Display control device

• US 7,689,931 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2003
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Original Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Inventors: Koga, Naoya, Endo, Hiroyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): BONSHOCK, DENNIS G
• Application Number:
  US10/606,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20040056837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,469 Days
• Field of Search: 715/812, 715/821, 715/822, 715/823, 715/840, 715/828, 715/773, 715/826
• US Class Current: 715/812
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

The display control device includes: display control means for displaying a plurality of button groups each having at least one button in a monitor and for focusing and displaying any of the buttons displayed in the monitor; and button changing means including an in-group button changing operation unit for changing the button to be focused, from one button to another in a button group, and an inter-group button changing operation unit for changing the button to be focused, from a button of one button group to a button of another button group. In case the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing unit from the button of one button group to the button of another button group, the display control means focus and display a specific button of the button group changed.

Claims

1. A display control device comprising:

a display control section adapted to display a start menu screen, said start menu screen comprising a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of functions, whereby upon selection of one of said plurality of icons said display control section is adapted to display a plurality of button groups, arranged along an annular ring, each having at least one button in a monitor connected thereto and to display any of the buttons displayed in the monitor in focused state; and

a button change section including an in-group button changing operation unit adapted to change the button to be focused from one button to another within the button group, and an inter-group button changing operation unit adapted to change the button to be focused from a button of one button group to a button of another button group,

wherein, when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button of one button group to the button of another button group, the display control section displays a predetermined button of the button group changed in focused state;

wherein the display control device further comprises a keypad displayed on the display control section, wherein the annular ring is disposed on a first side of the display control section and the keypad is displayed on a second side of the display control section;

wherein an entry from the keypad is displayed in a center of the annular ring;

wherein when switching from the annular ring to the keypad, focus is indicated by a most frequently selected button; and

wherein if a mistake is made during entry by the keypad, focus is placed at a mistaken button to allow for selection of adjacent buttons.

2. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section displays a base ring in the monitor as is formed in an information display portion for displaying various information, and displays the buttons arranged around the base ring by dividing the buttons into the button groups.

3. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section comprises a processing unit adapted to execute software application programs, and

wherein the display control section displays and divides the button groups for functions of the software application programs to be executed by the processing unit, and applies the predetermined button to a button for executing a frequently used function in the button groups.

4. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section comprises a processing unit adapted to execute software application programs, and

wherein the display control section displays and divides the button groups for functions of the software application programs to be executed by the processing unit, and applies the predetermined button to a button for executing a main function in the button groups.

5. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section displays ten keys as one of the button groups, and wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from a button of one button group to a button of the ten keys, the display control section displays the predetermined button in the ten keys in focused state.

6. The display control device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the display control section applies the predetermined button to a button indicating “

0”

in the ten keys.

7. The display control device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the display control section comprises a button memory unit adapted to memorize a button that was focused immediately before the button to be focused is changed by the inter group button changing operation unit from a button of the ten keys to a button of another button group,

wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from a button of the another button group to a button of the ten keys, the display control section displays the button memorized in the button memory unit in focused state.

8. The display control device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the button change section further comprises a button determining unit adapted to determine the focused button,

wherein the display control section comprises:

a processing unit adapted to execute a software application program for realizing a telephone communication;

a ten key memory unit adapted to memorize a button of the ten keys, which was focused immediately before the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button in the ten keys to the button of the another button group; and

a telephone number memory unit adapted to memorize a number of the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining unit, as a telephone number,

wherein the display control section displays a communication button as any of the buttons;

the communication button for starting the transmission of the telephone number to be memorized in the telephone number memory unit and for erasing the telephone number memorized in the telephone number memory unit,

wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button of the another button group to the button in the ten keys and when the telephone number is memorized in the telephone number memory unit, the display control section displays the button of the ten keys memorized in the ten key memory unit in focused state, and

wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button of the another button group to the button in the ten keys and when no telephone number is memorized in the telephone number memory unit, the display control section displays the button of the ten keys indicating “

0”

in focused state.

9. The display control device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the button change section further comprises a button determining unit adapted to determine the focused button,

wherein the display control section comprises:

a processing unit adapted to execute a software application program for realizing a telephone communication;

a determined key memory unit adapted to memorize the button of the ten keys, which was determined by the button determining unit immediately before the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button in the ten keys to the button of the another button group; and

a telephone number memory unit adapted to memorize a number of the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining unit, as a telephone number,

wherein the display control section displays a communication button as any of the buttons;

the communication button for starting the transmission of the telephone number to be memorized in the telephone number memory unit and for erasing the telephone number memorized in the telephone number memory unit,

wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button of the another button group to the button in the ten keys and when the telephone number is memorized in the telephone number memory unit, the display control section displays the button of the ten keys memorized in the ten key memory unit in focused state, and

wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from the button of the another button group to the button in the ten keys and when no telephone number is memorized in the telephone number memory unit, the display control section displays the button of the ten keys indicating “

0”

in focused state.

10. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the in-group button changing operation unit is operated in an array direction of the buttons in the button groups so that the button displayed in focused state is to be moved from one button to another button displayed in the array direction within an identical button group by the display control section.

11. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inter-group button changing operation unit is operated in an array direction of the button groups so that the button displayed in focused state is to be moved from one button in one button group to a button of another button group displayed in the array direction by the display control section.

12. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a remote controller separated from the display control section, wherein the button change section is disposed in the remote controller.

13. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by displaying highlighted.

14. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by displaying enlarged.

15. The display control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by changing the display color of the focused button.

16. The display control device of claim 1, wherein the focused state of a button comprises a cursor positioned at the button.

17. The display control device of claim 1, wherein when the button to be focused is selected by the display control device, the display changes from a first display window to a second display window corresponding to the button to be focused.

18. The display control device of claim 17, wherein said second display window comprises a plurality of sub-buttons directed to the button selected by the display control device in said first display window.

19. The display control device according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit which inputs a button selection command by a user,

wherein the in-group button changing operation unit changes the button to be focused in response to the button selection command input to the input unit.

20. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of button groups indicates possible operations corresponding to a selected icon.

21. The display control device according to claim 1, further comprising an information display portion disposed within the annular ring, said information display portion displaying an image which identifies a selected icon.

22. The display control device according to claim 21, wherein the image comprises at least one of a still picture or a motion picture representing the selected icon.

23. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control section comprises a button memory unit adapted to memorize a button that was focused immediately before the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from a button of one button group to a button of another button group, and

wherein when the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing operation unit from a button of the another button group to a button of the one button group, the display control section displays the button memorized in the button memory unit in focused state.

24. A display control device comprising:

a display control section adapted to display a start menu screen, said start menu screen comprising a plurality of icons arranged along an annular ring, corresponding to a plurality of functions, whereby upon selection of a telephone icon said display control section is adapted to display in a monitor connected thereto ten keys composed of a plurality of buttons for inputting a telephone number and a communication button for starting a telephone communication, and to display any of the ten keys and the communication button displayed in the monitor in focused state; and

a button change section adapted to change the button to be focused from one button to another,

wherein the display control section displays a predetermined button of the ten keys in focused state when the ten keys previously not displayed are displayed in the monitor;

wherein the annular ring is disposed on a first side of the display control section and the ten keys that make up a keypad are displayed on a second side of the display control section;

wherein an entry from the keypad is displayed in a center of the annular ring;

wherein when switching from the annular ring to the keypad, focus is indicated by a most frequently selected button; and

wherein if a mistake is made during entry by the keypad, focus is placed at a mistaken button to allow for selection of adjacent buttons.

25. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a button determining section adapted to determine the button displayed in focused state,

wherein the display control section comprises:

a processing unit adapted to execute software application programs for realizing a telephone communication;

a telephone number memory unit adapted to memorize the number of the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining section, as the telephone number and to erase the memorized telephone number when the communication button is determined by the button determining unit; and

a button memory unit adapted to memorize the button focused immediately before the ten keys are erased from the monitor,

wherein when the telephone number is not memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the ten keys not displayed are displayed in the monitor by the display control unit, the display control section displays the button indicating “

0”

of the ten keys in focused state, and

wherein when the telephone number is memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the ten keys not displayed are displayed in the monitor by the display control section, the display control section displays the button memorized in the button memory unit in focused state.

26. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a button determining section for determining the button displayed in focused state,

wherein the display control section comprises:

a processing unit adapted to execute software application programs for realizing a telephone communication;

a telephone number memory unit adapted to memorize the number of the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining unit, as the telephone number and to erase the memorized telephone number when the communication button is determined by the button determining section; and

a determined button memory unit adapted to memorize the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining section immediately before the ten keys are erased from the monitor,

wherein when the telephone number is not memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the ten keys not displayed are displayed in the monitor by the display control section, the display control section displays the button indicating “

0”

of the ten keys in focused state, and

wherein when the telephone number is memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the ten keys not displayed are displayed in the monitor by the display control section, the display control section displays the button memorized in the determined button memory unit in focused state.

27. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the display control section applies a button indicating “

0”

of the ten keys to the predetermined button.

28. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the display control section applies a button of the ten keys indicating the numeral of the telephone number to be normally dialed firstly.

29. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by displaying highlighted.

30. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by displaying enlarged.

31. The display control device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by changing the display color of the focused button.

32. The display control device according to claim 24, wherein the display control section comprises a button memory unit adapted to memorize the button which was displayed in focused state immediately before the ten keys are erased from the monitor, and

wherein the display control section displays the button memorized in the button memory unit in focused state as the predetermined button.

33. A display control device comprising:

a display control section adapted to display a start menu screen, said start menu screen comprising a plurality of icons arranged along an annular ring, corresponding to a plurality of functions, whereby upon selection of a telephone icon said display control section is adapted to display in a monitor connected thereto a plurality of buttons for inputting a telephone number and a communication button for starting a communication, and to display any of the ten keys and the communication button displayed in the monitor in focused state; and

a button change section adapted to change the button to be displayed in focused state from one button to another,

wherein when the communication button is displayed in focused state and when the button to be displayed in focused state is changed by the button change section from the communication button to the button of the ten keys, the display control section displays a predetermined button of the ten keys in focused state;

wherein the annular ring is disposed on a first side of the display control section and the ten keys that make up a keypad are displayed on a second side of the display control section;

wherein an entry from the keypad is displayed in a center of the annular ring;

wherein when switching from the annular ring to the keypad, focus is indicated by a most frequently selected button; and

wherein if a mistake is made during entry by the keypad, focus is placed at a mistaken button to allow for selection of adjacent buttons.

34. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, further comprising a button determining section adapted to determine the button displayed in focused state,

wherein the display control section comprises:

a processing unit adapted to execute software application programs for realizing a telephone communication;

a telephone number memory unit adapted to memorize the number of the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining section, as the telephone number and to erase the memorized telephone number when the communication button is determined by the button determining section; and

a ten key memory unit adapted to store the button of the ten keys displayed in focused state immediately before the button displayed in focused state is changed by the button change section from the button of the ten keys to the communication button,

wherein when the telephone number is not memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the button displayed in focused state is changed by the display control section from the communication button to the button of the ten keys, the display control section displays the button indicating “

0”

of the ten keys in focused state and

wherein when the telephone number is not memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the button displayed in focused state is changed by the display control section from the communication button to the button of the ten keys, the display control section displays the button memorized in the button memory unit in focused state.

35. The display control device according to claim 34, wherein the display control section displays the button stored in the ten key memory unit in focused state as the predetermined button.

36. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

a button determining section adapted to determine the button displayed in focused state,

wherein the display control section comprises;

a processing unit adapted to execute software application programs for realizing a telephone communication;

a telephone number memory unit adapted to memorize the number of the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining section, as the telephone number and to erase the memorized telephone number when the communication button is determined by the button determining section; and

a determined button memory unit adapted to store the button of the ten keys determined by the button determining section immediately before the button displayed in focused state is changed by the button change section from the button of the ten keys to the communication button,

wherein when the telephone number is not memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the button displayed in focused state is changed by the display control section from the communication button to the button of the ten keys, the display control section displays the button indicating “

0”

of the ten keys in focused state, and

wherein when the telephone number is not memorized in the telephone number memory unit and when the button displayed in focused state is changed by the display control section from the communication button to the button of the ten keys, the display control section displays the button memorized in the button memory unit in focused state.

37. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the display control section applies a button indicating “

0”

of the ten keys to the specific button.

38. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the display control section applies a button of the ten keys indicating the numeral of the telephone number to be normally dialed firstly.

39. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by displaying highlighted.

40. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button change section in focused state by displaying enlarged.

41. The display control device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the display control section displays the button selected by the button changes section in focused state by changing the display color of the focused button.