JP2020166572A - Display control method, display control program, and display control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce discomfort given to a user.SOLUTION: In a display control method, based on an arrangement allowed number A that is the number of icons that can be arranged in a reference direction and an icon number B that is the number of icons to be displayed, shape determination processing of determining the shape of the icons as one of a square and a regular hexagon, is executed. When the shape is determined as a square in the shape determination processing, if the icon number B is larger than the arrangement allowed number A, first display processing of arranging the plurality of icons having a square shape in matrix in the reference direction and an orthogonal direction and displaying the icons on a display, is executed. When the shape is determined as a regular hexagon in the shape determination processing, second display processing of arranging the plurality of icons having a regular hexagon shape such that the distance between the centers of the adjacent icons becomes constant and displaying the icons on the display, is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to a display control method, a display control program, and a display control device for controlling display on a display unit.

Patent Document 1 discloses an information display device (display control device) for displaying a plurality of images (icons) having the same shape on a display unit. In such a device, the shape of the displayed image is rectangular. Then, a plurality of images are arranged and displayed in a matrix.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-92418

When square or rectangular icons are arranged in a matrix and displayed on the display unit as in the device of Patent Document 1, a plurality of icons may be arranged in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the display unit depending on the number of icons. It may not be symmetrical to any of the above. If the icons are arranged asymmetrically, it may cause discomfort to the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display control method, a display control program, and a display control device capable of suppressing discomfort given to a user.

The display control method of the present invention is a display control method executed by a display control device including a display unit, a storage unit in which a program is stored, and a control unit, and the control unit is stored in the storage unit. By executing the stored program, the icons that can be arranged in the reference direction are determined by the base length, which is the length of the display unit in the reference direction, and the icon length, which is the length of the icon in the reference direction. A shape determination process for determining whether the shape of the icon is a square or a regular hexagon based on the number of arrays that can be arranged, which is a number, and the number of icons, which is the number of the icons to be displayed on the display unit. When the shape of the icon is determined to be square in the shape determination process and the number of the icons is larger than the number that can be arranged, a plurality of the icons having a square shape and having the same size as each other are displayed. The two sides of the icon orthogonal to each other are parallel to the reference direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction, respectively, in a matrix in the reference direction and the orthogonal direction, and in the reference direction and the reference direction. It has a regular hexagonal shape when the shape of the icon is determined to be a regular hexagon in the first display process of arranging the icons symmetrically in at least one of the orthogonal directions and displaying them on the display unit. However, the plurality of icons having the same size as each other are adjacent to each other at the same angle so that the pair of parallel sides of the icons are parallel to either the reference direction or the orthogonal direction. It is characterized in that a second display process of arranging the two so as to keep the distance between the centers constant and symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction and displaying them on the display unit is executed. And.

The display control program of the present invention is a display control program executed by a display control device including a display unit, and has a base length which is a length related to the reference direction of the display unit and a length of an icon related to the reference direction. The shape of the icon is determined based on the number of the icons that can be arranged in the reference direction, which is determined by the length of the icon, and the number of the icons that should be displayed on the display unit. When the shape of the icon is determined to be square in the shape determination process for determining whether to make a square or a regular hexagon, and when the number of icons is larger than the number of orthogonal shapes, the square shape is formed. A plurality of the icons having the same size and having the same size as each other so that the two sides of the icons orthogonal to each other are parallel to the reference direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction. In the first display process of arranging in a matrix in the direction and the orthogonal direction and symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction and displaying them on the display unit, and the icon in the shape determination process. When the shape of is determined to be a regular hexagon, a plurality of the icons having a regular hexagonal shape and having the same size as each other are arranged at the same angle with each other, and a pair of parallel sides of the icons are in the reference direction and Arranged so as to be parallel to any of the orthogonal directions, the distance between the centers of adjacent icons to be constant, and symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. It is characterized in that the display control device executes the second display process of displaying on the display unit.

The display control device of the present invention is a display control device including a display unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit has a base length which is a length related to a reference direction of the display unit and a reference direction of an icon. Based on the number of the icons that can be arranged in the reference direction, which is the number of the icons that can be arranged in the reference direction, and the number of the icons that should be displayed on the display unit, which is determined by the icon length. When the shape of the icon is determined to be square in the shape determination process for determining whether the shape of the icon is a square or a regular hexagon, and the shape determination process, the number of the icons is larger than the number of the icons that can be arranged. When, a plurality of the icons having a square shape and having the same size as each other are arranged so that the two sides of the icons orthogonal to each other are parallel to the reference direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction. The first display process and the shape determination are arranged in a matrix in the reference direction and the orthogonal direction and symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction and displayed on the display unit. When the shape of the icon is determined to be a regular hexagon in the process, a plurality of the icons having a regular hexagonal shape and the same size as each other are arranged at the same angle and a pair of parallel sides of the icon. While being parallel to either the reference direction or the orthogonal direction, the distance between the centers of the adjacent icons is constant, and is symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. It is characterized in that a second display process of arranging and displaying on the display unit is executed.

In the present invention, by executing the first display process for displaying square-shaped icons or the second display process for displaying regular hexagon-shaped icons, the arrangement of a plurality of icons can be used as a reference regardless of the number of icons. It can be symmetric with respect to at least one of the directions and the orthogonal directions. Therefore, the discomfort given to the user can be suppressed.

It is a block diagram of the system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the layout of the icon when the arrayable number A = 2, and (a) to (h) correspond to the number of icons B = 1 to 8, respectively. It is the layout of the icon when the number A = 3 that can be arranged, and (a) to (e) correspond to the number B = 3 to 7, respectively. It is the layout of the icon when the number A = 4 that can be arranged, and (a) to (f) correspond to the number B = 4 to 9, respectively. The contents stored in the data storage area are shown, (a) is an item constituting a menu, and (b) is a relationship between the number of arrangeable numbers A and the number of icons B and the angle of a regular hexagonal icon. Indicates the setting screen displayed on the display. A plurality of icons indicate a menu screen displayed in groups, (a) is a case where there is no separator, and (b) is a case where there is a separator. Shows the menu screen when the right-hand mode is set. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure executed in a mobile terminal. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of layout determination processing.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a mobile terminal 1 such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 1 (“display control device” of the present invention) of the present embodiment is an electronic device having a print function, a fax function, a copy function, and a scanner function via a communication network 2. It is configured to be able to communicate with a certain multifunction device 3. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 1 can communicate with one multifunction device 3, but may be configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of multifunction devices 3. The communication network 2 may be, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, or a combination thereof.

The mobile terminal 1 mainly includes a communication unit 10, a tilt detection sensor 11, a touch panel 12, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13, a memory 14, a communication bus 15, and the like. The components constituting the mobile terminal 1 are connected to each other through the communication bus 15.

The communication unit 10 is an interface for communicating with an external device through the communication network 2. That is, the mobile terminal 1 transmits and receives various information to and from the external device through the communication unit 10. The specific communication means of the communication unit 10 is not particularly limited, but for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) can be adopted. The communication unit 10 may be an interface or the like to which a LAN cable or a USB cable is attached / detached.

The tilt detection sensor 11 is a sensor that detects the tilt (posture) of the mobile terminal 1. The tilt detection sensor 11 may be, for example, an acceleration sensor, an azimuth sensor, a gyro sensor, or a combination thereof.

The touch panel 12 has a display 12a and a touch sensor 12b. The display 12a (“display unit” of the present invention) is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and includes a display surface for displaying various information. As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the display 12a has a rectangular shape. The mobile terminal 1 is mainly used in a posture in which the lateral direction of the rectangular display 12a is substantially horizontal. The touch sensor 12b is an input interface that receives various operations by the user, and is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display 12a.

The touch sensor 12b outputs the position designation information for designating the position in the display surface of the display 12a to the CPU 13 according to the operation of the user. The touch sensor 12b is, for example, a pressure-sensitive sensor or a capacitance type sensor, detects a change in pressure or capacitance when the user touches the display surface of the display 12a, and positions the position touched by the user. Output as. The position designation information is, for example, the coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left end of the display surface of the display 12a as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x-axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y-axis. Can be expressed.

The term "touch" in the present specification includes all operations of bringing the input medium into contact with the surface of the display 12a. Further, even if the input medium does not touch the surface of the display 12a, the concept of "touch" is "hover" or "floating touch" that brings the input medium close to a position where the distance from the display 12a is very small. May be included. Further, the input medium may be a user's finger, a stylus, or the like.

The CPU 13 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 1. The CPU 13 acquires and executes various programs described later from the memory 14 based on various information output from the tilt detection sensor 11 and the touch sensor 12b, various information acquired from an external device through the communication unit 10, and the like. That is, the CPU 13 and the memory 14 form an example of the control unit. The configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and a part or all of the control unit may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit.

Based on the output signal from the tilt detection sensor 11, the CPU 13 has a vertically long posture in which the mobile terminal 1 has a rectangular shape in which the lateral direction is substantially horizontal, or a horizontal posture in which the longitudinal direction is substantially horizontal. Judge whether it is. In the following description, of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the display 12a, the direction formed by a small angle with the horizontal direction is referred to as a "reference direction". That is, the reference direction is substantially horizontal. When the mobile terminal 1 is in the vertically long posture, the lateral direction of the display 12a is the reference direction. When the mobile terminal 1 is in the horizontally long posture, the longitudinal direction of the display 12a is the reference direction.

The memory 14 (the "storage unit" of the present invention) is composed of a combination of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk / Drive), a buffer included in the CPU 13, and the like. There is. The memory 14 has a program storage area 14a and a data storage area 14b. The OS (Operating System) program and various application programs are stored in the program storage area 14a. The data storage area 14b stores data and the like necessary for executing the program stored in the program storage area 14a.

In the present embodiment, an application program (hereinafter, referred to as an "operation application") for operating the multifunction device 3 is stored in the program storage area 14a. Such an operation application may be provided, for example, in a form downloaded from a server (not shown) operated by the vendor of the multifunction device 3, or installed on the mobile terminal 1 from the media shipped together with the multifunction device 3. May be good. When the CPU 13 executes the operation application, the multifunction device 3 can be used by communicating with the multifunction device 3 connected to the mobile terminal 1 via the communication network 2.

The data storage area 14b stores the menu of the operation application. As shown in FIG. 5A, the items constituting the menu are "Print", "FAX", "Copy preview", "Status", "Scan", "Shortcut", and "Setting". “Print” is an item for causing the multifunction device 3 to execute the print function. "FAX" is an item for causing the multifunction device 3 to execute the FAX function. The "copy preview" is an item for causing the multifunction device 3 to execute the copy function. The "status" is an item for displaying the status of the multifunction device 3. “Scan” is an item that causes the multifunction device 3 to execute the scanning function. A "shortcut" is an item that can be customized by the user, and a single function such as a function of printing a photo selected by the user and a function of printing a document is set. "Setting" is an item for making various settings.

When the operation application is executed, the CPU 13 causes the display 12a of the mobile terminal 1 to display a menu screen 20 having an icon 21 indicating each item constituting the menu (FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8B). reference). At this time, the shape of the icon 21 displayed on the display 12a is a square or a regular hexagon. In the following description, the square icon 21 may be referred to as "icon 21a", and the regular hexagonal icon 21 may be referred to as "icon 21b".

As shown in FIG. 7B, the square icon 21a is displayed at an angle at which two sides orthogonal to each other are parallel to each of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the display 12a. When a plurality of icons 21a are displayed, the size of each icon 21a is the same. As shown in FIG. 2A, the length of one side of the icon 21a is L1. The regular hexagonal icon 21b has a first angle (see FIGS. 7 (a) and 8) in which a pair of sides parallel to each other are parallel to the lateral direction of the display 12a, or a pair of sides parallel to each other is the display 12a. It is displayed at any of the second angles (see FIG. 7B) that are parallel to the longitudinal direction of. When a plurality of icons 21b are displayed, the size of each icon 21b is the same.

As shown in FIG. 2C, when the two icons 21b at the first angle are displayed side by side in the lateral direction of the display 12a while the sides are in contact with each other, the short sides of the display 12a of the two icons 21b are displayed. Let L2 be the length in the direction. At this time, 2 × L1 ≧ L2. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the two icons 21b at the second angle are displayed side by side in the lateral direction of the display 12a while the sides are in contact with each other, the display 12a of the two icons 21b is displayed. Let L3 be the length in the lateral direction. At this time, 2 × L1 ≧ L3.

The CPU 13 determines the arrayable number A, which is the number of icons 21 that can be arranged in the reference direction, from the base length D and the icon length I, which is the length of the icon 21 in the reference direction. The base length D is a length L0 with respect to the reference direction of the entire display 12a when the one-handed mode described later is not set. That is, the base length D is the length L4 in the lateral direction of the display 12a in the vertically long posture (see FIG. 7A), and the length L5 in the longitudinal direction of the display 12a in the horizontally long posture (FIG. 7A). 7 (a)). The base length D when the one-handed mode is set is a length obtained by multiplying the length L0 of the entire display 12a in the reference direction by 2/3. Further, the icon length I is the length L1 of one side of the square icon 21a. Further, a shape determination process for determining whether the shape of the icon 21 is a square or a regular hexagon is executed based on the arrayable number A and the number of icons B, which is the number of icons 21 to be displayed on the display 12a. To do.

Specifically, in the shape determination process, when the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A that can be arranged, or when the number B of icons is less than the number A that can be arranged, the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square. .. Further, when the number of icons B is larger than the number A that can be arranged and is not a multiple of the number A that can be arranged, the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be a regular hexagonal shape.

When the shape of the icons 21 is determined to be square in the shape determination process, the CPU 13 uses a plurality of icons 21a having the same size as the reference of the display 12a when the number of icons B is larger than the number A that can be arranged. The first display process of arranging the icons in a matrix along the direction and along the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as “orthogonal direction”) and displaying them on the display 12a is executed. At this time, as described above, the icons 21a have two sides orthogonal to each other parallel to each of the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the display 12a. Further, the adjacent icons 21a are in contact with each other. The plurality of icons 21a displayed in this way are symmetrical in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the display 12a.

Further, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square, when the number of icons B is 2 or more and the number of icons that can be arranged is A or less, a plurality of icons 21a having the same size as each other are displayed on the display 12a. They are arranged side by side along the reference direction and displayed on the display 12a. The plurality of icons 21a displayed in this way are symmetrical in the orthogonal direction of the display 12a. When the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square and the number of icons B is one, one icon 21a is displayed on the display 12a.

Further, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be a regular hexagon in the shape determination process, a plurality of icons 21b having the same size are placed at the same angle and the distance between the centers of the adjacent icons 21b L6 (FIG. 7). The second display process of arranging the (see (a)) so as to be constant and displaying the display on the display 12a is executed. At this time, as described above, the icon 21b has a first angle in which a pair of sides parallel to each other are parallel to the lateral direction of the display 12a, or a pair of sides parallel to each other is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display 12a. It is the second angle. Further, the adjacent icons 21b are in contact with each other. The plurality of icons 21b displayed in this way are symmetrical in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the display 12a.

2A to 2H show a specific example of the layout of the icon 21 when the number A that can be arranged is 2. When the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A (= 2) that can be arranged, that is, the number of icons B = 2, 4, 6, and 8 (FIGS. 2 (b), (d), (f), (h)), and When the number of icons B is smaller than the number of arrangable icons A (= 2) (FIG. 2A), the square icons 21a are obtained. When the number of icons B is larger than the number of arrangable numbers A (= 2) and is not a multiple of the number of arrangable numbers A (= 2), that is, when the number of icons B = 3, 5, and 7 (FIG. 2 (c), (E) and (g)) are regular hexagonal icons 21b. When the number of icons B = 3, 5, and 7, the regular hexagonal icons 21b have the first angle.

3 (a) to 3 (g) show a specific example of the layout of the icon 21 when the number A that can be arranged is 3. When the number of icons B is smaller than the number A (= 3) that can be arranged, that is, when the number of icons B = 1 and 2, the same as in FIGS. 2A and 2B. When the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A (= 3) that can be arranged, that is, when the number of icons B = 3 and 6 (FIGS. 3A and 3D), the square icon 21a is obtained. When the number of icons B is larger than the number of arrangable numbers A (= 3) and is not a multiple of the number of arrangable numbers A (= 3), that is, when the number of icons B = 4, 5, and 7 (FIG. 3 (b), In (c) and (e)), a regular hexagonal icon 21b is provided. Further, when the number of icons B = 4 and 7, the regular hexagonal icon 21b has the first angle, and when the number of icons B = 5, the regular hexagonal icon 21b has the second angle.

FIGS. 4A to 4F show specific examples of the layout of the icon 21 when the number A that can be arranged is 4. When the number of icons B is smaller than the number A (= 4) that can be arranged, that is, when the number of icons B is 1, 2, or 3, FIGS. 2 (a), (b), and 3 (a). ) Is the same. When the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A (= 4) that can be arranged, that is, when the number of icons B = 4 and 8 (FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (e)), the square icon 21a is obtained. When the number of icons B is larger than the number A (= 4) that can be arranged and is not a multiple of the number A (= 4) that can be arranged, that is, the number of icons B = 5, 6, 7, 9 (FIG. 4 (b). ), (C), (d), and (f)) are regular hexagonal icons 21b. When the number of icons B = 5, 6, 7, and 9, the regular hexagonal icons 21b all have a second angle.

The data storage area 14b stores whether the angle of the icon 21b is the first angle or the second angle when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be a regular hexagonal shape in the shape determination process. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is stored that the angle of the icon 21b is the first angle when the number of possible arrangements A = 2 and the number of icons B = 3, 5, and 7. .. When the number of arrangeable numbers A = 3, the angle of the icon 21b is the first angle when the number of icons B = 4 and 7, and when the number of icons B = 5, the angle of the icon 21b is the second angle. Is remembered. When the number of arrangeable numbers A = 4, and the number of icons B = 5, 6, 7, and 9, the angle of the icon 21b is stored as the second angle.

Further, the data storage area 14b can store a plurality of item groups each composed of at least one item forming a menu and a separator for separating the plurality of item groups according to the user operation. That is, the grouping setting of the items forming the menu set by the user on the setting screen 30 as shown in FIG. 6 is stored. The setting screen 30 shown in FIG. 6 is replaced with the menu screen 20 when the icon 21 (see FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8) corresponding to the item of "Setting" is specified by the user. Is displayed on the display 12a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the setting screen 30 has an add button 31, a delete button 32, and a move button 33. The add button 31 is a button for instructing the addition of an item group, an item, and a separator. The delete button 32 is a button for instructing the deletion of the item group, the item, and the separator. The move button 33 is a button for instructing the move of the item group, the item, and the separator.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the items constituting the first item group "Group 1" are "Print" and "Scan". Then, the first separator "separator 1" is inserted between the "group 1" and the second item group "group 2". Further, there are five items constituting "Group 2": "FAX", "Copy preview", "Status", "Shortcut", and "Settings". In this case, the data storage area 14b stores "group 1", "separator 1", and "group 2" in this order.

Here, a case where grouping such as “group 1” and “group 2” shown in FIG. 6 is performed and “separator 1” is not inserted will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the menu screen 20 has a total of seven items, two items constituting "Group 1" and five items constituting "Group 2". Seven icons 21 corresponding to the items are displayed together. That is, the CPU 13 determines the layout with the number of icons B = 7. The two icons 21 corresponding to the two items constituting "Group 1" and the five icons 21 corresponding to the five items constituting "Group 2" change the color of the icon 21, etc. To be distinguished.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a case where grouping such as “group 1” and “group 2” is performed and “separator 1” is inserted will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the menu screen 20 has two icons 21 corresponding to the two items constituting the "group 1" and five icons forming the "group 2". The five icons 21 corresponding to the items of are displayed together. Further, the icon 21 constituting the "group 1" and the icon 21 constituting the "group 2" are separated from each other in the orthogonal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7B) of the display 12a.

That is, the CPU 13 determines the layout of the two icons 21 corresponding to the two items constituting the "group 1" with the number of icons B = 2, and sets the five items constituting the "group 2". For the corresponding five icons 21, the layout is determined with the number of icons B = 5. That is, when a plurality of item groups divided by the separator are stored in the data storage area 14b, the shape determination process and either the first display process or the second display process can be performed for each item group. Will be executed.

Returning to FIG. 6, the setting screen 30 further includes a right-hand mode setting button 34, a left-hand mode setting button 35, and a one-hand mode non-setting button 36. The right-hand mode setting button 34 is a button for giving a one-handed mode instruction to set the display 12a to a right-hand mode suitable for operating with only the right hand. The left-hand mode setting button 35 is a button for giving a one-handed mode instruction to set the display 12a to a left-hand mode suitable for operating with only the left hand. The one-handed mode non-setting button 36 is a button for instructing that neither the right-handed mode nor the left-handed mode is instructed. The CPU 13 executes a determination process for determining whether or not a one-handed mode instruction to be set to either the right-handed mode or the left-handed mode has been accepted in response to the user input on the setting screen 30.

As described above, when either the right-handed mode or the left-handed mode is set, the CPU 13 multiplies the base length D by the length L0 with respect to the reference direction of the entire display 12a by 2/3. The length is set. Then, from the base length D and the icon length I, the number A that can be arranged, which is the number of icons 21 that can be arranged in the lateral direction, is determined.

Here, the menu screen 20 when the right-hand mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 1 is in a vertically long posture, and the reference direction is the short direction. Therefore, the base length D is a length obtained by multiplying the length L4 of the entire display 12a in the lateral direction by 2/3. In this case, the icon 21 is displayed in the display area of length (2/3) × L4 in the lateral direction from the right end of the display 12a when viewed from the front. That is, the icon 21 is displayed in the display area located on the right side of the display 12a. When the left-hand mode is set, the icon 21 is displayed in the display area of length (2/3) × L4 in the short-side direction from the left end of the display 12a when viewed from the front. That is, the icon 21 is displayed in the display area located on the left side of the display 12a.

Here, with reference to FIG. 9, a processing procedure when the operation application is executed by the CPU 13 will be described. When the operation application is executed, the CPU 13 first acquires the contents of the grouping setting of the items forming the menu of the operation application stored in the data storage area 14b. That is, the CPU 13 first blanks the item list and sets N = 0 (S1). Next, the CPU 13 sets N = N + 1 (S2), and among the plurality of item groups and separators sequentially stored in the data storage area 14b as the grouping setting of the items forming the menu, the Nth one is the separator. It is determined whether or not there is (S3). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the first is "group 1" which is the first item group, the second is "separator 1" which is the first separator, and the third is the second. It is "group 2" which is an item group of.

If it is determined in step S3 that the separator is used (S3: YES), the CPU 13 executes the layout determination process (S4) described in detail later. After that, the CPU 13 clears the item list (S5) and returns to step S2. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that it is not a separator (S3: NO), that is, if it is determined that the Nth item is an item group, the CPU 13 determines the items constituting the Nth item group. Add to the item list (S6). That is, in the first case in the example shown in FIG. 6, "Print" and "Scan", which are items constituting "Group 1", are added to the item list. Further, in the third case in the example shown in FIG. 6, the items constituting "Group 2", "FAX", "Copy preview", "Status", "Shortcut", and "Settings" are added to the item list. To do.

Subsequently, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the Nth item group is the last item group among the plurality of item groups stored in the data storage area 14b (S7). Then, if it is determined that it is not the last item group (S7: NO), the process returns to step S2 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is the last item group (S7: YES), the CPU 13 executes the layout determination process described in detail later (S8).

After that, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the right-hand mode is set by the user operation (S9). Then, when it is determined that the right-hand mode is set (S9: YES), the CPU 13 sets the display area in which the icon 21 is displayed to the right side of the display 12a (S10), and proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that the right-hand mode is not set (S9: NO), the CPU 13 determines whether or not the left-hand mode is set (S11). Then, when it is determined that the left-hand mode is set (S11: YES), the CPU 13 sets the display area in which the icon 21 is displayed to the left side of the display 12a (S12), and proceeds to step S13.

If it is determined in step S11 that the left-hand mode is not set (S11: NO), that is, if the one-hand mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S13, and the CPU 13 proceeds to step S4 and step S8 described above. The icon 21 is displayed on the display 12a with the layout determined by the executed layout determination process.

After displaying the icon 21 in step S13, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the posture of the mobile terminal 1 has been changed from the portrait posture to the landscape posture or from the landscape posture to the portrait posture based on the output signal from the tilt detection sensor 11. Is determined (S14). Then, when it is determined that the posture of the mobile terminal 1 has been changed (S14: YES), the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, when it is not determined that the posture of the mobile terminal 1 has been changed (S14: NO), the CPU 13 has the contents of the grouping setting of the items forming the menu of the operation application stored in the data storage area 14b. Is determined whether or not has been changed (S15). If it is determined that the content of the grouping setting has been changed (S15: YES), the process returns to step S1. Then, when it is determined that the contents of the grouping setting have not been changed (S15: NO), the process returns to step S14.

Subsequently, the processing procedure of the layout determination process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the posture of the mobile terminal 1 is the vertically long posture based on the output signal from the tilt detection sensor 11 (S21). Then, when it is determined that the posture is vertically long (S21: YES), the CPU 13 sets the base length D to the length L4 in the lateral direction of the display 12a (S22), and proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, when it is determined that the posture is not vertically long (S21: YES), that is, when the posture is horizontally long, the CPU 13 sets the base length D to the length L5 in the longitudinal direction of the display 12a (S23).

After that, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the one-handed mode of the right-handed mode or the left-handed mode is set by the user operation (S24). When it is determined that the one-handed mode is set (S24: YES), the CPU 13 changes the base length D to a length obtained by multiplying the base length D set in S22 or S23 by 2/3. (S25), the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is determined that the one-handed mode is not set (S24: NO), the process of step S25 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S26.

Next, the CPU 13 determines the number A that can be arranged from the base length D and the icon length I, which is the number of icons 21 that can be arranged in the reference direction (S26). Then, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the number of icons B, which is the number of icons 21 to be displayed on the display 12a, is larger than the number A that can be arranged (S27). When it is determined that the number of icons B is not larger than the number A that can be arranged (S27: NO), that is, when the number of icons B is equal to or less than the number A that can be arranged, the CPU 13 determines the shape of the icon 21 to be square. (S28), the process proceeds to step S32.

Further, when it is determined that the number of icons B is larger than the number A that can be arranged (S27: YES), the CPU 13 determines whether or not the number B of icons is a multiple of the number A that can be arranged (S29). If it is determined that the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A that can be arranged (S29: YES), the process proceeds to S28 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of icons B is not a multiple of the number A that can be arranged (S29: NO), the CPU 13 determines the shape of the icons 21 to be a regular hexagon (S30). After that, the CPU 13 determines whether the angle of the regular hexagonal icon 21b is the first angle or the second angle based on the storage content of the data storage area 14b (see FIG. 5B) (S31). ).

Finally, the CPU 13 determines the layout of the icon 21 (S32). That is, in S28, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square and the number of icons B is larger than the number A that can be arranged, a plurality of icons 21a having the same size as each other are in the lateral direction of the display 12a. The layout is arranged in a matrix in the longitudinal direction. Further, in S28, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square, when the number of icons B is two or more and the number of icons that can be arranged is A or less, a plurality of icons 21a having the same size are present. , The layout is such that the displays 12a are arranged side by side in the reference direction. Further, in S28, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square and the number of icons B is one, the layout is such that one icon 21a is arranged.

Further, in S30, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be a regular hexagon, a plurality of icons 21b having the same size as each other have an angle determined in S31, and the distance between the centers of the adjacent icons 21b L6 (FIG. 7). The layout is arranged so that (see (a)) is constant.

As described above, the mobile terminal 1 of the above-described embodiment is determined by the base length D, which is the length of the display 12a in the reference direction, and the icon length I, which is the length of the icon 21 in the reference direction. The shape of the icon 21 is made into either a square or a regular hexagon based on the number A which is the number of icons 21 that can be arranged in the direction and the number B which is the number of icons 21 to be displayed on the display 12a. The shape determination process for determining the icon is executed. Then, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be square in the shape determination process and the number of icons B is larger than the number A that can be arranged, a plurality of icons 21 having a square shape and having the same size as each other are displayed. The first display process is executed in which the two sides of the icon 21 orthogonal to each other are arranged in a matrix in the reference direction and the orthogonal direction and displayed on the display 12a while being parallel to each of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. Further, when the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be a regular hexagon in the shape determination process, a plurality of icons 21 having a regular hexagonal shape and having the same size as each other are placed at the same angle (first angle or second angle). ), The second display process of arranging the adjacent icons 21b so that the center-to-center distance L6 is constant and displaying them on the display 12a is executed.

Therefore, by executing the first display process for displaying the square icon 21a or the second display process for displaying the regular hexagonal icon 21b, a plurality of icons 21 can be arranged regardless of the number of icons B. , Can be symmetric with respect to at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. Therefore, the discomfort given to the user can be suppressed.

Further, in the shape determination process, the mobile terminal 1 of the above-described embodiment has an icon 21 when the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A that can be arranged, or when the number B of icons is less than the number A that can be arranged. If the number of icons B is larger than the number A that can be arranged and is not a multiple of the number A that can be arranged, the shape of the icon 21 is determined to be a regular hexagonal shape. Therefore, when the number of icons B is a multiple of the number A that can be arranged, or when the number of icons B is smaller than the number A that can be arranged, even if the shape of the icon 21 is square, a plurality of icons 21 are used as a reference. It can be arranged symmetrically in at least one of the direction and the orthogonal direction. Therefore, even if the shape of the icon 21 is square, if it can be arranged symmetrically, the user feels uncomfortable with the shape of the icon 21 by determining the shape of the icon 21 to be a square that is often used in general. Can be suppressed from remembering.

Further, in the mobile terminal 1 of the above-described embodiment, the data storage area 14b can store a plurality of item groups each composed of at least one item forming a menu, and a separator for separating the plurality of item groups. .. Then, when a plurality of item groups divided by the separator are stored in the data storage area 14b, the shape determination process and either the first display process or the second display process are performed for each item group. Execute. Therefore, the icons 21 can be displayed for each item group, and the arrangement of the plurality of icons 21 in each item group can be made symmetrical to suppress the discomfort given to the user.

In addition, the mobile terminal 1 of the above-described embodiment is different from the icon 21 that constitutes one item group when a plurality of item groups divided by the separator are stored in the data storage area 14b. The icons 21 constituting the item group are displayed separated in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, by arranging the icons 21 in a fixed manner for each item group, the visibility of the user is improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the reference direction is a substantially horizontal direction. The display 12a is generally configured so that the screen can be scrolled in the vertical direction, but the screen cannot be scrolled in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is rational to determine the shape of the icons 21 based on the number A that can be arranged, which is the number of icons 21 that can be arranged in the substantially horizontal direction.

In addition, when it is determined that the mobile terminal 1 of the above-described embodiment has received the one-handed mode instruction, the base length D is set to be shorter than the length L0 with respect to the reference direction of the entire display 12a, and the icon 21 is set. Determine whether the shape of is square or regular hexagon. When the one-handed mode instruction is an instruction to set the right-handed mode, a plurality of icons 21 are displayed in the area of the base length D from the right end in the front view on the display 12a in the reference direction, and the one-handed mode instruction is given. In the case of the instruction to set the left hand mode, a plurality of icons 21 are displayed in the area of the base length D in the reference direction from the left end portion in the front view on the display 12a. Therefore, when the right-hand mode is selected by the user, the area on the right side of the display 12a is symmetrical, and when the left-hand mode is selected, the area on the left side of the display 12a is symmetrical with respect to at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. The icon 21 is arranged so as to. This improves user convenience.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be considered that the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiment, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

That is, in the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of item groups divided by the separator are stored in the data storage area 14b, the icon 21 constituting one item group and another item group are configured. Although the case where the icon 21 to be displayed is displayed separated in the orthogonal direction is described, the present invention is not limited to this. The icons 21 that make up each item group separated by the separator do not have to be separated. Further, the data storage area 14b may not store a plurality of item groups divided by the separator.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the reference direction is a substantially horizontal direction has been described, but the reference direction may be a substantially vertical direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the one-handed mode instruction to set the display 12a to the right-handed mode suitable for operating with only the right hand and the left-handed mode suitable for operating the display 12a with only the left hand are set. The case where the one-handed mode instruction to that effect can be given has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the one-handed mode instruction may be only the one that sets the right-handed mode.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when the one-handed mode is set, the case where the base length D is the length L0 with respect to the reference direction of the entire display 12a multiplied by 2/3 has been described. However, it is not limited to this. The base length D when the one-handed mode is set may be shorter than the length L0 with respect to the reference direction of the entire display 12a, for example, the length L0 may be multiplied by 1/2. , The length may be L0 multiplied by 3/4.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the adjacent icons 21 are displayed so as to be in contact with each other in the first display process and the second display process has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A gap may be provided between the adjacent icons 21.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the icon length I is the length L1 of one side of the square icon 21a has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the length of the two icons 21b at the first angle displayed side by side in the lateral direction of the display 12a while keeping the sides in contact with each other is L2 (see FIG. 2C), 2 × L1 <L2, and the length of the two icons 21b of the second angle displayed side by side in the lateral direction of the display 12a while keeping the sides in contact with each other is L3 (FIG. 3 (c)). (See), when 2 × L1 <L3, the length of the regular hexagonal icon 21b with respect to the reference direction may be set as the icon length I.

The present invention is not limited to the operation application for operating the multifunction device 3, and can also be applied to application software for operating an external device such as a printer or a digital camera other than the multifunction device 3. Further, the software is not limited to operating an external device, and may be application software for processing such as image viewing and music playback in the mobile terminal 1.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the mobile terminal 1, and can be applied to display control of a display provided in a PC (Personal Computer) or a multifunction device 3. Further, instead of the touch panel 12 having the display 12a and the touch sensor 12b, a display and a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, and a touch pad can be adopted.

1 Mobile terminal 12a Display 13 CPU
14 memory 21 icon

Claims (8)

A display control method executed by a display control device including a display unit, a storage unit in which a program is stored, and a control unit.
When the control unit executes a program stored in the storage unit,
The number of icons that can be arranged in the reference direction, which is determined by the base length that is the length of the display unit in the reference direction and the icon length that is the length of the icon in the reference direction, and the display. A shape determination process for determining whether the shape of the icon is a square or a regular hexagon based on the number of icons, which is the number of the icons to be displayed in the unit.
When the shape of the icon is determined to be square in the shape determination process, and the number of icons is larger than the number that can be arranged, a plurality of the icons having a square shape and having the same size as each other are displayed. The two sides of the icon orthogonal to each other are parallel to the reference direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction, respectively, in a matrix in the reference direction and the orthogonal direction, and in the reference direction and the reference direction. A first display process in which the display unit is arranged so as to be symmetrical in at least one of the orthogonal directions and displayed on the display unit.
When the shape of the icon is determined to be a regular hexagon in the shape determination process, a pair of the plurality of icons having a regular hexagonal shape and having the same size as each other at the same angle and parallel to each other. Is parallel to either the reference direction or the orthogonal direction, the distance between the centers of adjacent icons is constant, and is symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. The second display process of arranging them so as to be displayed on the display unit,
A display control method characterized by executing. In the shape determination process, when the number of icons is a multiple of the number that can be arranged, or when the number of icons is smaller than the number that can be arranged, the shape of the icon is determined to be square, and the number of icons is determined. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the icon is determined to be a regular hexagonal shape when the number of icons is larger than the number that can be arranged and is not a multiple of the number that can be arranged. The storage unit can store a plurality of groups each composed of at least one icon and a separator that separates the plurality of groups.
When the plurality of groups divided by the separator are stored in the storage unit, the shape determination process, the first display process, and the second display process are performed for each group. The display control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method is executed. When the plurality of groups divided by the separator are stored in the storage unit, in the first display process and the second display process, the icon is different from the icon constituting one group. The display control method according to claim 3, wherein the icons constituting the group are displayed separated from each other in the orthogonal direction. The display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reference direction is a horizontal direction. The display control device is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display unit, and further includes a touch sensor that detects a user's touch operation on the display unit.
Whether or not a one-handed mode instruction to set either the right-hand mode suitable for operating the display unit with only the right hand or the left-hand mode suitable for operating with only the left hand is accepted according to the input from the user. Further execute the judgment process to make a judgment,
When it is determined in the determination process that the one-handed mode instruction has been accepted,
In the shape determination process, it is determined whether the shape of the icon is a square or a regular hexagon, with the base length being shorter than the length of the entire display unit in the reference direction.
In the first display process and the second display process, when the one-handed mode instruction is an instruction to set the right-handed mode, the base length is horizontally measured from the right end of the display unit in the front view. When the plurality of icons are displayed in the area and the one-handed mode instruction is an instruction to set the left-handed mode, the area is horizontally equal to the base length from the left end in the front view of the display unit. The display control method according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of icons are displayed. A display control program executed by a display control device equipped with a display unit.
The number of icons that can be arranged in the reference direction, which is determined by the base length that is the length of the display unit in the reference direction and the icon length that is the length of the icon in the reference direction, and the display. A shape determination process for determining whether the shape of the icon is a square or a regular hexagon based on the number of icons, which is the number of the icons to be displayed in the unit.
When the shape of the icon is determined to be square in the shape determination process, and the number of icons is larger than the number that can be arranged, a plurality of the icons having a square shape and having the same size as each other are displayed. The two sides of the icon orthogonal to each other are parallel to the reference direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction, respectively, in a matrix in the reference direction and the orthogonal direction, and in the reference direction and the reference direction. A first display process in which the display unit is arranged so as to be symmetrical in at least one of the orthogonal directions and displayed on the display unit.
When the shape of the icon is determined to be a regular hexagon in the shape determination process, a pair of the plurality of icons having a regular hexagonal shape and having the same size as each other at the same angle and parallel to each other. Is parallel to either the reference direction or the orthogonal direction, the distance between the centers of adjacent icons is constant, and is symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. The second display process of arranging them so as to be displayed on the display unit,
A display control program, characterized in that the display control device is executed. Display and
A display control device equipped with a control unit,
The control unit
The number of icons that can be arranged in the reference direction, which is determined by the base length that is the length of the display unit in the reference direction and the icon length that is the length of the icon in the reference direction, and the display. A shape determination process for determining whether the shape of the icon is a square or a regular hexagon based on the number of icons, which is the number of the icons to be displayed in the unit.
When the shape of the icon is determined to be square in the shape determination process, and the number of icons is larger than the number that can be arranged, a plurality of the icons having a square shape and having the same size as each other are displayed. The two sides of the icon orthogonal to each other are parallel to the reference direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the reference direction, respectively, in a matrix in the reference direction and the orthogonal direction, and in the reference direction and the reference direction. A first display process in which the display unit is arranged so as to be symmetrical in at least one of the orthogonal directions and displayed on the display unit.
When the shape of the icon is determined to be a regular hexagon in the shape determination process, a pair of the plurality of icons having a regular hexagonal shape and having the same size as each other at the same angle and parallel to each other. Is parallel to either the reference direction or the orthogonal direction, the distance between the centers of adjacent icons is constant, and is symmetrical in at least one of the reference direction and the orthogonal direction. The second display process of arranging them so as to be displayed on the display unit,
A display control device characterized by executing.

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