Electronic apparatus, display control method, and program

Abstract

To display an input result as a preview while ensuring a display area of character keys.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises a display unit and a control unit. The control unit displays, on the display unit, a character key screen on which a plurality of character keys are arranged with which characters to be input are associated, and in response to execution of a selection operation to select any one character key of the plurality of character keys, makes a transition of display on the display unit from the character key screen to a preview screen for displaying a character corresponding to the selected character key as a preview.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a display control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a character input method is known in which a software keyboard including a plurality of character keys is displayed on a display unit of an electronic device, and an input result corresponding to a character key selected by operating the electronic device is previewed around the software keyboard (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-55325 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in small electronic devices such as wearable devices, the size of the display area of ​​the display unit is limited, so that if multiple character keys are displayed and a preview of the input result is displayed on the same screen, the display area of ​​the character keys becomes small, making it difficult to select a character key.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a preview display of the input result while ensuring a display area for character keys. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device according to the present invention comprises: A display unit; A control unit, The control unit is displaying on the display unit a character key screen on which a plurality of character keys, each of which corresponds to a character to be input, are arranged; In response to a selection operation for selecting any one of the plurality of character keys, the display on the display unit is transitioned from the character key screen to a preview screen for previewing a character corresponding to the selected character key. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a preview display of the input result while ensuring a display area for character keys. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic timepiece. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of setting data. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a character key screen. [Diagram 5] 13A to 13D are diagrams showing preview screens. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a display control process. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a key input reception process. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a character key screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a preview screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a display control process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a key input acceptance process in the first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a preview screen of Modified Example 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a preview screen of Modified Example 2. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a preview screen of Modified Example 2. [Figure 15]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a character key screen of Modification 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of an electronic watch 1. The electronic watch 1 (electronic device) comprises a housing 101 that houses a display unit 14 and a circuit board (not shown) and two bands 102 attached to the housing 101. The electronic watch 1 is a wristwatch (wearable device) that is worn on a user's wrist by wrapping the band 102 around the wrist. The electronic watch 1 comprises a touch panel 151 (detection unit) superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 14, and operation buttons 152 provided on the side of the housing 101, as means for accepting user operations. The electronic watch 1 is a smartwatch that can display basic information such as the time and date on the display unit 14, as well as various types of application programs (hereinafter referred to as "apps"), and thereby display various types of information related to the apps.

[0011] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic watch 1. The electronic watch 1 comprises a CPU 11 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 12 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a communication unit 16. The various units of the electronic watch 1 are connected via a communication path such as a bus.

[0012] The CPU 11 is a processor that functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the electronic watch 1 by reading and executing the program 131 stored in the memory unit 13 and performing various arithmetic processing. The electronic watch 1 may have multiple processors (e.g., multiple CPUs), and the multiple processes performed by the CPU 11 of this embodiment may be executed by the multiple processors. In this case, the control unit is made up of the multiple processors. In this case, the multiple processors may be involved in a common process, or the multiple processors may independently execute different processes in parallel. The RAM 12 provides working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

[0013] The storage unit 13 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 11 as a computer, and stores a program 131 and various data. The storage unit 13 has a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of a computer-readable program code. The program 131 includes a program for controlling the operation of the electronic watch 1 as well as the above-mentioned apps and the like. Data stored in the storage unit 13 includes setting data 132 in which the operation settings of the electronic watch 1 are stored.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the setting data 132. The setting data 132 includes data on setting items such as "first reference time T1", "PIN code", and "dominant hand". The "first reference time T1" is a setting value referenced in the display control process described later. The "PIN code" is, for example, a four-digit number referenced for user authentication when executing a payment process on an application. The PIN code is input in advance by the user and registered in the setting data 132. The "dominant hand" is a setting of the user's handedness registered in advance by the user. The "dominant hand" setting is referenced to determine the display mode of the display unit 14 in the display control process described later. The "dominant hand" setting may also be referenced to determine whether the electronic timepiece 1 is worn on the left or right arm of the user. This is because the electronic timepiece 1 is usually worn on the arm opposite to the dominant hand.

[0015] The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display, and performs digital display in a dot matrix format on the liquid crystal display in accordance with the control signals and image data transmitted from the CPU 11. Instead of the liquid crystal display, other types of displays such as an organic EL display may be used.

[0016] The operation unit 15 accepts an input operation by the user and outputs an input signal corresponding to the input operation to the CPU 11. The operation unit 15 includes the above-mentioned touch panel 151 and operation buttons 152. The touch panel 151 detects a contact position of an operation means such as a user's finger or a stylus on the display screen and outputs the detection result to the CPU 11. The operation buttons 152 detect a pressing operation by the user and output an operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation button 152 to the CPU 11.

[0017] The communication unit 16 is a communication module having an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and performs wireless data communication with external devices in accordance with a predetermined communication standard.

[0018] Next, the operation of the electronic watch 1 will be described, focusing on the operation related to character input using the touch panel 151. The electronic watch 1 does not have a hardware keyboard for inputting characters. Therefore, when the CPU 11 of the electronic watch 1 accepts character input by the user, it displays the character key screen 20 (software keyboard) shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 14. In this embodiment, the character key screen 20 for inputting ten kinds of numbers from 0 to 9 will be described as an example. On the character key screen 20, a plurality of character keys 21 (ten in this embodiment) are arranged, each of which is associated with a character to be input (a number in this embodiment). The character key screen 20 has a four-row configuration, with the character keys 21 "1" and "2" arranged on the first row, "3" to "6" on the second row, and "7" to "0" on the third row. An enter key 221 and a backspace key (hereinafter abbreviated as "BS key") 222 are arranged on the fourth row. The enter key 221 and the BS key 222 are one form of function keys associated with a predetermined function. Hereinafter, any one of the enter key 221 and the BS key 222 will be referred to as the "function key 22".

[0019] When the user performs a touch operation on the area of ​​any of the character keys 21, the position of the touch operation is detected by the touch panel 151, and information on the detected position is output to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 identifies the character key 21 corresponding to the detected position, and determines that a selection operation has been performed to select the character key 21. In response to the selection operation of selecting any of the character keys 21, the CPU 11 transitions the display on the display unit 14 from the character key screen 20 to a preview screen 30 for previewing a character corresponding to the selected character key 21.

[0020] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing a preview screen 30. Here, a case where the character key 21 of "7" is selected on the character key screen 20 is illustrated. In this case, the character 31a of "7" is displayed on the preview screen 30. When a predetermined first reference time T1 has elapsed since the preview screen started to be displayed, the CPU 11 transitions the display on the display unit 14 from the preview screen 30 to the character key screen 20 of FIG. 4. The first reference time T1 is stored in the setting data 132 shown in FIG. 3, and is set to 3 seconds by default in this embodiment. The default value of the first reference time T1 may be set by the user.

[0021] When the character key 21 of "1" is selected next in the character key screen 20 after the transition, the CPU 11 transitions the display of the display unit 14 to a preview screen 30 shown in FIG. 5(b). In this preview screen 30, the character 31b of "1" (second character) is displayed at a second display position different from the first display position where the character 31a of "7" (first character) was displayed in the previous preview screen 30 shown in FIG. 5(a). Here, the second display position is to the right of the first display position. At the first display position, a character symbol 32 (symbol) representing the character 31a of "7" input previously is displayed. In this embodiment, the character symbol 32 is a black circle, but is not limited thereto. The character symbol 32 is used when highly confidential information such as a PIN code is input and displayed. When ordinary information with low confidentiality is input and displayed, the input character itself may be displayed instead of the character symbol 32.

[0022] When the first reference time T1 has elapsed since the start of displaying the preview screen 30 in FIG. 5(b), the display transitions to the character key screen 20 in FIG. 4 again. When the character key 21 for "8" is input as the third character, the display transitions to the preview screen 30 displaying a preview of the character "8" 31c as shown in FIG. 5(c). In FIG. 5(c), the character "8" 31c corresponds to the second character, and its display position corresponds to the second display position. Also, the character "1" 31b displayed previously corresponds to the first character, and its display position corresponds to the first display position. When the first reference time T1 has elapsed, the display transitions to the character key screen 20 again. When the character key 21 for "5" is input as the fourth character, the display transitions to the preview screen 30 displaying a preview of the character "5" 31d as shown in FIG. 5(d). In FIG. 5(d), the character "5" 31d corresponds to the second character, and its display position corresponds to the second display position. Furthermore, the previously displayed character 31c of "8" corresponds to the first character, and its display position corresponds to the first display position. When the first reference time T1 has elapsed, the screen transitions again to the character key screen 20. In this manner, when the PIN code "7185" is input, the display on the display unit 14 transitions in the order of FIG. 4, FIG. 5(a), FIG. 4, FIG. 5(b), FIG. 4, FIG. 5(c), FIG. 5(d), and FIG. 4. By displaying the preview screens 30 of FIG. 5(a) to FIG. 5(d), the user can check the results of the character input he or she has performed, character by character.

[0023] Next, a display control process executed by the CPU 11 to realize the above operation will be described. Here, a case where the above-mentioned four-digit PIN code is input for user authentication when performing a payment process will be described as an example.

[0024] 6 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the display control process. The display control process is started when accepting input of a PIN code from a user for a payment process. When the display control process is started, the CPU 11 assigns a default value of "3 (seconds)" to a variable T1 representing a first reference time (step S101). The CPU 11 assigns "0" to a variable N representing the ordinal number of the input character (step S102). The CPU 11 causes the display unit 14 to display the character key screen 20 of FIG. 4 (step S103), and executes a key input acceptance process (step S104).

[0025] 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the key input reception process. When the key input reception process is called, the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether or not a touch operation to any of the character keys 21 or function keys 22 has started based on the detection result by the touch panel 151 (step S201). If it is determined that a touch operation to any of the keys has started ("YES" in step S201), the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether or not the touch operation to the key has ended (step S202). If it is determined that the touch operation to the key has ended ("YES" in step S202), the CPU 11 identifies the key selected by the touch operation (selection operation) (step S203). If the character key 21 selected at the first point in time when step S201 branches to "YES" is different from the character key 21 selected at the second point in time when step S202 branches to "YES", the CPU 11 identifies the key selected at the second point in time. In this way, by waiting until the touch operation is completed before executing the subsequent processes, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem in which the preview screen 30 after the transition is overlooked due to the finger during the touch operation being obstructed from viewing. Note that step S202 may be omitted, and steps S203 and subsequent steps may be executed when a touch operation to a key is started.

[0026] The CPU 11 determines whether or not a character key 21 has been selected (step S204). If it determines that a character key 21 has been selected (step S204: YES), the CPU 11 assigns "N+1" to the variable N (step S205), and assigns the number of the selected character key 21 to a variable D(N) for storing the input result of the Nth character key (step S206). If step S206 is completed, or if it determines that a function key 22 other than the character key 21 has been selected (step S204: NO), the CPU 11 ends the key input acceptance process, and returns the process to the display control process of FIG. 6.

[0027] When the key input process (step S104) is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the BS key 222 has been selected in the key input process (step S105). If it is determined that the BS key 222 has been selected ("YES" in step S105), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the variable N is "0" (step S106). If it is determined that the variable N is "0" ("YES" in step S106), the CPU 11 determines that an instruction to end the input of the PIN code has been given, and ends the display control process. If it is determined that the variable N is not "0" ("NO" in step S106), the CPU 11 determines that an instruction to delete the last character input has been given, and assigns "null" to the variable D(N) (step S107). The CPU 11 also assigns "N-1" to the variable N (step S108), and shifts the process to step S110.

[0028] On the other hand, when it is determined that the BS key 222 has not been selected ("NO" in step S105), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the Enter key 221 has been selected (step S109). When it is determined that neither the BS key 222 nor the Enter key 221 has been selected ("NO" in step S109), any character key 21 has been selected, so the CPU 11 transitions to the preview screen 30 and displays (N-1) character symbols 32 and the numeric character 31 stored in the variable D(N). The CPU 11 also executes steps S111 and S112 for displaying the preview screen 30 for the first reference time T1. That is, the CPU 11 starts measuring the display time Td of the preview screen 30 (step S111), and repeatedly determines whether or not the display time Td has become equal to or longer than the first reference time T1 (step S112). When it is determined that the display time Td is equal to or longer than the first reference time T1 ("YES" in step S112), the CPU 11 shifts the process to step S103 and transitions to the character key screen 20.

[0029] In step S109, when it is determined that the decision key 221 has been selected ("YES" in step S109), the CPU 11 determines that an instruction to confirm the input of the four-digit PIN code has been given, and performs the following process. That is, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the variables D(1) to D(N) representing the input four-digit PIN code match a specified value ("7185" in the example of FIG. 3) registered in the setting data 132 (step S113). When it is determined that the variables D(1) to D(N) do not match the specified value ("NO" in step S113), the CPU 11 displays an NG screen (not shown) (for example, a screen on which the characters "NG" are displayed on the entire display unit 14) (step S114). The CPU 11 also executes steps S115 and S116 to display the NG screen for the first reference time T1. The process contents of steps S115 and S116 are the same as those of steps S111 and S112. When it is determined that the display time Td of the NG screen is equal to or longer than the first reference time T1 ("YES" in step S116), the CPU 11 assigns "null" to the variables D(1) to D(N) (step S117), and returns the process to step S102.

[0030] On the other hand, when it is determined that the variables D(1) to D(N) match the specified values ​​("YES" in step S113), the CPU 11 displays an OK screen (not shown) (for example, a screen on which the word "OK" is displayed across the entire display unit 14) (step S118). The CPU 11 also executes steps S119 and S120 to display the OK screen for the first reference time T1. The process contents of steps S119 and S120 are the same as those of steps S111 and S112. When it is determined that the display time Td of the OK screen is equal to or longer than the first reference time T1 ("YES" in step S120), the CPU 11 executes a predetermined authentication process (step S121) and ends the display control process.

[0031] 6 and 7 are an example of a control procedure for the display control process, and can be appropriately changed according to the required specifications, etc. For example, the order of steps S105, S109, and S111 in FIG. 6 and each step of the key input reception process in FIG. 7 may be interchanged. As an example, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, after the end of the touch operation is detected in step S202 in FIG. 7, the preview screen 30 is transitioned to in step S110 in FIG. 6, and the measurement of the display time Td is started in step S111. However, instead of this, the preview screen 30 may be transitioned (step S110) in response to the start of the touch operation being detected in step S201 in FIG. 7, and the measurement of the display time Td may be started (step S111) in response to the end of the touch operation being detected in step S202.

[0032] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the character key screen 20 and the preview screen 30, and the control procedure of the display control process, but is otherwise similar to the first embodiment. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of commonalities with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a character key screen 20 of the second embodiment. The character key screen 20 of this embodiment is composed of only ten character keys 21, and does not have a function key 22. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a preview screen 30 of the second embodiment. The preview screen 30 of this embodiment has a preview area 33 in which characters 31 and character symbols 32 are displayed, and a BS key 341, a stop key 342, a confirmation key 343, and a determination key 344 (hereinafter, referred to as a function key 34 when referring to any of these keys) displayed in an area other than the preview area 33. When an operation to select any of the function keys 34 is performed, the CPU 11 executes a process related to the function associated with the function key 34. The functions of the BS key 341 and the determination key 344 are the same as those of the BS key 222 and the determination key 221 of the first embodiment. When the stop key 342 is selected, character input is stopped. When the confirmation key 343 is selected, the display by the display unit 14 transitions from the preview screen 30 to the character key screen 20.

[0034] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the display control process of the second embodiment. When the display control process is started, the CPU 11 executes steps S301 to S304. The process contents of steps S301 to S304 are the same as steps S101 to S104 in Fig. 6. When the key input reception process of step S304 ends, the CPU 11 transitions to the preview screen 30 and displays (N-1) character symbols 32, numeric characters 31 stored in the variable D(N), and function keys 34, as shown in Fig. 9 (step S305).

[0035] The CPU 11 determines whether or not the stop key 342 is selected on the preview screen 30 (step S306). If it is determined that the stop key 342 is selected ("YES" in step S306), the CPU 11 determines that an instruction to end the input of the PIN code has been given, and ends the display control process.

[0036] If it is determined that the cancel key 342 has not been selected ("NO" in step S306), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the BS key 341 has been selected (step S307). If it is determined that the BS key 341 has been selected ("YES" in step S307), the CPU 11 determines that an instruction has been given to delete the last input character, and assigns "null" to the variable D(N) (step S308). The CPU 11 also assigns "N-1" to the variable N (step S309), and causes the process to proceed to step S303.

[0037] If it is determined that the BS key 341 has not been selected ("NO" in step S307), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the Enter key 344 has been selected (step S310). If it is determined that the Enter key 344 has not been selected ("NO" in step S310), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the Confirm key 343 has been selected (step S311). If it is determined that the Confirm key 343 has not been selected ("NO" in step S311), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S306. If it is determined that the Confirm key 343 has been selected ("YES" in step S311), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S303 and transitions to the character key screen 20.

[0038] If it is determined in step S310 that the enter key 344 has been selected ("YES" in step S310), the CPU 11 determines that an instruction has been given to confirm the input of the four-digit PIN code, and performs the processes of steps S312 to S320. The process contents of steps S312 to S320 are the same as steps S118 to S121 in Fig. 6. When step S320 ends, the CPU 11 ends the display control process.

[0039] (Variation 1) Next, Modification 1 of the above embodiment will be described. Below, differences from the first and second embodiments will be described, and explanations of commonalities will be omitted (the same applies to Modifications 2 and 3 described later). Modification 1 may be applied to either the first or second embodiment.

[0040] The default display time of the preview screen 30, 3 seconds, may be too long and irritating for a user who is fast at viewing and operating the screen. Therefore, in this modified example, the first reference time T1, which is the display time of the preview screen 30, is automatically shortened according to the user's operation time (operation speed). In detail, when the input time Ti from the start of displaying the character key screen 20 to the end of the touch operation on any key (i.e., until the selection operation is performed) is equal to or shorter than the first reference time T1, the CPU 11 shortens the first reference time T1 by a predetermined amount α. In this modified example, the predetermined amount α is 0.1 seconds. However, the predetermined amount α can be changed as appropriate.

[0041] In this modification, the key input reception process of FIG. 11 is executed instead of the key input reception process of FIG. 7. When this key input reception process is called, the CPU 11 starts measuring the input time Ti (step S401). The CPU 11 executes steps S402 and S403 to determine the start and end of a touch operation on any key. The process contents of steps S402 and S403 are the same as steps S201 and S202 of FIG. 7. When it is determined that the touch operation on the key has ended ("YES" in step S403), the CPU 11 ends the measurement of the input time Ti (step S404). Note that step S403 may be omitted and the process of step S404 and subsequent steps may be executed in response to the start of the touch operation on the key. That is, the input time Ti may be the time from the start of the display of the character key screen 20 to the start of a touch operation on any key (that is, the start of a selection operation). The CPU 11 determines whether the input time Ti is less than or equal to the first reference time T1 (step S405), and if it determines that the input time Ti is less than or equal to the first reference time T1 ("YES" in step S405), it changes the first reference time T1 to T1-α (in this modified example, α is 0.1 seconds) (step S406).

[0042] When step S406 is completed, or when it is determined that the input time Ti is longer than the first reference time T1 ("NO" in step S405), the following steps S407 to S409 are executed. The process contents of steps S407 to S409 are the same as steps S204 to S206 in FIG.

[0043] By such a key input reception process, the display time of the preview screen 30 (i.e., the first reference time T1) is shortened by 0.1 seconds to the input time Ti every time a key selection operation is performed. In the above, it is assumed that the time during which the user can view the screen is approximately equivalent to the input time Ti, and the first reference time T1 is used as the discrimination criterion in step S405. However, a second reference time T2 separate from the first reference time T1 may be used. In this case, the CPU 11 shortens the first reference time T1 when the input time Ti is equal to or less than the second reference time T2. Furthermore, when the CPU 11 shortens the first reference time T1 in step S406, it also shortens the second reference time T2 by a predetermined amount β. For example, the second reference time T2 may be a time that is a predetermined number times the first reference time T1, and the predetermined amount β may be a predetermined number times the predetermined amount α. Furthermore, although an example in which the first reference time T1 is shortened has been described above, the first reference time T1 may be increased according to the input time Ti. That is, when the input time Ti is longer than the first reference time T1, the first reference time T1 may be increased by a predetermined amount.

[0044] (Variation 2) Next, a description will be given of Modification 2. Modification 2 may be applied to either the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and may further be combined with Modification 1.

[0045] In the second modification, the position of the preview display of the character 31 on the preview screen 30 is adjusted according to the position of the key selected on the character key screen 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 11 determines the position of the preview display of the character 31 and the character symbol 32 from within the remaining area R excluding the area R1 of the character key 21 selected by the selection on the display screen of the display unit 14. In FIG. 12, the remaining area R is colored (the same applies to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 described later). In FIG. 12, the preview screen 30 transitioned in response to the selection of the character key 21 of "5" on the character key screen 20 is shown, and the character symbol 32 and the character 31 are displayed in the remaining area R excluding the area R1 of the character key 21 of "5". It should be noted that at least the character 31 of the character 31 and the character symbol 32 may be displayed in the remaining area R.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the remaining area R may be an area excluding an area R1 of the selected character key 21 and an obscured area R2 that is estimated to be obstructed (obstructed) by an operating means such as a finger performing a selection operation. The obscured area R2 may be determined in advance for each character key 21 and stored in the storage unit 13. FIG. 13 illustrates an obscured area R2 that is obscured by a finger of the right hand when selecting the character key 21 for "5". In this case, the remaining area R is narrower than when the obscured area R2 is not taken into consideration. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 13, in the remaining area R, the character 31 (second character) input this time and the character symbol 32 (or the previously input character itself) representing the character (first character) input previously may be displayed adjacent to each other in any direction other than left and right.

[0047] The CPU 11 may determine the position and orientation of the remaining region R according to the setting of the user's dominant hand. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the masked region R2 when the user's dominant hand is the left hand. The masked region R2 shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to the region obtained by flipping the masked region R2 shown in FIG. 13 when the user is right-handed, with the region R1 as the center. As shown in FIG. 14, in the remaining region R, the character 31 (second character) input this time and the character symbol 32 (or the character input last time itself) representing the character input last time may be displayed in a non-contiguous position. Here, non-contiguous refers to a positional relationship in which one or more characters 31 can be displayed between them. By intentionally displaying the character symbol 32 representing the character input previously in addition to the character 31 input this time, the current digit number (i.e., which character it is) can be grasped even if they are displayed in a non-contiguous position.

[0048] 13 and 14 are examples of the preview screen 30 displayed in a display mode according to the setting of the dominant hand registered in advance by the user. Instead of the dominant hand, the display mode may be according to the arm (left arm or right arm) on which the electronic watch 1 is worn. In this case, the CPU 11 uses a predetermined method to determine whether the electronic watch 1 is worn on the left arm or the right arm of the user, and causes the display unit 14 to display the preview screen 30 in a display mode according to the result of the determination. If it is determined that the electronic watch 1 is worn on the left arm, the user will input characters with the fingers of the right hand, so the display mode may be the same as when the dominant hand is set to the right hand. If it is determined that the electronic watch 1 is worn on the right arm, the user will input characters with the fingers of the left hand, so the display mode may be the same as when the dominant hand is set to the left hand. The method of determining whether the electronic watch 1 is worn on the user's left arm or the right arm may be based on the setting of the dominant hand in the setting data 132 as described above, or may be determined by another method. Another method may be to provide a fingerprint sensor capable of detecting the fingerprint of the user performing the touch operation, and compare the detection data by the fingerprint sensor with fingerprint data of the fingers of the left and right hands of the user that is registered in advance in the storage unit 13. If the detected fingerprint is from the right hand, it can be determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is worn on the left arm, and if the detected fingerprint is from the left hand, it can be determined that the electronic timepiece 1 is worn on the right arm.

[0049] (Variation 3) Next, a description will be given of Modification 3. Modification 3 may be applied to either the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and may be combined with at least one of Modification 1 and Modification 2.

[0050] In character input by touch operation, the selected character key 21 is hidden by the finger, so that the user cannot check the selected character key 21 once the selection operation (touch operation) is started. In the third modification, as shown in FIG. 15, when a selection operation is started on the character key screen 20, the CPU 11 displays a marker 23 representing the character key 21 selected by the selection operation at a position different from the character key 21 while the selection operation is continuing. In addition, the CPU 11 may further display a line segment 24 connecting the selection position by the selection operation (for example, a position representing the selected character key 21) and the marker 23 while the selection operation is continuing. FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which the character key 21 for "2" is selected, and the marker 23 is a circled number "2". In the character key screen 20 shown in FIG. 15, elements other than the marker 23, the line segment 24, and the outline of the selected character key 21 are erased. However, without being limited thereto, the marker 23 and the line segment 24 may be overwritten on the character key screen 20 in Fig. 4. In addition, when the character key 21 to be selected is changed by sliding a finger while a selection operation is continuing, the marker 23 and the line segment 24 corresponding to the changed character key 21 may be displayed.

[0051] (effect) As described above, the electronic watch 1 according to each of the above embodiments includes a display unit 14 and a CPU 11. The CPU 11 displays the character key screen 20 on the display unit 14, in which a plurality of character keys 21 are arranged, each of which corresponds to a character to be input. In response to a selection operation to select one of the plurality of character keys 21, the display on the display unit 14 transitions from the character key screen 20 to a preview screen 30 for previewing a character corresponding to the selected character key 21. As a result, the preview screen 30 is displayed separately from the character key screen 20, so that it is not necessary to provide a preview display area on the character key screen 20. As a result, a wide display area for the character keys 21 can be secured, and the visibility and operability of the character keys 21 can be improved. In addition, the input result can be confirmed on the preview screen 30.

[0052] Furthermore, when a predetermined first reference time T1 has elapsed since the preview screen 30 started to be displayed, the CPU 11 transitions the display on the display unit 14 from the preview screen 30 to the character key screen 20. This makes it possible to automatically return to the character key screen 20 in a certain time after the preview display on the preview screen 30 starts.

[0053] In addition, in the first modification, when the input time Ti from the start of displaying the character key screen 20 to the selection operation is equal to or shorter than the second reference time T2, the CPU 11 shortens the first reference time T1. This allows the display time of the preview screen 30 to be adjusted to an appropriate length according to the speed at which the user views the screen and the speed of the operation. This prevents the preview screen 30 from being displayed too long and being annoying.

[0054] Furthermore, the CPU 11 may use the first reference time T1 as the second reference time T2. That is, when the input time Ti is equal to or shorter than the first reference time T1, the CPU 11 may shorten the first reference time T1. This allows the display time Td of the preview screen 30 to be adjusted to be shorter without exceeding the input time Ti by the user.

[0055] When a selection operation is performed to select a character key 21 corresponding to character 31b (second character) on character key screen 20 transitioned from a previous preview screen 30 (e.g., FIG. 5(a)) for preview displaying character 31a (first character), CPU 11 displays character 31b at a second display position, which is different from the first display position of character 31a on the previous preview screen 30, on the transitioned preview screen 30 (FIG. 5(b)). This makes it possible to clearly show the positional relationship between previously input characters and the most recently input character on the preview screen 30.

[0056] The selection operation is a touch operation on the area of ​​one of the character keys 21 on the display screen of the display unit 14. This allows intuitive character input using the touch panel 151, and also ensures a wide display area for the character keys 21 that are the target of the touch operation, even in a device with a small display area of ​​the display unit 14, such as the electronic watch 1.

[0057] In addition, in the second modification, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 14 to display the preview screen 30 in a display mode according to the setting of the dominant hand registered in advance by the user. This enables display control such as displaying the preview while avoiding positions hidden by the fingers according to the dominant hand.

[0058] In the second modification, the electronic watch 1 is a wearable device worn on the left or right arm of the user, and the CPU 11 uses a predetermined method to determine whether the electronic device is worn on the left or right arm of the user, and causes the display unit 14 to display the preview screen 30 in a display mode according to the result of the determination. This makes it possible to perform display control such as displaying the preview while avoiding positions that would be hidden by fingers, depending on the arm on which the electronic device is worn.

[0059] Furthermore, in the second modification, the CPU 11 determines a position for previewing the character 31 corresponding to the character key 21 on the preview screen 30 from within the remaining area R excluding the area R1 of the character key 21 selected by the selection operation on the display screen of the display unit 14. This makes it possible to prevent a problem in which the character 31 previewed on the preview screen 30 becomes invisible due to the finger that has performed the contact operation on the character key 21.

[0060] Furthermore, in the second modification, the CPU 11 determines a position for previewing the character 31 corresponding to the character key 21 on the preview screen 30 from a remaining area R on the display screen of the display unit 14, excluding an area R1 of the character key 21 selected by a selection operation and an obstructed area R2 estimated to be obstructed by the operation means performing the selection operation. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of a problem in which the character 31 previewed on the preview screen 30 becomes invisible due to a finger that has performed a contact operation on the character key 21.

[0061] In addition, in the second modification, when a selection operation is performed to select a character key 21 corresponding to a character 31 (second character) on the character key screen 20 transitioned from the previous preview screen 30, the CPU 11 displays the character symbol 32 (or the character) representing the previously input character (first character) and the character 31 (second character) adjacent to each other in either direction in the remaining area R of the transitioned preview screen 30, as shown in Fig. 13. This allows the results of the previous character input to be displayed as a continuous character string while displaying the character 31 in an easily visible position.

[0062] In addition, in the second modification, when a selection operation is performed to select a character key 21 corresponding to a character 31 (second character) on the character key screen 20 transitioned from the previous preview screen 30, the CPU 11 displays the character symbol 32 (or the character) representing the previously input character (first character) and the character 31 (second character) in discontinuous positions in the remaining area R of the preview screen 30 after transition, as shown in Fig. 14. This allows the character 31 to be displayed in an easily visible position even when the remaining area R is limited.

[0063] The character key screen 20 is made up of a plurality of character keys 21. This makes it possible to secure a maximum display area for the character keys 21.

[0064] Furthermore, the CPU 11 of the second embodiment displays function keys 34 associated with predetermined functions on the preview screen 30, and when an operation to select the function key 34 is performed, executes a process related to the function associated with the function key 34. This allows various functions to be executed on the preview screen 30 while ensuring a wide display area for the character keys 21 on the character key screen 20.

[0065] Furthermore, in the third modification, when a selection operation is started, the CPU 11 displays, while the selection operation is continuing, the indicator 23 representing the character key 21 selected by the selection operation at a position different from the character key 21. This allows the user to confirm the selected character key 21 while performing a touch operation on the character key 21.

[0066] In addition, in the third modification, while the selection operation is continuing, the CPU 11 may further display a line segment 24 connecting the selection position by the selection operation and the marker 23. This allows the user to intuitively grasp the position of the marker 23 representing the selected character key 21.

[0067] Moreover, the display control method according to each of the above embodiments displays on the display unit 14 a character key screen 20 on which a plurality of character keys 21, each of which is associated with a character to be input, is arranged, and in response to a selection operation for selecting one of the plurality of character keys 21, the display on the display unit 14 transitions from the character key screen 20 to a preview screen 30 for previewing a character corresponding to the selected character key 21. This makes it possible to provide a wide display area for the character keys while previewing the input result.

[0068] Moreover, the program 131 according to each of the above-described embodiments causes the CPU 11 to execute a process of displaying on the display unit 14 a character key screen 20 on which a plurality of character keys 21, each of which is associated with a character to be input, is arranged, and a process of transitioning the display on the display unit 14 from the character key screen 20 to a preview screen 30 for previewing a character corresponding to the selected character key 21, in response to a selection operation for selecting any one of the plurality of character keys 21. This makes it possible to provide a preview of the input result while ensuring a wide display area for the character keys.

[0069] (others) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the character key screen 20 is used to input a PIN code for user authentication during payment processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the character input method of the above embodiment may be applied when inputting an unlock code to restore the electronic watch 1 from a sleep state, when inputting a passcode to release protection settings when viewing and inputting a personal profile, and when inputting characters or symbols corresponding to functions to select a function of the electronic watch 1.

[0070] Furthermore, the characters to be input are not limited to numbers, but may be alphabets, hiragana, katakana, symbols, etc. Therefore, the character keys 21 arranged on the character key screen 20 may include keys for inputting these characters.

[0071] Furthermore, the selection operation for selecting the character key 21 is not limited to a touch operation using the touch panel 151. For example, the character key 21 may be selected by moving a cursor displayed on the character key screen 20 with a certain operation button 152 and pressing a specific operation button 152 when the cursor is positioned on a desired character key 21.

[0072] In the above embodiment, when the character key 21 is selected on the character key screen 20, the preview screen 30 is displayed, but the preview screen 30 may be displayed at other times. For example, a transition key for displaying the preview screen 30 may be displayed on the character key screen 20, and the preview screen 30 may be displayed when the transition key is selected. This allows the preview screen 30 to be displayed in order to check the input contents made up to that point, without inputting the character key 21.

[0073] Although the electronic watch 1 has been illustrated as an example of an electronic device, the electronic device is not limited to this. The electronic device may be any wearable device that is worn on the user's body, such as a motion sensor terminal that measures the state of motion or an activity meter. The electronic device may also be a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0074] In the above description, an example has been disclosed in which the flash memory of the storage unit 13 is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, information recording media such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and CD-ROM can be applied. In addition, carrier waves are also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0075] Furthermore, the detailed configuration and operation of each component of the electronic timepiece 1 in the above embodiment can of course be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0076] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Electronic clock (electronic device) 11 CPU (control unit) 14 Display section 20 Character Key Screen 21 Character Keys 22, 34 Function keys 23 signs 24 Line Segments 30 Preview Screen 31, 31a~31d characters 32 Character symbols (symbols) R residual area

Claims

1. A display unit; A control unit, The control unit is displaying on the display unit a character key screen on which a plurality of character keys, each of which corresponds to a character to be input, are arranged; in response to a selection operation of selecting any one of the plurality of character keys, transitioning a display on the display unit from the character key screen to a preview screen for preview-displaying a character corresponding to the selected character key; electronic equipment.

2. the control unit, when a predetermined first reference time has elapsed since display of the preview screen was started, transitions the display by the display unit from the preview screen to the character key screen.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. when a selection operation of selecting the character key corresponding to a second character is performed on the character key screen transitioned from the previous preview screen for previewing a first character, the control unit causes the second character to be displayed at a second display position, in the transitioned preview screen, which is different from a first display position of the first character on the previous preview screen; 3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. the selection operation is a touch operation on an area of ​​any one of the plurality of character keys on a display screen of the display unit; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The electronic device is a wearable device that is worn on the left or right arm of a user, the control unit determines whether the electronic device is worn on the left arm or the right arm of the user using a predetermined method, and causes the display unit to display the preview screen in a display mode corresponding to a result of the determination.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. the control unit determines a position for previewing a character corresponding to the character key on the preview screen from a remaining area of ​​the display screen of the display unit excluding an area of ​​the character key selected by the selection operation.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

7. the control unit determines a position for previewing a character corresponding to the character key on the preview screen from a remaining area of ​​the display screen of the display unit, excluding an area of ​​the character key selected by the selection operation and an area that is estimated to be obstructed by an operation means performing the selection operation; 5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

8. when a selection operation of selecting the character key corresponding to a second character is performed on the character key screen transitioned from the previous preview screen for previewing a first character, the control unit displays the first character or a symbol representing the first character and the second character in discontinuous positions in the remaining area of ​​the preview screen after the transition.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. when the selection operation is started, the control unit causes a marker representing a character key selected by the selection operation to be displayed at a position different from that of the character key while the selection operation is continuing.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

10. The control unit further displays a line segment connecting a position selected by the selection operation and the marker while the selection operation is continuing.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9.

11. A computer-implemented display control method, comprising: displaying on a display unit a character key screen on which a plurality of character keys each corresponding to a character to be input is arranged; in response to a selection operation of selecting any one of the plurality of character keys, transitioning a display on the display unit from the character key screen to a preview screen for preview-displaying a character corresponding to the selected character key; Display control method.

12. On the computer, A process of displaying on a display unit a character key screen on which a plurality of character keys each corresponding to a character to be input is arranged; a process of transitioning a display on the display unit from the character key screen to a preview screen for preview-displaying a character corresponding to the selected character key in response to a selection operation of selecting any one of the plurality of character keys; A program that executes the following.

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