JP2005209174A - Electronic apparatus, and menu display control method in electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a load on a user by enhancing operability while allowing an icon to be easily confirmed in selecting a menu using a menu icon. <P>SOLUTION: As an initial screen of the menu selection screen, menu icons (character icons A to E) and a position-fixed selection frame 102 are displayed on a display unit 100 (state 1). Here, when a user operates a shift key 110 which can be operated in one direction or two, the positions of the five menu icons are shifted by one in one direction (downward in this example) and state 2 is set in. Hereinafter, each time the shift key 110 is operated, the menu icons are shifted to set state 3, state 4, state 5, and then back to state 1. That is, the menu icons are cyclically shifted while successively passing through the fixed selection frame 102. When a desired menu icon is positioned in the selection frame 102, the user operates a selection key 112 to select the menu item (function) corresponding to the menu icon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a portable terminal device capable of selecting a menu item by displaying a menu selection screen on a display unit, and a menu display control method in the electronic device.

  As a method of selecting one menu from a plurality of menus in an electronic device, there is a method of displaying a list of menu icons on a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and specifying a desired icon by operating a cursor or an arrow. .

  A mobile phone employing such a menu selection method is described in Patent Document 1. In the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, nine icons (3 rows × 3 columns) are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit, the cursor is moved onto a desired icon, and the icon is selected. When an icon is selected, the selected icon is greatly enlarged and displayed. However, in order to avoid a situation in which other icons cannot be seen due to the enlarged display of the icons, the other icons are displayed in a small size so that all the icons can be seen.

  In the method of selecting a plurality of icons arranged on the display screen with a cursor or the like as in the above conventional example, it is necessary to operate the cursor on a two-dimensional surface (for example, operation up, down, left and right). Is not always easy.

  In Patent Document 1, the icons are enlarged to make the icons easier to see. However, recent trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices (this means that display units such as liquid crystal displays are also miniaturized). In view of this, it is considered that the magnification of the enlarged display is limited to about 1.5 times, for example. Here, if the enlargement magnification is increased and the icon is enlarged too much, the space for displaying other icons is reduced accordingly, the icon becomes too small, and it is inconvenient when the icon is operated next time. There may be inconveniences.

JP 2002-261918 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an electronic device capable of improving the operability and reducing the burden on the user while making it possible to easily check an icon when selecting a menu using a menu icon. It is an object of the present invention to provide a menu display control method for devices and electronic devices.

The electronic device of the present invention includes a display unit and an operation unit having a first operation key for performing an operation input for shifting a plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit.
A function for displaying at least a part of a plurality of menu icons and a selection frame whose position on the display unit is fixed on the display unit, and a virtual cyclic shift of the plurality of menu icons is possible. And when the first operation key is operated, a function of shifting the plurality of menu icons while circulating the menu icons in such a manner that each menu icon sequentially passes through the selection frame on the display unit. The image display control part which has these.

  With this configuration, instead of moving the cursor or the like to the desired icon, a plurality of menu icons are sequentially shifted through the selection frame, and the desired menu icon fits in the selection frame. At that point, a menu item can be selected by selecting the menu icon. In this case, a menu selection screen that makes it easy to grasp the mutual relationship between icons and is easy for the user to see is realized. In addition, the operation for shifting the menu icon basically requires only shifting in one direction, and is a one-dimensional (linear) shift operation, so the burden on the user is small. In this way, menu selection can be performed intuitively and more easily, and the burden on the user when selecting the menu is reduced.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, a second operation key for performing an operation input for selecting one of a plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit; A device further including an operation control unit having a function of selecting a menu item corresponding to the menu icon at the position of the selection frame displayed on the display unit when the operation key is operated is included.

  With this configuration, after performing a cyclic shift operation of the menu icon, when a desired menu icon is positioned within the selection frame, the menu item corresponding to the menu icon can be selected and executed by the selection operation. It becomes possible.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit displays at least a part of the plurality of menu icons and the selection frame on the display unit, and the selection frame Also included are those having the function of displaying a detailed image corresponding to the menu icon at the position.

  With this configuration, by displaying not only the menu icon but also a detailed image corresponding to the menu icon, the visibility of the menu icon for the user can be improved, and the operability is further improved.

  Moreover, as one aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit may display the detailed image other than the menu icons positioned before and after the selection frame among the plurality of menu icons. Also included are those that are displayed larger than each menu icon so as to overlap at least a part of at least one of the other menu icons.

  With this configuration, a detailed image is displayed so as to overlap a part of the menu icon, so that the display space can be reduced while improving the visibility of the menu icon, which is effective for downsizing of the apparatus.

  Moreover, as one aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit may include a menu icon other than the menu icons positioned before and after the selection frame among the plurality of menu icons. Also included are those that hide at least one.

  With this configuration, the menu icon display space can be minimized by deleting the display of other menu icons except for the menu icons before and after the selection frame. In the present invention, basically, menu selection can be performed as long as the icons before and after the selection frame are displayed (about one or two). The number of can be reduced.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit may include a menu icon at a position of the selection frame and the vicinity thereof among the plurality of menu icons. Some items are displayed larger than the menu icon.

  With this configuration, the menu icon display space can be reduced by displaying the menu icon at a position farther than the selection frame smaller. In addition, it is possible to display with a sense of perspective, and it is possible to improve the visibility of the menu icon group.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device, the image display control unit cyclically shifts the plurality of menu icons in accordance with an operation of the first operation key. In some cases, the detailed image is not displayed in the middle of the displacement.

  With this configuration, the user can concentrate on grasping the entire image of the menu icon group and confirming the desired menu icon by deleting the display of the detailed image while the menu icon is being circulated. Further, when the detailed image is not displayed, the space for displaying the menu icon is increased accordingly, and even when the display unit is small, there is an advantage that all the menu icons can be displayed.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit may select the selection frame when an arbitrary menu icon is positioned in the selection frame and the menu icon stops being displaced. A detailed image corresponding to the menu icon located at is displayed larger than the menu icon.

  With this configuration, the details of the menu icon currently in the selection frame can be confirmed, and the contents of the desired menu icon to be selected can be easily confirmed.

  In addition, as an aspect of the present invention, the electronic device described above, in which the image display control unit can change the arrangement of the plurality of menu icons, is included.

  With this configuration, the arrangement of menu icons can be changed according to the selection frequency of each menu, the selection history, etc., or according to the setting by the user, and a menu icon with a high probability of being selected can be arranged near the selection frame. The operability can be further improved.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit can arrange the plurality of menu icons in a ring shape or a row shape in the vertical direction in the display unit, and can shift in the vertical direction. Those having the function of displaying on the screen are included.

  With this configuration, menu icons can be arranged in the vertical direction, shifted, and selected.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the image display control unit can arrange the plurality of menu icons in the display unit in a ring shape or a row in the horizontal direction, and can shift in the horizontal direction. Those having the function of displaying on the screen are included.

  With this configuration, it is possible to select menu icons by shifting them in the horizontal direction.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, there is also the electronic device described above, in which the first operation key is for performing a shift operation instruction in one direction or two directions including a direction opposite to the one direction. included.

  With this configuration, the user can intuitively perform the shift operation of the menu icon by a simple and simple operation, and the operability when selecting the menu can be improved.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the first operation key performs a shift operation instruction in one direction upward or downward, or in two directions upward and downward. In addition, the image display control unit includes a function of displaying the plurality of menu icons so that the display unit can shift in the vertical direction.

  With this configuration, the menu icon can be shifted and selected in the vertical direction in accordance with the operation instruction of the first operation key.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the first operation key performs a shift operation instruction in one direction leftward or rightward, or two directions leftward and rightward. In addition, the image display control unit includes a unit having a function of displaying the plurality of menu icons so as to be shiftable in the horizontal direction on the display unit.

  With this configuration, the menu icon can be shifted in the horizontal direction and selected in accordance with the operation instruction of the first operation key.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, in the electronic device described above, the first operation key includes at least two directions including one direction upward or downward and one direction left or right, or The image display control unit is configured to instruct up / down and left / right shift operations in four directions, and the image display control unit performs an up / down operation and a left / right operation by the first operation key. There is also included one having a function of switching the display of the plurality of menu icons between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in accordance with the switching of the instruction direction.

  With this configuration, the arrangement of the menu icons can be switched between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction according to the operation instruction of the first operation key, and can be shifted in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

  A method for controlling menu display in an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is provided in an electronic apparatus including a display unit and an operation unit having a first operation key for performing an operation input for shifting a plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit. A menu display control method, comprising: displaying at least a part of a plurality of menu icons and a selection frame whose position on the display unit is fixed on the display unit; When the first operation key is operated, the plurality of menu icons are sequentially passed through the selection frame on the display unit when the first operation key is operated. And a step of shifting while circulating.

  By this procedure, menu selection can be performed intuitively and more easily. Therefore, when selecting a menu using a menu icon, it is possible to easily confirm the icon, improve operability, and reduce the burden on the user.

  Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in the menu display control method in the above electronic device, when displaying the menu icon and the selection frame on the display unit, a window larger than the menu icon is displayed, The display includes a detailed image corresponding to the menu icon at the position of the selection frame in this window.

  By displaying the detailed image corresponding to the menu icon by this procedure, the contents of the menu icon selected by the user can be easily confirmed, and the visibility of the menu icon can be improved.

  In addition, the mobile terminal device of the present invention is displayed at a fixed position on the display unit, a menu icon group including a window displayed large on the display unit, a plurality of small menu icons displayed near the window, and the display unit. A shift key for performing an operation input for shifting the plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit, wherein the user can select a desired menu using a selection frame. An operation unit having a selection key for performing an operation input for selecting one of the plurality of menu icons, and a plurality of menu icons in the menu icon group can be virtually cyclically shifted in the menu selection mode. The window is superimposed on a part of the menu icon group, and the menu at the position of the selection frame is placed on this window. A function for generating a composite image of the detailed images corresponding to the view icons and displaying the composite image on the display unit as a menu selection screen for menu selection, and the menu icon group when the shift key is operated. And a function for generating and displaying an image shifted in a circulating manner in a form in which each menu icon sequentially passes through the selection frame, and when the selection key is operated, the position of the selection frame at that time An image display control unit having a function of displaying a corresponding function screen for executing a menu item corresponding to the menu icon.

  With this configuration, menu selection can be performed intuitively and with a simpler operation, visibility and operability at the time of menu selection can be improved, and the burden on the user can be reduced. Further, since the area of the display area of the display unit and the function of the operation unit can be minimized, the apparatus can be reduced in size.

  According to the present invention, when selecting a menu using a menu icon, it is possible to easily confirm the icon, while improving operability and reducing the burden on the user, and menu display control in the electronic device Can provide a method.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of an electronic device, a case where the present invention is applied to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone device is shown, and an example of an operation related to menu selection or the like in such an electronic device will be described.

(First embodiment)
First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, an outline of a menu display control method in an electronic device according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the feature of the menu display control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the menu selection screen is displayed, a plurality of menu icons are displayed on the display unit 100 of the electronic device. Here, five character icons A, B, C, D, and E are shown as simple examples of menu icons. Each menu icon corresponds to one menu item (for example, a function of an electronic device). In addition, a selection frame 102 (shown by a thick square in the figure) is displayed in the center portion on the right side of the menu selection screen. The position of the selection frame 102 is fixed.

  These menu icons are cyclically shifted in response to a user operation on the menu selection screen of the display unit 100. Here, “cyclical shift” means that the position of the icon shifts sequentially, but if the shift continues, it will eventually take a round and return to the original position. Means.

  The electronic device is provided with a shift key 110 for cyclically shifting menu icons and a selection key 112 for selecting a desired icon as operation keys. The shift key 110 desirably has a function of shifting the menu icon in two directions, up and down, but basically may have only a function of shifting in one direction (for example, downward).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the menu selection screen according to the present embodiment can be classified into five states (state 1 to state 5) according to the positions (arrangements) of the five menu icons.

  Each time the shift key 110 is pressed once, five menu icons move downward (clockwise), for example, and by repeating this, state 1, state 2, state 3, state 4, and state 5 are sequentially displayed. Transition, go round, and return to state 1 again.

  When performing menu selection, the user presses the selection key 112 when a desired menu is located in the selection frame 102. Thereby, the menu item corresponding to the menu icon is selected, and the display shifts to the display of the corresponding function screen for executing the menu item (not shown in FIG. 1).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the menu icon itself is cyclically shifted according to one key operation so that the desired menu icon is guided to the selection frame and moved to select the desired menu item. I have to. By adopting such a menu display control method, the user can select the menu intuitively and with a simpler operation, and the burden on the user when selecting the menu is reduced.

  In this case, since the selection frame is fixed, the user does not need to move the viewpoint. In addition, since the menu icons are cyclically shifted, the user can easily understand the mutual relationship between the icons, and an icon selection screen that is easy for the user to see is realized.

  In addition, since the menu icon need only basically be shifted in one direction, the burden on the user's operation is small. Note that the menu icon may be shifted in both directions, and in this case, a desired menu item can be quickly selected. In addition, by using the menu icon, the user can perform an intuitive operation. Furthermore, by arranging the plurality of menu icons in a circulating manner, it is easy to grasp the arrangement of the menu icons and the overall image. For this reason, the user feels that the desired menu icon arrives at the selection frame early, and the psychological burden on the user is also reduced in this respect.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode when a menu icon and a detailed image display window are displayed on the menu selection screen of the display unit. 2A shows a first mode in which both the window and the menu icon are separated and all the menu icons are displayed, and FIG. 2B shows a second mode in which the window partially overlaps some menu icons. (C) shows a mode in which both the window and the menu icon are separated and a part of the menu icon is not displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 1, only the menu icon is displayed on the menu selection screen of the display unit 100. However, in the example of FIG. 2, details of menu items corresponding to the menu icon located in the selection frame 102 are shown. A window 104 for displaying an image is displayed.

  The window 104 is larger than the menu icon. The detailed image of the menu icon in the window 104 is displayed by displaying a detailed icon indicating the content of the menu item selected in the selection frame 102 or by enlarging the menu icon located in the selection frame 102. At this time, characters describing the contents of the menu item corresponding to the icon may be added to the detailed image. As described above, the menu icon is displayed in detail in the window 104, so that the visibility of the icon is improved.

  In the first mode of FIG. 2A, the window 104 and all of the plurality of menu icons are displayed. In the second mode shown in FIG. 2B, some menu icons overlap the window 104, and the menu icons are partially hidden. Thereby, the display space can be reduced.

  Even if the menu icons are partially hidden as in the second aspect, the presence of these icons can be recognized, and the visibility of the icons is maintained. In addition, in the menu selection method based on the cyclic shift of the menu icon, if the menu icon is shifted in one direction, there is a sense of security that the desired menu icon always arrives at the selection frame 102. Even if the part is hidden, there is no problem in selecting the menu.

  The third mode in FIG. 2C is an example in which a plurality of menu icons are virtually arranged in a ring shape so as to be cyclically shiftable, and only a part of these menu icons is displayed. In this case, not all the menu icons are displayed, but only the menu icon at the position of the selection frame 102 and three icons in total before and after that are displayed, and the other icons are not displayed. In addition, the display space is further reduced.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of display control associated with the shift of the menu icon. 3, (a) shows the initial screen, (b) shows the screen during the shift, and (c) shows the screen when the shift is stopped.

  In the menu selection mode, first, an initial screen of the menu selection screen as shown in FIG. Here, a display (FIG. 2B) in which the window and the menu icon partially overlap each other is adopted.

  Next, when the user presses the shift key 102, each menu icon is shifted downward (clockwise) (FIG. 2B). In this shift state, that is, from when the menu icon starts to shift until the shift is completed, the detailed image display window 104 is deleted, so that the user can concentrate on the operation of the menu icon. In addition, since all of the plurality of menu icons can be displayed completely, the visibility of the icons is improved.

  When the shift of the menu icon is completed (that is, when the user stops pressing the shift key), the display returns to the display shown in FIG. In the window 104, the menu icon “B” at the position of the selection frame 102 is enlarged and displayed. When the selection key 112 is pressed in this state, the menu corresponding to the menu icon “B” is selected, and the display shifts to a display for executing the menu (not shown).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another aspect of displaying menu icons. In the example of FIG. 4, the menu space (I1, I2, I7) in the vicinity of the selection frame 102 is displayed large, and the others (I3 to I6) are displayed small, thereby reducing the display space. Further, the size of the window 104 can be increased by reducing the display space of the icon group, and the visibility of the icons displayed in detail can be improved.

  In this case, by changing the size of the menu icon in accordance with the position of each icon, it is possible to represent a group of menu icons virtually arranged in a ring shape, and it is possible to perceive in a three-dimensional manner with a sense of perspective. In addition, the icon display representing the sense of perspective is visually and innovatively reflected, so that a design effect can be expected.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the arrangement of a plurality of menu icons can be changed. In FIG. 5, (a) shows the display mode before the arrangement change, and (b) shows the display mode after the arrangement change.

  The menu icon layout can be changed arbitrarily by the user's setting operation, or the electronic equipment can automatically change the menu icon layout according to the selection frequency of menu items, recent selection history, etc. Also good. The operability can be further improved by changing the arrangement of the menu icons. In the example of FIG. 5B, in the initial state of the menu selection screen, for example, the frequently used menu icons “B”, “D”, and “E” are arranged in the vicinity of the selection frame 102 to improve usability. It is improving.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, an example of the configuration and operation when applied to a mobile phone device will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the external configuration of the mobile phone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the contents of the menu selection screen. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the previous figures.

  A cellular phone device 200 according to the second embodiment includes a straight casing, and circulates an antenna AN, a display unit (here, a liquid crystal display) 100, a speaker 111, a numeric keypad 108, and an icon. A shift key 110 for shifting automatically, a selection key 112, and a receiver (microphone) 115 are provided.

  On the display unit 100, as a menu selection screen, a selection frame 102 whose display position is fixed, an icon group of nine menu icons 103, and a detailed image display of the menu icon 103 selected in the selection frame 102 are displayed. A window 104 and a soft key 106 made up of English letters “select” for indicating that the upper left key in the drawing functions as the selection key 112 are displayed. The menu icon 103 is provided corresponding to various functions in the mobile phone device 200 such as a camera function, a memory card function, various setting functions, a sound setting function, a browser function, a mail function, a telephone directory function, and a data folder function.

  In this example, the display space of the display unit 100 is limited, and not all icons can be displayed completely. Therefore, the detailed image display window 100 is displayed over a plurality of icons (display in FIG. 2B). Aspect) is adopted.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the menu selection screen extracted from the mobile phone device of FIG. On the menu selection screen of the display unit 100, of the nine menu icons I1 to I9, a part of I6 to I9 is hidden under the detailed image display window 104, while all nine icons are hidden. The existence of can be confirmed. Thereby, the display space can be reduced while maintaining the visibility of the menu icon. That is, since the display unit 100 is small, it is possible to flexibly cope with a case where there is not enough display space.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first modification of the menu selection screen in the mobile phone device of the present embodiment. The example of FIG. 8 is a display screen that assumes a case where the size of the display unit 100 is large and a sufficient display space is secured, and all nine menu icons I1 to I9 are completely displayed. . Thereby, the visibility of an icon increases.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second modification of the menu selection screen in the mobile phone device of this embodiment. The example of FIG. 9 is a display screen in the case where the size of the display unit 100 is small and a sufficient display space cannot be secured even if the detailed image display window 104 is superimposed on the menu icon 103 as shown in FIG. Is shown. In this case, of the nine menu icons I1 to I9, only some I1 to I6 are displayed and I7 to I9 are not displayed.

  In the conventional method in which the selection cursor is moved over the icon, such a mode in which some icons are not displayed is not permitted, and display scrolling is necessary, so that it is difficult to grasp each menu item. . On the other hand, in the method of the present embodiment, each menu icon 103 is cyclically shifted and always comes to the position of the selection frame 102. Therefore, even if some icons are not displayed, the user can grasp each menu item, Menu selection can be made sufficiently. Further, since the two icons before and after the selection frame 102 are always displayed on the display screen of FIG. 9, a situation in which the icons suddenly appear at the position of the selection frame 102 does not occur, and operability problems do not occur.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile phone device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  The cellular phone device 200 includes an antenna AN, a display unit 100, a wireless transmission / reception unit 300, a memory unit 310, a control unit 320, and an operation unit 330 (including the numeric keypad 108, the shift key 110, and the selection key 112 in FIG. 6). A voice input / output unit 340, a call signal output unit 350, a microphone 345, speakers 346 and 351, a vibrator 352, and an LED 353.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a more specific configuration of the hardware shown in FIG. The wireless transmission / reception unit 300 includes a duplexer 301, a reception high-frequency amplifier (RF) 302, an A / D converter 303, a modem 304, a codec 305, a D / A converter 306, and a transmission high-frequency amplifier. (TF) 307. The audio input / output unit 340 includes a D / A converter 341, audio signal amplifiers 342 and 343, and an A / D converter 344. The display unit 100 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 101.

  The control unit 320 includes a CPU 321 that controls the overall operation of the system, a RAM 322, a ROM 323, an image controller 324 that controls display on the display unit 100, an image composition unit 325, and an LCD controller 326.

  Here, the CPU 321, the modem 304, the codec 305, the audio input / output unit 340, the RAM 322, the ROM 323, and the image controller 324 are connected via a bus (BUS), thereby transferring data and control signals. It can be performed.

  The memory unit 310 stores an icon memory 311 that stores image data of menu icons, a graphic memory 312 that stores image data of a background image such as a window frame and a selection frame, and image data of a detailed image. A detailed display memory 313 for storing or performing icon image enlargement processing is provided.

  Hereinafter, operations for realizing the display of the menu selection screen as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 (including operations for circulating the menu icon and displaying the detailed image of the selected menu icon in the detailed image display window) will be described. explain.

  An image (still image) displayed on the display unit 100 (liquid crystal display 101) is synthesized by the image synthesis unit 325, and display screen data is created. Therefore, in order to cyclically shift the menu icons by the operation of the operation unit 330, it is only necessary to sequentially synthesize and output images in which the positions of the menu icons are shifted little by little.

  At this time, the image controller 324 outputs the images of the plurality of menu icons 103 (I1 to I9) from the icon memory 311 and outputs the background image including the selection frame 102 and the window 104 from the graphic memory 312. Let Then, when the image composition unit 325 synthesizes the menu icon image and the background image, the position of the menu icon image is gradually changed according to the operation of the operation unit 330 (shift key 110). Thereby, each of the menu icons (I1 to I9) can be cyclically moved on the display unit 110 (liquid crystal display 101).

  Further, in order to perform detailed display of the menu item corresponding to the menu icon 103 located in the selection frame 102, the detailed display memory 313 is used. For example, detailed icon image data indicating the contents of each menu item is stored in the detailed display memory 313. Alternatively, the image data of the menu icon stored in the icon memory 311 is read, and the image is enlarged on the detail display memory 313. For example, when the image of the menu icon is enlarged twice, the data of one pixel of the icon image read from the icon memory 311 is written into four pixels (2 pixels × 2 pixels) of the detail display memory 313. Good.

  Then, the icon image data for the detailed image is output from the detailed display memory 313, and the image composition unit 325 synthesizes the image data so that it fits within the frame at the position of the window 104, and outputs it. The details of the selected menu icon can be displayed on the window 104.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the window 104 is deleted while the menu icon is being cyclically shifted, a background image without a window frame is output from the graphic memory 312. At the same time, the output of the icon image for the detailed image from the detailed display memory 313 is also stopped. As a result, the window 104 is deleted from the image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 325.

  As described above, the image controller 324 that receives the instruction from the CPU 321 outputs the image data from the three memories 311 to 313 included in the memory unit 310 and the combining operation in the image combining unit 325 (that is, combines each image). (Write address in the image memory) at the same time. Thereby, an image in which menu icons are cyclically shifted, an image in which a window for displaying a detailed image is deleted, an image in which a window and some menu icons overlap, an image in which some menu icons are not displayed, etc. It can be created and displayed freely.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for realizing a cyclic shift of icons. The operation according to this flowchart is executed by processing of the CPU 321, the image controller 324, the image composition unit 325, and the like based on a software program stored in the ROM 323 or the like in the control unit 320.

  A menu selection screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 100 from the initial screen or standby screen after the power is turned on in response to a menu key operation by the user. With this menu selection screen, the user can select each function corresponding to the menu item.

  When the shift key 110 is operated in a state where the menu icon 103 and the detailed image display window 104 are displayed (the initial screen state of the menu selection screen shown in FIG. 3A) (S400), FIG. As shown in FIG. 3B, the window 104 is hidden (S401). However, step S401 may be omitted.

  Next, the operation instruction direction of the cyclic shift of the menu icon by the shift key 110 is determined (S402). If the shift operation instruction direction is downward, the menu icon 103 is shifted by one clockwise (S403), and if upward, the menu icon 103 is shifted by one counterclockwise (S404). . Then, the detailed image icon of the menu item corresponding to the menu icon 103 at the position of the selection frame 102 is enlarged and displayed on the window 104 (S405).

  If the selection key 112 is not pressed (S406), the process returns to step S400. When the selection key 112 is pressed (S406), the display shifts to the corresponding function screen of the next layer related to the menu item (function) corresponding to the selected menu icon (S407). Then, the function of the corresponding menu item is executed according to the user operation. After executing the function of the selected menu item, it is possible to return to the display of the menu selection screen in accordance with the back key operation by the user. In this case, the menu icon selected last time is in the position of the selection frame 102.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when the shift key is intermittently pressed and the menu icon is continuously cyclically shifted. In FIG. 13, steps S400, S401, S406, and S407 of FIG. 12 described above are omitted.

  When the shift key 110 is operated, after the processes of S400 and S401 in FIG. 12, the operation instruction direction of the cyclic shift of the menu icon by the shift key 110 is determined (S500). Here, if the shift operation instruction direction is downward, it is determined whether or not the operation by the shift key 110 is continuing (S501). When the shift key 110 is continuously pressed or the shift key 110 is continuously pressed and the shift operation is continued, the menu icon 103 is continuously shifted clockwise (S502). When the operation of the shift key 110 is released (S504), the cyclic shift of the menu icon 103 is stopped (S505). On the other hand, in step S501, if the shift key 110 is operated only once and the shift operation is not continued, the menu icon 103 is shifted by one clockwise (S503).

  In step S500, similarly, when the shift operation instruction direction is upward, it is determined whether or not the operation by the shift key 110 is continued (S506). If the shift operation is continued, the menu icon 103 is determined. Are continuously shifted counterclockwise (S507). When the operation of the shift key 110 is released (S509), the cyclic shift of the menu icon 103 is stopped (S510). On the other hand, if the shift operation is not continued in step S506, the menu icon 103 is shifted by one counterclockwise (S508).

  Then, the detailed image icon of the menu item corresponding to the menu icon 103 at the position of the selection frame 102 is enlarged and displayed on the window 104 (S405). Thereafter, S406 and S407 in FIG. 12 are executed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement of the menu icons 103 can be arbitrarily changed by a user's setting operation, or the electronic device can be changed according to the selection frequency of the menu icons 103, the recent selection history, or the like. It is also possible to automatically change the arrangement of menu icons. When the arrangement of the menu icons 103 is changed according to the selection frequency or the like, the menu icon 103 at the position of the selection frame 102 is selected by the selection key 112 and is selected before or after executing the function of the corresponding menu item. The number of menu item selections, selection history, and the like are stored and held as menu selection statistical information. Then, on the initial screen of the menu selection screen, depending on the number of selections of menu items, selection history, etc., a frequently selected item or a recently selected item is arranged at or near the position of the selection frame 102. The arrangement of the menu icons 103 is changed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the operability and visibility at the time of menu selection can be significantly improved without using a special technique, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is an example in which the configuration of a shift key for instructing a shift operation and the display form of menu icons are changed. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a menu selection screen and shift keys displayed on the display unit according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing changes in the arrangement of menu icons due to the operation of the shift keys according to the third embodiment. is there.

  In the third embodiment, as the shift key 610 provided in the electronic device, an operation key capable of giving an operation instruction in the left-right direction in addition to the up-down direction is provided. The shift key 610 has a function of shifting the menu icon in four directions, up, down, left and right. Note that the shift key may only have a function of shifting in two directions, one direction up or down and one direction left or right. As in the first embodiment, a selection key 612 is provided near the shift key 610.

  In the menu selection screen displayed on the display unit 600 in FIG. 14, an icon group 601 arranged in a vertically long ring (ellipse shape) is displayed, and the selection frame 102 and the detailed image display are displayed as in the first embodiment. Window 104 is displayed. In the state of FIG. 14, when the user presses the up key 610a or the down key 610b of the shift key 610, each menu icon of the icon group 601 is rotated in the vertical direction (vertical direction) as in the first embodiment. Move sequentially and shift cyclically.

  Further, when the left direction key 610c or the right direction key 610d of the shift key 610 is pressed, the display of the menu selection screen is switched as shown in FIG. 15A, and the icon group 602 arranged in a horizontally long annular shape (elliptical shape) is displayed. Is displayed. Thereafter, when the left direction key 610c or the right direction key 610d of the shift key 610 is further pressed, each menu icon of the icon group 602 is sequentially moved so as to rotate in the horizontal direction (left and right direction), and is cyclically shifted. For example, when the left key 610c is pressed once from the state of FIG. 15A, the menu icon is shifted by one in the left direction as shown in FIG. When the user presses the selection key 612 when a desired menu icon is located in the selection frame 102, a menu item corresponding to the menu icon is selected, and a corresponding function screen for executing the menu item is displayed. Move to display.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, a shift key capable of instructing a shift operation in multiple directions, such as a four-direction operation key, is provided, and the vertical direction (vertical direction) and the horizontal direction (left-right direction) according to the operation of the shift key. For example, menu icons can be arranged and cyclically shifted according to the operation direction of the shift key.

  In the third embodiment, the arrangement of menu icons and the direction of cyclic shift are switched. However, the configuration of the electronic device is simplified, and a shift operation instruction is given in the left-right direction (at least one direction left or right). It is also possible to provide a possible shift key, in which menu icons are arranged horizontally in the menu selection screen, and the menu icon is cyclically shifted only in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) by the operation of the shift key.

  As described above, according to the menu display control method of the present embodiment, menu selection can be performed intuitively and more easily, and the burden on the user at the time of menu selection is reduced. In this embodiment, since the selection frame is fixed, the user does not need to move the viewpoint, and the icons are cyclically shifted, so that it is easy to grasp the mutual relationship between the icons, and it is easy for the user to see. An icon selection screen is realized.

  In addition, since the icons need only be shifted in one direction, the burden on the user is reduced compared to the conventional method in which the cursor or the like needs to be moved on a two-dimensional plane. In this case, even if the desired menu icon has passed the selection frame, if the shift operation is continued, the menu icon that has made a round will come to the selection frame, or the menu icon that has passed will be reversed. The operation efficiency is good because it only needs to be returned to a little. Moreover, since the intuitive operation of the icon is sufficient, the user's psychological burden is reduced. In addition, since it is easy to grasp the overall image of the icon, the user who has shifted the icon feels that the desired icon arrives at the selection frame early, and this also places a psychological burden on the user. It is reduced.

  Basically, menus can be selected as long as only one or two icons before and after the selection frame are displayed, so the number of icons is reduced when the display is narrow. be able to. Even if the number of icons is reduced, since the icons are displayed in a circulating manner, it is possible to easily grasp the types of icons and the relationship between the icons. Also, various variations such as a display in which the size of the icon in the vicinity of the selection frame is large and the size of the other icons is small (that is, a display that is conscious of perspective) can be easily adopted.

  In the display unit, not only the menu icon but also a window which is a display area different from the menu icon is provided, and a detailed image or the like of the icon at the position of the selection frame is displayed in this window, so that the user icon Visibility can be improved. In this case, the icon display space is reduced by the amount of the window, but some icons are not displayed, some icons are reduced in size, or some windows are overlapped with each other. By taking such measures, it is possible to sufficiently cope with a small display area.

  The electronic device such as the mobile phone device of the present embodiment adopting the menu display control method is easy to select a menu, has less burden on the user, and effectively responds to the multi-function and miniaturization of the electronic device. can do. In particular, in portable terminal devices that are becoming smaller and more multifunctional, it is possible to efficiently select a desired function from a large number of functions through intuitive and simple operations by effectively using a limited display space. By making this possible, the user-friendliness can be improved.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to comfortably select a desired menu (function) while effectively using a limited display space and reducing the burden on the user. It is possible to improve the usability of the device and, in turn, increase the product value.

  The present invention has an effect that, when selecting a menu using a menu icon, it is possible to easily check the icon, while improving the operability and reducing the burden on the user. This is useful as a display control technique for a menu selection screen in an electronic device such as a portable terminal device that can display a screen and select a menu item.

The figure for demonstrating the characteristic of the menu display control method which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the display mode in the case of displaying the menu icon and the window for detailed image display in the menu selection screen of the display part in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the display control accompanying the shift of the menu icon in this embodiment The figure which shows the other aspect of the display of the menu icon in this embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the example which enabled change of the arrangement | sequence of the several menu icon in this embodiment The front view which shows the content of the external appearance structure and menu selection screen of the mobile telephone apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which expands and shows the menu selection screen in the mobile telephone apparatus of 2nd Embodiment The figure which shows the 1st modification of the menu selection screen in the mobile telephone apparatus of this embodiment. The figure which shows the 2nd modification of the menu selection screen in the mobile telephone apparatus of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the hardware in the mobile telephone apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the more concrete structure of the hardware in the mobile telephone apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure for implement | achieving the cyclic shift of the icon in this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure when the shift key in this embodiment is intermittently pressed and a menu icon carries out a cyclic shift continuously. The figure which shows the structure of the menu selection screen and shift key which were displayed on the display part which concerns on the portable terminal device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the change of the arrangement | sequence of the menu icon by operation of the shift key which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 600 Display unit 102 Selection frame 103 Menu icon 104 Window 106 Soft key indicating operation function of selection key 108 Numeric keypad 110, 610 Shift key 111 Speaker 112, 612 Selection key 115 Receiver (microphone)
200 Mobile Phone Device 310 Memory Unit 320 Control Unit 330 Operation Unit 601 and 602 Icon Group

Claims (18)

A display unit and an operation unit having a first operation key for performing an operation input for shifting a plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit;
A function of displaying at least a part of a plurality of menu icons and a selection frame whose position on the display unit is fixed on the display unit;
The plurality of menu icons are arranged so as to be virtually circularly shiftable, and when the first operation key is operated, the plurality of menu icons are displayed on the display unit. An electronic apparatus including an image display control unit having a function of shifting while circulating through a selection frame sequentially. The electronic device according to claim 1,
A second operation key for performing an operation input for selecting one of a plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit;
An electronic device further comprising: an operation control unit having a function of selecting a menu item corresponding to a menu icon at a position of the selection frame displayed on the display unit when the second operation key is operated. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The image display control unit has a function of displaying at least a part of the plurality of menu icons and the selection frame on the display unit, and displaying a detailed image corresponding to the menu icon at the position of the selection frame. Electronics. The electronic device according to claim 3,
The image display control unit overlaps at least a part of at least one menu icon other than the menu icons located before and after the selection frame among the plurality of menu icons. Electronic devices that display larger than each menu icon. The electronic device according to claim 3,
The image display control unit is an electronic device that hides at least one of the plurality of menu icons other than the menu icons positioned before and after the selection frame. The electronic device according to claim 3,
The image display control unit is an electronic device that displays a menu icon at and near the position of the selection frame among the plurality of menu icons larger than the other menu icons. The electronic device according to claim 3,
The electronic device that hides the detailed image in the middle of the displacement of the menu icon in which the plurality of menu icons are cyclically shifted in accordance with the operation of the first operation key. The electronic device according to claim 7,
When an arbitrary menu icon is located in the selection frame and the displacement of the menu icon stops, the image display control unit displays a detailed image corresponding to the menu icon located in the selection frame larger than the menu icon. Electronic device to display. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The image display control unit is an electronic device in which an arrangement of the plurality of menu icons can be changed. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The said image display control part is an electronic device which has a function which arrange | positions the said several menu icon in the said display part in the annular | circular shape or row | line | column in the vertical direction, and can be shifted in the vertical direction. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The said image display control part is an electronic device which has a function which arrange | positions the said several menu icon in the said display part in the annular | circular shape or row | line | column form in the horizontal direction, and can be shifted in a horizontal direction. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The first operation key is an electronic device for instructing a shift operation in one direction or two directions including a direction opposite to the one direction. The electronic device according to claim 12,
The first operation key is used for instructing a shift operation in one direction upward or downward, or in two directions upward and downward.
The image display control unit is an electronic apparatus having a function of displaying the plurality of menu icons so as to be vertically shiftable on the display unit. The electronic device according to claim 12,
The first operation key is used to instruct a shift operation in one direction left or right, or two directions left or right.
The image display control unit is an electronic device having a function of displaying the plurality of menu icons on the display unit so as to be shiftable in a horizontal direction. The electronic device according to claim 12,
The first operation key is for instructing a shift operation in at least two directions including one direction upward or downward and one direction left or right, or four directions in the vertical and horizontal directions. ,
The image display control unit arranges the plurality of menu icons in a vertical direction in response to switching of an operation instruction direction between an upward operation or a downward operation and a left operation or a right operation by the first operation key. Electronic device that has the function of switching between and horizontal display. A method for controlling menu display in an electronic device, comprising: a display unit; and an operation unit having a first operation key for performing an operation input for shifting a plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit.
Displaying at least a part of a plurality of menu icons and a selection frame having a fixed position on the display unit on the display unit;
The plurality of menu icons are arranged so as to be virtually cyclically shiftable, and when the first operation key is operated, the plurality of menu icons are displayed on the display unit. A method for controlling menu display in an electronic device, the method including a step of shifting while circulating through a selection frame sequentially. A menu display control method for an electronic device according to claim 16,
When displaying the menu icon and the selection frame on the display unit, an electronic device that displays a window larger than the menu icon and displays a detailed image corresponding to the menu icon at the position of the selection frame in this window Menu display control method. By using a window that is displayed largely on the display unit, a menu icon group including a plurality of small menu icons displayed in the vicinity of the window, and a selection frame displayed at a fixed position on the display unit, Is a portable terminal device capable of selecting a desired menu,
An operation unit having a shift key for performing an operation input for shifting the plurality of menu icons displayed on the display unit, and a selection key for performing an operation input for selecting one of the plurality of menu icons;
In the menu selection mode, a plurality of menu icons of the menu icon group are arranged so as to be virtually cyclically shiftable, the window is superimposed on a part of the menu icon group, and the selection frame is displayed on the window. When a function for displaying a synthesized image of a detailed image corresponding to a menu icon at a position and displaying the synthesized image as a menu selection screen for menu selection on the display unit and the shift key is operated, A function of generating and displaying the menu icon group in a form in which each menu icon sequentially passes through the selection frame in a form that is cyclically shifted, and when the selection key is operated, Function to display the corresponding function screen for executing the menu item corresponding to the menu icon at the position of the selection frame An image display control unit having,
A mobile terminal device comprising:

Images