method for switching the silk plug-in described above (hereinafter, referred to as a silk plug-in switching process) will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the size of the status area 203 is assumed to be in the x direction 320 and the y direction 30.
[0054]
This silk plug-in switching process is continuously executed while the PDA 1 is activated.
[0055]
In step S1, the CPU 131 waits until a stroke on the status area 203 is detected by the touch panel 36. If a stroke for the status area 203 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the CPU 131 obtains the coordinates S (Sx, Sy) of the starting point of the stroke and the coordinates E (Ex, Ey) of the ending point, and obtains the coordinates M (Mx, My) of the intermediate point = (Ex-Sx, Ey). -Sy).
[0056]
Note that the touch panel 36 may detect not only the coordinates S of the start point and the coordinates E of the end point, but also the coordinates M of the intermediate point. If the touch panel 36 also detects the coordinates M of the intermediate point, it is possible to recognize a locus that is not a straight line.
[0057]
In step S3, the CPU 131 calculates an x-direction movement vector (Ex-Sx) at the end point, an x-direction movement vector (Mx-Sx) at the intermediate point, and a y-direction movement vector (My-Sy) at the intermediate point. I do.
[0058]
In step S4, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the stroke detected in step S1 is a rightward stroke. Specifically, when the following four conditions are satisfied, it is determined that the stroke is a rightward stroke.
Y coordinate of end point Ey 0 <Ey <30,
Movement vector in the x direction at the end point Ex-Sx <100
Movement vector in the x direction at the intermediate point 50 <Mx−Sx
Movement vector in the y direction at the intermediate point −30 <My−Sy <30
[0059]
If it is determined in step S4 that the stroke is a rightward stroke, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the CPU 131 unloads the currently loaded silk plug-in, and loads the next set silk plug-in in step S6.
[0060]
In step S7, the CPU 131 causes the screen of the silk plug-in next to the silk plug-in loaded in the processing of step S6 to appear so that the screen of the silk plug-in unloaded in the processing of step S5 is covered, The display of the silk plug-in area 202 is switched.
[0061]
If it is determined in step S4 that the stroke is not a rightward stroke, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0062]
In step S8, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the stroke detected in step S1 is a leftward stroke. Specifically, when the following four conditions are satisfied, it is determined that the stroke is a leftward stroke.
Y coordinate of end point Ey 0 <Ey <30,
Movement vector in the x direction at the end point Ex−Sx <−100
Movement vector in the x direction at the intermediate point Mx−Sx <−50
Movement vector in the y direction at the intermediate point −30 <My−Sy <30
[0063]
If it is determined in step S8 that the stroke is a leftward stroke, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the PCU 131 unloads the currently loaded silk plug-in, and loads in step S10 the previously set silk plug-in. This processing proceeds to step S7, in which the CPU 131 determines whether the screen of the silk plug-in unloaded in the processing in step S9 is covered with the silk plug-in in the previous order loaded in the processing in step S10. The screen is displayed, and the display of the silk plug-in area 202 is switched.
[0064]
This process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeated. This concludes the description of the silk plug-in switching process.
[0065]
According to the above-described silk plug-in switching process, the stroke in the right or left direction in the silk area 203 is determined based on the movement vector at the intermediate point, so that there is no need to limit the position of the starting point. Further, as described above, since the judgment conditions in the processing of steps S4 and S8 have a range, the silk plug-in can be easily switched by a single intuitive operation of a stroke while suppressing erroneous recognition. It becomes possible.
[0066]
Next, the password input support processing of the PDA 1 will be described. Generally, in a personal computer, a PDA, or the like, it is possible to set so as to require an operator to input a password at the time of startup in order to suppress an operation by a person other than the user. Similarly, this PDA 1 can be set so as to require the operator to input a password.
[0067]
By the way, there is no problem with a personal computer having a keyboard as hardware, but in a conventional PDA which may not have a keyboard as hardware, it is assumed that an operator is required to input a password at startup. Because the silk plug-in that realizes the calculator function was loaded at the end of the previous time, the silk plug-in that realizes the calculator function also started at this startup, the password could not be entered, and it could not be used as it was In some situations.
[0068]
In order to suppress such a problem, in the PDA 1, when a password input request is generated at the time of startup, the CPU 131 responds to the request by loading a silk plug-in for character input (password input support). Processing) is performed. However, the PDA 1 includes the keyboard 34 as hardware, but this password input support processing is performed on the assumption that the keyboard 34 cannot be used for some reason.
[0069]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the password input support processing. This password input support processing is started when a display requesting the operator to input a password is made when the PDA 1 is started.
[0070]
In step S11, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the user can enter characters and the like. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a silk plug-in (for example, Decuma Japan 211, standard input (Graffiti) 213, or the like) that realizes the handwriting input function is loaded. If it is determined that the user is not in a state where characters or the like can be input, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the CPU 131 unloads the currently loaded silk plug-in, loads the silk plug-in realizing the handwriting input function, and makes a transition to a state where the user can input characters and the like.
[0071]
If it is determined in step S11 that the user can enter characters or the like, the process of step S12 is skipped.
[0072]
This is the end of the description of the password input support processing. According to this password input support processing, the user can load the silk plug-in that realizes the handwriting input function without intentional operation, so that the password can be input quickly at the time of startup. Become.
[0073]
In addition, if this password input support process is performed by a PDA or the like that does not have a keyboard as hardware, a situation in which a password cannot be input and the device becomes unusable as it is may occur. Can be deterred.
[0074]
Next, among the status icons 205 displayed in the status area 203 of the LCD 28, a status icon (hereinafter, referred to as a memory status icon 205) indicating whether MS3 or the like is installed in the MS slot 41 or the CF slot 42 will be described. .
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 15, the display of the memory status icon 205 is changed in 16 different ways. Due to this change in the display, the MS slot 41 is not mounted, is being recognized, is unknown, is in a normal MS, and is locked. It can indicate six types of states, or IOMS (a module equipped with IO functions such as a communication function and a GPS wave reception function). On the other hand, the CF slot 42 can indicate four types of states: non-mounting, recognition, mounting, and unknown.
[0076]
When the memory status icon 205 is tapped, information such as the MS 3 mounted in the MS slot 41 is displayed in the mounting standard display area 201.
[0077]
A process of switching the display of the memory status icon 205 (hereinafter, referred to as a memory status icon display process) will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0078]
This memory status icon display process is continuously executed while the PDA 1 is running.
[0079]
In step S21, the CPU 131 sets the display of the memory status icon 205 to the non-attached state for the MS3 as shown in FIG. In step S22, the CPU 131 waits until the MS3 is mounted in the MS slot 41, and when the MS3 is mounted, proceeds to step S23, and recognizes the mounted MS3. Note that while this recognition is being performed, the display of the memory status icon 205 is set to a state in which the MS3 is being recognized as shown in FIG.
[0080]
When the recognition of the attached MS3 is completed, in step S25, the CPU 131 changes the display of the memory status icon 205 for the MS3 according to the recognition result in step S23. Specifically, when the mounted MS 3 cannot be recognized due to a failure or the like, an unknown display is displayed. When the mounted MS 3 can be recognized as a normal semiconductor memory, a normal MS display is displayed, and the MS 3 can be recognized as a normal semiconductor memory. When the recording of data is prohibited, the locked state is displayed. When the module has an IO function such as a communication function in the shape of an MS and a GPS wave receiving function, an IOMS is displayed.
[0081]
In step S25, the CPU 131 waits until the MS3 is removed from the MS slot 41. When the MS3 is removed, the CPU 131 returns to step S23 and repeats the subsequent processing. This is the end of the description of the memory status icon display processing.
[0082]
Note that the same processing is performed in parallel when the CF 4 is attached to or detached from the CF slot 42.
[0083]
As described above, according to the execution of the memory status icon display processing, a change in the display of the memory status icon 205 changes as shown in FIG.
[0084]
The change in the display of the memory status icon 205 may be such that, in addition to the example shown in FIG. 15, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, even when the MS3 or CF4 is not mounted, even its outline is not displayed. . Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, even when MS3 or CF4 is not mounted, the outline thereof may be displayed.
[0085]
As described above, the memory status icon 205 indicates 16 states for two items (MS slot 41 and CF slot 42) with one icon, but three icons or more for one icon. May show more states.
[0086]
Next, FIG. 20 shows a display example of the media information dialog 241 that is displayed in the standard display area 201 in response to the tap of the memory status icon 205 and indicates information on the MS3 or the like attached to the MS slot 41. Is shown.
[0087]
The media information dialog 241 displays information such as a device name, a type of the device, a label, and a capacity. When the display area 242 indicating the device name in the media information dialog 241 is tapped, a pop-up list of devices mountable on the PDA 1 is displayed. This pop-up list includes, for example, MS, CF, main body memory, HDD, and the like. When one of the devices included in the pop-up list is tapped and selected, the display of the media information dialog 241 is changed to the information of the selected device.
[0088]
The end button 243 is provided to close the media information dialog 241. The details button 244 is provided for displaying more detailed information of the device.
[0089]
In the example of FIG. 20, “MS” is selected as the device, “MG Memory Stick” is displayed as the type, “SAMPLE MS” is displayed as the label, and “30.9 MB (12.9 MB is available)” is displayed as the capacity. .
[0090]
In the example of FIG. 21, “CF” is selected as the device, and “CF memory (ATA)” is displayed as the type, “CAMERA” is displayed as the label, and “30.9 MB (12.9 MB available)” is displayed as the capacity. ing.
[0091]
As described above, by tapping the memory status icon 205, the media information dialog 241 that can switch and present information on the device that can be mounted on the PDA 1 can be displayed, so that the user can be aware of the device type. Device information can be easily obtained without using the device.
[0092]
However, in response to the tap of the memory status icon 205, a plurality of dialogs (for example, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21) indicating information of each of the mounted devices may be simultaneously displayed.
[0093]
Next, the device details dialog 261 displayed when the details button 244 of the media information dialog 241 is tapped will be described. FIG. 23 is a device details dialog displayed when “CF” is selected in the pop-up list displayed when the display area 242 of the media information dialog 241 is tapped and the details button 244 is tapped in that state. 261, a product number “PEGA-WL100”, a manufacturer “Sony Corporation”, a type “CF network adapter”, a category “network”, and a description as information of the function expansion module installed in the CF slot 42. "Operation is possible using the dedicated driver" is displayed.
[0094]
The display timing of the device detail dialog 261 other than when the detail button 244 of the media information dialog 241 is tapped must be set by the setting dialog 251 shown in FIG. Can be. In the setting dialog 251, a check box 252 can be used to set whether or not to display the device detail dialog 261 when the MS 3 or CF 4 is inserted.
[0095]
Check boxes 253 and 254, which are enabled when the check box 252 is checked, allow the device details dialog box to be displayed when an abnormal device (such as MS3) is mounted or when a normal device is mounted. 261 can be set to be displayed.
[0096]
By providing such a setting dialog 251, it is possible to confirm that the user is a normal device, thereby giving the user a sense of security.
[0097]
As described above, in the PDA 1 to which the present invention is applied, the media information dialog 241 is displayed simply by tapping the memory status icon 205, and the device details dialog 261 is displayed simply by tapping the details button 244 of the media information dialog 241. Can be displayed.
[0098]
Next, display of the application icon 204 in the standard display area 201 will be described.
[0099]
FIG. 24 shows a display example when the LCD 28 is used in the landscape orientation. The LCD 28 does not have the silk plug-in area 202, but has a standard display area 201 and a status area 203.
[0100]
An application icon 204 displayed in the standard display area 201 has a slightly thick rectangular 3D polygon (hereinafter referred to as an object) arranged at predetermined coordinates, and a symbol (hereinafter referred to as a symbol) of each application icon 204 on the upper surface of the object. , Texture) are displayed on the LCD 28 by drawing. Since the bottom surface of the object is slightly wider than the top surface, the user can visually recognize the side surface 275.
[0101]
When one application icon 204 is selected by tapping in the standard display area 201, the selected application icon 204 (in FIG. 24, the icon of “HotSync”) is highlighted and displayed. Sides 275 of other application icons 204 (in FIG. 24, “environment setting”, “data protection”, “card information”, and “initial setting” icons) classified in the same type are highlighted.
[0102]
In the standard display area 201, in addition to the application icon 204, a curvature slider 271 and a scroll bar 272 are provided.
[0103]
The curvature slider 271 slides in response to the user making a stroke with the pen 2, and as the user slides from left to right, changes the curvature k of the virtual surface 281 (FIG. 25) on which the application icon 204 is arranged. It is quasi-continuously changed from 0.0 to 1.0, for example, in increments of 0.01. Along with this, the virtual surface 281 of the application icon 204 changes from the state of the plane (curvature k = 0.0) shown in FIG. 25 to the state shown in FIG. It changes continuously to the state of a curved surface (curvature k = 1.0). Therefore, the display of the application icon 204 in the standard display area 201 continuously changes to the state of FIG. 24, the states of FIGS. 27, 28, and 29.
[0104]
As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 24 and FIGS. 27 to 29, as the curvature slider 271 is slid to the right, the application icons simultaneously displayed in the standard display area 201 without reducing the size of the application icons 204. The number of 204 can be increased. Therefore, it becomes easy for the user to find the application icon 204 corresponding to the desired application, so that the desired application can be started quickly.
[0105]
Referring back to FIG. The scroll bar 272 is provided to scroll the display of the standard display area 201 up and down. In the scroll bar 272, a dividing line 273 of the type of the plurality of application icons 204 in the standard display area 201 is described. Since the dividing line 273 is provided in the scroll bar 272, the user can easily grasp the approximate number of the application icons 204 belonging to each type and the display position in the standard display area 201.
[0106]
Next, a procedure for displaying the application icon 204 in the standard display area 201 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0107]
FIG. 30 shows the order in which the application icons 204 are drawn in the image buffer (for example, the VRAM 138 in FIG. 5) before being displayed on the LCD 28. That is, the application icon 204 starts from the application icon 204 (hereinafter, referred to as an object A, which is located at the center in the vertical direction of the standard display area 201 and on the left side, as indicated by (1)). , Objects A, B, C, and D in the central row are sequentially drawn, and then objects E, F, G, and H in the upper row of the central row are sequentially drawn as indicated by (2). After the upper row of the center row is drawn, the objects I, J, K, and L in the lower row of the center row are drawn in order as indicated by (3).
[0108]
The process of drawing the application icon 204 in the center row shown as (1) in FIG. 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S31, the CPU 131 initializes a parameter i to 0. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, the coordinates of the left end of the center column where the object A is drawn are set to the origin (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) Is set as the local coordinate system.
[0109]
In step S32, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the parameter i is smaller than the number L of objects in the center row (for example, L = 4 in FIG. 29). If it is determined that the parameter i is smaller than the number L of objects in the center row, the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the CPU 131 sets the coordinates (X ₀ + I · ΔX, Y ₀ ) Is placed in the object A. Here, ΔX is a preset interval between objects in the horizontal direction.
[0110]
In step S34, the CPU 131 attaches a texture corresponding to the upper surface of the object A arranged in step S33 and draws the texture on the image buffer. In step S35, the CPU 131 increments the parameter i by 1, and returns to step S32.
[0111]
Thereafter, until it is determined in step S32 that the parameter i is not smaller than the number L of objects in the central row, the processing in steps S32 to S35 is repeated, and all the applications in the central row are stored in the image buffer. The icon 204 will be drawn.
[0112]
If it is determined in step S32 that the parameter i is not smaller than the number L of objects in the center row, the process of drawing the application icon 204 in the center row ends.
[0113]
Next, the process of drawing the application icon 204 above the central row shown as (2) in FIG. 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S41, the CPU 131 initializes a parameter m to 0. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, the coordinates of the left end of the center column where the object A is drawn are set to the origin (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) Is set as the local coordinate system.
[0114]
In step S42, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the parameter i is equal to or less than the number M of columns above the center column (for example, M = 2 in FIG. 29). If it is determined that the parameter i is equal to or less than the number of columns M, the process proceeds to step S43. In step S43, the CPU 131 rotates the Y and Z axes by θ with the X axis of the local coordinate system fixed. Where θ = k · θ _MAX It is. The curvature k is a value set by the curvature slider 271 and θ _MAX Indicates the slope at the maximum value of the curvature k = 1.
[0115]
In step S44, the CPU 131 sets the origin (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) Is translated to the Y axis of the local coordinate axis by ΔY in the direction. Here, ΔY is a preset interval between objects in the vertical direction.
[0116]
By the processing so far, the local coordinate axes have been delegated by one column above the central column. In step S45, similarly to the processing of drawing the application icon 204 in the center row described above with reference to FIG. ₀ , Y ₀ ) Is drawn on the left side with the object at the left end.
[0117]
In step S46, the CPU 131 increments the parameter m by 1, and returns to step S42. Thereafter, the processing of steps S42 to S46 is repeated until it is determined in step S42 that the parameter m is not less than the number of columns M, and all the application icons in the upper row of the central row are stored in the image buffer. 204 will be drawn.
[0118]
If it is determined in step S42 that the parameter m is not less than the number of columns M, the process of drawing the application icon 204 in the upper row is terminated.
[0119]
Next, the process of drawing the lower application icon 204 in the central row shown as (3) in FIG. 30 is executed. This process is the same as the process of drawing the upper row application icon 204 described above. It is. The difference is that in step S43, the Y and Z axes are rotated by -θ, and in step S44, the origin (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) Is translated to the Y axis of the local coordinate axis by −ΔY in the direction. The processing of the other steps is the same, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0120]
By executing the process of drawing the application icons 204 in the center column, the upper column, and the lower column described above, all the applications in the center column, the upper column, and the lower column are stored in the image buffer. This means that the icon 204 has been drawn. After that, the display controller 136 displays the image drawn on the image buffer in the standard display area 201 of the LCD 28.
[0121]
The present invention can be applied not only to a PDA as in the present embodiment but also to a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, and the like.
[0122]
In the present specification, the steps of describing the control program recorded on the recording medium are not only performed in chronological order according to the described order, but are not necessarily performed in chronological order, but are executed in parallel or individually. This includes the processing to be performed.
[0123]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly start a desired program in a PDA or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a PDA to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an external view of a PDA to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is an external view of a PDA to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is an external view of a PDA to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a PDA to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standard display area, a silk plug-in area, and a status area provided on an LCD screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a first operation method for switching silk plug-ins.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a second operation method for switching silk plug-ins.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change in screen display corresponding to a second operation method for switching a silk plug-in.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second operation method for switching silk plug-ins.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change in screen display corresponding to a second operation method for switching a silk plug-in.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a silk plug-in switching process.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a coordinate system of a status area.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a password input support process.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a memory status icon.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a memory status icon display process.
FIG. 17 is a display transition diagram of a memory status icon.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another display example of the memory status icon.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another display example of the memory status icon.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a media information dialog.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a media information dialog.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting dialog regarding display of a media information dialog.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a device details dialog.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an application icon in a standard display area.
FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an application of the curvature slider of FIG. 24;
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an application of the curvature slider of FIG. 24;
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an application icon in a standard display area.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an application icon in a standard display area.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an application icon in a standard display area.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a drawing order of application icons in a standard display area.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a process of drawing an application icon in the center column of the standard display area.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating application icon drawing processing in the upper row of the center row of the standard display area.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 PDA, 2 pen, 28 LCD, 36 patch panel, 41 MS slot, 42 CF slot, 131 CPU, 136 display control unit, 205 status icon, 271 curvature slider, 272 scroll bar

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus that executes an installed program according to a user's selection,
Operation input means for inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on the operation screen,
Determining means for determining whether or not the operation of the user input by the operation input means is a predetermined stroke;
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a program switching unit that switches a running program to another installed program in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program is a silk plug-in for function expansion. The order in which the installed programs are started is set,
The program switching unit, when the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke similar to the drawing of a straight line in the first direction, among the installed programs, When the program of the next order is started, and the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke similar to drawing a straight line in a second direction opposite to the first direction, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, among the other installed programs, a program in a sequence preceding a program being executed is started. When the determination unit determines that the user's operation is a stroke toward the first direction, the screen of the program in the next order activated by the program switching unit is oriented in the first direction. When the user operation is determined to be a stroke toward the second direction by the determination means, the screen of the program in the previous order activated by the program switching means is displayed on the second screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a display control unit that causes the display control unit to appear in the direction of (b). In an information processing method for executing an installed program according to a user's selection,
An operation input step of inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on the operation screen,
A determining step of determining whether or not the user operation input in the processing of the operation input step is a predetermined stroke;
A program switching step of switching a running program to another installed program in accordance with a result of the determination. A control program for executing an installed program according to a user's selection,
An operation input step of inputting a user operation indicating an arbitrary position on the operation screen,
A determining step of determining whether or not the user operation input in the processing of the operation input step is a predetermined stroke;
A control program for causing a computer to execute processing including a program switching step of switching a running program to another installed program in accordance with a result of the determination in the determination step.

Images