WO2009084368A1

WO2009084368A1 - Portable device, icon display method and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2009084368A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/072056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fukuya Iguchi
Original assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-12-28
Filing date: 2008-12-04
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: JPWO2009084368A1

Abstract

Provided is a portable device which permits a user to recognize areas where icons not displayed are to be displayed and to easily search a desired icon, even in a case of displaying the icons by annularly arranging them in parallel by scrolling. The portable device displays a plurality of icons by arranging and displaying them and performs processing corresponding to the specified icon. The portable device is provided with a display means for annularly displaying the icons having different sizes in the order of the size, and an icon updating means for adding an icon not displayed and deleting the displayed icon, at a part where the adjacent maximum and minimum size icons are displayed.

Description

Mobile device, icon display method, and computer program

The present invention relates to a portable device that displays a plurality of icons side by side and executes processing according to a specified icon, an icon display method for the portable device, and a computer program for causing a computer to function as the portable device.

In recent years, mobile devices have become highly multifunctional and miniaturized. For example, a web browser function, a mail function, a music playback function, a PND (Personal Navigation Device) having a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and the like have been put into practical use. In order to improve usability, portable devices configured to accept designation of icons on a touch panel and activate each function have been put into practical use.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional icon display method. As illustrated in FIG. 12A, five icons 25 are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction on the display unit 2. When the desired icon 25 is not displayed, the user can scroll the icon 25 to the right side by moving the finger 30 touching the touch panel in the right direction as shown in FIG. Specifically, the displayed icon 25 can be moved to the right side, the displayed icon 25 at the right end can be deleted, and the undisplayed icon 25 can appear at the left end. In order to display another icon 25, as shown in FIG. 12C, the finger 30 is released from the touch panel and returned to the left side, and the operation shown in FIG. The icon 25 can also be displayed on the display unit 2.
In the icon display method shown in FIG. 12, a large number of icons 25 corresponding to each function can be displayed in a large size even when the portable device is multifunctional and downsized.

However, in the icon display method shown in FIG. 12, it is necessary to release the finger 30 and repeatedly move from right to left as shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 12 (c). there were.

One way to improve operability is to detect the rotational movement of the finger touching the touch panel and scroll the icon. From the viewpoint of usability, it is also conceivable that a plurality of icons are juxtaposed in a ring shape so that the finger movement direction matches the icon movement direction.
JP 2007-86633 A

However, when a plurality of icons arranged in a ring are moved in the juxtaposition direction so that an undisplayed icon appears from a predetermined location, the user cannot recognize the appearance location of the undisplayed icon, and the desired icon There was a problem that it was difficult to find the icon.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a problem of an icon display method in which a plurality of icons 26 are arranged in a ring shape. As shown in FIG. 13, when the user rotates the finger 30 touching the touch panel clockwise, each icon 26 rotates clockwise, and the already-displayed icon 26 disappears at a predetermined position and is not displayed. Although the icon 26 has appeared, it is difficult for the user to recognize at a glance where the undisplayed icon 26 has appeared.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a portion in which a plurality of icons having different sizes are juxtaposed in a circular shape in order of sizes, and adjacent icons having the largest and smallest sizes are displayed. By adding a hidden icon and erasing a previously displayed icon, the user can recognize the appearance of the hidden icon even when scrolling the icons in a circular arrangement. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device, an icon display method, and a computer program that can be easily searched for a desired icon.

Another object of the present invention is to, when a circular juxtaposition direction is received with a pointing device, by moving each icon in the juxtaposition direction and adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an existing display icon, The displayed icon can be updated continuously without removing your finger from the pointing device, and the usability is improved by matching the direction specified by the user with the direction in which the icon moves. It is to provide a portable device capable of performing the above.

Another object of the present invention is to display an icon so that the color attribute value of the icon with the largest size is higher than the color attribute value of the icon with the smallest size, so that the appearance location of the undisplayed icon appears. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device that can make a user recognize the image with a strong impression and make it easier to search for a desired icon.

Another object of the present invention is to arrange a plurality of icons having different color attribute values indicating color characteristics in a circular order in the order of the color attribute values, and displaying adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum color attribute values. By adding a hidden icon and deleting a previously displayed icon in the displayed part, even if the icons are arranged in a ring and scrolled, It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device that can be recognized by a user and can easily find a desired icon.

Another object of the present invention is to use a location where an undisplayed icon appears due to discontinuity of color brightness, vividness, and hue by using a color attribute value indicating at least one of brightness, color, and hue. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device that can make a person recognize a strong impression and can easily find a desired icon.

The portable device according to the first aspect of the present invention displays a plurality of icons side by side, and in a portable device that executes processing according to a specified icon, a plurality of icons having different sizes are arranged side by side in a circular order. A display means for displaying; and an icon updating means for adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already displayed icon in a portion where adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum sizes are displayed. .

The portable device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a pointing device, and when the juxtaposition direction in which the size of the icon is small (or large) is received by the pointing device, a plurality of displayed icons are displayed in the juxtaposition direction. Added icon moving means to move and reduce (or enlarge) each icon, erasing means to erase the smallest (or largest) icon, and undisplayed icon with the largest (or smallest) size And an additional means.

The portable device according to the third invention is characterized in that the color attribute value indicating the color feature of the icon with the largest size is higher than the color attribute value showing the color feature of the icon with the smallest size. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable device that displays a plurality of icons side by side and executes a process corresponding to the designated icon, and the plurality of icons having different color attribute values indicating color characteristics are Display means for displaying in a circular arrangement in the order of values, and adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already-displayed icon at a portion where the adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum color attribute values are displayed And an icon updating means.

The portable device according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that the color attribute value is a numerical value indicating at least one of brightness, color, and hue.

An icon display method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an icon display method for a portable device that executes processing according to a specified icon, and displays a plurality of icons of different sizes arranged in a ring in the order of size, It is characterized in that an undisplayed icon is added and an already-displayed icon is deleted at a portion where adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum sizes are displayed.

A computer program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention generates an image in which a plurality of icons of different sizes are juxtaposed in a circular order in a computer that executes processing according to a specified icon, and has a maximum size and A process of adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already displayed icon is executed at a portion where the minimum adjacent icon is displayed.

In the first, sixth, and seventh inventions, the display means displays a plurality of icons having different sizes in a circular arrangement in the order of the sizes. For this reason, the icon with the largest size and the icon with the smallest size are adjacent to each other, and discontinuity occurs in the size of the icon. The user tends to focus on a portion where discontinuity occurs in the size of the icon. The icon updating means adds an undisplayed icon and deletes an already displayed icon at a portion where adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum sizes are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to make the user recognize the location where an undisplayed icon appears.
In addition, the ring in this invention means the ring in a broad sense, and is not limited to a ring. That is, it is sufficient that a plurality of icons are juxtaposed so as to close, and an elliptical shape and a rectangular frame shape are also included.
Further, although the icons are juxtaposed in a circle in order of size, it is not always necessary that the sizes of all the icons are different, and some icons having the same size may be arranged.
Further, the size of the icon may be different only in the horizontal dimension of the icon, or may be different only in the vertical dimension.

In the second invention, when the juxtaposition direction in which the size of the icon is reduced is received by the pointing device, the plurality of displayed icons are moved in the juxtaposition direction and each icon is reduced. The erasing unit erases the icon having the smallest size, and the adding unit adds the undisplayed icon having the largest size.
Similarly, when the pointing device accepts a juxtaposition direction in which the size of the icon is increased, the icon moving unit moves a plurality of displayed icons in the juxtaposition direction and enlarges each icon. The erasing unit erases the icon with the largest size, and the adding unit adds the undisplayed icon with the smallest size.
Therefore, the juxtaposition direction designated by the user with the pointing device can coincide with the direction in which the icon moves. Further, since the juxtaposition direction is circular, it is possible to continuously update the icons without releasing the finger from the pointing device.

In the third invention, the color attribute value of the icon with the largest size is higher than the color attribute value of the icon with the smallest size. The user tends to focus on a portion where discontinuity occurs in the color attribute value. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the user recognize the location where an undisplayed icon appears more effectively.

In the fourth invention, the display means displays a plurality of icons having different color attribute values in a circular arrangement in the order of the color attribute values. For this reason, the icon having the maximum color attribute value and the icon having the minimum color attribute value are adjacent to each other, and discontinuity occurs in the color attribute value. The user tends to pay attention to a portion where such discontinuity occurs. The icon updating means adds an undisplayed icon and deletes an already displayed icon at a portion where the adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum color attribute values are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to make the user recognize the location where an undisplayed icon appears.
The icons are arranged in a circular pattern in the order of color attribute values, but the color attribute values of all icons do not necessarily have different values, and some icons having the same color attribute value are arranged side by side. Also good.

In the fifth invention, the color attribute value is a numerical value indicating at least one of lightness, color, and hue. Therefore, the discontinuity of the color attribute value indicating the brightness, vividness, and hue of the icon allows the user to recognize the location where the undisplayed icon appears.

According to the first, sixth and seventh inventions, even when icons are arranged side by side in a scrolling manner, the appearance location of an undisplayed icon is recognized by the user due to the discontinuity related to the size of the icon. This makes it easier to find a desired icon.

According to the second invention, the displayed icon can be continuously updated without releasing the finger from the pointing device, and the direction designated by the user is matched with the direction in which the icon is moved. Can be improved.

In the third invention, the discontinuity relating to the size of the icon and the color attribute value can make the user recognize the appearance location of the undisplayed icon with a strong impression and make it easier to find the desired icon. Can do.

In the fourth invention, even when the icons are arranged in a ring and scrolled, the appearance location of the undisplayed icon can be recognized by the user due to the discontinuity of the color attribute value. This makes it easier to find the icon.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to make the user recognize the appearance of the undisplayed icon with a strong impression due to the brightness of the color, the vividness, and the discontinuity of the color, and to make it easier to find the desired icon. Can do.

It is a typical front view which shows the portable apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a portable apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the menu screen of horizontal juxtaposition mode. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation method for switching from a horizontal juxtaposition mode to an annular juxtaposition mode. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU related to an icon display method in an annular juxtaposition mode. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU related to an icon display method in an annular juxtaposition mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the icon display method when a finger | toe moves to the order juxtaposition direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the icon display method when a finger | toe moves to reverse order juxtaposition direction. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operation method for switching from an annular juxtaposition mode to a horizontal juxtaposition mode. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU according to a modified example of the icon display method in the annular juxtaposition mode. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU according to a modified example of the icon display method in the annular juxtaposition mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conventional icon display method. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a problem of an icon display method in which a plurality of icons are juxtaposed in a ring shape.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Display part 3 Operation button 4 Power button 5 CPU
6 ROM
7 RAM
8 Timekeeping unit 9 Storage device 10 Audio output unit 11 Touch panel 12 GPS processing unit 13 Communication unit 14 Bus 15 Recording medium 16 Computer program

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, a PND, includes a casing 1 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, a display unit 2 that is disposed in front of the casing 1, and a vertical direction on a front side of the casing 1. And an operation button 3 arranged in parallel to each other and a power button 4 provided on the upper surface of the housing 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the mobile device. The portable device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 5 that controls the entire apparatus. The CPU 5 includes a ROM 6, a RAM 7, a timekeeping unit 8, a storage device 9, a display unit 2, an audio output unit 10, a touch panel 11 (pointing device), an operation button 3, a GPS processing unit 12, and a communication unit 13 via a bus 14. It is connected.

ROM 6 is a non-volatile memory such as a mask ROM or EEPROM that stores a control program necessary for the operation of the computer. The RAM 7 is a volatile memory such as a DRAM or an SRAM that temporarily stores various data generated when the arithmetic processing of the CPU 5 is executed.

The timekeeping unit 8 measures time for detecting the operation content of the touch panel 11, for example, the designation of an icon performed by momentarily touching the touch panel 11 with a finger, and the moving direction of the finger touching the touch panel 11.

The storage device 9 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and executes the computer program 16 according to the present invention, image data for displaying a plurality of

icons

20a, 20b,. The information is memorized. The storage device 9 stores a computer program for realizing a web function, a mail function, and a music playback function, photo image data obtained by a user, music data, and the like.
The computer program 16 according to the present invention may be read from the recording medium 15 such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory and stored in the storage device 9. Alternatively, it may be downloaded from an external computer connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage device 9.

The display unit 2 includes, for example, a substantially rectangular liquid crystal display module having a display surface for displaying an image on the front side. The liquid crystal display module is a liquid crystal display panel and an area light type that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel from the rear side. It is comprised from the backlight part and the optical sheet interposed between the backlight part and the liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 2 displays a menu screen 20 in which various images, for example,

icons

20a, 20b,..., 20z are juxtaposed in a ring shape based on the image data given from the CPU 5. In addition, the display part 2 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, You may comprise with an organic EL display etc.

The audio output unit 10 includes a decoder that decodes audio data stored in the storage device 9, a speaker that outputs audio based on the decoded audio data, and the like.

The touch panel 11 is disposed opposite to the display unit 2 and is a type of pointing device that accepts designation of

icons

20a, 20b,. In addition, although the touch panel 11 was mentioned as an example of a pointing device, you may comprise so that other pointing devices, such as a track point and a track ball, may be provided according to the use of a portable apparatus.

The GPS processing unit 12 includes a GPS receiver. The GPS receiver receives radio waves from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and measures the current position and current direction of the portable device. The measured position information includes data on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile device, and the GPS processing unit 12 provides the GPS function of the mobile device.

The communication unit 13 is an interface that transmits and receives various types of web information through wireless communication, and the transmission and reception of various types of information by the communication unit 13 is controlled by the CPU 5.

Next, the operation of the portable device and the processing procedure of the CPU 5 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the menu screen 21 in the horizontal juxtaposition mode. When the power button 4 is pressed, the CPU 5 reads the image data of the menu screen 21,

icons

21a, 21b,..., 21e from the storage device 9, and the plurality of

icons

21a, 21b,. The menu screen 21 juxtaposed in the long side direction of 2 is displayed on the display unit 2.

When the CPU 5 detects that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved to the right in the horizontal direction, the CPU 5 moves each

icon

21a, 21b,..., 21e to the right in the horizontal direction and deletes the icon 21e at the right end, Execute processing to add other undisplayed icons to the left end.
The detection of finger movement is performed as follows. The CPU 5 monitors the operation state of the touch panel 11. When detecting a finger touching the touch panel 11, the CPU 5 stores the contact position of the finger and measures an elapsed time after the finger touches. Then, the CPU 5 determines whether or not the finger is still touching the touch panel 11 when a predetermined time has elapsed, and when determining that the finger is touching, the CPU 5 stores the position where the finger is currently touching. Next, the CPU 5 identifies the moving direction of the finger by comparing the finger position stored at the present time with the finger position stored a predetermined time ago. Note that the above-described detection method is an example, and other methods may be used as long as the method can detect the moving direction of the finger.
Similarly, when the CPU 5 detects that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved to the left in the horizontal direction, the CPU 5 moves each

icon

21a, 21b,..., 21e to the left and deletes the left end icon 21a. Then, a process of adding another icon not displayed to the right end is executed.

Further, when the CPU 5 receives designation of the

icons

21a, 21b,..., 21e on the touch panel 11, the CPU 5 executes processing corresponding to the designated icon.
The

icons

21a, 21b,..., 21e are designated as follows. When the CPU 5 detects a finger touching the touch panel 11, the CPU 5 stores the contact position of the finger and measures an elapsed time after the finger touches. Then, the CPU 5 determines whether or not the finger is still touching the touch panel 11 when a predetermined time has elapsed. When it is determined that the finger is not touched, that is, when it is determined that the finger has touched the

icons

21a, 21b,..., 21e for a moment, the CPU 5 places the

icons

21a, 21b,. .., 21e is specified as the designated icon if the

icons

21a, 21b,..., 21e are located at the finger positions. The icon designation detection method described above is an example, and other methods may be used as long as the designation of the

icons

21a, 21b,..., 21e can be detected.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation method for switching from the horizontal juxtaposition mode to the annular juxtaposition mode. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the CPU 5 detects the upward movement of the icon 21c arranged substantially in the center in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the

icons

20a, 20b,. The menu screen 20 of the juxtaposed annular juxtaposed mode is displayed on the display unit 2. Specifically, when the CPU 5 detects that the finger touches the touch panel 11 on the icon 21c and further detects that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved upward, the CPU 5 determines that the icon 21c has moved upward. To do.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the CPU 5 according to the icon display method in the annular juxtaposition mode. As shown in FIG. 4A, when detecting the upward movement of the icon 21c arranged in the substantially central portion in the horizontal direction, the CPU 5 selects a plurality of

icons

20a, 20b,. The menu screen 20 arranged in a ring is displayed on the display unit 2 (step S11). The hatched icons 20k and 20l indicate that the brightness and saturation are displayed lower than those of the other icons 20a,..., 20j.

Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not the designation of the

icons

20a, 20b,... Has been received (step S12). When it is determined that the designation of the

icons

20a, 20b,... Has been received (step S12: YES), the CPU 5 executes a process corresponding to the designated

icons

20a, 20b,. Finish the display process.

When it is determined that the designation of the

icons

20a, 20b,... Is not received (step S12: NO), the CPU 5 determines whether or not the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved in the forward juxtaposition direction (step S14). The forward juxtaposition direction is a direction in which the sizes of the

icons

20a, 20b,. For example, in the case of the menu screen 20 shown in FIG. 4B, the counterclockwise direction is the forward juxtaposition direction.

When it is determined that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved in the juxtaposed direction (step S14: YES), the CPU 5 moves the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... In the juxtaposed direction (step S15). The displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... Are enlarged (step S16), and the color attribute values of the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,. For example, the brightness and saturation of the

icons

20a, 20b,. The color attribute values are not limited to lightness and saturation, and other values may be used as long as color characteristics such as hue can be quantified.

Next, the CPU 5 erases the icon that has been displayed and has the largest size (step S18), and adds the icon that has not been displayed and has the smallest size (step S19). That is, the CPU 5 deletes the displayed icon and adds a non-displayed icon in the portion where the icon with the largest size and the icon with the smallest size are displayed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an icon display method when the finger moves in the forward juxtaposition direction. FIG. 7A shows a state where a finger touches the touch panel 11.
FIG. 7B shows a state where the finger touching the touch panel 11 moves counterclockwise and the

icons

20a, 20b,. When the finger touching the touch panel 11 moves counterclockwise, the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... Move counterclockwise, and the

icons

20a, 20b,. In addition, in FIG. 7A, the lightness and saturation of the icons 20l and 20k having the smallest size are increased, and are displayed brightly and vividly. Further, the icon 20a having the maximum size displayed in FIG. 7A is deleted, and an icon 20m having the minimum size and the minimum brightness and saturation is additionally displayed.
FIG. 7C shows a state in which the finger touching the touch panel 11 is further moved counterclockwise and the

icons

20a, 20b,. When the finger touching the touch panel 11 moves further counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 7B, the displayed

icons

20b, 20c,... Move counterclockwise, and the

icons

20b, 20c,. Are enlarged and displayed in accordance with the juxtaposition position, and the brightness and saturation of the icons 20m and 20l having the smallest size are increased, and are displayed brightly and vividly. Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, the icon 20b having the maximum size is deleted in FIG. 7B, and an icon 20n having the minimum size and the minimum brightness and saturation is additionally displayed. Yes.

When the process of step S19 is completed, or when it is determined that the finger touching the touch panel 11 in step S14 has not moved in the forward juxtaposition direction (step S14: NO), the CPU 5 determines that the finger touching the touch panel 11 is in reverse order. It is determined whether or not it has moved in the juxtaposition direction (step S20). The reverse juxtaposed direction is a direction in which the sizes of the

icons

20a, 20b,. For example, in the case of the menu screen 20 shown in FIG. 4B, the clockwise direction is the reverse juxtaposition direction.

When it is determined that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved in the reverse juxtaposition direction (step S20: YES), the CPU 5 moves the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... In the reverse juxtaposition direction (step S21). The displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... Are reduced (step S22), and the color attribute values of the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,.

Next, the CPU 5 deletes the icon that has been displayed and has the smallest size (step S24), and adds the icon that has not been displayed and has the largest size (step S25).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an icon display method when a finger moves in the reverse juxtaposition direction. FIG. 8A shows a state where a finger touches the touch panel 11. FIG. 8B shows a state where the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved clockwise and the

icons

20a, 20b,... Have been updated. When the finger touching the touch panel 11 moves clockwise, the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... Move clockwise, and the

icons

20a, 20b,. Further, in FIG. 8A, the brightness and saturation of the

small icons

20k and 20j are reduced and displayed dark. Furthermore, the icon 201 having the smallest size displayed in FIG. 8A is deleted, and the icon 20z having the largest size is additionally displayed instead.
FIG. 8C shows a state in which the finger touching the touch panel 11 further moves clockwise and the

icons

20a, 20b,. When the finger touching the touch panel 11 moves further clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 8B, the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... Move clockwise, and the

icons

20a, 20b,. The icons 20j and 20i, which are displayed in a reduced size according to the position and have a small size, are reduced in brightness and saturation and displayed darker. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, the icon 20k having the smallest size is deleted in FIG. 8B, and an icon 20y having the largest size and the largest brightness and saturation is additionally displayed. Yes.

When the process of step S25 is completed, or when it is determined in step S20 that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has not moved in the reverse juxtaposition direction (step S20: NO), the CPU 5 determines the vertical direction (short of the display unit 2). It is determined whether or not the downward movement of the icon arranged at the top is accepted (step S26). If it is determined that the downward movement of the icon arranged at the top is not accepted (step S26: NO), the CPU 5 returns the process to step S11. When it is determined that the downward movement of the icon arranged at the top has been received (step S26: YES), the CPU 5 displays the menu screen 21 in the horizontal juxtaposition mode on the display unit 2 (step S27), and the icon in the annular juxtaposition mode. Finish the display process.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an operation method for switching from the annular juxtaposition mode to the horizontal juxtaposition mode. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the CPU 5 detects the downward movement of the finger 30 touching the icon 20c arranged at the top in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. A menu screen 21 in the horizontal juxtaposition mode in which 21b, ..., 21e are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction is displayed on the display unit 2. Specifically, the CPU 5 detects the downward movement of the icon 20c by detecting that the finger touches the touch panel 11 on the icon 20c and further detecting that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved downward. To do.

In the portable device, the icon display method, and the computer program 16 configured as described above, even when the

icons

20a, 20b,... It is possible to make the user recognize the appearance location of the undisplayed icon by the discontinuity related to the height, and to make it easy to search for the desired

icon

20a, 20b,.

Further, it is possible to continuously update the displayed

icons

20a, 20b,... Without releasing the finger from the touch panel 11.

Furthermore, the usability of the user can be improved by matching the direction designated by the user with the direction in which the

icons

20a, 20b,... Move.

Furthermore, the appearance location of the undisplayed icon can be recognized with a strong impression by the brightness of the color, the vividness, and the discontinuity of the color, and the desired

icons

20a, 20b,. Can do.

Further, the

icons

20a, 20b,... Are arranged side by side in the order of size, and the already displayed icons are deleted and the undisplayed icons are added at the portion where the maximum and minimum icons are displayed. It is possible to give the user an impression that the plurality of

icons

20a, 20b,... Are arranged in a spiral shape in the normal direction of the display unit 2, and to the user that there is an undisplayed icon. Can be recognized.

In the embodiment, PND has been described as an example of a mobile device. However, the present invention may be applied to a mobile phone, a PDA, and other mobile devices. Moreover, although this Embodiment demonstrated the case where the some icon was juxtaposed in the annular | circular shape, the shape to juxtapose is not limited to an annular | circular shape. Needless to say, the number of icons to be juxtaposed is not particularly limited.

(Modification)
10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the CPU 5 according to a modification of the icon display method in the annular juxtaposition mode. The CPU 5 causes the display unit 2 to display a menu screen in which a plurality of icons having different color attribute values are arranged in a ring shape in the order of the color attribute values (step S31).

Next, the CPU 5 determines whether or not an icon designation has been accepted (step S32). If it is determined that the designation of the icon has been received (step S32: YES), the CPU 5 executes a process corresponding to the designated icon (step S33), and ends the icon display process in the annular juxtaposition mode.

If it is determined that the designation of the icon is not accepted (step S32: NO), the CPU 5 determines whether or not the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved in the forward juxtaposition direction (step S34).

When it is determined that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved in the forward juxtaposition direction (step S34: YES), the CPU 5 moves each displayed icon in the forward juxtaposition direction (step S35), and also displays each displayed icon. The color attribute value is increased (step S36). For example, the brightness and saturation of the icon are increased.

Next, the CPU 5 deletes the icon that is already displayed and has the largest color attribute value (step S37), and adds the icon that is not displayed and has the smallest color attribute value (step S38). That is, the CPU 5 deletes the displayed icon and adds a non-displayed icon in a portion where the icon having the maximum color attribute value and the icon having the minimum color attribute value are displayed.

When the process of step S38 is completed, or when it is determined that the finger touching the touch panel 11 in step S34 has not moved in the forward juxtaposition direction (step S34: NO), the CPU 5 determines that the finger touching the touch panel 11 is in reverse order. It is determined whether or not it has moved in the juxtaposition direction (step S39).

When it is determined that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has moved in the reverse juxtaposition direction (step S39: YES), the CPU 5 moves each displayed icon in the reverse juxtaposition direction (step S40), and also displays each displayed icon. The color attribute value is decreased (step S41).

Next, the CPU 5 deletes the icon that is already displayed and has the smallest color attribute value (step S42), and adds the icon that is not displayed and has the largest color attribute value (step S43).

When the process of step S43 is completed, or when it is determined in step S39 that the finger touching the touch panel 11 has not moved in the reverse juxtaposition direction (step S39: NO), the CPU 5 is arranged at the top in the vertical direction. It is determined whether or not the downward movement of the icon has been accepted (step S44). When it is determined that the downward movement of the icon arranged at the top is not accepted (step S44: NO), the CPU 5 returns the process to step S31. When it is determined that the downward movement of the icon arranged at the top is accepted (step S44: YES), the CPU 5 displays the menu screen 21 in the horizontal juxtaposition mode on the display unit 2 (step S45), and the icon in the annular juxtaposition mode. Finish the display process.

In the modified example, even when the icons are arranged in a ring and scrolled, the appearance location of the undisplayed icon can be recognized by the user due to the discontinuity related to the size of the icon. This makes it easier to find the icon.

Note that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

Claims

In a mobile device that displays multiple icons side by side and executes processing according to the specified icon,
Display means for displaying a plurality of icons of different sizes arranged in a circular pattern in order of size;
A portable device comprising: icon updating means for adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already-displayed icon in a portion where adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum sizes are displayed.
With a pointing device,
When the pointing device accepts a juxtaposition direction in which the size of the icon is small (or large), an icon that moves a plurality of displayed icons in the juxtaposition direction and reduces (or enlarges) each icon. Transportation means;
An erasing means for erasing the smallest (or largest) icon;
The mobile device according to claim 1, further comprising: an adding unit that adds an undisplayed icon having a maximum (or minimum) size.
The color attribute value indicating the color feature of the icon with the largest size is higher than the color attribute value showing the color feature of the icon with the smallest size. The portable device described.
In a mobile device that displays multiple icons side by side and executes processing according to the specified icon,
Display means for displaying a plurality of icons having different color attribute values indicating color characteristics in a circular arrangement in the order of the color attribute values;
A portable device comprising: icon updating means for adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already displayed icon at a portion where the adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum color attribute values are displayed.
The mobile device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the color attribute value is a numerical value indicating at least one of brightness, color, and hue.
In an icon display method for a mobile device that executes processing according to a specified icon,
A plurality of icons of different sizes are arranged side by side in the order of size,
An icon display method comprising: adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already displayed icon in a portion where adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum sizes are displayed.
To the computer that executes the process according to the specified icon,
Generate an image in which multiple icons of different sizes are juxtaposed in the order of size,
A computer program for executing a process of adding an undisplayed icon and erasing an already-displayed icon in a portion where adjacent icons having the maximum and minimum sizes are displayed.