KR20050020223A - Method for controlling portable digital apparatus wherein folder icons are adaptively displayed - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for controlling a portable digital device adaptively displaying folder icons is provided to allow a user to search a desired menu more rapidly by displaying a reference folder icon and its lower menus preferentially or displaying a recently selected folder icon and its lower menus preferentially. CONSTITUTION: A reference folder icon among folder icons for setting an operating condition of a portable digital device and lower menus of the reference folder icon are displayed on a display panel when a user generates the first signal using a menu button switch. A folder icon selected by the user and its lower menus are updated. When the user generates the second signal using the menu button switch, recently selected folders icon and their lower menus are displayed on the display panel, and a folder icon selected by the user and its lower menus are updated.

Description

Method for controlling portable digital apparatus wherein folder icons are adaptively displayed}

The present invention relates to a control method of a portable digital device, and more particularly, to a control method of a portable digital device having a menu button switch and a display panel.

In the use of a portable digital device equipped with a menu button switch and a display panel (e.g., a digital camera of US Pat. No. 6,249,316), the user may use the portable digital device while using the main function through the display panel of the portable digital device. I often feel the need to reset the operating conditions of the device. For example, a user often feels the need to reset shooting conditions while performing shooting using a digital camera. In this case, the user can view the menu screen by pressing a menu button switch provided in the portable digital device.

Here, according to the conventional portable digital device, among the folder icons for setting the operating conditions of the portable digital device, the reference folder icon and its submenu are preferentially displayed on the display panel. However, stochasticly, the recently selected folder icon and its submenu are often reset by the user. In this case, the user has a inconvenience in that the screen of the reference folder icon and its submenus should be switched to the folder icon and the screen of the submenu that he has recently selected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of a portable digital device that allows a user to find a desired menu screen more quickly.

The present invention for achieving the above object, as a control method of a portable digital device equipped with a menu button switch and a display panel, comprising a first and second setting control steps. In the first setting control step, when a first type of signal is generated from the menu button switch by a user's operation, a reference folder icon and its submenu are displayed among folder icons for setting an operating condition of the portable digital device. Displayed on the display panel, the data of the selected folder icon and its submenu are updated according to the user's operation. In the second setting control step, when a second type of signal is generated from the menu button switch by a user's operation, a folder icon recently selected from among the folder icons and a submenu thereof are displayed on the display panel, The data of the selected folder icon and its submenus are updated according to the user's operation.

According to the control method of the portable digital device of the present invention, the reference folder icon and its submenu are preferentially displayed or the recently selected folder icon and its submenu are preferentially displayed according to a simple operation of the user. Accordingly, the user can find the desired menu screen more quickly. This is because, most likely, the recently selected folder icon and its submenus are often reset by the user.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

Referring to Figure 1, the overall configuration of the digital camera 1 as a portable digital device according to the present invention will be described.

The optical system OPS including the lens unit and the filter unit optically processes light from a subject. The lens unit in the optical system OPS includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens.

A photoelectric conversion unit (OEC) of a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) converts light from an optical system (OPS) into an electrical analog signal. Here, the digital signal processor 507 controls the timing circuit 502 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 501. The CDS-ADC (Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter) element 501 as an analog-to-digital converter processes the analog signal from the photoelectric converter (OEC), removes the high frequency noise, and adjusts the amplitude. After that, it is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal processor 507, which has a main controller and performs overall control according to timing signals from the clock clock 503, processes digital image signals from the CDS-ADC element 501 and classifies them into luminance and chroma signals. A digital video signal. The digital video signal is converted into a format of an analog composite video signal by the digital signal processor 507, and the converted analog composite video signal is displayed on the color LCD panel 35 through the LCD driver 514.

The digital video signal from the digital signal processor 507 is temporarily stored in the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 504. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 505 stores algorithms and setting data necessary for the operation of the digital signal processor 507. The memory card of the user is attached to or detached from the memory card interface 506. In this memory card, still image files or video files compressed by the digital signal processor 507 and audio files are stored.

On the other hand, the digital video signal from the digital signal processor 507 is transmitted by serial communication via the universal serial bus (USB) connection portion 21a of the external interface portion 21 or the RS232C interface 508 and the connection portion 21b thereof. It may be transmitted as a video signal through the video filter 509 and the video output unit 21c.

The audio processor 513 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the digital signal processor 507 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the digital signal processor 507 to the speaker SP.

The user input unit INP includes a menu button switch, a shutter button switch, a wide-angle zoom button switch, a telephoto-zoom button switch, and the like.

The microcontroller 512 controls the lens driver 510, so that the zoom motor M _Z , the focus motor M _F , and the aperture motor M _A are zoom lenses in the optical system OPS, The focus lens and the aperture are driven respectively. The light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 512 includes a self-timer lamp, an auto-focus lamp, a flash standby lamp, and the like. In addition, the microcontroller 512 drives the flash 12 by controlling the operation of the flash controller 511 according to the signal from the flash-light amount sensor 19.

On the other hand, the digital signal processor 507 performs the algorithm of the present invention to be described below.

1 and 2, the overall control algorithm of the digital signal processor 507 of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the photographing mode is set by the user's operation, the digital signal processor 507 performs photographing control according to the input signal from the user input unit INP (step S1). Next, when an external end signal is input to the digital signal processor 507 (step S2), the digital signal processor 507 ends the control operation, otherwise, whether the menu button signal from the user input unit INP has been input. Check (step S3). If no menu button signal is input, the shooting control step S1 is continued, and if input, the input time t _MP and the reference time t1 of the menu button signal are compared (step S4).

If the input time t _MP of the menu button signal is equal to or shorter than the reference time t1, the digital signal processor 507 performs the first setting control (step S5). As will be described in detail below, in the first setting control step S5, the digital signal processor 507 displays the reference folder icon and its submenu among the folder icons for setting the operating conditions of the digital camera 1. The display is displayed on the LCD panel 35 (see switching from screen 35B to 35C in FIG. 4), and the data of the selected folder icon and its submenu are updated according to the user's operation. When the menu button signal is input again to the digital signal processor 507 in the process of performing the first setting control S5 (step S6), the shooting control step S1 is performed.

If the input time t _MP of the menu button signal is longer than the reference time t1, the digital signal processor 507 performs the second setting control (step S7). As described in detail below, in the second setting control step S7, the digital signal processor 507 displays the folder icon and its submenu recently selected from the folder icons on the color LCD panel 35. (See returning to screen 35A from screen 35B in Fig. 4), the data of the folder icon and its submenu selected according to the user's operation are updated. If the menu button signal is input again to the digital signal processor 507 in the process of performing the second setting control S7 (step S8), the shooting control step S1 is performed.

Accordingly, the user can preferentially see the reference folder icon and its submenu by briefly pressing the menu button switch of the user input unit INP, and pressing the menu button switch for a long time can view the recently selected folder icon and its submenu. It can be seen first. Accordingly, the user can find the desired menu screen more quickly. This is because, most likely, the recently selected folder icon and its submenus are often reset by the user.

3 shows an overall control algorithm of the digital signal processor 507 of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 2 indicate objects of the same function. The difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 is that step S4 of FIG. 2 is replaced with step S9 of FIG. 3. That is, in step S9 of FIG. 3, if the menu button signal is a single signal, the first setting control is performed (step S5). If the menu button signal is a multiple signal, the second setting control is performed (step S7).

Accordingly, the user can preferentially view the reference folder icon and its submenu by pressing the menu button switch of the user input unit INP once, and the folder icon and the recently selected folder icon and the sub menu by pressing the menu button switch twice in succession. The submenu will be given priority. Accordingly, the user can find the desired menu screen more quickly. This is because, most likely, the recently selected folder icon and its submenus are often reset by the user.

4 illustrates an example of screens sequentially displayed by the embodiments of FIG. 2 or 3. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 35A to 35C denote display screens of the color LCD panel (35 in FIG. 1), IC1 to IC _{n denote} folder icons for setting operating conditions of the digital camera 1, and 403 _denote folder names. The IM points to the detailed items as subfolders of each folder, and the ISB points to the item selection bar.

2 to 4, the folder icon IC2 and the folder name 403 of the folder for setting the picture size immediately before the shooting control step S1 in the first or second setting control steps S5 and S7. , Detail items IM, and item selection bar IBS are displayed (see left screen 35A in FIG. 4). Next, the subject is displayed in the shooting control step S1 (see the center screen 35B in FIG. 4). Here, when the first setting control step S5 is performed, the folder icon IC1, the folder name 403, the detailed items IM, and the item selection bar IBS of the reference folder are displayed (Fig. 4). Right and top screen 35C). In addition, when the second setting control step S7 is performed, the recently selected folder icon IC2, the folder name 403, the detail items IM, and the item selection bar IBS are displayed (Fig. 4, right and bottom screens 35A).

In order to realize the control method according to the present invention as described above, it is preferable to assign a unique code to each folder for setting the operating conditions of the digital camera 1, and to assign a unique code to the details of each folder. Do. Table 1 below shows an example.

folder Folder code Item Item code MODE 0 AUTO 0 NIGHT One MYSET 2 SIZE One 2048 x 1536 0 2048 x 1360 One 1600 X 1200 2 1024 x 768 3  640 x 480 4 QUALITY 2 S. FINE 0 FINE One NORMAL 2 METERING 3 MULTI 0 SPOT One EFFECT 4 NORMAL 0 B & W One SUNSET 2 SEPIA 3 RGB 4 SHARP 5 SOFT 0 NORMAL One VIVID 2

In the folders of Table 1, "MODE" represents a shooting mode, "SIZE" represents a picture size, "QUALITY" represents an image quality inversely proportional to the compression rate, and "METERING" represents sample shapes for auto focusing, and "EFFECT". Indicates the modulation characteristics of the picture, and "SHARP" indicates the sharpness of the picture, respectively.

When a look-up table as shown in Table 1 is stored, the folder code of the folder icon finally selected in the first and second setting control steps S5 and S7 (hereinafter, referred to as recent) The folder code) and its submenu code (hereinafter referred to as the latest item code) will be constantly updated. In addition, the folder icon and submenu of the updated codes are displayed on the color LCD panel 35 in the second setting control step S7.

1 to 5, the detailed algorithm of the first setting control step S5 of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described.

First, the digital signal processor 507 disables the O.S.D (On-Screen Display) on the screen 35B by the shooting control step S1 (step S501). Next, the O.S.D data in the frame memory is deleted (step S502). Next, the reference folder icon and its submenu are displayed (step S503). Next, the O.S.D to be used in the imaging control step S1 is enabled (step S504).

Next, when the leftward moving signal from the user input unit INP is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the microcontroller 512, the digital signal processor 507 turns all the folder icons IC1 to IC _n to the left. Move (steps S505 and S506). In addition, when the rightward movement signal from the user input unit INP is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the microcontroller 512, the digital signal processor 507 moves all the folder icons IC1 to IC _n to the right. (Steps S505 and S506). In this moving process, the folder name 403 of the activated folder icon and the detailed items IM as submenus thereof are displayed. In addition, the item selection bar IBS is displayed above the latest setting item in the displayed detail items IM.

Next, when the upward movement signal from the user input unit INP is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the microcontroller 512, the digital signal processor 507 moves the item selection bar IBS up (step). S507 and S508). In addition, when the downward movement signal from the user input unit INP is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the microcontroller 512, the digital signal processor 507 moves the item selection bar IBS downward (steps). S507 and S508).

Next, when the setting signal from the user input unit INP is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the microcontroller 512, the digital signal processor 507 is recently set as data superimposed on the item selection bar IBS. Update the data (steps S509 and S510).

Steps S505 to S510 are repeatedly performed until an end signal is generated (step S511). When the end signal is generated, the digital signal processor 507 updates the latest folder code and the latest item code and then ends the control operation (steps S511 and S512).

The detailed algorithm of step S503 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 as follows.

First, the reference folder icon IC1 is displayed (step S61). Next, the folder name 403 of the reference folder icon IC1 is displayed (step S62). Next, detailed items IM of the reference folder icon IC1 are displayed (step S63). Then, the item selection bar ISB is displayed on the detailed item of the latest item code (step S64).

FIG. 7 shows a detailed algorithm of the second setting control step S7 of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 5 indicate objects of the same function. The difference between FIGS. 5 and 7 is that step S503 of FIG. 5 is replaced with step S703 of FIG. 7. In step S703 of FIG. 7, the folder icon (IC2 in the case of FIG. 4) of the latest folder code and its submenu are displayed.

The detailed algorithm of step S703 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 8 as follows.

First, the folder icon IC2 of the latest folder code is displayed (step S81). Next, the folder name 403 of the latest folder code is displayed (step S82). Next, the detailed items IM of the latest folder code are displayed (step S83). Then, the item selection bar ISB is displayed on the detailed item of the latest item code (step S84).

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified and improved by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

As described above, according to the control method of the portable digital device according to the present invention, the reference folder icon and its submenu are preferentially displayed or the recently selected folder icon and its submenu according to a simple operation of the user. Is displayed preferentially. Accordingly, the user can find the desired menu screen more quickly. This is because, most likely, the recently selected folder icon and its submenus are often reset by the user.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital camera as a portable digital device according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing an overall control algorithm of the digital signal processor of FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart showing the overall control algorithm of the digital signal processor of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens sequentially displayed by the embodiments of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed algorithm of the first setting control step S5 of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed algorithm of step S503 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed algorithm of the second setting control step S7 of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

8 is a flowchart showing a detailed algorithm of step S703 of FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1 ... digital camera, 12 ... flash,

19 flash-light sensor, 21 external interface,

MIC ... microphone, SP ... speaker,

35 color LCD panel, OPS optical system

OEC ... photoelectric converter, M _Z ... zoom motor,

M _F ... focus motor, M _A ... aperture motor,

501 analog-to-digital converter, 502 timing circuit,

503 clock clock, 504 DRAM,

505 ... EEPROM, 506 ... memory card interface,

507 ... digital signal processor, 508 ... RS232C interface,

509 ... video filter, 21a ... USB connection,

21b ... RS232C connection, 21c ... video output,

510 ... lens drive, 511 ... flash controller,

512 ... microcontroller, INP ... user input,

LAMP ... light emitting unit, 513 ... audio processor,

514 LCD driver, S4 setting control program,

35A to 35C ... display screens, IC1 to IC _n ... folder icons,

403 ... folder name, IM ... details,

ISB ... item selection bar.

Claims (4)

In the control method of a portable digital device having a menu button switch and a display panel, When a first type of signal is generated from the menu button switch by a user's operation, a reference folder icon and its submenu are displayed on the display panel among the folder icons for setting an operating condition of the portable digital device. A first setting control step of updating data of the selected folder icon and its submenu according to the operation of? And When a second type of signal is generated from the menu button switch by a user's operation, a folder icon recently selected from among the folder icons and a submenu thereof are displayed on the display panel, and the folder icon selected according to the user's operation is displayed. And a second setting control step of updating data of the submenu. The method of claim 1, wherein in the first and second setting control steps, If the signal input time from the menu button switch is equal to or shorter than a reference time, it is determined that the first type of signal has been generated and the first setting control step is performed; And if the signal input time from the menu button switch is longer than the reference time, determining that the second type of signal has been generated and performing the second setting control step. The method of claim 1, wherein in the first and second setting control steps, If the signal from the menu button switch is one single signal, it is determined that the first type of signal has been generated and the first setting control step is performed, And if the signal from the menu button switch is two or more multiple signals, determining that the second type of signal has been generated and performing the second setting control step. The method of claim 1, Folder codes of the folder icons, and codes of a submenu of each folder icon are set, The folder code of the folder icon finally selected in the first and second setting control steps and the code of the submenu thereof are updated. And a folder icon and a submenu of the updated codes are displayed on the display panel in the second setting control step.