JP2007288488A - Display method of time and azimuth in electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of implementing time display which enables recognition of present time intuitively without losing operation property of a key in mobile phones and PDAs etc. <P>SOLUTION: Time display is implemented by indicating, correspondingly in superposition, a mark associated with present time information on a number button on an interface screen displayed on electronic equipment. Thus, a user can intuitively recognize present time without loosing operability of a key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing a time and direction display method in an electronic apparatus.

  Electronic devices generally have a clock display function. For example, in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a clock is generally displayed at the corner of the display. Also, a cellular phone generally has a clock display function. In the mobile phone, a clock is displayed on the standby screen as shown in FIG. 13, or a small clock is displayed in the corner of the screen so as not to disturb the display of the menu screen as shown in FIG. . However, as shown in FIG. 13, when the standby screen and the clock display are displayed in an overlapping manner, the visibility of the clock display is inferior depending on the pattern and color of the standby screen. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, when a small clock is displayed at the corner of the screen, it is difficult to instantly find the display and intuitively recognize the current time.

  On the other hand, as a method of displaying the clock display so as to be intuitively recognizable, for example, a method as shown in FIG. 15 is conceivable. In FIG. 15, for example, a clock display is arranged at the lower right of the screen if it is 18:00, and a clock display is arranged at the upper right of the screen if it is 24:00. Furthermore, a large number is displayed for the hour and the number is small for the minutes. In FIG. 15, 18:58 is displayed. In this way, in FIG. 15, the time can be intuitively recognized by changing the clock display position. In the clock display shown in FIG. 15, when nothing is displayed on the display, it can be intuitively recognized and clock display with high design can be performed. However, even when the clock display shown in FIG. 15 is used, when a pattern is present in the standby image, the visibility is inferior and the time cannot be recognized intuitively.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228620 discloses a technique that can move the clock display to a position that does not overlap the standby image when the clock display displayed on the display and the standby screen overlap.
JP 2003-8694 A

  However, when a key or an image including a number is displayed on the display itself, such as when a calculator function or a software keyboard function is activated, a plurality of numbers are displayed on the display. As a result, the current time cannot be recognized intuitively, but the operability of the keys is inferior. It was.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, an electronic device capable of displaying a clock by associating and displaying a mark corresponding to current time information on a numeric button on an interface screen displayed on the electronic device. In addition, a clock display method for electronic devices is proposed.

  In addition, an electronic device and a clock display method for the electronic device that acquire azimuth information and superimpose and display a mark corresponding to current time information and azimuth information are proposed.

  In the electronic device of the present invention configured as described above, even if a calculator function or a software keyboard function is activated and a key or an image including a number is displayed on the display itself, the operability of the key is improved. A clock display capable of intuitively recognizing the current time can be performed without loss.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment at all, and can be implemented with various aspects in the range which does not deviate from the summary. In addition, the relationship between the following embodiment and a claim is as follows. The first embodiment will mainly describe claims 1, 2, 4 and the like. The second embodiment will mainly describe claims 3 and 5.

  << Embodiment 1 >> (Concept of Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 illustrates a state of clock display of the electronic device in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, when a numeric button (0102) which is a dial button in the mobile phone (0100) is displayed on the display (0101) as a software keyboard, the displayed numeric button (0102) is marked (0103). The clock is displayed by superimposing them in association with each other. FIG. 1 shows that one large box shape and one small box shape mark (0103) are associated with “2” of the numeric button (0102) and are in the morning or 2:10 pm range. As described above, in the electronic device according to the present embodiment, the mark (0103) is superimposed on the specific numeric button (0102) and displayed so that the user can recognize the state in which the numeric button and the mark are associated with each other. The user can intuitively recognize the current time by looking at the mark associated with a certain rule.

  (Configuration of Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of an electronic apparatus according to this embodiment. The “electronic device” (0200) according to the present embodiment includes a “display unit” (0201), a “clock unit” (0202), a “mark acquisition unit” (0203), and a “selection unit” (0204). , “Superimposition display part” (0205), and the selection part may be provided with “argument selection means” (0206).

  FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration for realizing the above configuration when a mobile phone is used as the electronic apparatus in the present embodiment. The mobile phone shown in FIG. 3 mainly includes a CPU (0301), a RAM (0302), a ROM (0303), a display (0304), an internal clock (0305), a system bus (0306) that connects them.

  (Description of Configuration of Embodiment 1) “Electronic device” (0200) refers to a device capable of displaying numeric buttons with a software keyboard, a web browsing display, or the like. For example, a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, and the like are applicable. A cellular phone is usually provided with a push-type dial button. However, if the dial button is displayed on the display as a touch panel as shown in FIG. 1, the clock display in this embodiment is easier to see. . However, the electronic device in the present embodiment is not limited to the one having such a touch panel type dial button as long as a numeric button is displayed on the display. The numeric buttons are not limited to dial buttons. For example, numeric buttons are displayed when the calculator function is activated on a mobile phone, a personal computer, or a PDA, as in FIG. Thus, the electronic apparatus is not limited to the mobile phone as shown in FIG.

  The “display unit” (0201) has a function of displaying an interface screen using numeric buttons. The display unit includes the display (0304) in FIG. 3 and the like, reads the interface screen data stored in the RAM (0302) and the ROM (0303), and displays the interface screen. In FIG. 3, interface screen data is stored at address A of ROM (0303). The “numeric button” corresponds to the dial button shown in FIG. 1 or the numeric keypad in the calculator function shown in FIG. Note that the numbers do not necessarily have to be actually displayed. For example, buttons representing symbols such as “*” and “#” shown in FIG. 1 and “.” And “+/−” shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a number representing a menu item number as image data is also included in the number button. The “interface screen” is a screen including numeric buttons provided for causing the user to operate the electronic device.

  The “clock part” (0202) is configured to acquire current time information. The clock unit acquires the current time using the internal clock (0305) shown in FIG. When receiving a command to acquire current time information from the CPU (0301) or the like, the clock unit acquires current time information according to the internal clock (0305).

  The “mark acquisition unit” (0203) is configured to acquire a mark capable of displaying time by performing display in association with one or more of the numeric buttons according to the acquired current time information. The mark acquisition unit includes a CPU (0301), a RAM (0302), a ROM (0303), and the like shown in FIG. When the current time information is acquired by the clock unit, the mark acquisition unit expands the mark acquisition program stored in the address P1 of the ROM (0303) in the work area of the RAM (0302) by the CPU (0301). In accordance with the mark acquisition rule stored in the address B of the ROM (0303), a mark corresponding to the current time information is acquired. The acquired mark is temporarily stored at address a in the data area of the RAM (0302). The mark is stored in a ROM or the like as an image file in GIF format, JPG format, PNG format, or the like. In particular, a GIF format or a PNG format having a transparent function is desirable. The “mark that can display time by displaying in association with one or more of the numeric buttons” is a box-shaped mark or the like as shown in FIG. For example, in the mark acquisition unit, according to the current time information, if the current time is in the 0 minute range (0 to 10 minutes), it is one large box mark, if it is in the 10 minute range (10 to 20 minutes). 1 big box and 1 small box mark, 20 minutes (20 to 30 minutes), 1 big box and 2 small box marks, how many minutes Acquire a mark with a small box shape added accordingly. For the mark, a plurality of image files corresponding to the current time information are prepared in advance, and any one of the image files may be acquired according to the current time information, or one image file may be acquired according to the current time information. It is also possible to obtain the images by overlapping them. When superimposing a plurality of one image file, it is desirable that the display positions are shifted little by little so that the user can recognize the superimposed state. By acquiring a mark based on such a rule, it is possible to intuitively indicate how many minutes the current time is with a small number of boxes. The mark is not limited to the box shape shown in FIG. 1, but may be a round shape or a star shape. Further, the mark can be displayed more intuitively by changing the color according to the current time. Can do. The mark acquired by the mark acquisition unit may be a character or a character in addition to such a geometric pattern. The mark may be displayed in association with two or more numeric buttons. For example, during the transition from the 50 minute range (50 minutes to 60 minutes) to the 0 minute range (0 minutes to 10 minutes), a display capable of displaying the time is obtained by displaying the display associated with two numeric buttons. Also good.

  The “selection unit” (0204) is configured to select a numeric button on the interface screen capable of displaying the current time by associating with the acquired mark. The selection unit includes a CPU (0301), a RAM (0302), a ROM (0303), and the like shown in FIG. When the mark is acquired by the mark acquisition unit, the selection unit develops and starts the selection program stored in the address P2 of the ROM (0303) in the work area of the RAM (0302) by the CPU (0301). Select the number button on the interface screen. Information on the selected numeric button is temporarily stored in the address b of the RAM.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when a numeric button (0102) as a dial button is displayed on the interface screen (0101), the selection unit (0204) selects one or more dial buttons. For example, if it is 2:00 am or 2:00 pm, the dial button “2” is selected. In FIG. 1, the number buttons “1” to “9” can be selected in the case of 1 am to 9 pm both in the morning and in the afternoon. However, since there are no numerical buttons that directly represent at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00, for example, “*” is set for 10 o'clock, “0” is set for 11:00, and 12:00 is set. In the case of a stand, a rule such as selecting “#” is set and stored in the RAM (0302) or ROM (0303). Further, when the interface screen is displayed on the display unit (0201) using the numeric keypad of the calculator function as shown in FIG. . "," 0 "," +/- ", etc. keys are selected. In the case of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 (A), the time zone visually associated can be recognized from the position of the button representing the symbol, but which symbol represents the hour base. May be set by the user. If there are only numeric buttons from 0 to 9 on the interface screen, select “0” for the 10 o'clock range, “1” for the 11 o'clock range, and “1” for the 12 o'clock range. For example, “2” may be selected. Further, when there are fewer number buttons, it is necessary to define a predetermined mark acquisition rule that can cope with such a case. For example, if there are only numeric buttons 1 to 5, the numeric buttons “1” to “5” are selected for 6 o'clock to 10 o'clock, respectively, and “1” is for 11:00 and 12 o'clock. , A rule of selecting the number button “2” may be determined, or a rule of selecting a corresponding number button only between 1 o'clock and 5 o'clock may be set. The selection unit reads the numbers associated with these number buttons, and selects the number buttons that can display the current time by associating with the marks acquired by the mark acquisition unit. If the mark acquired by the mark acquisition unit is a mark that can be displayed in time by performing display associated with two or more numeric buttons, the selection unit selects two or more numeric buttons.

  Furthermore, when the menu item number (0501) is displayed as shown in FIG. 5, the selection unit is based on the argument associated with the leftmost input button in the interface program displaying these menus. Argument selection means (0206) for performing selection may be provided. For example, when the user moves the cursor by a key operation and selects the item “inbox” with the image “1” shown in FIG. 5, the value of a = 1 as an argument Is an interface program such that is passed. Thus, when there is an argument corresponding to each item, the argument selection means selects a numeric button based on the argument. FIG. 5 shows a state where the argument selection means selects the numeric button indicated by “3” based on the argument. In addition, FIG. 5 has shown that it is the morning or 3pm range.

  The “superimposed display section” (0205) displays the acquired mark superimposed on the interface screen so that the user can recognize the state associated with the numeric button selected by the selection section. It is configured. The superimposition display unit includes the RAM (0302), the display (0304), and the like shown in FIG. When a numeric button is selected by the selection unit, the superimposed display unit reads information on marks and numeric buttons temporarily stored in the RAM and displays them on the display (0304) based on the read information. The mark is superimposed on the numeric buttons on the interface screen. At this time, the position to be superimposed is detected by detecting the position coordinate on the display of the numeric button selected by the selection unit, and the state in which the mark and the numeric button are associated based on this position coordinate is used. So that it can be recognized by a person, it is displayed over the numeric buttons or at a position near the numeric buttons. In FIG. 1, a box-shaped mark (0103) is displayed over the numeric button “2”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, if the user can recognize the state in which the mark and the numeric button selected by the selection unit are associated with each other, the user can use the numeric button with which the mark is associated. It is possible to recognize how many units it is in the mark display mode (the number of overlapping boxes in FIG. 1).

  In the electronic device configured as described above, it is possible to perform clock display using numbers included on the interface screen without displaying numerical information. For example, in FIG. 1, since it is possible to recognize the state associated with the software keyboard with the mark “2”, it is possible to recognize that the mark is in the range of 2 am or 2 pm. it can. Moreover, since the mark which consists of one big box shape and one small box shape is displayed, it turns out that it is 10 to 20 minutes. Therefore, in the timepiece display shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen that it is either between 2:10 and 2:20 or between 14:10 and 14:20. Furthermore, it is possible to recognize the distinction between morning and afternoon by changing the color and shape of the mark according to morning and afternoon. For example, in the case of 2:00 am, the mark can be unified with a blue color, and in the case of 2:00 pm, the mark can be unified with a red color. Similarly, it can be seen that FIG. 4A is between 2:10 and 2:20 in the morning or in the afternoon. In addition, when time passes in FIG. 4 (A) and it becomes between 2:30 to 2:40 in the morning or afternoon, one large box shape and three small box shapes are used like FIG. 4 (B). A mark consisting of Further, the box-shaped mark may be filled as shown in FIG.

  (Specific Example of Embodiment 1) In the electronic device according to the present embodiment, various clock displays can be displayed by preparing a plurality of selection candidates for marks to be acquired and storing them in the ROM (0303) or the like. In addition to the box-shaped mark described above, various modes can be adopted. This is further illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 6, for the sake of explanation, the case where the number buttons “2” are all selected by the selection unit is shown, and FIGS. 6A to 6H are respectively 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, In the case of 2:40, 2:50, the acquired mark is shown superimposed.

  FIG. 6A shows a case where a mark to be acquired is a mark in which a band-shaped image is included in a transmission region surrounded by a dotted line. The band-shaped image may be widened or narrowed depending on the number of minutes, or the display position may be shifted little by little as shown in FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6A, the current time can be recognized from the thickness of the band-like image associated with the numeric buttons and the position on the numeric buttons.

  FIG. 6B shows a case where the mark to be acquired is a belt-like shape as in FIG. 6A, but a mark whose inclination angle changes according to the number of minutes is acquired. In this case, the mark associated with the numeric buttons acts as a long hand of the clock, and the current time can be recognized.

  FIG. 6C shows the case where the mark to be acquired is a box-shaped mark as in FIG. 1, but the size of the mark is increased according to the number of minutes. In FIG. 6C, the current time can be recognized from the size of the mark associated with the numeric buttons.

  FIG. 6D shows the case where the acquired mark is an L-shaped mark, and the number of L-shaped characters increases according to the number of minutes. In FIG. 6D, the current time can be recognized by the number and size of L-shaped marks associated with the numeric buttons.

  FIG. 6E shows a case where the mark to be acquired is a mark in which an image of a character such as a turtle is included in a transparent area surrounded by a dotted line. Even if the actually superimposed image is the same image as shown in FIG. 6E, the position where the character exists in the transparent area changes depending on the number of minutes, so the turtle advances over the numeric buttons. Looks like you are. In this way, the current time can be recognized from the position where the turtle associated with the numeric button exists.

  FIG. 6F shows a case where the mark to be acquired is a character as in FIG. 6E, but displays a different character depending on the number of minutes. In FIG. 6F, fish is displayed on the 10-minute range, mushrooms are displayed on the 30-minute range, and dogs are displayed on the 50-minute range. In this way, the current time can be recognized according to the type of character associated with the numeric buttons.

  FIG. 6G shows the case where the mark to be acquired is a character as in FIG. 6E, but the state in which the character changes little by little depending on the number of minutes is displayed. In FIG. 6G, a state in which the flower grows little by little is displayed, and the current time can be recognized by the degree of flower growth associated with the numeric buttons.

  As described above, there are various types of marks to be acquired, and the present invention is not limited to the above mode. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6E, when the superimposed image itself does not change, only the image that does not include the transparent region may be used as a mark. In this case, instead of the mark acquisition unit (0203), by displaying in association with one or more of the numeric buttons, a mark that can be displayed as a time is acquired regardless of the current time. A setting mark acquisition unit may be provided. In this case, the acquired mark is superimposed on the interface screen so that the user can recognize the state associated with the numeric button selected by the selection unit in the superimposed display unit (0205). You may provide the present time corresponding superimposition display means which changes the position coordinate to perform according to present time information.

  (Processing Flow of Embodiment 1) The processing flow in this embodiment is shown in the processing flow of FIG. In the clock display method according to the present embodiment, first, a numeric button is detected from the interface screen (S0701: detection step). As described above, the interface screen is a screen including numeric buttons such as a dial button and a software keyboard displaying a numeric keypad of a calculator. At this time, whether or not the interface screen displayed on the display or the like includes a numeric button may be detected by searching for an argument associated with the numeric button. Next, current time information is acquired (S0702: current time information acquisition step). Note that the front-to-back relationship between S0701 and S0702 may be reversed. When the current time information is acquired, a mark that can be displayed by displaying in association with one or more of the numeric buttons is acquired according to the acquired current time information (S0703: mark acquisition step). The types of marks to be acquired are as described in the above specific examples. When the mark is acquired, a numeric button on the interface screen capable of displaying the current time is selected by associating with the acquired mark (S0704: selection step). In the selection step, the input button may be selected based on an argument associated with the input button. When a numeric button is selected by the selection unit, the acquired mark is superimposed and displayed on the interface screen so that the user can recognize the state associated with the selected numeric button (S0705: Superimposition). Display step). In the superimposed display step, the user can recognize that the acquired mark is associated with the numeric button selected in the selection step. Since the numeric buttons are selected according to how many hours the current time is, the user can recognize how many hours the current time is from the numeric buttons with which the mark is associated. it can. Moreover, since the mark is acquired according to how many minutes the current time is, the user can recognize how many minutes the current time is based on the mode of the mark. Actually, the user can recognize the mark and the associated numeric button at a glance at the same time, so that the user can grasp the current time intuitively. At this time, since the number for representing the current time is not newly displayed, there is no possibility that the operability of the software keyboard or the like displayed on the display unit is impaired.

  (Effect of Embodiment 1) In the electronic device of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the calculator function and the software keyboard function are activated, and keys and images including numbers are displayed on the display itself. However, it is possible to display a clock that can intuitively recognize the current time without impairing the operability of the keys.

  << Embodiment 2 >> (Concept of Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 8 illustrates a state of clock display of the electronic device in the present embodiment. In the electronic device (0800) in the present embodiment, in addition to the function of the electronic device described in the first embodiment, the azimuth information is further acquired, and the mark (0803) corresponding to the acquired azimuth information is displayed on the display (0801). The button (0802) is superimposed and displayed. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the mark is superimposed and displayed so as to face the north-south direction based on the direction information.

  (Configuration of Second Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows an example of a functional block diagram of an electronic apparatus according to this embodiment. The “electronic device” (0900) according to the present embodiment includes a “display unit” (0901), a “clock unit” (0902), a “mark acquisition unit” (0903), and a “selection unit” (0904). , “Superimposed display section” (0905) and “azimuth information acquisition section” (0906). Other than the azimuth information acquisition unit and the mark acquisition unit are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows a hardware configuration for realizing the above configuration when a mobile phone is used as the electronic apparatus in the present embodiment. 10 mainly includes a CPU (1001), a RAM (1002), a ROM (1003), a display (1004), an internal clock (1005), a magnetic direction sensor (1006), and a system bus (1007) connecting these. Etc.

  (Description of Configuration of Embodiment 2) The “azimuth information acquisition unit” (0906) is configured to acquire azimuth information. The direction information is information indicating the direction. The azimuth information acquisition unit includes the magnetic azimuth sensor (1006) in FIG. A magnetic azimuth sensor is a sensor that measures the azimuth by measuring the magnetic flux density of geomagnetism with two magnetic sensors. In the azimuth information acquisition unit (0906), the north direction can be detected by a magnetic azimuth sensor or the like. Therefore, it is possible to acquire azimuth information indicating which direction north is relative to the azimuth in which the electronic device is facing. it can. Moreover, if the north direction with respect to an electronic device can be recognized, the azimuth | direction information which the electronic device is facing can also be acquired. Furthermore, a directional information indicating the azimuth of the destination may be acquired from a PDA or mobile phone equipped with a GPS or the like in the azimuth information acquisition unit and equipped with a navigation system.

  The “mark acquisition unit” (0903) in the present embodiment is configured to acquire a mark according to the acquired orientation information in addition to the function of the first embodiment. “Acquire the mark according to the orientation information” means, for example, orientation information indicating which direction is north with respect to the orientation of the electronic device as the orientation information acquired by the orientation information acquisition unit. Is to obtain a mark indicating the direction. As shown in FIG. 8, if the upper right direction is north when the electronic device is viewed in a plan view, the mark superimposed on the interface screen is acquired as a whole ascending to the right. When such a mark is displayed at the lower left of the numeric button in the superimposed display portion (0905), the user can recognize that the mark points to the north direction. If the electronic device is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in the state shown in FIG. 8, the north direction as viewed from the electronic device changes, so that the aspect of the acquired mark also changes. Thus, the aspect of the mark can be changed by changing the direction of the electronic device, and the amusement element of the electronic device can be improved.

  Further, as described in the first embodiment, the mark acquisition unit (0903) can acquire a mark according to the current time information. For this reason, in the mark acquisition unit in the present embodiment, the direction in which the sun exists as viewed from the electronic device is calculated based on the current time information and the direction information, and a mark corresponding to the direction in which the sun exists can be acquired. it can. FIG. 11 shows an electronic device (1100) when a mark corresponding to the direction in which the sun exists is acquired and superimposed. As shown in FIG. 11, when the direction in which the sun is present is the upper right direction when the electronic apparatus is viewed in plan, the mark (1103) superimposed on the interface screen (1101) rises to the right as a whole. Get the mark that becomes. At this time, if the color of the mark to be acquired is a dark color, and the acquired mark is associated with the numeric button (1102) and superimposed on the lower left of the numeric button, a shadow appears on the numeric button (1102). looks like. The mark corresponding to the position of the sun may be displayed only during the day, or the length of the mark (that is, the length of the shadow) may be changed according to the direction of the sun.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, instead of the mark acquisition unit (0903), by displaying in association with one or more of the numeric buttons, a time displayable mark is set regardless of the current time. There may be provided a setting mark acquisition unit for acquiring the mark. Also, in this case, the acquired mark is interfaced so that the user can recognize the state associated with the numeric button selected by the selection unit (0904). You may provide the present time corresponding | compatible superimposition display means which changes the position coordinate displayed superimposed on a screen according to present time information.

  In the electronic device according to the present embodiment, by acquiring a mark based on the azimuth information, it is possible to know the azimuth from the clock display of the electronic device, and it is also possible to know the position of the sun and the like. For example, in FIG. 8, the user can recognize that it indicates the afternoon or 2:20 am, and can further recognize the north direction, and in FIG. 11, the user indicates 2:10 pm The position where the sun exists can be recognized.

  (Processing Flow of Embodiment 2) The processing flow in this embodiment is shown in the processing flow of FIG. In the clock display method in the present embodiment, first, a number button is detected from the interface screen (S1201: detection step). At this time, whether or not the interface screen displayed on the display or the like includes a numeric button may be detected by searching for an argument associated with the numeric button. Next, current time information is acquired (S1202: current time information acquisition step). Furthermore, direction information is acquired (S1203: direction information acquisition step). Note that the front-to-back relationship from S1201 to S1203 does not matter, and for example, the orientation information acquisition step may be first. When the current time information and the azimuth information are acquired, a mark capable of displaying the time is displayed according to the acquired current time information and the azimuth information by displaying in association with one or more of the numeric buttons (S1204: mark). Acquisition step). The mark according to the current time information and the direction information to be acquired may be a mark according to the direction in which the sun exists. When the mark is acquired in the mark acquisition step, a number button on the interface screen capable of displaying the current time is selected by associating with the acquired mark (S1205: selection step). In the selection step, the input button may be selected based on an argument associated with the input button. When a numeric button is selected by the selection unit, the acquired mark is superimposed and displayed on the interface screen so that the user can recognize the state associated with the selected numeric button (S1206: Superimposition). Display step). In the superimposed display step, the user can recognize that the acquired mark is associated with the numeric button selected in the selection step. Since the numeric buttons are selected according to how many hours the current time is, the user can recognize how many hours the current time is from the numeric buttons with which the mark is associated. it can. Moreover, since the mark is acquired according to how many minutes the current time is, the user can recognize how many minutes the current time is based on the mode of the mark. Actually, the user can recognize the mark and the associated numeric button at a glance at the same time, so that the user can grasp the current time intuitively. Furthermore, the mark is displayed in a direction corresponding to the direction information, and the user can recognize the north direction and the sun direction at a glance. Further, at this time, a number or the like for representing the current time is not newly displayed, and there is no possibility that the operability of the software keyboard or the like displayed on the display unit is impaired.

  (Effect of Embodiment 2) In the electronic device of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, when a calculator function or a software keyboard function is activated, a key or an image including numbers is displayed on the display itself. Even so, it is possible to perform a clock display that allows intuitive time recognition without impairing the operability of the keys, and it is also possible to represent the azimuth and sun position on the clock display. Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize not only the current time but also the direction by looking at the display of the electronic device.

The figure explaining the timepiece display method of Embodiment 1. Embodiment 1 Functional Block Diagram 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another clock display method according to the first embodiment (1). FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining another timepiece display method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another timepiece display method according to the first embodiment. The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a clock display method according to the second embodiment. Functional block diagram of Embodiment 2 The figure showing the hardware constitutions of Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another clock display method according to the second embodiment. The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 2. Clock display method in the prior art (1) Clock display method in the prior art (2) Clock display method in the prior art (3)

Explanation of symbols

0100, 0200 Electronic device 0101 Display 0102 Number button 0103 Mark 0201 Display unit 0202 Clock unit 0203 Mark acquisition unit 0204 Selection unit 0205 Superimposition display unit 0206 Argument selection means 0906 Direction information acquisition unit S0701 Detection step S0702 Current time information acquisition step S0703 Mark Step S0704 Selection step S0705 Superimposition display step

Claims (5)

A display for displaying an interface screen using numeric buttons;
A clock section for acquiring current time information;
A mark acquisition unit for acquiring a mark capable of displaying time by performing display associated with one or more of the number buttons according to the acquired current time information;
A selection unit for selecting a numeric button on the interface screen capable of displaying the current time by associating with the acquired mark;
A superimposed display unit that displays the acquired mark in a superimposed manner on the interface screen so that the user can recognize the state associated with the numeric button selected by the selection unit;
Electronic equipment having   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit includes an argument selection unit that performs the selection based on an argument associated with an input button in the interface program. It has an orientation information acquisition unit that acquires orientation information,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the mark acquisition unit acquires a mark according to the acquired orientation information. A detection step for detecting a numeric button from the interface screen;
A current time information acquisition step for acquiring current time information;
A mark acquisition step of acquiring a mark capable of displaying time by displaying in association with one or more of the number buttons, according to the acquired current time information;
A selection step of selecting a numeric button on the interface screen capable of displaying the current time by associating with the acquired mark;
A superimposed display step of displaying the acquired mark in a superimposed manner on the interface screen so that the user can recognize the state associated with the numeric button selected by the selection unit;
Display method for electronic equipment comprising: Having an orientation information acquisition step for acquiring orientation information;
The time display method of the electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the mark acquisition step acquires the mark according to the acquired direction information.

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