JPH10332848A - Multifunctional timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable selecting of one menu icon alone from among a plurality of menu icons by forbidding the inputting of any icon other than the menu icon selected after it is subjected to a specific inputting. SOLUTION: A data display part is built at an upper stage of a display part of this multifunctional timepiece to perform a time display or the like. Eight menu icons for lighting, time and the like are built at a lower stage of the display part. The upper portions of the menu icons are given icons for left shift; right shift, subtraction of 1 from a figure and addition of 1 to a figure. When a menu icon selected by touching the menu icon is subjected to an specific inputting, the inputting of any icon other than that selected is forbidden thereafter to hold a function corresponding to the icon until another icon is subjected to the specific inputting. The specific inputting is arranged as a continued inputting of a menu exceeding a fixed time length. This allows the specified icon alone to be subjected to this specific inputting thereby enabling prevention of malfunctioning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction timepiece having a touch panel input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunction timepieces having a touch panel as input means have been used.

As such a multifunction timepiece, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
JP-A-7-200888, column 2, upper left 18 to column 2, upper right 13
Line and in FIG.

[0004]

However, the touch panel of a conventional multifunction watch has a size of about 20 mm.
There are about eight menu icons (touch items) in a size of about 7 mm, which has a problem that there is little space per one and there are many erroneous inputs when inputting with a finger that is frequently used. .

A conventional multifunction timepiece has a multifunction timepiece equipped with an EL backlight for illuminating the display unit, and has a function of illuminating the display unit by touching a touch panel of an illumination icon. Originally, when the lighting icon was used, it was dark and it was difficult to touch only the lighting icon in the dark.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction timepiece that allows only one menu icon to be selected from a plurality of icons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction timepiece which can automatically select only one menu icon from a plurality of menu icons according to time or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional timepiece in which the area of the selected menu icon is expanded.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multifunction timepiece comprising: display means; and a plurality of menu icons (touch items) displayed on a display surface of the display means. Input means for obtaining a menu input, and holding means for, when the selected menu icon receives a specific input, prohibiting input other than the selected menu icon thereafter and holding this function until receiving the specific input again It is characterized by having.

According to the above configuration, there is an effect that only one menu icon can be used from a plurality of menu icons.

The multifunctional timepiece according to the present invention is characterized in that the timepiece includes an area enlarging means for inputting the selected menu icon even if the user touches an icon area other than the selected menu icon while the holding means is operating. And

According to the above configuration, the menu icon area can be enlarged and the operation is easy.

[0013] The multifunction timepiece according to the third aspect is characterized in that the specific input is a continuous menu input for a predetermined time or more.

According to the above configuration, there is an effect that the operation / non-operation of the holding means can be performed by an easy operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multifunction timepiece, wherein a time measuring means, a display means, and a plurality of menu icons (touch items) are displayed on a display surface of the display means. Input means for obtaining an input, selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of menu icons, time specifying means for specifying a start time and an end time, and the time of the time measuring means within a range of the time specifying means. When there is, there is provided a time control means for validating only the input of the menu icon selected by the selection means.

According to the above configuration, there is an effect that only the menu icon automatically selected can be used at the set time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the timepiece includes an area enlarging means for inputting the selected menu icon even when the user touches an icon area other than the selected menu icon while the time control means is active. Features.

According to the above configuration, the menu icon area can be enlarged and the operation is easy.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of menu icons is an illumination icon for illuminating the display means.

According to the above configuration, there is an effect that the operation of the lighting icon is easy even in the dark.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction timepiece according to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention. To explain the configuration, the arithmetic unit 1 includes a parallel processing arithmetic circuit, a time base counter, an input / output port, a liquid crystal (LCD) driver, an oscillator connection terminal for oscillation, an oscillation circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, and the like. The RAM 2 is a data RAM for storing various information, the ROM 3 is a program ROM, and the oscillator 4 is a crystal oscillator. The touch switch 5 is formed by superposing a substantially transparent touch switch on a glass surface in a screen shape, and has eight switches composed of four rows and two stages. The display unit 6 is a liquid crystal display device, and includes a menu display (touch item) and a data display unit for displaying data such as time display. Touch panel display 7
Is composed of a touch switch 5, a display unit 6, and an EL backlight that illuminates the entire touch panel display device. Microcomputer 8 has an operation unit 1, a RAM 2, an R
OM3 is integrated in one chip.

According to the above configuration, by touching the icons on the touch panel, it is possible to change the mode, correct the time, and illuminate the touch panel display device.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a full-segment display diagram showing an embodiment of the display unit 6 of the multifunction timepiece according to the first aspect of the present invention. A data display unit is formed in the upper part of the display unit 6 and displays time and the like here. Display 6
At the bottom, eight menu icons such as lighting are configured. The upper part of the menu icon is an icon for performing shift from left to left, shift to the right, minus one digit, and plus one digit in the example of time correction. The lower part of the menu icon sets, from the left, a “lighting” icon for turning on the EL backlight for a certain time, a “time” icon for selecting a time display mode for displaying time, and a start time and an end time for operating the holding function. It consists of a "hold" icon for selecting the automatic holding display mode, and a "correction" icon which enters a correction state of each mode when this icon is pressed for 2 seconds or more in the time display mode and the automatic holding display mode.

"24H" indicates that the time is displayed in a 24-hour format, "A" is a mark indicating morning, and "P" is a mark indicating afternoon. “AUTO” is a mark indicating that the automatic holding function is set.

On the upper surface of the menu icon, eight touch switches corresponding to the size of the menu icon are formed.

According to the above configuration, a multifunction timepiece having a simple design without any operation buttons protruding from the main body can be realized.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a holding process of a multifunction timepiece according to the first, second, third and sixth aspects of the present invention. In the embodiment, the selected menu icon is described as a lighting icon. Hold processing (S2
In step 0), the process proceeds to “light input” (S21) for detecting whether the light icon has been pressed (touched). If no switch is detected, the flag is reset to "F = 0" (S
22) is executed, and the process proceeds to "END" (S36), the holding process is ended, and the process waits until the next interrupt. This interrupt is performed every 8 Hz. When the lighting icon is pressed, it is determined whether the flag is set to “F”.
= 1? When the flag is not set, it is determined whether or not the lighting icon is already input and held. (S24). If the timer is not being held, it is determined whether a timer for measuring the time during which the lighting icon is pressed is working. Proceeds to "(S25). When the timer is operating, it detects whether the timer has elapsed 2 seconds. The process proceeds to "(S27). When two seconds have elapsed, only the lighting icon is lit and displayed from among the eight icons, the other icons are turned off, and the holding state is set in which only the lighting icon input is received. Set "(S28)
Execute Then, even if the unlit icon area is pressed, processing is performed when the lighting icon is pressed.
(S29) is executed. Then, "F = 1" (S30) for setting a flag is executed.

In step 25, when the timer is not operating, "timer set" (S26) for starting the timer is executed.

In step 24, if the timer is already held, it is determined whether a timer for measuring the time during which the lighting icon is pressed is working. "Timer operation?" (S31)
Proceed to. If the timer is not operating, the process proceeds to step 26, and if the timer is operating, the process proceeds to "2 seconds elapsed?" (S32) for detecting whether the timer has elapsed 2 seconds. If two seconds have elapsed, the process executed in step 28 is canceled, and "hold release" (S33) for executing the process corresponding to the normal four icons is executed. Then, "normal display" (S34) for displaying four icons and returning the icon area to the normal area is executed. Then, "F = 1" (S35) for setting a flag is executed.

That is, when the lighting icon is pressed for a short time of 2 seconds or less, a process of turning on only the normal EL backlight for a certain time is performed. If it is detected in step 27 that the lighting icon is pressed for 2 seconds, input processing other than the selected lighting icon is prohibited thereafter (step 2).
8) Even if an icon area other than the selected menu icon is pressed, the area for inputting the illumination icon is enlarged (step 29). In this state, the area where the EL backlight can be turned on is eight times the size of a normal lighting icon, and the display unit can be easily illuminated even in darkness.

Further, in a state where input processing other than the selected lighting icon is prohibited, if it is detected in step 32 that the icon is pressed for 2 seconds again, the normal display and processing state are changed from the held state. Steps 33 and 34 are executed.

Further, in the embodiment of the area enlarging means, all the icon areas are enlarged to one icon area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the area is enlarged to at least two or more icon areas. is there.

In the embodiment, the selected icon is "illumination", but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the "time" icon is pressed for two seconds or more, the "time" icon is similarly selected. It is. Even if the lighting icon is erroneously pressed in a bright place such as in the daytime, the EL backlight is not turned on, so that the effect of reducing power consumption and extending battery life is obtained.

According to the above-described configuration, when it is desired to use only the nighttime illumination function, the illumination function can be held, and only the illumination function can be used without erroneous operation. Then, when the surroundings become bright, returning to the normal state can be used for multifunctional purposes.

Further, since the icon area is enlarged in the holding state, the icon can be easily pressed even in the dark.

(Embodiment 4) FIG.
It is a figure which shows the Example of the automatic holding process of the multifunctional timepiece concerning the described invention. In order to perform the automatic holding process, it is necessary to set the start time and the end time by pressing the hold and modify icon in advance. In the embodiment, the start time is 2
0:00. It is assumed that the end time is set to 7:00 on the next day, and the “AUTO” mark on the display unit 6 is lit (the automatic holding setting is valid).

In the automatic holding process (S40), "AUTO" mark for checking whether the automatic holding setting is valid is determined. "Automatic holding?" (S4)
Proceed to 1). If it is not set, the process proceeds to "end" (S45) to end the automatic holding process, and prepares for the next one minute later. If set, the current time is the start time (20:00) and the end time (7:00
0 minutes) to determine whether the time is within the range (S4).
Perform 2). If it is within the range, the process proceeds to "Holding" (S43) to determine whether the holding process has been executed before.
Here, when the holding process has not been performed yet, steps 28 and 29 are executed. In step 42,
If the current time is out of the set time range, the process proceeds to “holding” (S44), which makes the same determination as in step 43. Here, during the holding, steps 33 and 34
Execute

That is, when the automatic time-based holding function is enabled, when the current time reaches the start time, input processing other than the selected lighting icon is prohibited thereafter (step 28), and the selected menu is selected. Even if an icon area other than an icon is pressed, an area for inputting a lighting icon is enlarged (step 29). In this state, the area where the EL backlight can be turned on is the normal lighting icon 8.
Thus, the display unit can be easily illuminated even in darkness. When the current time reaches the end time, steps 33 and 34 for returning from the held state to the normal display and processing state are executed, and the multi-function can be used.

If the "time" icon is enabled in the reverse idea of the embodiment and the time for accepting only the time icon is set in the surrounding bright time zone, the lighting icon is erroneously set in a bright place such as daytime. Even if the area is pressed, the EL backlight is not turned on, so that the effect of suppressing power consumption and extending the battery life can be obtained.

According to the above-described configuration, the setting of the holding state of the lighting function can be automatically set / reset when a dark time such as at night is set, thereby providing a multifunctional timepiece that is easy to use. be able to.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a display of a multifunction timepiece according to the first, fourth and sixth aspects of the present invention. Only icons that can be operated in each mode are displayed as menu icons. (A) is a display example of the time display mode which is a normal display. There are four icons available: lighting, time, hold and correction. In addition, as a time and calendar display, the data display section shows Tuesday, April 1, 1997 (TUE) 16:28.
Minutes 40 seconds, and the time display is "24H" indicating that the time is in 24-hour format, and "A" indicating that the automatic holding function is set.
The "UTO" mark is lit.

FIG. 8B shows a display example of the holding state in the time display mode when step 28 of the holding process (S20) is executed and step 29 is not executed. Since only the lighting icon can be used, no malfunction occurs. The lighting icon area is the same as in FIG.

FIG. 9C is a display example of the holding state in the time display mode in which steps 28 and 29 of the automatic holding process (S40) are executed. In the case of the example of FIG. 4, the state is automatically held from 20:00, and the menu icon is only a lighting icon. The lighting icon is expanded to the area around the lighting icon (8 times the non-holding state)
Pressing the inside of this frame turns on the EL backlight for a certain period of time.

When steps 33 and 34 are executed,
(A) Return to the time display mode in the figure.

FIG. 5D shows a display example in the automatic holding display mode. There are four icons available: lighting, time, hold and correction. The start time (2
0:00) and the end time (7:00).
If the end time is smaller than the start time, it will be the next day's time.
Also, "S" of the start is displayed on the right side of the start time, and "F" of the finish is displayed on the right side of the end time, so that the start time and the end time are distinguished. Further, "TMR" indicates that the camera is in the automatic holding mode. Further, "24H" indicates that the time is displayed in a 24-hour system. Furthermore, "AUT
When O "is lit, it indicates that the holding function automatically operates.

(E) is a correction state diagram of the automatic holding display mode when the correction icon is pressed for two seconds or more from the state of (d). When this mode is entered, blinking (digit selection) starts from the minute digit of the start time, and digit selection and ± 1 correction are performed by the upper, lower, left and right icons. When the setting is completed, the user returns to the automatic holding display mode shown in FIG.

According to the above-described configuration, when the surroundings are dark at night or the like, the area of the lighting icon is widened, and a multifunctional timepiece that is easy to use can be provided.

[0049]

As described above, the multifunction timepiece of the present invention has the following effects.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, since only a specific icon is accepted, an erroneous operation can be prevented.

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, since the icon area is enlarged, the icon can be easily touched even in the dark.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the holding / non-holding function can be switched by a simple operation.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the time can be confirmed by illuminating the display means even in darkness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multifunction timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an all-segment display diagram showing an embodiment of the display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a holding process according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an automatic holding process according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Arithmetic unit 2. RAM 3. ROM 4. Oscillator 5. Touch switch 6. Display section 7. 7. Touch panel display device Microcomputer

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Display means, input means for displaying a plurality of menu icons (touch items) on a display surface of the display means and obtaining a menu input by touching the menu icons, and selected menu icons Receiving a specific input, the multifunction timepiece further comprises a holding unit for prohibiting an input other than the selected menu icon thereafter and holding this function until a specific input is received again. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area enlarging means for inputting the selected menu icon even when the icon area other than the selected menu icon is touched while the holding means is operating. Multifunctional clock. 3. The multifunction timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the specific input is a continuous menu input for a predetermined time or more. 4. A time measuring means, a display means, an input means for displaying a plurality of menu icons (touch items) on a display surface of the display means, and obtaining a menu input by touching the menu icons; Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of menu icons; time specifying means for specifying a start time and an end time; and when the time of the time measuring means is within the range of the time specifying means, the selecting means A multifunctional timepiece comprising a time control means for validating only a selected menu icon input. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an area enlarging means for inputting the selected menu icon even when the user touches an icon area other than the selected menu icon while the time control means is enabled. Multifunctional clock. 6. The multifunction timepiece according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of menu icons is an illumination icon for illuminating the display means.