Display device, display control method, and program
The display device optimizes user interaction by switching between landscape and portrait modes with adjustable key functions, enhancing the browsing experience for electronic books.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing electronic devices lack convenience in browsing electronic books due to limitations in display modes and key functionality assignments.
A display device that allows switching between landscape and portrait screen displays with adjustable key functions for page turning and scrolling based on display size and orientation, optimizing user interaction.
Enhances user convenience by adapting key functions to display orientation and size, improving the browsing experience for electronic books.
Smart Images
Figure 2026123351000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, a display control method, and a program.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices capable of browsing electronic books (e-books, content) have been known (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, there is a demand for an electronic device having a function capable of improving the convenience when a user browses an electronic book.
[0005] An object of this invention is to provide a display device, a display control method, and a program capable of improving the convenience when a user browses an electronic book.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a display device that can switch between a first size display in which the content of an e-book is displayed on the display unit at a predetermined size and a second size display in which the content of the e-book is displayed on the display unit at a size larger than the predetermined size, and can switch between a landscape screen display in which the display unit is applied as a landscape screen and a portrait screen display in which the display unit is applied as a portrait screen, wherein when the content of the e-book is displayed in the first size display, in the portrait screen display a page turning function is assigned to the pair of first directional keys of the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys, while in the landscape screen display a page turning function is assigned to the pair of second directional keys of the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys, and when the content of the e-book is displayed in the second size display a scroll function is assigned to both the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys, regardless of whether it is a portrait screen display or a landscape screen display. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for users when viewing ebooks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the external configuration of an electronic dictionary in standard mode. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the external configuration of an electronic dictionary in book-style mode. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic dictionary. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the display control process. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the process of displaying text horizontally. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a horizontally written ebook in standard mode and first size display. [Figure 7]This figure shows an example of a display screen showing a horizontally written e-book in standard mode and at the first enlarged size. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a display screen showing a horizontally written e-book in standard mode and second enlarged size display. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a horizontally written ebook in book style mode and first size display. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the vertical writing display process. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a vertically written ebook in book style mode and first size display. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a vertically written ebook in book style mode and at the first enlarged size. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a vertically written ebook in book style mode and second enlarged size display. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a display screen for a vertically written ebook in standard mode and first size display. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of a display screen showing a vertically written ebook in standard mode and first enlarged size display. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of a display screen showing a vertically written ebook in standard mode and second enlarged size display. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. While the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferred limitations for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic dictionary 10 as a display device is an electronic dictionary terminal capable of displaying information related to the contents of various dictionaries (dictionary contents), information of various electronic books including problem sets, reference books, word books, etc. used for students' learning in response to user operations. There are two display modes for the electronic dictionary 10: the standard mode and the book style mode. As shown in FIG. 1, the standard mode is a mode in which the display unit 14 of the electronic dictionary 10 is positioned upward and various key groups 22 are positioned downward. In the standard mode, the display unit 14 performs display with a horizontally long display screen whose length in the left-right direction is longer than the length in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the book style mode is a mode in which the display unit 14 is positioned rightward and various key groups 22 are positioned leftward. In the book style mode, the display unit 14 performs display with a vertically long display screen whose length in the up-down direction is longer than the length in the left-right direction. That is, the electronic dictionary 10 is configured to be able to switch between a horizontally long screen display (standard mode) in which the display unit 14 is applied as a horizontally long screen and a vertically long screen display (book style mode) in which the display unit 14 is applied as a vertically long screen.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic dictionary 10 includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 20, and a communication unit 16. Each part of the electronic dictionary 10 is connected via a bus 17. The CPU 11 controls each part of the electronic dictionary 10. The CPU 11 reads out a specified program from various programs stored in the storage unit 13 and expands it in the RAM 12, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded program.
[0012] The storage unit 13 is a non-temporary recording medium readable by the CPU 11, and stores the program 131 and various data. The storage unit 13 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of program code readable by a computer. Further, the storage unit 13 stores a book DB (Data Base) 132. In the book DB 132, information on various e-books including a plurality of dictionary contents corresponding to a plurality of types of dictionaries, question sets, reference books, word sets, etc. used for students' learning is registered in association with additional information corresponding to the information of the e-books. The type of dictionary is not particularly limited as long as the explanatory information is associated with the headword, and may be a language dictionary such as a Japanese dictionary or an English-Japanese dictionary, or an encyclopedia or a terminology dictionary in various fields. The additional information associated with the information of the e-books includes information indicating whether the format of the e-books is horizontal writing or vertical writing.
[0013] The display unit 14 displays various information such as e-books according to the control signal and image data transmitted from the CPU 11. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device that performs display in a dot matrix method, but is not limited thereto. The communication unit 16 performs a communication operation according to a predetermined communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The communication unit 16 transmits and receives information to and from an external device by this communication operation. The CPU 11 may download the information of the e-books from an external device such as a server via the communication unit 16 and store the information of the e-books in the book DB 132.
[0014] The operation unit 20 includes a touch panel 21 superimposed on the display unit 14, various key groups 22, etc. The various key groups 22 include cursor keys 221. The cursor keys 221 are keys used for moving the display range displayed by the display unit 14, moving between pages of an e-book (page turning), etc., and in this embodiment, the up, down, left, and right directions can be specified. The cursor keys 221 include a first key 221a, a second key 221b, a third key 221c, and a fourth key 221d. The first key 221a and the second key 221b are first direction keys, and the third key 221c and the fourth key 221d are second direction keys. The operation unit 20 detects contact operations on the touch panel 21 and outputs operation information representing the position where the contact operation was detected to the CPU 11. The operation unit 20 also outputs operation signals to the CPU 11 corresponding to input operations such as pressing the various key groups 22.
[0015] Here, the electronic dictionary 10 is configured to allow switching between a first-size display, in which the content of the ebook is displayed on the display unit 14 at a predetermined size, and a second-size display, in which the content of the ebook is displayed on the display unit 14 at a size larger than the predetermined size. When the content is displayed in the first-size display, in portrait mode, the page-turning function is assigned to one of the pair of first-direction keys (first key 221a and second key 221b) and one of the pair of second-direction keys (third key 221c and fourth key 221d), while in landscape mode, the page-turning function is assigned to one of the pair of second-direction keys (first key and second key). When the content is displayed in the second-size display, regardless of whether the screen is in portrait or landscape mode, the scroll function is assigned to both the pair of first-direction keys and the pair of second-direction keys. When the content is displayed in the first size display, the operation of the pair of second directional keys is disabled in portrait mode, and the operation of the pair of first directional keys is disabled in landscape mode.
[0016] Furthermore, when the electronic dictionary 10 assigns the scroll function to the cursor keys 221, in landscape mode, one of the pair of first directional keys (first key 221a) is set to specify the upward direction and the other key (second key 221b) is set to specify the downward direction, and one of the pair of second directional keys (third key 221c) is set to specify the right direction and the other key (fourth key 221d) is set to specify the left direction. Furthermore, in portrait mode, one of the pair of first directional keys (first key 221a) is set to specify the right direction and the other key (second key 221b) is set to specify the left direction, and one of the pair of second directional keys (fourth key 221d) is set to specify the upward direction and the other key (third key 221c) is set to specify the downward direction.
[0017] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the display control processing performed by the electronic dictionary 10 of this embodiment will be described. In the display control processing, the CPU 11 of the electronic dictionary 10 accepts an operation from the user to select one of the ebooks stored in the book DB 132 via the operation unit 20 (step S1). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the format of the ebook selected in step S1 is horizontal or not based on the additional information associated with the ebook (step S2). If the format of the ebook selected in step S1 is horizontal (step S2; YES), the CPU 11 executes the horizontal display processing shown in Figure 5 (step S3) and terminates the display control processing.
[0018] In the horizontal display process, the CPU 11 displays the ebook selected in step S1 in standard mode and first size display in the display area 141a of the display screen 141 (see Figure 6) displayed on the display unit 14. When the CPU 11 displays the ebook in standard mode and first size display, it disables user operation of the first direction keys (first key 221a, second key 221b) (step S11). The first size display in standard mode is a display where the vertical width of the ebook pages is equal to the vertical length of the display area 141a. As shown in Figure 6, the CPU 11 displays page-turning buttons 141b, 141c, a zoom icon 141d, a mode switching icon 141e, etc. on the display screen 141. The page-turning buttons 141b and 141c are buttons for turning the pages of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a in the forward and backward directions. Here, "forward / backward direction" refers to the direction in which to turn pages, for example, from page 1 to page 3, when the currently displayed page of the ebook is page 2. More specifically, turning to page 1 is the forward direction, and turning to page 3 is the backward direction. When the ebook is formatted horizontally, page turning button 141b is a button to instruct the user to switch pages backward, and page turning button 141c is a button to instruct the user to switch pages forward.
[0019] The enlargement icon 141d is an icon for enlarging (second size display) the page of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a. The second size display includes a first enlargement display and a second enlargement display with different magnification ratios. The mode switching icon 141e is an icon for switching the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 between standard mode and book style mode. When the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 is in standard mode, the CPU 11 receives a press operation of the mode switching icon 141e via the touch panel 21 and changes the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 to book style mode. Also, when the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 is in book style mode, the CPU 11 receives a press operation of the mode switching icon 141e via the touch panel 21 and changes the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 to standard mode.
[0020] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the third key 221c or the fourth key 221d has been pressed in standard mode and first size display (step S12). If the third key 221c is pressed (step S12; YES), the CPU 11 switches the page of the e-book displayed in the display area 141a backward, that is, moves to the next page (step S13). Alternatively, if the fourth key 221d is pressed (step S12; YES), the CPU 11 switches the page of the e-book displayed in the display area 141a forward, that is, moves to the previous page (step S13). On the other hand, if neither the third key 221c nor the fourth key 221d is pressed (step S12; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S14 for horizontal display processing.
[0021] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether a second-size display has been instructed by the press of the enlargement icon 141d (step S14). If a second-size display is instructed (step S14; YES), the CPU 11 displays the ebook in the display area 141a in the second-size display. In addition, the CPU 11 enables the user's press of the first direction key (step S15). Specifically, when the CPU 11 receives a press of the enlargement icon 141d via the touch panel 21 while the ebook is being displayed in the first-size display, it displays the enlarged ebook in the display area 141a in the first enlarged size display, as shown in Figure 7. The first enlarged size display in standard mode is a display where the width of the ebook pages is equal to the left-right length of the display area 141a. When the first display is performed in the first enlarged size display, the CPU 11 displays the ebook so that the top edge of the pages is located at the top edge of the display area 141a.
[0022] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 is displaying an ebook in first enlarged size display mode and receives a press operation for the enlargement display icon 141d via the touch panel 21, it displays the further enlarged ebook in second enlarged size display mode in the display area 141a, as shown in Figure 8. The second enlarged size display mode in standard mode is a display that enlarges the first enlarged size display mode by a predetermined magnification ratio (for example, 1.3 times). When the second enlarged size display mode is initially displayed, the CPU 11 displays the ebook so that the upper left corner of the ebook page is located at the upper left corner of the display area 141a. Note that the CPU 11 does not display page turning buttons 141b and 141c on the display screen 141 when using second enlarged size display modes such as the first enlarged size display mode. Also, when the CPU 11 is displaying an ebook in second enlarged size display mode and receives a press operation for the enlargement display icon 141d via the touch panel 21, it returns the ebook to first size display mode and displays it in the display area 141a.
[0023] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether it has received a press of the cursor key 221 or a scroll operation via the touch panel 21 while the ebook is displayed in the display area 141a in a second size display, such as a first enlarged size display or a second enlarged size display (step S16). If a press of the cursor key 221 or a scroll operation is received (step S16; YES), the CPU 11 changes the range displayed in the display area 141a of the ebook page by scrolling based on the operation (step S17). On the other hand, if a second size display is not instructed (step S14; NO), or if neither a press of the cursor key 221 nor a scroll operation is received (step S16; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S18 for horizontal writing display processing.
[0024] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction has been given to switch the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 to book style mode by pressing the mode switching icon 141e via the touch panel 21 (step S18). If no instruction to switch to book style mode has been given (step S18; NO), the CPU 11 determines whether an ebook is currently being displayed in the second size display in the display area 141a (step S19). If an ebook is being displayed in the second size display (step S19; YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S16 for horizontal display processing. On the other hand, if an ebook is not being displayed in the second size display (step S19; NO), that is, if an ebook is being displayed in the first size display, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S12 for horizontal display processing.
[0025] Furthermore, if an instruction is given to switch to book style mode (step S18; YES), the CPU 11 displays the ebook in book style mode and at the first size display on the display area 141a of the display screen 141, as shown in Figure 9. When the CPU 11 displays the ebook in book style mode and at the first size display, it disables user operation of the second direction keys (third key 221c, fourth key 221d) (step S20). The first size display in book style mode is a display where the width of the ebook pages is equal to the left-right length of the display area 141a. As shown in Figure 9, the CPU 11 displays page-turning buttons 141b, 141c, a zoom icon 141d, a mode switching icon 141e, etc. on the display screen 141, similar to the standard mode.
[0026] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the first key 221a or the second key 221b has been pressed in book-style mode and first-size display (step S21). If the first key 221a is pressed (step S21; YES), the CPU 11 switches the page of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a backward, that is, moves to the next page (step S22). Alternatively, if the second key 221b is pressed (step S21; YES), the CPU 11 switches the page of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a forward, that is, moves to the previous page (step S22). On the other hand, if neither the first key 221a nor the second key 221b is pressed (step S21; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S23 for horizontal display processing.
[0027] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether a second-size display has been instructed by pressing the enlargement icon 141d (step S23). If a second-size display is instructed (step S23; YES), the CPU 11 displays the ebook in the display area 141a in the second-size display. In addition, the CPU 11 enables the user to press the second direction key (step S24). In step S24, if the CPU 11 receives a press operation of the enlargement icon 141d via the touch panel 21 while the ebook is being displayed in the first-size display, it displays the enlarged ebook in the display area 141a in the first enlarged size display. The first enlarged size display in book style mode is a display that enlarges the first-size display at the same magnification ratio as the first enlarged size display in standard mode. When the first enlarged size display is displayed initially, the CPU 11 displays the ebook so that the upper left corner of the page is located at the upper left corner of the display area 141a.
[0028] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 is displaying an ebook in first-magnified size display mode and receives a press operation for the magnification icon 141d via the touch panel 21, it displays the further magnified ebook in second-magnified size display mode in the display area 141a. The second-magnified size display mode in book-style mode is a display that is magnified by a predetermined magnification ratio (for example, 1.3 times) of the first-magnified size display mode. When the CPU 11 initially displays in second-magnified size display mode, it displays the ebook so that the upper left corner of the page is located at the upper left corner of the display area 141a. Note that the CPU 11 does not display page-turning buttons 141b and 141c on the display screen 141 when using second-size displays such as first-magnified size display mode or second-size display mode. Also, when the CPU 11 is displaying an ebook in second-magnified size display mode and receives a press operation for the magnification icon 141d via the touch panel 21, it returns the ebook to first-size display mode and displays it in the display area 141a.
[0029] Next, the CPU 11 executes steps S25 and S26, which are the same as steps S16 and S17. On the other hand, if the second size display is not instructed (step S23; NO), or if the cursor key 221 is not pressed or scrolled (step S25; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S27 for horizontal display processing. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether an instruction has been given to switch the display mode of the electronic dictionary 10 to standard mode by pressing the mode switching icon 141e via the touch panel 21 (step S27). If an instruction to switch to standard mode is not given (step S27; NO), the CPU 11 determines whether the ebook is currently being displayed in second size display in the display area 141a (step S28). If the ebook is being displayed in second size display (step S28; YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S25 for horizontal display processing. On the other hand, if the ebook is not displayed in the second size display (step S28; NO), that is, if the ebook is displayed in the first size display, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S21 for horizontal display processing. Also, if an instruction to switch to standard mode is given (step S27; YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S11 for horizontal display processing. Furthermore, the CPU 11 terminates the horizontal display processing if the power button on the various key group 22 is pressed and an instruction to turn off the power is given, or if the user selects an ebook different from the ebook displayed on the display screen 141.
[0030] Returning to Figure 4, if the format of the selected e-book is not horizontal (step S2; NO), that is, if the format of the selected e-book is vertical, the CPU 11 executes the vertical writing display process shown in Figure 10 (step S4) and terminates the display control process. In the vertical writing display process, the CPU 11 displays the e-book in book style mode and first size display on the display area 141a of the display screen 141, as shown in Figure 11, similar to step S20 of the horizontal writing display process. When the CPU 11 displays the e-book in book style mode and first size display, it disables user operation of the second direction key (step S31). In other words, if the format of the selected e-book is horizontal, the display starts in standard mode, whereas if the format of the selected e-book is vertical, the display starts in book style mode.
[0031] Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the first key 221a or the second key 221b has been pressed in book-style mode and first-size display (step S32). If the first key 221a is pressed (step S32; YES), the CPU 11 switches the page of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a forward, that is, it moves to the previous page (step S33). Alternatively, if the second key 221b is pressed (step S32; YES), the CPU 11 switches the page of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a backward, that is, it moves to the next page (step S33). On the other hand, if neither the first key 221a nor the second key 221b is pressed (step S32; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S34 for vertical writing display processing.
[0032] Next, CPU 11 executes steps S34 and S35, which are the same as steps S23 and S24 of the horizontal writing display process. In step S35, CPU 11 displays the ebook so that the upper right corner of the page is positioned at the upper right corner of the display area 141a during the initial display using the first enlarged size display (see Figure 12) and the second enlarged size display (see Figure 13). Next, CPU 11 executes steps S36 to S39, which are the same as steps S25 to S28 of the horizontal writing display process. If the ebook is displayed in the second size display (step S39; YES), CPU 11 proceeds to step S36 for vertical writing display processing. On the other hand, if the ebook is not displayed in the second size display (step S39; NO), that is, if the ebook is displayed in the first size display, CPU 11 proceeds to step S32 for vertical writing display processing.
[0033] Furthermore, if an instruction is given to switch to standard mode (step S38; YES), the CPU 11 displays the ebook in standard mode and at the first size, as shown in Figure 14, in the display area 141a of the display screen 141, similar to step S11 of the horizontal writing display process. When the CPU 11 displays the ebook in standard mode and at the first size, it disables user operation of the first direction key (step S40). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the third key 221c or the fourth key 221d has been pressed in standard mode and at the first size (step S41). If the third key 221c has been pressed (step S41; YES), the CPU 11 switches to the previous page of the ebook displayed in the display area 141a, that is, it transitions to the previous page (step S42). Alternatively, if the fourth key 221d is pressed (step S41; YES), the CPU 11 switches to the next page of the e-book displayed in the display area 141a, that is, it moves to the next page (step S42). On the other hand, if neither the third key 221c nor the fourth key 221d is pressed (step S41; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S43 for vertical writing display processing.
[0034] Next, the CPU 11 executes steps S43 and S44, which are the same as steps S14 and S15 of the horizontal writing display process. In step S44, the CPU 11 displays the ebook so that the upper right corner of the page is located at the upper right corner of the display area 141a during the initial display using the first enlarged size display (see Figure 15) and the second enlarged size display (see Figure 16). Next, CPU 11 executes steps S45 to S48, which are the same as steps S16 to S19 of the horizontal writing display process. If the ebook is displayed in the second size display (step S48; YES), CPU 11 proceeds to step S45 for the vertical writing display process. On the other hand, if the ebook is not displayed in the second size display (step S48; NO), that is, if the ebook is displayed in the first size display, CPU 11 proceeds to step S41 for the vertical writing display process.
[0035] Furthermore, if an instruction is given to switch to book style mode (step S47; YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S31 for vertical writing display processing. The CPU 11 also terminates vertical writing display processing if the power button on the various key groups 22 is pressed and an instruction to turn off the power is given, or if the user selects an ebook different from the ebook displayed on the display screen 141. In the above display control processing, the horizontal writing display processing in step S3 and the vertical writing display processing in step S4 are control steps.
[0036] As described above, the display device (electronic dictionary 10) according to this embodiment is a display device that can switch between a first size display in which the content of the ebook is displayed on the display unit 14 at a predetermined size and a second size display in which the content of the ebook is displayed on the display unit 14 at a size larger than the predetermined size, and can also switch between a landscape screen display (standard mode) in which the display unit 14 is applied as a landscape screen and a portrait screen display (book style mode) in which the display unit 14 is applied as a portrait screen. The display device includes a control unit (CPU 11) that, when displaying content in the first size display, assigns the page-turning function to a pair of first directional keys (first key 221a and second key 221b) and a pair of second directional keys (third key 221c and fourth key 221d) in portrait mode, and assigns the page-turning function to a pair of second directional keys (a pair of first directional keys and a pair of second directional keys) in landscape mode. When displaying content in the second size display, it assigns the scroll function to both the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys, regardless of whether the display is in portrait or landscape mode. Therefore, the functions assigned to the first and second directional keys can be changed depending on whether the display is in portrait mode, landscape mode, or second size display in the first size display. This improves the convenience for users when viewing ebooks.
[0037] Furthermore, in the display device (electronic dictionary 10) according to this embodiment, when the content of an ebook is displayed in first size display mode, the control unit (CPU 11) disables operation to the pair of second directional keys in portrait mode and disables operation to the pair of first directional keys in landscape mode. Therefore, the functions assigned to the first and second directional keys can be changed depending on whether the screen is in portrait or landscape mode.
[0038] Furthermore, in the display device (electronic dictionary 10) according to this embodiment, the horizontal screen display is the display when the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys are positioned below the display unit 14, and the vertical screen display is the display when the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys are positioned to the left of the display unit 14. Therefore, the electronic dictionary 10 can be used with an arrangement of the display unit, first directional keys and second directional keys that improves the convenience of the user when viewing ebooks.
[0039] Furthermore, in the display device (electronic dictionary 10) according to this embodiment, when the control unit (CPU 11) assigns the scroll function to the cursor keys 221, in landscape mode, one of the pair of first directional keys (first key 221a) is set to specify the upward direction and the other key (second key 221b) is set to specify the downward direction, and one of the pair of second directional keys (third key 221c) is set to specify the right direction and the other key (fourth key 221d) is set to specify the left direction. Furthermore, in portrait mode, one of the pair of first directional keys (first key 221a) is set to specify the right direction and the other key (second key 221b) is set to specify the left direction, and one of the pair of second directional keys (fourth key 221d) is set to specify the upward direction and the other key (third key 221c) is set to specify the downward direction. Therefore, when scrolling the area displayed in the display area 141a on the page of an ebook, the scrolling direction can be specified by an intuitive key selection operation, improving the convenience for users when viewing ebooks. In addition, when assigning the scrolling function, the keys that specify the rightward direction and the keys that specify the leftward direction will be assigned page turning functions regardless of whether the screen is in portrait or landscape orientation, further improving the convenience for users when viewing ebooks.
[0040] Furthermore, in the display device (electronic dictionary 10) according to this embodiment, the pair of first directional keys consists of a first key 221a and a second key 221b, and the pair of second directional keys consists of a third key 221c and a fourth key 221d. The control unit (CPU11) then, when displaying vertically written content in the first size display, assigns the page-turning function to the previous page to the first key 221a and the page-turning function to the next page to the second key 221b in portrait mode, while assigning the page-turning function to the previous page to the third key 221c and the page-turning function to the fourth key 221d in landscape mode. When displaying horizontally written content in the first size display, assigns the page-turning function to the next page to the first key 221a and the page-turning function to the second key 221b in portrait mode, while assigning the page-turning function to the next page to the third key 221c and the page-turning function to the fourth key 221d in landscape mode. Therefore, the user can perform page-turning operations appropriately whether the ebook format is horizontal or vertical.
[0041] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the display device, display control method, and program according to the present invention, and are not limited thereto. For example, while an electronic dictionary 10 is used as an example of the display device in the above embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The display device may be any device that displays information on its display unit in response to user operation. Furthermore, the detailed configuration and operation of each component of the electronic dictionary 10 in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0042] 10…Electronic dictionary (display unit), 11 CPU (control unit), 14…Display unit, 221a…First key (first direction key), 221b…Second key (first direction key), 221c…Third key (second direction key), 221d…Fourth key (second direction key)
Claims
1. A display device that allows switching between a first size display in which the content of an e-book is displayed on the display unit at a predetermined size and a second size display in which the content of the e-book is displayed on the display unit at a size larger than the predetermined size, and also allows switching between a landscape screen display in which the display unit is applied as a landscape screen and a portrait screen display in which the display unit is applied as a portrait screen, The control unit includes a control unit that, when the content is displayed in the first size display, assigns a page-turning function to the pair of first directional keys among the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys in the portrait screen display, and assigns a page-turning function to the pair of second directional keys among the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys in the landscape screen display, and when the content is displayed in the second size display, assigns a scroll function to both the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys, regardless of whether it is a portrait or landscape screen display. Display device.
2. When the display content is displayed in the first size display, the control unit disables operation to the pair of second directional keys in the portrait screen display, and disables operation to the pair of first directional keys in the landscape screen display. The display device according to claim 1.
3. The aforementioned horizontal screen display is the display when the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys are positioned below the display unit. The aforementioned vertical screen display is the display when the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys are positioned to the left of the display unit. The display device according to claim 1.
4. In the aforementioned widescreen display, one of the pair of first directional keys is set to specify the upward direction and the other key is set to specify the downward direction, and one of the pair of second directional keys is set to specify the right direction and the other key is set to specify the left direction. In the aforementioned vertical screen display, one of the pair of first directional keys is set to specify the right direction and the other key is set to specify the left direction, and one of the pair of second directional keys is set to specify the up direction and the other key is set to specify the down direction. The display device according to claim 1.
5. The pair of first directional keys consists of a first key and a second key. The pair of second directional keys consists of a third key and a fourth key. The control unit, When vertically written content is displayed using the first size display, in the portrait screen display, the first key is assigned the page-turning function to the previous page and the second key is assigned the page-turning function to the next page, while in the landscape screen display, the third key is assigned the page-turning function to the previous page and the fourth key is assigned the page-turning function to the next page. When the horizontally written content is displayed in the first size display, in the portrait screen display, the first key is assigned the page-turning function to the next page and the second key is assigned the page-turning function to the previous page, while in the landscape screen display, the third key is assigned the page-turning function to the next page and the fourth key is assigned the page-turning function to the previous page. The display device according to claim 1.
6. A display control method executed by a display device that can switch between a first size display in which the content of an e-book is displayed on the display unit at a predetermined size and a second size display in which the content of the e-book is displayed on the display unit at a size larger than the predetermined size, and can switch between a landscape screen display in which the display unit is applied as a landscape screen and a portrait screen display in which the display unit is applied as a portrait screen, The control step includes, when the content is displayed in the first size display, assigning a page-turning function to the pair of first directional keys among the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys in the portrait screen display, while assigning a page-turning function to the pair of second directional keys among the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys in the landscape screen display, and when the content is displayed in the second size display, assigning a scroll function to both the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys regardless of whether it is a portrait or landscape screen display, Display control method.
7. A computer for a display device that can switch between a first size display, in which the content of an e-book is displayed on the display unit at a predetermined size, and a second size display, in which the content of the e-book is displayed on the display unit at a size larger than the predetermined size, and can also switch between a landscape screen display, in which the display unit is used as a landscape screen, and a portrait screen display, in which the display unit is used as a portrait screen. A control unit that, when the content is displayed in the first size display, assigns a page-turning function to the pair of first directional keys among the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys in the portrait screen display, and assigns a page-turning function to the pair of second directional keys among the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys in the landscape screen display, and when the content is displayed in the second size display, assigns a scroll function to both the pair of first directional keys and the pair of second directional keys regardless of whether it is a portrait screen display or a landscape screen display. A program that makes it function as such.