JP2002123359A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium recording information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium on which the information processing method is recorded. To execute a process related to a password. SOLUTION: The present invention displays characters that can be sequentially and cyclically input by operation of an operation element and receives input of characters,
In addition, a plurality of authentication processes can be executed with the same password, and other information that is set to be difficult to provide unless authentication is performed by one authentication can be provided without authentication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium on which the information processing method is recorded, and can be applied to, for example, a portable terminal for downloading and confirming information of a personal computer. According to the present invention, by displaying characters that can be sequentially and cyclically input by operating an operator and accepting the input of characters, and by enabling a plurality of authentication processes to be executed with the same password, In the authentication, other information set to be difficult to provide without authentication is made available without authentication, so that a password-related process can be easily executed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various services are provided in an information network represented by the Internet.

[0003] That is, electronic mail, which is one of such services, can be used for business meetings, reports, etc., so that time can be effectively used. In a news or other distribution service, information desired by a user can be provided from information provided by various media, so that necessary information can be collected in a short time. . Further, in a service for providing map information, it is possible to easily obtain information on a region to be visited by a user.

As a result, a portable terminal has been provided which allows various information provided by such an information network to be easily confirmed at a destination or the like.

[0005]

In such a portable terminal, private personal information may be recorded, so that personal information may be protected by setting a password. In this case, it is required to easily set such a password by operating a limited number of operators of the mobile terminal, and to easily release the password thus set. On the other hand, it is required that such simple operation is possible, but that the important personal information is protected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and proposes an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium on which an information processing method is recorded, which can easily execute a process related to a password. Things.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method or a recording medium recording the information processing method. In response to a character feed operation by a predetermined operator, at least characters that can be input are sequentially and cyclically displayed in a predetermined display column, and displayed in a display column by a determination operation by the predetermined operator. The input of the character is received, and the display in the display column is switched to the reception of the input of the character subsequent to the input character.

[0008] Claim 6, claim 14, or claim 22
In the invention of the third aspect, by applying the present invention to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, or a recording medium on which the information processing method is recorded, authentication of the entire apparatus and authentication of individual information are executed with the same password.

[0009] Claim 7, claim 15, or claim 23
In the invention of the present application, it is possible to apply individual information to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method or a recording medium on which the information processing method is recorded, and to set individual information difficult to provide without authentication by a password. An operation mode is switched by authentication, and other information set to be difficult to provide without authentication by password can be provided without authentication by password.

According to the first, tenth, or eighteenth aspect, at least characters that can be input are sequentially and cyclically displayed in a predetermined display field in response to a character feed operation by a predetermined operator. In addition, the input of the character displayed in the display column is received by a determination operation by a predetermined operator, and the display in the display column is switched to the input of a character subsequent to the received character, thereby performing a rotation operation, for example. The display in the display field is sequentially switched by the rotation operation of the child, and the character can be determined by the pressing operation of the rotation operation member. As a result, the desired character can be determined by repeating the character feed operation and the determination operation. You can enter a column. This makes it possible to apply the character string to the password and easily execute an operation related to the password by operating a limited number of operators.

[0011] Claim 6, Claim 14 or Claim 22
According to the configuration, by performing the authentication of the entire device and the authentication of the individual information with the same password, a password is set for the entire device, and when a password is set for individual information, Password management can be simplified.

[0012] Claim 7, claim 15, or claim 23
According to the configuration, individual information can be set to be difficult to provide without authentication by a password, and the operation mode is switched by authentication of one piece of information, and is set to be difficult to provide without authentication by a password. By allowing other information to be provided without the need for password authentication, when multiple information is set with a password, it is possible to provide this information without having to enter a password for each piece of information. The password input operation can be simplified accordingly, and the password input operation can be simplified accordingly.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 acquires various types of information from an information network 2 such as the Internet or a LAN by using a personal computer 3 which is a terminal device of the information network 2. The information processing system 1 includes various information thus obtained, various information created by a user, and various information stored in the personal computer 3 via an information recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk. Is downloaded to the portable terminal 4 and the data recorded in the portable terminal 4 is uploaded. As a result, the information processing system 1 can confirm the information acquired from the information network 2 by carrying the portable terminal 4 with the portable terminal 4. On the premise of such processing, the portable terminal 4 can use the information acquired by another personal computer by using the portable terminal 4 as an information recording medium, if necessary, with the personal computer 3. Are made available for notes and the like.

That is, the personal computer 3 processes various data recorded on a built-in hard disk device by a predetermined application program and creates data to be downloaded. At this time, the personal computer 3 converts the data to be downloaded into a file as required by the user's operation or by processing the data by a predetermined application program, and also arranges various files in the corresponding folders, thereby enabling the download. Create data to be provided. The personal computer 3 downloads various data to the portable terminal 4 according to the directory structure created in this way.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the portable terminal 4.
The mobile terminal 4 has a flat plate shape, and has a display unit 11 formed of a liquid crystal display panel on the surface. Further, when the portable terminal 4 is held by the left hand with the display unit 11 facing the front side, the jog dial 12 is arranged at a portion on a side surface where a thumb of the left hand hits. Here this jog dial 12
Is configured to be rotatable as indicated by an arrow R, and to be pressed as indicated by an arrow P.

Further, the portable terminal 4 is provided with a power switch 1 by a slide switch in front of the jog dial 12.
3 are arranged. Further, a USB terminal is arranged on a side surface opposite to the jog dial 12. As shown in a perspective view seen from above by an arrow a, on the upper end surface, the operator 14 of the mode related to the pressing operation and the operator 1 of the menu are provided.
5. The light operator 16 is arranged.

In the portable terminal 4 having such a configuration, the display unit 11 has a large screen as compared with the entire size.
It is configured such that both edges in the longitudinal direction, which are outside the display section 11, are raised. Thus, the portable terminal 4 can effectively avoid damage to the display unit 11 due to, for example, dropping due to the swelling of both edges.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable terminal 4. In the portable terminal 4, the USB controller 2
1 is controlled by the central processing unit (CPU) 22
By transmitting / receiving various data to / from a device connected to the SB terminal 23, text data and bitmap data downloaded from the personal computer 3 are received.
Submit the data to be uploaded to.

The LCD controller 24 has a built-in VRAM, and drives a liquid crystal display panel 25 based on the contents of the VRAM to display a desired image or the like. The drive circuit 26 drives a backlight (BL) by EL under the control of the central processing unit 22, thereby illuminating the liquid crystal display panel 25 when the user operates the light operating element 16. The flash memory 27 includes the central processing unit 2
2 stores various programs necessary for the operation of 2, the data downloaded from the personal computer 3, and the like.

The central processing unit 22 downloads and uploads text data and the like to and from the personal computer 3 in accordance with the processing procedure held in the flash memory 27, and further operates the operating elements 13 to 16 and the jog dial 12. In response, display the retained data. In addition, in response to the operation of these operators 13 to 16 and the jog dial 12, a character input or the like is received.

In these processes, the central processing unit 22 operates the operating elements 13 to 16 and
When the jog dial 12 is not operated, the power is turned off, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption. The central processing unit 22
The state before the power is turned off is recorded by a so-called resume function, and when the power is turned on again, the state immediately before the power is turned off is reproduced by this recording. Thereby, the central processing unit 22 is designed to improve the usability by the user. Central processing unit 2
2, even when the operation state is stored by such a resume function, the processing related to the lock described later is not performed so as to reproduce the state at the time of power-off, whereby the personal information recorded in the portable terminal 4 is saved. It has been made to protect.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a main display screen of the portable terminal 4. The central processing unit 22 forms a display area ARA of the index by dividing an upper portion of the display screen by a horizontal line. A display area ARB of the selected item is formed below the display screen, and these display areas A
An area surrounded by RA and ARB is set as a main display area ARM.

Here, in the index display area ARA, the index is displayed in common on each display screen, which will be described later. The central processing unit 22 displays the system name K11 on the left end of the main display screen, Is displayed, the focused folder name or file name is displayed instead of the system name K11. On the right side of this name, a connector graphic is displayed when the personal computer 3 is connected via the USB terminal 23, and when the personal computer 3 is detached and driven by a battery, the remaining battery is displayed. Figure Z1 showing quantity
1 is displayed. On the right side of the figure Z11, a figure indicating the movable range of the cursor K that can be operated by the jog dial 12 is displayed. In this connection, in FIG. 4, the graphic indicating the movable range of the cursor K indicates that the cursor K can be moved up and down.

On the other hand, in the item display area ARB, the central processing unit 22 displays the item selected by the cursor K. In other words, when displaying selectable items in the main display area ARM, the central processing unit 22 reverses the display of one line to show the cursor K (in FIG. 4, a memo is displayed), and the jog dial 12
Is operated to move the position of the cursor K. Thus, in the case shown in FIG.
2 displays a memo item in the display area ARB.

The central processing unit 22 includes a main display area A
Various items necessary for the operation of the mobile terminal 4 and downloaded data are displayed on the RM in a tree structure. Further, in such a tree-structured display, a + symbol enclosed by a rectangular frame is placed at the head of a folder having a lower hierarchy, and a + symbol enclosed by the rectangular frame is assigned to a file. A point is placed instead of. A predetermined icon is displayed at the top of the current folder as shown in FIG.

The central processing unit 22 moves the cursor K displayed by inverting the black and white in response to the operation of the jog dial 12, and scrolls the display screen instead of the movement of the cursor K when the cursor K moves to a predetermined range. . Further, in response to the pressing operation of the jog dial 12, as shown in FIG. 4B, a layer one level below the folder selected by the cursor K is displayed. Stop the display. Further, the lower hierarchy is sequentially displayed in this manner, and when the user selects a file and presses the jog dial 12, the lower hierarchy is displayed.
The text, image, and the like, which are the contents of this file, are displayed in the main display area ARM. Thereby, the central processing unit 2
2 is the main display screen shown in FIG.
Only the current folder is displayed. As a result, the portable terminal 4 can sequentially display lower layers and display and confirm various data downloaded from the personal computer 3.

In order to sequentially display the lower layers in this manner, the central processing unit 22 also displays the various setting items of the portable terminal 4 in a hierarchical manner in a similar tree structure, and responds to the operation of the jog dial 12. To display these hierarchies. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the central processing unit 22 displays the basic setting /
When an information menu is displayed and the basic setting / information menu is selected by the user operating the jog dial 12, the lower hierarchy is displayed as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B). Here, in this lower hierarchy,
The menus of the character size, line spacing, and contrast are display settings of the mobile terminal 4. When these items are selected by operating the jog dial 12, the central processing unit 22 changes the setting menu of each item. indicate. The central processing unit 22 also displays the current setting status in these menus.

On the other hand, the item of the recall number at start-up is an item for setting whether or not the recall number is confirmed at the time of start-up. When this item is selected by the user, the central processing unit 22 displays two menus of confirmation and non-confirmation in a similar tree structure as lower-level menus, and responds to the operation of the jog dial 12 to display these menus. Accept the selection. The central processing unit 22
By selecting a confirmation menu from the menus displayed in this way, at the time of startup, before the main screen is displayed, an input screen for a recite number is displayed, and an input of the recite number is accepted on this input screen. Further, the authentication process is executed using the password entered on the input screen, and only when the authentication is correctly performed, the main screen is displayed to accept various processes. In the following, a state in which the operation is restricted by confirming the recitation number in this manner is referred to as a locked state.

The item for setting a recitation number is a menu for setting a recitation number desired by the user. When this item is selected by the user, the central processing unit 22 displays a password input screen shown in FIG.
Here, the recitation number input screen is displayed in the index display area A.
The name of the screen is displayed on the RA. Also the main display area AR
A rectangular frame is displayed in M. Also, character input frames V1 to V4 for the number of characters of the recitation number are displayed in this rectangular frame, and a message prompting input of the recitation number and a message prompting attention on operation are displayed above and below the character input frames V1 to V4.

Here, the portable terminal 4 is configured to be able to set a four-digit password by a combination of numbers 0 to 9. The central processing unit 22 first displays, in the leftmost character input box V1, the first character, numeral 0, of the numbers 0 to 9 that can be accepted as the recitation number, and displays the remaining character input boxes V2 to V2. An asterisk is displayed in V4.
As a result, the central processing unit 22 can visually check which digit the password can be input.

The central processing unit 22 assigns an arrow indicating the end of the process to the characters that can be accepted, following the character of the numeral 9 which is the last character of these characters (FIG. 6). (B)) The character string configured in this manner is sequentially and cyclically displayed in the character input box V1 in response to the rotation operation of the jog dial 12. Further, the central processing unit 22 displays the characters to be displayed before and after the characters displayed in the character input frame V1 (in FIG. 6, Is a number 1 and an arrow indicating the end of the process, respectively). This allows the central processing unit 22 to more surely recognize the digit to be input by the rotation operation of the jog dial 12, and further allows the user to recognize the direction of the rotation operation of the jog dial 12.

Further, when the jog dial 12 is pressed, the central processing unit 22 switches the input digit of the recite number to the following right digit (FIG. 6 (C)). In this case, the central processing unit 22 displays an asterisk in the character input box V1 which has been input so far, so that the already input characters cannot be confirmed. In addition, a number is displayed in the new input target frame V2, as in the case where the first frame V1 is set as the input target frame. Thus, the central processing unit 22 can select a character by rotating the jog dial 12 and sequentially switch the digit to be input by pressing the jog dial 12, and can input a recite number by a simple operation. In this way, the central processing unit 22 accepts the rotation operation of the jog dial 12 as a character feed operation in inputting the recite number, whereas the central processing unit 22 performs the rotation operation on the characters displayed in the character input fields V1 to V4 by such rotation operation. , The pressing operation of the jog dial 12 is accepted as an operation for fixing characters.

In this processing, the central processing unit 22
In any of the character input frames V1 to V4, when a symbol of an arrow instructing the end of the process is input to the character input frames V1 to V4 by a user's operation and the jog dial 12 is pressed, the recitation number is immediately displayed. The input processing is stopped, and the display of the recitation number input screen is terminated.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the central processing unit 22 at the time of inputting a series of recitation numbers. The central processing unit 22
When the recite number input screen is displayed, the process proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2, where a variable i indicating the number of digits to be input is set to a value of 1. Subsequently, the central processing unit 22
Proceeds to step SP3, determines whether or not the jog dial 12 has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step SP4. Here, the central processing unit 22 determines whether or not the jog dial 12 has been rotated, and if a negative result is obtained, returns to step SP3. Accordingly, the central processing unit 22 waits for the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the jog dial 12, and when the jog dial 12 is rotated, a positive result is obtained in step SP4, and the process proceeds to step SP5.

Here, the central processing unit 22 switches the display within the character input frame and the display above and below the character input frame in response to the rotation operation of the jog dial 12, and then returns to step SP3. Thereby, the central processing unit 22
Accepts the selection of a desired character by the user and, when the jog dial 12 is pressed, accepts the character displayed in the input target character frame as an input determined by the user, and proceeds from step SP3 to step SP6.

The central processing unit 22 executes this step S
In P6, it is determined whether or not the character received as the determined input is the symbol of an arrow instructing the end of the process. If a positive result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step SP7, and the display of the recitation number input screen is stopped. Then, this processing procedure ends. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP6, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP8 and records the input character as a character of the digit corresponding to the recitation number. Further, in the subsequent step SP9, the central processing unit 22 determines whether or not the variable i is a value 4 indicating the number of digits of the recitation number. If a negative result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step SP10, and the variable i is set to the value 1 Only increment. As a result, the central processing unit 22 switches the input target frame to the subsequent frame, returns to step SP3, and accepts the input of the subsequent character. On the other hand, when the input of four digits is completed, a positive result is obtained in step SP9, and the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step S9.
The process moves to P7 and the processing procedure ends.

Thus, the central processing unit 22 can set a recitation number by a simple operation of the jog dial 12. The central processing unit 22
In this example, a password number of 0000 is registered in advance as an initial state, and the password number in the initial state is updated by the password number input on the password number input screen described above. When a password other than the value 0000 has already been registered in this way, an input screen similar to the password input screen for unlocking, which will be described later, is used to input the already registered password. Only when the authentication is successfully performed by this input, the input of the recite number is received on the setting screen of FIG. 6 and the already input recite number is updated by the recite number.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a display screen when the user operates the menu operation element 15 with any menu selected. The central processing unit 22 controls the menu operator 1 on the main screen or the like.
5 is pressed, a predetermined pop-up menu M
1 is displayed. Here this pop-up menu M1
For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the current folder is selected and operated, for example, a menu of “lock setting” or “unlock”, a menu of “create new memo”, and a menu of “start demo” are displayed. It is formed by displaying a menu. Here, “Lock setting” is a menu for setting a lock on the item selected by the cursor K (in this case, the memo folder which is the current folder), and “Unlock” is “Lock setting”. Is a menu for processing for releasing the lock set by the menu of FIG. On the other hand, the menu of “Create new memo” is a menu for creating a new memo by inputting characters on the portable terminal 4. “Start demonstration” is a menu for displaying images of demonstrations of various operations on the mobile terminal 4.

On the other hand, when the menu operator 15 is operated in a state where any file is selected, the pop-up menu M1 has three types for setting predetermined marks as shown in FIG. Menu, "Lock setting" or "Unlock" menu, "Pinch bookmark" menu, "Copy document to memo" menu,
The menu is formed by displaying a menu of "create new memo", a menu of "operation of memo", a menu of "setting / change", and the like. Here, among these menus, "Lock settings"
Is a menu for a process of setting a lock on a file selected by the user, and "unlock" is a menu of a process for releasing a lock executed by the menu of "lock setting". Further, the menu of “Create new memo” is a menu of the same processing as the menu of “Create new memo” described above with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, the three types of menus for setting predetermined marks are menus that allow files selected by the user to be selected from virtual folders represented by symbols. Central processing unit 2
2 means that if this menu is selected by the user,
Marks corresponding to the file selected by the user are set, and a menu of the current folder corresponding to each mark is displayed on the display screen. Further, when the user selects these current folders and instructs to display the lower hierarchy, a file having the same type of mark is displayed as a lower hierarchy file. As a result, in the portable terminal 4, files desired by the user can be centrally managed by virtual folders in addition to the originally classified folders, and the usability can be improved accordingly.

The menu of "insert bookmark" is a process for setting a bookmark in a file selected by the user. When the bookmark is set in this way, the central processing unit 22 selects any pop-up menu M
1, a menu for opening the file sandwiching the bookmark is displayed, and a file desired by the user can be quickly confirmed by selecting this menu. The menu of “copy document to memo” is a menu for saving a file selected by the user as a separate file in the memo directory. The “memo operation” menu is a menu for editing the file selected by the user, and the “setting / change” menu is a menu for changing the display format of the file such as the line spacing.

In the menu M1, when the user operates the jog dial 12 to operate the "lock setting" menu, the central processing unit 22
For the item selected by the cursor K1, a lock is set by the registered recitation number. Accordingly, when the user has registered the recite number by the processing described with reference to FIG. 6, the central processing unit 22 registers the recite number in the initial state unless authenticated by inputting the recite number. If not, the locked item will not be opened until after inputting the reciting number with the value 0000 which is the initial setting value. Personal information is protected on a per-folder and per-file basis as needed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the central processing unit 22 regarding such a lock. When the power is turned on, the central processing unit 22 proceeds from step SP11 to step SP12, and selects a display target here. Here, the central processing unit 22 selects the display screen when the power is turned off as a display target by using the rhium function.

Subsequently, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP13, and determines whether or not a lock is set for the tree to be displayed which is selected in this way. Here, if a positive result is obtained, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP14. Here, the central processing unit 22
After setting to add a lock setting menu to the pop-up menu described with reference to FIGS.
After moving to P15 and displaying this display target, step S
The process moves to P16 and the processing procedure ends.

Thus, for example, when the user operates the power switch 13 to turn off the power while the main screen is displayed, the central processing unit 22 further operates by leaving the main screen displayed for a long time. When the power is turned off and the item of confirming the recitation number at start-up described with reference to FIG. 5 is not selected by the user, the main screen is displayed immediately after the power is turned on. Further, when the power is turned off by operating the power switch 13 by the user or by leaving the screen for a long time while displaying a screen other than the main screen, a file displaying the contents when the power is turned off, In addition, if the file is displayed in the upper-level folder of this file, the folder that was displayed when the power was turned off, and even if the upper-level folder is not locked, the display screen that reproduces the state when the power is turned off is displayed. Is displayed.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP13, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP13.
The process proceeds to 17 to execute a recitation number receiving process. Here, the central processing unit 22 performs step S as shown in FIG.
The process moves from step P21 to step SP22, where it is determined whether or not the recitation number remains set to the initial state. If a positive result is obtained here, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP2
The process proceeds to step S3, where a screen for inputting a recite number is displayed by adding a display of an initial value to a message prompting the input of a recite number.

Here, this reciting number input screen is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6A, a frame substantially the same as the rectangular frame on the recitation number registration screen described above with reference to FIG. 6 is displayed. On the recite number input screen, a message prompting the user to input a recite number is displayed in this rectangular frame, and the initial value of the recite number is displayed in this message. In other words, the user may make settings such as checking the recitation number on the main screen without confirming the recitation number.
In the central processing unit 22, in the initial state, by displaying the recite number and prompting the user to input the recite number, the user is allowed to set the lock state before confirming the recite number. The lock can be easily released.

When the recite number input screen is displayed in this manner, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP2.
4 to execute the same recitation number input processing as described above with reference to FIG. 7, thereby accepting the input of the recitation number by the user, and proceeding to step SP25 to end this processing procedure.

On the other hand, in step SP22,
If a negative result is obtained, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP26, in which, as shown in FIG. 12 (B), displays a recite number input screen in a normal display form in which no recite number is displayed, and proceeds to step SP24. Move on to

After executing the recite number receiving process in this way, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP31 (FIG. 10), executes the authentication process for the thus input recite number, and performs correct authentication. It is determined whether or not it was completed. If a positive result is obtained here, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP32, and adds an item “unlock” to the pop-up menu M1 displayed by the mode operator 14 here. Subsequently, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP33, sets the entire operation mode to the temporary release state, moves to step SP15, displays the display target, and moves to step SP16.
Thus, in the portable terminal 4, when the lock is set, the contents at the time of power-off are reproduced by the resium function only when the password is input and the authentication is correctly performed. This allows the portable terminal 4 to protect personal information even if it is lost or stolen, for example.

That is, when a negative result is obtained in step SP31, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP34 shown in FIG. Here, the central processing unit 22
It is determined whether or not the display target is the main screen. If the display target is the main screen, it is determined that the display is set to be confirmed by the item of the start-up recitation number described above in the description of the main screen in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step SP35, an error message indicating that the authentication was not correctly performed is displayed, and the process proceeds to step SP16. This allows the central processing unit 22 to
The power is turned off without displaying even the main screen, and the personal information is protected as a whole of the mobile terminal 4.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP34, the process proceeds to step SP36 because the lock is set for the display target of the lower hierarchy started by the rhidium function. Use to switch the display target to the main screen. Further, in a succeeding step SP37, the central processing unit 22 determines whether or not a lock is set on the main screen. If a positive result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step SP35. Accordingly, when the lock is set for the display target activated by the rhium function and the lock is also set for the entire portable terminal 4, the central processing unit 22 does not display the main screen even if the lock is set. The personal information is protected as a whole of the mobile terminal 4.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP37, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP37.
15 (FIG. 10), and in this case, after the main screen is displayed, the flow proceeds to step SP16. Thereby, the central processing unit 22 displays the main screen ignoring the rhidium function when the lock is set for the display target activated by the rhium function and the lock is not set on the main screen. The personal information about the display object started up by this register function is protected.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the central processing unit 22 when the user operates the jog dial 12 to select an item desired by the user after the power is turned on. By executing this processing procedure, the central processing unit 22 sequentially displays the items of the lower hierarchy and displays the contents of the file or the like selected by the user as described above with reference to FIG.

That is, the central processing unit 22 proceeds from step SP41 to step SP42 by pressing the jog dial 12, and determines whether or not a lock is set for the selected item selected by the cursor K. If a negative result is obtained here, the central processing unit 2
In step SP43, a menu for lock setting is added to the pop-up menu M1 by the mode operator 14. Further, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP44 and displays the contents selected by the cursor K. Thus, if there is a lower hierarchy of the item selected by the cursor K, the central processing unit 22 displays this lower hierarchy. If the item selected by the cursor K is a file, the contents of the file are displayed.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP42, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP42.
Move to 46. Here, the central processing unit 22 determines whether or not the operation mode is set to the temporary release. Here, as described above with respect to step SP33 in FIG. 10, when the central processing unit 22 is correctly authenticated by inputting the recite number, by switching the operation mode to temporary release, if a positive result is obtained here, In this case, after the power is turned on, the authentication process has already been completed by inputting the password. Thereby, the central processing unit 2
2 in this case, from step SP46 to step SP4
Move to 4 to display the item selected by the user.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP46, the central processing unit 22 determines in step SP46 that the authentication processing has not been completed yet.
The process proceeds to 47, where the recitation number receiving process described above with reference to FIG. 11 is executed, and the input of the recitation number is received by the user. Subsequently, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP49.
Then, the authentication process is executed using the password, and it is determined whether or not the authentication has been correctly performed. Here, if a positive result is obtained, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP
The process proceeds to 50, where the operation mode is set to the temporary release mode. Subsequently, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP5
1 and a menu for unlocking is added to the pop-up menu by the mode operator 15, and then the process proceeds to step S
Move to P44.

Thus, after the power is turned on, the central processing unit 22 unconditionally confirms the contents of other locked items if the authentication process is completed by inputting a password. This makes it possible to omit the repetition of the recitation number, thereby improving the usability of the user. When the power is turned off after the temporary release state is set in this way, such a temporary release setting is ignored, and the state at the time of the power supply shutdown is reproduced by the rhium function. Even in cases where personal information can be effectively protected.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP49, the central processing unit 22 proceeds to step SP49.
The process proceeds to step SP45, and after displaying an error message, the process proceeds to step SP45. Thereby, the central processing unit 22
In this case, the lower layer of the item selected by the user and the contents of the file are not displayed, and the personal information of the user is protected.

(2) Operation of Embodiment In the above configuration, the portable terminal 4 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is connected to the personal computer 3 to download various data held in the personal computer 3 and to download the data to the flash memory. 27 and stored. The text such as a memo held in the flash memory 27 is displayed by operating the operating elements 12 to 16 (FIG. 2), and the data thus held in the flash memory 27 is transferred to the personal computer 3 under the control of the personal computer. Upload. As a result, the portable terminal 4 can be carried to check various kinds of information, and can be used as a memo or the like.

When the portable terminal 4 confirms various kinds of information in this way, corresponding items are displayed according to the directory structure of the data provided for download (FIG. 4). By sequentially displaying the lower hierarchical items of these items, the contents of the desired file can be confirmed. In such a display, various setting items of the mobile terminal 4 are also displayed in a hierarchical manner by a similar tree structure (FIG. 5), and by operating the jog dial 12, a menu of various settings such as a display form is displayed. Can be opened and operated. Thus, the mobile terminal 4 can execute various setting items by the same operation as that for browsing each file, and the usability can be improved accordingly.

When the power is turned off by operating the power switch 13, the power is turned off by leaving it for a long time, the state immediately before the power is turned off is recorded in the memory, and the user turns on the power again. The state immediately before the power is turned off is reproduced by the contents recorded in the memory. This prevents the portable terminal 4 from consuming power when left unattended for a long time, and prevents usability from deteriorating due to such a fall in the power.

In displaying various files in this manner, the portable terminal 4 is assigned a reciting number with a value of 0000 as an initial state, and in this initial state, the user selects a reciting number setting menu. (FIG. 5), a predetermined recitation number setting screen opens (FIG. 6), and by setting a desired recitation number on this recitation number setting screen, the initial state recitation number is updated to the user's desired recitation number. Is done. At this time, if the user selects the password setting menu while the desired password is already registered,
In this case, a password input screen for inputting the already registered password is opened. If the password is correctly authenticated by the input password on the password input screen, a password setting screen opens (FIG. 6).

In the portable terminal 4, four character input boxes V1 to V4 are displayed on the reciting number setting screen, and in a predetermined one of the four character input boxes V1 to V4, characters that can be input are displayed. Certain numbers 0 to 9 and an arrow symbol that is a cancel symbol are used in the jog dial 12.
In response to the rotation operation, the characters are sequentially and cyclically displayed. Further, by pressing the jog dial 12, the character displayed in this frame is input to the corresponding digit of the recitation number, and the input target frame is switched (FIG. 7). ). Thus, in the portable terminal 4, characters can be input by a character feed operation by the jog dial 12 and a character confirmation operation by the jog dial 12, and a limited number of controls are effectively used by simple operations. You can enter characters.

In particular, in this jog dial 12,
A pressing operation element capable of rotating operation, of which the rotation operation is assigned to a character feed operation, and the pressing operation is assigned to a finalizing operation. By simply performing the repetition of the rotation operation and the pressing operation, a desired recite number can be input, and the characters can be input by a simple operation corresponding to one operator.

In the portable terminal 4, when the recite number is input in this way, the number and symbol selected by the jog dial 12 are displayed only in the input target frame, and an asterisk is displayed in the other frames. . In the input target frame, characters and symbols displayed before and after the characters and symbols displayed in the input target frame are displayed above and below the input target frame, respectively. As a result, in the portable terminal 4, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which the password number being input is stolen by another person, and it is possible to effectively avoid an erroneous operation such as incorrectly inputting the digits by the user. ing.

When the user selects the cancel symbol, the registration of the recitation number is immediately stopped.
Thereby, the usability of the user can be improved.

On the other hand, when the item of confirming the recall number at start-up is selected by the user on the main screen (FIG. 5), the portable terminal 4 is set so that the entire portable terminal 4 will not start unless authentication based on the recite number is used. Is done. That is, in the portable terminal 4, when the item of confirming the recall number at startup is selected, when the power is turned on, the recall number input screen (FIG. 12) is displayed. When the user correctly inputs the password on the password input screen, the mobile terminal 4 displays the screen immediately before the power is turned off in accordance with the resium function (FIG. 1).
0 to FIG. 13). On the other hand, if the recite number cannot be input correctly, an error message is displayed, and it is difficult to view the main screen of the apparatus. Thus, when the user sets a lock on the entire apparatus, it is possible to make use of the apparatus itself difficult, reflecting the intention of the user.

When the user inputs the password on the password input screen and authenticates the user, the portable terminal 4 selects the initial password when the menu for confirming the password at startup is selected. Is displayed on the password input screen (FIG. 12A). Thereby, in the portable terminal 4, even if a user who is still unfamiliar with the operation mistakenly selects the menu for confirming the start-up recitation number, the user can easily and reliably release the lock and browse the contents. It is made to improve the usability.

Also, in the input of the password on the password input screen, the same operation as the input of the password on the password registration screen is performed.
2 can be operated and executed, whereby the operation relating to the password can be simplified.

On the other hand, the user sets a folder,
When a file is selected and the menu operation element 15 is operated, a predetermined pop-up menu M
1 is displayed (FIGS. 8 and 9). In the mobile terminal 4, when the folder and the file selected in this way are not individually locked, the lock setting menu is displayed in the pop-up menu M1, whereas the lock is already set. , A menu for unlocking is displayed.

In the portable terminal 4, by selecting the menu of the lock setting in the pop-up menu M 1, the contents of the folder and the file selected by the user in this way can be browsed unless the authentication is individually performed using the password. Therefore, the personal information can be protected by setting locks on the entire apparatus and individual files as necessary.

In the portable terminal 4, even when the lock is not set for the entire apparatus, when the state at the time of turning off the power is reproduced by the resium function, the lock is set for each file or folder to be displayed. If you have
As in the case where the lock is set for the entire apparatus, a recitation number input screen (FIG. 12) is displayed. When the user correctly inputs the password on the password input screen, the portable terminal 4 displays the screen immediately before the power is turned off in accordance with the resium function (FIGS. 10 to 1).
3). On the other hand, if the password cannot be correctly input, the power-down state is not reproduced, and if the lock is not set for the entire device, the main screen is displayed. If the entire screen is also locked, it is difficult to browse the main screen itself. Thus, when the user sets a lock on an individual file or folder, use of the entire apparatus can be made difficult by reflecting the user's intention.

Also in this case, in the portable terminal 4, when the menu for confirming the start-up password number is selected in the initial state, the password number in the initial state is displayed on the password number input screen (FIG. 12 (A)), even if a user who is still unfamiliar with the operation mistakenly selects the lock setting menu, the user can easily and reliably release the lock and browse the contents. It is made to improve the convenience of use.

Also, in the input of the password in the authentication of such individual information, the jog dial 12 can be operated and executed by the same operation as the input of the password on the password registration screen. Related operations can be simplified.

In this way, the authentication of the entire apparatus is performed,
In performing the authentication for each piece of information, the portable terminal 4 executes them with the same password, thereby simplifying the management of the password by the user.

In this manner, once the correct authentication result is obtained by inputting the recite number, the portable terminal 4 is set to the operation mode in which the lock is temporarily released (FIGS. 10 and 14). In the released operation mode, even when accessing a file or folder locked by operating the jog dial 12, authentication processing by inputting a recite number is not performed.
The user can browse files and folders desired by the user. As a result, even when various files are set in the locked state, the user can browse the desired file without repeating the input of the password, thereby improving the usability.

In the portable terminal 4, even if the operation mode is set to the temporary release state in this way, as described in FIG. 10 and the like, once the power supply is turned off, this operation mode is released. Then, the authentication process is executed. As a result, the mobile terminal 4 sets the operation mode to the temporary release state once the correct authentication result is obtained by inputting the recite number in this way, even when accessing the locked file or folder, The authentication process is not executed by inputting the password, so that the personal information can be protected even when the power-down state is reproduced by the rhedium function.

In other words, such an information portable terminal may be lost due to misplacement, etc., or may be stolen by being carried and used.
In such a case, the power may be turned off in the temporary release state.In such a case, the user may leave the power for a long time and turn off the power in the same way as when the power is turned off. If the state at the time of turning off the power is simply reproduced, personal information cannot be completely protected by the password. Thus, in the portable terminal 4, once the power is turned off, the operation mode based on such temporary release is returned to the original operation mode, and the personal information is protected completely.

When browsing a file or the like set in the lock state in this manner, the portable terminal 4 replaces the lock setting in the pop-up menu M1 opened by operating the menu for the file or the like once set in the lock state. , A menu for unlocking is displayed. When the unlocking menu is selected on the mobile terminal 4, a screen for inputting a password is displayed, and when the password is correctly authenticated by inputting the password on the input screen, the lock on the corresponding file or folder is locked. Is released. In this case, the mobile terminal 4
Then, as described above, the input can be performed by rotating and pressing the jog dial 12, thereby simplifying the processing relating to the password number, which is one of the passwords.

(3) Effects of the Embodiment According to the above configuration, characters that can be input sequentially and cyclically are displayed by the operation of the operating element, and the input of the characters is accepted. It is possible to easily execute a process related to a password by applying to one input of a recite number.

A predetermined symbol is added to such input-acceptable characters and displayed sequentially and cyclically. When the predetermined character or symbol is selected, the input operation of the character is canceled to simplify the operation. The operation can cancel the process.

Further, by displaying characters or symbols to be displayed before and after in proximity to the characters displayed by such a cyclic display, the usability of the user can be improved.

The character feed operation by this operator is a rotation operation of a rotary operator, and the confirmation operation by the operator is a pressing operation of this rotary operator. A character string can be sequentially input by repeating the pressing operation, and by that simple operation,
You can enter a password, etc.

Further, since the authentication of the entire apparatus and the authentication of each piece of information can be executed with the same password, the management of the password by the user can be simplified, and the processing relating to the password can be easily executed. .

Further, by making it possible to provide other information which is set to be difficult to provide without authentication by one authentication without using authentication, it is possible to omit repetitive password input and obtain desired information. It is possible to browse, and thereby, it is possible to easily execute the process regarding the password.

At this time, when the power supply is turned on, the operation mode switching based on the authentication of the one piece of information is switched to the original state, and the state at the time of power down is reproduced. Even when the state of time is reproduced, personal information can be protected effectively.

At this time, by turning off the power supply when the power supply is not used for a predetermined period of time, personal information can be effectively protected, for example, when an accident such as theft occurs while the power supply is turned on.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the character is fed by the rotation operation of the rotary operation element and the digit is switched by fixing the character by the pressing operation. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a game machine, and a character feed operation and a character confirmation operation may be received by another operation.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the input frames are individually provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input of characters can be performed using the input frame in which a plurality of digits are integrated. You may make it accept.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a portable terminal which downloads information by connecting to a personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It can be widely applied to various types of information devices, and further to various types of stationary information devices.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, by displaying characters that can be sequentially and cyclically input by operating an operation element and accepting the input of characters, a plurality of authentication processes can be performed with the same password. By making it executable by
Also, by performing one authentication, it is possible to provide other information that is set to be difficult to provide without authentication without providing authentication, thereby easily performing a password-related process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portable terminal of the information processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a main screen of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2;

5 is a plan view showing a case where a menu of basic setting / information is selected on the main screen of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a recitation number setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to the display of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining a case where a menu operation element is operated on the main screen of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining a case where a menu operation element is operated in a state where a file is selected.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure at the time of power activation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a recitation number receiving process of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a recitation number input screen.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the focus is switched.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... information processing system, 3 ... personal computer, 4 ... portable terminal, 12 ... jog dial, 13-
16... Controls, 22... Central processing unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/00 610 G06F 1/00 334C 651 F term (Reference) 5B011 EA02 EA05 KK02 KK03 MA01 MB07 MB11 5B020 AA20 CC12 DD05 FF53 GG05 GG15 GG16 GG52 5E501 AA02 AA04 AB16 AC25 AC33 AC42 BA02 BA05 CA04 CB01 EA02 EB05 FA02 FA04 FA05 FA12 FA13 FA22 FA25 FA42 FB22 FB28 FB32 FB34

Claims (25)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus for receiving an input of a desired character by operating an operation element, wherein at least a character that can be input is sequentially and cyclically converted to a predetermined character in response to a character feed operation by the predetermined operation element. In addition to the display in the display section, the input of the character displayed in the display section is accepted by a determination operation by a predetermined operator, and the display in the display section is switched to the acceptance of the input of the character following the input accepted character. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input of the character is an input of a password. 3. In response to the character feed operation, a predetermined character or symbol is added to the input receivable character and sequentially displayed in a cyclic manner in the display column. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a symbol is selected, the character input operation is canceled. 4. The character according to claim 1, wherein a character or a symbol to be displayed before and after the character displayed in the display field by the cyclic display is displayed close to the display field. Information processing device. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the character feed operation by the operation element is a rotation operation of a rotation operation element, and the confirmation operation by the operation element is a pressing operation of the rotation operation element. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. An information processing apparatus for providing various information to a user, wherein authentication of the entire apparatus and authentication of each piece of information are executed using the same password. 7. An information processing apparatus for providing various information to a user, wherein individual information can be set to be difficult to provide without authentication by a password, and an operation mode is switched by authentication of one information.
An information processing apparatus characterized in that other information set to be difficult to provide without authentication using a password can be provided without using authentication using a password. 8. The power supply according to claim 7, wherein, when the power supply is turned on, the operation mode switching based on the authentication of the one piece of information is switched to the original state, and the state at the time of the power supply shut down is reproduced. Information processing device. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the power supply is turned off when no operation is performed for a predetermined time. 10. An information processing method for receiving an input of a desired character by operating an operation element, wherein at least a character that can be input is sequentially and cyclically converted to a predetermined character in response to a character feed operation by the predetermined operation element. In addition to the display in the display section, the input of the character displayed in the display section is accepted by a determination operation by a predetermined operator, and the display in the display section is switched to the acceptance of the input of the character following the input accepted character. An information processing method, comprising: 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the input of the character is an input of a password. 12. In response to the character feed operation, a predetermined character or symbol is added to the input receivable character and sequentially displayed in a circular manner on the display column. 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein when a symbol is selected, a character input operation is canceled. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the character feed operation by the operation element is a rotation operation of a rotation operation element, and the confirmation operation by the operation element is a pressing operation of the rotation operation element. The information processing method described. 14. An information processing method for providing various information to a user, wherein authentication of the entire apparatus and authentication of each piece of information are executed using the same password. 15. An information processing method for providing various information to a user, wherein individual information can be set to be difficult to provide without authentication by a password, and an operation mode is switched by authentication of one information.
An information processing method characterized in that other information set to be difficult to provide without authentication by a password can be provided without authentication by a password. 16. The power supply according to claim 15, wherein when the power supply is turned on, the operation mode switching based on the authentication of the one information is switched to the original state, and the state at the time of the power supply cutoff is reproduced. Information processing method. 17. The information processing method according to claim 16, wherein the power supply is turned off when no operation is performed for a predetermined time. 18. A recording medium on which is recorded an information processing method for receiving an input of a desired character by an operation of an operation element, the information processing method comprising: Acceptable characters are sequentially and cyclically displayed in a predetermined display field, and the input of the character displayed in the display field is received by a confirmation operation by a predetermined operation element, and the character following the input-received character is received. A recording medium in which an information processing method is recorded, wherein a display in the display field is switched when an input is received. 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the input of the character is an input of a password. 20. In response to the character feed operation, a predetermined character or symbol is added to the input-acceptable character and sequentially displayed in the display column in a cyclic manner. 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein a character input operation is canceled when a symbol is selected. 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the character feed operation by the operation element is a rotation operation of a rotation operation element, and the confirmation operation by the operation element is a pressing operation of the rotation operation element. A recording medium on which the information processing method described above is recorded. 22. A recording medium recording an information processing method for providing various information to a user, wherein the information processing method executes authentication of the entire apparatus and authentication of each piece of information with the same password. A recording medium having recorded thereon an information processing method. 23. A recording medium in which an information processing method for providing various information to a user is recorded, wherein the information processing method can set individual information to be difficult to provide without authentication by a password. The operation mode is switched by the authentication of two pieces of information,
A recording medium recording an information processing method characterized in that other information set to be difficult to provide without password authentication can be provided without password authentication. 24. The power supply according to claim 23, wherein, when the power supply is turned on, the operation mode switching based on the authentication of the one piece of information is switched to the original state, and the state at the time of the power supply cutoff is reproduced. A recording medium on which an information processing method is recorded. 25. The recording medium according to claim 24, wherein the power supply is turned off when no operation is performed for a predetermined time.