JP2000155638A - Portable information processor, control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information processor which can speedily, securely and clearly display multiple contents through the use of the picture of a small size. SOLUTION: In a list-type information processor 1, a content C is divided into plural groups and private group display pictures are allocated to the respective groups. A primary selection function part 21 sequentially switches the pictures to LCD 3 and they are displayed. When any group display picture is selected, the content selection function 21 of a selection system 20 switches the content display picture where the contents C contained in the group are collectively displayed in a screen unit to LCD 3 and displays them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus such as an arm-mounted type which has excellent portability, a control method thereof, and a recording medium storing a control program therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a portable information tool (portable information processing device) having a plurality of functions such as a schedule and a time display has been actively developed. Progress has been remarkable.
For example, a portable information processing apparatus that is small enough to fit in a pocket called a PDA is sold, and a desired function can be selected from a plurality of functions displayed on a menu to perform processing such as display or setting. It has become.

[0002]

The portable information processing apparatus has been considered to be further downsized such as an arm-mounted type.
The size of the display screen tends to be smaller and smaller. Therefore, it is important to display a large amount of information efficiently and easily on a small screen. It is desirable to display as much information as possible on one display screen in order to make it easy to access a lot of information. Performance is reduced. On the other hand, if the size of characters, images, or the like constituting the content is increased in order to enhance the visibility, the content spans a plurality of screens, and the entire content cannot be recognized at a glance. Further, when the content is divided and displayed, it is difficult to know what other content is included, and the content included in the information processing apparatus cannot be effectively used. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information processing apparatus capable of displaying many contents quickly, reliably, and easily using a small-sized screen, and a control method thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable information processing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a large number of stored contents, a control method thereof, and a recording medium storing the control program.

[0003]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of contents, a display device capable of displaying the contents, and each of the contents summarized on a screen basis. And a selection system capable of switching and displaying a content display screen to be displayed on a display device, wherein a plurality of contents are grouped, and the selection system is assigned to each group. It has a primary selection function of sequentially switching and displaying a group display screen and selecting a group, and a content selection function of sequentially switching and displaying a content display screen of each content included in the selected group. I have.

Further, a control method for a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a method for controlling a portable information processing apparatus for displaying a plurality of contents while switching a content display screen for displaying the contents collectively in screen units. Wherein the plurality of contents are grouped, and the selection system includes a primary selection step of sequentially switching and displaying the group display screens assigned to each group and selecting a group, and a primary selection step included in the selected group. And a content selection step of sequentially switching and displaying a content display screen of each content to be displayed.

In the portable information processing apparatus and its control method according to the present invention, a plurality of stored contents are grouped, and a dedicated group display screen is prepared for each group. The screen can be sequentially switched and displayed on the display device. Further, when a certain group display screen is selected, the display screens (content display screens) of the contents belonging to the group assigned to the group display screen can be sequentially switched and displayed. For this reason, among the plurality of contents, the related contents, for example, article contents such as breaking news, weather forecast, traffic information, etc. are grouped into one group, and one group display screen is assigned to the group. Can be. By doing so, it is possible to quickly display individual contents from among all contents such as breaking news in accordance with a hierarchically organized system. In addition, since the display of each group is switched and displayed on the screen, it is easy to determine the group,
Many groups can be displayed clearly. Therefore, even if a large number of groups are selected, each group can be displayed on a small-sized screen, and a desired group can be reliably selected from them. Further, when a group is selected, the content display screen for displaying the content collectively on a screen basis is switched and displayed, so that the content is not displayed in a state of straddling a plurality of surfaces. Therefore, even if the screen has a small size, it can be displayed so that the contents can be grasped on one screen in a size that allows easy viewing of the characters or images.

It is desirable to adopt a screen for displaying an icon indicating the content of the content included in the group as the group display screen. If the group display screen is an icon screen as described above, it is easy to visually grasp which group the desired content belongs to, and the content can be selected efficiently. In addition, since one icon is displayed on one screen, the design of the icon, the character, and the like can be made large and easy to see.

In the present invention, a plurality of contents are further sub-grouped, and a content selection function or a content selection step includes a secondary selection function or a secondary selection step of selecting a sub-group, and each of the sub-groups included in the selected sub-group. It is desirable to provide a tertiary selection function or a tertiary selection step of sequentially switching and displaying the content display screen of the content. If a plurality of contents are sub-grouped in this way, the plurality of contents can be associated in a more hierarchical manner. As a result, the range in which the contents must be displayed in order can be narrowed, so that the desired contents can be accessed more quickly. In addition, 2
By providing the next selection function or the secondary selection step, it is possible to easily grasp the outline of the entire contents included or the entire contents of the group. In addition, the present invention allows a user to display a group level display, a sub-group display screen, and a content display screen with a hierarchical level display indicating a primary, secondary, or tertiary selection function. By referring to this hierarchy level display, the screen display can display which hierarchy level, that is,
Whether it is primary, secondary, or tertiary can be recognized at a glance, and can be used for the next operation such as moving to a different hierarchy. Therefore, the desired content can be accessed smoothly. As the hierarchical level display, the difference in the length of the bar display displayed on a part of the display screen, the shape of the bar,
Alternatively, the display screen can be shaded.

[0008] In addition, the group display screen and the sub-group display screen include a lower layer instruction display for indicating the presence / absence of secondary selectable or tertiary selectable contents, respectively. Since the information is displayed on the layer display, that is, on the group display screen and the subgroup display screen, unnecessary operations are not required. In addition, if a group display screen, subgroup display screen, or content display screen is provided with an in-layer instruction display indicating the presence or absence of a display screen that is in sequence before or after the display screen being displayed, it is possible to move forward or backward on that screen. Since it is possible to determine whether or not there is any information, there is no need to perform useless operations.

The group screen includes a content information display which is information on each content included in the group, so that the content included in the group can be easily estimated without following the hierarchy. And eliminate unnecessary operations. Furthermore, by including a content text information display, which is text information included in the content, in the group screen,
The content of the content can be grasped more easily.

Further, the content text information is
By displaying a text constituting at least a part of the content text information in a predetermined display window area while moving the text in a predetermined direction, a large amount of information is displayed even on a narrow display screen, and the usability of the user is improved. Can be improved.

In the content text information display, text information included in a plurality of contents is sequentially displayed, so that the contents of the plurality of contents can be easily grasped.

Further, by including a subgroup information display which is information on a subgroup on the group screen, the subgroup corresponding to the group can be easily grasped.

Further, by displaying the subgroup display in text, the user can more easily grasp the subgroup.

[0014] Furthermore, a sub-group screen or a sub-group screen or a content screen is displayed by displaying information to be called by the user together with a predetermined warning icon for calling the user's attention. Even while the content screen is being displayed, the user can easily perform appropriate processing on the information.

Further, when indicating the hierarchical level display by the difference in the length of the bar display displayed on a part of the display screen, the user intuitively recognizes that the lower the hierarchical level, the longer the bar display, the deeper the hierarchical level. Can be grasped.

Further, when the lower layer instruction display does not include the subgroup corresponding to the group or the content corresponding to the subgroup in the lower layer of the group or the subgroup, a non-display state is set. It is possible to easily understand that the sub-group corresponding to the group or the content corresponding to the sub-group is not included in the lower layer of the group or the sub-group, and belongs to the sub-group or the sub-group belonging to the group. Content structure can be easily understood.

The control method of the present invention described above can be provided by recording a control program on a recording medium readable by an information processing device. That is, a control program of a portable information processing apparatus for displaying a plurality of contents while switching a content display screen for displaying each content collectively on a screen basis, wherein the contents are grouped and assigned to each group. A primary selection process of sequentially switching and displaying the selected group display screens and selecting a group, and a content selection process of sequentially switching and displaying the content display screens of the respective contents included in the selected group can be executed. It can be provided using a recording medium on which a control program having instructions is recorded. For example, the control program can be recorded on a recording device such as a ROM and used.

[0018]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. [A] First Embodiment [1] External Shape of Portable Information Processing Apparatus FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external shape of a wrist-mounted (wrist type) portable information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The portable information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an LCD 3 which is a device capable of displaying a plurality of contents such as a breaking news and a weather forecast, and the like.
It has a pair of operation buttons 4 and 5 arranged above and below the LCD 3, and these are provided on the surface of the arm-mounted type information processing apparatus main body 2. Further, a belt 6 is attached to the opposite end of the information processing apparatus main body 2 so that the main body 2 can be used by being worn on the wrist by the belt 6.

[2] Schematic Configuration of List Type Information Processing Apparatus FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to transmit data (contents) such as texts and still images processed by a personal computer (PC) by communication means such as serial communication or infrared communication from a personal computer (PC). And a RAM capable of storing the data (contents) obtained by the data obtaining unit 11, an operating program of the portable information processing apparatus, a control program for realizing various functions, data, and the like. Storage unit 12 including a read ROM, etc., an up button 4 and a down button 5, and a content display screen assigned to text data (contents) such as image data (contents), news flashes, and weather forecasts inputted from the outside. Possible LCD3
And In this example, each content is formed or edited in a screen unit, that is, a unit that can be displayed on the LCD 3 at a time, and is stored in the storage unit 12 in the unit of the screen display. In addition, the portable information processing device 1
Has a clock section 14 for counting time and the like, and an alarm section 15 for outputting an alarm by a buzzer, voice, vibration or the like. Further, the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the present example has a control unit 16 that controls the entire operation, and the control unit 16 controls the screen display of the LCD 3 and the like. The control unit 16 controls the R of the portable information processing device 1
It performs processing operations according to the control program stored in the OM 3 and functions as an operating system.

[3] Contents and Groups FIG. 3 shows an example of a plurality of contents recorded in the storage unit 12. In this example, in FIG.
1, Data2, condition setting, setting 1, and the like. The contents C, which will be described in detail later, are stored in a plurality of
2 These contents C are grouped into alternately related contents. The operating system 16 can sequentially switch and display the content display screens, which are arranged for each content on a screen basis, on the LCD 3. In this example, as the plurality of contents C, there are provided contents C divided into three groups of an information group G1, a personal preview group G2, and a clock group G3. In the information group G1, the plurality of contents C belonging to the group G1 are further divided into a plurality of subgroups such as "article browsing 1" and "article browsing 2". In the personal preview group G2, the plurality of contents C belonging to this group G2 are not sub-grouped, and can be directly selected in the personal preview group G2. In the clock group G3, a plurality of contents C belonging to the group G3 are “Count Down” and “Alar”.
m Check ". The information group G1 is assigned a preview screen 30 and an information screen 32 as a group display screen. The information group G1 has a preview screen 30 and an information screen 32. An article selection screen 34, which is a subgroup display screen for selecting a subgroup, which is located in a lower hierarchy of the information screen 32, is assigned to the personal preview group G2, and the clock screen 38 to the clock group G3. The clock group G3 is assigned a function selection screen 40 as a subgroup display screen provided in a lower hierarchy of the clock screen 38. The personal preview group G
2 includes a plurality of contents C belonging to the group G2.
Are not subgrouped, so no subgroup display screen is assigned.

[4] Content Display As shown in FIG. 2, the operating system 16
The content display screen of these contents C is displayed on the LCD 3
In order to display the content C on the LCD 3, a selection system 20 capable of switching and displaying a content display screen for collectively displaying the respective contents C on a screen-by-screen basis is provided. The selection system 20 sequentially switches the group display screens assigned to the groups G1, G2, and G3, that is, the preview screen 30, the information screen 32, the personal preview screen 36, and the clock screen 38, and displays them on the LCD 3. The primary selection function unit 21 selects a group G1, G2 or G3 corresponding to the selected screen by selecting the screen displayed on the
And a content selection function unit 22 for switching the content display screen of each content C included in the selected group G1, G2, or G3 and displaying the screen on the LCD3. The content selection function 22 includes an article selection screen 34
And a secondary selection function unit 23 for displaying a subgroup display screen such as a function selection screen 40 on the LCD 3, and a tertiary display for sequentially switching and displaying the content display screen of each content C included in the selected subgroup on the LCD 3. And a selection function 24.

In the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment,
The primary selection function unit 21 of the selection system 20 sequentially switches and displays the preview screen 30, the information screen 32, the personal preview screen 36, and the clock screen 38, which are group display screens, on the LCD 3. In this example, the screen display of the LCD 3 can be switched to each screen 30, 32, 36 or 38 by performing an operation (single tapping) of pressing the up button 4 or the down button 5 only once. The preview screen 30 or the information screen 3 is displayed on the LCD 3.
When the operation of continuously pressing the lower button 5 twice (double tapping) is performed in a state where 2 is displayed, the sub-group screen (article selection screen) 34 of the information group G1 is displayed by the secondary selection function unit 23. It can be displayed on the LCD 3. When the lower button 5 is double-tapped while the article selection surface 34 is displayed on the LCD, the tertiary selection function unit 24 displays a content display screen of the content C included in the information group G1 on the LCD 3. A state in which a predetermined content display screen is displayed on the LCD 3;
When the upper button 4 is double-tapped while the article selection screen 34 is displayed on the screen 3, the screen can return to the article selection screen 34 or the preview screen 30 (or the information screen 32). Note that clock group G
The switching of the screen in 3 and the operation for performing it are as follows.
It is almost the same as that in the information group G1.

In the present embodiment, when the operation of continuously pressing the lower button 4 twice (double tapping) while the personal preview screen 36 is displayed on the LCD 3 is performed, the tertiary selection function unit 23 The content display screen of the content C included in the preview group G2 is
Will be displayed. While the state where a predetermined content display screen is displayed on the LCD 3 is displayed, the upper button 4
Can be returned to the personal preview screen 36 by double tapping.

[5] Group Display Screen, Subgroup Display Screen, and Content Display Screen Next, the group display screen, subgroup display screen, and content display screen displayed on the LCD 3 will be described with specific examples. FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen assigned to the information group G1. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the preview screen (group display screen) 30 assigned to the information group G1, an icon i1 indicating the content of the content C included in the group G1 is displayed at the center of the screen. I have. The icon i1 indicates that the group G1 includes the content C relating to the weather forecast. On the left side of the preview screen 30 facing the drawing,
Vertical title bar 5 vertically written "PREVIEW"
0 is displayed, and a right arrow 51 is displayed in the middle of the right side of the drawing as a lower layer instruction display indicating that there is a content that can be selected secondarily. In addition, at the lower right of the screen of the preview screen 30, the number of contents C included in the group G1 ("10" in this example) is displayed.

In this case, up and down arrows 30U and 30D are shown on the preview screen 30, which indicate that another screen exists on the first level.
It indicates that it is possible to shift to another screen by single tapping of the up button 4 or the down button 5. As shown in FIG. 4B, on the information screen 32 assigned to the information group G1, an icon i2 indicating the content of the content C included in the group G1 is displayed at the center of the screen, like the preview screen 30. In addition, a title bar 50 in which "INFOMATION" is vertically written is displayed on the left side of the information screen 32 when viewed from the drawing. Screen 32
In the middle of the right side of the drawing, a right arrow 51 is displayed as a lower-layer instruction display indicating that there is content C that can be selected secondarily. Further, the lower right of the screen displays the number of contents C included in the group G1. In this case, up and down arrows 32U and 32D are shown on the information screen 32, which indicate that another screen exists on the first level. It indicates that it is possible to shift to another screen by tapping.

When the lower button 5 is double-tapped while the preview screen 30 or the information screen 32 is displayed, the secondary selection function unit 23
Accordingly, an article selection screen 34 shown in FIG. 4C is displayed. The article selection screen 34 displays specific subgroup names of the subgroups represented as “article viewing 1” and “article viewing 2” in FIG. That is, three sub-group names of “news bulletin”, “weather forecast”, and “traffic information” are displayed. These subgroup names are displayed in horizontal writing, and are arranged in this order from top to bottom of the screen. This article screen 34
When the upper button 4 or the lower button 5 is single-tapped in a state where is displayed, any of the subgroup names can be selected. A right arrow 52, which is a lower-layer instruction display that can be selected in the third order, is displayed.

In this case, if there is no content C in the selected subgroup, the right arrow 52 is not displayed. Thus, in the present example, the right arrow 52 is displayed when the content C is included in the selected subgroup, and the right arrow 52 is not displayed when the content C is not included in the selected subgroup. Therefore, by referring to the arrow 52, it is possible to smoothly search for the desired content C without performing unnecessary operations. Even if the selected subgroup has no content C, the subgroup name is displayed even if the user deletes all the content C belonging to the subgroup. This is because notification of the existence of the subgroup and deletion of the subgroup by maintenance work are considered.

The article selection screen 34 is an in-layer instruction display on the left side of the area where the subgroup name is displayed, indicating that there is a display screen that follows the "news bulletin" in order. Up arrow 53 and "traffic information"
A down arrow 54 is displayed as an in-layer instruction display indicating that there is a display screen that follows in order. If the upper button 4 is single-tapped in a state where “news bulletin” is selected as the subgroup name, the secondary selection function unit 2
3, a screen is displayed on the LCD 3 on which a subgroup name following "news breaking", for example, a subgroup name "bus time" is displayed. That is, the display screen in which “bus time”, “news bulletin” and “weather forecast” are arranged in this order toward the bottom of the screen is the LCD 3.
Will be displayed. Also, when the lower button 5 is single-tapped in a state where “traffic information” is selected, the sub-group name following “traffic information”, for example, a subgroup “drinking place” The screen on which the name is displayed is displayed on the LCD 3. That is, "weather forecast", "traffic information" and "drinking place"
The display screens arranged in this order toward the bottom of the screen are LC
Displayed on D3. As described above, in this example, when there is a display screen before and after the screen displayed on the LCD 3, the up arrow 53 and the arrow 54 as the in-layer instruction display are displayed on the screen being displayed. Therefore, these arrows 53,
By referring to 54, it can be easily grasped whether or not there is information before and after on the screen being displayed.

Further, in the article selection screen 34, a title bar 56 is displayed on the left side of the screen facing the drawing.
The title bar 56 includes a vertically long portion 56a extending in the vertical direction of the screen on the left side of the screen, and a vertically long portion 56a.
Horizontal part 56b slightly extending in the horizontal direction of the screen from the top of
The icon i2 displayed on the information screen 32 is reduced and displayed from the upper portion of the vertically long portion 56a to the horizontally long portion 56b.
As described above, in this example, since the icon i2 symbolizing the group G1 is displayed in a part of the article selection screen 34, it can be easily visually recognized that the article selection screen 34 belongs to the information group G1. .

When any subgroup name on the article selection screen 34 is selected and a right arrow (lower instruction display) 52 is displayed to the right of the selected subgroup name (selection) When content C is included in the sub-group described above) and the lower button 5 is double-tapped, the tertiary selection function unit 24
Content display screens 61 and 6 shown in (D) to (H)
One of 2, 63, 64 or 65 is displayed. A title bar 57 is provided on the left side of the content display screens 61 to 65 on the left side of the screen. And a horizontally long portion 57b extending horizontally to the upper right corner of the screen. From the upper part of the vertically long part 56a to the horizontally long part 56b, the icon i2 displayed on the information screen 32 is reduced and displayed like the article selection screen 34. Subgroup names, for example, "weather forecast" and "traffic information" are displayed in the remaining horizontal portion 57b. The horizontally long portion 57b is longer than the horizontally long portion 56b of the title bar 56 of the article selection screen 34.
That is, in the portable information processing device 1 of the present example, as the hierarchical level becomes lower, the horizontally long portion 57b of the title bar
Varies in length. Therefore, by referring to the title bar, it is possible to recognize at a glance which hierarchical level, that is, the primary, secondary, or tertiary level of the displayed screen is. Moreover, since the icon i2 unique to the group is displayed in the title bar, the group name can be grasped. Also, the group can be grasped from the subgroup name displayed in the title bar.

Above and below the vertically long portion 57a of the title bar 57 in each of the content display screens 61 to 65, an up arrow 58 as an in-layer instruction display indicating that the screen being displayed has a display screen that follows in sequence. Also, a down arrow 59 is displayed as an in-layer instruction display indicating that there is a display screen following the order of the screen being displayed. Note that FIG.
When there is only a display screen that follows the current screen in sequence, such as the content display screen 61 shown in FIG.
Only 8 is displayed. Also, when there is only a display screen that follows the screen being displayed, such as the content display screens 62 and 64 shown in FIGS.
Only the down arrow 59 is displayed. Furthermore, as in the content display screen 65 shown in FIG. 4H, when there is no display screen that sequentially follows the currently displayed screen, neither the up arrow 58 nor the down arrow 59 is displayed. When the upper button 4 or the lower button 5 is single-tapped according to the up arrow 58 and the down arrow 59 displayed on the content display screens 61 to 65, the display screen following the screen displayed on the LCD 3 is displayed on the LCD 3. Can be. The clock group G3 is the information group G1.
Since it has a three-layer structure in the same manner as described above, its description is omitted.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen assigned to the personal preview group G2. As shown in FIG. 5A, a personal preview screen (group display screen) 36 assigned to the personal preview group G2.
Is the content C included in the group G2 at the center of the screen.
The icon i3 indicating the content of is displayed. The icon i3 indicates that the group G2 includes the content C relating to personal information. On the left side of the drawing of the personal preview screen 36, "P.VI
A vertical title bar 50 vertically displayed as "EWER" is displayed, and a right arrow 51 is displayed in the center on the right side of the drawing as a lower layer instruction display indicating that there is content that can be selected secondarily. The number of contents C included in the group G2 ("2" in this example) is displayed at the lower right of the personal preview screen 36. Such a personal preview screen 36 When the lower button 5 is double-tapped in a state where is displayed, the content display screen 66 or 67 shown in Fig. 5B or 5C is displayed by the secondary selection function unit 23. These contents are displayed. Display screens 66 and 67
The title bar 57 provided on the left side of the drawing, like the content display screens 61 to 65, has a vertically long portion 57a extending in the vertical direction of the screen on the left side of the drawing, and a horizontal portion extending from the top of the vertically long portion 57a to the upper right corner of the screen. And a horizontal portion 57b extending from the vertical portion 57a to the horizontal portion 57b.
The icon i3 displayed in is displayed. In the remaining horizontal portion 57b, the title of the content C, in this example, "Son's picture" and "At Koyama lake" are displayed.

In FIGS. 5B and 5C, the up arrow 58 and the down arrow 59 are not displayed in the vertically long portion 57a of the title bar 57 as the in-layer instruction display. Similarly to 61 to 65, the displayed content display screen 66 or 67 is displayed.
If there is a display screen that follows in sequence before and after the above, the up arrow 58 and the down arrow 59 are displayed.
As described above, in the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the present example, the plurality of contents C are divided into a plurality of groups (information group G1, personal preview group G2, clock group G3), and each group G1, G2. And G3 dedicated group display screens (preview screen 30, information screen 32,
A personal preview screen 36 and a clock screen 38) are assigned, and these screens 30, 32, 36 and 38
The next selection function unit 21 sequentially switches and displays the information on the LCD 3. In addition, any of the screens 30, 32, 3
When 6 or 38 is selected, the groups G1, G2
Alternatively, the content display screen of the content C assigned to G3 is switched and displayed on the LCD 3 by the tertiary selection function unit 24. Further, among the plurality of contents C, highly relevant contents C, for example, article-like contents such as breaking news, weather forecast, traffic information, etc.
One group display screen (screens 30, 32, 36, 38) is assigned to the group. For this reason, desired content C can be quickly displayed according to a hierarchically organized system without searching for individual content C such as breaking news.
Further, since the display of each group is switched and displayed on the LCD 3, it is easy to determine the group, and many groups can be displayed in an easily viewable manner. Therefore, even if a large number of groups are selected, each group can be displayed on a small-sized screen, and a desired group can be reliably selected from them. Further, when selected, the content display screens (screens 61 to 67) configured to collectively display the content C included in the group on a screen basis are switched and displayed, so that the content C is displayed on a plurality of screens. It is not displayed while straddling.
Therefore, even a portable information processing apparatus that cannot provide a large-sized display screen can display characters or images on a single screen in an easily viewable size, and can easily recognize characters and the like.

In this example, in the portable information processing apparatus 1,
A plurality of contents C included in the information group G1 are sub-grouped and the contents C
Are more hierarchically related. For this reason, the range in which the contents C must be displayed in order can be narrowed, so that the desired contents C can be accessed more quickly. Further, it is possible to easily grasp the outline of the entire contents C or the entire contents C of the group (information group G1). Further, in the portable information processing device 1 of the present example, the group display screen 30,
Icons 32 and 36 indicate the contents of the contents C included in the groups G1 and G2,
Since the screen on which i2 and i3 are displayed is adopted, it is easy to visually grasp which group the desired content C belongs to. In addition, since one icon is displayed on one screen (group display screen), icons and characters can be displayed in a larger size than when a plurality of icons are displayed on one screen. Further, in the portable information processing device 1 of the present example, these icons i1, i2, i
Since 3 is displayed on the subgroup display screen and a part of the content display screen, the selected group can be easily grasped. Furthermore, in the portable information processing device 1 of the present example, the group display screens 30, 32 and 3
6. Hierarchical level display (in this example, title bars 50, 56 and 57 (the difference in the length of the horizontally long portion). For this reason, it is possible to recognize at a glance which hierarchical level the screen displayed on the LCD 3 is, which can be used for operations such as moving to a different hierarchical level, and the desired content C can be accessed smoothly. As the hierarchical level display, it is possible to adopt the title bar shape or the display of the shade of the screen color.

Further, the portable information processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment
In this case, a part of the group display screens 30, 32, and 36 includes lower-layer instruction displays (right arrows 51, 52) that indicate the presence or absence of content that can be selected secondarily or thirdly. It can help you find content. Further, since the presence / absence of lower layer information can be grasped from the lower layer instruction display of the upper layer, unnecessary operations need not be performed. Furthermore, an in-layer instruction indicating the presence or absence of a display screen that sequentially follows before or after the display screen being displayed on a part of the group display screens 30, 32, and 36, the subgroup display screen 34, or the content display screens 61 to 67. Display (up arrow 53, 58, down arrow 54, 59)
Whether or not there is information before and after the screen being displayed can be easily grasped, and a desired content can be searched for more smoothly without performing unnecessary operations. It is needless to say that the display as the lower layer instruction display and the intra-layer instruction display is not limited to the arrow.

In the present embodiment, a list-type information processing apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention can of course be applied to a card-type or a portable information processing apparatus using a key ring. The control method described above can be provided by recording a control program on a recording medium readable by an information processing device. For example, the information can be stored in a ROM provided in a portable information processing device and used. R
As a method of storing the information in the OM, the information may be stored in a mobile recording medium such as a CD-ROM and installed or updated in a list-type information processing apparatus via a personal computer or the like. Alternatively, programs and data may be downloaded via a communication network. Also,
Needless to say, such a control method can be realized using hardware such as a microprogram system or a sequencer.

[B] Second Embodiment Next, a portable information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The differences between the second embodiment and the portable information processing apparatus of the first embodiment are mainly as follows. The right button and the left button are added as operation buttons for handling special functions, and the total number of operation buttons is set to four.
Points. A third operation mode of the operation button includes a hold operation of continuously pressing a specific operation button for a predetermined time or more.

[1] External Shape of Portable Information Processing Apparatus FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external shape of a wrist-mounted (wrist type) portable information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 6, the list-type information processing apparatus 1 of this example
Reference numeral 01 denotes an information processing device having a plurality of functions, such as an LCD 103 as a display device, four operation buttons 104,
The information processing apparatus has a substantially rectangular and thin information processing apparatus main body 102 provided with an operation unit 10 including 105, 106, and 107. A belt 108 is attached to the opposite end of the information processing apparatus main body 102, and the belt 108 allows the user to wear the information processing apparatus on a wrist. The information processing apparatus main body 102 has an LCD 103 disposed at the center thereof, and a pair of operation buttons, that is, an upper button 104 and a lower button 105, sandwiching the LCD 103 up and down.
Are arranged, and two operation buttons, that is, a right button 106 and a left button 107 are arranged so as to sandwich the LCD 103 from side to side. As will be described in detail below, in the list-type information processing apparatus 101 of the present example, almost all operations can be performed by two button operations of the upper button 104 and the lower button 105, and the specific button Alternatively, the left button 107 is operated to simplify the operation. Furthermore, these buttons 104, 105, 106, 107
Since the two buttons are separated from each other, there is no operation mistake such as accidentally pressing two buttons simultaneously.
It is a device that can be operated reliably and quickly from the beginning by anyone.

[2] Schematic Configuration of List-Type Information Processing Apparatus FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a list-type information processing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the list-type information processing apparatus 101 of the present example can acquire data such as text and still images processed by a personal computer (PC) by communication means such as serial communication or infrared communication from a personal computer (PC). Data acquisition unit 111, a RAM capable of storing the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 111, an operating program of the list-type information processing apparatus, a ROM storing programs and data for implementing various functions, and the like. Storage unit 112 including operation buttons 104, 105, and 106
And an LCD 103 capable of providing various information such as image information and time based on various programs stored in the storage unit 112 and externally acquired data. Further, the list-type information processing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment includes a clock section 114 for counting time and the like, and an alarm section 115 for outputting an alarm by a buzzer, sound, vibration, or the like. Further, the list-type information processing apparatus 101 of the present embodiment
Has a control unit 116 that controls the entire system. The control unit 116 controls the screen display of the LCD 103 and the like. The control unit 116 performs a processing operation according to an operating program stored in a ROM or the like of the list-type information processing apparatus 101, and implements functions of an operating system.

[3] System Configuration of List Type Information Processing Apparatus FIG. 8 shows a system configuration example including a list type information processing apparatus. The system is connected to the list-type information processing apparatus 101 and determines its own position by GPS (Global Positioning System).
A GPS unit 20 that performs positioning based on a radio wave from a satellite and performs map matching based on the positioning result.
1, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) system, a PHS unit 202 capable of making a call through a PHS network 301 and a general public network 302, and also capable of data communication, and a data conversion adapter also serving as a charger. Personal computer (PC) 30 via
And a serial interface unit 204 that performs an interface operation of serial data with an external information processing apparatus such as an IrDA (Infrared Data Association).
n) Personal computer (P
C) IrDA interface unit 205 for performing data interface operation with an external information processing apparatus such as 304, and server 306 connected to general public line network 302 and personal computers 303 and 304 via network 305 such as the Internet. And is provided.

[4] Outline Relationship between Operation and Operation of Operation Button FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline relationship between operation and operation of the operation button. [4.1] Single Tapping Operation [4.1.1] Up Button Operation In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, single tapping of pressing the up button 104 of the operation unit 110 only once (first tapping)
Is performed, the control unit 116 displays the previous screen on the same level (same level) if there is a previous screen that is allowed to move.

[4.1.2] Lower Button Operation When single tapping is performed by pressing the lower button 105 only once, the control unit 116 is allowed to move to the next level in the same hierarchy (same level). If there is another screen, the next screen is displayed.

[4.1.3] Right Button Operation When single tapping is performed by pressing the right button 106 only once, the control unit 116 transmits information such as the currently displayed information or the currently recorded sound. Is performed to capture the clip.

[4.2] Double Tapping Operation [4.2.1] Lower Button Operation By double tapping (corresponding to the second operation) of pressing the lower button 105 twice consecutively, the control unit 116 selects the current selection. A decision is made to select a middle function (group, subgroup or content; the same applies hereinafter), or if the function has a function in a lower layer, the screen shifts to the lower layer and the corresponding screen Is displayed on the LCD 103.

[4.2.2] Operation of upper button When the upper button 104 is double-tapped, the currently selected function is canceled, or if the function has a function of a higher hierarchy, Then, the screen shifts to the function of the higher hierarchy, and the corresponding screen is displayed on the LCD 103.

[4.3] Hold Operation [4.3.1] Down Button Operation By holding down the down button 105 for a predetermined time or longer (corresponding to a third operation), the control unit 116 causes a plurality of pre-selected operations to be performed. A pull-down menu for selecting a function is activated, and a corresponding pull-down menu screen is displayed on the LCD 103.
Will be displayed. [4.3.2] Left button operation When the left button 107 is held, the recording processing function is activated, and the corresponding screen is displayed on the LCD 103.

[5] Relationship between Operating System and Each Function FIG. 10 shows various functions (first layer only) hierarchically related by the control unit 116. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 116 has a selection system 120 that can select a number of functions 121, 122, 123, and 124 that are formally indicated. This many functions are specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
0, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 and 1
90, and each group is hierarchically associated with each other as described later.
04, down button 105, right button 106 and left button 1
07, it is possible to select and activate a desired one of the hierarchized functions. In the following description,
The screen (function) displayed first during normal operation is called a home position. In the default setting, the clock display screen is set to the home position. Home position is
This is displayed when the home position is directly specified by a pull-down menu in addition to immediately after starting the list-type information processing apparatus 101. Further, in the screen of each function, when there is no key input for a predetermined time or more, the display automatically returns to the upper hierarchy and finally switches to the home position. Accordingly, if the user leaves the portable information processing apparatus during operation, the user automatically returns to the home position at a predetermined time, so that the currently displayed hierarchy can be clearly recognized, and the next operation can be performed without discomfort. It can be carried out.

[5.1] Button Operation on the First Hierarchy The button operations and their effects available on the first hierarchy are as follows. Single tapping of the lower button 105 Displays the screen next to the currently displayed screen. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the currently displayed screen is the clock display screen corresponding to the clock group 130, the screen corresponding to the personal viewer group 140, which is the next function, is displayed. indicate. Single tapping of upper button 104 Displays the screen before the currently displayed screen. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the currently displayed screen is the clock display screen corresponding to the clock group 130, the screen corresponding to the utility group 190 which is the previous function is displayed. I do. Double tapping of the lower button 105 Selects the group corresponding to the currently displayed screen and continues the processing. Double tapping of the upper button 104 The selection of the group corresponding to the currently displayed screen is stopped, and the display processing of the preset home position is performed. Pressing down on the left button 107 The operation shifts to a voice memo function described later, and recording is performed. Hold down button 105 Displays a pull-down menu screen, which will be described later, and shifts the processing to the processing of the selected function. No button operation If no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more, display processing of a preset home position is performed.

[5.2] Functions Realized on Operating System Here, functions realized on the operating system of the list-type information processing apparatus will be described. Each group realized as an application will be described in detail in a different section. The functions realized on the operating system include, for example, the following. (1) Pull-down menu function (2) Voice memo function (3) Alarm function (4) Utility function

[5.2.1] Pull-down Menu Function First, the pull-down menu function will be described. The pull-down menu screen is also provided in each of the screens described below, except for a screen in which no selectable item exists. Here, the operation in the pull-down menu function corresponding to the pull-down menu screen will be described with reference to FIGS. I do. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the outline processing when displaying the pull-down menu. On each screen other than the screen in which there is no selectable item in the pull-down menu, by holding down the down button 105, a pull-down menu screen corresponding to the screen is displayed. Then, when the user selects any one of the items corresponding to the displayed selectable function, the process shifts to the selected function. For example, in the case of FIG.
When the etiquette mode change process is selected from the home position shift process, etiquette mode change process,..., And other individual processes, the process shifts to the selected etiquette mode change process. Return to

The pull-down menu screen is, for example, shown in FIG.
2 (A), the pull-down menu window in which the pull-down menu is actually displayed is:
Instead of covering the entire display screen, it is displayed with a part of the screen left. This is so that the user can easily grasp which screen the currently displayed pull-down menu belongs to. In the initial display state of the pull-down menu screen, FIG.
As shown in (A), the cursor is placed on the first item. In this case, the item to be placed at the top is
It is more desirable to set the shift to the home position from the viewpoint of operability. In addition, the order of the items displayed other than the transition to the home position (“to home”) is
It is desirable that the pull-down menus are arranged in the order in which the pull-down menu is likely to be selected in the displayed scene. Also,
The items displayed in the pull-down menu can be appropriately set according to the situation. FIG.
In (A), all selectable items of the pull-down menu can be displayed in one display screen.
When all the selectable items cannot be displayed on one display screen, at least one of the frames surrounding the selectable items (shown by a thick line frame in the figure) as shown in FIG. The open state indicates that a selection item not displayed to the user exists outside the display screen, and the user can select a selectable item by scrolling the cursor by operating the up button 104 or the down button 105. I can do it. In this case, possible button operations and their effects in the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) Move the single tapping cursor of the down button 105 from the current selectable item to the next selectable item. (B) Move the single tapping cursor of the upper button 104 from the current selectable item to the previous selectable item. (C) Double tapping of the lower button 105 Select a selectable item corresponding to the current cursor position,
Continue processing.

In this case, processing corresponding to selectable items is roughly classified into the following two types. (C.1) Function activation type (function call type) This is a type in which a specified function or process is activated, and when the activated process ends, control is returned to each screen on which a pull-down menu is activated. (C.2) Control transfer type (function jump type) This type transfers control to a specified function or process.
In this case, the processing that was being performed on the screen that started the pull-down menu is stopped, and even if the function or process to which control was passed and the processing that was started is completed, control is returned to each screen that started the pull-down menu. Absent. (D) Double tapping of the upper button 104 Canceling the pull-down menu (e) No button operation Canceling the pull-down menu after a certain period of time

[5.2.1.1] Operation example of function selectable from pull-down menu Here, as an operation of a function selectable from the pull-down menu, the "change etiquette mode" function as an example of a function activation type will be described. The “home position transfer” function will be described as an example of the control transfer type.

[5.2.1.1.1] Etiquette Mode Change In the etiquette mode change function, the notification mode of the alarm (Notify) function described later is changed. The etiquette mode is normally invalid (non-etiquette mode; system default value) in the initial state. By activating this function, the etiquette mode can be switched from non-etiquette mode (off: invalid) to etiquette mode (on: valid) → non-etiquette mode (off: invalid) to toggle switch mode. Yes (not shown).
To make the user aware of the etiquette mode change,
A screen displaying the change is displayed for a predetermined time. In this case, the predetermined time is, for example, 5 seconds. This value may be selectable from either a system fixed value or a value selected by the user.

FIG. 13 shows a display example of the etiquette mode setting change confirmation screen. The etiquette mode setting change confirmation screen that displays the setting status of the etiquette mode includes a pop-up window PW having an icon of a quotation mark (!) For calling the user the setting status.
Is displayed in text (Etiquette mode enabled or Etiquette mode disabled). Thereby, the user can surely confirm that the etiquette mode has been changed. Also in this case, the pop-up window PW does not cover the entire display screen, but displays the active screen while leaving a part of the screen. In this case, no key input is accepted while the etiquette mode setting change confirmation screen is being displayed (in the above example, for 5 seconds). Then, after the etiquette mode setting change screen display is completed (after the etiquette mode setting change), the control is returned to the function displayed when the pull-down menu was activated, and the corresponding screen is displayed.

[5.2.1.1.2] Home Position Shift In the home position shift function, the current processing is stopped and the screen display is returned to the home position. The processing in the home position shift function is to collectively perform the operation (processing) of displaying the home position while stopping the processing currently being performed. There is no screen displayed during execution of this function, and no key input is accepted during execution of the processing.

[5.2.2] Voice Memo Function Next, the voice memo (voice recording) function will be described.
The voice memo function is performed with priority given to processing over most other functions. This function is set to start processing by pressing the left button 107 functioning as a “record button”. Recording is performed as long as the storage capacity permits while the left button 107 is pressed. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an outline of the voice memo function. Voice memo function
It is activated by pressing the left button (recording button) 107 while various screens are displayed. However, when the screen in which the recording function cannot be used is displayed, the pressing of the left button (recording button) 107 is not accepted. And left button (record button) 1
While the button 07 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 15A, the fact that recording is in progress is displayed on the screen as a pop-up window PW. During the display of the pop-up window PW indicating that recording is in progress, no key input other than the stoppage of pressing down the left button 107 is not accepted. Left button (record button)
When the pressing of the button 107 is stopped, a recording data usage selection screen shown in FIG. 15B is displayed. Immediately after the display (startup) of the recording data usage selection screen, the cursor is placed on the first selectable item (clip function in the figure). The user
The method of using the captured recording data in the recording data usage selection screen is determined, and the control is shifted to a process for realizing each determined usage. In this case, the possible button operations and their effects during the display of the recording data use method selection screen are as follows. (A) Move the single tapping cursor of the down button 105 from the current selectable item to the next selectable item. If the cursor is on the last selectable item, leave it as it is. (B) Move the single tapping cursor of the upper button 104 from the current selectable item to the previous selectable item. If the cursor is on the first selectable item, leave it as it is. (C) Double tapping of the lower button 105 Select a selectable item corresponding to the current cursor position,
Continue processing. (D) Double tapping of the upper button 104 The recording process is stopped, the recorded data is discarded, and the process is shifted to the function activated when the pressing of the left button (recording button) 107 is started. (E) No button operation If no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more, the recording process is stopped, the recorded data is discarded, and the left button (record button) 10
The processing shifts to the function that was activated when the pressing down of 7 was started.

[5.2.2.1] Function selectable on recording data usage selection screen [5.2.2.1.1.1] Clip function The clip function is used for a personal viewer (to be described later) to capture recorded data. Save additional data at the end of the data. In this case, there is no screen to be displayed, and no key input is accepted during clip execution. Then, after saving the recording data in the personal viewer, the control is returned to the processing of the function activated when the recording button is pressed.

[5.2.2.1.2] Alarm The alarm function in the method of using the recorded data is to use the recorded data as a memo in the alarm function described later. FIG. 15C shows a display example of an alarm setting screen. On the alarm setting screen, the date and time of alarm notification (the initial value is the date and time when the setting screen is activated) and the method of alarm notification (initial value is “call”) are displayed. In this case, immediately after the activation of the alarm function, the cursor is placed at the display position of "hour" (10:00 in the figure). Then, the alarm setting is set in the order of hour → minute → notification method. In this case, as for the settable time, the alarm can be set only for the time after the current time, similarly to the timer reservation in the video deck. Possible button operations and their effects during the display of the alarm setting screen are as follows. (A) Single tapping of the lower button 105-A process of adding 1 to the value (hour or minute) of the alarm set time is performed. In the setting of "hour", 0 (hour) follows 23 (hour). In this case, 1 is added to the date. In the setting of "minute", 0 (minute) follows 59 (minute). In this case, if the set time is a date and time (past) before the initial value (date and time when the setting screen is activated), the initial value is held.・ For the alarm notification method, toggle between “call” and “vibrate”. (B) Single tapping of the upper button 104-A process of subtracting 1 from the value (hour or minute) of the alarm set time is performed. In the setting of "hour", 0 (hour)
Is 23 (hours), but in this case, 1 is also subtracted for the date. In the setting of “minute”, 59 (minute) follows 0 (minute). In these cases, the date and time (past) before the set time is earlier than the initial value (date and time when the setting screen was started)
If, the initial value is retained.・ For the alarm notification method, toggle between “call” and “vibrate”.

(C) Double tapping of the lower button 105 The currently set value is determined, and the process proceeds to the next setting item. For example, if the hour setting has been performed, the process proceeds to the minute setting.If the minute setting has been performed, the process proceeds to the setting of the notification method.If the setting of the notification method has been performed, the setting is changed. After ending, the control is shifted to the process activated when the left button (recording button) 107 is pressed. (D) Double tapping of upper button 104 Cancels the recording process. That is, discard the recorded data,
The control is shifted to the process activated when the record button is pressed. (E) No button operation If no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more, the recording process is stopped. That is, the recording data is discarded, and the control is shifted to the process activated when the recording button is pressed. (F) Hold down button 105 Displays a pull-down menu screen and shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions that can be selected from the pull-down menu are as follows. (I) To the home (position) As in the case of double tapping of the upper button 104, the recording data is discarded, the processing started when the recording button is pressed is stopped, and the control is shifted to the home position display processing. I do. (Ii) Stop Cancel the recording process. That is, discard the recorded data,
The control is shifted to the process activated when the record button is pressed.

[5.2.2.1.1.3] Transmission Function The transmission function transmits the captured recording data as voice mail via a communication line. Then, during the transmission process, as shown in FIG. 15D, the captured recording data is transmitted as voice mail with the cursor displayed at the position corresponding to the transmission destination. Then, after the transmission of the recording data is completed, the control is returned to the process activated when the recording button is pressed.

[5.2.2.2.1.4] Stop Function The stop function discards the recorded data that has been fetched and gives processing to the function that was activated when the left button (record button) 107 was pressed down. Transition. In this case, there is no screen to be displayed, and no key input is accepted during the execution of the stop processing. Then, after the recording data is discarded, the control is returned to the process activated when the recording button is pressed.

[5.2.3] Alarm Function (Notify) The alarm (Notify) function (hereinafter referred to as “alarm notification function”) is performed with priority given to processing over most other functions, and is set in advance. Triggered when a certain notification factor occurs. The notification method in the list-type information processing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment includes “ringing sound”.
And "vibration" are used. Furthermore, it has a function of attaching a memo (text, sound, graphics) to each notification method. Also, an etiquette mode is provided to respond to a request to temporarily switch the notification mode to a quiet mode such as during a meeting.
In the etiquette mode, there are a silent call using "vibration" unconditionally as a notification method as a calling method and a secret call for notifying by an icon display that a silent call + notification has occurred. The quietness of the announcement is silent call <secret call. In the etiquette mode, which calling method is used can be set using a utility group described later or set in a pull-down menu in each group. Next, the operation of the alarm notification function will be described with reference to FIG. The alarm notification function is activated when an item corresponding to a preset “item to be notified” occurs, and executes a notification process (“ringing sound” or “vibration”). More specifically, in the notification process, occurrence of an item corresponding to “item to be notified” is expressed by “ringing sound” or “vibration”. However, during the display of the screen for which the alarm notification is prohibited, the notification process is not performed even if the "item to be notified" occurs. When the screen display that prohibits the alarm notification ends, the same process as “discontinue notification” described later is performed. There is no screen displayed during the notification process, and the screen displayed at the time of the notification is kept displayed. The button operations and effects that can be performed during the notification process are as follows.

The single tapping notification processing of the down button 105 is ended, and the control is shifted to a pop-up display processing described later. The single tapping notification processing of the upper button 104 ends, and the control is shifted to a pop-up display processing described later. The double tapping notification processing of the upper button 104 ends, and the control is shifted to the icon display processing described later. No button operation If no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more, the notification process is terminated, and control is transferred to the icon display process described later. Then, when the user confirms the alarm notification, a pop-up window displaying the notification content is displayed. The user can know more detailed notification information from the information displayed in the displayed pop-up window. Further, if there is a display in the pop-up window that "there is a memo attached", a confirmation screen for the attached memo is displayed. When the alarm (Notify) function ends, the screen that was displayed when the alarm (Notify) function was activated is displayed again. Hereinafter, details of each process in the alarm group will be described.

[5.2.3.1] Pop-up Display Processing FIG. 17A shows a display example of a pop-up display screen when a mail arrives. When a mail arrives, the fact that the mail has arrived is displayed as text in a pop-up window PW having an icon of a quotation mark (!) For alerting the user to the fact that the mail has arrived. Thus, the user can surely and easily confirm the incoming mail. In this case, the pop-up window does not cover the entire display screen, but is displayed with a part of the screen on which the alarm function is activated left. The content of the notification is displayed in the popup window as text (in FIG. 17A, “mail arrival” after a long time...). FIG. 17B shows a display example of a pop-up display screen at the end of the countdown. At the end of the countdown, the fact is displayed in text in a pop-up window PW having an icon of a caution mark (!) For calling the user's attention that the countdown has ended. Thus, the user can reliably and easily know the end of the countdown. Even in this case,
The pop-up window does not cover the entire display screen, but displays a part of the screen where the alarm function is activated.

The contents of the notification are displayed in the popup window as text (in FIG. 17B, "the countdown has been completed"). Further, FIG.
9 shows a display example of the notification icon IC when the notification content occurs. As shown in FIG. 17C, the notification icon IC
Is displayed in a form that does not cover the entire display screen, but leaves a part of the screen where the alarm function is activated, and is displayed so as not to interfere with the display of the function screen. In addition, as the notification content set by the user, a notification that a predetermined time has come (for example, “12: 3
4 ”.), Those that announce that they have a memo (for example,“ there is a memo ”), or those that announce that they have arrived at a predetermined location (for example,“ Shinjuku ” )). In addition, as a notification content from the control unit 116, a notification that a call has been received (for example,
"There is an incoming call") or a notification of the remaining battery level (for example, "Battery is low"). The button operations and their effects that can be performed during the pop-up display are as follows. The double tapping pop-up display of the lower button 105 ends, and the following processing is performed. -In the case of an alarm with a memo, control is transferred to the memo confirmation function described later. -In the case of an incoming mail, control is transferred to the mail confirmation process. In other cases, the pop-up display is terminated, and control returns to the process that was started when the alarm function was started. However, information such as "no remaining battery power" performs the same processing as the icon display processing described later. The double tapping notification processing of the upper button 104 ends, and the control is shifted to the icon display processing described later. No button operation After a lapse of a predetermined time, the notification processing ends, and control is transferred to the icon display processing.

[5.2.3.2] Memo Confirmation The memo confirmation function provides a function for confirming the contents of memos (text, sound, graphics) attached to the alarm. In this case, only the memo is confirmed, and the memo data is deleted by the personal viewer. The memo confirmation screen is the same as the data viewing screen of the personal viewer described later. The button operations and their effects that can be performed while the memo confirmation screen is displayed are as follows. The double tapping memo confirmation display of the lower button 105 is terminated, and control is returned to the process that was activated when the alarm function was activated. The double tapping of the upper button 104 terminates the memo confirmation display, and returns control to the process that was activated when the alarm function was activated. No button operation After a predetermined time has elapsed, the memo confirmation display ends, and control returns to the process that was started when the alarm function was started.
In any of the above cases, when the reproduction of the sound data is not performed, the control is shifted to an icon display process described later.

[5.2.3.3] E-mail confirmation The e-mail confirmation function provides a function for confirming the contents of an incoming e-mail. The practical function is the mail viewer itself described later, the mail confirmation screen is the same as the mail selection screen of the mail viewer, and the possible button operations and the effects are the same. When an e-mail is confirmed, control is transferred to the e-mail selection screen of the e-mail viewer.However, even after reading the e-mail, do not return control to the processing that was started when the alarm function was started. And This is because it is necessary to perform mail-specific operations such as replying.

[5.2.3.4] Icon Display Processing The icon display processing function is used when an “item to be notified” occurs but the user does not confirm the notification content.
It provides a function to make system settings for displaying the "notification" with an icon. Notification items for displaying icons include general notification items such as “there is an unread memo” and “unread mail”, and system notification items such as “there is no remaining battery capacity”. No display screen specific to the icon display process is provided. During the icon display process, no key input is accepted.

As an actual process, after various settings for displaying an icon are made, the control is returned to the process that was activated when the alarm (Notify) function was activated. In addition, the display of the icon for notification is configured not to be performed on the layers other than the first layer from the viewpoint of the viewability of the screen and the usability, and it is necessary to display the first layer to confirm the presence or absence of the icon. is there. If a "Notice to be reported" occurs but the user did not confirm the notification,
The fact that "notification" has been made is displayed as an icon during the screen display on the first level. Regarding the icons to be displayed, the general notification items (such as "Unread memo") are terminated after a certain period of time, but the urgent system notification icons ("No battery remaining") are displayed. The notification content is displayed until the user responds. FIG. 17C shows a display example of a notification icon display screen. In this case, the notification icon does not cover the entire display screen, but displays the information on the screen without interfering with the information. The notification icon of the incoming mail is displayed only on the mail viewer screen. The button operation and the effect that can be performed during the display of the notification icon are the same as those during the display of the first level screen, but if there is an unread memo, an item “confirmation of notification” is additionally displayed in the pull-down menu.
When "confirmation of notification content" is selected in the pull-down menu, the control is shifted to a memo confirmation process. When the memo confirmation processing is completed, the control returns to the processing that was started when the pull-down menu was started.

[6] Applications Next, each group realized as an application operating on the operating system will be described. Each function realized as an application operating on the operating system is handled as a group, and examples thereof include the following. (1) Clock group (2) Personal viewer group (3) Preview group (4) Information group (5) Personal navigation group (6) Mail viewer group (7) Utility group In the second embodiment, it is shown in FIG. Thus, the clock group 130, the personal viewer group 140,
Preview group 150, information group 160, personal navigation group 170,
Screens corresponding to the mail viewer group 180 and the utility group 190 are arranged in the first hierarchy.
Then, control is transferred to each individual process (second hierarchy) by selecting and determining a function in the first hierarchy. Hereinafter, each group will be described.

[6.1] Clock Group The clock group 130 roughly provides three functions of a clock (time display), a countdown (back calculation timer), and an alarm check (alarm confirmation). [6.1.1] Clock Function As shown in FIG. 18, the first layer of the clock group 130 has a clock function 131 that displays a menu screen for selecting the clock group 130 that is a group relating to time and displays date and time. have. The second layer of the clock group 130 includes a function selection function 132 for selecting a time-related function such as a countdown function (back calculation timer) or an alarm check function (alarm confirmation). A third hierarchy, which is a lower hierarchy of the function selection function 132, includes a countdown condition setting function 133 for setting a subtraction timer, and an alarm check function 134 for confirming already set alarms and making detailed settings. The countdown condition setting function 133 includes a condition setting function 133A for performing a countdown condition setting ((subtraction timer condition setting)).
Progress display function 13 for displaying the progress at the time of countdown
3B and an end display function 133C for displaying that fact when the countdown ends. Next, the operation in the clock group 130 will be described. When the clock function 131 is selected, a clock screen as shown in FIG. 19A is displayed. The clock screen displays the date, the day of the week, and the current time (hour, minute, second). By displaying this screen, the portable information processing device 10 can be used as a so-called “watch”.

[6.1.1.1] Button Operation During Clock Screen Display The button operations and effects that can be performed while the clock screen is displayed are as follows. Single tapping of lower button 105 Personal viewer function 14 which is the next function in the same hierarchy
The processing shifts to 0. Single tapping of upper button 104 The processing shifts to the utility function 190 which is the previous function in the same hierarchy. Double tapping of lower button 105 Shifts to function selection function 132, which is a function of the lower hierarchy, and displays a function selection screen. The selection of the double tapping clock group 130 of the upper button 104 is stopped, and the processing shifts to a function corresponding to a preset home position. However, in the case of the present embodiment, since the clock group 130 is at the home position, there is no apparent change. Pressing down the left button 107 Shifts to the voice memo function and performs recording. No button operation When no operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the same processing as the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions selectable from the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) To home (position) The same processing as double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed. (B) Etiquette mode Set or cancel the above etiquette mode.

[6.1.1.2] Function Selection Function (Clock Function) When the double tapping of the lower button 105 is performed, the processing shifts to the function selection function 132 which is the function of the lower hierarchy (second hierarchy). And a function selection screen shown in FIG. On the function selection screen, selectable items corresponding to the countdown function (back calculation timer) or the alarm check function (alarm confirmation) are displayed, and a cursor indicating the current selection status is displayed.

[6.1.1.3] Button operations during display of function selection screen (during clock function) Button operations and effects available during display of function selection screen during clock function are as follows. It has become. Single tapping of lower button 105 Moves the cursor to the next item. If the item is the last item, move the cursor to the first item. Move the cursor to the item before single tapping of the upper button 104. If the item is the first item, move the cursor to the last item. The item at the double tapping cursor position of the lower button 105 is selected. The selection of the double tapping item of the upper button 104 is stopped, and the process shifts to the clock screen display. Pressing down the left button 107 Shifts to the voice memo function and performs recording. No button operation When no operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the same processing as the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions that can be selected from the pull-down menu include the functions described with the button operation during the clock screen display described in [6.1.1.1], and
The following function (c) is added. (C) Cancel Terminates the pull-down menu function and returns control to the screen that called the currently displayed screen (in this example, control returns to the clock screen that called the function selection screen).

[6.1.1.4] Back calculation timer function In the function selection screen, when the double tapping of the lower button 105 is performed while the cursor is at the position of the "back calculation timer", the lower hierarchy (third hierarchy) The processing shifts to the countdown function 133 which is a function of ()), and a back calculation timer setting screen shown in FIG. 19C is displayed.

[6.1.1.5] Back calculation timer setting screen FIG. 19C shows a display example of the back calculation timer setting screen. On the countdown setting screen, the remaining time until the alarm is notified (the initial value is the previous user setting value. In FIG. 19C,
10 minutes and 30 seconds. ) And an alarm notification method of either calling or vibrating (vibrator) (initial value is called. In FIG. 19C, calling is performed).

[6.1.1.1.1] Button operations during display of the reverse calculation timer setting screen Button operations and effects that can be performed while the reverse calculation timer setting screen is displayed are as follows. Single tapping of the down button 105-Performs processing to add 1 to the set value (subtraction initial time) of the back calculation timer. However, for example, when the maximum setting time of the back calculation timer is 60 minutes, 1 (minute) is set after 60 (minutes), and 59
(Second) is set to 0 (second). -As for the notification method at the end of the back calculation timer, toggle between “call” and “vibration”. Single tapping of the upper button 104-A process of subtracting 1 from the set value (subtraction initial time) of the back calculation timer is performed. However, for example, when the maximum setting time of the back calculation timer is 60 minutes, 1 (minute) is followed by 60 (minutes). -As for the notification method at the end of the back calculation timer, toggle between “call” and “vibration”. Double tapping of the lower button 105 Determines the currently set numerical value and moves to the next setting item. For example, when the minute setting of the back calculation timer is performed, the process shifts to the second setting. When the line setting is performed, the process shifts to the setting of the notification method. When the setting of the notification method is performed, , End the countdown setting, and start the countdown. The selection of the double tapping item of the upper button 104 is stopped, and the process shifts to the clock screen display. No button operation When no operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the same processing as the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed. The set value of the hold countdown of the up button 104 or the down button 105 is increased / decreased at high speed. Up button 1
When 04 is held, the set value of the back calculation timer is
For example, 60 → 59 → 58 → ... → 51 → 50 → 45 →
30 → 15 → 60 → 59 →... At high speed. When the down button 105 is held, the set value of the back calculation timer is, for example, 1 → 2 → 3 →... → 9 →
It increases at a high speed, such as 10 → 15 → 30 → 45 → 60 → 1 →.

[6.1.1.6] Back calculation timer progress display screen FIG. 19D shows a display example of the back calculation timer progress display screen. On the back calculation timer progress display screen, the progress (remaining time) of the back calculation timer set on the back calculation timer setting screen is displayed in the form of "minute: second".

[6.1.1.6.1] Button Operation During Display of Backward Timer Progress Display Screen The button operations and effects that can be performed during the display of the reverse timer elapsed display screen are as follows. I have. The single tapping of the down button 105 is instructed to continue the reverse operation timer. This is valid only when the back calculation timer is interrupted. The single tapping of the upper button 104 is instructed to suspend the reverse calculation timer. This is valid only while the back calculation timer continues. Double tapping of the down button 105 Ends the back calculation timer process irrespective of the remaining time, and shifts the control to the back calculation timer setting screen. Double tapping of the upper button 104 Stops the reverse calculation timer and returns to the function selection screen. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions selectable from the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) Go to home (position) The processing is shifted to the function corresponding to the home position set in advance. However, the countdown itself continues. (B) Etiquette mode Set or cancel the above etiquette mode. (C) Cancel Stops the back calculation timer and returns to the function selection screen.

[6.1.1.7] Back calculation timer end display screen FIG. 19E shows a display example of the back calculation timer end display screen. At the end of the back calculation timer, a display to the effect that the back calculation timer set on the back calculation timer setting screen has ended, that is, a display that the remaining time is “00:00” is displayed.

[6.1.1.7.1] Button operations during display of the reverse calculation timer end display screen The button operations and effects that can be performed during the display of the reverse calculation timer progress display screen are as follows. I have. The double tapping of the lower button 105 terminates the display of the back calculation timer end display screen, and shifts the control to the back calculation timer setting screen. The double tapping of the upper button 104 suspends the display of the back calculation timer end display screen and returns to the function selection screen. Pressing down the left button 107 Shifts to the voice memo function and performs recording. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions that can be selected from the pull-down menu are the functions by button operation during the display of the back calculation timer progress display screen in [6.1.1.1.6.1], and (d) the back calculation timer again. Starts the back calculation timer based on the setting value set on the timer setting screen. It is a function that has been added.

[6.1.1.8] Alarm Check (Alarm Confirmation) Function Here, the alarm check function related to the clock group will be described. As shown in FIG. 30, in the alarm check function, a plurality of already set (n in the figure)
) Alarms (in this case, a countdown alarm is also included). Also, the set alarm contents can be changed. Specifically, the user can change settings such as whether or not a notification corresponding to the set alarm is possible (on / off), setting of an alarm notification time, and a notification method (call or vibration call). Further, data on the set alarm can be deleted. Here, a display screen in the alarm check function will be described. FIG. 31A shows a display example of the alarm setting confirmation screen. On the alarm setting confirmation screen, the date and time when the alarm is notified (in FIG. 31A, September 10, 1999)
Day, 10:30), alarm on / off (notification possible) and alarm notification method of calling or vibrating (vibrator) (initial value is called. FIG. 31)
In (A), call. ) Is displayed. FIG. 31 (B)
Shows a display example of the alarm setting confirmation screen at the time of countdown. The alarm setting confirmation screen displays an alarm notification, that is, the remaining time until the countdown ends (FIG. 30).
In (B), 0 hours and 30 minutes), a method of alarm notification (initial value is called; in FIG. 30 (B), called), and countdown suspended or continued state (not shown in FIG. 31 (B)) Is displayed. FIG. 31C shows a display example of an alarm setting confirmation screen when no alarm setting has been made. When the alarm setting has not been made, a display for notifying the user is made ("No data exists" in FIG. 31C).

[6.1.1.8.1] Button Operation During Display of Alarm Setting Confirmation Screen The button operations and effects that can be performed during the display of the alarm setting confirmation screen are as follows. Single tapping of the lower button 105-Moves to the next alarm setting confirmation screen display. When the last alarm setting confirmation screen (the n-th alarm setting confirmation screen in FIG. 30) is displayed, the display is continued as it is. If no alarm is set, nothing is done. Single tapping of the upper button 104-Moves to the previous alarm setting confirmation screen display. When the first alarm setting confirmation screen (the first alarm setting confirmation screen in FIG. 30) is displayed, the display is continued as it is. If no alarm is set, nothing is done. Double tapping of the lower button 105 Selects the setting corresponding to the currently displayed alarm setting confirmation screen, and proceeds to the setting change processing. If no alarm is set, nothing is done. The selection of the double tapping item of the upper button 104 is stopped, and the process shifts to the clock screen display. No button operation When no operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the same processing as the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions selectable from the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) Go to home (position) The processing is shifted to the function corresponding to the home position set in advance. (B) Delete The alarm setting data corresponding to the currently displayed alarm setting confirmation screen is deleted. After deletion, continue checking the alarm settings.

More specifically, the display screen after deletion when the m-th (1 ≦ m ≦ n) of the n alarm settings is deleted is as follows. (I) When m <n After deletion, a new m-th alarm setting confirmation screen is displayed. (Ii) When m = n After deletion, a new n-th alarm setting confirmation screen is displayed. (Iii) In the case of m = n = 1 After deletion, the alarm setting confirmation screen shown in FIG. 31C when no alarm setting has been made is displayed. (C) Change Changes the alarm data corresponding to the currently displayed alarm setting confirmation screen. The alarm data change screen (alarm setting change screen) will be described later. (D) Alarm on / off Set the alarm on (use) / off (non-use) corresponding to the currently displayed alarm setting confirmation screen. (E) Etiquette mode Setting or canceling the aforementioned etiquette mode. (F) Cancel The alarm setting confirmation ends and the process moves to the clock screen display.

[6.1.1.8.2] Alarm Setting Change Screen FIG. 31D shows a display example of the alarm setting change screen.
Immediately after the alarm setting change screen is displayed, the date part (FIG. 31)
In (D), the cursor is at “10”).
The alarm setting is changed in the order of day → hour → minute → notification method. The alarm setting can be changed only at a time later than the current time. Button operations and their effects that can be performed while the alarm setting change screen is displayed are as follows. Single tapping of the lower button 105-This operation adds 1 to the set value or toggles the selected item. More specifically, when the setting change target is a date, the value of [date + 1] is set as a new date value. When the setting change target is hour, the value of [hour + 1] is set as a new hour value.
If the current time is 23:00, 0:00 is set as a new time. If the set time is a time earlier than the current time, the display is left as it is. When the setting change target is minute, the value of [hour + 1] is set as a new minute value. If the current minute is 59 minutes, 0 minute is set as a new time. If the set time is a time earlier than the current time, the display is left as it is. If the setting change target is the notification method, "call" and "vibrate call"
To toggle display.

Single tapping of the upper button 104 • This operation subtracts 1 from the set value, or causes the selected item to be displayed in a circular or toggle display. More specifically, when the setting change target is a date, “current date”, “daily”, “Monday”, “Tuesday”, “Wednesday”, “Thursday”, “Friday”, “Saturday”, "Sunday" and "Monday to Friday" are displayed in this order. However,
Planting button 10 with "Monday to Friday" displayed
Even if 4 is single-tapped, the display remains as it is. When the setting change target is hour, the value of [hour-1] is set as a new hour value. If the current time is midnight,
23:00 is a new time. If the set time is a time earlier than the current time, the display is left as it is. When the setting change target is minute, the value of [hour-1] is set as a new minute value. 5 if the current minute is 0 minutes
9 minutes is a new time. If the set time is a time earlier than the current time, the display is left as it is. If the setting change target is the notification method, “call” and “vibration call” are toggled. Double tapping of the lower button 105-This operation determines and selects a value and shifts to setting of the next value. If the setting is to be changed, the displayed set value is determined, and the process proceeds to minute setting. If the setting change target is minute, the displayed set value is determined, and the process proceeds to the setting of the notification method. If the setting change target is the notification method, the displayed notification method is determined, and the setting is terminated. The double tapping alarm setting change contents of the upper button 104 are discarded, and the screen returns to the alarm setting change screen before the change. No button operation When no operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the same processing as the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed.

Hold down of down button 105 Displays a pull-down menu screen and shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions selectable from the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) Go to home (position) The processing is shifted to the function corresponding to the home position set in advance. (B) Cancel Stop changing the alarm setting and shift to the clock screen display.

[6.1.1.8.3] Alarm setting change screen when countdown alarm setting is changed FIG. 31E shows a display example of the countdown setting screen.
On the countdown setting screen, the remaining time until the alarm is notified (the initial value is the previous user setting value; 10 minutes and 30 seconds in FIG. 31E) and the alarm notification of either calling or vibrating (vibrator) is displayed. Method (initial value is called. In FIG. 31E, called). The button operations and their effects that can be performed during the display of the countdown setting screen are the same as those of the above-described alarm setting change screen, and thus detailed description is omitted.

[6.2] Personal Viewer Group The personal viewer group 140 provides a function for browsing various data (text, image, sound) accumulated by the user on the main body of the list-type information processing apparatus. The personal viewer function can be used by selecting the personal viewer screen 141 at the first level as shown in FIG.
It provides functions of browsing (reproducing sound data) and deleting graphics data and sound data.

Therefore, the personal viewer data is not limited to personal data and is not necessarily backed up like data downloaded from an external device, so that it cannot be deleted unless specified by the user. I have. On the other hand, preview data used in the preview function described later or information data used in the information function is automatically deleted.
Next, the operation in the personal viewer group 140 will be described. When the personal viewer function 141 is selected, a personal viewer screen shown in FIG. 21A is displayed. On this personal viewer screen, the number of data that can be browsed by the personal viewer is displayed. Individual data can be browsed by calling the data browsing screen from the personal viewer screen.

[6.2.1] Button operations and effects available during display of personal viewer screen The button operations and effects available during display of the personal viewer screen are as follows. Single tapping of the lower button 105 Previewer group 1 which is the next group in the same hierarchy
The processing shifts to 50. Single tapping of upper button 104 The processing shifts to the personal viewer group 140 which is the previous group in the same hierarchy. Double tapping of the lower button 105 The personal viewer data is browsed. In this case, when the personal viewer is activated, the data that was last viewed last time (the system default value in the initial state is “first data”) is displayed. The browsing of the personal viewer data is performed by sequentially switching data 1 to data n (see FIG. 20). For example, when the personal viewer data is text data, as shown in FIG. 21B, the data browsing screen displays the data name (“weather forecast” in FIG. 21B) and the corresponding data content. Is displayed as it is. When the personal viewer data is graphics data, as shown in FIG.
In (C), "at Lake Oyama") and corresponding image display are performed.

When the personal viewer data is sound data, as shown in FIG. 21D, the data name (“voice 03” in FIG. 21D) and the recording date (FIG. For 21 (D), "99/09/10"
Is displayed (at this stage, no sound is reproduced).
Further, when data is to be deleted, the deletion is performed on this screen using the pull-down menu function. When the number of data becomes 0 as a result of data deletion, a screen indicating that there is no browsable data is displayed as shown in FIG.
In this case, a pop-up window PW having an icon of a caution mark (!) For alerting the user that there is no browsable data
Is displayed in text, so that the user can surely and easily confirm that. Button operations and their effects that can be performed while the data browsing screen is displayed are as follows. Single tapping of lower button 105 Shifts to the display of the next data browsing screen. If the last data browsing screen is displayed, the last data browsing screen is kept displayed. The screen shifts to the display of the data browsing screen before the single tapping of the upper button 104. If the first data browsing screen is displayed, the first data browsing screen is kept displayed. Double tapping of the lower button 105 When the personal viewer data corresponding to the displayed data browsing screen is sound data, the corresponding sound is reproduced as described later. The display of the double tapping data browsing screen of the upper button 104 is interrupted, and the processing shifts to the personal viewer screen display. Hold of the left button 107 Shifts to the voice memo function and performs recording. No button operation If no button operation has been performed for a predetermined time or more, the display of the data browsing screen is interrupted, and the processing shifts to the personal viewer screen display. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function.

In this case, the functions selectable from the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) Go to Home (Position) As in the case of double tapping of the upper button 104, the selection of the personal viewer group 140 is stopped, and the processing shifts to a function corresponding to a preset home position. (B) Delete Deletes the currently displayed and selected personal viewer data. After deletion, data browsing is continued. In this case, the n-th data (0 <
The data browsing screen displayed after deletion when n <m) is deleted is as follows. (B) If n <m, after deleting the nth personal viewer data, a data browsing screen corresponding to the nth personal viewer data after the deletion is displayed. (B) If n = m, after deleting the n-th personal viewer data, a data browsing screen corresponding to the m-th personal viewer data after the deletion is displayed. (C) In the case of n = m = 1, after the deletion of the n-th personal viewer data, the number of data after deletion becomes 0, so that the browsing is performed as shown in FIG. Display a screen indicating that no data is available. (C) Etiquette mode Setting or canceling the aforementioned etiquette mode. (D) Cancel The display of the data browsing screen is interrupted, and the processing shifts to the personal viewer screen display.

[6.2.1.1] Reproduction of Sound Data When the personal viewer data corresponding to the displayed data browsing screen is sound data, the reproduction of the sound data is performed, and the reproduction of the sound data is performed as shown in FIG. As shown in F), during playback, a screen indicating that playback is in progress is displayed. When the reproduction of the audio data is completed, a data browsing screen corresponding to the next personal viewer data is displayed. However, if the reproduced sound data corresponds to the last personal viewer data, the screen is not changed. The only key operation that can be performed during sound data reproduction is double tapping of the upper button 104 corresponding to the stop of reproduction. When the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed, reproduction of the sound data is stopped and the next personal viewer Display the data browsing screen corresponding to the data. However, if the reproduced sound data corresponds to the last personal viewer data, the screen is not changed.

[6.3] Previewer Group The previewer group 150 includes an external personal computer (PC) 30 on the main body of the list-type information processing apparatus.
A function is provided for browsing various data (text, graphics, sound) automatically or arbitrarily downloaded from 3,304 or the like. More specifically, automatic browsing of downloaded data (informing that sound data and graphics data exist),
Provides a function of personal browsing of data (playback of sound data). For automatic browsing, display items, display start times, and the like are specified in advance on the PC side, and the list-type information processing apparatus is automatically executed (manual execution is also possible) in accordance with the information. The previewer function can be used by selecting the previewer screen 151 on the first level as shown in FIG. 22, and can be automatically or arbitrarily downloaded from external personal computers (PC) 303, 304 or the like. It provides a function for easily browsing the stored text data, graphics data, and sound data (reproduction of sound data). As described above, the previewer data is stored in the external personal computer (PC) 3.
Since the data is automatically or arbitrarily downloaded from 03, 304 or the like, it is assumed that the data has been backed up and is automatically deleted at a predetermined timing. That is, every time new data is downloaded, old data in the main body is automatically deleted. As the previewer data, for example, the following data can be considered. Breaking news data Trivia data Weather / traffic information data Advertisement (magazine / entertainment-related, shop-related) data Favorite homepage data pre-registered by the user Automatic data automatically selected by the application prepared on the personal computer Next previewer The operation in the group will be described. When the preview function 151 is selected, a preview screen shown in FIG. 23A is displayed. The number of data that can be browsed by the previewer is displayed on the previewer screen, and the information display window 151W further includes, in the information display window 151W, the title and content of the previewable data that can be browsed (contents only in text). Are displayed while sequentially moving in a predetermined direction like an electronic bulletin board. The information display window 151W for sequentially displaying the title and the contents of the previewer data does not cover the entire previewer screen but uses a part of the previewer screen. Individual data can be browsed by calling the article selection screen and the article browsing screen from the previewer screen. The previewer function is similar to the personal viewer function described above, and the button operations and effects that can be performed during the display of the previewer screen and the article selection screen are the same as those of the personal viewer screen. I do. The operation in the previewer function and an example of a displayed screen will be briefly introduced. FIG. 23B shows a state in FIG.
This is an article selection screen (so-called second-layer screen) displayed by double-tapping the lower button 105.

On the screen of the article selection screen, selectable article items and a cursor indicating the current selection status are arranged. (Immediately after the article selection screen is activated, the cursor is arranged on the article item viewed last.) . In this case, if the article item does not fit on one screen, the display is performed by scrolling the viewing candidate article within the screen. If there is no article to be browsed on the article selection screen, a message is displayed indicating that there is no article to be browsed, as shown in FIG. When browsing previewer data (articles), at the start of browsing, the last viewed data (the system default value in the initial state is “first data”) is displayed. The browsing of the previewer data is performed by sequentially switching data 1 to data n. For example, when the data for the previewer is text data, the data browsing screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
23, the data name (“weather forecast” in FIG. 23D) and the corresponding data content are displayed as they are. In this case, if the text data does not fit on one screen, the screens are sequentially switched and displayed as shown in FIG. When the previewer data is graphics data, a data name (in FIG. 23 (F), “at Lake Oyama”) and a corresponding image are displayed as shown in FIG. 23 (F). When the previewer data is sound data, FIG.
As shown in (G), the data name (in FIG. 23 (G),
“Voice 03”) and the recording date (“99/09/10” in FIG. 23 (G) (sound reproduction is not performed at this stage). Perform this screen using the menu function.
When the number of data becomes 0 as a result of data deletion, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3H, a screen indicating that there is no browsable data is displayed. In this case, since there is no text-viewable data displayed in a pop-up window PW having a caution mark (!) Icon to alert the user that there is no browsable data, The user can surely and easily confirm that fact. When the data for the previewer corresponding to the displayed data browsing screen is sound data, the sound data is reproduced, and as shown in FIG.
Display a screen indicating that playback is in progress.

[6.4] Information Group The information group 160 has the same function as the preview word group except that the preview is not performed in the first layer. Therefore, only the part different from the previewer group will be described here. As shown in FIG. 24, the information function can be used by selecting the information screen 161 in the first hierarchy, automatically or arbitrarily downloaded from external personal computers (PCs) 303 and 304, and the like. A function for easily browsing stored text data, graphics data, and sound data (reproduction of sound data) is provided. When the information function 161 is selected, an information screen shown in FIG. 25 is displayed. In this information screen,
The number of browsable data is displayed, but the preview of browsable information data, which is a content, is not performed. In the above-described preview function, since the content is also displayed as shown in FIG. 23A, there is an effect that the outline of the content can be quickly grasped. However, in some cases, it may be obstructive. In this regard, in the present information function, the information screen 161 is clearly shown, and the content is not displayed, so that it is not annoying. Individual data can be browsed by calling the article selection screen and the article browsing screen from the information screen.

[6.5] Personal Navigation Group The personal navigation group processes text, sound, and graphics data accumulated by the user and the latitude and longitude information associated with the data. The personal navigation function, as shown in FIG.
It can be used by selecting the personal navigation screen 171 at the first level, browsing text data, graphics data and sound data (playing back sound data), displaying the direction and distance to the set destination, Provides the function of recording information to the location. The personal navigation function has an operation system basically similar to that of the previewer except that the associated personal information is operated. Next, the operation in the personal navigation group will be described. When the personal navigation function 171 is selected, a personal navigation screen shown in FIG. 27A is displayed. Information display window 1 of this personal navigation screen
Within 71W, the viewable place item names (subgroups), the number of place items that can be browsed, the distance / direction to the destination, the place item names (contents), etc. are sequentially arranged in a predetermined direction like an electronic bulletin board. Display while moving the display position.
In this case, the information display window 171W for displaying the location item name (subgroup), the number of location items, the distance / direction to the destination, and the location item name (content) does not cover the entire display screen but personal navigation. Use part of the screen. Then, individual data can be browsed by calling the place selection screen and the place information browsing screen from the personal navigation screen.

[6.5.1] Button operations and effects that can be performed while displaying the personal navigation screen The button operations and effects that can be performed while displaying the personal navigation screen are described in each of the groups (personal viewer, previewer, Information), but the personal navigation group is characterized by handling position information, and the details will be described below. Single tapping of the lower button 105 The processing shifts to the mail viewer group 180 which is the next group in the same hierarchy. Single tapping of the upper button 104 The processing shifts to the information group 160 which is the previous group in the same hierarchy. Double tapping of the lower button 105 Browses personal navigation data. The control is transferred to the double tapping of the upper button 104 to shift to the home position. Pressing down the right button 106 The process proceeds to the clip function, and the information on the current position acquired by the GPS unit 201 is used as personal viewer data. The information on the current position is stored in the PHS unit 202.
May be location information obtained through the PHS network 301 or location information based on information obtained from both the GPS unit 201 and the PHS unit 202. Hold the left button 107 Activate the voice memo function and record. No button operation When no operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, the same processing as the double tapping of the upper button 104 is performed. A hold pull-down menu screen of the lower button 105 is displayed, and the operation shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions selectable from the pull-down menu are as follows. (A) To Home (Position) As in the case of double tapping of the upper button 104, the selection of the personal navigation group 170 is stopped, and the processing shifts to a function corresponding to a preset home position. (B) Etiquette mode Set or cancel the above etiquette mode. (C) Position display Information on the current position is displayed.

FIG. 27B shows a display example of the place selection screen. On the location selection screen, selectable location items,
A cursor indicating the current selection status is arranged (immediately after the activation of the place selection screen, the cursor is arranged at the last browsed place item). In this case, if the place item does not fit on the position screen, the display is performed by scrolling the browse candidate place in the screen. If there is no place to be browsed on the place selection screen, a display indicating that there is no place to be browsed is displayed as shown in FIG. Button operations and their effects that can be performed while the location selection screen is displayed are as follows. (A) Single tapping of the down button 105 Moves the cursor to the next browsing candidate place (however, if there is no browsing candidate place, nothing is done). -When the browsing candidate location fits on one screen If the cursor is at the last browsing candidate location, move the cursor to the first browsing candidate location. -When the browsing candidate location does not fit on one screen: The screen scrolls upward so that the next browsing candidate location that is not displayed appears below the last browsing candidate location displayed. (B) Move the cursor to the browse candidate location before single tapping of the up button 104 (however, if there is no browse candidate location, do nothing). -When the browsing candidate location fits on one screen If the cursor is at the first browsing candidate location, move the cursor to the last browsing candidate location. -When the browsing candidate location does not fit on one screen: The screen scrolls down so that the previous browsing candidate location that is not displayed is displayed above the first browsing candidate location displayed. (C) Double tapping of the down button 105 The control is shifted to the place browsing process described below for the selected browse candidate place (however, if there is no browse candidate place, nothing is performed). (D) Double tapping of upper button 104 Cancels the selection process and displays the personal navigation screen. (E) Hold of the left button 107 Shift to the voice memo function and perform recording. (F) Depressing the right button 106 The process shifts to the clip function, and all of the contents of the currently selected viewing candidate location are used as personal viewer data. (G) No button operation If no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more, the selection process is stopped and the personal navigation screen is displayed. (H) Hold down button 105 Displays a pull-down menu screen and shifts to the selected function. In this case, the functions that can be selected from the pull-down menu are the same as those of each group (personal viewer, previewer, information) as described above, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[6.5.2] Location information browsing Personal navigation data (text data,
When browsing graphic data, sound data, and location data, at the start of browsing, the last data browsed last time (the system default value in the initial state is “first data”) is displayed. The browsing of the personal navigation data is performed by sequentially switching data 1 to data n (see FIG. 26). For example, when the personal navigation data is text data, the location information browsing screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
As shown in (D), the data name (in FIG. 27 (D),
"Weather forecast") and the corresponding data contents are displayed as they are. In this case, if the text data does not fit on one screen, the screens are sequentially switched and displayed as shown in FIGS. 23D and 23E. When the personal navigation data is graphics data, a data name (“△△ company” in FIG. 27E) and a corresponding image are displayed as shown in FIG. When the current position information is recorded (clip), as shown in FIG. 27F, the data name (“current position record” in FIG. 27F) and the recording date (FIG. 27 F) displays “99/09/10”) and position information (in FIG. 27F, numerical data of east longitude and north latitude). In this case, in displaying the position information,
Instead of numerical data, it is also possible to display a recording point as a mark such as a "point" on a map corresponding to the numerical data. Further, when data is to be deleted, the deletion is performed on this screen using the pull-down menu function. When the number of data becomes 0 as a result of data deletion, a screen indicating that there is no browsable data is displayed as shown in FIG. In this case, since there is no text-viewable data displayed in a pop-up window PW having a caution mark (!) Icon to alert the user that there is no browsable data, The user can surely and easily confirm that fact.

The button operations and effects that can be performed during the display of the location information browsing screen are the same as those of the article browsing screen of the previewer group and the information group, and the description is omitted. However, the clip function by depressing the right button 106 is as follows.
When the right button 106 is depressed, the mode shifts to the clip function.
Only the contents of the personal navigation data (location) currently displayed are used as personal viewer data. For text data that spans multiple screens, all of the text data is used as personal viewer data. Although not shown, if the personal navigation data is sound data, a sound is reproduced based on the sound data, and a screen indicating that the sound is being reproduced is displayed.

[6.6] Mail Viewer Group The mail viewer group 180 provides a function of performing processing related to an e-mail operated to the user.
As shown in Fig. 28, the mail viewer function can be used by selecting the mail viewer screen on the first level, and provides two functions of mail browsing (playback of sound data) and mail sending. I do. Note that the list-type information processing apparatus is basically a “data viewer”, and thus the main function of the mail viewer is to read mail. This list-type information processing apparatus has a specification that text data cannot be edited from the viewpoint of usability, but it is possible to reply to a mail using voice data. In this case, the actual mail transmission / reception uses the communication function with the network using the PHS function. However, if mobile wireless communication is possible, the present invention can be similarly applied. Next, the operation in the mail viewer group will be described. When the mail viewer function 181 is selected, a mail viewer screen shown in FIG. 29A is displayed. This mail viewer screen displays the number of viewable mails that can be viewed and the number of unread mails. If there is an unread mail, an information window 181W is displayed to alert the user.
Then, individual data can be viewed by calling the mail selection screen and the mail viewing screen from the mail viewer screen.

The button operations and their effects that can be performed during the display of the mail viewer screen are described in the above-described groups (personal viewer, previewer, information, etc.).
Therefore, the description is omitted. However, right button 1
No clip function is provided by pushing down 06. An operation of the mail viewer function and an example of a displayed screen will be briefly described. FIG. 29 (B)
FIG. 29A is a mail selection screen (so-called second-layer screen) displayed by double-tapping the lower button 105 in FIG. On the screen of the mail selection screen, a selectable location item and a cursor indicating the current selection status are arranged (immediately after the activation of the mail selection screen, the cursor is located at the last viewed location item). In this case, if the location item does not fit on the position screen, the display is performed by scrolling the viewing candidate mail on the screen. If there is no place to be browsed on the mail selection screen, a message that there is no place to be browsed is displayed as shown in FIG. The button operation and its effects during the display of the mail selection screen are the same as those of the article selection screen of the previewer group or the information group, and the description is omitted.

When browsing mail viewer data (text data, graphic data, sound data, location data), when browsing is started, the last data browsed last time (the system default value in the initial state is “first data ") Is displayed. The browsing of the mail viewer data is performed by sequentially switching data 1 to data n. For example, when the mail viewer data is text data, the mail browsing screen displays the data name (FIG. 2) as shown in FIG.
In 9 (D), "Please return" and the corresponding data contents are displayed as they are. In this case, if the text data does not fit on one screen, FIG.
As shown in (E), the screens are sequentially switched and displayed. When the mail viewer data is graphics data, a data name (“Toranomon” in FIG. 29E) and a corresponding image are displayed as shown in FIG. When the mail viewer data is sound data, as shown in FIG. 29 (F), the data name (in FIG. 29 (F), “voice 0
3 ”) and the date of recording (“ 99/09 in FIG. 29 (F)).
/ 10 ”is displayed. Further, when data is to be deleted, the deletion is performed on this screen using the pull-down menu function.
When the number of data becomes 0 as a result of data deletion, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9 (G), a screen indicating that there is no browsable data is displayed.

The button operations and effects that can be performed during the display of the mail browsing screen are the same as those of the article browsing screen of the above-described preview group and information group, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Although not shown, when the mail viewer data is a sound, the sound is reproduced and a screen indicating that the data is being reproduced is displayed.

[6.7] Utility Group The utility group 190 provides functions independent of each group used in the main body of the list-type information processing apparatus. The utility function can be used by selecting a utility on the first level. The utilities that make up the utility group include the following. When the utility function is selected, a utility screen shown in FIG. 32A is displayed. Further, when a selection operation (double tapping of the lower button 105) is performed on the utility screen, a utility selection screen as shown in FIG. 32B is displayed, and for example, the following utilities can be selected. Note that the button operations and their effects on the utility screen are the same as those on the above-described group selection screens, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Time Adjust This is a utility for performing time adjustment (time correction), and the user performs time adjustment via a screen as shown in FIG. This utility is used to perform basic settings such as shifting to the home position when the setting button is not operated. Sound This is a utility for setting the volume, tone, etc., and allows the user to make sound settings via a screen as shown in FIG. Power gauge Utility for indicating the remaining battery capacity.
As shown in (E), the remaining battery capacity is displayed as a percentage. Etiquette mode A utility for setting the operation mode when the etiquette mode is set. For example, as shown in FIG.
, A silent call mode for notifying that a silent call + notification has occurred by icon display, and the like. In the case of the above-described example, the silent call mode <the secret call mode when the notification is quiet. Telephone number management This is a utility for managing telephone numbers when making a telephone call via a telephone unit such as a PHS unit. PC Link This is a utility for exchanging (downloading, uploading, etc.) various data with a user's personal computer as a host. The above utility is just an example.
When extending the function of the main body of the list-type information processing apparatus, a corresponding utility can be added.

[7] Effect of Second Embodiment As described above, in the list-type information processing apparatus 101 of this example, a plurality of functions are hierarchized, and a plurality of operation buttons (up button 104, down button 105, The right button 106 and the left button 107) are used to select the respective functions by single tapping or double tapping the upper button 104 and the lower button 105, and furthermore, by holding the lower button 105 and the left button 107. And be up and running. Specifically, single tapping of the upper button 104 and the lower button 105 is assigned to movement within the same hierarchy, double tapping of the upper button 104 and the lower button 105 is assigned to movement between layers, and hold of the lower button 105 is selected from a pull-down menu. Left button 10
7 is assigned to recording, the press of the right button 106 is assigned to the clip of data, and the function in the hierarchical structure can be freely controlled by a plurality of operation buttons (up button 104, down button 105, right button 106 and left button 107). You can choose. For this reason, since the multifunction can be freely selected with the minimum number of buttons, even when the display area is limited, the operation buttons can be enlarged while securing a sufficient display area.

Further, a desired function can be freely selected by simple operations such as single tapping, double tapping, hold, and depression. Therefore, a large number of functions can be selected easily and quickly without mistakenly pressing a button, and the functions can be reliably selected. Further, even when the use environment is dark such as at night, the operation buttons themselves can be easily recognized, and the operation can be easily performed under any circumstances. Further, an operation such as tapping lightly can be performed with the finger lightly placed on the upper button 104 and the lower button 105. If such an operation can be performed, tapping can be easily performed and quick tapping can be performed. Moreover, even if it taps continuously for a long time, it is hard to be tired. Furthermore, since a desired function can be easily selected without performing a complicated operation procedure such as pressing a plurality of operation buttons several times or simultaneously pressing a plurality of operation buttons, the number of operation rules to be remembered by the user can be reduced. From these facts, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus that can be easily handled by a user who uses it for the first time. In the list-type information processing apparatus 101 of this example, the function execution can be determined by double tapping of the lower button 105, and the function execution can be canceled by double tapping of the upper button 104. That is, detailed setting of alarms and the like can be performed via these buttons 104 and 105, and the entire operation from the selection of a function to the operation being executed can be covered with only a small number of operation buttons.

[2.7] Modifications In the second embodiment, the list type information processing apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to a card type or key boulder type portable information processing apparatus. Of course, it can be applied. The arrangement relationship between the LCD 3 and the upper button 104, the lower button 105, the right button 106, and the left button 107 is not limited to the above example. Furthermore, it goes without saying that operation buttons for handling special functions may be additionally provided in addition to these buttons. In addition, as described above, such a control method is provided by an operation program, and is used by being stored in a ROM. Further, the information can be stored in a mobile recording medium such as a CD-ROM and installed or updated in a list-type information processing apparatus via a personal computer or the like. Alternatively, programs and data may be downloaded via a communication network. Further, it is of course possible to realize such a control method using hardware such as a microprogram system or a sequencer.

[0113]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of contents are grouped, a dedicated group display screen is assigned to each group, and the group display screens are sequentially switched and displayed on the display device. I am trying to do it. When a group display screen is selected, the display screens of the contents included in the group to which the group display screen is assigned are sequentially switched and displayed. For this reason, among the plurality of contents, for example, contents having article-like relations such as breaking news, weather forecast, traffic information, and the like can be grouped into one group, and one group display screen can be assigned to the group. . Thus, it is not necessary to search for individual contents such as breaking news, and desired contents can be quickly displayed according to a hierarchically organized system.

Further, since the display of each group is switched and displayed on the screen, it is easy to judge the groups, and many groups can be displayed in an easily viewable state.
Therefore, even if a large number of groups are selected, each group can be displayed on a small-sized screen, and a desired group can be reliably selected from them. Also,
When a group is selected, the content display screen for displaying the content collectively on a screen basis is switched and displayed, so that the content is not displayed over a plurality of screens. Therefore, even in a portable information processing apparatus having a limited display screen size, characters or images can be displayed on a single screen in a size that is easy to see, and characters and images can be easily grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wrist-type information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the list-type information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how a plurality of contents are grouped.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of each screen in an information group.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of each screen in a personal preview group.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a list-type information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the list-type information processing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a system including a list-type information processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a button operation.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a function transition state according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a pull-down menu process.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of a pull-down menu.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in an etiquette mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of voice memo processing;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in a voice memo process.

FIG. 16 is a schematic flowchart of an alarm notification process.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in an alarm notification process.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a process outline of a clock group.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in clock group processing.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a processing outline of a personal viewer group.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in processing of a personal viewer group.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a process outline of a previewer group.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in a process of a previewer group.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a processing outline of an information group.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in information group processing.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a processing outline of a personal navigation group.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in processing of the personal navigation group.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a process outline of a mail viewer group.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in processing of a mail viewer group.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a process outline of an alarm check function.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of an alarm setting confirmation screen.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen in processing of a utility group.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Portable information processing device 101. Wrist-type information processing device 2, 102. Information processing device main body 4, 104. Up button 5, 105. Down button 6, 108. Belt 106. Right button. 107 left button 12 storage unit 16, 116 operating system (control unit) 20 selection system 21 primary selection function unit 22 content selection function unit 23 secondary selection system 24 -Tertiary selection system 30-Preview screen (group display screen) 32-Information screen (group display screen) 34-Article selection screen (subgroup display screen) 36-Individual preview screen (group display screen) 38- -Clock screen (group display screen) 50, 56, 57-Title bar (hierarchical level display) 51, 52- Arrows (lower-layer instruction display) 53, 58 ... Up arrow (lower-layer instruction display) 54, 59 ... Down arrow (lower-layer instruction display) 61-67 ... Content display screen G1 Information group G2 Individual play group G3 Clock Group

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Momose 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano F-term in Seiko Epson Corporation (reference) 5B019 BA10 GA10 HE20 JA01 KA04 KA10 5E501 AA04 AB03 AB16 AB18 AC15 AC16 AC25 AC33 AC34 AC35 BA03 BA05 CA04 CA08 CB03 CB15 EA10 EA21 EB05 FA04 FA14 FA23 FA32 FA44 FA46 FB32 FB43

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A portable device comprising: a plurality of contents; a display device capable of displaying the contents; and a selection system capable of switching to the display device to display a content display screen for displaying each content collectively on a screen basis. A type information processing apparatus, wherein the contents are grouped, and the selection system sequentially switches and displays a group display screen assigned to each group to select and select a group. And a content selection function for sequentially switching and displaying a content display screen of each content included in the group. 2. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the group display screen is a screen that displays an icon indicating the content of the content included in the group. apparatus. 3. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of contents are sub-grouped, and the content selection function is a secondary selection for displaying a sub-group display screen for selecting a sub-group. A portable information processing apparatus comprising a function and a tertiary selection function of sequentially switching and displaying a content display screen of each content included in a selected subgroup. 4. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the group display screen, the subgroup display screen, and the content display screen indicate a primary, secondary, or tertiary selection function. A portable information processing device comprising a hierarchy level display. 5. The portable information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the hierarchical level display is a difference in length of a bar display displayed on a part of a display screen, a bar shape, or a color of the display screen. A portable information processing device, characterized in that it has different shades. 6. The portable information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the group display screen and the subgroup display screen each include a lower-layer instruction display for indicating whether or not there is a secondary selectable or tertiary selectable content. A portable information processing apparatus characterized in that: 7. The portable information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the group display screen, the subgroup display screen,
Alternatively, the portable information processing apparatus is characterized in that the content display screen includes an in-layer instruction display indicating the presence or absence of a display screen sequentially following before or after the display screen being displayed. 8. The portable information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the group display screen includes a content information display that is information on each content included in the group. Processing equipment. 9. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the group display screen includes a content text information display, which is text information included in the content. apparatus. 10. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the content text information is moved in a predetermined direction by moving a text constituting at least a part of the content text information into a predetermined display window area. A portable information processing device characterized by displaying while displaying. 11. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display of the content text information is to sequentially display text information included in a plurality of contents. 12. The portable information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the group display screen includes a subgroup information display that is information on the subgroup. 13. The portable information processing device according to claim 12, wherein the subgroup display is displayed by text. 14. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the group display screen, the sub-group display screen, or the content display screen together with a predetermined alert icon for alerting a user. A portable information processing apparatus for displaying information that is a target of user's attention. 15. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the hierarchical level display is indicated by a difference in a length of a bar display displayed on a part of a display screen, and the lower the hierarchical level, the longer the bar display. A portable information processing device characterized by displaying. 16. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lower layer instruction display includes a subgroup corresponding to the group or a content corresponding to the subgroup in a layer below the group or the subgroup. A portable information processing device, which is set to a non-display state when not performed. 17. A method for controlling a portable information processing apparatus, wherein a content display screen for displaying a plurality of contents collectively in units of screens while switching to a display device is provided, wherein the contents are grouped. A primary selection step of sequentially switching and displaying a group display screen assigned to each group and selecting a group, and a content of sequentially switching and displaying a content display screen of each content included in the selected group. A control method for a portable information processing apparatus, comprising: a selecting step. 18. A recording medium recording a control program for a portable information processing apparatus for switching a content display screen for displaying a plurality of contents collectively in units of screens on the display device and displaying the content display screen, The contents are grouped, and a primary selection process of sequentially switching and displaying a group display screen assigned to each group and selecting a group, and a content display screen of each content included in the selected group are sequentially performed. A recording medium readable by an information processing apparatus, wherein the control program having an instruction to execute a content selection process to be switched and displayed is recorded.