Information processing device and display control method

Abstract

Information processing device and display control method An information processing device comprises a display module (22) capable of displaying a plurality of function allocation areas, each having a function allocated thereto, an operation detection module (23) capable of detecting operations on said display module, and a control module (30) capable of controlling the display content on said display module and performing processing on the basis of an operation position detected by said operation detection module (23). The control module (30) can switch at least between a function use mode and a rearrangement mode in which the arrangement of said function allocation areas is changed.In said function use mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed in a combined manner, while in said rearranging mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed in a dissociated manner. Figure for abstract: Fig 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Information processing device and display control method Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a display control method. Prior art

[0002] Patent JP 2015-22567 (hereinafter referred to as "patent document 1") is taken as a reference for the prior art. Patent document 1 proposes an information processing device in which images are rearranged at a position desired by a user in an information processing device that displays a screen on which images are arranged in an aligned manner. The information processing device is provided with an image display module (211) that displays a plurality of images arranged in an orderly manner, and an arrangement means (221) that rearranges, within a rearranging area containing at least one of said images, an image selected on said image display means to a position within said arrangement area when instructions for rearranging the image selected from among said plurality of images are received from a control means. Summary of the invention

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] In patent document 1, an image associated with a given software can be rearranged to a position desired by the user in an information processing device such as a tablet-type terminal or a personal computer. However, the fact that the requirements for rearrangement may vary, among other things, depending on the use of the information processing equipment, is not taken into account.

[0005] For example, it is conceivable that the on-board device in the vehicle displays in the same way images corresponding to function allocation areas to which functions have been allocated, and that their arrangement can be modified. However, the on-board device must imperatively allow the operation to be carried out in a short time and guarantee that the screen size is maintained in order to avoid the user's attention being drawn to it. Consequently, carrying out such a rearrangement of images may require different operations or impose different restrictions than those applicable to other information processing devices. Accordingly, if the user were to try to operate the embedded device by analogy with the operation of other information processing devices, the desired operation might not be carried out, and the operability of the device would thus be reduced.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to improve operability when rearranging areas to which functions have been assigned.

[0007] Proposed solution

[0008] The information processing device of the present invention comprises a display module capable of displaying a plurality of function allocation areas, each of which has a function assigned thereto, an operation detection module capable of detecting operations on said display module, and a control module capable of controlling the display content on said display module and performing processing on the basis of an operation position detected by said operation detection module. Said control module can switch at least between a function use mode in which the function assigned to the function allocation area corresponding to said operation position is executed and a rearrangement mode in which the arrangement of said function allocation areas is changed.In said function use mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed in a combined manner, while in said rearranging mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed in a dissociated manner.

[0009] Results of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve operability when rearranging areas to which functions have been assigned. Brief description of the figures

[0011] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a diagram of a display control method according to a embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a functional diagram showing the structure of a on-board device.

[0013] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a flowchart of a rearrangement process of areas of function allocation by an on-board device.

[0014] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows specific display examples.

[0015] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an example of a combination and dissociation display. (Part One)

[0016] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an example of a combination and dissociation display. (Second part)

[0017] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a concrete example of a rearrangement operation.

[0018] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents an example of a variant of a re- operation arrangement.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below, in connection with the figures.

[0021] [Fig.l] is a diagram of a display control method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle device 10 according to the embodiment includes various functions related to route guidance and music playback. The in-vehicle device 10 is also equipped with a touch screen display capable of displaying a plurality of function assignment areas, each of which has a function assigned thereto.

[0022] The function assignment areas have clearly visible area boundaries and the functions assigned to them are indicated using text or symbols. The touch screen display is used to display the function assignment areas, and the function assignment areas act as virtual actuation buttons by executing the assigned function when an operation at said display position is received. Furthermore, a function assignment area for which an assigned function is indicated by a symbol or illustration and has a standardized shape (e.g., a square of a given size) is generally called an icon.

[0023] The on-board device 10 can switch at least between a function use mode, in which it receives operations on the function allocation areas and executes the allocated functions, and a rearrangement mode, in which it changes the arrangement of function allocation areas.

[0024] The on-board device 10 displays the plurality of function allocation areas in a combined manner in the function use mode, and displays the plurality of function allocation areas in a dissociated manner in the rearrangement mode. More specifically, in the function use mode, the on-board device 10 represents a plurality of function allocation areas in a combined manner with their contours touching each other. Then, when switching from the function use mode to the rearrangement mode, the dissociation of the function allocation areas is represented by moving the display positions of the plurality of function allocation areas so as to separate them from each other.

[0025] In this way, moving the display positions so as to move the function allocation areas away from each other makes it possible to represent the dissociation and combination of the function allocation areas, while maintaining the size and shape of the function allocation areas. Then, by dissociating and combining the function allocation areas, the operator can understand whether the arrangement can be changed or not, thereby avoiding operating errors. pulation and helps improve operability.

[0026] [Fig. 2] shows the configuration of an on-board device 10. The on-board device 10 comprises a touch screen display 21, a speaker 24, a global positioning system (GPS) unit 25, a communication module 26, a vehicle connection module 27, a control module 30 and a storage module 40.

[0027] The touch screen display 21 is an input / output interface combining a display module 22 and an operation detection module 23. The speaker 24 is an output interface providing an audio output. The GPS unit 25 receives radio signals from GPS satellites to determine the position of the device. The communication module 26 communicates with devices located outside the vehicle and with other terminals present in the vehicle. The vehicle connection module 27 obtains various information (speed, steering angle, etc.) from the vehicle.

[0028] The storage module 40 comprises a magnetic disk or a flash memory as a storage medium and is for storing data. The data stored in the storage module 40 comprises map data 41 and icon arrangement data 42. The map data 41 is used for displaying the map of the area around a current position, for setting a destination, for searching for routes, and for guidance during a route. The icon arrangement data 42 is data that indicates the settings relating to the arrangement of the function allocation areas.

[0029] The control module 30 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), which reads and executes a predetermined program to function as a mode switching module 31, a setting module 32, a driving assistance processing module 33 and a content output processing module 34.

[0030] The mode switching module 31 can select and switch the operating mode to be used from among a plurality of operating modes, including at least a function use mode and a rearrangement mode.

[0031] The setting module 32 is a processing module that manages various parameters of the on-board device 10. The setting module 32 can change the arrangement of the function allocation areas and manage this operation by recording the changed arrangement in the icon arrangement data 42. The driving assistance processing module 33 displays a map of the area around a current position, sets a destination, searches for routes, and guides the driver along the route. The content output processing module 34 performs processing such as outputting radio and television broadcasts, and playing music and videos from a predetermined recording medium.

[0032] [Fig. 3] represents a flowchart of a zone rearrangement process of function allocation by an on-board device 10. In the initial state of the processing procedure according to [Fig. 3], the mode switching module 31 performs a display in function use mode (step S101). The mode switching module 31 then combines the plurality of function allocation areas and displays them on the display module 22.

[0033] When the mode switching module 31 receives a switching operation to the rearrangement mode (step S102), it dissociates the icons by moving the plurality of function allocation areas, i.e., the display positions of the plurality of icons, so as to separate them from each other, and starts the rearrangement mode (step S103).

[0034] After step S103, the setting module 32 determines whether or not a designation of a function allocation area to be replaced has been received (step S104). If a designation of a function allocation area to be replaced has been received (step S104; Yes), the setting module 32 changes the arrangement by replacing the display position of the designated function allocation area, and updates the icon arrangement data 42 (step S105).

[0035] After step S105, or if no designation of function allocation area to be replaced is received (step S104; No), the setting module 32 determines whether or not a rearrangement mode end operation has been received (step S106).

[0036] If no rearrangement mode end operation has been received (step S106; No), the setting module 32 returns to step S104. If a rearrangement mode end operation has been received (step S106; Yes), the mode switching module 31 brings the display positions of the plurality of function allocation areas, i.e., the plurality of icons, together and combines the icons by making their boundaries touch, and ends the rearrangement mode (step S107). Then, the mode switching module 31 displays the function use mode and ends the process relating to the rearrangement (step S108).

[0037] [Fig. 4] shows specific display examples. In [Fig. 4], the on-board device 10 may, for example, display some of the icons in two different menus, in the main menu, which is the main screen. Furthermore, from the main menu, which is the main screen, it is possible to move to respective menus (destination menu and AV menu in [Fig. 4]) where all the icons of each of the two menus are displayed. The number of menus that can be accessed from the main menu is not limited to two. For example, when it is possible to move from the main menu to three different menus, a number of icons from the first menu, the second menu, and the third menu may be displayed in the main menu. In this case, when moving from the main menu, which is the main screen, to the first type of menu, all the icons displayed in the first type of menu will be displayed on the on-board device 10. Each icon is associated with a functional category, as described below, and each functional category is displayed together as a type of menu.

[0038] The destination menu is a screen that simultaneously displays a set of icons to which functions related to setting the destination have been assigned. For example, icons assigned to the functions of setting home as the destination or selecting a destination from history are displayed in the destination menu.

[0039] The AV menu is a screen that simultaneously displays a set of icons that have been assigned functions related to music, video, and other content output. For example, icons assigned functions for receiving radio broadcasts or playing content stored on recording media appear in the AV menu.

[0040] In function use mode, the destination menu screen displays eight combined icons and also includes a rearrangement button. If the rearrangement button is operated from this menu, the system enters rearrangement mode, the eight icons are ungrouped, and the rearrangement button is replaced by a rearrangement end button.

[0041] In function use mode, the AV menu screen displays eight combined icons and also includes a rearrangement button. If the rearrangement button is operated from this menu, the system enters rearrangement mode, the eight icons are ungrouped, and the rearrangement button is replaced by a rearrangement end button.

[0042] The main menu screen displays four icons, arranged on the left side, in the destination menu and four icons, arranged on the right side, in the AV menu. In other words, changing the arrangement of the eight icons in the destination and AV menus also serves to select which icons to display in the main menu.

[0043] Thus, the functions assigned to the icons can be classified into one of the functional categories such as "destination" or "AV", and the control module 30 of the on-board device 10 combines and displays the function assignment zones to which functions belonging to the same functional category are assigned.

[0044] Then, the control module 30 receives the operation of switching to the rearrangement mode while simultaneously displaying all the function allocation areas that have received functions belonging to the same functional category at once, and changes the arrangement of the function allocation areas that have received functions belonging to the same functional category.

[0045] In this case, the beginning and the end of the rearrangement mode are linked to the dissociation and to the combination of function allocation areas.

[0046] This type of command limits the possibility of modifying the arrangement of the function allocation zones to the same functional category and allows the operator to easily become aware of the existence of this restriction.

[0047] In the preceding explanations, although a case has been presented where the dissociation is expressed by the distance of the function allocation areas, other types of representation can be adopted. Figures 5 and 6 are examples of combination and dissociation display.

[0048] In [Fig. 5], the boundaries of the plurality of function allocation areas touch each other during the function use mode. When switching from the function use mode to the rearrangement mode, the boundaries of the function allocation areas are animated as cutouts as a transition display. Then, in the rearrangement mode, the plurality of function allocation areas are displayed unlinked. In the transition display from the rearrangement mode to the function use mode, an animation process imitating the merging of borders may, for example, be used.

[0049] In [Fig. 6], in the function use mode, the display is based on a display format that shows a linkage between the plurality of function allocation areas. Then, when switching from the function use mode to the aforementioned rearrangement mode, a transition display is provided to indicate the release of the border linkage. Then, in the rearrangement mode, the plurality of function allocation areas are displayed unlinked. In the transition display from the rearrangement mode to the function use mode, it is sufficient to display the fact that the borders are linked again. Furthermore, any method of representing the combination and unlinking, such as by chains or zippers, can be used to show the combination and unlinking of the function allocation areas.

[0050] [Fig.7] is a concrete example of a rearrangement operation. First, in the function use mode, when a touch operation is performed on an icon, the control module 30 executes the function assigned to that icon. On the other hand, in the rearrangement mode, the control module 30 receives the touch operation on the icon as an indication of the rearrangement target.

[0051] More specifically, as shown in [Fig.7], touching the "A" icon causes the "A" icon to be replaced, and then touching the "G" icon causes the "A" icon and the "G" icon to be swapped.

[0052] [Fig.8] shows an example of a variant of a rearrangement operation. If a drag and drop operation is performed from the position of the icon "B" to the position of the icon “D” in the destination menu in rearrangement mode, the control module 30 accepts the operation as a change in the position of the icon “B” and executes the rearrangement.

[0053] If, on the other hand, a drag-and-drop operation is performed from the position of the icon "B" to the position of the icon "D" in the destination menu in function use mode, the control module 30 accepts the operation as a change in the position of the entire plate on which the icons are combined and proceeds to display the main menu.

[0054] In this way, for the same operation, if the icons are dissociated, the processing is performed for one icon, and if the icons are combined and displayed as a plate, the operation is performed for the plate, which makes it easy for the operator to guess the result of the operation and improves the operability.

[0055] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the on-board device 10, which is an information processing device, comprises a display module 22 capable of displaying a plurality of function assignment areas, each of which has a function assigned thereto, an operation detection module 23 capable of detecting operations on said display module 22, and a control module 30 capable of controlling the display contents on said display module 22 and performing processing on the basis of the operation positions detected by said operation detection module 23.

[0056] Then, said control module 30 can switch at least between a function use mode in which a function assigned to the function allocation area corresponding to said operation position is executed and a rearrangement mode in which the arrangement of the function allocation areas is changed, and in said function use mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed combined, and in said rearrangement mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed dissociated.

[0057] This configuration and operation make it possible to clearly indicate the possibility of modifying or not the arrangement and the restrictions of this modification, so that the operability of the information processing device when rearranging the areas to which functions, or others, have been allocated is improved.

[0058] For example, embedded devices are often operated with the non-dominant hand, and in various situations where the gaze cannot linger there. It is therefore necessary to increase the size of icons and other display elements in order to improve visibility and operability, and to enable an operation to be performed in a short time. In a design conforming to these requirements, there may be cases where operations different from those for other information processing devices are required, or where restrictions different from those of other information processing devices are imposed, but this system allows restrictions on operations to be indicated while maintaining visibility and operability. This allows the operator to easily predict the outcome of his actions and achieve a high level of operability.

[0059] Furthermore, the information processing device according to this embodiment is installed in a vehicle, said operation detection module receives operations from occupants of said vehicle, functions assigned to said function assignment areas can be classified into one of a plurality of functional categories, and said control module combines and displays the function assignment areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category are assigned.

[0060] In this way, the function allocation areas can be rearranged within the range of the corresponding functional category in the on-board device, so that the user's desired arrangement can be achieved while maintaining the convenience of function classification.

[0061] As an example of combination and dissociation, said control module 30 combines the contours of said plurality of function allocation areas by making them touch each other in said function use mode, and dissociates them by moving the display positions of said plurality of function allocation areas in a direction that separates them from each other when switching from said function use mode to said rearrangement mode.

[0062] According to another example, in said function use mode, said control module 30 displays said plurality of function allocation areas by means of a display style indicating a link between them, and controls the display to indicate the release of said link when switching from the function use mode to the rearrange mode.

[0063] In this way, by using various display modes to show the combination and dissociation of the function allocation areas, the restrictions in the rearrangement and the result of the operation can be understood by the operator, which helps to improve the operability.

[0064] Said control module 30 receives the operation of switching to said rearrangement mode while simultaneously displaying all the function allocation areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category have been allocated at once, and changes the arrangement of the function allocation areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category are allocated.

[0065] By adopting such behavior, it is possible to modify the arrangement within the same functional category.

[0066] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the function allocation areas to be displayed on the main operating screen are determined based on the arrangement of the function allocation areas described above, the selection of the function allocation areas to be displayed is not simply a matter of operator preference, but also leads to the selection of frequently used function allocation areas to be placed on the main operating screen, which increases the importance of rearrangement.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but can be implemented with appropriate modifications in configuration and operation.

[0068] Thus, although an on-board device has been used as an example in the description of the embodiment, the invention can be applied to any information processing device, including computers and tablet-type terminals, and is particularly effective for information processing devices with highly specific uses and which are subject to restrictions different from other information processing devices.

[0069] For example, the operation detection module does not necessarily have to be a touch screen display integrated with a display module, but can be a separate module. In this case, a stick-shaped housing for inputting operations corresponding to touch operations, such as up / down / left / right operations, a housing that contains a rotary encoder and can input operations corresponding to touch operations by rotating the housing clockwise / counterclockwise, or by pressing the housing, and a gesture operation detection module for inputting operations corresponding to touch operations, such as a motion detection module, can be used as the operation detection module.

[0070] Description of reference numbers

[0071] 10...On-board device, 21...Touch screen, 22...Display device, 23...Operation detection device, 24...Speaker, 25...GPS unit, 26...Communication module, 27...Vehicle connection module, 30...Control module, 31...Mode switching module, 32...Parameter setting module, 33...Driving assistance processing module, 34...Content output processing module, 40...Storage module, 41...Map data, 42...Icon arrangement data

Claims

Claims

1. An in-vehicle information processing device comprising: a display module (22) capable of displaying a plurality of function allocation areas, each of which has a function allocated thereto; an operation detection module (23) capable of detecting an operation on said display module by an occupant of said vehicle; and a control module (30) capable of controlling display content on said display module and executing a process based on an operation position detected by said operation detection module; and characterized in that the functions allocated to said function allocation areas can be classified into one of a plurality of functional categories;and said control module (30) can switch at least between a function use mode in which the function assigned to the function allocation area corresponding to said operation position is executed, and a rearrangement mode in which the arrangement of said function allocation areas is changed; in said function use mode, said plurality of function allocation areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category are assigned are displayed combined; and in said rearrangement mode, said plurality of function allocation areas are displayed dissociated.;

2. An information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control module (30) combines the contours of said plurality of function allocation areas by making them touch each other in said function use mode, and dissociates them by moving the display positions of said plurality of function allocation areas in a direction that separates them from each other when switching from said function use mode to said rearrangement mode.

3. An information processing device according to claim 1, ca- characterized in that in said function use mode, said control module (30) displays said plurality of function assignment areas by means of a display style indicating a link therebetween, and controls the display to indicate the release of said link when switching from the function use mode to the rearrange mode.

4. An information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control module (30) receives the operation of switching to said rearrangement mode while simultaneously displaying all the function allocation areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category are allocated at once, and changes the arrangement of the function allocation areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category have been allocated.

5. An information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the function allocation areas displayed on the main operating screen are determined on the basis of the arrangement of said function allocation areas.

6. A display control method in which an information processing device, on board a vehicle, which displays a plurality of function allocation areas, each of which has a function allocated thereto, on a display module, comprises: in the function use mode, a step of combining and displaying said plurality of said function allocation areas to which functions belonging to the same functional category are allocated, wherein the functions allocated to said function allocation areas are executed according to the operation position on said display module; and a step of switching said function use mode to the rearrangement mode in which the arrangement of said function allocation areas is changed; and a step of dissociating and displaying said plurality of function allocation areas in said rearrangement mode.

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