JPH11102171A - Display control device and computer-readable recording medium recording display control program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] In a display device provided with a backlight, it is possible to confirm characters even in a place with a small amount of light by turning on the backlight. There was a problem that consumption increased. SOLUTION: The visibility of the character is further improved by enlarging the font of the character with lighting of the backlight.
Also, in normal times, white characters are displayed in black characters, and when backlighting is turned on, black characters are displayed on a white background, thereby improving visibility.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device with a display illumination function, and more particularly to a display device having a display illumination function in a small portable device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of semiconductors, display elements, and circuit technologies, many small and multifunctional portable devices have been commercialized. In these portable devices, it is important that the battery life is prolonged as well as the size and weight are reduced, and liquid crystal displays with low current consumption and excellent display capability are widely used. However, the liquid crystal display is a light receiving element, and it is difficult to read the display contents in an environment where the surroundings are dark. Therefore, recently, a function of illuminating the display unit has been added.

As this method, for example, a method in which an EL light emitting panel is mounted on a rear surface of a liquid crystal panel to which a semi-transmissive reflective plate is adhered, and this is used as a backlight to emit light is generally adopted. Initially, this method started from a wristwatch or a pager, and is now being adopted for portable devices having a large screen such as an electronic organizer.

As a method of turning on the backlight, (1) the light is turned on when an illumination key is pressed, and is turned off automatically after a lapse of a predetermined time.

(2) Lights up only while the illumination key is pressed.

(3) A built-in brightness sensor automatically turns on when the surrounding brightness is lower than a certain level,
It turns off automatically when it becomes brighter than a certain level.

However, the backlight consumes a large amount of current, and if the lighting time is long, the battery life is greatly affected. Therefore, only when the user needs it, the backlight is turned on by the user's operation to limit the lighting time. The method (1), which can be used and is easy to use, is widely used in portable devices.

The method (2) requires the user to keep pressing the illumination key, which is unsuitable for a device such as an electronic notebook which requires key operation, and the method (3) has a disadvantage that the cost is high. Therefore, it is limited to some devices such as a pager.

In addition, since illuminators such as backlights consume a large amount of current, in order to extend the use time of batteries,
It is designed to keep the brightness as low as possible,
Even if the surroundings are dark, even if the backlight or the like is turned on, the display is not always easy to see.

[0010]

As described above, the display is not easy to see in a dark place even if the illumination such as a backlight is turned on. Of course, if the brightness of the illumination is increased, the display becomes easier to see, but there is a problem that the current consumption increases and the use time of the battery is shortened.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the display mode is automatically changed when the backlight or the like is turned on, so that the user can easily see even under a condition where the amount of light is relatively small without shortening the use time of the battery. Provide a screen.

As a specific example, the display is easily viewed by displaying the enlarged characters. However, as the display is enlarged, the display range (the number of displayed characters) is reduced. The convenience is improved by doing it.

[0013] Furthermore, the type of enlarged characters can be easily switched by key repeat according to the surrounding brightness and the situation at the time of use, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a screen which is easy for the user to view without reducing the display range (the number of displayed characters) by displaying the displayed characters in a shade (black and white) inverted display.

[0015]

Means for Solving the Problems Claims 1 and 5 of the present invention
According to the above, a display unit for displaying characters and the like, a display buffer for storing characters and the like to be displayed on the display unit, a display control means for displaying on the display unit based on the contents of the display buffer, and an illumination unit for the display unit A display device comprising: a backlight to be turned on; and an illumination instructing unit for instructing to turn on the backlight. The display control unit changes a display mode on a display unit in response to an instruction to turn on the backlight by the illumination instructing unit. By doing so, the above problem is solved.

With the above configuration, when a lighting-on trigger is triggered by pressing a lighting key, the CPU turns on the lighting such as a backlight, and further changes the display font in accordance with the set conditions. To display data. This changes the display on the display. When the lighting is turned off due to the expiration of the lighting time timer or the like, the CPU returns the display mode to the original state by switching the font.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the display control means solves the above-mentioned problem by changing a display font and performing display in response to an instruction to turn on a backlight by an illumination instruction means.

With such a configuration, when the CPU turns on the illumination such as the backlight, the CPU changes the display font to an enlarged font and sends it to the display controller to display the enlarged font and the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by allowing a user to set in advance a font to be changed by the display control means.

With such a configuration, the CPU can set a font to be changed before turning on the illumination such as a backlight, and can change the font within a desired range.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the display control means solves the above-mentioned problem by performing a reverse display in response to an instruction to turn on the backlight by the illumination instruction means.

With such a configuration, when the CPU turns on the illumination such as the backlight, the display font is changed to dark and light (black and white) inversion and sent to the display controller to perform the display in the inverted character display.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described by taking an electronic notebook as an example of a portable device. FIG. 1 is an external view showing an outline of the electronic organizer of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the display unit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic organizer of this embodiment has a shape in which the display unit 1 and the key input unit 4 are connected by a hinge. When not in use, keep the lid closed. Is available. An electronic circuit, a battery, and the like for operating this electronic organizer are housed under the liquid crystal display unit 1 and the key input unit 4, and the battery can be replaced from the bottom of the key input unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 1 is mounted with a liquid crystal display 2 and a backlight 3 using an EL light-emitting panel, which are superimposed on each other. The plate 2a is stuck. The semi-transmissive reflection plate 2a reflects external light in a bright environment and transmits light from a backlight in a dark environment so that the display of the liquid crystal display can be seen.

Next, the configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic organizer performs overall control such as input, display, data processing, and storage by the CPU 5. First, the display unit includes the liquid crystal display 2 and the backlight 3 as described above, and the display data sent from the CPU 6 is:
It is controlled by the display controller 8 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 2.

The key input unit 4 includes an ON key 4a, an OFF key 4b, a function key 4c, an alphanumeric input key 4
d, a backlight key 4e and the like. The ON key 4a and the OFF key 4b turn on / off the power of the electronic organizer.
Used when performing F. The function key 4c is used as a menu key for switching applications such as a schedule, a telephone directory, and a memo, and for performing various settings.

The alphanumeric input key 4d is used when the user inputs data or makes various settings.
You can enter alphabets and numbers from to Z, and some symbols.

The backlight key 4e is a key which is pressed when the user wants to view the display in a dark place. When this key is pressed, the backlight is turned on for a certain period of time (the light is automatically turned off after a certain period of time). The ROM 6 has a CPU
5 is stored. R
The AM 7 stores personal information such as a schedule and a telephone directory input by the user, and is used as a work memory of the CPU 5.

The clock 9 is a basic clock for displaying time, and is also used for managing schedules and the like. The buzzer 10 is used to emit a catch sound or an alarm sound when a key is pressed.

The battery comprises a main battery 11 for driving the electronic organizer and a backup battery 12.
When the main battery 11 is replaced, the backup battery 12 holds the personal information and various setting contents stored in the RAM 7.

As another embodiment, a program for implementing the present invention may be read from the outside.
The recording medium 13 stores the same program as the operation program stored in the ROM 6 in the above description. The program is read from the recording medium 13 to the RAM 7 by a program reading means (not shown),
In response to the instruction from, processing can be performed in the same manner as when a program is stored in the ROM 6. The recording medium 13 is configured to be detachable from the main body.
D, CD-ROM, etc. are used.

The electronic organizer in the present embodiment has application functions such as a schedule, a telephone directory, a memo, and the like. Here, description will be made on a display screen of the memo function. FIG. 6A is an example of a normal (when the backlight is not lit) display screen. Detailed description of inputting and editing of data, search of input data, rearrangement, and the like in each application is omitted, but each application can be switched by the function key 4c. Here, the description will be given on the assumption that data has already been input.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described step by step. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. Operations of functions that are not directly related to the description of the present invention, such as data input and editing, are omitted from the flowchart and the description of the operations.

First, when the user presses the ON key 4a, an ON signal is input to the CPU 5 to start the operation. When used for the first time, an initial screen such as a schedule data input screen is displayed, but when data has already been input, the screen immediately before the last power-off is displayed.

Here, the CPU 5 is in a state of waiting for key inputs such as an OFF key, an application switching key, a display data change key, and a backlight key. First, the state of the OFF key is checked (S1), and if it is pressed, the display is turned off and the power is turned off.

If the OFF key has not been pressed, the state of the application switching key is checked (S
2) If the key is pressed, the display is switched to the application corresponding to the key (S3), and the process returns to S1 to wait for a key input again.

If the application switching key has not been pressed, it is checked whether a key operation for changing display data has been performed (S4). If the key operation has been performed, the designated data is displayed. Switch display (S
5) The process returns to S1 to wait for a key input again.

Here, the key operation for changing the display data includes displaying one item from a list screen, sending and returning data by using arrow keys, and searching and displaying desired data by using a data search function. Meaning, description of these detailed functions and specific operation procedures is omitted.

Further, it is checked whether or not the backlight is on (S6). If it is not on, the state of the backlight key is checked (S7). If it is not pressed, the process returns to S1 and key input again. It will be in a waiting state.

If the backlight key is pressed in S7, the display character size set by the user in advance is
Read from M7 (S8). In the first embodiment,
A plurality of (three types) of display characters are built in in advance, and the character size can be switched and displayed.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a setting screen. When a menu key is pressed to select a setting screen and then a menu for setting a character size when the backlight is turned on is selected, a screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Here, for example, if "2" is selected, "*" is displayed before "2", and "Medium" is displayed.
Is set.

The CPU 5 changes the display character font from “Normal” to “M” based on the setting read from the RAM 7.
, and sends the display data to the display controller 8 (S9). Thus, the display is as shown in FIG.
6B is switched to the form shown in FIG.

Then, an initial value, for example, 30 seconds is set in a timer (TM) for controlling the lighting time of the backlight (S).
10) After turning on the backlight (S11), S1
To return to the state of waiting for key input.

In the setting screen of FIG. Large
If “e” is set, the display on the screen is switched from the form of FIG. 6A to the form of FIG. 6C in S9. Here, in the enlarged character display of FIGS. 6B and 6C, the number of characters that can be displayed on the screen decreases, and the sentence protrudes from the screen. Therefore, an arrow symbol (→ ↓) is displayed at the lower right of the screen. , Indicating that the display is continuing.

The present embodiment also has a function of switching the display character size while the backlight is on. While the backlight is on, the process proceeds from S6 to S12. When the depression of the backlight key is recognized in S12,
The display character size is switched (S13).

The display character size changes each time the backlight key is pressed. In this embodiment, the display character size is changed from FIG.
(B) → FIG. 6 (c) → FIG. 6 (a). If the backlight key has not been pressed in S12, it is checked whether the timer TM has expired (S1).
4) If the time is up, the backlight is turned off (S15), and the timer TM is reset (S1).
6), the display character size is returned to the original state (FIG. 6A) (S17), and the flow returns to S1 to wait for a key input again. If the TM has not timed out, the process returns to S1 to wait for key input.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment. First, when the user presses the ON key 4a, an ON signal is input to the CPU 5 to start the operation. When used for the first time, an initial screen such as a schedule data input screen is displayed, but when data has already been input, the screen immediately before the last power-off is displayed. Here, the CPU 5 has an OFF key, an application switching key, a data search key,
It is in a state of waiting for key input such as a backlight key.

First, the state of the OFF key is checked (S
21) If it is pressed, the display is turned off and the power is turned off.
State. If the OFF key has not been pressed, the state of the application switching key is checked (S2).
2) If the key is pressed, the display is switched to the application corresponding to the key (S23), and the process returns to S21 to wait for a key input again. If the application switching key has not been pressed, it is checked whether a key operation for changing display data has been performed (S
24) If the key is operated, the display is switched to the specified data (S25), and the process returns to S21 to wait for a key input again. Here, the key operation for changing the display data means one display from the list screen, data transmission and return using the arrow keys, search / display of desired data using a data search function, and the like.

Further, it is checked whether or not the backlight is on (S26). If it is not on, the state of the backlight key is checked (S27). If it is not pressed, the process returns to S21 and key input again. It will be in a waiting state.

If the backlight key has been pressed in S27, the CPU 5 switches the display between black and white inversion and sends the display data to the display controller 8 (S28). As a result, the display is switched from the form of FIG. 6A to the form of FIG. 6D. Then, an initial value, for example, 30 seconds is set in a timer (TM) for controlling the lighting time of the backlight (S29), and after the backlight is turned on (S30),
The process returns to S21 and waits for a key input again.

If the backlight is turned on in S26, S
The process proceeds to 31. The timer TM is checked for time up (S31). If the time is up, the backlight is turned off (S32), the timer (TM) is reset (S33), and the character display is returned to the original state (non-reversal: Returning to FIG. 6A) (S34), the process returns to S21 and waits for a key input again. If the timer (TM) has not expired, the flow returns to S21 to wait for key input.

[0053]

According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, the display mode is automatically changed when the backlight is turned on.
It provides a screen that is easy for the user to see even under relatively low light conditions, and has the effect of improving convenience. In addition, since the amount of light emitted from the backlight can be suppressed by making the screen easy to see, an effect of extending the use time of the battery can be expected in a battery-driven portable device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the backlight is turned on, the display is automatically changed to an enlarged character display or the like, thereby providing a screen that is easy for the user to see, and has the effect of increasing convenience.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set in advance the size of the character to be displayed by the user, so that it is possible to provide a screen required by each user, which is more convenient. It has the effect of enhancing the character.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, under conditions where the amount of light is small, white characters on a black background may be easier to recognize than black characters on a white background which is a normal liquid crystal display. By displaying inverted characters when lit, a screen that is easy for the user to see under specific conditions is provided, and the convenience is enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a display unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display character size setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 display unit 2 liquid crystal display 3 backlight 4 key input unit 5 CPU 6 ROM 7 RAM 8 display controller 9 clock 10 buzzer 11 main battery 12 backup battery

Claims (5)

[Claims] A display unit for displaying characters and the like, a display buffer for storing characters and the like to be displayed on the display unit, a display control means for displaying on the display unit based on the contents of the display buffer, and a display unit. A display device comprising: a backlight to be illuminated; and an illumination instructing means for instructing lighting of the backlight, wherein the display control means changes a display mode on a display unit in response to a backlight lighting instruction by the illumination instructing means. A display control device characterized by changing. 2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means performs display by changing a display font in response to an instruction to turn on the backlight by the illumination instruction means. 3. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein a font changed by said display control means can be set in advance by a user. 4. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means performs display by reverse display in response to a backlight lighting instruction by the lighting instruction means. 5. A display unit for displaying characters and the like, a display buffer for storing characters and the like to be displayed on the display unit, display control means for displaying on the display unit based on the contents of the display buffer, A display device including a backlight to be illuminated and illumination instruction means for instructing the backlight to be illuminated has a function of changing a display mode on a display unit in response to a backlight illumination instruction by the illumination instruction means. A computer-readable recording medium recording a display control program.