JP2007074232A - Cellular phone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cellular phone enabling a user to select a shortcut key and register optional functions of the cellular phone in the shortcut key, and being capable of activating the registered functions of the shortcut key using simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The cellular phone 10 is provided with a shortcut key registering processing part 28 for allocating a required function of the cellular phone to an optional ten-key; an operation part 24, comprising a function selection key 243 for validating the function of the registered shortcut key, a call key 241 for calling and ten-keys 245; a mode control part 27 for changing the cellular phone 10 to a mode, corresponding to the operated key when the function selection key 243 or the call key 241 is operated; and a mode storage part 29 for storing the changed mode. Where, a depressed ten-key is operated as a shortcut key or a numeral key for inputting a telephone number, according to the mode stored in the mode storage part 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a function key of a mobile phone, and in particular, a function can be registered as a shortcut key for a user to select one or two numeric keys and character keys to activate an arbitrary function. The present invention relates to a cellular phone configured to be able to activate a shortcut key function registered in a numeric keypad and a character key operated by a user by using a standby state or presence / absence of a call key operation as a trigger.

  With the development of information processing technology and communication technology in recent years, various portable information communication terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as mobile terminal devices) have become widespread. Such a mobile terminal device is connected to an information distribution server or a desired website that provides various services via a network such as the Internet when the user is out, or receives the service, or acquires information, It is possible to obtain information necessary for business by connecting to the company's network.

  Recently, the hardware and software functions of mobile phones have been enhanced, and the functions of conventional mobile terminal devices have been enhanced, and there is a remarkable increase in the penetration rate of mobile phones. The number of operators providing data communication services using mobile phones is increasing, and various services such as banking, Internet sales, navigation, vending machines, payment for transportation and convenience stores, etc. using mobile phones. It has become possible to receive. In particular, mobile phones can be equipped with various options and applications, and the types of services that can be used are increasing.

  As an additional function of such a mobile phone, there is also provided a built-in camera. Using a camera-equipped mobile phone, users can shoot an arbitrary subject at any time and place without having to carry a digital camera individually, and electronically capture the image data captured using the packet communication function. It can be attached to an e-mail or the like and sent to its own computer device or sent to a friend or family member. In addition, proposals have been made to provide a service for sending captured image data to a server in a service center for storage or printing.

  A mobile phone called the third generation is equipped with a GPS receiver and can measure the current position (latitude / longitude) where the mobile phone itself is located, and a navigation system using the mobile phone as a terminal device has also been put into practical use. Has been. In addition, using this positioning system, various utilization systems have been studied for confirming the positions of elderly people, children, etc., and confirming the positions of incidents such as crimes and fires, and reports in accidents.

  Furthermore, the user installs various applications developed for mobile phones such as browsers, applications, and game software provided by service providers on his / her own mobile phones to add desired services and functions. Because it can be customized.

  By the way, in a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, a character input device is configured by an operation unit in which a limited number of keys are installed in a limited area, and thus a plurality of character codes are assigned to the keys. The sentence is created by performing conversion such as Kanji conversion and alphanumeric conversion according to the function and operation sequence selected by the user. For this reason, it is necessary to perform a complicated process of switching a character input conversion mode while operating a key to input characters.

  As described above, as mobile phone applications have expanded into various fields, the operation of mobile phones has become increasingly complex, making it particularly difficult for elderly people to use. Also, in order to execute various functions that can be operated with a mobile phone as well as character input, multiple functions are assigned to one key, and one of the functions assigned to the key is specified by mode switching or menu selection. Thus, a configuration for executing a desired operation has to be adopted, which further complicates the operation of the mobile phone.

  In general, since the main function of a mobile phone is a call function, when the mobile phone is in a standby state where it does not use any function other than a call, the operation of numeric keys and character keys other than function keys It is designed to be handled as a phone number input mode for calls. Therefore, when a user wants to use a function other than a telephone call, for a function other than the telephone call previously installed in the mobile phone, a desired application is selected by selecting a desired function from the initial menu screen displayed on the display unit. It is configured to use a desired function by starting up or selecting a function key provided on the operation unit to start up a predetermined application.

  Such an operation procedure is troublesome for the user, and in order to solve this problem, a calculator such as a “multifunctional electronic device” disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-146920) is used. In a multifunctional electronic device such as a mobile phone having a function, a technique for starting a calculator mode via a menu screen displaying a plurality of modes is known.

In the multi-function electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when a user operates a numeric key of the key operation unit 3 and inputs a numerical value in a standby mode of a mobile phone, The entered numerical value and the shortcut key to shift to the calculator mode are displayed. Then, when the user operates the key operation unit and presses a key corresponding to the shortcut key, the calculator mode is activated. In addition, the numerical value input in the standby mode can be recognized as at least a part of the arithmetic input numerical value, and the operation of the user is saved and the operation which is easy to understand visually is realized.
JP 2004-146920 A (Fig.

  By the way, as described above, in the mobile phone, it is preferable to provide a function selection method that is easy for the user to understand and operate because various functions are used. For this purpose, it is convenient that a desired function can be started immediately by performing a specific key operation like a shortcut key in the multi-function electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  However, in the mobile phone that is a multifunctional electronic device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a numeric key is input in the standby mode, a shortcut key selection display of the calculator function is performed and the user immediately operates the shortcut key. The calculator mode is activated and the input numerical value is handled as the input numerical value in the calculator calculation. That is, in the multi-function electronic device of Patent Document 1, the shortcut key is set in advance on the electronic device side, and is limited to the calculator function. For any function desired by the user, the same simple operation as the calculator function is performed. There was a problem that could not.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, the user can select one or two numeric keys and character keys to function as shortcut keys for starting arbitrary functions. If it is configured so that it can be registered and the shortcut function registered in the numeric keypad and character key operated by the user can be activated by using the standby state or presence / absence of call key operation as a trigger, the above problem The present invention has been completed by conceiving that the points can be eliminated.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a user can select an arbitrary numeric keypad to register an arbitrary function of a mobile phone as a shortcut key, and a shortcut key registered by a simple operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile phone capable of activating the function.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is a mobile phone having a call function and other functions, wherein the mobile phone registers a desired function of the mobile phone to an arbitrary numeric keypad. When a processing unit, a function selection key for enabling a registered shortcut key function, a call key for a call, an operation unit including a numeric keypad, and the function selection key or the call key are operated A mode control unit that changes the mobile phone to a mode corresponding to the operated key; and a mode storage unit that stores the changed mode, and is operated according to the mode stored in the mode storage unit. The numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key or a numeric key for inputting a telephone number.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is a mobile phone having a call function and other functions, wherein the mobile phone has a shortcut key registration processing unit for assigning a desired function of the mobile phone to an arbitrary numeric keypad, Mode control for changing the mobile phone to a call mode or an operation mode for enabling a registered shortcut key function based on the presence or absence of operation of the call key And a mode storage unit for storing the changed mode, and the operated numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key or a numeric key for inputting a telephone number in accordance with the mode stored in the mode storage unit. It is characterized by that.

  In the invention according to claim 1, when the function selection key or the call key is operated, the mode control unit that changes the mobile phone to the mode corresponding to the operated key, and the mode storage unit that stores the changed mode The operated numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key or a numeric key for inputting a telephone number in accordance with the mode stored in the mode storage unit.

  Therefore, the mode is switched by operating the function selection key or the call key using the standby state as a trigger, and the key operated in the next key operation is switched between functioning as a shortcut key or functioning as a numeric key for entering a telephone number. The user can easily execute the function registered in the shortcut key registration unit simply by operating any registered shortcut key.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a mode control unit that changes the mobile phone to a call mode or an operation mode that enables a registered shortcut key function based on whether or not a call key is operated, and a change A mode storage unit for storing the selected mode, and the operated numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key or a numeric key for inputting a telephone number in accordance with the mode stored in the mode storage unit.

  Therefore, using the presence or absence of the call key operation as a trigger, when the ten key operation is performed without the call key operation, the operated ten key is automatically treated as a shortcut key, and when the call key 241 is operated, the operated ten key is operated. Is treated as a numeric key for inputting a telephone number, the shortcut key function is given priority in the numeric keypad operation. For this reason, the user can execute a desired function of the mobile phone by a shortcut key function without complicated operations.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view showing the external appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows a shortcut key registration screen in the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a shortcut key registration memory, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a mode control procedure by shortcut key operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a shortcut according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the mode control procedure by key operation.

  The block diagram of FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a mobile phone 10 including a character input device 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 10 includes a call unit 11 and an operation control unit 21 according to the present invention. The call unit 11 includes a microphone 12, a speaker 13, and a radio unit 14. The radio unit 14 includes an antenna, a transmission / reception circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a compression / decompression circuit, an audio codec, and the like. The voice input from the microphone 12 is transmitted as a voice signal, and the voice signal of the other party of the call is received and output to the speaker 13.

  The operation control unit 21 includes a main control unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, a mode key detection unit 25, an alphanumeric / kana conversion control unit 26, a mode control unit 27, a mode storage unit 29, and a registration process for performing shortcut key registration. And a shortcut key registration unit 30. The main control unit 22 includes a microcomputer, a RAM, a ROM, and the like and functions as a computer device, and controls the above-described units of the radio unit 14 and the operation control unit 21. The display unit 23 and the operation unit 24 are used for operations and displays for data communication via the Internet network in addition to displays and operations for calls on the mobile phone 10. The operation unit 24 is used for inputting a desired character string in order to input a telephone number during a call and to use various data communication services via an Internet network such as an electronic mail.

  The operation unit 24 is provided with a call key 241, a function selection key 243, and a numeric keypad 245. When a call is made, the numeric keypad 245 is operated to input a telephone number and the call key 241 is operated to make a call. Also, alphanumeric characters, katakana, and hiragana characters are assigned to the numeric keypad 245, and the alphanumeric code conversion control unit 26 performs character code conversion. The character code conversion is converted into an input character code corresponding to each operated key depending on whether the input mode is alphanumeric kana or kana-kanji conversion mode. The function selection key 243 is a key for enabling the function of the shortcut key.

  In the mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment, the user inputs one or two of the desired numeric keys 245, and a desired function provided in the mobile phone 10 for the input character, for example, a phone book function or a camera. Function registration can be performed as a shortcut key for activating a function. The registered shortcut function can be activated by operating the corresponding shortcut key. At that time, when the mobile phone 10 is in a standby state, or when the call key 241 is operated as a trigger, the shortcut function registered in the numeric keypad (shortcut key) operated by the user is activated. The user can activate a desired function of the mobile phone 10 without complicated menu screen operations and mode key operations.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. The cellular phone 10 includes a display unit 23 and an operation unit 24 configured by a liquid crystal display unit or the like. The operation unit 24 is provided with a tow key 241, a function selection key 243, and a plurality of numeric keys 245. Mode keys not marked with or cursor keys for operating a specific display image on the screen displayed on the display unit 23. The function selection key 243 is a key for switching to a mode for enabling the function of the shortcut key.

  In general, when no operation is performed on the mobile phone 10, the mobile phone 10 is prioritized for a call function and is in a standby state waiting for an incoming call, and a standby screen is displayed on the display unit 23. When it is desired to activate a function other than the telephone call of the mobile phone 10, a menu screen is displayed on the display unit 23, and various functions of the mobile phone set in the menu are activated by selecting a desired menu by operating the cursor. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the user can register a shortcut key for activating a desired function of the mobile phone 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a registration screen for registering shortcut keys displayed on the display unit 23. When the registration processing unit 38 is requested to perform shortcut key registration processing, the registration screen of FIG. 23. In this registration screen, a function selection item 31 in which the function of the mobile phone 10 to be registered is displayed and a key input field 32 for inputting a desired key are displayed, and a selection button 33, a registration button 34, a menu screen, etc. are displayed. A return button 35 is displayed.

  On this registration screen, the user moves the cursor from the function selection image 31 to the function to be registered as a shortcut key, operates the selection button 33 to select it, and then operates the numeric keypad 245 to select a desired key that is easy to remember in the key input field 32. An input is performed, the function selection item 31 to be registered is clicked to select it, and the registration button 34 is operated. By this registration operation, the shortcut key is registered in the shortcut key registration unit 30 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the shortcut key registration unit 30. The shortcut key registered as described above stores the character code of the input key, the registered function name, and the activation address of the registered function in association with each other. Accordingly, when the mobile phone 10 is operated in the mode for enabling the function of the shortcut key and the user operates the shortcut key registered, the function registered with reference to the registration memory 30 is activated.

  Next, the shortcut key mode control operation procedure of the mobile phone 10 described above will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the mobile phone 10 is not operated in step S101 and is in a standby state. When the numeric keypad 245 of the operation unit 24 is operated in this state, it is determined whether or not a key operation is performed in the process of step S102. If there is no key operation in this process, the process returns to the standby state in step S101. If the key is operated, in step S103, whether the key detection unit 25 is a key operation for changing the mode of the mobile phone 10. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is a key operation for mode change in the determination process of step S103, the process proceeds to step S104, and the mode control unit 27 changes to the mode designated by the key operation and returns to the process of step S102. When the function selection key 243 is operated, the mode is a mode for enabling the shortcut key. When the mode key detection unit 25 detects this, the mode control unit 27 sets the mode of the mobile phone 10 in the process of step S104. Change to the mode that enables the function by the shortcut key. This mode change is stored in the mode storage unit 29.

  When the call key 241 is operated, when the mode key detection unit 25 detects this, the portable mode control unit 27 changes the mode of the cellular phone 10 to the call mode in the process of step S104. This mode is stored in the mode storage unit 29.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the key operation is not for changing the mode, the current operation mode of the mobile phone 10 stored in the mode storage unit 29 is referred to in step S105, and the current operation mode is referred to. It is determined whether or not the mode is a number input (phone number input) mode for outgoing calls.

  If it is determined in the determination process of step S105 that the number input mode is set, the process proceeds to step S106, and the mobile phone 10 is ready to input a telephone number. Thereafter, when a series of operations such as number input and telephone call are performed, the process returns to the standby state in step S101.

  If it is determined in step S105 that the number input mode is not set, the mode stored in the mode storage unit 29 is referred to in step S107. If the key operated in the process of step S102 is the function selection key 243, the current mode of the mobile phone 10 stored in the mode storage unit 29 is the function selection mode for enabling the shortcut key. Then, the function registered in the shortcut key operated by the user is activated. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the “de” shortcut key is operated, the mobile phone 10 is activated with a function for operating the telephone directory.

  As described above, the cellular phone 10 according to the first embodiment switches the mode by operating the function selection key 243 or the call key 241 with the standby state as a trigger, and the key operated in the next key operation functions as a shortcut key. Or the function as a numeric key for inputting a telephone number, and the user can easily execute the function registered in the shortcut key registration unit 30 by operating any registered shortcut key.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a shortcut key mode control operation procedure in the mobile phone 10 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the mobile phone 10 in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the mobile phone 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the mobile phone 10 of the second embodiment, the presence / absence of operation of the call key 241 is used as a trigger to switch between the next operated key functioning as a shortcut key or functioning as a numeric key for entering a telephone number. .

  That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the key detection unit 25 detects whether or not the call key 241 is operated in the process of step S201. When the call key 241 is operated, the cellular phone 10 is changed to the call mode in the process of step S202, and this mode is stored in the mode storage unit 29. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the numeric keypad 245.

  If the operation is not a numeric keypad, the process returns to step S203. If the operation is a numeric keypad, the numeric value of the operated numeric keypad is displayed as the numeric value of the telephone number in the process of step S204, and the operation of the call key 241 is detected in the process of step S205. To do. If the call key 241 has not been operated, the process returns to step S203. If the call key 241 is operated, the process proceeds to step S205 to place a call. Then, when the telephone call is finished and on-hooked, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the call key 241 is not operated in the process of step S201, it is determined whether or not the numeric keypad 245 is operated in the process of step S207. If the numeric keypad 245 is not operated, the process returns to the process of step S201. If the numeric keypad is operated, the input character is displayed in the process of step S209, and the shortcut key function is effectively changed. This mode is stored in the mode storage unit 29.

  When the character of the numeric keypad operated in the process of step S209 is displayed, the mobile phone 10 then refers to the shortcut key registration unit 30 in the process of step S209, and some function is registered in the numeric keypad operated in step S207. It is determined whether it is done. If there is a corresponding registered function, a list (menu) of registered functions is displayed in the process of step S210, and the function registered in the operated shortcut key is activated. For example, if a “de” shortcut key (numeric keypad) is operated in step S207, the mobile phone 10 is activated with a function for operating the telephone directory.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when the call key 241 is operated, the numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key automatically when there is no call key operation and the numeric keypad is operated, and the call key 241 is operated. If there is a key, the operated numeric keypad is handled as a numeric key for inputting a telephone number, and the shortcut key function is given priority in the numeric keypad operation. For this reason, the user can execute a desired function of the mobile phone by a shortcut key function without complicated operations.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to register a shortcut key by selecting a numeric keypad character that is easy for a user to remember various functions of the mobile phone, and execute the registered function by operating the shortcut key with a simple operation. In particular, it is effective when applied to a mobile phone for the elderly.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone concerning the Example of this invention. It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone of FIG. It is a figure which shows the registration screen of the shortcut key in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the registration memory of a shortcut key. It is a flowchart which shows the mode control procedure by the shortcut key operation concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the mode control procedure by the shortcut key operation concerning Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile phone 11 ... Communication part 12 ... Microphone 13 ... Speaker 14 ... Wireless part 21 ... Operation control part 22 ... Main control part 23 ... Display unit 24 ... Operation unit 241 ... Call key 243 ... Function selection key 245 ... Numeric keypad 25 ... Key detection unit 26 ... Alphanumeric / kana conversion control Unit 27 ... mode control unit 28 ... registration processing unit 29 ... mode storage unit 30 ... shortcut key registration unit

Claims (2)

In a mobile phone having a call function and other functions, the mobile phone is
A shortcut key registration processing unit that assigns a desired function of the mobile phone to an arbitrary numeric keypad;
A function selection key for enabling the function of the registered shortcut key, a call key for a call, an operation unit having a numeric keypad,
A mode control unit that changes the mobile phone to a mode corresponding to the operated key when the function selection key or the call key is operated, and a mode storage unit that stores the changed mode,
A cellular phone characterized in that an operated numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key or a numeric key for inputting a telephone number in accordance with a mode stored in the mode storage unit. In a mobile phone having a call function and other functions, the mobile phone is
A shortcut key registration processing unit that assigns a desired function of the mobile phone to an arbitrary numeric keypad;
A call key for calling, an operation unit with a numeric keypad,
A mode control unit that changes the mobile phone to a call mode or an operation mode that enables a registered shortcut key function based on whether or not the call key is operated; and a mode storage unit that stores the changed mode; With
A cellular phone characterized in that an operated numeric keypad is operated as a shortcut key or a numeric key for inputting a telephone number in accordance with a mode stored in the mode storage unit.