JP2010238261A - Mobile terminal device, menu displaying method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add entertainment properties to menu display of a mobile terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The first layer menu screen including a background image in which a plurality of items corresponding to each menu entry of the first layer menu are located and a plurality of the second layer menu screens prepared for each menu entry of the first layer menu are displayed on a display screen. On the display screen, a focus move operation for moving a focus between a plurality of the items, and a determination operation are done in a situation where the item corresponding to the targeted menu entry is focused. For each of a plurality of the second layer menu screens, the item on the first layer menu corresponding to at least the second layer menu screen is enlarged to display and additionally display an image associated with the first layer menu entry. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In a mobile terminal such as a conventional mobile phone, a menu screen is provided that presents a plurality of menu items to a user in a selectable manner. In addition, with the diversification of functions, a hierarchical menu structure may be adopted.

  A conventional menu screen displays character strings and icons representing menu items as options on a display screen, and allows the user to select and determine a target menu item by a user operation.

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device that displays a menu including a plurality of menu items on a display screen.

  The display of such a conventional menu screen is a static display except that the focus is moved, and the fact is that even if it is practical, it is not interesting.

  In particular, since a portable terminal such as a mobile phone is carried by an individual and used many times a day, it is not only practical operability but also fun to use and never gets tired. It is desirable to have a screen configuration that also takes entertainment into consideration.

  The present invention has been made in this background, and is intended to add entertainment to the menu display of a portable terminal.

  A portable terminal device according to the present invention is a portable terminal device that displays a menu including a plurality of menu items on a display screen, and represents a background image in which a plurality of items respectively associated with the menu items are arranged. Display means for displaying a screen on the display screen, a focus movement operation for moving focus between the plurality of items on the menu screen, and a determination operation in a state where an item corresponding to a target menu item is focused Operating means, and the display means changes the color tone of the background image using at least the current time as a parameter.

  The original purpose of the menu screen is to allow the user to select a desired menu item from among a plurality of menu items. According to this configuration, the background image of the menu screen changes its color tone over the course of one day. Changes. When the background image is an outside landscape, the user can experience a temporal change of the outside landscape from the change of the menu screen even when the user is in the room. (However, the change in scenery on the menu screen according to the present invention is not required to be accurate because it is intended to add entertainment.)

  Specifically, one day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the display means changes the color tone of the background image according to the time zone to which the current time belongs.

  If the boundary of the time zone is changed according to the sunrise / sunset time of the day, the seasonal change is also reflected in the menu screen.

  The display means may add a weather display corresponding to the weather to the background image according to the weather associated with the current date and time. Thereby, the weather state is reflected on the menu screen.

  The display means may display different character patterns superimposed on the background image using at least one of current date / time, weather, weekday / holiday as a parameter. This gives diversity to the menu screen.

  Another portable terminal device according to the present invention displays a hierarchical menu having a first hierarchical menu having a plurality of menu items and a second hierarchical menu associated with each menu item of the first hierarchical menu. A mobile terminal device having a screen, a first hierarchical menu screen including a background image in which a plurality of items respectively associated with the menu items of the first hierarchical menu are arranged, and menu items of the first hierarchical menu Corresponding to display means for displaying a plurality of second level menu screens prepared for each on the display screen, a focus moving operation for moving the focus between the plurality of items on the display screen, and a target menu item Operating means for performing a determination operation in a state where an item to be focused is in focus, and the display means includes the plurality of second layer menus. As each of the view screens, an item corresponding to at least the second hierarchical menu screen on the first hierarchical menu screen is enlarged and displayed, and an image reminiscent of the first hierarchical menu item is additionally displayed. And

  In this configuration, the items arranged in the background image of the first hierarchy menu are associated with the menu items of the first hierarchy menu, and each first hierarchy menu item is associated with the same item as the second hierarchy menu. It has been. Even if an item in the background image of the first hierarchical menu is not directly related to the menu item, an image reminiscent of the first hierarchical menu item is additionally displayed on the second hierarchical menu screen. In the second hierarchy menu screen prepared for each first hierarchy menu item, the relevance to the first hierarchy menu item is recognized by the background image.

  The present invention can also be understood as a menu display method and a menu display program.

  According to the present invention, on the menu screen of the mobile terminal device, while maintaining the operability of selecting a desired menu item from among a plurality of menu items, the color tone of the background image is dynamically changed over time. Can be changed. As a result, the menu screen can be used not only as a user interface for operation but also as an entertainment means. By changing the weather condition on the background image, the characters, and the like together, it is possible to provide further changes and unexpectedness, thereby improving entertainment.

  Moreover, in the hierarchical structure menu of the first hierarchy and the second hierarchy, a first hierarchy menu item is assigned to a plurality of items arranged on the background image, and the first hierarchy menu item is assigned to each second hierarchy menu screen. By additionally displaying images to be associated, it is possible to express the relevance to the first hierarchical menu item, and as a result, it is possible to present a novel hierarchical structure menu that has not existed before.

  In addition, by preparing such a menu screen with new entertainment properties in a mobile terminal, it is possible to stimulate the demand for purchase or replacement by purchase of a new terminal.

It is a top view which shows the front side external appearance of the portable terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the hardware constitutions of the portable terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a multi-tiered menu structure employ | adopted as the portable terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data group relevant to the production | generation of the main menu screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data group relevant to the production | generation of the submenu screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific structural example of the weather data in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the character pattern data table showing the character pattern in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the main menu screen displayed on the display screen in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the image showing the weather in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the other image showing the weather in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the character pattern different from what was shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the submenu screen corresponding to the icon 621a (music) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the submenu screen corresponding to the icon 621b (entertainment) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the submenu screen corresponding to the icon 621c (menu (setting)) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the submenu screen corresponding to the icon 621d (television) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the submenu screen corresponding to the icon 621e (navigation) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the submenu screen corresponding to the icon 621f (moving image) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the process for implement | achieving the operation | movement of embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the main menu screen display corresponding to step S11 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a submenu screen display corresponding to step S15 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, as an example of a mobile terminal device (also simply referred to as a terminal in this specification), a mobile phone in which an upper housing and a lower housing are connected so as to be superposed on each other will be described. It is not limited to the type of telephone. Moreover, it is not limited to a mobile phone. For example, the present invention can be applied to any portable terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a game machine.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the front side appearance of portable terminal 100 in the present embodiment, and shows an open state in which the upper and lower housings are opened. In this example, the display unit 103 on the main surface of the upper casing 102 is always exposed, and the upper casing 102 is slid with respect to the lower casing 122 from the state where the upper casing 102 is superimposed on the lower casing 122. Shows a mobile terminal of the type in which the second operation unit 121 on the lower housing 122 appears. The slide may be linear or rotary. Further, although the upper casing 102 slides and overlaps with the lower casing 122 is shown, it may be a so-called bi-fold type (bivalve type) or a single casing. A so-called straight type may be used.

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

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

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

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 100. The mobile terminal 100 includes, as elements unique to the mobile phone, an antenna 201, a transmission / reception processing unit 203, a modulation / demodulation processing unit 205, a data processing unit 207, a D / A converter 209, a speaker 210 (corresponding to 101 in FIG. 1), An A / D converter 211 and a microphone 212 (corresponding to 115 in FIG. 1) are provided. There may be a plurality of speakers 210 for calls and ring tones. The portable terminal 100 also includes a control unit 225 including a CPU, a ROM, and the like that control these elements, a memory 227 that is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for data by the control unit 225, and a display that functions as a user interface. Unit 220 (corresponding to 103 in FIG. 1), operation unit 223 (corresponding to 105 and 121 in FIG. 1), clock unit 229 having a calendar and timekeeping function, and GPS receiver 231 having a terminal current position detecting function. .

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a menu structure of a plurality of hierarchies composed of a first hierarchy corresponding to the main menu and a second hierarchy corresponding to this lower submenu, which is employed in portable terminal 100 in the present embodiment. In this example, the menu items in the first layer include “music”, “entertainment”, “menu (setting)”, “television”, “navigation”, and “moving image”. The second hierarchy includes a plurality of submenu items as shown for each menu item of the first hierarchy. These main menu items and submenu items are merely examples, and the specific contents are not directly related to the present invention and will not be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 shows a data group related to the generation of the main menu screen. This data group includes main menu screen data 300, weather data 310, sunrise / sunset time data 320, special image condition data 330, and color tone data 340.

  The main menu screen data 300 is data constituting a screen (main menu screen) for displaying a main menu, and includes a background image 301, an icon image 302, an icon title 303, an item image 304, a person pattern image 305, a weather image 306, And a special image 307. A background image 301 is image data constituting the background of the main menu screen. In this example, a single background image 301 is shown, but a plurality of background images 301 may be prepared and selectively used. The icon image 302 is image data representing a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of main menu items. The icon title 303 is character string data representing each main menu item. The item image 304 is image data representing a plurality of items arranged on the background image and associated with each main menu item. The person pattern image 305 is image data representing a pattern of persons (plural) appearing on the background. The weather image 306 is image data representing weather conditions such as clear, cloudy, and rainy appearing on the background. The special image 307 is image data representing a special image displayed on the background on a specific day (or date and time). For example, an image of Kadomatsu placed in front of the building on New Year (January 1 to January 5), an image of a carp streamer appearing on the building on May 5, and the Milky Way appearing in the night sky on July 7 Images of Christmas trees that appear at Christmas time.

  The weather data 310 is data representing actual weather for at least one year in the past. Since the weather varies depending on the region, the weather data of each region may be prepared and the weather data of the corresponding region may be selected according to the position of the terminal confirmed by GPS. Alternatively, the weather data 310 can be obtained by acquiring the current day's weather data from an external data server via a communication network.

  The sunrise / sunset time data 320 is data representing the sunrise and sunset times of the day. Since an error occurs depending on the longitude of the terminal position, an error at the position (longitude) of the terminal confirmed by GPS may be obtained, and the sunrise / sunset time data 320 may be corrected with this error. The special image condition data 330 is data defining conditions for displaying the above-described special image. The color tone data 340 is data that defines the color tone of the background image for each time zone.

  FIG. 5 shows a data group related to generation of the submenu screen. A plurality (six in this example) of submenu screens are prepared corresponding to each of a plurality of menu items on the main menu screen. That is, there are a plurality of submenu screen data 400. Each submenu screen data 400 includes a background image 401, an icon image 402, an icon title 403, an item image 404, an item addition image 405, a submenu item button image 406, and a submenu item title 407.

  The background image 401 is image data representing the background image of the submenu screen. Since the icon image 402 and the icon title 403 are the same as those of the main menu screen, the icon image 302 and the icon title 303 of the main menu screen data 300 can be used, respectively. The item image 404 is character string data representing the titles of a plurality of submenu items. The item addition image 405 is image data representing an additional image corresponding to the icon title, that is, the main menu item displayed on the background of the submenu screen (reminiscent of the main menu item). The submenu item button image 406 is image data representing button shapes of a plurality of submenu items. The submenu item title 407 is character string data representing the titles of a plurality of submenu items.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the weather data 310 (FIG. 4) described above. In this example, the actual weather for the past year is recorded for each time slot obtained by dividing a day into six. In order to obtain this data, average data of actual weather for a plurality of years may be used. In the example of the figure, numbers 1 to 5 are assigned to the weather conditions of clear, cloudy, rainy, snowy, and rainbow, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, characters appear on the background of the main menu screen. This character pattern changes according to the situation. The character pattern data table 520 representing the character pattern shown in FIG. 7 includes five character patterns (character pattern image 305 shown in FIG. 4) for each combination of time zone, weather, weekday / holiday. Are available). This “time zone” may be fixed, but in the present embodiment, the boundary of the time zone is changed based on the sunrise and sunset time data (320 in FIG. 4) (therefore, each time zone is changed). Time zone lengths are not even). Specifically, one day is early morning (1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunrise), morning (1.5 hours after sunrise to 10 am), daytime (from 10 am to day) Until 1.5 hours before sunset), evening (1.5 hours before sunset to 1.5 hours after sunset), night (1.5 hours after sunset to 10:00 pm), midnight It is divided into 6 time zones (from 10:00 pm to 1.5 hours before sunrise). By taking into account the sunrise / sunset times, the time zone boundaries will change from day to day.

  In this example, there are 24 combinations of time zone (6), weather (sunny system including clear and cloudy, rain system including rain, snow and rainbow) and weekday / holiday (2) Since five patterns are provided for each group, the total number of patterns is 120. The characters are typically a plurality of people, and may include animals (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) in addition to people. The change in pattern is, for example, that many people wear umbrellas during rainy hours, many people work on weekdays, and many families on holidays. Since the character pattern changes according to such a large number of situations, it is avoided that the same character pattern is repeatedly displayed, and the menu display screen that does not get tired of the user and is fun to check. Will be provided.

  The color tone data 340 for determining the color tone of the entire background image is prepared as a data table in which color data representing the color tone is associated with the same time zone as the character pattern data table 520 in FIG. be able to. For example, pink in the early morning, blue in the morning, green in the day, orange in the evening, purple in the evening, black in the midnight, and so on. As a result, it is possible to reflect the color tone and brightness outside the day with the passage of time on the menu screen background image.

  Hereinafter, specific application examples of the present invention will be described with reference to display screen examples.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a main menu screen 600 displayed on the display screen of the display unit 103 (FIG. 1). This screen shows a sunny morning landscape on weekdays. Since the mobile terminal here is a mobile phone, it has a display area 610 indicating the reception state, battery, date and time, and day of the week at the top of the screen, and as a so-called soft key (such as a key of the first operation unit in FIG. 1) at the bottom of the screen. It has a guide display area 630 indicating functions assigned to keys to be used. A main display area 620 located between these display areas 610 and 630 is used as a menu screen in the present embodiment. (In this example, the background image is actually displayed on the entire screen 600, and the display areas 610 and 630 overlap the top and bottom of the background image.) On the screen 600, a background image representing a landscape (scene) is displayed. Above this background image (below the display area 610), icons (621a to 621f) representing a plurality (six in this example) of main menu items are arranged. These icons 621a to 621f correspond to the above-mentioned “music”, “entertainment”, “menu (setting)”, “television”, “navigation”, and “moving image”, and only one icon is focused at a time. In this specification, “focus” means highlighting by changing the display mode such as the luminance and color of the display. In the illustrated example, the focused icon is highlighted by highlighting, and the brightness of other icons is reduced.

  In addition, among the plurality of icons 621a to 621f, only the focused icon is displayed with the icon title (character string) attached thereto. The icon title only needs to be displayed for the focused icon, and there is also a relationship with the display area size. In order to display a character string with a certain font size, the title is not displayed without displaying the title of another icon. Displaying a relatively large character string of only the icon is also effective in accurately telling the user what the icon is.

  The focus can be moved between icons by operating the operation unit 105 (for example, the direction instruction key 113) by the user of the terminal.

  Items 622a to 622f corresponding to the icons 621a to 621f, respectively, are arranged on the background image. In the illustrated example, these are a bench, a fence, a signboard, a building first floor window, a building second floor window, and a building entrance staircase, respectively. When one of the icons 621a to 621f is focused, the corresponding items 622a to 622f are focused in conjunction with each other. In the example of FIG. 8, the icon 621 c is focused and the item (a signboard) 622 c associated with the icon 621 c is focused. In the present embodiment, the focus of the item is shown in white, but in this case as well, arbitrary highlighting can be adopted.

As described above, the main menu screen in FIG. 8 changes sequentially. The objects to be changed and the conditions for the changes are summarized as follows.
(1) Background image color tone

The color tone of the background image changes using the current date and time as a parameter. That is, one day is divided into a plurality of time zones (6 in this example), and the color tone of the background image is changed in each time zone. In the example described above, the color of the entire background image is pink in the early morning, blue in the morning, green in the day, orange in the evening, purple in the evening, black in the midnight, and so on. Although the time zone may be fixed, in this embodiment, the boundary of the time zone is changed based on the sunrise time and sunset time data (320 in FIG. 4). Thereby, the boundary of the time zone is changed according to the sunrise / sunset time of the day. Although the color tone of the background image is changed at the boundary of the time zone, it is preferable that the color tone should be changed based on the time when the display screen is switched from another screen to the menu screen. The color tone may be reflected in a weather image or a character.
(2) Weather of background image

Based on the weather data (310 in FIG. 4), an image representing the weather is superimposed and displayed on the background image. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, such a weather display is a cloud indicating a clear sky, a dark sky when cloudy, and a raindrop 633 when raining. Can be expressed as Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, it can be expressed by a white snowball 634 in the case of snow, and an arch 635 of a plurality of colors in the case of a rainbow.
(3) Characters

  Different character patterns 624 (FIG. 8) are superimposed on the background image with at least one of current date / time, weather, weekday / holiday as parameters. The types of character patterns are as described above. FIG. 11 shows a display example of another character pattern 624a. This screen is a sunny evening landscape on weekdays, and the character pattern 624a includes cats and birds in addition to people.

  In this way, on the main menu screen 600, the scenery in the display screen changes according to the passage of time of the day, according to the weather, and according to the season.

  In the main menu screen 600 shown in FIG. 8, the selection of the menu item is determined (confirmed) by operating the first operation unit 105 (for example, the push button 114) in a state where the icon (and the item) is focused. Can do. When the selection of the main menu item is determined, the display screen shifts to a sub menu screen corresponding to the main menu item.

  12 to 17 show examples of the sub menu screens 700a to 700f in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the icons of all main menu items are also displayed on the submenu screen, but (a) only the corresponding icons are displayed, (b) all the icons of the main menu items are deleted, etc. The aspect of can also be taken. In each submenu screen, the item on the main menu screen is enlarged (zoomed up), and an additional image reminiscent of the main menu item is additionally displayed. This item enlarged image does not necessarily have to be an enlarged portion including the item of the background image in the main menu screen, and may be an image prepared separately. Even if each item does not recognize the direct relationship with the main menu item on the main menu screen (or looks unrelated at first glance), an additional image reminiscent of the main menu item is added on the sub menu screen. As a result, the user recognizes the correspondence between the main menu item and the item.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a submenu screen 700a corresponding to the icon 621a (music). The item corresponding to this submenu screen is an item 622a representing a bench, and an additional image 710a representing “twitter bird” reminiscent of “music” for this enlarged display (in one of the item additional images 405 in FIG. 5). Support). The birdsong is represented by a note image. On this submenu screen 700a, a plurality of submenu items 720a are displayed as a submenu item button image 406 (FIG. 5, a rounded rectangle in this case) and a submenu item title 407 (FIG. 5). As with the main menu item icon, only one sub menu item 720a is focused at a time, and this focus can be moved by operating the operation unit, and the selection of a desired sub menu item is determined. Can do.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a submenu screen 700b corresponding to the icon 621b (entertainment). The item corresponding to this submenu screen is an item 622b representing a fence, and corresponds to an additional image 710b representing "windmill" reminiscent of "entertainment" for this enlarged display (corresponding to one of the item additional images 405 in FIG. 5). ) Has been added. On this submenu screen 700b, a plurality of submenu items 720b are displayed in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a submenu screen 700c corresponding to the icon 621c (menu (setting)). The item corresponding to the sub-menu screen is an item 622c representing a “place signboard”, and an additional image 710c representing a “signboard depicting a tool” reminiscent of “menu (setting)” for this enlarged display (FIG. 5). Corresponding to one of the item addition images 405). On the submenu screen 700c, a plurality of submenu items 720c are displayed in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a submenu screen 700d corresponding to the icon 621d (television). The item corresponding to this submenu screen is an item 622d representing the “first floor window” of the building, and an additional image 710d (one of the item additional image 405 in FIG. 5) representing “TV” seen from the window with respect to this enlarged display. Added). On this submenu screen 700d, a plurality of submenu items 720d are displayed in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a submenu screen 700e corresponding to the icon 621e (navigation). The item corresponding to this submenu screen is an item 622e representing the “second floor window” of the building, and an additional image 710e representing “world globe” and “paper airplane” associated with navigation for this enlarged display (FIG. 5). Corresponding to one of the item addition images 405). On the submenu screen 700e, a plurality of submenu items 720e are displayed in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a submenu screen 700f corresponding to the icon 621f (moving image). The item corresponding to this submenu screen is an item 622f that represents the “entrance step portion” of the building, and an additional image 710f that represents “one scene of a movie” associated with a moving image with respect to this enlarged display (item addition in FIG. 5). Corresponding to one of the images 405). On the submenu screen 700f, a plurality of submenu items 720f are displayed in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing processing for realizing the operation of the present embodiment as described above. This process is realized by the CPU of the control unit 225 executing a program stored in the memory 227.

  First, a main menu screen is displayed (S11). The main menu screen may shift from another screen such as a standby screen of a mobile phone according to a user instruction, or may be a screen that is displayed immediately when the terminal is turned on. A detailed example of the display of the main menu screen will be described later.

  When the main menu screen is displayed, a predetermined default main menu item is focused, and if the user instructs to move the focus of the main menu item (S12, Yes), the focus is sequentially moved to the next menu item. (S13). When selection of the currently focused main menu item is determined (S14, Yes), a submenu screen for the main menu item is displayed (S15). Details of this will be described later.

  Similarly to the main menu screen, if there is a focus movement instruction for a submenu item (Yes in S16), the submenu screen sequentially moves the focus to the next submenu item (S17). When selection of the currently focused submenu item is determined (S18, Yes), the application of the submenu item is executed (S20). If the user gives a “return” instruction on the sub-main menu screen (S19, Yes), the process returns to the main menu screen in step S12.

  FIG. 19 shows a processing example of main menu screen display corresponding to step S11.

  First, referring to the clock unit 229 (FIG. 2) and various data in the memory 227, the current date, weekday / holiday, and weather are confirmed (S31). At this time, if necessary, the terminal may be connected to a communication network or the position of the terminal may be confirmed by the GPS receiver 231. Next, as described above, the background color tone, weather image, and character pattern of the main menu screen are determined (S32). As the character pattern, one of a plurality of patterns that meet the above-described conditions is selected according to a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule may be a predetermined order or may be random. Next, it is checked whether or not the current time point belongs to a special day (or time) (S33). If so, the special image is selected (S34). Therefore, the weather image, icon image, icon title, item image, person pattern image, and special image (if selected in S34) are displayed superimposed on the background image (S35). It is assumed that the color tone of the background image at this time is determined in S32.

  Thereafter, when a change event for changing the main menu screen occurs (S36, Yes), the process returns to step S31. The change event is, for example, when the current time reaches the boundary time of the time zone of the above-mentioned character or the boundary time of the weather time zone while the main menu screen is displayed. The change event may include an explicit instruction from the terminal user.

  If there is a user instruction from the operation unit (S37, Yes), this process ends and the process returns to the process of FIG.

  FIG. 20 shows a processing example of submenu screen display corresponding to step S15.

  First, a background image including an enlarged image of an item corresponding to the selected main menu item is selected (S41). Next, an item addition image of the item is selected (S42). Further, the button image and submenu item title of the submenu item are selected (S43).

  Thereafter, the weather image, the item addition image, the button image, and the submenu item title are displayed in a superimposed manner on the background image of the submenu screen (S44). The display of this submenu screen is continued until the user gives an instruction. If there is an instruction from the user (S45, Yes), this process is terminated and the process returns to the process in FIG.

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

  For example, the arbitrary image described above is assumed to be a still image, but may be a moving image. It is also possible to animate the person pattern image and the additional image.

  Further, both the icon and the item corresponding to the main menu item are displayed on the main menu screen, but the icon display is not essential and can be omitted.

  Specific images and data such as background images, icons, items, buttons, etc. presented in the drawings, the number of them, the processing procedure of the flowchart, and the specific contents and order of each processing step are merely examples for explanation. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

  As for the hierarchical structure menu, an example of two layers of the first layer and the second layer has been shown, but it is not limited to two layers, and may be three or more layers.

  At the time of screen transition from the first layer to the second layer, the items to be enlarged may be expressed continuously (seamlessly) by animation such as zooming.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Portable terminal, 101 ... Speaker, 102 ... Upper housing, 103 ... Display part, 105 ... Operation part, 110 ... Jog dial, 112 ... Rotating ring, 113 ... Direction indication key, 114 ... Push button, 115 ... Microphone, 121 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Operation part, 122 ... Lower housing | casing, 201 ... Antenna, 203 ... Transmission / reception processing part, 205 ... Modulation / demodulation processing part, 207 ... Data processing part, 209 ... Converter, 210 ... Speaker, 211 ... Converter, 212 ... Microphone, 220 ... Display unit, 223 ... Operation unit, 225 ... Control unit, 227 ... Memory, 229 ... Clock unit, 231 ... Receiver, 300 ... Main menu screen data, 301 ... Background image, 302 ... Icon image, 303 ... Icon title 304 ... Item image 305 ... Person pattern image 306 ... Weather image 307 ... Special image 310 ... Sky Data: 320 ... Sunrise / sunset time data, 330 ... Special image condition data, 400 ... Submenu screen data, 401 ... Background image, 402 ... Icon image, 403 ... Icon title, 404 ... Item image, 405 ... Add item Image, 406 ... Submenu item button image, 407 ... Submenu item title, 520 ... Character pattern data table, 600 ... Main menu screen, 610 ... Display area, 620 ... Display area, 621a-621f ... Icon, 622a-622f ... Item, 624, 624a ... Character pattern, 630 ... Guide display area, 633 ... Raindrop, 634 ... Snowball, 635 ... Arch, 700a-700f ... Submenu screen, 710a-710f ... Item-added image, 720a-720f ... Submenu item

Claims (9)

A mobile terminal device comprising a display screen for displaying a hierarchical menu having a first hierarchical menu having a plurality of menu items and a second hierarchical menu associated with each menu item of the first hierarchical menu. ,
A first hierarchy menu screen including a background image in which a plurality of items respectively associated with the menu items of the first hierarchy menu are arranged, and a plurality of second hierarchy menus prepared for each menu item of the first hierarchy menu Display means for displaying a screen on the display screen;
A focus movement operation for moving the focus between the plurality of items on the display screen, and an operation means for performing a determination operation in a state where an item corresponding to a target menu item is focused,
The display means enlarges and displays at least an item corresponding to the second hierarchical menu screen on the first hierarchical menu screen as each of the plurality of second hierarchical menu screens, and the first hierarchical menu item. A mobile terminal device characterized by additionally displaying an image reminiscent of the above.   The display means displays a plurality of icons representing all menu items of the first hierarchy menu on the first hierarchy menu screen, and focuses an icon corresponding to the item in conjunction with the focused item. Item 2. The mobile terminal device according to Item 1.   The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein a title character string representing the menu item is displayed only for a focused icon among the plurality of icons. Menu display in a portable terminal device having a display screen for displaying a hierarchical menu having a first hierarchical menu having a plurality of menu items and a second hierarchical menu associated with each menu item of the first hierarchical menu A method,
A first hierarchy menu screen including a background image in which a plurality of items respectively associated with the menu items of the first hierarchy menu are arranged, and a plurality of second hierarchy menus prepared for each menu item of the first hierarchy menu Displaying a screen on the display screen;
A focus movement operation for moving the focus between the plurality of items on the display screen, and a determination operation in a state where an item corresponding to a target menu item is focused;
As each of the plurality of second hierarchy menu screens, an image corresponding to at least the second hierarchy menu screen on the first hierarchy menu screen is enlarged and displayed, and an image reminiscent of the first hierarchy menu item is displayed. A menu display method comprising: an additional display step.   The method further comprising: displaying a plurality of icons representing all menu items of the first hierarchy menu on the first hierarchy menu screen, and focusing an icon corresponding to the item in conjunction with the focused item. Item 4. The menu display method according to Item 4.   6. The menu display method according to claim 5, wherein a title character string representing the menu item is displayed only for the focused icon among the plurality of icons. Executed in a mobile terminal device having a display screen for displaying a hierarchical menu having a first hierarchical menu having a plurality of menu items and a second hierarchical menu associated with each menu item of the first hierarchical menu. A menu display program,
A first hierarchy menu screen including a background image in which a plurality of items respectively associated with the menu items of the first hierarchy menu are arranged, and a plurality of second hierarchy menus prepared for each menu item of the first hierarchy menu Displaying a screen on the display screen;
A focus movement operation for moving the focus between the plurality of items on the display screen, and a determination operation in a state where an item corresponding to a target menu item is focused;
As each of the plurality of second hierarchy menu screens, an image corresponding to at least the second hierarchy menu screen on the first hierarchy menu screen is enlarged and displayed, and an image reminiscent of the first hierarchy menu item is displayed. A menu display program that causes a computer to execute additional steps and. As a step of causing the computer to execute,
The method further comprising: displaying a plurality of icons representing all menu items of the first hierarchy menu on the first hierarchy menu screen, and focusing an icon corresponding to the item in conjunction with the focused item. Item 8. A menu display program according to Item 7.   9. The menu display program according to claim 8, wherein a title character string representing the menu item is displayed only for the focused icon among the plurality of icons.