JP2000284878A - Portable information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a user interface of a portable information terminal device that simplifies operations such as deletion, copying, and movement of folders and files. SOLUTION: A copy folder for making a copy of a file and storing it in its own folder is provided, and a liquid crystal display device 6 of the information terminal together with a folder for deleting / moving a file and the folder for copying are provided. Icon is always displayed. Further, a means for changing the state of the folder according to enlargement / reduction of the folder displayed on the liquid crystal display device 6 is provided. Users can search and manage files with a natural and consistent operation feeling that they experience everyday without releasing their hands from the terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a user interface of an information terminal device, and more particularly to a user interface of a portable information terminal device which is often used by hand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Portable information terminal devices are often used by hand, so that it is often difficult to use a keyboard or mouse as in a desktop information terminal device. As a portable input unit, a pen is used as an effective input unit. However, there is a problem in that storage and management are troublesome, so that it is not appropriate for operations such as pointing of a screen.

[0003] A cross key, a trackball, and several operation buttons are used for terminal operations such as file selection and scrolling. In addition, JP-A-7-271505 and JP-A
In the related art of 10-161619, an acceleration sensor and a gyro are mounted on a terminal, and a function of scrolling, enlarging / reducing a display screen, and turning a page in accordance with a detected movement or inclination of the terminal is realized.

[0004]

In the above prior art,
Operations such as search and selection of folders and files have been considered, but viewpoints of file management such as deletion, copying, and movement of folders and files have not been sufficiently considered. In addition, search and selection of folders and files have not been sufficiently considered in terms of usability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user interface of a portable information terminal device which is natural, easy to understand, and easy to operate.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In a portable information terminal device comprising a CPU, a memory, a liquid crystal display means, and a secondary storage means, a copy of a designated file is created and stored in its own folder. In addition to the means for deleting files and folders and the means for temporarily storing files and folders, the icons are always displayed on the liquid crystal display device so that those means can be used at any time. As the specification of the file, for example,
The instruction is performed by moving the icon of the file onto the icon of the copying means and superimposing it.

Further, there are provided communication means for controlling transmission and reception of data from another computer or a network, and means for temporarily storing one or more received files and folders. Display on a liquid crystal display device for use.

Thus, the user can delete, copy, and move the file with one hand while holding the terminal.
In addition, since this operation is consistent and close to what we do daily in the real world, it is possible to perform operations with less errors.

[0009] A folder, which is a container for hierarchically managing files and the like, has a plurality of states, and means is provided for changing the state of the folder according to enlargement / reduction of the folder displayed on the liquid crystal display device.

As the above-mentioned folders, folders that change according to the following three states are provided.

(1) Information such as files contained in the folder is read in advance from a secondary storage means such as a magnetic disk or a low-speed memory to a high-speed memory, and in one state, an icon of the folder is displayed. In the state (1), means for displaying the information read out is provided.

(2) In one state, an icon of a folder is displayed, and when it is selected, the files and folders included in the folder are displayed. Means is provided for displaying a table of contents corresponding to another table of contents.

(3) In one state, the icon of the folder is displayed, and when it is selected, the files and folders included in the folder are displayed. In the other state, the file and folder included in the folder are displayed. By providing the means for displaying a part of a folder or the like one by one or several at a time, a function of quickly searching for and viewing information such as a note on a desk or a calendar can be realized.
In addition, the above two or three means can realize natural and easy-to-understand file management along with management of human documents and the like.

A means for holding the attribute at the time of selection is provided in the file, and a means for switching between a storage means and a communication means to be accessed according to the attribute value is provided. For example, by making it possible to select an infrared ray, a modem, or the like as a communication means, not only information retrieval but also use as a controller of a home appliance can be easily realized.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the terminal of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a CPU, 2 is a bus, 3 is a ROM for storing programs and data, 4 is a high-speed work memory (RAM) for calculation, and 5 is a magnetic disk or a low-speed large-capacity nonvolatile memory. Composed secondary memory, 6
Is a liquid crystal display, 7 is a liquid crystal display controller, 8
Is a digitizer that detects the input position of the pen 13 or a finger, 10 is an acceleration sensor that detects the movement of the device, 9 is a sensor control unit, 11 is an infrared, modem, wireless LAN, etc., which controls other computers and networks. A communication control unit that performs communication between the CPU 1 and a push button 12.
1 connected.

Hereinafter, the operation of FIG. 1 will be briefly described. CPU
1 sequentially reads out programs and data from the memory 3 and the secondary storage 5 and executes a program such as document management using the work memory 4. The CPU 1 displays a document management screen on the liquid crystal display 5 through the liquid crystal display control unit 6.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the above-mentioned program related to the present invention. Here, the digitizer 8, the liquid crystal display control unit 7, the push buttons 12, and the like are actually connected to the user interface unit 110 and the graphic control unit 150 via an operating system (not shown). Therefore, the configuration is simplified and directly connected. Conventionally, files have been managed as follows, providing an interface with the user. Generally, the file management unit 160 searches for a file,
Processing such as addition, deletion, movement, and copying is performed. In the processing, files are hierarchically managed using folders storing a plurality of files. By making it possible to store child folders in folders, hierarchical file management is realized. The user interface unit 110
The information of the initial screen (for example, the top folder) is read from the secondary storage 5 via the file management unit 160 and transmitted to the graphic control unit 150. The graphic control unit 150 displays an initial screen on the liquid crystal display 6 through the liquid crystal display control unit 7. When the user presses a file or folder on the display screen 5 with the pen 13 or finger, the digitizer
The position information detected by 8 is sent to the graphic controller 150
Sent to The graphic control unit 150 calculates the correspondence with the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 5 and checks the object (file or folder) selected by the user. If the selected file is a file, the user interface unit 11
0 indicates that the contents of the file are read from the ROM 3 or the secondary storage 5 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 5. If it is a folder, the file or folder contained therein is checked from the ROM 3 or the secondary storage 5 and the information is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “open a folder”.

In file management, operations of deleting, copying, and moving files are further required. Conventionally, to delete a file, a folder for a recycle bin is provided as shown in FIG.
By displaying the icon, a simple and easy-to-understand operation has been realized. The user selects the icon of the file to be deleted and drags it to the icon of the recycle bin (operation of moving the selected file while shifting it to a target position). When the graphic control unit 150 detects the above operation, the user interface unit 110
The file management unit 160 is instructed to move the selected and superimposed files into the folder for the recycle bin.
By this process, the selected file is moved into the folder for the trash.

In the folder for the recycle bin, a command for instructing deletion of the file from the secondary storage 5 is incorporated. When notified by the graphic control unit 150 from a menu or the like that the user has selected the command, the user interface unit 110 requests the file management unit 160 to delete the file in the trash folder.

As described above, conventionally, deletion of a file has been realized by an easy-to-understand operation. However, when copying or moving a file, a plurality of windows are opened or moved.
Copying and moving operations need to be designated from a keyboard or menu, and a cumbersome operation is required in a portable terminal where a keyboard or mouse is difficult to use.

In the present invention, document management relating to copying and moving of a file is realized by the following processing. First, a temporary storage folder for movement is provided as shown in FIG. 4, and its icon is always displayed. The file to be moved is moved to the temporary storage folder by dragging and dragging the file to be moved to the temporary storage icon for movement. Then, after searching and displaying the target folder to be moved, the temporary storage folder is opened, and the stored file is dragged to the target folder, whereby the moving operation can be realized without opening many windows.

Next, for copying, a copying folder for copying is provided as shown in FIG. 4, and its icon is always displayed. This folder has a function of copying and storing the dragged file in the folder instead of moving the file. The original file that was dragged remains intact. That is, the user interface unit 110
It instructs the file management unit 160 to copy the target file, and instructs the file management unit 160 to store the copied file in the copy folder. In this way, copying can be realized as if copying with a copying machine without instructing a copying operation. The copied file can be moved by opening the copy folder and dragging the stored file to the target folder.

In the terminal of the present invention, information can be obtained by various wireless communications as shown in FIG. For example, the terminal transmits a broadcast 220 from a satellite via the communication control unit 11 of FIG.
And information from the Internet 210 and the PC or the set-top box 200. Naturally, information stored in the PC or the set-top box 200 is also available. The inbox folder is a folder for storing all the received information, and always displays the inbox icon as shown in FIG. The received file can be moved by the same operation as the copy folder.

According to the present invention, the user can manage the operation of the file with the minimum operation. Further, since this operation is consistent, natural and easy to understand, it is possible to prevent operation errors.

In the present invention, the graphic management unit 15 shown in FIG.
0 is configured using three-dimensional computer graphics (3DCG). Place a file or document icon as a 3DCG object. On the other hand, for example, when the user moves the information terminal back and forth, the acceleration sensor 10 of FIG. 1 detects the acceleration of the movement of the apparatus, and the sensor control unit 9 integrates the acceleration to obtain the speed of the movement. The user interface unit 110 reads the detection result of the sensor control unit 9 and enlarges the display if the movement is in the forward direction (for example, moving the terminal closer to the user), and moves in the backward direction (for example, moving the terminal away from the user). If so, it instructs the graphic management unit 150 to reduce the display. This makes it possible to realize an interface in which the display is enlarged or reduced when the terminal is moved forward or backward.

In the present invention, a folder has a plurality of states with respect to display, and the state of the folder is changed based on the size of the displayed folder (strictly, the distance from the viewpoint to the folder). In the present invention, the following three types of specific folders that change state are provided.

As described above, when a folder is clicked and opened, information in the folder is read out from the secondary storage 5 or the like and displayed. However, this method requires a readout time, so that it takes a long time to display, and is not suitable for a display search of information to be viewed immediately. The folder shown in FIG. 6 is a folder for this purpose. When the folder is displayed, information in the folder is also read in advance from the secondary storage 5 or the like. In the initial state, the icon of the folder is displayed.
Then, for example, when the image is enlarged beyond a certain size, the information in the folder read in advance is displayed. When reduced, it returns to the original icon display state. This folder allows you to quickly provide information you want to see immediately, such as phone numbers or simple notes.

It is desirable that all the folders can be realized by the folders shown in FIG. 6, but this is not practical due to the limitation of the memory amount and the like. The folder in FIG. 7 is similar to a conventional folder. If you click on it after expanding it beyond a certain size, you will be able to open it like a conventional folder. On the other hand, at the time of displaying the state before the enlargement, the information of, for example, the first file stored in the folder is read in advance. When the button is clicked in the state before the enlargement, the information of the file which has been read in advance is displayed as shown in FIG. 7, and the function of reading the information of the next file is provided. Then, when the user clicks further, the next file is repeatedly displayed in order. When the file is displayed again, the last displayed file may be stored, and the file may be displayed first instead of the first file. This enables a quick file search with a small memory.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the folder can be opened like a conventional folder by clicking in the initial state, contrary to the folder of FIG. When enlarged beyond a certain size,
The icon is an icon in a state where the book is opened as shown in FIG. 8, and the table of contents is displayed. Each heading in the table of contents is associated with a folder or a file stored in the folder, and the file can be displayed by clicking the heading.

FIG. 7 can be used as a cabinet, and FIG. 8 can be used as a G file, and can manage files in the same natural and easy-to-understand environment as in the real world.

A desired file can be quickly searched by using the above folders. Once you find a file (actually its icon), you can click on it to view that file.

In the present invention, the icon of this file is given an attribute, and the process is changed according to the attribute value. The attributes are managed by the graphic management unit 150, and when clicked, the attribute values are sent to the user interface unit 110.
In the user interface unit 110, step 111 in FIG.
If the attribute value of the file is a character string that starts with "file:", the subsequent character string is determined to be a file name.
The file management unit 160 checks whether the file exists in the secondary storage 5 or not. If it exists, it is read out and displayed in step 112. If the file does not exist, a file transmission request is issued to the PC 200 of FIG. 5 via the communication control unit 11 (step 113), and when the file is received, it is displayed (step 11).
Four). When this file is stored in the terminal, it can be used as the storage location of the file to be read. If the attribute value is a character string starting with "cont:", the subsequent character string is determined to be a control signal for a PC or a television, for example, and an appropriate signal is transmitted by an appropriate communication means in step 115. For example, in the case of a television, infrared communication is selected and transmitted. With this function, the terminal can function not only as an information terminal but also as a controller for a PC or home electric appliance.

If the attribute value is a character string starting with "http:", the subsequent character string is determined to be an Internet URL address.
Request transmission of L address information. Without directly accessing the Internet, PC200 as a gateway,
Access via the PC 200 is also possible.

In the present invention, the graphic management unit 15 shown in FIG.
0 is a configuration using three-dimensional computer graphics (3DCG). In recent years, in order to use 3DCG on the Internet, the standard language VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling La
nguage) has been proposed and adopted. By setting the description language of the graphic management unit 150 to VRML, not only files stored in the information terminal but also files of all connected computers can be searched and displayed by the information terminal of the present invention.

[0037]

According to the present invention, a user can search, delete, copy, and move a file with one hand while holding the terminal. Furthermore, since the user can operate the file with a very natural operation feeling that he or she experiences everyday, the operation can be performed quickly and with few errors. Furthermore, it can be used not only for searching and managing files and documents with consistent operation, but also as a controller for home appliances.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of an information terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of an information terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a program configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a file management display screen of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram when using the information terminal device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a folder having a plurality of states.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a folder having a plurality of states.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a folder having a plurality of states.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining processing when a file is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU, 2 bus, 3 memory, 4 work memory,
5 secondary storage, 6 liquid crystal display, 7 liquid crystal display controller, 8 digitizer, 9 sensor controller,
Reference Signs List 10 acceleration sensor, 11 communication control unit, 12 push button, 13 pen, 100 information terminal, 110 user interface unit, 150 graphic management unit, 16
0: File management unit, 200: PC or set-top box, 210: Internet, 220: Satellite broadcasting antenna.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B019 DA08 EA01 GA01 5B082 GC05 5E501 AA04 AC20 BA05 CA04 CB05 EA05 EA07 EA11 EB05 FA04 FB04 FB22

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information terminal comprising a CPU, a memory, a liquid crystal display means, and a secondary storage means, wherein a copy means for making a copy of a designated file and storing it in its own folder is provided. A portable information terminal device, wherein an icon of a copying means is displayed on a liquid crystal display device. 2. An information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising means for deleting a file or folder and means for temporarily storing the file or folder, and displaying icons of the means on a liquid crystal display device. A portable information terminal device characterized in that: 3. The information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from another computer; and means for temporarily storing files and folders received via the communication means. A portable information terminal device for displaying on a liquid crystal display device so that a means for temporarily storing can be used. 4. An information terminal comprising a CPU, a memory, a liquid crystal display means, and a secondary storage means, wherein a folder for managing files in a hierarchical manner has a plurality of states, and the plurality of states are displayed on the liquid crystal display device. A portable information terminal device comprising means for changing a state of a folder in accordance with enlargement / reduction of the folder. 5. The portable information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the means for changing the state of the folder reads information such as files included in the folder from the secondary storage means in advance to the memory, and sets one state. In the portable information terminal device, the icon of the folder is displayed and the read information is displayed in other states. 6. The portable information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the means for changing the state of the folder displays a folder icon in one state, and when the icon is selected, the icon is included in the folder. A portable information terminal device that displays files, folders, and the like, and displays a text corresponding to each heading or a table of contents corresponding to another table of contents in other states. 7. The portable information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the means for changing the state of the folder displays a folder icon in one state, and when the icon is selected, the icon is included in the folder. A portable information terminal device for displaying files, folders, and the like, and displaying one or several of the files, folders, and the like included in the folder sequentially in other states. 8. An information terminal comprising a CPU, a memory, a liquid crystal display means, and a secondary storage means, wherein a means for holding an attribute at the time of selection is provided in a file, and a storage means or a communication means for accessing according to the attribute value. A portable information terminal device provided with means for switching means.