JP7659687B1 - Programs and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A program that makes multiple functions easier to use is provided.
[Solution] A program that provides a user with multiple functions, the program causing a user terminal to function as a home screen display means (step S2) that displays one of different home screens for each function, and a direction instruction response means (steps S3, S4) that transitions the screen from one home screen to another home screen when a directional instruction operation in one of the up/down or left/right directions is received from the user on one home screen, wherein one home screen constitutes one side of a virtual polyhedron, and the other home screen constitutes a side adjacent in one direction to the one side of the virtual polyhedron, and the direction instruction response means (steps S3, S4) transitions the screen while allowing the user to visually recognize that the one home screen and the other home screen constitute sides adjacent in one direction of the virtual polyhedron.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act On September 27, 2023, AEON Financial Services Co., Ltd. announced on its website (URL: https://www.aeonfinancial.co.jp/-/media/AeonGroup/Aeonfinancial/Files/news/2023/news230927_2.pdf?la=ja-JP), digital content distribution site "Google Play" (URL: https://play.google.com/), and digital content distribution site "AppStore" (URL: https://www.apple.com/jp/app-store/) a program invented by Ando Tsutomu that makes multiple functions easier to use.

The present invention relates to a program and a method.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, for example, there are programs (applications) that can use multiple functions, such as a function for electronic payment using a barcode, a function for viewing and using discount information such as coupons, and a function for displaying information such as credit card information.

JP 2023-020708 A

A program like that of Patent Document 1 is convenient because multiple functions are displayed on a single home screen. However, while the function for electronic payment using a barcode can be used without switching screens, functions for viewing and using coupon information and displaying information such as credit card information require finding small icons displayed on the screen, tapping them, and switching screens, making the operation complicated.

Therefore, in consideration of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a program that makes multiple functions easier to use.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means. Note that the parentheses indicate reference symbols of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

The program according to claim 1,
A program that provides a plurality of functions to a user,
A user terminal (for example, the user terminal T shown in FIG. 2)
a home screen display means (e.g., step S2 shown in FIG. 1) for displaying one of the home screens (e.g., home screen 2 showing the "card usage amount" function and home screen 3 showing the "profit information" function and home screen 4 showing the "smartphone payment" function shown in FIG. 2) that are different for each of the functions;
a first direction instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1) for transitioning a screen from the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 showing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) to another home screen (e.g., home screen 3 showing the "Discount Information" function shown in FIG. 2 or home screen 4 showing the "Smartphone Payment" function shown in FIG. 2) when a direction instruction operation in one of the up/down or left/right directions is received from a user on the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 showing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2);
a program that functions as a second direction instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1) for transitioning a screen from the first home screen (e.g., the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) to a sub-screen of the first home screen (e.g., the "Notification" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2) when a direction instruction operation in another direction is received from a user on the first home screen (e.g., the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2),
The first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the “Card Amount” function shown in FIG. 2 ) constitutes one side (e.g., side 81 shown in FIG. 3( a )) of a virtual polyhedron (e.g., virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3( a )),
A sub-screen of the first home screen (e.g., the “Notification” sub-screen 5 and the “Usage Details” sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2 ) constitutes a side surface (e.g., side surface 81 shown in FIG. 3( a )) of the virtual polyhedron (e.g., the virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3( a )) adjacent to the other side surface (e.g., side surfaces 82 and 83 shown in FIG. 3( a )) in the other direction,
the second direction instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1) is a program for causing a screen transition (e.g., screen display 85 shown in FIG. 3(b)) while allowing a user to visually recognize that the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing a "Card Usage Amount" function shown in FIG. 2) and a sub-screen of the first home screen (e.g., "Notification" sub-screen 5 and "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2) constitute adjacent sides (e.g., side 81 and sides 82 and 83 shown in FIG. 3(a)) in the first direction of the virtual polyhedron (e.g., virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3(a)),
The first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal (e.g., user terminal T shown in FIG. 2), and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components (e.g., icon 2a indicating the type of credit card, total credit card amount used 2b, points 2c, menu button 2d shown in FIG. 2) required for providing one of the plurality of functions;
The other home screen (e.g., home screen 4 providing the “smartphone payment” function shown in FIG. 2) is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal (e.g., user terminal T shown in FIG. 2), and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components (e.g., a payment barcode 4a, a payment QR code (registered trademark) 4b, a switching button 4c, and a menu button 4d shown in FIG. 2) necessary to provide another function different from the first function among the plurality of functions ,
Furthermore, when a screen transition is made to a sub-screen of the first home screen (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2), the sub-screen is longer in the direction 1 than a sub-screen (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 3) that the user visually recognizes as a side of the virtual polyhedron (e.g., sides 82 and 83 shown in FIG. 3), and is characterized in that, when a directional instruction operation in the direction 1 is received from the user on the sub-screen (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2), the sub-screen is provided with a third direction response means for scrolling the sub-screen in the direction 1 without transitioning from the sub-screen to another sub-screen .

The program according to claim 2 is the program according to claim 1,
The first directional instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1) is characterized in that, when transitioning between screens, the first directional instruction response means transitions between the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the “Card Usage Amount” function shown in FIG. 2) and the second home screen (e.g., home screen 3 providing the “Discount Information” function shown in FIG. 2, home screen 4 providing the “Smartphone Payment” function) while allowing the user to visually confirm (e.g., see FIG. 2) that the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the “Discount Information” function shown in FIG. 2, home screen 4 providing the “Smartphone Payment” function) are adjacent to each other in a plane in the first direction.

The program according to claim 3 is the program according to claim 1,
When the second direction instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1 ) receives a direction instruction operation from the user in another direction on the other home screen (e.g., home screen 3 providing the “Advantageous Information” function and home screen 4 providing the “Smartphone Payment” function shown in FIG. 2 ), the second direction instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1 ) performs a screen transition from the other home screen (e.g., home screen 3 providing the “Advantageous Information” function and home screen 4 providing the “Smartphone Payment” function shown in FIG. 2 ) to a sub-screen of the other home screen (e.g., “Notice” sub-screen 5 shown in FIG. 2 );
The second directional instruction response means (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1) is characterized in that, when transitioning between screens, the second directional instruction response means transitions between screens while allowing the user to visually confirm (e.g., screen display 85 shown in FIG. 3(b)) that the other home screen (e.g., home screen 3 providing the “Bargain Information” function shown in FIG. 2, home screen 4 providing the “Smartphone Payment” function) and a sub-screen of the other home screen (e.g., “Notification” sub-screen 5 shown in FIG. 2) constitute adjacent sides (e.g., sides 81 and 83 shown in FIG. 3(a)) in the other direction of the virtual polyhedron (e.g., virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3(a)).

The program according to claim 4 is the program according to claim 3,
A sub-screen (e.g., the "Notification" sub-screen 5 shown in FIG. 2) of the first home screen (e.g., the home screen 2 providing the "Card Usage Amount" function shown in FIG. 2) and a sub-screen (e.g., the "Notification" sub-screen 5 shown in FIG. 2) of the other home screen (e.g., the home screen 3 providing the "Discount Information" function shown in FIG. 2, the home screen 4 providing the "Smartphone Payment" function) are characterized in that they are the same sub-screen.

The method according to claim 5 further comprises:
A method for providing a plurality of functions to a user using a user terminal, comprising:
A step of displaying one of the home screens (e.g., home screen 2 showing the "card usage amount" function and home screen 3 showing the "profit information" function and home screen 4 showing the "smartphone payment" function shown in FIG. 2 ) (e.g., step S2 shown in FIG. 1 ) for each of the different home screens for each of the functions (e.g., home screen 2 showing the "card usage amount" function and home screen 3 showing the "profit information" function and home screen 4 showing the "smartphone payment" function shown in FIG. 2 );
a step of transitioning the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) to another home screen (e.g., home screen 3 providing the "Discount Information" function shown in FIG. 2 or home screen 4 providing the "Smartphone Payment" function) when a directional instruction operation is received from a user in one of the up, down, or left and right directions on the first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1);
a step of transitioning a screen from the first home screen (e.g., the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) to a sub-screen of the first home screen (e.g., the "Notification" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2) when a direction instruction operation in another direction is received from a user on the first home screen (e.g., the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) (e.g., steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1);
The first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the “Card Usage Amount” function shown in FIG. 2 ) constitutes one side (e.g., side 71 shown in FIG. 3( a )) of a virtual polyhedron (e.g., virtual hexahedron 7 shown in FIG. 3( a ) );
A sub-screen of the first home screen (e.g., the “Notification” sub-screen 5 and the “Usage Details” sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2 ) constitutes a side surface (e.g., side surface 81 shown in FIG. 3( a )) of the virtual polyhedron (e.g., the virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3( a )) adjacent to the other side surface (e.g., side surfaces 82 and 83 shown in FIG. 3( a )) in the other direction,
When the screen transition is made (for example, steps S3 and S4 shown in FIG. 1), the screen transition (for example, screen display 85 shown in FIG. 3(b)) is made while the user visually recognizes that the first home screen (for example, home screen 2 providing a "Card Usage Amount" function shown in FIG. 2) and the sub-screens of the first home screen (for example, "Notification" sub-screen 5 and "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2) constitute adjacent sides (for example, side 81 and sides 82 and 83 shown in FIG. 3(a)) in the other direction of the virtual polyhedron (for example, virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3(a)),
The first home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function shown in FIG. 2) is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal (e.g., user terminal T shown in FIG. 2), and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components (e.g., icon 2a indicating the type of credit card, total credit card amount used 2b, points 2c, menu button 2d shown in FIG. 2) required for providing one of the plurality of functions;
The other home screen (e.g., home screen 4 providing the “smartphone payment” function shown in FIG. 2) is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal (e.g., user terminal T shown in FIG. 2), and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components (e.g., a payment barcode 4a, a payment QR code (registered trademark) 4b, a switching button 4c, and a menu button 4d shown in FIG. 2) necessary to provide another function different from the first function among the plurality of functions ,
Furthermore, when the screen transition is made to a sub-screen of the home screen 1 (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2), the sub-screen is longer in the direction 1 than a sub-screen (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 3) that the user visually recognizes as a side of the virtual polyhedron (e.g., sides 82 and 83 shown in FIG. 3), and when a directional instruction operation in the direction 1 is received from the user on the sub-screen (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2), the sub-screen is scrolled in the direction 1 without transitioning from the sub-screen to another sub-screen .

Next, the effects of the present invention will be explained using reference symbols in the drawings. Note that the reference symbols in parentheses are those of the embodiments described below, but the present invention is not limited to these.

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 5 , when using multiple functions, it is possible to transition from one home screen (for example, home screen 2 providing the "Card Usage Amount" function shown in FIG. 2) to another home screen (for example, home screen 3 providing the "Discount Information" function and home screen 4 providing the "Smartphone Payment" function shown in FIG. 2) simply by instructing the direction of screen transition. Therefore, there is no need to go through the cumbersome process of finding small icons and tapping them to transition between screens, as in the past, and operation is easy.

Also, if you give a direction instruction in a direction different from the direction used to transition between home screens, you can transition to a sub-screen (for example, the "Notice" sub-screen 5 and the "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in Figure 2). This makes operation easy.

Furthermore, when transitioning from one home screen (e.g., home screen 2 providing the "Card Usage Amount" function shown in FIG. 2) to one sub-screen of the home screen (e.g., "Notification" sub-screen 5 and "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in FIG. 2), the user is able to visually recognize that the home screen and sub-screen form adjacent sides of a polyhedron (e.g., side 81 and sides 82, 83 shown in FIG. 3(a)) (e.g., screen display 85 shown in FIG. 3(b)). This allows the user to transition from the home screen to the sub-screen while enjoying the screen display.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to create a program that makes multiple functions easier to use.

According to the invention of claim 2, the screen transition between home screens is planar, making it easy to distinguish it from the screen transition between the home screen and the sub-screen.

According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to transition to a sub-screen from any home screen.

According to the invention of claim 4, a common sub-screen (e.g., the "Notice" sub-screen 5 shown in FIG. 2) can be displayed from any home screen by simply pointing in a direction (e.g., left/right) other than the direction (e.g., up/down) used to transition between home screens.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a program according to the present invention. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing home screens and sub-screens of the home screens that differ for each function. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram explaining the screen display during screen transition, where (a) is a diagram showing one home screen and its sub-screen forming adjacent sides in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron, and (b) is a diagram showing a screen display that allows the user to visually see that the home screen before the screen transition and the sub-screen to which the screen transition is directed form adjacent sides in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron.

The following describes one embodiment of the program according to the present invention. Note that in the following description, when directions such as up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to up, down, left, and right when viewed from the front of the illustration.

<Multiple functions and corresponding home screens>
First, the program according to this embodiment provides multiple functions. The multiple functions are a "card usage amount" function, a "profitable information" function, and a "smartphone payment" function. Each of these multiple functions has a different home screen.

The home screen is the screen from which the user starts using the functions provided by the program, and is also called the top screen or main screen. The program according to this embodiment provides three independent functions (a "card usage amount" function, a "bargain information" function, and a "smartphone payment" function), and thus has three home screens corresponding to the three functions. These functions and the corresponding home screens are explained below with reference to FIG. 2.

First, the "Card Usage Amount" function will be described. The "Card Usage Amount" function displays the amount of usage on the user's credit card. Therefore, the home screen 2 corresponding to this function displays content related to the function of displaying the amount of usage on the user's credit card, as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, this home screen 2 mainly displays the user's total credit card usage amount 2b ("￥143,354") for a given period (e.g., one month) below an icon 2a indicating the type of credit card held by the user. Also displayed below that are points 2c ("1,666pt") awarded for the use of the user's credit card, etc.

Next, the "Great Deals" function will be described. The "Great Deals" function is a function that displays information about discounts and the like. Therefore, the home screen 3 corresponding to this function displays content related to the function of displaying discount coupons and other information about discounts, as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, this home screen 3 mainly displays discount information 3a in the center of the screen.

Finally, the "smartphone payment" function will be described. The "smartphone payment" function is an electronic payment function using the user terminal T. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the home screen 4 corresponding to this function displays contents related to the function of making electronic payments using the user terminal T. More specifically, the home screen 4 mainly displays a payment barcode 4a and a payment QR code (registered trademark) 4b on the upper side. In addition, below that, an electronic payment means switching button 4c is displayed. This electronic payment means switching button 4c is a button for switching between making electronic payments with a credit card and making electronic payments with electronic money. In FIG. 2, making electronic payments with a credit card is selected. Therefore, when making electronic payments using the payment barcode 4a or the payment QR code (registered trademark) 4b, the payment amount will be charged to the user's credit card. On the other hand, when the electronic payment means switching button 4c is tapped or the like and electronic payment is selected to be made with electronic money, the payment amount will be deducted from the user's electronic money by electronic payment.

Note that, in order to display the icon 2a indicating the type of credit card, the total credit card usage amount 2b ("¥143,354"), and the points 2c ("1,666 pt") on the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2), it is necessary to link the user's credit card to the program. Also, in order to make an electronic payment with a credit card or electronic money on the electronic payment on the home screen 4 (see FIG. 2), it is necessary to link the user's credit card or electronic money to the program. These linkings can be made by any suitable method. For example, it may be possible for the user to make the linking from a settings screen (not shown).

In addition, menu buttons 2d, 3b, and 4d are commonly provided on these home screens 2 to 4 (see FIG. 2). By tapping these menu buttons 2d, 3b, and 4d, a setting screen (not shown) on which various settings can be made is displayed, but a detailed description is omitted.

<Home screen transition>
Incidentally, in Fig. 2, the home screen 3 providing the "Advantageous Information" function is displayed above the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function. This indicates that when a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move upward on the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function, the screen transitions to the home screen 3 providing the "Advantageous Information" function. On the other hand, in Fig. 2, the home screen 4 providing the "Smartphone Payment" function is displayed below the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function. This indicates that when a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move downward on the home screen 2 providing the "Card Amount Used" function, the screen transitions to the home screen 4 providing the "Smartphone Payment" function.

In this way, when transitioning between home screens 2 to 4 (see Figure 3), the user simply needs to indicate the direction of the screen transition to transition from one home screen to another, making the operation easy.

In addition, when the program according to this embodiment transitions from one home screen to another, the screen transition occurs while allowing the user to visually recognize that the one home screen and the other home screen are adjacent to each other in a vertical plane (see FIG. 2).

<Sub screen>
Next, the sub-screens will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The sub-screens refer to screens other than the home screen. The program according to the present embodiment includes, as sub-screens, a "Notification" sub-screen 5 and a "Usage Details" sub-screen 6 shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the "Notification" subscreen 5 displays various notification information 5a. On the other hand, the "Usage details" subscreen 6 displays the total credit card usage amount 6a and usage details 6b, as shown in FIG. 2.

<Sub-screen transition>
2, the "Notification" subscreen 5 is displayed to the left of the home screen 2 that provides the "Card Amount Used" function. This indicates that when a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move left on the home screen 2 that provides the "Card Amount Used" function, the screen transitions to the "Notification" subscreen 5. Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, the "Usage Details" subscreen 6 is displayed to the right of the home screen 2 that provides the "Card Amount Used" function. This indicates that when a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move right on the home screen 2 that provides the "Card Amount Used" function, the screen transitions to the "Usage Details" subscreen 6.

In this way, by performing a directional operation in the left or right direction, which is different from the up or down direction that transitions between home screens 2 to 4 (see Figure 3), the screen can transition to sub-screens 5 to 6 (see Figure 3). This makes operation easy.

The screen may also transition to the "Notification" subscreen 5 (see FIG. 2) when a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move left on the home screen 3 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Special Offers" function or the home screen 4 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Smartphone Payment" function. In this way, the common "Notification" subscreen 5 (see FIG. 2) can be displayed from any home screen simply by performing a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) to move left.

On the other hand, the total card usage amount 6a and usage details 6b displayed on the "Usage details" sub-screen 6 (see FIG. 2) are information related only to the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card usage amount" function. Therefore, even if a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move to the right on the home screen 3 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Discount information" function or the home screen 4 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Smartphone payment" function, it is preferable not to transition to the "Usage details" sub-screen 6 (see FIG. 2).

In addition, when the program according to this embodiment transitions from the home screen to the sub-screen, the screen transition occurs while allowing the user to visually recognize (see FIG. 3(b)) that the home screen and the sub-screen form adjacent sides in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)).

More specifically, the home screen 2 providing the "Card Usage Amount" function constitutes side 81 of the virtual hexahedron 8 shown in FIG. 3(a). The "Usage Details" subscreen 6 constitutes side 82 adjacent to the right of side 81 (see FIG. 3(a)). The "Notification" subscreen 5 constitutes side 83 adjacent to the left of side 81 (see FIG. 3(a)).

For example, when the screen transition is made from the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function to the "Notice" subscreen 5 (see FIG. 2), the program according to this embodiment displays a screen display 85 that makes the user recognize that the home screen 2 and the subscreen 5 constitute the side surfaces 81, 83 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)), as shown in FIG. 3(b). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(b), in the screen display 85, the side 84 where the side surfaces 81 and 83 meet is displayed vertically long, and the side opposite the side 84 (the right side of the side surface 81 and the left side of the side surface 83) is displayed shorter than the side surface 84. The program according to this embodiment thus transitions between screens while displaying a screen display 85 that gives the user a sense of the three-dimensionality of the virtual hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)). This allows the user to visually recognize that the home screen 2 and the sub-screen 5 (see FIG. 3(b)) constitute side surfaces 81, 83 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)). This allows the user to transition between the home screen 2 and the sub-screen 5 while enjoying the screen display.

In addition, when transitioning from the home screen 2, which provides the "Card Usage Amount" function, to the "Usage Details" subscreen 6, or when transitioning from the "Notification" subscreen 5 or the "Usage Details" subscreen 6 to the home screen 2, which provides the "Card Usage Amount" function, the program according to this embodiment similarly causes the user to recognize that the home screen 2 and the subscreens 5 and 6 (see FIG. 2) form adjacent sides 81 to 83 in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)).

When a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) is performed to move downward on the "Notice" subscreen 5 (see FIG. 2) or the "Usage details" subscreen 6 (see FIG. 2), the "Notice" subscreen 5 and the "Usage details" subscreen 6 scroll downward. As a result, the portions 5b and 6c (see FIG. 2) that are displayed by scrolling downward are displayed on the user terminal T. Therefore, the "Notice" subscreen 5 and the "Usage details" subscreen 6 can be configured to be long in the vertical direction. As a result, a lot of information can be displayed on the "Notice" subscreen 5 and the "Usage details" subscreen 6.

<Program processing>
Next, the processing procedure of a program for displaying the home screens 2 to 4 (see FIG. 2) and the sub-screens 5 to 6 (see FIG. 2) and for screen transitions (see FIGS. 2 to 4) will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1.

First, as a preliminary step, the program according to this embodiment is installed in advance on the user terminal T (see Figures 2 and 3) held by the user.

Here, the user terminal T held by the user is composed of a terminal device such as a smartphone or mobile phone, such as an iPhone (registered trademark), or a tablet, such as an iPad (registered trademark). In addition, although not shown, the user terminal T is composed of a CPU, an input unit, such as a touch panel or physical buttons, which can input predetermined data into the user terminal T, a writable ROM that stores the program according to this embodiment and other programs, a RAM that functions as a working area or buffer memory, a display unit, such as a touch panel, which can display the home screen, etc., displayed by the program according to this embodiment (see Figures 2 to 4), and a communication interface that can connect to a network via a communication means, such as a wireless LAN.

The CPU of the user terminal T described above (hereinafter simply referred to as the user terminal T) first receives an operation such as a tap from the user and starts the program according to this embodiment that has been pre-installed (step S1).

Next, the user terminal T displays a home screen (step S2). More specifically, one of the home screens that differ for each function (home screen 2 that provides the "Card Amount Used" function, home screen 3 that provides the "Discount Information" function, and home screen 4 that provides the "Smartphone Payment" function, as shown in FIG. 2) is displayed. Note that which home screen is displayed first at startup may be determined by any method, but in this embodiment, it is set in advance by the user. Here, it is assumed that home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function is set as the screen that is displayed first at startup. Therefore, the user terminal T displays home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function.

Next, the user terminal T waits for the user to perform a directional instruction operation (e.g., a swipe operation) on the home screen 2 that provides the "Card Usage Amount" function (step S3). If no directional instruction operation is detected, the screen does not transition (step S3: N).

When the user terminal T detects a directional operation (e.g., a swipe operation) to move upward or downward on the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function (step S3: Y), it transitions the screen (step S4). For example, when the user terminal T detects a directional operation to move downward, it transitions the screen from the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function to the home screen 4 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Smartphone Payment" function. When transitioning the screen, the user terminal T recognizes that the home screens 2 and 4 are adjacent to each other in a planar vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 2.

On the other hand, when the user terminal T detects a direction instruction operation (e.g., a swipe operation) to move leftward or rightward on the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function (step S3: Y), it transitions the screen (step S4). For example, when the user terminal T detects a direction instruction operation to move leftward, it transitions the screen from the home screen 2 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Card Amount Used" function to the "Notice" subscreen 5 (see FIG. 2). When transitioning the screen, the user terminal T displays a screen display 85 (see FIG. 3(b)) that allows the user to recognize that the home screen 2 and the subscreen 5 constitute side surfaces 81, 83 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of a virtual hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)), as shown in FIG. 3(b).

In addition, when the user terminal T detects a directional instruction operation (e.g., a swipe operation) for moving leftward on the home screen 3 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Special Offers" function or the home screen 4 (see FIG. 2) that provides the "Smartphone Payment" function (step S3: Y), the user terminal T may transition to the "Notifications" sub-screen 5 (step S4).

Furthermore, when the user terminal T detects a directional instruction operation (e.g., a swipe operation) for moving up or down on the "Notification" sub-screen 5 (see FIG. 2) or the "Usage details" sub-screen 6 (see FIG. 2) (step S3: Y), it scrolls the screen (step S4). For example, when the user terminal T detects a directional instruction operation for moving downward on the "Notification" sub-screen 5 (see FIG. 2), it scrolls the "Notification" sub-screen 5 downward. As a result, the portion 5b (see FIG. 2) that is displayed by scrolling downward is displayed on the user terminal T.

According to the present embodiment described above, when using multiple functions, it is possible to transition from one home screen, for example home screen 2 that provides the "Card Usage Amount" function shown in FIG. 2, to another home screen, for example home screen 3 that provides the "Discount Information" function shown in FIG. 2 or home screen 4 that provides the "Smartphone Payment" function, simply by indicating the direction of screen transition. Therefore, there is no need to go through the hassle of finding a small icon and tapping it to transition between screens, as in the past, and operation is easy.

Also, if you give a direction instruction in a direction different from the direction for transitioning between home screens, you can transition to a sub-screen, such as the "Notice" sub-screen 5 or the "Usage details" sub-screen 6 shown in Figure 2. This makes operation easy.

Moreover, when transitioning between screens, the screen display 85 allows the user to visually recognize (see FIG. 3(b)) that the home screens 2 to 4 and the "Notice" subscreen 5 or the "Usage details" subscreen 6 constitute adjacent sides 81 and 82, 83 of a hexahedron 8 (see FIG. 3(a)). This allows the user to transition from the home screen to a subscreen while enjoying the screen display 85.

As a result of the above, this embodiment can create a program that makes multiple functions easier to use.

<Description of Modifications>
The program shown in this embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, in this embodiment, a hexahedron is shown as the polyhedron (see FIG. 4(a)), but this is not limiting. For example, a triangular prism may also be used.

In addition, in this embodiment, screen transitions between home screens are performed by performing directional operations in the up and down directions, and screen transitions between home screens and sub-screens are performed by performing directional operations in the left and right directions, but this is not limited to this. Screen transitions between home screens may be performed by performing directional operations in the left and right directions, and screen transitions between home screens and sub-screens may be performed by performing directional operations in the up and down directions.

T User terminal 2, 3, 4 Home screen 5, 6 Sub-screen 7 Virtual hexahedron (virtual polyhedron)
71, 72, 73 Side 8 Virtual hexahedron (virtual polyhedron)
81, 82, 83 Side

Claims (5)

A program that provides a plurality of functions to a user,
The user terminal,
a home screen display means for displaying one of the home screens that differ for each function;
a first direction instruction response means for, when a direction instruction operation in one of an up-down direction or a left-right direction is received from a user on the one home screen, transitioning the one home screen to another home screen;
a program that functions as a second direction instruction response means for performing a screen transition from the first home screen to a sub-screen of the first home screen when a direction instruction operation in another direction is received from a user on the first home screen,
the one home screen constitutes one side of a virtual polyhedron;
a sub-screen of the one home screen constitutes a side surface adjacent to one side surface of the virtual polyhedron in the other direction;
the second direction instruction response means is a program that, when transitioning a screen, transitions the screen while allowing a user to visually recognize that the first home screen and a sub-screen of the first home screen constitute side surfaces of the virtual polyhedron adjacent to each other in the other direction,
the first home screen is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal, and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components necessary for providing one of the plurality of functions;
the other home screen is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal, and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components necessary for providing another function different from the one function among the plurality of functions ;
Furthermore, the program includes a third direction response means for, when a screen transition is made to a sub-screen of the first home screen, the sub-screen constitutes a screen that is longer in the first direction than the sub-screen that the user views as a side of the virtual polyhedron, and, when a directional instruction operation in the first direction is received from the user on the sub-screen, scrolling within the sub-screen in the first direction without transitioning from the sub-screen to another sub-screen . The program according to claim 1, wherein the first direction instruction response means transitions between screens while allowing the user to visually recognize that the first home screen and the other home screen are adjacent to each other in a plane in the first direction. when the second direction instruction response means receives a direction instruction operation in another direction from a user on the another home screen, the second direction instruction response means causes a screen transition from the another home screen to a sub-screen of the another home screen;
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second direction instruction response means, when transitioning between screens, transitions between the screens while allowing a user to visually recognize that the other home screen and a sub-screen of the other home screen constitute adjacent sides of the virtual polyhedron in the other direction. The program according to claim 3 , wherein the sub-screen of the one home screen and the sub-screen of the another home screen are the same sub-screen. A method for providing a plurality of functions to a user using a user terminal, comprising:
displaying one of the home screens that differ for each function;
a step of, when a direction instruction operation in one of an up-down direction or a left-right direction is received from a user on the one home screen, transitioning the one home screen to another home screen;
and when a direction instruction operation in another direction is received from a user on the first home screen, transitioning from the first home screen to a sub-screen of the first home screen,
the one home screen constitutes one side of a virtual polyhedron;
a sub-screen of the one home screen constitutes a side surface adjacent to one side surface of the virtual polyhedron in the other direction;
a method for performing the screen transition while allowing a user to visually recognize that the first home screen and a sub-screen of the first home screen constitute side surfaces adjacent to each other in the other direction of the virtual polyhedron,
the first home screen is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal, and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components necessary for providing one of the plurality of functions;
the other home screen is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal, and is configured by arranging a plurality of GUI components necessary for providing another function different from the one function among the plurality of functions ;
Furthermore, when a screen transition is made to a sub-screen of the first home screen, the sub-screen constitutes a screen that is longer in the first direction than the sub-screen that the user views as a side of the virtual polyhedron, and when a directional instruction operation in the first direction is received from the user on the sub-screen, the sub-screen is scrolled in the first direction without transitioning from the sub-screen to another sub-screen.

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