JP2000163193A - Portable information devices and information storage media - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an electronic book or a portable information device capable of realizing an operation input such as page turning with a convenient human interface, and an information storage medium used for these. SOLUTION: This electronic book is capable of outputting information provided with page numbers to a display unit 70 as image information in page units.
A finger input detection unit 10 that detects a contact pressure, a contact area, and a contact position of a finger that has touched the display unit, and a page turning input and a touch direction based on the detected contact pressure, contact area, contact position, and finger movement direction of the finger A finger input determination unit 30 for determining continuous page turning input, bookmark insertion, bookmark insertion location reference input, and the like, a page image update control unit 40 for controlling page image update, and a bookmark processing unit for performing bookmark insertion and reference processing 50 and an image generation unit 60 that generates an image to be displayed on the display unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information device, an electronic book, and an information storage medium used therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic books, which are publishing forms in which information such as characters, images, and sounds are recorded on electronic media such as CD-ROMs and FDs and used like books, Portable information devices have been put to practical use.

[0003] Such an electronic book or portable information device can solve the physical limitations that paper books have to deal with. A non-linear reading style is also possible, and readers can enjoy reading from various perspectives.

[0004] Furthermore, since publishing does not require much money or labor,
It is also possible to realize the ideal image of publishing such that anyone can publish easily or publish a specialized one with limited subscribers.

[0005] By the way, since such electronic books and portable information devices are preferably more compact, it is better to reduce the number of operation buttons and other hardware as much as possible. Further, it is preferable that the user can operate with a daily feeling without special operation learning.

[0006] In order to provide an electronic book or a portable information device having an interface that allows a person to operate with the closest sensation when reading a book, the present applicant inputs various operations with a finger action of touching a display unit. We are developing e-books and portable information devices.

Here, since various operation inputs are performed by finger movements in contact with the display unit, a page turning operation that can be performed in the same manner as a person turns a page when reading a book while distinguishing from other inputs. The problem is how to realize the input.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to realize a portable information device or an electronic book with an easy-to-use human interface for operation input such as page turning. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic book, a portable information device, and an information storage medium used for these devices.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable information device capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information to a display unit on a page-by-page basis. Finger input detecting means for detecting a contact position of the finger with at least one of the contact areas, and page turning for judging presence / absence of a page turning input based on the detected contact pressure of the finger and at least one of the contact area and the moving direction of the finger An input determining unit, and a page image updating unit that, when it is determined that the page turning input is performed, updates the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any one of the preceding and following pages. It is characterized by the following.

In a portable information device, there is a problem how to provide an easy-to-use and easy-to-view screen with a small housing and a small screen.

According to the present invention, for example, by moving the finger by applying a predetermined pressure on the display unit, or by moving the finger by touching the finger with a predetermined contact area, The page turning can be input by moving the finger by touching the finger with pressure and a predetermined contact area.

Further, according to the present invention, at least one of the contact pressure of the finger and the contact area of the finger is detected, and the presence or absence of a page turning input is determined based on at least one of these. Compared with the case where the page turning execution is input based only on the direction, the input can be more reliably distinguished from the input of other operations. As described above, not only the finger movement direction but also the finger contact pressure and the finger contact area are used as input determination materials, so that many input patterns can be formed only by finger movement.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a portable information device having a more compact housing by minimizing operation buttons and the like provided on the housing. In addition, since the number of input marks provided on a display screen or the like can be minimized, the space for displaying information can be maximized, and a portable information device with a clear screen can be provided.

In the present invention, when the finger input detecting means detects that the finger touched on the display unit is moving in the horizontal direction, the page turning input determining means determines that the page turning input is It is characterized in that the page image updating means updates the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any one of the pages before and after it.

The operation of tracing the display section in the horizontal direction with a finger is similar to the operation of turning a page when a person reads a book. For this reason, the user can perform page turning input in the same operation as handling a normal book, and provide a human interface that is easy to learn and easy to use.

It is to be noted that the page turning is not limited to the case where the number of pages is increased, and may be the case where the number of pages is reduced. Accordingly, the direction in which the page is turned may be different between when the user's finger is moving from left to right and when moving from right to left.
In this manner, similarly to the case of turning over a paper book, input of page turning in any of the front and rear directions can be performed by the movement of a finger.

The direction of the turned pages and the ascending / descending order of the page numbers are different between a vertically written book and a horizontally written book. Therefore, even if the finger is moved in the same direction when displaying the book information in the vertical writing mode and when the book information is displayed in the horizontal writing mode, the page turning direction may be different between the front and rear directions. Good. In this way, it is possible to input the page turning without a sense of incongruity with the same feeling as when actually reading a vertically written book or a horizontally written book.

It is preferable that the page turning input determining means is configured to determine whether or not a page turning input is to be performed based on the image content displayed on the display unit. That is, it is determined that a page turning input has been performed only when information on a page basis is displayed on the display screen.

In this way, different actions can be input depending on the contents of the image even with the same finger action. For example,
When the finger is moved in the horizontal direction on the page-by-page information screen, it is determined that the input is a page turning input, and when the finger is moved in the horizontal direction on the screen on which another image is displayed, the image is scrolled. It seems to judge that there is. In this way, more input patterns can be secured.

The present invention also relates to a portable information device capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information in page units to a display unit, wherein a contact position and a contact pressure of a finger in contact with the display unit are provided. , A continuous page turning input determining means for determining the presence or absence of a continuous page turning input based on the detected contact position and contact pressure of the finger, and it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been made. A page image continuous updating means for continuously updating the page in any direction before or after the information currently output to the display unit, and sequentially outputting the image information of the updated page to the display unit. A portable information device characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, for example, when the finger contact position is a predetermined continuous page turning input mark position and the finger contact pressure indicates a predetermined pressure value or more, it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been performed. Is done. Therefore, compared to a case where a continuous page turning execution is input based only on the finger touch position,
It is possible to more reliably distinguish input from other operations. As described above, by using not only the finger contact position but also the finger contact pressure as a judgment material, many input patterns can be formed only by the finger motion.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide a portable information device having a more compact housing by minimizing operation buttons and the like provided on the housing.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the continuous page image updating means performs a process of sequentially outputting the updated page image information to a display unit while the continuous page turning input is being performed. I do.

According to the present invention, continuous page turning is continued while the user is in contact with a predetermined position on the screen at a predetermined pressure. Therefore, the user can input the start and end of the continuous page turning only by his / her finger operation. Therefore, the user can turn a continuous page as necessary by a simple finger operation while watching the screen, and can stop the continuous page turning at a desired page.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the page image continuous updating means controls a page updating speed based on at least one of the detected contact pressure value of the finger and a change in the pressure value.

"Based on the pressure value" means that the speed is controlled by the absolute value of the pressure value, and "based on the change in the pressure value" means the amount of change in the pressure value over time. Means a case in which the speed is controlled by focusing on. For example, in the latter case, a configuration may be adopted in which the page turning speed is increased when the pressure value changes in a direction of increasing, and the page turning speed is decreased when the pressure value changes in a direction of decreasing the pressure value.

When reading a paper book, when turning a page in order to find a place where necessary items are published, the user changes the page turning speed as necessary. Changing the page turning speed in this way is possible with portable information devices, but how to realize an input interface that allows the user to easily change the page turning speed with a simple operation while looking at the screen. Is a problem.

According to the present invention, the user can adjust the page turning speed by changing the contact pressure of the finger. Therefore, the user can freely change the page turning speed by a simple operation while watching the screen, and it is possible to provide a portable information device having an easy-to-use user interface.

Further, the present invention further comprises means for generating and outputting an image simulating the thickness of the book near the edge of the display section, wherein the finger input detecting means determines that the finger contact position indicates the thickness of the book. If it is detected that the image position is the same, the continuous page turning input determining means determines that the continuous page turning input has been performed, and the page image continuous updating means outputs the information currently output to the display section. , The page is continuously updated in any direction before and after, and the image information of the updated page is sequentially output to the display unit.

For example, an image display that imitates the thickness of a book is provided at the left and right ends of the display unit, and a finger is brought into contact with each of the left and right thickness portions so that the page is turned in the same direction as the book is turned. You may.

The operation of turning a page continuously while operating the thickness portion of the end of the book with a finger is an operation similar to turning a page when a person reads a book. For this reason, the user can perform continuous page turning input by the same operation as handling a normal book, and can provide a human interface that is easy to learn and easy to use.

The continuous page turning is not limited to the case where the number of pages is increased, and may be the case where the number of pages is decreased. Therefore, the configuration is such that the direction of turning a page is different between the case where the user's finger is in contact with the part simulating the thickness of the book on the left end and the case where the finger is in contact with the part simulating the thickness of the book on the right end. May be. In this way, similarly to the case of turning over a paper book, it is possible to input page turning in any of the front and rear directions at the operation position of the finger.

Also, in a vertically written book and a horizontally written book, the direction of the turned pages and the ascending / descending order of the page numbers are different. Therefore, when displaying book information in vertical writing and when displaying book in horizontal writing, even if the book touches the same thickness of the book, it is necessary to make the pages turn in the front or back direction differently. You may. In this way, it is possible to input the page turning without a sense of incongruity with the same feeling as when actually reading a vertically written book or a horizontally written book.

According to the present invention, when a predetermined finger operation is performed on a display image of a given page, a reference mark for referring to display information of the page is generated and displayed on the screen. Means for outputting a display image of the page to the display unit when the reference mark in the display image is touched by a finger.

The reference mark is, for example, a mark imagining a bookmark or a tag to be attached to a page to be referred to. While reading a book, the present invention can also perform a predetermined finger operation on a display image of a page to be referred to again so as to put a reference mark on the page to be referred to again so as to sandwich a bookmark on a page to be referred to again. it can. This reference mark is displayed on the screen even when the user is referring to an image on another page. When the user wants to refer to the page to which the reference mark is attached, the display image can be switched to the page to which the user wants to refer by touching the reference mark with a finger.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize the same function as attaching a bookmark or a sticky note during reading only by performing a predetermined finger operation by the user.

According to the present invention, there is provided the portable information device according to the present invention, wherein the portable information device is used as an electronic book.

That is, the present invention is an electronic book capable of outputting page numbered information as image information to a display unit in page units, wherein at least one of a contact pressure and a contact area of a finger touching the display unit is provided. Finger input detecting means for detecting a contact position of the finger, and at least one of the detected contact pressure and contact area of the finger and the moving direction of the finger, a page turning input determining means for determining the presence or absence of a page turning input, Page image updating means for updating the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any one of the pages before and after the page information when it is determined that the page turning input has been made. .

Further, in the electronic book of the present invention, when the finger input detecting means detects that the finger touching the display section is moving in the horizontal direction, the page turning input determining means sets It is characterized in that it is determined that the turning input has been made, and the page image updating means updates the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any one of the pages before and after the page.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an electronic book capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information to a display unit in page units, wherein the contact position and the contact pressure of a finger touching the display unit are determined. Finger input detecting means for detecting, continuous page turning input determining means for determining the presence or absence of a continuous page turning input based on the detected contact position and contact pressure of the finger, and when it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been made And a page image continuous updating means for continuously updating the page in any direction before or after the information currently output to the display unit, and sequentially outputting the image information of the updated page to the display unit. Features.

Further, in the electronic book of the present invention, the continuous page image updating means performs a process of sequentially outputting the updated page image information to the display unit during the continuous page turning input. It is characterized by.

Further, in the electronic book of the present invention, the page image continuous updating means controls a page updating speed based on at least one of the detected contact pressure value of the finger and a change in the pressure value. .

The electronic book according to the present invention may further include means for generating and outputting an image simulating the thickness of the book near the edge of the display unit, wherein the finger input detecting means determines that the finger contact position is the book thickness. When it is detected that the image position imitates a portion, the continuous page turning input determining means determines that the continuous page turning input has been performed, and the page image continuous updating means outputs the current image to the current display section. The present invention is characterized in that a page is continuously updated in any one of directions before and after the information, and the image information of the updated page is sequentially output to a display unit.

Further, in the electronic book of the present invention, when a predetermined finger operation is performed on a display image of a given page, a reference mark for referring to display information of the page is generated, and And a means for outputting a display image of the page to the display unit when the reference mark in the display image is touched by a finger.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information storage medium used for at least one of a portable information device and an electronic book capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information on a page-by-page basis. At least one of the contact pressure and the contact area of the contacted finger and the information for detecting the contact position of the finger, and at least one of the detected contact pressure and the contact area of the finger and the moving direction of the finger, the page turning input is performed. Information for determining the presence / absence, and information for updating the image information of the page currently being output to the display unit to image information of any one of the pages before and after that when it is determined that the page turning input has been performed. It is characterized by including.

In the information storage medium of the present invention, when it is detected that the finger touching the display section is moving in the horizontal direction, it is determined that a page turning input has been made, and the information is output to the current display section. It is preferable to have a configuration having information for updating the image information of the current page to the image information of any one of the preceding and following pages.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information storage medium for use in at least one of a portable information device and an electronic book capable of outputting information provided with a page number to a display unit as image information in page units. Information for detecting the contact position and contact pressure of the finger that is in contact with, information for determining the presence or absence of continuous page turning input based on the detected contact position and contact pressure of the finger, and the continuous page When it is determined that the turning input has been made, the page is continuously updated in any direction before or after the information currently output on the display unit, and the image information of the updated page is sequentially output to the display unit. Information.

In the information storage medium of the present invention, it is preferable that the information storage medium includes information for sequentially outputting updated image information of the page to the display unit during the continuous page turning input. .

In the information storage medium of the present invention, the information storage medium may be configured to include information for controlling a page update speed based on at least one of the detected contact pressure value of the finger and a change in the pressure value. preferable.

The information storage medium according to the present invention may further include information for generating and outputting an image simulating the thickness of a book near the edge of the display unit, wherein the finger input detecting means determines that the finger contact position is If it is detected that the image position imitating the thickness portion of the book, the continuous page turning input determination means,
When it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been performed, the page image continuous updating unit continuously updates the page in any direction before or after the information currently output to the display unit, and updates the image information of the updated page. Are sequentially output to the display unit.

According to the present invention, in the information storage medium of the present invention, when a predetermined finger operation is performed on a display image of a given page, a reference mark for referring to display information of the page is provided. And information for displaying on the screen, when the reference mark in the display image is touched by a finger,
And information for performing a process of outputting a display image of the page to the display unit.

[0052]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Features of the present invention A first feature of the present invention is that, in a portable information device or an electronic book capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information in page units to a display unit, a contact pressure of a finger in contact with the display unit And detecting the contact position of the finger with at least one of the contact area and determining whether or not there is a page turning input based on the detected contact pressure of the finger and at least one of the contact area and the moving direction of the finger. The point is that when it is determined that the image information has been made, the image information of the page currently output on the display unit is updated to the image information of any one of the pages before and after that.

A second feature of the present invention is that, in a portable information device or an electronic book capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information in page units to a display unit, a finger in contact with the display unit is provided. The contact position and contact pressure of the finger are detected, and based on the detected contact position and contact pressure of the finger, the presence or absence of continuous page turning input is determined.If it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been performed, the current display is performed. The present invention is characterized in that the page is continuously updated in any direction before or after the information output to the unit, and the image information of the updated page is sequentially output to the display unit.

A third feature of the present invention is that a predetermined finger operation is performed on a display image of a given page in a portable information device or an electronic book having the first feature or the second feature. In addition, a reference mark such as a sticky note for referring to the display information of the page is generated and displayed on the screen, and when the reference mark in the display image is touched by a finger, the reference mark of the page is displayed. The point is that the display image is output to the display unit.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a form information device or an electronic book having the first to third characteristic functions of the present invention.

The finger input detecting section 10 is for detecting a contact position, a contact pressure and a contact area of a finger touched by the user on the display section. The finger input detection unit 10 includes a display unit 7
0 and a transparent touch panel or the like. The detection data obtained by the finger input detection unit 10 is input to the processing unit 20.

The processing section 20 performs page image update processing, bookmark insertion, and reference processing based on the detected data, a given program, and the like. This processing unit 20
Functions are CPU (CISC type, RISC type), DS
It can be realized by hardware such as P, custom (gate array, etc.) IC, memory, and the like.

The information storage medium 80 is for storing programs and data. The functions of the information storage medium 80 are as follows: CD-ROM, cassette, IC card, MO,
It can be realized by hardware such as FD, DVD, hard disk, and memory. The processing unit 20 performs various processes based on the programs and data from the information storage medium 80.

The processing section 20 includes a finger input determination section 30, an image update control section 40, a bookmark processing section 50, and an image generation section 60.

The finger input judging section 30 judges the operation content inputted by the user based on the contact position, contact area and contact pressure of the finger detected by the finger input detecting section 10.

Specifically, when it is detected that the finger contacting the display unit with the predetermined pressure and the predetermined contact area is moving in the horizontal direction, it is determined that the page turning input has been performed. . When it is detected that the finger is in contact with the predetermined contact position at the predetermined contact pressure, it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been performed. The finger input determining unit 30 functions as a page turning input unit and a continuous page turning determining unit.

When it is detected that a predetermined finger motion has been performed on the display image of a given page, it is determined that an input for inserting a bookmark into the page has been performed. When the bookmark displayed on the screen is touched by a finger, it is determined that an input for referring to the bookmark insertion position has been performed.

The image update processing unit 40 is a control processing for updating the page of the image displayed on the display unit or continuously updating the page when the page turning input or the continuous page turning input is performed. Is what you do. The image update processing unit 40 includes a page image update control unit 42 and a page image continuous update control unit 44. The page image update control unit 42
Control is performed to update the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any of the pages before and after the page. The page image continuous update control unit 44 continuously updates the page in any direction before or after the information currently output to the display unit, and controls the image information of the updated page to be sequentially output to the display unit. I do.

The bookmark processing unit 50 performs a process for inserting a bookmark and referring to a bookmark insertion position. The bookmark processing unit 50 includes a bookmark insertion processing unit 52 and a bookmark reference processing unit 54.
including. The bookmark insertion processing unit 52 stores the page number of the page in which the bookmark has been inserted in association with the generated bookmark, and performs control for displaying a bookmark image on the screen. The bookmark reference processing unit 54 performs control for switching to the image of the page number stored in association with the touched bookmark.

The image generating section 60 generates an updated page, an image of a switched page, and an image in which a bookmark is displayed, based on the control of the image updating control section 40 and the bookmark processing section 50, and displays the image on the display section. Output.

As described above, the means of the page image update control section 42 and the image generation section 60 function as page image update means. In addition, the means of the page image continuous update control unit 44 and the image generation unit 60 function as a page image continuous update unit.

2. Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail using an electronic book as an example.

(1) External View of Electronic Book FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are external views of the electronic book of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 110 in FIG. 2A is an external front view in a state where the electronic book of the present embodiment is closed.
0 is a side view. Reference numeral 130 denotes a state in which the electronic book of the present embodiment is opened. The electronic book according to the present embodiment is configured to be approximately the size of a paperback book with the electronic book closed, as shown at 110, for convenience in carrying.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a disk 140 containing software used for an electronic book. As shown in FIG. 2C, the electronic book according to the present embodiment can provide information corresponding to the contents of various software by setting a disk 140 containing various software in the electronic book main body 150. .

(2) Operation of Operating Map Image by Finger Movement Next, a specific example of operation of a map image by finger movement in the electronic book of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when travel information software is set. The center of the screen is mainly used as an information display area, and the end area of the screen is mainly used as a search tag area and a toolbar display area. In the information display area, the content described in one page spread of the book is displayed as image information. In the search tag area, search tags 210 to 230 and the like are displayed. In addition, images 240 and 242 imitating “book thickness” are displayed at the left and right ends of the display area.

Map Enlargement Operation When the user touches the “Map” 220 field of the search tag with the finger 250, the entire map 26 of “India” is displayed on the screen.
0 is displayed (see FIG. 4). To obtain information near “Bombay”, place the thumb and forefinger around “Bombay” on the screen with the thumb and forefinger close as shown in FIG. Performing the operation of moving in the direction (enlargement gesture of the map) (FIG. 5)
reference). By doing so, a map image enlarged according to the movement history of the thumb and the index finger is displayed. That is, the larger the degree of separation between the thumb and the index finger, the smaller the scale and the more detailed the map is displayed.

At this time, the map on the screen may be enlarged in response to the operation of moving the thumb and the index finger away from each other in real time. Alternatively, after the final enlargement amount is determined when the movement of the finger stops, a map image enlarged according to the enlargement amount may be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the case where the thumb is fixed and only the index finger is moved away from the thumb may be included in the enlarged gesture of the map.

If it is desired to obtain a more detailed map image as a result of referring to the enlarged map, a more detailed map image can be obtained by repeating the map's enlarged gesture. In this embodiment, a detailed map of a city, such as a town map, is displayed when the map of an urban area is enlarged to some extent.

Scroll Operation of Map As shown in FIG. 8, when a finger is placed on the screen and moved in a desired direction while pressing the finger on the screen (map gesture of map), the finger is moved in the moved direction. The map is moved and displayed by the distance.

Operation for Reducing Map In addition, when the user wants to reduce the map, for example, when he wants to see a map image of a larger scale or when he wants to display a wide range of information on the screen, first, FIG. As shown in the figure, the user places the thumb and the index finger apart on the map displayed on the screen, and performs an operation of moving the thumb and the index finger toward each other as shown in FIG. 9 (reduction gesture of the map). In this way, a map image reduced according to the movement history of the thumb and the index finger is displayed. That is, the larger the degree of separation between the thumb and the index finger, the smaller the scale and the more detailed the map is displayed.

At this time, the map on the screen may be reduced in real time together with the operation of bringing the thumb and the index finger closer. Alternatively, a map image reduced according to the final reduction amount may be displayed after the final reduction amount is determined when the movement of the finger stops.

Also, a case in which the thumb is fixed and only the index finger is moved in a direction approaching the thumb may be included in the reduced gesture of the map.

If it is desired to obtain a map image of a wider range as a result of referring to the reduced map, a map image of a wider range can be obtained by repeating the gesture of reducing the map. In the present embodiment,
When the map of an urban area is reduced to some extent, a detailed map of a city such as a town map is changed to a normal map display and displayed.

Rotation of Map When the user wants to change the direction of the displayed map image without changing the scale, the user first releases the thumb and forefinger on the screen as shown in FIG. On the map displayed in, fix either the thumb or index finger,
An operation of rotating one of the other fingers like a compass with the fixed finger as the center axis (map rotation gesture)
(See FIG. 10). By doing so, a map image rotated according to the movement history of the thumb and forefinger is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 11, when one of the fingers is fixed at the point O and the other finger is rotated from the point A to the point B, the distance from the point A to the point B is changed by the rotation angle Θ. The map image rotated in the rotation direction 370 is displayed.

At this time, the map on the screen may be rotated in real time together with the rotation of one of the fingers. Alternatively, a map image reduced according to the rotation amount may be displayed after the final rotation amount is determined when the movement of the finger stops.

The finger operation is not limited to the case of performing with the thumb and the index finger, and may be performed with the thumb and the middle finger, for example, or with a combination of other fingers.

(3) Search Process Next, a specific example of a search process by a finger operation in the electronic book according to the present embodiment will be described.

Normal Search Operation For example, when a user wants to obtain information on a hotel in “South India”, there is a method as shown in FIG. That is, first select the tag of "South India", display the first page with information of "South India", then select the tag of accommodation,
This is a method of displaying the first page on which the information of "South India accommodation" is posted. This method is used when the user wants to obtain various information about "South India", displays the first page with information about "South India", and then searches for various information about "South India". It is effective for etc.

Search operation based on logical product condition However, if the user only needs “South India accommodation” information, the first page in which “South India accommodation” information is directly posted in one operation Is preferably displayed. Thus, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
If you touch the tag of "Accommodation" with the right finger at the same time, the first page with the information of "Accommodation in South India" is displayed directly by one operation. I have.

When the information of “South India Accommodation” is spread over a plurality of pages, the information written on the next page and subsequent pages is read by inputting a page turn as shown in FIG. Can be.

(4) Page Turning, Bookmark Processing, and the Like Next, a specific example of turning pages in the electronic book of the present embodiment will be described.

In the electronic book of the present embodiment, since various operations are input as finger movements on the screen, there are almost no operation input buttons or the like on the housing. Also, the screen on which the book contents are displayed is characterized in that there is almost no operation input mark on the screen (see FIG. 3).

In the present embodiment, by setting travel information software in an electronic book, the user can use the same user-friendliness as referring to a travel guidebook, and display the actual book on a screen as shown in FIG. You can refer to the same content as the page.

When the user wants to refer to the next page, the user traces the information display area on the screen from left to right with the index finger as in turning a page of a paper book, as shown in FIG. The display screen is updated to the contents of the next page as if the page were turned.

At this time, it is necessary for the user to move the finger in the lateral direction so as to rub the index finger or the like or touch the screen with a certain strength. In the present embodiment, in order to distinguish the page turning input from other inputs, when the finger is touching the screen with a predetermined area or more and a predetermined pressure value or more and moving in the horizontal direction, This is because it is determined that the turning has been input.

Note that the direction of page turning and the elevation of a page differ depending on whether it is written vertically or horizontally as in an actual book.
Therefore, in the case of a vertically written book, the page advances from right to left, so when the finger is moved as shown in FIG. 14, the next page is turned, but in the case of horizontal writing, the previous page is turned. Conversely, in the case of a vertically written book, tracing from right to left with the index finger turns the previous page contrary to FIG. 14, but in the case of horizontal writing, the next page is turned.

As described above, since the user can perform page turning input with the same feeling as handling a normal book, it is possible to provide a human interface that is easy to learn and easy to use.

At the time of page turning input, an image in which a page is being turned may be displayed according to the movement of the finger as shown in FIG. 14, but it may be configured to switch directly to the previous page screen or the next page screen.

Further, an image sound which can be associated with a page turning sound such as "para" may be output in response to the page turning.

Continuous page turning input operation As shown in FIG. 15, when the user keeps touching images (hereinafter, referred to as “book thickness”) 240 and 242 imitating “book thickness” for a predetermined time or more, the page is displayed. It flips continuously. At this time, if the user changes the touching strength, the speed of turning the page can be changed. That is, the user can increase the speed of turning the page by touching more strongly. You can also slow down the page turn by reducing the intensity of the touch. When the user finds the page he / she wants to read, he / she can release the hand from the “thickness of the book” to stop the continuous page turning and position the display screen on the page.

As in the case of the page turning described above, the elevation of the page differs depending on the vertical writing or the horizontal writing. Therefore, in the case of a vertically written book, if the thickness of the book on the left end is kept touching as shown in FIG. 15, the pages are continuously turned in the next page direction. Turn over. Conversely, in the case of a vertically written book, FIG.
Conversely, if you keep touching the thickness of the book on the right end, the pages will be turned continuously in the previous page direction, but in the case of horizontal writing, the pages will be turned continuously in the next page direction.

As described above, since the user can perform page turning input with the same feeling as handling a normal book, it is possible to provide a human interface that is easy to learn and easy to use.

At the time of continuous page turning input, as shown in FIG. 15, an image in the middle of turning a page in response to the movement of a finger may be displayed, but it is directly displayed on the previous page screen or the next page screen every predetermined time. The configuration may be switched.

Further, an image sound which can be associated with a page turning sound such as "para-para-para" may be output in response to the page turning.

Next, the bookmark function of the present embodiment will be described. Just as a bookmark is inserted at a place to be referred to again during normal reading, a bookmark can be added to a page to be referred to again in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, by dragging the arrow portion 260 and tracing the finger to the bottom of the screen, a bookmark can be inserted into the page. That is, after the above operation, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a bookmark mark 270 is displayed on the screen.

When the user is viewing another page, a bookmark 27 is displayed at the lower end of the screen as shown in FIG.
0 is displayed.

If the user wants to refer to the bookmarked page, he touches the bookmark 270 displayed at the bottom of the screen with his finger as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18C, the screen is switched to a page with a bookmark.

The above description has been made with respect to a case where only one bookmark is sandwiched, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is desired to bookmark a plurality of pages, a bookmark mark of a plurality of colors may be displayed.

(5) Example of Using Today's Folder Next, a specific example of using the today's folder according to the present embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 3, when the 280 input icon is touched with a finger, a toolbar composed of various operation icons (282, 284, 286, 288) is displayed at the bottom of the screen as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 282 denotes an icon to be touched when shifting to a mode for inputting various settings of the electronic book. Reference numeral 284 denotes an icon to be touched when shifting to a mode for shooting a moving image or a still image with a camera which is an accessory part of the electronic book. Reference numeral 286 denotes an icon to be touched when shifting to a mode in which characters, graphics, and the like are memo input using a pen which is an accessory part of the electronic book.
An icon 288 is touched when input data or information specified on the screen is stored in the today's folder, or when the user wants to refer to the contents of the today's folder. This folder of today is created automatically every day, and its usage is like a warehouse where data created in daily use scenes is always kept. Hereinafter, various usage examples of today's folder will be described.

Example of Floating and Storing Information Stored in Electronic Book An example of floating storing of information stored in an electronic book will be described with reference to FIGS.
For example, if you want to get information about "North India"
Touch the index to open the page and read it.
Among them, the character “Taj Mahail” is displayed in red, so touch it (see FIG. 20A). Then, it is configured to automatically jump to the "Taj Mahail" page.

For example, if the user reads “Taj Mahaile” in a normal paper book and wants to copy and carry this part, the following operation can be performed in this electronic book.

That is, while tracing the range in which the information that the user wants to cut out is described with the index finger, the user encloses the rectangle in a rectangle and releases the finger from the screen (see arrow 410 in FIG. 20B). Then, the enclosed portion is displayed as if it were raised on the screen (see 420 in FIG. 21). This is called floating.

Then, hold the floating portion with a finger, move to the today's folder icon 288 in a drag-and-drop manner, and release the finger therefrom (hereinafter referred to as “Drag-and-drop to today's folder”). (See FIG. 22), and the floating portion is stored in the today's folder. As described above, in this electronic book, by specifying the content to be cut out with the finger and dragging and dropping the content into the today's folder, the content specified on the screen can be stored in the today's folder.

The area to be floated is not limited to an area surrounded by a closed curve or a polygon, but may be an area specified by a portion surrounded by the edge of the screen and a finger. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the user traces the screen by drawing a locus like a finger 840, the portion 852 (shaded area) surrounded by the locus 840 and the edge 850 at the edge of the screen is floated. You may.

As shown in FIG. 42B, two points P1 and P2 on the screen are designated by a finger, and a rectangular area 854 (hatched area) having a diagonal line segment connecting the two points is floated. You may make it.

As shown in FIG. 42C, three points P3, P4, and P5 on the screen are designated by a finger, and a circular area 856 (hatched area) having the three points on its circumference is designated. You may make it float.

Example of Storing Still Image and Moving Image Next, an example of storing a video shot by a camera in a today's folder will be described with reference to FIGS.

For example, when a user wants to check the contents of a timetable or the like during a trip, this electronic book can be used as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the user can pull out the camera lens 520 provided in the electronic book main body, photograph the timetable 510, and store the photographed data in the electronic book.

That is, when the user pulls out the toolbar of the electronic book and touches the camera icon 284 with a finger, a photographing mode is set, and a camera photographing operation display screen as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. The user can select one of the screen switches 550, 550 and 5 for “moving image” and “still image” displayed on the finder screen 530 that is largely arranged on the left side of the screen.
By touching 40 with a finger, a moving image or a still image can be selected.

For example, when the user sets the screen switch 5 for a still image,
When the user touches 40, the display of the shooting execution switch 560 changes to “shutter”. And the user has timetable 5
When the camera lens is pointed at 10, the viewfinder screen 53
At 0, a timetable image captured by the camera lens 520 is displayed. When the user touches the "shutter" button 560 with a finger, the captured image data is automatically stored in the folder file together with the shooting date and time.

The folder file is a file for storing information to be stored in the “today's folder”. The stored information is managed by date and time, and is configured to be readable on a date basis.

For example, when the user wants to shoot a moving image, touching the switch 550 of the moving image changes the display of the shooting execution switch 560 to “waiting for recording”. When the user touches the “recording standby” button, shooting of a moving image is started.

As shown in FIG. 25, since the camera lens 520 of the electronic book is of a wireless type that can be detached from the electronic book main body 522, the user can take a picture without hesitation by the surrounding people. Further, the photographing execution switch 560 in which the user displays “waiting for recording”
Pressing switches the display to "Shooting". If the user wants to interrupt the shooting, touch the “Shooting” button with a finger to interrupt the shooting and display “Standby for shooting”.
Switch to Then, the photographed image is automatically stored in a folder file together with the photographing date and time.

Example of Storing Memo Writing Next, an example of storing memo writing of a user will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the user pulls out the toolbar at the bottom of the screen and touches the “memo” icon 286 with a finger, a memo input screen 600 as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed. When a user inputs characters and the like on this screen with a pen 610 attached to the electronic book, the characters are directly recorded as image data. After the writing, as shown in FIG. 27, by dragging and dropping the memo input screen to today's folder, the contents described on the memo input screen 600 can be stored in a folder file together with the storage date and time.

Today's folder reference process The user pulls out the toolbar at the bottom of the screen,
Touching the “today's folder” icon 288 with a finger causes the today's folder screen 7 of that day as shown in FIG.
00 is displayed. Among them, the data stored in today's folder on that day is iconified (710, 720,
730, 740). In this electronic book, the data content stored by the user is converted into an icon as a reduced image as it is, so that the user can easily evoke storage of the contents of the data. Further, since the time at which the data is stored is displayed below the icon, it is easy to use it as a record of the user's actions, which is convenient for organizing the data later.

The user can select the iconized data 71
When the user touches 0, 720, 730, 740 with his finger and drags and drops it to the "view contents" portion 750, the contents are displayed on the screen. Similarly, if the contents are put in the trash box portion 780 that is "discarded", the contents can be automatically deleted.

[0129] Touching a portion 760 with "Previous Day" displays the "Today's folder screen" of the previous day, and touching a portion 770 with "Next Day".
The next day, "Today's folder screen" is displayed. The user can go back to the previous folder screen and return to the current folder screen by touching the "previous day" and the "next day".

Further, as shown in FIG. 29, when the icon of the related data is moved by a finger so as to touch, the touching data is grouped. This is convenient for organizing data.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of the use of folders today.

For example, it is assumed that the user carries this electronic book with him for a travel of about one month, and stores various data in today's folder while traveling. When the user opens the electronic book, 30 today's folders are stored (see FIG. 30A).

The user writes the data of today's folder stored in the electronic book 800 to another computer 810 connected to the Internet and sends it to the travel data collection company 820 using the Internet (FIG. 30B). reference).

The travel data collection company 820 edits the collected data and supplies the latest travel data to the travel software publishing company 830. And travel software publisher 830
Releases travel software upgraded based on the latest data.

With the development of the electronic publishing industry, digital software having contents reflecting the latest data can be supplied. In addition, publishing requires no money and hassle, so that the ideal image of publishing can be realized such that anyone can easily publish, or publish a specialized one with limited subscribers. Is also possible.

(6) Configuration of Electronic Book Next, the hardware configuration of the electronic book of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 31, an electronic book according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1010, a memory 1020, a display controller 1030, a touch panel controller 1040, a bus 1050, a touch panel 1060, a display 1070, a disk drive controller. 1080, disk drive 109
0, information storage medium 1220, camera 1130, pen 11
20.

The display 1070 is composed of a liquid crystal or the like, and the output is controlled by the display controller 1030.

The touch panel 1060 is formed of an optical, resistance, capacitance, or ultrasonic type panel, and is controlled by a touch panel controller 1040. The touch panel 1060 is connected to the display 10
A transparent touch sensor plate is superimposed on 70. When the user touches the display screen with a fingertip, a pen 1120, or the like, the touch panel 1060 can detect contact position information, a contact pressure and a contact area of the finger, and image data such as a character or a figure input with the pen 1120.

As described above, by integrating the transparent touch sensor plate on the surface of the display 1070 so as to be integrated, a finger motion input or a pen input on the display screen becomes possible.

The CPU 1010 controls the entire apparatus, performs various data processing, and executes the various processing described with reference to FIGS. The memory is composed of a ROM and a RAM.
Is storage means used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1010, and stores given contents of the information storage medium 1220 and the ROM, the calculation results of the CPU 1010, and the like.

A disk drive 1090 writes and reads data to and from an information storage medium 1220 such as a floppy disk, and is controlled by a disk drive controller 1080.

The information storage medium 1220 mainly stores data and programs for generating images, information for performing various processes described with reference to FIGS.

The camera 1130 is for taking moving pictures and still pictures.

The pen 1120 is for inputting a memo on the display screen, and may be anything as long as a pen-shaped stick or ink does not adhere to the display.

When the user performs various inputs such as finger operation on the display, memo input, and shooting with a camera, the CPU 1010 executes the operation specified by the user based on the input contents. I do.

FIG. 32 is an example of a functional block diagram of the electronic book.

The finger motion detecting section 1110 is for detecting the history of finger movement, contact pressure and contact area performed by the user on the display section. The finger motion detection unit 1110 is configured by overlapping a transparent touch panel or the like on the display unit 1240. The detection data obtained by the finger motion detection unit 1110 is input to the processing unit 1100.

The pen input unit 1120 is for the user to input the contents described with the pen on the display unit.
The pen input unit 1120 is configured such that when a user writes characters, graphics, and the like on the display unit 1240 with the pen 1120, a transparent touch panel or the like superimposed on the display unit detects the content as image data. The detection data obtained by the pen input unit 1120 is input to the processing unit 1100.

The photographing section 1130 is for the user to photograph at least one of a moving image and a still image. The imaging unit 1130 is configured by a camera, a video camera, or the like. The photographing data photographed by the photographing unit 1130 is input to the processing unit 1100.

The processing unit 1100 generates an image to be displayed on the display unit based on the detection data obtained by the finger operation or pen input, photographing data, a given program, and the like, and stores the data in a folder file. Is what you do. The function of this processing unit 1100 is a CPU (CISC
, RISC type), DSP, custom (gate array, etc.) IC, and memory such as memory.

The information storage medium 1220 is for storing programs and data. This information storage medium 1
The function of 220 can be realized by hardware such as a CD-ROM, cassette, IC card, MO, FD, DVD, hard disk, and memory. The processing unit 1100 performs various processes based on the program and data from the information storage medium 1220.

The processing section 1100 includes a processing content determination section 114
0, various processing units 1150, an image generation unit 1200, and a storage unit 1230.

The processing content determining unit 1140 determines the content to be processed based on the data input from the finger motion detecting unit 1110, the pen input unit 1120, and the photographing unit 1130.

The various processing units 1150 include the enlargement processing unit 116
2, reduction processing unit 1164, rotation processing unit 1166, scroll processing unit 1168, ordinary search processing unit 1172, logical product search processing unit 1174, page turning processing unit 1182,
Continuous page turning processing unit 1184, bookmark insertion processing unit 1
186, a bookmark insertion point reference processing unit 1188, a floating processing unit 1192, a photographing processing unit 1194, a memo input processing unit 1196, and a folder reference processing unit 1198,
According to the determination of the processing content determining unit 1140, the map image is enlarged, reduced, rotated, scrolled, ordinarily searched, logical product search, page turning, continuous page turning, bookmark insertion, bookmark insertion. It performs location reference processing, floating processing, photographing processing, memo input processing, folder reference processing, and the like.

The storage section 1230 stores various information, and includes a folder file 1232 for storing data stored in today's folder.

The image generation unit 1200 includes various processing units 115
0 generates an image to be displayed on the display unit based on the processing performed by the control unit 0.

(7) Operation Example of the Present Embodiment FIGS. 33 to 41 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the electronic book of the present embodiment.

In the electronic book of the present embodiment, when there is an input such as a finger operation, a pen input, and a photographing operation, the processing content is determined as follows (step S10 in FIG. 33). If the current shooting mode, the shooting process is performed (step S20,
S30). Normally, the mode is the normal input mode, and when the camera icon on the toolbar is touched, the mode shifts to the shooting mode. When an input is detected in the shooting mode, FIG.
The photographing processing described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 25 is performed.

For example, when it is detected that the user has pressed the operation button on the screen, the processing corresponding to the button is detected. For example, when the “movie” or “still picture” button is touched, the moving picture and the still picture are touched. Selection process, if the "shutter" button is touched, a still image is shot, the shot image data is stored in a folder file with the date and time of shooting, and the "recording standby" button is touched In this case, the process of starting shooting of a moving image, the process of ending the shooting of a moving image when the “recording” button is touched, and storing the shot image data in a folder file with the shooting date and time, etc. Is performed.

If the current mode is the memo input mode, a memo input process is performed (steps S40 and S50). Normally, the mode is the normal input mode. When the memo icon on the toolbar is touched, the mode shifts to the memo input mode. When an input is detected in the memo input mode, the memo input process as described with reference to FIGS.

For example, when it is detected that the user has input a character or the like with a pen on the screen, a process of displaying the input content in real time and storing the input content as image data in the work area is performed. When the input content is dragged and dropped, a process of storing the image data stored in the work area with the date and time of storage in a folder file is performed.

If the mode is the current folder reference mode, folder reference processing is performed (steps S52 and S54). Normally, the mode is the normal input mode. When the today's folder icon on the toolbar is touched, the mode is switched to the folder reference mode. When an input is detected in the folder reference mode, the folder reference processing as described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 29 is performed.

For example, if it is detected that the user has touched the icon on the screen and dragged and dropped it to the “view contents” part, the process of displaying the data contents on the screen is performed. Done. Similarly, if it is detected that the data is put in the trash box marked “Discard”, the data is deleted. Also, if it is detected that the portion marked "Previous Day" has been touched, the process of displaying the "Today's folder screen" of the previous day is performed, and the portion marked "Next Day" is touched. Is detected, the process of displaying the “today's folder screen” the next day is performed.

In the normal input mode, if a finger touches the touch panel, the following processing is performed (see step S60 in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34).

If there is a contact with an icon on the toolbar, various icon processes (see FIG. 41) are performed (S70, S80 in FIG. 34).

Input mark operation processing when there is contact with various input marks such as “search tag”, “book thickness”, “bookmark”, “bookmark insertion arrow”, etc. (see FIG. 36)
Is performed (steps S90 and S100).

When the touch panel is touched at the second point or when a map image is displayed, a map operation process is performed (steps S110, S120, S130).

If there is no contact at the second point, it is detected whether or not the contact point has moved, and if it has moved, the processing content indicated and input by the contact area and contact pressure is determined. A determination is made (steps S140, S150).

When the contact area and the contact pressure are equal to or larger than the predetermined values, scroll processing is performed if the displayed image is a map image, and page turning processing is performed if the displayed image is a normal book page image. (Steps S160, S18
0).

If the contact area and the contact pressure are not equal to or larger than the predetermined values, the following processing is performed (see FIG. 35). If not drag and drop to "Today's folder"
If there is information surrounded by a finger, floating processing of the information surrounded by the finger is performed (steps S910 and S910).
960, S970).

In the case of drag-and-drop to the “today's folder”, if the content is a memo, the memo is stored as image data in a folder file with a storage date and time (steps S920 and S93).
0).

If the data is floating data, the floating data is stored with a storage date and time in a folder file (steps S940 and S940).
950).

FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed processing contents of the processing (step S100 in FIG. 34) when a touch on the input mark is detected.

If the user's finger is touching the search tag, search processing is performed (steps S210 and S22).
0).

If the user's finger touches the bookmark insertion arrow mark, bookmark insertion processing is performed (steps S230 and S240).

If the user's finger is in contact with the bookmark mark, bookmark insertion point reference processing is performed (steps S250 and S260).

If the user's finger is touching the continuous page turning mark, a continuous page turning process is performed (steps S270 and S280).

FIG. 37 is a flow chart for explaining the detailed processing contents of the map operation processing (step S130 in FIG. 34).

The change in the distance between the two points is calculated (step S
310) If the distance between the two points is increasing, enlargement processing according to the enlargement distance is performed (steps S320 and S3).
30).

If the distance between the two points is reduced, a reduction process according to the reduced distance is performed (steps S340 and S340).
350).

If the distance between the two points has not changed,
A rotation process is performed (steps S360, S370).

FIG. 38 shows a search process (step S2 in FIG. 36).
FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing content of 20).

When the contact of the second point of the user's finger is not detected, a page in which information satisfying the search condition of the search tag touched by the user's finger is searched,
A normal search process for displaying the first page is performed (steps S410, S420).

The contact of the second point of the user's finger is detected,
If it is a contact on the search tag, information satisfying the condition corresponding to the logical product of the two search conditions is described if the logical product of the search conditions of the two search tags is scheduled. A logical product search process of searching for the current page and displaying the first page on the display unit is performed (step S44).
0, S450).

FIG. 39 is a flow chart for explaining the detailed processing contents of the page turning processing (step S180 in FIG. 34).

When the contact position of the user's finger is moving from left to right on the screen, and the displayed book is a vertically written book, the image is updated to the image of the next page and the horizontally written book is updated. In this case, the image is updated to the image of the previous page (step S51).
0, S520, S530, S540).

When the contact position of the user's finger is moving from right to left on the screen, and when the displayed book is a vertically written book, the image is updated to the image of the previous page, and the horizontally written book is updated. In this case, the image is updated to the image of the next page (step S55).
0, S560, S570, S580).

FIG. 40 is a flow chart for explaining the detailed processing contents of the continuous page turning processing (step S280 in FIG. 36).

The contact pressure of the user's finger is detected, and if the pressure is not equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure value, the continuous page turning is stopped (steps S610, S620, S630).

If the pressure value is equal to or more than the predetermined pressure value, continuous page turning is performed as follows.

That is, if the contact position of the user's finger is the thickness of the book at the right end on the screen, and if the displayed book is a vertically written book, the page is continuously turned in the previous page direction. In the case of a horizontally written book, page turning is continuously performed in the next page direction (steps S640, S650, S66)
0, S670).

If the contact position of the user's finger is the thickness of the book at the left end on the screen, if the displayed book is a vertically written book, the page is turned over continuously in the next page direction. In the case of a horizontally written book, page turning is performed continuously in the previous page direction (steps S640, S680, S69).
0, S700).

FIG. 41 is a flow chart for explaining the detailed processing contents of various icon processing (step S80 in FIG. 34).

If the touch is on the camera icon, an operation screen for camera shooting as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed and the mode shifts to the shooting mode. (Steps S810, S82
0). Hereinafter, when an input is made during the shooting mode, FIG.
The photographing process of step S30 of 3 is executed.

If the contact is on the memo icon,
A memo input screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed, and the mode shifts to the memo input mode. (Steps S830 and S840). When there is an input during the memo input mode, the memo input process of step S50 in FIG. 33 is executed.

If the contact is on the today's folder icon, a today's folder screen as shown in FIG. 28 is displayed, and the mode shifts to the folder reference mode. (Step S85
0, S860). When an input is made during the folder reference mode, the folder reference process of step S54 in FIG. 33 is executed.

(8) Other Various Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the case where the operation input is performed using the thumb and the index finger has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a thumb and a middle finger may be used, or a combination of other fingers may be used.

[0200] In the present embodiment, the case of an electronic book has been described as an example. Therefore, the first page in which search information that is the logical product of search items is described is displayed. In some cases there is no concept of a page. Therefore, the information unit may be displayed regardless of the page.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which, when two search items are simultaneously touched with a finger, search information that is a logical product of the two items is output, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a case may be used in which three or more search items are simultaneously touched with a finger and search information that is a logical product of the three or more items is output.

[0202] Further, the search information which is a logical product may be output not only when the finger is touched at the same time but also when the finger is touched within a predetermined time.

If there is no information having a relationship between a search condition and a logical product corresponding to a plurality of search items touched by a finger at the same time or within a predetermined time, a logical sum or a combination of a logical sum and a logical product It may be configured to further include a unit for outputting information having at least one of the information to the display unit.

For example, “South India”, “Lodging” and “Meal”
May be configured to output the South Indian accommodation information and the South Indian meal information when the tags are simultaneously touched.

In particular, in the case of displaying information in units of information regardless of the page, it is effective to adopt such a configuration.

For example, in an electronic book or a portable information terminal in which telephone numbers are stored, if it is possible to search and output in telephone number units, if a plurality of telephone number search items are specified in the table of contents,
This includes a case where telephone numbers having a logical sum or logical product relationship are automatically listed in accordance with the designation. That is, for example, when an item having a relation in which a common set of “Hospitals in Area A” is scheduled such as “A District” and “Hospital” is specified, information having a logical product relation is retrieved and output. "A district" and "B district" or "Hospital" and "Library"
For example, when an item having a relationship in which a common set is not scheduled is specified, information having a logical OR relationship may be retrieved and output.

In this embodiment, a memo input screen,
Although illustrated as a full screen such as a photo mode screen, a partial display using a window may be used.

[0208]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a form information device or an electronic book having a characteristic function of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are external views of an electronic book according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when travel information software is set.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an operation example of a map enlargement gesture according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a finger operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another operation example of the map enlargement gesture according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a map scroll gesture according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an operation example of a map reduction gesture in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an operation example of a map rotation gesture according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a rotation angle of a map according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an example of a search process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing an example of a logical product search process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a page turning operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing a continuous page turning operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a bookmark insertion operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing a bookmark insertion operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a bookmark insertion point reference operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a toolbar is displayed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing an operation example of floating processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing an operation example of floating processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for describing an example of a drag-and-drop operation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a camera shooting operation screen according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing still image shooting processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for describing moving image shooting processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a memo input process in the present embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows a drag / drop operation for memo input in the present embodiment.
It is a figure for explaining an AND drop operation.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a today's folder reference screen according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining today's folder reference processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for describing an example of utilization of today's folder in the present embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the electronic book according to the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an example of a functional block diagram of an electronic book of the present embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example (input mark operation processing) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example (map operation processing) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example (search processing) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the present embodiment (page turning processing).

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of this embodiment (continuous page turning processing).

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an operation example (various icon processing) of the embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram for describing another operation example of the floating process in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 finger motion detection unit 20 processing unit 30 operation content judgment unit 40 map operation processing unit 42 enlargement processing unit 44 reduction processing unit 46 rotation processing unit 48 scroll processing unit 50 image generation unit 60 display unit 70 information storage medium 1010 CPU (central processing) Unit) 1020 memory 1030 display controller 1040 touch panel controller 1050 bus 1060 touch panel 1070 display 1080 disk drive controller 1090 disk drive 1100 processing unit 1110 finger motion detection unit 1120 input unit (pen) 1130 imaging unit (camera) 1140 processing content determination unit 1150 various Processing unit 1160 Map operation processing unit 1162 Enlargement processing unit 1164 Reduction processing unit 1166 Rotation processing unit 1168 Scroll processing unit 1170 Search processing 1172 Normal search processing unit 1174 Logical product search processing unit 1182 Page turning processing unit 1184 Continuous page turning processing unit 1186 Bookmark insertion processing unit 1188 Bookmark insertion point reference processing unit 1192 Floating processing unit 1194 Image processing unit 1196 Memo input processing unit 1198 Folder Reference processing unit 1200 Image generation unit 1220 Information storage medium 1230 Storage unit 1232 Folder file 1240 Display unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Nebashi 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Inside Seiko Epson Corporation (72) Inventor Yoichi Wakai 3-3-5 Yamato Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko Epson In-house F term (reference) 5B087 AA09 AB02 AC05 AE00 BC06 CC02 CC26 DD12 DE03 DJ01 5E501 AA04 AA11 AA12 AA30 AC33 AC34 AC35 BA05 CA04 CC14 DA15 EA07 EA11 EA17 EA18 EB01 EB05 EB07 EB19 FA04 FA05 FA09 FA10 FB18 FA04 FB33 FB34 FB43

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A portable information device capable of outputting information with a page number to a display unit as image information in page units, wherein at least one of a contact pressure and a contact area of a finger in contact with the display unit and the finger Finger input detecting means for detecting a contact position; page turning input determining means for judging the presence or absence of a page turning input based on at least one of the detected contact pressure and contact area of the finger and the moving direction of the finger; and page turning input. Page information updating means for updating the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any one of the pages before and after the page information is determined to have been performed. . 2. The page turning input determining unit according to claim 1, wherein the finger input detecting unit detects that the finger touched on the display unit is moving in the horizontal direction. The portable information device, wherein it is determined that an input has been made, and the page image updating means updates the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of any of the pages before and after the page. 3. A portable information device capable of outputting information provided with a page number to a display unit as image information in page units, wherein a contact position and a contact pressure of a finger touching the display unit are detected. Finger input detecting means, based on the detected contact position and contact pressure of the finger, continuous page turning input determining means for determining the presence or absence of continuous page turning input, and when it is determined that the continuous page turning input has been made,
Page image continuous updating means for continuously updating the page in any direction before or after the information currently output to the display unit, and sequentially outputting the image information of the updated page to the display unit. Portable information equipment. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the continuous page image updating means performs a process of sequentially outputting image information of updated pages to a display unit during the continuous page turning input. Characteristic portable information equipment. 5. The page image continuous updating means according to claim 3, wherein the page image continuous updating means controls a page updating speed based on at least one of the detected contact pressure value of the finger and a change in the pressure value. A portable information device characterized by the following. 6. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: means for generating and outputting an image simulating a thickness portion of a book near an end of a display unit, wherein the finger input detecting means comprises: Is detected, the continuous page turning input determining means determines that the continuous page turning input has been performed, and the page image continuous updating means has the current display. A portable information device characterized by continuously updating a page in any direction before or after information output to a unit, and sequentially outputting image information of the updated page to a display unit. 7. A reference mark according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined finger operation is performed on a display image of a given page, a reference mark for referring to display information of the page is generated. Means for displaying on a screen, and means for performing processing for outputting a display image of the page to a display unit when the reference mark in the display image is touched by a finger. And portable information equipment. 8. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information device is used as an electronic book. 9. An information storage medium for use in at least one of a portable information device and an electronic book capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information in page units to a display unit, wherein a finger in contact with the display unit is provided. Information for detecting the contact position of the finger with at least one of the contact pressure and the contact area of the finger, and the presence / absence of a page turning input based on at least one of the detected contact pressure and the contact area of the finger and the moving direction of the finger And information for updating the image information of the page currently output on the display unit to the image information of one of the pages before and after the page information when it is determined that the page turning input has been performed. An information storage medium characterized by the following. 10. An information storage medium for use in at least one of a portable information device and an electronic book capable of outputting page-numbered information as image information in page units to a display unit, wherein the information storage medium is in contact with the display unit. The information for detecting the contact position and the contact pressure of the finger, the information for determining the presence or absence of the continuous page turning input based on the detected contact position and the contact pressure of the finger, and the continuous page turning input is If it is determined that
Information for continuously updating a page in any direction before or after information currently output to the display unit, and sequentially outputting image information of the updated page to the display unit. Storage medium. 11. The reference mark according to claim 9, wherein when a predetermined finger motion is performed on a display image of a given page, a reference mark for referring to display information of the page is generated. And information for performing a process of outputting a display image of the page to a display unit when the reference mark in the display image is touched with a finger. An information storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned.