JP2007034468A - Electronic equipment, cellular phone, and method and program for changing assignment of operation element function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To substitute a defective operation element function by another operation element. <P>SOLUTION: An operation part 105 and an operation part 121 include a plurality of operation elements such as buttons or keys. The function of a defective operation element is assigned to at least one other operation element. When one pumeric key is assigned as the other operation element, a plurality of numeric values including the numeric value of the numeric key assigned are assigned to one of the other ten keys. Even if characters other than numbers are assigned to numeric keys, input function of characters other than number can be suppressed for at least the one numeric key after the assignment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a plurality of operation elements, and relates to a mobile phone having operation keys such as a numeric keypad.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventional mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones are provided with various operation elements such as operation keys, buttons, and jog dials for inputting characters and operating various functions.

Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit that performs self-diagnosis of the operation of key switch circuits arranged in a matrix.
JP 63-204311 A

  In an electronic device, if an operation element for performing a main operation does not operate normally due to the occurrence of a malfunction, the use of the device is seriously hindered.

  For example, in the case where operation of a specific operation key is indispensable for the execution of a certain operation or function in a mobile phone, the operation or function cannot be executed if the operation key becomes defective.

  When a disaster such as an earthquake occurs, the operating element may become inoperable due to factors such as impact on the mobile phone, or may become inoperable due to falling. In such a case, the value of the mobile phone is lost if an emergency contact cannot be made due to a defect in the operation element.

  The present invention has been made in such a background, and an electronic device, a mobile phone, an operation element function assignment change method, and an operation element function that can replace the function of an operation element that has become inoperable with another operation element. An allocation change program is provided.

  An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device having a plurality of operation elements, and is provided with function assignment changing means for assigning a function of a defective operation element to another operation element.

  After the function assignment is changed, when the other operation element is operated by the user, not the function of the operation element but the function of the defective operation element is executed.

  In order to determine the other operation element, at least one other operation element that can substitute the function of each operation element may be determined in advance, or may be specified by the user. And a means for searching for the other operation element and presenting a candidate for the other operation element.

  When one of the numeric keys is assigned as the other operation element, a plurality of numeric values including the numeric value of the other operation element are assigned to one numeric keypad. As a result, it is possible to prevent the assignment destination numerical value from being input.

  Even when a character other than a number is assigned to a numeric keypad, the function of inputting a character other than a number may be inhibited for at least the one numeric keypad after the assignment. This reduces the total number of numbers and characters assigned to one numeric keypad, making it easier to input numbers.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is suitable for application to a mobile phone.

  The present invention can also be understood as an operation element function assignment change method and an operation element function assignment change program in an electronic device having a plurality of operation elements.

  According to the present invention, the function of the operation element that has become inoperable due to a defect or the like can be replaced by another operation element, so that the use of the electronic device can be continued and it is possible to cope with an emergency.

  Hereinafter, a mobile phone as an embodiment of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the front side appearance of mobile phone 100 in the present embodiment, and shows an open state in which the upper and lower housings are opened. In this example, the display unit 103 on the main surface of the upper casing 102 is always exposed, and the upper casing 102 is slid with respect to the lower casing 122 from the state where the upper casing 102 is superimposed on the lower casing 122. Shows a mobile phone of the type in which the second operation unit 121 on the lower housing 122 appears. The slide may be linear or rotary.

  In a closed state (not shown), the two housings overlap each other so that the back surface of the upper housing 102 overlaps the main surface of the lower housing 122.

  The display unit 103 occupies most of the area on the main surface of the upper housing 102. The display unit 103 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL, and the display screen is always exposed to the outside. A speaker 101 is arranged on the upper portion of the display unit 103. The speaker 101 is a device that converts an electrical signal into audible sound. A first operation unit 105 for performing a limited operation is arranged in an area below the display unit 103. The first operation unit 105 includes various keys such as an utterance key, a power / end key, and a clear key, and operation elements such as a jog dial (disc jog here) 110. The jog dial 110 is an input device in which a direction instruction (arrow) key 113 capable of instructing an up / down / left / right direction around a push button 114 capable of a push operation is arranged, and a rotating ring 112 is arranged around the key. A microphone 115, which is a device that converts sound into an electrical signal, is provided in the lower portion of the upper housing 102.

  As can be seen from FIG. 1, the second operation unit 121 to be pressed is disposed on the main surface of the lower housing 122, and the second operation unit 121 is hidden behind the upper housing 102 in the closed state. The second operation unit 121 includes operation elements such as a numeric keypad, a manner key, and a memo key.

  Here, the upper casing 102 slides and overlaps with the lower casing 122 is shown. However, a so-called bi-fold type (bivalve type) may be used, or a single casing is used. A so-called straight type may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the mobile phone 100. The cellular phone 100 includes, as elements unique to the cellular phone, an antenna 201, a transmission / reception processing unit 203, a modulation / demodulation processing unit 205, a data processing unit 207, a D / A converter 209, a speaker 210 (corresponding to 101 in FIG. 1), An A / D converter 211 and a microphone 212 (corresponding to 115 in FIG. 1) are provided. The cellular phone 100 also includes a control unit 225 including a CPU, a ROM, and the like for controlling these elements, a memory 227 used as a work area and a temporary storage area for data by the control unit 225, and a display functioning as a user interface. A unit 220 (corresponding to 103 in FIG. 1) and an operation unit 223 (corresponding to 105 and 121 in FIG. 1) are provided. There may be a plurality of speakers 210 for calls and ring tones.

  When an operation element such as an arbitrary operation key, button, or dial of the operation unit 223 is operated by the user, the operation is detected by the control unit 225. In the present embodiment, a detection signal of a high level (hereinafter referred to as “H” level) is output when an operation of an arbitrary operation element is detected. (Hereinafter referred to as “L” level). Therefore, when the output signal remains at the “L” level after waiting for a certain period of time even though any of the operating elements is operated, the operating element is regarded as not operating normally. Assign functions to other operating elements. The memory 227 uses a read-only memory or a read-only memory (EEPROM) to which information can be electrically written and erased, and accepts normal mobile phone operation input, communication, mail processing, web processing, display, audio In addition to control programs for various operations such as input / output, telephone directory management, schedule management, etc., when a function of an operation element of the operation unit 223 does not operate normally due to a defect or the like, the function is transferred to another operation element. A function assignment change control program for assigning to is stored.

  That is, the control unit 225 performs predetermined information processing according to the function assignment change control program in the memory 227 when the function does not operate normally due to an operation of any one of the operation elements of the operation unit 223. To be made. For example, when the jog dial does not operate normally and the jog function is set to be assigned to the direction instruction key, the jog function is covered by the direction instruction key.

  There are mainly the following three types of function assignment changing methods for assigning functions of a certain operation element to other operation elements.

  The first is to determine in advance candidate operation elements to be assigned to each operation element when the function is to be assigned. The number of candidates is not limited to one, and a plurality of candidates may be prepared. This is because the selected candidate is also defective, corresponds to a case where the user does not desire, or corresponds to a case where a function of another defective operation element has already been assigned. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, data such as an assignment destination candidate table 300 in which a plurality of assignment destination operation element candidates (first to third in the example in the figure) are assigned for each assignment source operation element. A table can be used. As shown in the figure, the number of assignment destination operation elements to which the functions of an assignment source operation element are simultaneously assigned is not necessarily one. In the figure, each of the first to third candidates of the assignment destination of the assignment source operation element # 4 includes two assignment destination operation elements. For example, when the assignment source operation element is a jog dial, two assignment destination operation elements can be assigned in both the forward and reverse rotation directions. Further, when the assignment source operation element is an up / down / left / right direction instruction key, it is assigned to four assignment destination operation elements (for example, numeric keys “2”, “4”, “6”, “8”) corresponding to the up, down, left, and right directions. It is also possible.

  Second, when it is determined that a certain operation element is defective, the user assigns the function of the operation element to another desired operation element.

  Third, when it is determined that a certain operation element is defective, the control unit automatically determines the operation element to which the assignment is made. In this case, it is possible to select an appropriate assignment destination operation element according to the defective operation element and the situation at that time. In this case, there is a possibility that the user's desired assignment may not be achieved, but there is an advantage that the user's trouble can be saved.

  FIG. 4 shows an allocation result table for storing an allocation result specifying the allocation destination operation element corresponding to the allocation source operation element when the function of the operation element that has become defective is allocated to another operation element. 400 examples are shown. In this example, entries of all assignment source operation elements are prepared, but only operation elements to which assignment has been performed may be stored. It is preferable that the assignment result of FIG. 4 can be confirmed on the display screen by the user according to an instruction from the user.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention. As described above, this process is realized by executing the control program stored in the memory 227 by the control unit 225 (the same applies to other processes described later). This process is started at at least one time point when the mobile phone is turned on, when instructed by the user, and when instructed by the control unit. When the power is turned on, the user is first inquired by display and / or voice whether diagnosis is to be performed, and this processing is executed when instructed to do so.

  First, a diagnosis is performed to determine whether one given operation element (operation key, button, dial, etc.) operates normally (S11). A specific example will be described later.

  If the diagnosis result is OK (S12), the process proceeds to step S15 described later. If the diagnosis result is NG, the user is inquired whether to change the function assignment of the operation element (S13). This inquiry can be made, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit 103 and / or outputting sound from the speaker 210.

  When the user instructs to change the assignment, the operation element function assignment change process is executed (S14). Details of this allocation change processing will be described in detail below.

  The above process is repeated for each of the plurality of operation elements (S15).

  Note that “diagnosis” in step S11 is basically performed for all operation elements, but it is also possible for the user to select an operation element to be diagnosed.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific processing example of “diagnosis of operation element” in step S11 of FIG.

  First, the user is instructed to operate the operation element (S21). This is performed by outputting an instruction message such as “Please turn the jog dial” or “Please press the utterance key” for each operation element by display and / or voice. Next, the detection signal as described above (whether or not a high level is output) is checked according to the operation of the operation element (S22). If it can be detected, it is determined that the operation element is OK (normal) (S23). If a detection signal is not output even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the operation instruction of the operation element (S24), it is determined that the operation element is NG (defective) (S25).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a specific processing example of step S14 (change of function assignment of operation elements) in FIG. This corresponds to the first function assignment changing method described above.

  First, the candidate of the other operation element matched with the said operation element is shown, and a user is inquired whether the allocation to the operation element is possible (S31). This can be done, for example, by outputting a message such as "Are you sure you want to assign this function to the OO button?" Candidates for “other operation elements” can be obtained by referring to the assignment destination candidate table 300. If the user rejects the assignment to the other operation element, the process returns to step S31 to present the next assignment candidate.

  When the user's approval for the presented candidate is obtained (S32), the other operation element to which the assignment is made is diagnosed (S33). This diagnosis may be the same as the processing shown in FIG. If the diagnosis result is NG (S34), it is determined that the other operation element is also defective, and the process returns to step S31.

  If the diagnosis result is OK, the function of the assignment source operation element is assigned to the assignment destination operation element (S35). This result is stored in the assignment result table 400 shown in FIG. As a result, the function of the assignment source operation element thereafter is replaced by the assignment destination operation element. When the assignment is completed, a message that alerts the user, such as “Please press the XX key instead of the □□ key” may be output.

  FIG. 8 shows another specific processing example of step S14 (changing the assignment of the function of the operation element) in FIG. This corresponds to the second function assignment changing method described above.

  First, the user is made to specify the operation element to be assigned (S41). This can be done, for example, by outputting an instruction message such as “Please press another key to assign this function” by display and / or voice. When one of the operation elements is designated by the user, the designated operation element is diagnosed (S42). This diagnosis may be the same as the processing shown in FIG. If the diagnosis result is NG (S43), it is determined that the other operation element is also defective, and the process returns to step S41.

  If the diagnosis result is OK, the function of the assignment source operation element is assigned to the assignment destination operation element (S44). This result is stored in the assignment result table 400 shown in FIG. Thereby, when the operation element of the assignment destination is operated thereafter, the function of the assignment source is executed. That is, the function of the assignment source operation element is replaced by the assignment destination operation element.

  FIG. 9 shows still another specific processing example of step S14 (change of function assignment of operation element) in FIG. This corresponds to the third function assignment changing method described above.

  First, another operation element to be assigned to the operation element is searched (S51). Specifically, from among the operation elements of the assignment destination that can be substituted according to the operation element of the assignment source, select from those that are not currently defective or those that are not already assigned to other defective operation elements To do. At this time, a message such as “This key is broken. Please wait for a while as it is automatically assigned to another key” may be output.

  Next, the user is inquired of whether or not assignment to other operation elements obtained by this search is possible (S52). This can be done, for example, by outputting a message such as "Are you sure you want to assign this function to the OO button?" If the assignment approval is not obtained, the process returns to step S51 to search for another assignment destination.

  If the user's approval is obtained in step S53, the other operation element is diagnosed (S54). This diagnosis may be the same as the processing shown in FIG. If the diagnosis result is NG (S55), it is determined that the other operation element is also defective, and the process returns to step S51.

  If the diagnosis result is OK, the function of the assignment source operation element is assigned to the assignment destination operation element (S56). This result is stored in the assignment result table 400 shown in FIG. As a result, the function of the assignment source operation element thereafter is replaced by the assignment destination operation element.

  FIG. 10 shows processing associated with the function assignment change. When a numeric key (ten key) as an operation element to which a function is assigned is assigned to another function, the numeric key cannot be used for inputting a number thereafter. This makes it impossible to enter the number. Therefore, when one of the numeric keys is assigned as another operation element, a plurality of numerical values including the numerical value of the assigned numeric key are collectively assigned to the other numeric key. At this time, for example, all of the numeric keys “0” to “9” may be assigned to one numeric key, or one or more of bad numeric keys and normal numeric keys are assigned to normal numeric keys. Also good. In the latter case, for example, when the numeric key “0” is assigned, the original function of the numeric key “0” and the function of the numeric key “1” can be assigned to the numeric key “1”. . At this time, each time the same numeric key is pressed, the numbers and characters assigned to both numeric keys are cyclically switched and input.

  The process of FIG. 10 shows a case where the functions of all the numeric keys “0” to “9” are assigned to another numeric key. The same applies to the case where functions of some numeric keys are assigned to one numeric key.

  First, it is checked whether the operation element to be assigned is a numeric key (S61). Otherwise, this process ends. If the operation element to be assigned is a numeric key, whether or not the functions of all numeric keys “0” to “9” can be assigned to other numeric keys is confirmed to the user by display and / or voice (S62). ). If the user's approval is not obtained (S63, No), this process is terminated.

  If the user's approval is obtained, the user is invited to operate the assigned key (S64). If the key operated by the user is not suitable for assignment by nature or already assigned to another function (S65), another key operation is invited again (S64). This step S65 may include the above-described diagnosis processing.

  If there is no problem with the key operated by the user, the function of all numeric keys of the assignment destination key is assigned (S66). This result is stored in the assignment result table 400 shown in FIG. As a result, the function of the numeric key of the assignment source thereafter is replaced with the numeric key of the assignment destination.

  Normally, kana characters and English characters are assigned to the numeric keys of the mobile phone in addition to numbers. Therefore, when the functions of a plurality of number keys are assigned to one number key, the total number of numbers and characters assigned to one number key increases. In particular, when the functions of all the numeric keys from “0” to “9” are assigned to one numeric key, the total number becomes excessive, and considerable effort is required to input a desired character. However, the function assignment change according to the present embodiment has a first-aid aspect, and it is considered that a numeric keypad can be used for inputting numbers for telephone contact. Therefore, when the functions of a plurality of numeric keys are aggregated and assigned to one numeric key, the output of characters other than numeric characters may be suppressed at least for the numeric keys.

  For example, “3” is input when the assigned number key is pressed three times. When the direction key (right) is pressed, the cursor moves to the right and the second digit can be entered. Therefore, to call "ll9", press the assigned number key once to enter "1" and press the direction key (right). Next, the assigned number key is pressed once and “1” is input for the second digit. Next, when the direction instruction key (right) is pressed, the cursor is moved to the third digit, the assigned number key is pressed nine times, "9" is input, and the utterance key is pressed, so that "119" can be transmitted.

  In the processing described above, the function assignment of the operation element is changed when any operation element is found to be defective by the diagnosis process. However, there is a case where a defect of a specific operation element can be recognized while the user is using the mobile phone without performing a diagnosis process. In this case, it is possible to immediately execute the function assignment change process of the operation element without performing the diagnosis process. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of such processing. This process can be executed by selecting a predetermined menu item prepared in the menu, for example.

  In the example shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, the specification of the defective operation element by the user is accepted (S71). Since this specification cannot be performed by operating the defective operation element, a specific method of selecting from the displayed options is adopted. Therefore, an assignment changing process for assigning the function of the specified defective operation element to another operation key is performed (S72). This assignment changing process may be any process described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, according to the mobile phone of the present invention, even when an operation element does not operate normally due to a defect or the like, the function of the operation element can be assigned to another operation element.

  In addition, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the mobile phone, and can be applied to any electronic device having a plurality of operation elements.

  Although the operation key diagnosis is performed based on the manual operation of the user, if automatic self-diagnosis can be performed, the operation key function assignment can be changed using the diagnosis result.

  In addition, when an operation element used for approval is defective when receiving approval from the user, the control unit cannot recognize the operation even if the user operates the operation element. In such a case, if this is known to the control unit, it may be considered that the user has automatically approved.

It is a top view which shows the front side external appearance (open state) of the mobile telephone to which this invention was applied. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the hardware constitutions of the mobile telephone shown in FIG. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing an assignment destination candidate table in which a plurality of assignment destination operation element candidates (first to third in the example of the figure) are assigned for each assignment source operation element. In the embodiment of the present invention, when a function of a defective operation element is assigned to another operation element, an assignment result specifying the assignment destination operation element corresponding to the assignment source operation element is stored. It is a figure which shows the example of the allocation result table to put. It is a flowchart which shows schematic operation | movement of the mobile telephone in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the specific process example of the diagnosis of the operation element in FIG.5 S11. It is a flowchart which shows the specific process example of step S14 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other specific process example of step S14 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other specific process example of step S14 of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the process accompanying the function allocation change in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a process in the case of performing the function allocation change process of an operation element immediately, without performing a diagnostic process in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Mobile phone, 101 ... Speaker, 102 ... Upper housing, 103 ... Display part, 105 ... 1st operation part, 110 ... Jog dial, 112 ... Rotating ring, 113 ... Direction indication key, 114 ... Push button, 115 ... Microphone , 121 ... second operation unit, 122 ... lower housing, 201 ... antenna, 203 ... transmission / reception processing unit, 205 ... modulation / demodulation processing unit, 207 ... data processing unit, 209 ... D / A converter, 210 ... speaker, 211 ... A / D converter, 212 ... microphone, 220 ... display unit, 223 ... operation unit, 225 ... control unit, 227 ... memory, 300 ... allocation destination candidate table, 400 ... allocation result table

Claims (10)

An electronic device having a plurality of operation elements,
An electronic apparatus comprising: function assignment changing means for assigning a function of a defective operation element to another operation element.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for requesting the user to operate a predetermined operation element when the power is turned on or when instructed by the user, and diagnosing whether or not the operation element is defective based on the operation result. The electronic device described.   3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one other operation element capable of substituting its function is predetermined for each operation element.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user is allowed to designate the other operation element.   3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for searching for the other operation element and presenting the candidate for the other operation element.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for assigning a plurality of numerical values including a numerical value of the other operation element to one numeric key when one of the numeric keys is assigned as the other operation element. The electronic device in any one.   7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein even when a character other than a number is assigned to the numeric keypad, an input function of a character other than a number is inhibited for at least the one numeric keypad after the assignment. . A mobile phone having a plurality of operation elements,
A mobile phone comprising a function assignment changing means for assigning a function of a defective operation element to another operation element. An operation element function assignment changing method in an electronic device having a plurality of operation elements,
Diagnosing the function of at least one operating element;
And a step of assigning a function of the operation element to another operation element when the operation element is determined to be defective as a result of the diagnosis. An operation element function assignment change program in an electronic device having a plurality of operation elements,
Diagnosing the function of at least one operating element;
As a result of this diagnosis, if the operation element is determined to be defective, an operation element function assignment change program that causes a computer to execute a step of assigning the function of the operation element to another operation element

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