JP2007094836A - Electronic equipment, portable telephone terminal and key input control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically change the switching cycle of display content due to the long depression of the key of electronic equipment based on the actual operation of a user without the user being aware of it. <P>SOLUTION: When an operation to return the change of display content is performed after display content is periodically switched due to the long depression of a key, the longer switching cycle of the display content due to the long depression of the key is set based on the detection result of the specific operation. On the contrary, when an operation to short depress the same key continuously several times after the display content is periodically switched due to the long depression of the key, the shorter switching cycle of the display content due to the long depression of the key is set based on the detection result of the specific operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a mobile phone terminal, and a key input control method that include a key input device and a display device and have a function of periodically switching display contents while a key is held down.

  Due to the mounting space, the number of operation keys mounted on a portable electronic device is limited. Each mobile device manufacturer has devised a user interface so that various inputs can be made as easily as possible with a limited number of keys.

  For example, in order to input a large number of characters with a limited number of keys in a mobile phone terminal, a plurality of characters are assigned to the same key, and the characters displayed as input candidates are sequentially switched each time the key is pressed. Is used (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a technique has been proposed in which, instead of using a specific key for inputting a muddy point or a semi-turbid point, a candidate for selecting a muddy point or a semi-turbid point is simultaneously displayed by pressing and holding a character key to allow the user to select (Patent Document 2). reference).

  In the phone book of a mobile phone terminal, in general, when a desired registrant is selected from a large number of registrants on a list screen of registered users, selection candidates are highlighted (for example, highlighted) by a short press of an arrow key or the like. Are sequentially moved to different registrants. In order to display selection candidates that are late in order, it is necessary to continuously press the same key many times. On the other hand, highlighting of the selection candidate (for example, reverse display) is periodically moved by long press of an arrow key or the like, and the movement is stopped by stopping long press so that a desired registrant can be selected. There is something that was configured. This eliminates the need for the user to continuously press the same key many times, improving operability.

Although not directly related to the mounting space, as a technique for judging the user's state from the action at the time of the user's input operation, the key size and the key strength are detected and the character size is changed based on this. Such a technique has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23261 JP 2004-30442 A JP 2005-173931 A

  Even in the display switching of the periodic display by the long press as described above in the mobile phone terminal, it takes time to go around when a set of display contents is large. Therefore, it is conceivable that the user can variably set the switching cycle. By shortening this switching cycle, it is possible to increase the speed at which the display content changes by long-pressing the key.

  However, if the display content changes due to a long press of the key, the user is more likely to fail to stop the change with the desired display content. In that case, there is a method in which the same key is pressed again to make another round, but this requires more time. Therefore, a specific operation for returning to the original display content is performed. To do so, either press another key to change the direction of the display content in the direction opposite to that of the long-pressed key, or cancel the operation or return the required key for the return operation. It is necessary to press the number of times.

  In addition, when the display content changes by the long press of the key, the user cannot easily reach the desired display content, which is frustrating. In such a state, the user is patient and waits until the desired display content is obtained, or changes the display by pressing the key quickly until the desired display content appears.

  As described above, although various key input methods for electronic devices have been devised, they are not always easy to use for all users. As for the input method for changing the display content by long-pressing the key, it is preferable that the user can freely change the timing at which the display content changes. However, if the timing is changed on the setting screen or the like, the user must actually use it and test whether the set timing is acceptable. If the timing does not match when actually used, the user needs to reset the timing again. In some cases, the user has to repeat trial and error (trial and error) until the optimum timing is found. Some users may find it cumbersome to change the settings, and may not realize that the settings can be changed.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and automatically changes the display content switching cycle by pressing and holding a key of an electronic device based on the actual operation of the user without the user being aware of it. It is something that can be done.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a key input device and a display device. In an electronic apparatus having a function of periodically switching display contents during a period in which the key is held down, the display contents are cycled by pressing the key long. Specific operation detecting means for detecting that a specific operation for returning the change in display content after switching is performed, and on the basis of the detection result of the specific operation detecting means, And a control means for setting a longer switching cycle.

  The fact that the operation of returning the display contents after the periodic switching of the display contents by long pressing of the key is performed is presumed that the switching speed is too fast (the switching period is too short). Therefore, the switching cycle is set longer than the current state based on the detection result.

  Conversely, when it is detected that a specific operation has been performed in which the same key is pressed repeatedly multiple times after the display content has been switched periodically by long-pressing the key, the switching speed is too slow (switching It is estimated that the period was too long. Therefore, based on this detection result, the display content switching cycle by pressing the key long is set shorter.

  According to the present invention, the switching timing of the display content of key input by long press can be automatically set to a speed suitable for the user based on the operation history of the user without being conscious of the user.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone terminal 100 will be described as an example of an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone terminal, and can be used for any electronic device having a key.

  Note that the “key” in the present invention is an operator for the user to input instructions and information to the device, and is typically a push button, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a composite function key in which up / down / left / right arrow keys are integrated may be used. In addition to a mechanical key, a soft key that indicates a button displayed on the screen with a pointing device such as a mouse may be used, or a touch key provided on a touch panel may be used. Although the operation of operating these keys is not necessarily “pressing”, in this specification, for the sake of convenience, it is referred to as “pressing” including pointing device instructions and touch panel touch.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a mobile phone terminal 100 according to the present embodiment. Although a foldable mobile phone terminal is shown here, a straight type or other type of mobile phone terminal may be used.

  In the mobile phone terminal 100, an upper housing 120 and a lower housing 110 are rotatably connected via a hinge 101.

  A key input unit 111 for performing a predetermined operation such as a telephone number input, a character input, and a call operation is disposed on the main surface of the lower housing 110 that is inside when folded. As keys prepared in the key input section 111, numeric keys 0 to 9 (numeric keys), symbol keys such as * and #, keys for performing outgoing operations, keys for setting various functions, and cameras are used. Then there are keys to shoot. The key 111a is a key for photographing using the camera 124 on the back of the mobile phone. The key 112 is an arrow key that is arranged on the upper part of the numeric keypad of the lower housing 110 and that can be instructed by up and down, left and right by the surrounding inclination and confirmed with the center button. Although the arrow keys are shown as donuts that are integrated vertically and horizontally, independent keys may be used vertically and horizontally. A microphone 113 that converts sound into an electrical signal is disposed at the lower end of the lower housing 110 (the end opposite to the end having the hinge).

  A main display portion 123 is arranged on the main surface of the upper housing 120 that is on the inner side when folded. On the screen of the main display unit 123, various information, images taken by a camera, images sent from a communication partner, TV images (when a TV broadcast receiving function is provided), and the like are displayed. A clear key 111b is arranged at the hinge side end portion (left side in the figure) of the upper housing 120. The clear key 111b is a key used for clearing (deleting) the input telephone number or characters when editing mail. Similarly, a character type conversion key 111c is arranged at the hinge side end portion (right side in the figure) of the upper housing 120. The character type conversion key 111c is a key operated when inputting characters when editing mail or editing an address book. By operating this key, for example, the character type is switched to numbers, English letters, kana characters, and the like. A whip antenna 121 is installed on the end surface of the upper casing 120 opposite to the end surface on the hinge side. Further, a speaker 122 that converts an electrical signal into an audible sound is disposed above the main display unit 123 in the upper housing 120. TV sound may be output from the speaker 122.

  A camera 124 is disposed on the back surface of the upper housing 120, and the camera 124 is used by a user of the mobile phone terminal to photograph a surrounding landscape or a person. A sub-display unit 125 that displays various information, images taken by a camera, images sent from a communication partner, and the like is disposed on the surface of the upper housing 120 that is outside when folded. An earphone jack 126 is disposed on the side surface of the lower housing 110. By inserting the earphone into the earphone jack 126, sound or the like is output to the earphone instead of being output from the speaker 122.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the mobile phone terminal 100.

  The mobile phone terminal 100 is configured by connecting a control unit 202, a communication circuit 203, a display unit 204, an operation unit 205, a RAM 206, a flash ROM 210, a speaker 122, and a microphone 113 through a control line 201 and a data line 207. .

  The control unit 202 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the mobile phone terminal 100, operates based on a program stored in the Flash ROM 210, and controls the overall operation of the mobile phone terminal 100.

  The control line 201 is a control line that transmits control data such as a control signal from the control unit 202. The data line 207 is a transmission line for transmitting data such as image data, audio data, and mail data.

  The communication circuit 203 is a circuit that wirelessly transmits and receives data such as image data, audio data, and mail data via the antenna 121.

  The display unit 204 includes the main display unit 123 and the sub display unit 125 of FIG. 1 and displays various types of information. The operation unit 205 includes the key input unit 111 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and is a part that captures input from a key or the like.

  The RAM 206 is a readable / writable volatile memory for the CPU of the control unit 202 to develop a program and temporarily store data.

  The flash ROM 210 is a rewritable memory that stores various programs such as a program code for operating the control unit 202 and important data such as a terminal ID in a nonvolatile manner.

  All of these blocks are operated by power supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown).

  Since such a mobile phone terminal as a portable electronic device is assumed to be carried, it is required to make it as small as possible. For this reason, the number of keys to be implemented is limited.

  As described above, there is an input method for switching display contents one after another by long-pressing a key. “Long press” refers to maintaining the same key pressed state over a predetermined time. An example of the display contents (input candidates, selection candidates, etc.) being periodically switched when the key is held down is as follows.

Example 1) Key operation during character input For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when a character such as a mail or a memo is input, a cursor 32 is displayed at the input position of a new character and input at this position. Enter characters from the key. In the example shown in the figure, a key 36 to which the kana character “a” in the “a” line and the number “1” are assigned, and a key 37 to undo the input one character at a time are shown. The example of FIG. 3A shows a state where the key 36 is pressed in the Chinese character input mode. When the key 36 is repeatedly pressed repeatedly, the input characters (input candidates) are sequentially “A” “I” “U” “E” “O” “AA” “I” “ぅ” “Y” “ぉ”. It will change. After one round, the original character is restored. Although only a Kana character is shown as a set of character groups that make a round, it may also include characters of other character types (English characters, numbers, symbols, etc.) assigned to the same key. By pressing a specific key (in this example, key 37), the change in the display content can be reversed.

  If the key 36 is held down for a long time, “A” → “I” → “U” → “E” → “O” →…. The characters in the group are sequentially switched one by one and displayed as input candidates. When the target character appears, if the long press is stopped, the display switching is also stopped. By the key operation for confirming the input character, for example, when the key for confirmation is pressed or when another key is pressed for the next character input, the input of this character is confirmed.

Example 2) Key operation for moving focus of list display For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in a list display of registered contents such as a telephone directory, a line of characters is represented by an instruction in the horizontal direction of the arrow key 112 Tab switching display is performed, and the focus 42 applied to the selection candidate is sequentially moved in the vertical direction according to the vertical direction of the arrow key 112. The movement of the focus 42 is also included in the “display (content) switching” in the present invention. The focus 42 is an arbitrary highlight indicating a selection candidate. The movement of the focus 42 returns to the original state after a round of a group of selection candidates. A group of selection candidates for a round may be closed in units of “rows” or may span all rows. The destination to move to after moving the cursor to the last selection candidate of a line is the first selection candidate of the same line in the former case, but there is a difference that it becomes the selection candidate of the next line in the latter case . The movement can be returned by the reverse direction of the arrow key 112. The focus 42 moves in a certain cycle by long-pressing in one direction of the arrow key 112.

  In this way, in either case, while the user is holding down the key, the display content is switched at regular time intervals. After the display content changes to the end, the display returns to the initial display and the display content is switched. Is continued. When the user stops pressing the key, the display content is fixed, and the input is confirmed by pressing a specific key (such as a confirmation key or another character key). The display content can be switched in the same manner by short pressing the key that has been pressed long, and the display content can be switched each time the key is pressed shortly.

  However, the optimum timing for switching the display contents in the input method differs depending on the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the display contents are switched at the optimum timing for each user by using the following means.

  Now, it is assumed that after the user periodically changes the display content by pressing and holding the key, the input is confirmed after performing key input for switching the display content in the reverse direction. In this situation, the user tried to select a desired input candidate from a plurality of input candidates by pressing and holding the key, but the display content was returned in the reverse direction because the display content was switched too quickly. Can do. Therefore, in such a case, it is considered that the timing for switching the display contents was too early. Therefore, the display content switching timing is delayed by one step (that is, the switching cycle is lengthened). If the display content returning operation in the reverse direction is continuously performed a plurality of times, it may be delayed by a plurality of steps at a time.

  The timing may be delayed by one step even when the display contents that are switched by long-pressing the key are cycled.

  The switching cycle is not changed only when a series of operations (specific operations) for confirming the input is performed once to return the display contents, and such operations are continuously performed a plurality of times. Sometimes, the switching cycle may be changed. This is because it may not be appropriate to change the switching cycle by simply performing such a series of operations once.

  As described above, many portable devices can switch display contents in the same manner by short-pressing a key. If the user uses the input method of long-pressing the key, then the input is confirmed by using the input method of switching (advancing) the display contents by short-pressing with the same key input. This situation is because the user tried to select an input candidate by pressing and holding the key, but the display content was switched forcibly without waiting for the automatic switching timing because the timing of switching the display content was too late. Conceivable. In such a case, the switching timing is advanced by one step (that is, the switching cycle is shortened).

  The timing for switching the display by short pressing may be measured, and the timing may be advanced by a plurality of stages if the measurement result is more than a certain time earlier than the timing at which the display content changes by long pressing.

  After a switching operation of the display content by long-pressing the key, a switching operation of the display content by short-pressing the same key is performed, and a series of operations (specific operations) for confirming the input occurs once, the switching cycle The change of the switching cycle may be performed when such an operation is continuously performed a predetermined number of times without being changed.

  With reference to FIG. 4, how to change the fixed period α for switching display contents by long press in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4A shows a case where the constant cycle α is lengthened to slow the display switching speed, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the constant period α is shortened to speed up the display switching speed. A to H in the figure schematically represent display contents, and the display contents are sequentially switched at a constant period α by long-pressing a key.

  In the example of FIG. 4A, G is the target display content, and the display content is sequentially switched from A by long press, and when it reaches I through G, the long press is stopped and returned. The state is shown in which the operation is performed twice and the input operation is confirmed with the target G. In this case, the number n of return operations after a long press is 2, and n times the change time (step) Δt is added to the fixed period (fixed time) α. If n is not taken into account (n = 1 regardless of the actual value of n), Δt is simply added.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, H is the target display content, and when the display content is sequentially switched from A to E by a long press and reaches E, the user feels that the switching speed is slow and the same key is short. The state is shown in which the input operation is confirmed by repeatedly pressing and reaching H. At this time, the short press time intervals t1, t2, t3 from E to H are measured, and the average time t is obtained. In this case, there is usually a relationship of α> t, and the value of t is a new α. Instead of this, Δt may be subtracted from α to obtain a new α.

  Next, a processing flow executed by the control unit 202 (FIG. 1) in order to realize a typical operation in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing.

  This process is started when the device is turned on. First, it waits for key input (S11). If a key input is performed (S11, Yes), it is determined whether the key input is a long press (S12). If the key input is long-pressed, the display contents are switched every fixed period α (S13). After the key press is finished, the next key input is waited (S11).

  If the key input is a short press in step S12, it is checked whether or not it is an operation for returning the display contents (S14). If it is a return operation, the display is returned to the previous state (S15). If this return operation is an operation to return the display without being confirmed after long press (S16, Yes), the variable n indicating the number of times of return is incremented by 1 (S18), and the process returns to step S11. If it is not a return operation after a long press, the variable n is reset to “0” (S17), and the process returns to step S11.

  In step S14, if the short press is not an operation for returning the display content, it is checked whether or not the key input is an instruction to switch the display content using the same key as the long press key (S19). If Yes, the display content is switched (S20), the time from the previous switching is obtained, the average time t is calculated, and this is updated and stored (S21). Then, it returns to step S11.

  In step S19, when the determination result is No, it is determined that the key input is confirmed, and the input content is confirmed (S22). Therefore, it is checked whether or not the latest key operation is an instruction to return the display after a long press (S23). In the case of Yes, the constant cycle α is lengthened by n steps, and n is reset to “0” (S24). In the case of No, it is checked whether or not the latest key operation is a short press after a long press (S25). If Yes, the time t obtained in step S21 is substituted for the constant period α (S26), and the process returns to step S11. In No, it bypasses step S26 and returns to step S11. In any case, the changed value of the fixed period α is stored in the memory (RAM 206 or Flash ROM 210) and used in the subsequent processing.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the configuration has been described in which the constant cycle α is changed by a plurality of stages at a time depending on the number of return operations by a short press after a long press. However, the change may be only one stage at a time. . The one-step change time (step Δt) may be fixed, or may be variably set by the user.

  Further, when shortening the constant period α, α is set based on the measurement time t of short press, but as with the case where it is lengthened, it is also possible to change only a predetermined change time Δt. is there.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, the switching timing of the display content of the key input by long press can be set to a speed suitable for the user based on the actual operation history of the user without being conscious of the user. .

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various modifications and changes other than those mentioned above can be made.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of the mobile telephone terminal of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating two examples which display content switches periodically when a key is long-pressed. It is explanatory drawing of how to change the fixed period (alpha) which switches the display content by long press in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the processing flow for implement | achieving the typical operation | movement in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

32 ... Cursor, 36 ... Key, 37 ... Key, 42 ... Focus, 100 ... Mobile phone terminal, 101 ... Hinge, 110 ... Lower casing, 111 ... Key input part, 111a ... Key, 111b ... Clear key, 111c ... Character type Conversion key, 112 ... Arrow key, 113 ... Microphone, 120 ... Upper housing, 121 ... Whip antenna, 121 ... Antenna, 122 ... Speaker, 123 ... Main display section, 124 ... Camera, 125 ... Sub display section, 126 ... Earphone Jack, 201 ... control line, 202 ... control unit, 203 ... communication circuit, 204 ... display unit, 205 ... operation unit, 207 ... data line

Claims (8)

In an electronic device comprising a key input device and a display device, and having a function of periodically switching display contents during a period in which the key is held down,
Specific operation detecting means for detecting that a specific operation for returning the change in the display content after the display content is periodically switched by a long press of the key is performed;
An electronic device comprising: control means for setting a display content switching cycle by a long key press based on a detection result of the specific operation detection means.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a degree of lengthening the switching cycle according to a degree of an operation of returning the display content. In an electronic device comprising a key input device and a display device, and having a function of periodically switching display contents during a period in which the key is held down,
A specific operation detecting means for detecting that a specific operation in which the same key is repeatedly pressed a plurality of times after the display content is periodically switched by a long press of the key is performed;
An electronic device comprising: control means for setting a switching period of display contents by pressing and holding a key shorter based on a detection result of the specific operation detection means.   4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit changes the degree of shortening the switching cycle according to the degree of operation of pressing the same key repeatedly for a plurality of times. In a mobile phone terminal comprising a key input device having a plurality of keys and a display device, and having a function of periodically switching display contents during a period in which at least one key is held down,
Specific operation detecting means for detecting that a specific operation for returning the change in the display content after switching to the display content by long-pressing the key is performed;
A mobile phone terminal comprising: a control means for setting a display content switching cycle by a long key press based on a detection result of the specific operation detection means. In a mobile phone terminal comprising a key input device having a plurality of keys and a display device, and having a function of periodically switching display contents during a period in which at least one key is held down,
A specific operation detecting means for detecting that a specific operation of continuously pressing the same key for a plurality of times after switching to the display content by long-pressing the key has been performed;
A mobile phone terminal comprising: control means for setting a display content switching cycle by a long key press based on a detection result of the specific operation detection means. In the key input control method that switches the display contents periodically during the key is held down for a long time,
Detecting a long key press;
The step of periodically switching the display contents during the key press period,
Detecting that a specific operation has been performed to undo the change in the display content after the display content is periodically switched by a long key press;
A key input control method comprising: a step of setting a switching period of display contents by pressing and holding a key longer when this specific operation is detected. In the key input control method that periodically switches the display contents during the key is held down,
Detecting a long key press;
The step of periodically switching the display contents during the key press period,
Detecting that an operation has been performed in which the same key is repeatedly pressed several times after the display content is periodically switched by long-pressing the key;
A key input control method comprising: a step of setting a display content switching cycle by a long key press when the specific operation is detected.

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