JP2003298716A - Portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable telephone which can set the call of a desired function by a single operation by using an existing operation key. <P>SOLUTION: The portable telephone 1 comprises a menu key 12 for displaying a functional menu on the operation keys 11, 12 of the telephone 1 and setting the calling function of a desired function, and a function set means for setting the function by detecting pressing of the key when the key 11 set to the calling function of the function by the key 12 is pressed for a longer time than the normal inputting operation. Thus, an arbitrary set function can be assigned to the arbitrary key, a special purpose button or the display screen for the function calling are not required, and the calling of the set function can be performed by one action. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile phone, and more particularly to a mobile phone that simplifies a function selecting (calling) operation as a mobile phone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Function selection (function call) of a mobile phone
In, the function list and the like are displayed in a preset order on the menu screen and the like, and the user is configured to perform a large number of operations in accordance with the display of a plurality of screens. Various methods are known as a technique for simplifying the function call and setting of the mobile phone (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-261).
No. 544, No. 2001-77901, No. 2001-86219, No. 2002-9922
Issue).

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-261544, for a function that has been used once, the function call setting is left in the memory as history information, and when the same function is called again, it is displayed on the screen by a simple operation. There is described a mobile phone in which a history call is made and the function is set only by pressing an enter key.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-77901,
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-86219, some functions that a user desires in advance from a plurality of functions are stored in a storage unit, and a simple menu display by a dedicated key is used instead of a normal menu display when displaying a menu. There is described a mobile phone in which, when is selected, only a partial function registered in the storage means is displayed on the display unit to set the function so that the function can be easily called.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-9922 discloses that
In a normal mobile phone that enables selection and execution of various functions by a hierarchically configured menu, a dedicated execution key is provided as a user key near the display unit, and an arbitrary function is assigned to the execution key. A mobile phone is described in which a function can be executed by an operation and a function can be easily called.

[0006]

As the number of functions available to a user increases in a mobile phone, the number of setting screens to be switched and the number of selectable items are also increasing. Even calling quickly is becoming difficult.

On the other hand, in the case where the function used once in the past is called again, the function selecting operation is required a plurality of times in order to select (call) from the past history, and in particular, However, there is a drawback in that even a function that a user rarely uses is recorded as a history just by using it once, and a function unnecessary for the next and subsequent operations is included in one of the options. In addition, a device provided with a limited menu screen in addition to the normal menu screen also requires a plurality of selection operations on the menu screen, which is problematic in terms of operability.

Further, although the one using a dedicated operation key corresponding to a specific function enables selection and setting of a desired function by a single operation, a new dedicated operation key is used as a key operation section of a portable telephone. In particular, since it is necessary to provide the display unit in the vicinity of the display unit, there is a problem in that the front face of the mobile phone is complicated and the display unit and the key panel unit are narrowed.

(Purpose) It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable telephone which enables a desired function to be called by a single operation using an existing operation key. An object of the present invention is to provide an arbitrary function to an arbitrary operation key without providing a new operation key for calling a function on a mobile phone, and to realize the function by operating the operation key. To provide a mobile phone.

[0010]

The mobile phone of the present invention comprises:
A program that assigns an arbitrary setting function to an arbitrary button by a user operation, and a program that determines whether or not the assigned function can be called from the state of the mobile phone,
It has a program that calls the specified setting function by long-pressing the button to which the function is assigned, and a program that notifies the user of the calling setting of this function. ) Provides a function to set and release any set function performed in one operation. That is, the mobile phone of the present invention is a mobile phone including a display unit and a plurality of operation keys for performing a predetermined input operation, wherein a function menu is displayed on the plurality of operation keys and a desired operation key is selected. If the operation key including the menu key for adding and setting the function selecting function of is set and the operation key set by adding the function selecting function is pressed, the pressing of the operation key is detected and It is characterized by comprising a function calling means for calling a function (for example, the function calling unit 21 and the call determination unit 23 in FIG. 1).

Further, a plurality of function selection functions by the menu key can be set for a single operation key. The function calling means is characterized in that an operation key in which a selection function of a single function is set switches between a setting state and a non-setting state of the function every time the operation key is pressed. It is possible to detect the pressing of the operation key for which the function selection function is set, display a function setting screen by a list or a hierarchy on the display unit, and enable selection setting from a plurality of functions using the menu key, etc. Characterize.

Further, the function calling means detects the pressing only when the operation key additionally set with the function for selecting the function by the menu key is pressed for a longer time than the normal input operation, and the function is called. It is characterized by calling.

Further, the operation key capable of setting the function selecting function is a ten-key, and a setting recording section (for example, in FIG. 1) for recording the correspondence between the operation key and the function set in the operation key. It is characterized by including a setting recording unit 13).

More specifically, when the user presses the hard key as an operation key for a long time, the function calling unit calls the call judging unit, and when it is determined that the function setting of the mobile phone is possible, the user sets it in advance. Call the function in the specified setting recording section. At this time, when the option of the called function is only setting or canceling, the present state is switched to the other, the fact that the switching is performed is displayed on the display unit, and the buzzer notifies the user by a notification sound.
On the other hand, when there are a plurality of options for the called function, the setting screen is displayed as in the case where the menu key is activated. The setting function assigned to each hard key is stored in the setting recording unit via the function setting registration / update unit in advance by a user operation.

(Operation) A menu key for displaying a function menu on the operation keys of the mobile phone and setting a calling function of a desired function is included, and the function calling function is set to another operation key by the menu key, and the operation is performed. It consists of function setting means that activates the function when the key is pressed for a longer time than the normal input operation, and it is possible to assign any setting function to any operation key. It is possible to call the setting function with one action, eliminating the need to display the screen for calling the function.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a mobile phone of the present invention will be described in detail below. (Description of Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a mobile phone of the present invention. The mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment is
One or more hard keys 11 to which setting functions can be arbitrarily assigned by user's operation, and each hard key 1
Menu key 12 to select the function assigned to 1
And a setting recording unit 13 for storing information on the setting function set in the hard key 11 corresponding to the hard key, and a buzzer 1 for making a confirmation sound by vibrating at the time of function setting or function assignment.
4, a display unit (LCD) 15 that similarly displays information including setting function information, a control program 2 that performs various controls related to the functions of the mobile phone by input operations from the menu key 12 and the hard key 11, Composed of.
In addition, the control program 2 includes a function calling unit 21 that is activated by operating the hard key 11, a function setting registration / updating unit 22 that is activated by operating the menu key 12, and a setting storage unit 13 that is controlled by the function calling unit 21. And a call determination unit 23 that reads the information of the set function corresponding to the hard key and notifies the function calling unit 21 of the read information. The details of the configuration, function, and operation of each part are as follows.

The hard key 11 is not a dedicated key for selecting (calling) a setting function, but a key button of an ordinary operation section such as a ten key (dial key) of a mobile phone, and an arbitrary setting can be made by a user operation. Functions can be assigned, and when the relevant hard key is pressed (long press) for a long time of 2 to 3 seconds or more, the function assigned to the relevant hard key is called in advance and the setting function is activated. This is a dual-purpose key.

The menu key 12 is a function for calling various setting functions of the mobile phone 1 to perform arbitrary function setting, and a single or a plurality of setting functions are assigned to the hard key 11 in a calling state of the setting function. It is an operation key having a function for. Specifically, menu key 1
In addition to the normal function for displaying a list of the functions of the mobile phone, a hierarchical display of the functions, etc. on the display unit 15 by pressing 2, the selected hard key 1
Including the function to perform the setting for the display for allocating to 1 and the function for allocating the function, select the ten key (or dial key) etc. by the selection setting by the display and the function allocation, and select the desired These are operation keys that give functions (menus). Further, the menu key 12 can be assigned a single setting function or a plurality of setting functions to one hard key 11. Here, as the setting function, for example, functions such as an address book, ringtone (presence / absence, volume), game, schedule, calculation, display, clock, incoming call history and the like can be mentioned.

When the user assigns a function to one or a plurality of hard keys 11 in advance by operating the menu key 12, the setting recording section 13 indicates the set function corresponding to the hard key assigned to each hard key 11. It is a recording means for registering, storing, and updating information, and is composed of a nonvolatile memory or the like.

The buzzer 14 has a function of sounding at the time of assigning a function to the hard key 11 or changing the setting, and having a confirmation sound to notify the user of the completion of the setting and the operation of changing the setting. It is controlled by the function calling unit 21, the function setting registration / update unit 22, or the like. The display unit 15 has a function list for displaying various functions, a hierarchical display and the like, a function allocation setting similar to the buzzer 14, and a function of notifying the user of the completion of these operations by a message display when the setting is changed and activated. It has a display function for functions. It is controlled by the function calling unit 21, the function setting registration / update unit 22, or the like.

The control program 2 detects an input operation from the menu key 12 and operates the menu key 12 to assign a desired function to the hard key 11 to assign and set a function to the hard key. The function setting registration / update unit 22 that performs an operation of storing information such as registration of the allocation information to the registration unit 13 or a change in the registration, and a long press of the hard key 11 are detected, and when the hard key 11 is pressed, the hard key is From the function calling unit 21, the function calling unit 21 is provided with a function control unit that notifies the call judging unit 23 to call a function, and activates the function when the information of the set function is notified from the call judging unit 23. When the mobile phone 1 is activated by the notification of the long press of the hard key, the mobile phone 1 determines whether or not the setting function can be called, and the setting is performed. When calling the ability is ready, hard keys 11 is pressed against the setting recording section 13
The call determination unit 2 that reads out the information of the setting function corresponding to and notifies the function control unit of the function calling unit 21 of the information of the function.
Including 3 and.

When the function calling unit 21 receives the notification of the information of the called function from the setting recording unit 13, the function calling unit 21 controls the function controlling unit to execute the function. Also, the function calling unit 2
1 indicates that when the setting function set in the setting recording unit 13 by the function setting registration / updating unit 22 for the pressed hard key is a single setting function, the current setting function is in the setting state or the release state. Depending on whether it has a function of controlling to switch to the other state. That is, when the called setting function is in the setting state, it has a function of switching to the releasing state and in the case of the releasing state, switching to the setting state and setting. When the called setting function is a plurality of setting functions, a setting change menu for displaying only the plurality of setting functions on the display unit 15 is displayed, and a desired function is selected from the plurality of functions by key operation. Have the function to

(Description of Operation) Next, the overall operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an allocation function of various setting functions for the hard key 11 of this embodiment. In assigning various setting functions to the hard key 11, the operation of the function setting registration / updating section 22 is activated by a user operation with the menu key 12, a display screen of a function list or the like is displayed on the display section 15, and a numeric keypad or the like is displayed. Designate and select the desired setting function on the hard key 11 (A
1) When registering or updating the designated and selected setting function (A2), the setting function information corresponding to the hard key is written (recorded, saved) in the setting recording unit 13 (A
3). The setting function information stored in the setting recording unit 13 is
It can be updated at any time by the operation of the control program 2 by a user operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a function of calling a function set in the hard key 11 and setting or canceling the function. The function set on the hard key 11 is called, the function is set, and the function is released by a long press operation of the hard key 11 by the user (B1). When the function call unit 21 of the control program 2 detects a long press of the hard key 11, the function call unit 21 notifies the call determination unit 23 of the detection of the press of the hard key. The call determination unit 23 causes the mobile phone 1 to activate the function. Determine if it is possible (B
2). If the mobile phone 1 is in a state in which the function cannot be activated, no operation is performed and the process is terminated.
3) The information of the set function assigned to the hard key 11 is read from the setting recording unit 13 by using the detection information of the pressing of the hard key as a key, and the function calling unit 21 is notified of the information. The function calling unit 21 determines from the setting function information whether the setting function options are only setting or canceling (single setting function) or a plurality (multiple setting functions) (B
4) In the case of only setting or cancellation, the function setting is switched to the other (B7), a message indicating that the switching has been performed is displayed on the display unit 15 (B8), and the user is notified by a notification sound of the buzzer 14 ( B9). Step B
When there are a plurality of options in 4, the setting screen (setting change menu) similar to that when the setting function is activated from the menu key 12 is displayed (B5), and the setting function designated by the user's selection operation is operated. (B6).

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiments, the function calling unit 21 is operated by pressing the hard key for calling a function for a long time compared with the pressing time of a normal input operation. An example in which the function calling operation is activated upon detection of this is shown. However, the function calling unit 21 does this by a hard key operation by normal pressing, a plurality of continuous pressing operations for a short time, or the like. It can be configured to detect and activate.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, instead of being configured to notify the completion of the processing to various operations or function settings by sounding, the sounding of the notification sound is minimized. can do. This is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, step B of the processing flow of FIG.
This is realized by omitting the ringing process of the notification sound to the user after changing the setting of the function of No. 8. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise to the surroundings when the setting is changed.

[0028]

As described above, according to the mobile phone of the present invention, for the function frequently used by the user, the function setting call is assigned to any button and left in the memory. When the above function is called, the target function can be called only by pressing the assigned hard key (button), and the number of button operations by the user can be greatly reduced.

Further, when the user makes a simple call with the mobile phone of the present invention, it is sufficient to remember the button set by the user himself, and when the function is only setting / cancelling, This can be achieved simply by repeating the pressing operation of the button, there is no need to operate a new button, and the display on the display etc. only informs that it has been set or released. It is possible to eliminate the need to display the screen.

Furthermore, even in the case of a setting having a plurality of options in a simple call of the mobile phone of the present invention,
Subsequent operations drop down to a simple menu screen, so that the user does not have to memorize operation numbers for selecting functions more than necessary and memorizing management numbers corresponding to the functions as in the past.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a function of assigning various setting functions to the hard key 11 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a function of calling a function set in a hard key 11 and setting or canceling the function.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mobile phone 2 control program 11 hard keys 12 Menu key 13 Setting recording section 14 buzzer 15 Display 21 Function calling section 22 Function setting registration / update section 23 Call determination section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A mobile phone having a display unit and a plurality of operation keys for performing a predetermined input operation, wherein a function menu is displayed on the plurality of operation keys and a desired function is selected from the desired operation keys. A function that includes a menu key for adding and setting a function, and detects the pressing of the operation key and calls the function when the operation key that has been set by adding the function to select the function is pressed A mobile phone comprising: calling means. 2. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of function selection functions by the menu key can be set for a single operation key. 3. The function calling means is configured such that an operation key in which a single function selection function is set is pressed every time the operation key is pressed.
The mobile phone according to claim 1 or 2, wherein switching is performed between a setting state and a non-setting state of the function. 4. The function calling means detects the pressing of the operation key in which a function for selecting a plurality of functions is set, displays a list or a hierarchy function setting screen on the display unit, and displays a plurality of functions by a menu key or the like. The mobile phone according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the setting can be selected from the function of. 5. The function calling means detects a depression only when an operation key additionally set with a function for selecting a function by a menu key is depressed for a longer time than a normal input operation, and activates the function. A call is made to claim 1.
The mobile phone according to claim 1. 6. The operation key capable of setting the function selecting function is a ten-key pad.
The mobile phone according to claim 1. 7. The mobile phone according to claim 1, further comprising a setting recording unit that records a correspondence relationship between an operation key and a function set in the operation key.