Mobile terminal device and program used in mobile terminal device

• US 8,750,937 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Toshiyuki, Azami, Toshihiro, Inamura, Hiroshi, Tomimori, Takeshi, Fukuda, Keisaku, Kawamata, Takenori
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ, JULIO R
• Application Number:
  US11/521,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,825 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/90, 345/168, 345173-183
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/56 including a user help function

Abstract

A mobile terminal device, which is provided with the plurality of keys, includes: a detection interface for detecting touching any of the keys by a user; a press detection interface for detecting pressing the key by the user; a controller for executing a first function assigned to the key at the time of detection of the user touching the key in a case where touching time period, for which the user touches the key, is equal to, or longer than, a predetermined judging time, and for executing a second function assigned to the key at the time of detection of the user touching the key in a case where the touching time period is shorter than the predetermined judging time; and an output controller for displaying an explanation on the first function on a display unit in a case where the touching time period is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal device comprising:

a plurality of keys, each of which are previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time;

a touch detector configured to detect touching any of the keys by a user;

a press detector configured to detect a depression of any of the keys by the user;

an output unit configured to simultaneously output explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when a touching time period for which the user touches a first key of the plurality of keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

a function executor configured to execute the first function of a second key when the press detector detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where the explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are being simultaneously output and a touching time period for which the user touches the first key is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time,

wherein the output unit simultaneously outputs all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys on a display when the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the display unit displays the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key in a state where the display of the explanation is in a manner which is emphasized or distinguished over the displays of the remaining explanations on the first functions of the remaining keys.

2. A method of operating a mobile terminal device provided with a plurality of keys, which are each previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time, the method comprising:

detecting touching any of the keys by a user;

detecting a depression of any of the keys by the user;

simultaneously outputting explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when a touching time period for which the user touches a first key of the plurality of keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

executing the first function of a second key when the detecting a depression detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where the all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are simultaneously being output and the touching time period for which the user touches the first key is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time,

wherein all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys are simultaneously outputted on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key is displayed on the display unit in a state where the display of the explanation is in a manner which is emphasized or distinguished over the displays of the remaining explanations on the first functions of the remaining keys.

3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer program instructions, which when executed by a mobile terminal device provided with a plurality of keys, which are each previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time, causes the mobile terminal device to perform a method, comprising:

detecting touching any of the keys by a user;

detecting a depression of any of the keys by the user;

simultaneously outputting explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to each of the plurality of keys when a touching time period for which the user touches a first key of the plurality of keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

executing the first function of a second key when the detecting a depression detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are simultaneously being output and the touching time period for which the user touches the first key is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time,

wherein all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys are simultaneously outputted on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key is displayed on the display unit in a state where the display of the explanation is in a manner which is emphasized or distinguished over the displays of the remaining explanations on the first functions of the remaining keys.

4. A mobile terminal device comprising:

a plurality of keys, each of which are previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time;

a touch detector configured to detect touching any of the keys by a user;

a press detector configured to detect a depression of any of the keys by the user;

an output unit configured to simultaneously output explanations on all of the second functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when the touching time period for a first key is shorter than the predetermined judging time; and

a function executor configured to execute the second function of a second key when the press detector detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where all of the explanations on the second functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are simultaneously being output and the touching time period for which the user touches the first key is shorter than the predetermined judging time,

wherein the output unit simultaneously outputs all of the explanations on the second functions previously assigned to the respective keys on a display when the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the display unit displays the explanation on the second function previously assigned to the touched key in a state where the display of the explanation is in a manner which is emphasized or distinguished over the displays of the remaining explanations on the second functions of the remaining keys.

5. A method of operating a mobile terminal device provided with a plurality of keys, which are each previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time, the method comprising:

detecting touching any of the keys by a user;

detecting a depression of any of the keys by the user;

simultaneously outputting explanations on all of the second functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when the touching time period for a first key is shorter than the predetermined judging time; and

executing the second function of a second key when the detecting pressing a depression detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where all of the explanations on the second functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are simultaneously being output and the touching time period for which the user touches the first key is shorter than the predetermined judging time,

wherein all of the explanations on the second functions previously assigned to the respective keys are simultaneously outputted on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the explanation on the second function previously assigned to the touched key is displayed on the display unit in a state where the display of the explanation is in a manner which is emphasized or distinguished over the displays of the remaining explanations on the second functions of the remaining keys.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer program instructions, which when executed by a mobile terminal device provided with a plurality of keys, which are each previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time, causes the mobile terminal device to perform a method, comprising:

detecting touching any of the keys by a user;

detecting a depression of any of the keys by the user;

simultaneously outputting explanations on all of the second functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when the touching time period for a first key is shorter than the predetermined judging time; and

executing the second function of a second key when the detecting pressing a depression detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where all of the explanations on the second functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are being simultaneously output and the touching time period for which the user touches the first key is shorter than the predetermined judging time,

wherein all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys are simultaneously outputted on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key is displayed on the display unit in a state where the display of the explanation is in a manner which is emphasized or distinguished over the displays of the remaining explanations on the second functions of the remaining keys.

7. A mobile terminal device comprising:

a plurality of keys, each of which are previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time;

a touch detector configured to detect touching any of the keys by a user;

a press detector configured to detect a depression of any of the keys by the user;

an output unit configured to simultaneously output explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when a touching time period for which the user touches a first key of the plurality of keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

a function executor configured to execute the first function of a second key when the press detector detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where the explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys is simultaneously output and a touching time period for which the user touches the first key is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time, wherein

the output unit simultaneously outputs all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the display displays the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key in a state where the display of the explanation is enlarged.

8. A method of operating a mobile terminal device provided with a plurality of keys, which are each previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time, the method comprising:

detecting touching any of the keys by a user;

detecting a depression of any of the keys by the user;

simultaneously outputting, by an output unit, explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when a touching time period for which the user touches a first key of the plurality of keys is equal to, or longer than, a predetermined judging time; and

executing the first function of a second key when the detecting a depression detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are simultaneously output and the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the output unit simultaneously outputs all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the display displays the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key in a state where the display of the explanation is enlarged.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer program instructions, which when executed by a mobile terminal device provided with a plurality of keys, which are each previously assigned different functions including at least a first function and a second function, the first function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for equal to or longer than a predetermined judging time, and the second function corresponding to a key that is depressed after one of the plurality of keys has been touched for less than the predetermined judging time, causes the mobile terminal device to perform a method, comprising:

detecting touching any of the keys by a user;

detecting a depression of any of the keys by the user;

simultaneously outputting, by an output unit, explanations on all of the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys when a touching time period for which the user touches a first key of the plurality of keys is equal to, or longer than, a predetermined judging time; and

executing the first function of a second key when the detecting a depression detects a depression of the second key by the user in a case where all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to all of the plurality of keys are simultaneously output and the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the output unit simultaneously outputs all of the explanations on the first functions previously assigned to the respective keys on a display in a case where the touching time period for any of the keys is equal to, or longer than, the predetermined judging time; and

the display displays the explanation on the first function previously assigned to the touched key in a state where the display of the explanation is enlarged.