Compact Information terminal apparatus, method for controlling such apparatus and medium

• US 20020059217A1
• Filed: 09/10/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kurosawa, Takahiro, Oya, Takashi, Bannai, Yuichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,113,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038

Abstract

In a compact information terminal apparatus including display means having a displaying function equivalent to that of a personal computer, a browser for browsing a hyper text can easily be manipulated without altering the hyper text formed for the personal computer. When a position other than a hot spot of the hyper text on a browsing view is designated by using a position designating input device which can be manipulated by one hand, a group of operation buttons of the browser for the hyper text is displayed in the vicinity of a designated position.

Claims

1. A compact information terminal apparatus having browsing means for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

position designating means for designating a position on a display view; and

display control means for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browsing means in the vicinity of a designated position when a position other than a hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view is designated by said position designating means.

2. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and said display control means displays the list of instructions for operating said browsing means in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch of said position designating means is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located on the position other than the hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view.

5. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the list of instructions for operating said browsing means includes a group of buttons embodied as figures for operating instructions, and a corresponding operating instruction is executed by designating one of said buttons by means of said position designating means.

6. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of said cursor is changed between a list displaying area where the list of instructions is displayed and the other areas.

7. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said cursor is shifted from button to button in said list displaying area and is shifted from pixel to pixel in the areas other than said list displaying area.

8. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for scrolling the display view in an up or down direction.

9. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for displaying a history list and buttons for displaying a preceding file and a succeeding file in the history list.

10. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for reading-in a present URL again, a button for temporarily interrupting the reading-in, a button for displaying an initial home page, a button for displaying a list of bookmarks, and a button for inputting URL.

11. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes one shuttle switch for instructing an up or down shifting direction of a cursor on the display view and one shuttle switch for instructing a left or right shifting direction of said cursor, and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position is assigned to at least one of said shuttle switches.

12. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes one shuttle switch to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and shifting of said cursor in a left or right direction is instructed when said shuttle switch is manipulated solely and shifting of said cursor in an up or down direction is instructed when said tact switch and said shuttle switch are manipulated simultaneously.

13. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes one shuttle switch to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and shifting of said cursor in an up or down direction is instructed when said shuttle switch is manipulated solely and shifting of said cursor in a left or right direction is instructed when said tact switch and said shuttle switch are manipulated simultaneously.

14. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes one encoder for inputting a shifting amount of a cursor in an up or down direction on the display view, and one encoder for inputting a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction, and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position is assigned to at least one of said encoders.

15. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes one encoder to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and a shifting amount of said cursor in an up or down direction is inputted when said encoder is manipulated solely and a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction is inputted when said tact switch and said encoder are manipulated simultaneously.

16. A compact information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said position designating means includes one encoder to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction is inputted when said encoder is manipulated solely and a shifting amount of said cursor in an up or down direction is inputted when said tact switch and said encoder are manipulated simultaneously.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and said display controlling step displays the list of instructions for operating said browsing step in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located on the position other than the hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view.

21. A method according to claim 17, wherein the list of instructions for operating said browsing means includes a group of buttons embodied as figures for operating instructions, and a corresponding operating instruction is executed by designating one of said buttons by means of said position designating step.

22. A method according to claim 17, wherein a shape of said cursor is changed between a list displaying area where the list of instructions is displayed and the other areas.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said cursor is shifted from button to button in said list displaying area and is shifted from pixel to pixel in the areas other than said list displaying area.

24. A method according to claim 21, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for scrolling the display view in an up or down direction.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for displaying a history list and buttons for displaying a preceding file and a succeeding file in the history list.

26. A method according to claim 21, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for reading-in a present URL again, a button for temporarily interrupting the reading-in, a button for displaying an initial home page, a button for displaying a list of bookmarks, and a button for input ting URL.

27. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes one shuttle switch for instructing an up or down shifting direction of a cursor on the display view and one shuttle switch for instructing a left or right shifting direction of said cursor, and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position is assigned to at least one of said shuttle switches.

28. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes one shuttle switch to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and shifting of said cursor in a left or right direction is instructed when said shuttle switch is manipulated solely and shifting of said cursor in an up or down direction is instructed when said tact switch and said shuttle switch are manipulated simultaneously.

29. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes one shuttle switch to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and shifting of said cursor in an up or down direction is instructed when said shuttle switch is manipulated solely and shifting of said cursor in a left or right direction is instructed when said tact switch and said shuttle switch are manipulated simultaneously.

30. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes one encoder for inputting a shifting amount of a cursor in an up or down direction on the display view, and one encoder for inputting a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction, and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position is assigned to at least one of said encoders.

31. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes one encoder to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and a shifting amount of said cursor in an up or down direction is inputted when said encoder is manipulated solely and a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction is inputted when said tact switch and said encoder are manipulated simultaneously.

32. A method according to claim 17, wherein said position designating step utilizes one encoder to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction is inputted when said encoder is manipulated solely and a shifting amount of said cursor in an up or down direction is inputted when said tact switch and said encoder are manipulated simultaneously.

3. A compact information terminal apparatus having browsing means for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

position designating means including a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on a display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as a designated position are assigned; and

display control means for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browsing means in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch of said position designating means is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located at any position on the browsing view of the hyper text.

4. A compact information terminal apparatus having browsing means for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

position designating means including a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on a display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as a designated position are assigned; and

display control means for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browsing means in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch of said position designating means is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located on the position other than the hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view or when said designated position determining switch of said position designating means is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located at any position on the browsing view of the hyper text.

17. A method for controlling a compact information terminal apparatus having a browsing step for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

a position designating step for designating a position on a display view; and

a display controlling step for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browsing step in the vicinity of a designated position when a position other than a hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view is designated said position designating step.

19. A method for controlling a compact information terminal apparatus having a browsing step for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

a position designating step for effecting position designation by utilizing a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on a display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as a designated position are assigned; and

a display controlling step for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browsing step in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located at any position on the browsing view of the hyper text.

20. A method for controlling a compact information terminal apparatus having a browsing step for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

a position designating step for effecting position designation by utilizing a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on a display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as a designated position are assigned; and

a display controlling step for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browsing step in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located on the position other than the hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view or when said designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located at any position on the browsing view of the hyper text.

33. A computer-readable medium applicable to a compact information terminal apparatus mounting browser for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

a position designating routine for designating a position on a display view; and

a display controlling routine for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browser in the vicinity of a designated position when a position other than a hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view is designated said position designating routine.

34. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and said display controlling routine displays the list of instructions for operating said browser in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located on the position other than the hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view.

37. A medium according to claim 33, wherein the list of instructions for operating said browsing means includes a group of buttons embodied as figures for operating instructions, and a corresponding operating instruction is executed by designating one of said buttons by means of said position designating routine.

38. A medium according to claim 33, wherein a shape of said cursor is changed between a list displaying area where the list of instructions is displayed and the other areas.

39. A medium according to claim 38, wherein said cursor is shifted from button to button in said list displaying area and is shifted from pixel to pixel in the areas other than said list displaying area.

40. A medium according to claim 37, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for scrolling the display view in an up or down direction.

41. A medium according to claim 37, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for displaying a history list and buttons for displaying a preceding file and a succeeding file in the history list.

42. A medium according to claim 37, wherein the group of buttons includes a button for reading-in a present URL again, a button for temporarily interrupting the reading-in, a button for displaying an initial home page, a button for displaying a list of bookmarks, and a button for inputting URL.

43. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and said display controlling routine displays the list of instructions when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time.

44. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes one shuttle switch for instructing an up or down shifting direction of a cursor on the display view and one shuttle switch for instructing a left or right shifting direction of said cursor, and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position is assigned to at least one of said shuttle switches.

45. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes one shuttle switch to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and shifting of said cursor in a left or right direction is instructed when said shuttle switch is manipulated solely and shifting of said cursor in an up or down direction is instructed when said tact switch and said shuttle switch are manipulated simultaneously.

46. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes one shuttle switch to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and shifting of said cursor in an up or down direction is instructed when said shuttle switch is manipulated solely and shifting of said cursor in a left or right direction is instructed when said tact switch and said shuttle switch are manipulated simultaneously.

47. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes one encoder for inputting a shifting amount of a cursor in an up or down direction on the display view, and one encoder for inputting a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction, and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position is assigned to at least one of said encoders.

48. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating routine utilizes one encoder to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and a shifting amount of said cursor in an up or down direction is inputted when said encoder is manipulated solely and a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction is inputted when said tact switch and said encoder are manipulated simultaneously.

49. A medium according to claim 33, wherein said position designating step utilizes one encoder to which a function for instructing two shifting directions of a cursor on the display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as the designated position are assigned, and one tact switch, and a shifting amount of said cursor in a left or right direction is inputted when said encoder is manipulated solely and a shifting amount of said cursor in an up or down direction is inputted when said tact switch and said encoder are manipulated simultaneously.

35. A computer-readable medium applicable to a compact information terminal apparatus mounting browser for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

a position designating routine for effecting position designation by utilizing a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on a display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as a designated position are assigned; and

a display controlling routine for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browser in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located at any position on the browsing view of the hyper text.

36. A computer-readable medium applicable to a compact information terminal apparatus mounting browser for browsing a hyper text, comprising:

a position designating routine for effecting position designation by utilizing a plurality of switches to which a function for instructing at least four shifting directions of a cursor on a display view and a function for determining a present position of said cursor as a designated position are assigned; and

a display controlling routine for displaying a list of instructions for operating said browser in the vicinity of the present position of said cursor when a designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located on the position other than the hot spot of the hyper text on the browsing view or when said designated position determining switch is turned ON/OFF for a short time in a condition that said cursor is located at any position on the browsing view of the hyper text.