JP5894238B2 - Mobile phone - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface of a mobile phone.

Mobile phones tend to be equipped with many functions such as a mail function, a camera function, a TV function, and a schedule function in addition to the original telephone function.
Conventionally, as for a standard function such as a mail function or a camera function, there is a technique for assigning a key to a specific operation key so that the function can be called with one touch.

JP 2000-322179 A JP 2001-125893 A

As described above, a method for facilitating access to functions is adopted for the standard functions. However, functions that are rarely used by users (minor functions) tend to require complex operations until the functions are activated.
For example, to activate a function, the user may be forced to follow the hierarchy of the hierarchical menu many times. In addition, it is considered difficult for a user unfamiliar with the operation to select a target function from many items on the menu.
In this regard, it is conceivable to perform the above-described key assignment for the minor function as well, but it is difficult to assign all of the functions to a limited number of keys, and the user can learn the key assignment. Is also troublesome.
By the way, when the mobile phone accepts a number input by pressing a dial key in a standby state, it is common to display the entered number and make a call, and the original telephone function of the mobile phone can be easily activated. It is also necessary to consider this.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. When a dial key input is accepted in a standby state, the target function is activated with a simple operation while considering the way to make a call. An object is to provide a mobile phone that can be used.

In the standby state, the mobile phone according to the present invention displays a number corresponding to the input key when receiving an input of a key associated with a number and a character, and displays when receiving a predetermined operation. A mobile phone that calls a numeric phone number,
Function search means for specifying a character corresponding to a key related to the input and searching for a function having the specified character when a sequence of numbers corresponding to the key input in a standby state satisfies a predetermined condition; After the search, an option display means for displaying an option indicating the searched function and a selection of the option indicating the function are accepted, and the corresponding function is activated.

In addition, the function search means may satisfy the predetermined condition when the number of digits in the sequence of numbers corresponding to the input key reaches a predetermined number of digits.
The option display means displays, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, an option indicating a number corresponding to the input key along with an option indicating the function, and accepts selection of the option indicating the number. Then, the display of options indicating the function may be suppressed.

The option indicating the number displayed by the option display means may include an identification symbol indicating that the number is a telephone number.
The option display means may display the option indicating the character conversion candidate corresponding to the key related to the input side by side with the option indicating the function when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

In addition, upon receiving selection of an option indicating the character string conversion candidate, the mail creation function may be activated to output the selected conversion candidate to the display area of the mail text.
An address dictionary storing means for storing an address dictionary in which names and telephone numbers are associated; and, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, for the address dictionary, a character corresponding to the key related to the input is specified. And a search means for searching for a name related to the specified character, wherein the option display means displays the option indicating the searched name and indicating the telephone side by side with the option indicating the function, thereby indicating the telephone. When selection of an option is accepted, the telephone number associated with the name may be displayed instead of displaying the telephone number.

  A storage unit that stores an address dictionary in which names and e-mail addresses are associated; and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, for the address dictionary, a character corresponding to the key corresponding to the input is specified and specified A search means for searching for a name related to the written character, and the option display means displays the option indicating the mail creation including the searched name along with the option indicating the function to indicate the mail creation. When the selection of an option is accepted, the mail creation function may be activated, and the mail address associated with the name may be set as the mail transmission destination.

A table storage unit for storing a telephone number table including a telephone number; and a list of numbers corresponding to the input key matches the telephone number included in the telephone number table. Display control means for suppressing the display of options indicating the function.
In addition, in the standby state, the mobile phone according to the present invention displays a number corresponding to the input key when receiving an input of a key associated with a number and a character, and displays when receiving a predetermined operation. A mobile phone that calls a numeric telephone number that is in use, and specifies a character corresponding to the key related to the input based on the key input in a standby state, and has the specified character A function search means for searching for an option, an option display means for displaying an option indicating the searched function after the search, and a selection of the option indicating the function is accepted, the corresponding function is activated.

  According to the mobile phone of the present invention, the function search unit searches for a function using characters corresponding to the input key, and the option display unit displays the searched function as an option. By selecting this option, the corresponding function can be easily activated.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a mobile telephone. It is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone. It is a table which shows the data structure example of a function dictionary. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 2. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 2. (A)-(f) is a figure which shows the transition of the screens 80a-80f on a display. 6 is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a table which shows the data structure example of an address book. 7 is a table showing an example data structure of an address dictionary 58. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 2. (A)-(g) is a figure which shows the transition of the screens 90a-90g on a display. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a number table.

(Embodiment 1)
This embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a mobile phone.
The mobile phone 2 includes a dial key 4, a call key 6, a cursor key 8, a center key 10, and a display 12.
The dial key 4 is an input key for numbers and characters. Numbers and letters are engraved on the key top.
For example, the “3” key associates the number 3 with the character in the first row.
When the input unit accepts continuous input of the “3” key, the input is “333. When handling as Kana character input, each time you enter “sa” → “shi” → “su” → “se” → “so” → “sa” → “shi” → ... Switch the character to accept input to the column.

The outgoing key 6 is a key used for making a telephone call.
The cursor key 8 is a key used to move a cursor for selecting an input position and options vertically and horizontally.
The center key 10 is arranged at the center of the ring-shaped cursor key 8 and is used for confirming selection of options.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone.
The mobile phone 2 includes a control unit 20 and a storage unit 50.
The control unit 20 includes a main control unit 22, an input unit 24, an output unit 26, a call unit 28, an infrared function unit 30, a mailer unit 32, a schedule unit 34, a calculator unit 36, a candidate search unit 38, a candidate buffer 40, and a candidate display. The unit 42 is provided.

The main control unit 22 includes a control program, performs a process according to the operation received by the input unit 24, and causes the output unit 26 to output a processing result.
The input unit 24 accepts input from operation keys (including keys including a dial key 4, a call key 6, and a cursor key 8).
The output unit 26 causes the display 12 to display and output in accordance with display commands from the main control unit 22 and the candidate display unit 42.

The call unit 28 is configured by a communication circuit or the like generally mounted on a mobile phone, and implements a call function and a mail transmission / reception function.
The infrared function unit 30 transmits / receives data to / from a mobile phone having an infrared communication function. When executing the infrared function, a display prompting the user to face the infrared ports between the mobile phones is performed via the output unit 26. This is a convenient function, but it is a function that is not frequently used in general.

The mailer unit 32 creates, transmits, and receives mail.
The schedule unit 34 realizes a schedule function.
The calculator unit 36 performs four arithmetic operations.
The candidate search unit 38 searches the dictionary storage unit 52 for a candidate related to the character based on the character specified from the key that the input unit 24 has accepted the input.

Specifically, (1) a word or function name that completely matches the character reading, (2) a word or function name that matches the character reading forward, and (3) a word or function name associated with the character reading. Search for. The search of (2) can use a known conversion function, and the search of (3) can use a known technique called an associative conversion function.
The candidate buffer 40 includes a RAM and the like, and temporarily stores words and function names searched by the candidate search unit 38.

The candidate display unit 42 displays the words and function names stored in the candidate buffer via the output unit 26.
The storage unit 50 includes a dictionary storage unit 52 including a standard dictionary 54 and a function dictionary 56.
The standard dictionary 54 is a well-known dictionary for performing conversion such as conversion from kana to kanji, and has a data structure in which character readings are associated with words.

The function dictionary 56 has a data structure in which (1) function names are read, (2) display words to be displayed as candidates, and (3) execution functions. This will be further described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the data structure of the function dictionary.
The function dictionary 56 includes items of “reading” 56a, “display word” 56b, and “execution function” 56c.

The “reading” 56a is an item indicating the reading of the function name. For example, the “infrared reception” function is “sekigai senju”. Note that “Ke-san” is different from the “Calculator” function, but the meaning is easy to associate.
The “display word” 56b is an item indicating a word to be displayed as a candidate. It is a combination of the function name and black brackets (machine). The parentheses at the end are for easy understanding of the distinction from word candidates as character strings, and are not limited to parentheses and may be symbols indicating functions.

The “execution function” 56c is an item indicating a function that is activated (executed) when the “display word” 56b is selected. For convenience of explanation, the names of the functions are simply displayed in the table of FIG. 3, but actually, the activation commands for each function (for example, including the location of the execution file of each function control program) are associated with each other. Yes.
<Operation>
The operation of the mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the mobile phone 2.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the input unit 24 receives input of the dial key 4 in the standby state (S11, S12: Yes), the main control unit 22 corresponds to the dial key 4 received via the output unit 26. Numbers are displayed on the display 12 (S13).
When the input unit 24 receives an input from the call key 6 (S14: call key), the main control unit 22 makes a call to the number displayed in step S13 via the call unit 28.

When the input unit 24 continues to accept input from the dial key 4 (S14: dial key), two numbers corresponding to the accepted dial key 4 are displayed side by side on the display 12.
Step S14: Display of dial keys and step S13 are repeated, and when the number reaches the fourth digit (S16: Yes), the main control unit 22 shifts to candidate display processing (S17).
As shown in FIG. 5, in the candidate display process, the main control unit 22 specifies a character corresponding to the dial key 4 input so far, and the candidate search unit 38 is a word related to the reading of the specified character. Is retrieved from the standard dictionary 54 (S21).

The character reading is specified based on the dial key 4 input so far. For example, if the key input is “3”, “3”, “3”, “3”, the character reading is “se”, If the key input is “1”, “2”, “3” or “2”, the reading of the character is “Akasaka”, “1”, “2”, “2” or “3” The reading of the character is “Akisa”.
The search result is stored in the candidate buffer 40.

Further, the candidate search unit 38 searches the function dictionary 56 for the name of the function related to the reading of the character corresponding to the input dial key 4 (S22). In addition, you may perform the process of step S21, S22 simultaneously.
Subsequently, the candidate display unit 42 refers to the candidate buffer 40 and (1) the name of the function related to the reading of the character corresponding to the input dial key 4 (result of the search in step S22), (2 Three types of choices are displayed: a number corresponding to the input dial key 4 and (3) a word related to the reading of the character corresponding to the input dial key 4 (result of the search in step S21).

The displayed option is selected by moving the cursor key 8 up and down, and the selection is confirmed by pressing the center key 10.
When there are a plurality of search results (1) and (3) above, a plurality of function names and words may be displayed for one type of option.
When the input unit 24 accepts the selection of the option (1) (S24: (1)), the main control unit 22 corresponds to the display word selected with reference to the item “execution function” 56c of the function dictionary 56. The function is executed (S25).

Here, when the user of the mobile phone 2 selects the option (1), the corresponding function can be easily activated.
When the input unit 24 accepts the selection of the option (2) (S24: (2)), the process returns to step S13, and the main control unit 22 displays the number corresponding to the input dial key 4 (S13). Here, the user of the mobile phone 2 can return to the number display corresponding to the original dial key 4 by selecting the option (2).

  When the input unit 24 accepts the selection of the option (3) (S24: (3)), the main control unit 22 activates the mail creation function of the mailer unit 32 and calls a new mail creation screen. . Then, the selected candidate word is entered in the text column of the mail (the mail is composed of a destination, a subject, and a text) (S26). The cursor position is after the output word. As described above, when the user who wants to create a mail with the mobile phone 2 inputs a key corresponding to the character to be input in the body of the mail and selects the option (3) with the cursor key 8 and the center key 10, the mail creation function is activated. You can create an email without starting it separately.

If the input unit 24 continues to accept dial key input (S24: dial key), the process returns to step S21.
Next, a specific operation example viewed from the user interface side will be described with reference to FIG.
6A to 6F are diagrams showing transitions of the screens 80a to 80f on the display.

When the “3” key is input up to three times in the standby state (FIG. 6A), the screen transitions to a screen 80b on which the corresponding number “333” is displayed (FIG. 6B).
Subsequently, when the “3” key is input once, “S” that is the reading of the character that has been input four times with the “3 S” key and three options 81 to 83 related to the “SE” are displayed. Transition to 80c (FIG. 6C).

When the option “infrared reception (machine)” 81 is selected, the infrared reception function is executed, and a transition is made to the infrared reception function screen 80d (FIG. 6D).
When the option “3333 (electric)” 82 is selected, the screen returns to the screen 80e on which the original input number is displayed (FIG. 6E).
The option “infrared reception” 83 is an option indicating a kanji conversion that matches the prefix “se”. When “infrared reception” 83 is selected, the screen changes to the mail creation function screen 80f (FIG. 6 (f)). . Then, the word “infrared reception” is entered in the text field of the mail, and it is possible to create a mail following the cursor position at the end.

As described with reference to FIG. 6, according to the mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment, the user who wants to execute the infrared reception function simply inputs a reading “se” and selects a candidate to be displayed. Can be launched.
Conventionally, in order to activate the infrared reception function, for example, it is necessary to dig up the hierarchy many times, such as menu → tool → infrared → infrared reception, or users who do not remember the hierarchical structure in the first place from the menu It was difficult to look for.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the function name of the infrared reception function can be searched for by reading “Sekigai Sen”, the menu structure is not known because only the name “Sekigai Sen” is remembered. The user can also find out the infrared receiving function.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C, and 6E, the numbers corresponding to the keys that are always input are always displayed on the screens 80b, 80c, and 80e, so that it is possible to return to a state where a call can be made at any time. Ingenuity has been made. For this reason, the user can make a call to the entered telephone number without any trouble.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C, and 6F, the user who wants to execute the mail creation function inputs the “3” key four times and selects the option “receive infrared” 83 with the cursor key 8. Simply select and confirm with the center key 10 to start mail creation. That is, even if the mail creation function is not called up, the mail creation function can be activated by entering a key in the same manner as usual character input from the standby state, and the mail creation can be continued.
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the function name is used to simplify the execution of the function, whereas in the second embodiment, the address setting is easy using the name in the address book. It is something to try.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. Similar functional blocks are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
The control unit 20 includes an address dictionary creation unit 44, and the storage unit 50 includes an address dictionary 58 and an address book 60.
The address book 60 has a data structure in which addresses such as telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, names corresponding to the addresses, and readings thereof are described in a list format.

The address dictionary 58 is a dictionary created from the address book 60 by the address dictionary creation unit 44.
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the data structure of the address book.
The address book 60 includes items of “name” 60a and “address” 60b.
The “name” 60a is the name of the “address” 60b, and includes items of “kanji” and “reading” indicating the reading of the kanji.

The “address” 60b includes items of “telephone” and “mail”.
FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of the data structure of the address dictionary 58.
The address dictionary 58 includes items of “reading” 58a, “display word” 58b, “execution function” 58c, and “execution option” 58d.
In the item of “display word” 58b, black bracketed (electric) (me) at the end indicates a corresponding function.

The “execution option” 58d is an item related to an additional condition of a function to be executed.
If the function is a telephone, the destination is an additional condition. If the function is a mail, the destination is an additional condition.
<Operation>
The operation of the mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 2.
Since the first half of the operation related to the standby state is the same as the flow described in FIG. 4, the description thereof will be omitted, and the same steps as those in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the candidate display process, the main control unit 22 specifies a character corresponding to the dial key 4 input so far, and the candidate search unit 38 is a word related to the reading of the specified character. Is searched from the standard dictionary 54 (S21).

Further, the candidate search unit 38 searches the address dictionary 58 for an address having a name related to the reading of the character corresponding to the input dial key (S32).
Subsequently, the candidate display unit 42 selects three types of options: (1) a display word including the name of the searched address, (2) a number corresponding to the input dial key, and (3) a searched word. Displayed (S33).

When the input unit 24 accepts the selection of option (1) (S34: option (1)), the function corresponding to the selected address is executed, and if it is a telephone, it is set as the destination, and if it is mail, it is set as the destination (S35). .
When the input unit 24 accepts the selection of the option (2) (S34: option (2)), the process returns to step S13, and the main control unit 22 displays a number corresponding to the input dial key (S13).
When the input unit 24 accepts the selection of the option (3) (S34: option (3)), the main control unit 22 executes the mail creation function of the mailer unit 32 and sets the selected candidate word in the text field. (S26).

Next, a specific operation example viewed from the user interface side will be described with reference to FIG.
FIGS. 11A to 11G are diagrams showing transitions of the screens 90a to 90g on the display.
When the “8”, “7” or “3” key is sequentially input in the standby state (FIG. 11A), a transition is made to a screen 90b on which the corresponding number “873” is displayed (FIG. 11B). ).

Next, when the “2” key is input, an option 91 indicating the number “8732” of the “8”, “7”, “3”, “2” key, and “Yamasaka”, which is a character reading, are displayed. The screen transitions to a screen 90c on which options 92 for Kanji conversion candidates are displayed (FIG. 11 (c)).
When the option “8732 (electric)” 91 is selected, the original telephone mode is restored (FIG. 11E). If “Yamasaka” 92, which is an option, is selected, the screen changes to a mail creation function screen (not shown).

If you continue to enter the “2” key without selecting an option, you can select the “93”, “7”, “3”, “2”, “2” key numbers, Options 94 to 96 are displayed (FIG. 11D).
When the option “Mr. Yamazaki (Den)” 94 is selected, the phone mode is restored and the telephone number “090-XXX-XXXX” of “Mr. Yamazaki” registered in the address book 60 is displayed ( FIG. 11 (f)).

When the option “Mr. Yamazaki (Me)” 95 is selected, the screen changes to a mail creation function screen, and the address is the mail address of “Mr. Yamazaki” registered in the address book 60 (yamazaki@example.kyocera.jp). Is set (FIG. 11 (g)).
As described with reference to FIG. 11, according to the mobile phone 2 according to the present embodiment, a user who wants to make a call or send an email to “Mr. Yamazaki” registered in the address book reads “Mr. Yamazaki”. You can search for phone numbers and addresses using “Mr. Yamazaki” as a clue, and execute functions. In addition, telephone numbers and addresses can be searched by calling a key in the standby state without calling up the address book, improving usability. Further, a user who wants to call a phone number starting with “8732” can make a call by selecting an option 91 on the screen 90c.
<Supplement>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said content, It can implement also in the various forms for achieving the objective of this invention, its related or incidental object, for example, It may be the following.
1. In the first embodiment, it is described that the process proceeds to the candidate display process on condition that the number sequence reaches 4 digits (FIG. 4: S16). This is because there is a possibility that it is a telephone number for an emergency call if it is a sequence of three digits.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the condition for shifting to the candidate display process can be set as appropriate in consideration of the possibility of making a call to a number of numbers.
For example, in the case of input of reading of the character “Sasaki”, key input in the order of “3”, “cursor right”, “3”, “2”, “2” is conceivable. Since it is unlikely that the “cursor right” key is used to input a number for making a call, the process may be shifted to candidate display processing when the input of the “cursor right” key is detected.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a number table 62 including emergency call telephone numbers such as “110” and “119” is stored in the storage unit 50. Then, if the number sequence corresponding to the input key does not match the number in the number table 62, for example, “223”, it may be immediately transferred to the candidate display process because the possibility of the call is low. Absent. On the other hand, for numbers that match the phone number for emergency calls (forward match), the possibility of outgoing calls is high, and the display of the option indicating the function is suppressed, so that the phone number for emergency calls is suppressed. The input may be performed without any trouble.
2. In the first embodiment, it is described that the process proceeds to the candidate display process on condition that the number sequence reaches 4 digits (FIG. 4: S16). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the input number is a single digit, the process may immediately shift to the candidate display process.
3. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6C, the option 81 indicating the infrared reception function is “
Although the name of the function “infrared reception” is included, it is not always necessary to include the name of the function.

In other words, since the option indicating the function may be displayed in a form that allows the user to grasp the contents, the pictograph that symbolizes the function instead of the name of the function (for example, the music function is a pictograph of a note, The mail function may be a pictograph of a letter.) May be displayed as an option.
4). In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6F, it has been described that when the Kanji conversion candidate option 83 is selected, the mail creation function is immediately executed. However, the present invention is not limited to the mail creation function. Other functions (for example, a schedule function and a memo pad function) having a function of editing the text may be executed.
5. Although not specifically described in the first and second embodiments, the user can change the setting of the transition conditions (presence / absence of transition, transition conditions, presence / absence of display of function options) to candidate display processing in the present embodiment It is preferable.
6). In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the hiragana character is associated with the dial key has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a mobile phone having a dial key in which each key is associated with an alphabet. .
7). Embodiments 1 and 2 can be implemented in combination. For example, in the candidate display of FIG. 6C, the address “Mr. Sekikawa (Den)” that matches the input character reading “se” may be retrieved from the address dictionary 58 and displayed as an option.
8). In the first and second embodiments, the method of specifying a character by inputting the same key several times (for example, “O”, “1” key is input five times) has been described as an example. A method called a T9 method may be used as a character input method.

  The T9 method is a method in which a consonant is assigned to each key, and a word is predicted based on the keyed consonant, and simple character input can be realized with a small number of keystrokes. 9. In the first and second embodiments, when selecting an option, it has been described that the selection is made with the cursor key 8 and the center key 10 is confirmed. You may make it selectable.

  For example, in the screen 90d of FIG. 11D, “Mr. Yamazaki (electricity)” 94 and “Mr. Yamazaki (me)” 95 are displayed as options. "Or immediately after receiving an input of a mail button (not shown) generally provided in a mobile phone, it is possible to go directly to the mail composition screen addressed to" Mr. Yamazaki " I do not care.

  As described above, the selection of the option can be performed by the key for calling a function such as transmission or e-mail, so that an intuitive operation feeling can be provided to the user.

  The mobile phone according to the present invention contributes to the improvement of the user interface.

2 Mobile phone 4 Dial key 8 Cursor key 12 Display 22 Main control unit 24 Input unit 26 Output unit (display output unit)
28 Calling section 32 Mailer section 38 Candidate search section 42 Candidate display section 56 Function dictionary 58 Address dictionary 60 Address book 80a-80f, 90a-90g Screen 81-83, 91-96 Options

Claims (2)

A search means for searching for a word related to the function associated with the character corresponding to the input key and the reading of the character corresponding to the input key;
Display means for simultaneously displaying a character corresponding to the input key, an image relating to the searched function, and the searched word;
A control unit that activates the function when receiving the selection of the function, and
The control means executes a schedule function when the selection of the word is accepted ,
The display means is a mobile phone that displays a schedule creation screen on which the selected word is described . A search means for searching for a word related to the function associated with the character corresponding to the input key and the reading of the character corresponding to the input key;
Display means for simultaneously displaying a character corresponding to the input key, an image relating to the searched function, and the searched word;
A control unit that activates the function when receiving the selection of the function, and
The control means executes a notepad function when the selection of the word is accepted ,
The display means is a mobile phone that displays a notepad creation screen on which the selected word is described .

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