Information terminal

Abstract

To provide an information terminal that allows users to easily launch their desired application program without having to operate any software buttons. [Solution] The information terminal comprises a push-button switch, a storage unit that stores multiple application programs, and startup condition information for setting the startup conditions of the application programs, and a control unit. The startup condition information is information that pre-associates different application programs with multiple pressing methods, including one or both of the number of presses and / or pressing time of the push-button switch. When the control unit detects a press operation on the push-button switch, it starts the application program corresponding to the pressing method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Information terminal .

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an information terminal having a telephone function and various other functions, a technique for executing a corresponding function according to a key operation to be pressed has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile phone having at least means for storing a correspondence relationship between a preset function or a function selected by a user and a numeric key, means for displaying the correspondence relationship on a display unit according to the key arrangement of the numeric key, and means for calling and executing a corresponding function from the storage means by a long-press operation of a predetermined numeric key.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, information terminals are basically operated by selecting an application or inputting an instruction for an application by operating a touch panel. Therefore, the user has to check various application programs on the home screen of the display, open a desired application program by a software button, and perform an operation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal capable of easily starting a desired application program without the user operating a software button.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information terminal according to claim 1 comprises a push-button switch, a storage unit for storing a plurality of application programs, and startup condition corresponding information for setting the startup conditions of the application programs, a control unit, and a display unit, wherein the startup condition corresponding information is information that pre-associates different application programs with a plurality of pressing methods, each including the number of presses or the pressing time of the push-button switch, or both, and when the control unit detects a press operation on the push-button switch, it starts the application program corresponding to the pressing method without requiring operation on the display unit. The control unit is an information terminal characterized in that, when it detects a press operation on the push button switch while the display unit is in sleep mode, it displays correspondence information between the push button switch, the pressing method, and the application program on the display unit, and when it detects a press operation on the push button switch while the correspondence information is displayed on the display unit, it starts the application program corresponding to the pressing method.

[0007] The information terminal according to claim 2 is characterized in that the number of presses includes multiple consecutive presses within a predetermined threshold time.

[0008] The information terminal according to claim 3 is characterized in that the application program includes two or more of the following: an interactive generation AI program, a voice telephone program, a video telephone program, a map program, a weather information provision program, an email management program, and a web browser.

[0009] The information terminal according to claim 4 is characterized in that the control unit starts an interactive generation AI program as the application program when a prompt input using voice input is received.

[0010] The information terminal according to claim 5 is characterized in that the startup condition corresponding information is associated with the application program, which has a high priority for use in emergencies, in the order of pressing the button, which has a short input judgment time, in the order of single press, double press, and long press.

[0011] The information terminal according to claim 6 is characterized in that it is a portable information terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, the user is freed from the cumbersome process of checking various application programs on the home screen, opening the desired application program using a software button on the display, and then operating it. As a result, the user can directly open the desired application program and operate the application.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 1, since the display unit displays correspondence information between the push button switch, the pressing method, and the application program, even when a user unfamiliar with launching an application program according to the pressing method of the push button switch is operating the device, or when there are many registered application programs and it is difficult to remember the correspondence between the pressing methods, the necessary application program can be selected.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 2, since the content of input operations is distinguished by the number of times the button is pressed, user errors can be prevented.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 3, the application program includes two or more of the following: an interactive generation AI program, a voice telephone program, a video telephone program, a map program, a weather information provision program, an email management program, and a web browser. As a result, the user can quickly communicate with third parties and collect information using an information terminal.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 4, since the interactive generation AI program is launched when a prompt input using voice input is accepted, the user can operate or use the application program without using their hands after launching the interactive generation AI program. This improves the convenience of the information terminal, for example, when the user wants to use the application program while working on other tasks outdoors.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 5, by associating a high-priority application program to be used in an emergency with a button press method that has a short input judgment time, the high-priority application program can be launched quickly.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 6, the user is provided with a mobile information terminal that eliminates the need to check various application programs on the home screen, open the desired application program using a software button on the display, and then operate it. The user can directly open the desired application program and operate the application.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a front view of the appearance of the information terminal. [Figure 2] It is a configuration diagram of the information terminal. [Figure 3] It is a configuration diagram of the activation condition corresponding information. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the activation conditions of an application program. [Figure 5] It is a control flowchart of the activation program executed by the control unit of the information terminal in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] It is a control flowchart of the activation program executed by the control unit of the information terminal in Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a guidance image displayed on the display unit. [Figure 8] It is a configuration diagram of a system for producing an information terminal equipped with an activation program. [Figure 9] It is a control flowchart showing each step of the production method of the information terminal.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] (Embodiment 1) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a front view of the information terminal 1. The information terminal 1 is a general-purpose information processing device or a dedicated information processing device according to the user's application.

[0021] The information terminal 1 in this embodiment is a smartphone as a portable information terminal, but other types of devices such as portable or desktop personal computers, mobile phones, or tablets can also be used.

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of information terminal 1. Information terminal 1 comprises a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, an input unit 13, an output unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

[0023] The control unit 11 is a processor, and can be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a graphics card (GPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA, etc.

[0024] The control unit 11 may implement each of the processes disclosed in the embodiment using logic circuits or dedicated circuits formed on an integrated circuit or the like.

[0025] The communication unit 12 has an antenna and a function to communicate with external devices or systems via a network such as a WAN or LAN.

[0026] The input unit 13 has a function for inputting information and instructions into the program of the information terminal 1. The input unit 13 includes, for example, a switch 131 that receives instructions from the user, and a sound collection unit 132 that collects external sounds such as a microphone.

[0027] The input unit 13 may also include functions for detecting or receiving other information such as a light receiving unit, an imaging unit (camera), and an acceleration sensor.

[0028] Switch 131 is a physical switch that receives input instructions from the user, and in this embodiment, it is a push-button switch.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the information terminal 1 is equipped with a plurality of switches 131a, 131b, and 131c on the side of the housing. In this embodiment, each of the switches 131a, 131b, and 131c is located on one side.

[0030] The output unit 14 has the function of outputting information to the outside of the information terminal 1. The output unit 14 includes, for example, a display unit 141 and a sound emission unit 142.

[0031] The display unit 141 in this embodiment is a touch panel. The display unit 141 is a display device equipped with a display screen such as a liquid crystal or OLED.

[0032] In this embodiment, since the information terminal 1 is equipped with a touch panel as the display unit 141, a portion of the input unit 13 is a software button formed by a device integrated with the output unit 14.

[0033] The sound-emitting section 142 may include a speaker. Multiple sound-emitting sections 142 may be provided.

[0034] Furthermore, the output unit 14 may also have a function to output other information or responses, such as from a light-emitting unit (for example, a camera flash unit, or a lighting device used at night).

[0035] The memory unit 15 stores multiple application programs 151 (151a, 151b, 151c, 151d, 151e, 151f, 151g, 151h, 151i), a startup program 152 for starting the application programs 151, and startup condition correspondence information 153 for setting the startup conditions for the application programs 151.

[0036] The storage unit 15 may store programs other than the application program 151 or the startup program 152. The storage unit 15 can be implemented using various non-transient storage media such as HDDs, SSDs, and flash memory.

[0037] Application program 151 includes any multiple programs available on information terminal 1. Application program 151 includes two or more of the following: an interactive generation AI program, a voice telephone program, a video telephone program, a map program, a weather information provision program, an email management program, and a web browser.

[0038] In this embodiment, an application program 151a is a voice telephone (call) program that can be used via a telephone line or the internet, an application program 151b is a map program, an application program 151c is an interactive generation AI program, and an application program 151d is a camera (shooting) program.

[0039] Additionally, the following programs are implemented: a weather information provision program as application program 151e, a video call program as application program 151f, a mail management program (mailer) as application program 151g, a short message service (SMS) program as application program 151h, and an emergency contact sending program (SOS) as application program 151i.

[0040] The application program 151 may include multiple programs other than those described above.

[0041] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the startup condition information 153. The startup condition information 153 is information that pre-associates different application programs 153c(151) with each of several pressing methods 153b, which include either the number of presses or the pressing time of the switch 153a(131) (push button switch), or both.

[0042] The number of presses shown in pressing method 153b is, for example, the number of presses detected within a preset time. The control unit 11 determines, based on the number of presses detected within the preset time, whether the number of presses is a single press or multiple consecutive presses within a preset threshold time (e.g., two presses, three or more presses).

[0043] Figure 4 shows a setting image 21 for setting the startup conditions of the application program 151 controlled by the startup program 152. This setting image 21 is displayed on the display unit 141 of the information terminal 1.

[0044] The startup program 152 can arbitrarily select the application program 153c to be started, corresponding to each pressing method 153b for each switch 131 (131a to 131c). The application program 153c can be selected by the user from a pull-down menu.

[0045] The system may be configured in a customizable manner, so that the user can associate a high-priority application program 153c (151) to be used in emergencies with a button press method 153b (for example, a single press) that has a short input judgment time, as startup condition correspondence information 153, through the setting image 21 in Figure 4.

[0046] The detection time for "double press" can be set to be shorter than the detection time for "long press" (the duration of the long press).

[0047] Next, the operation of the information terminal 1 using the startup program 152 will be described. Figure 5 is a control flowchart of the startup program 152 executed by the control unit 11 of the information terminal 1. In this embodiment, the information terminal 1 does not require the presence or absence of a sleep function.

[0048] First, in the determination process of step S01, the control unit 11 assumes that the display unit 141 (display) is showing the home screen or the screen of some program, such as an application program.

[0049] In step S01, the control unit 11 determines whether it has detected a user pressing the switch 131. If the control unit 11 has detected a user pressing the switch 131 (S01, Yes), it performs the process in step S02. If the control unit 11 has not detected a user pressing the switch 131 (S01, No), it repeats the process in step S01.

[0050] In step S02, the control unit 11 determines, based on the detection time, timing, and number of presses of the switch 131, which of switches 131a to 131c was pressed, and whether the pressing method was a single press, a double press, or a long press.

[0051] In step S03, the control unit 11 refers to the startup condition correspondence information 153 in the storage unit 15 and identifies the application program 153c(151) corresponding to the pressing method 153b.

[0052] In step S04, the control unit 11 starts the identified application program 153c(151).

[0053] In the configuration shown in Figure 4, for example, when switch 1 (131a) is pressed once, the control unit 11 activates the interactive generation AI program. Also, when switch 3 (131c) is pressed and held down, the control unit 11 activates the emergency contact program (SOS). The emergency contact program is a program that makes phone calls to emergency contacts such as ambulances and fire departments.

[0054] When the control unit 11 starts the interactive generation AI program as the application program 151, it may start the interactive generation AI program while the system is in a state where it is accepting prompts (instructions) using voice input.

[0055] (Embodiment 2) Next, the configuration of Embodiment 2 will be described. In Embodiment 2, the information terminal 1 has a sleep function, and an example will be described in which a guidance image is displayed when the user selects a method for pressing the switch 131. In the description of the information terminal 1 in Embodiment 2, the same components as in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0056] Figure 6 is a control flowchart of the startup program 152 executed by the control unit 11 of the information terminal 1 in Embodiment 2.

[0057] A smartphone or tablet or other information terminal 1 may be configured to switch to a sleep state by turning off the display unit (display screen) and, if necessary, by having the control unit 11 switch to standby processing if there is no input for a certain period of time, in order to reduce power consumption. Figure 6 illustrates an example in which an information terminal 1 configured to switch to such a sleep state executes a startup program 152.

[0058] In step S11, the control unit 11 determines whether it has detected a press of switch 131 by the user. If the control unit 11 detects a press operation on switch 131 (S11, Yes), it performs the process in step S12. If the control unit 11 does not detect a press operation on switch 131 (S11, No), it repeats the process in step S11.

[0059] In step S12, if the information terminal 1 is in a sleep state (S12, Yes), the control unit 11 performs the process in step S13. On the other hand, if the information terminal 1 is not in a sleep state (S12, No), the control unit 11 performs the process in step S14.

[0060] In step S13, after waking the sleep state, the control unit 11 displays a guidance image 31 on the display unit 141, which is correspondence information between the switch 153a (push button switch), the pressing method 153b, and the application program 153c.

[0061] Figure 7 shows the guidance image 31 displayed on the display unit 141. The guidance image 31 displays the application program 153c to be launched, corresponding to each pressing method 153b for each switch 153a.

[0062] As a result, after displaying the guidance image 31 in step S13, the user can refer to the guidance to confirm the application program 153c(151) they want to launch, and then select the switch 153a(131) to press and the pressing method 153b.

[0063] Therefore, even if there are many application programs 151 that can be associated with the startup program 152, the user can still select the intended application program 151 without making a mistake. Thus, the user can select the application program 151 with both speed and accuracy.

[0064] In step S14, the control unit 11 determines, based on the detection time, timing, and number of presses of the switch 131, which of switches 131a to 131c was pressed, and whether the pressing method was a single press, a double press, or a long press.

[0065] In step S15, the control unit 11 refers to the startup condition correspondence information 153 in the storage unit 15 and identifies the application program 153c(151) corresponding to the pressing method 153b.

[0066] In step S16, the control unit 11 starts the identified application program 153c(151).

[0067] Next, a method for producing an information terminal 1 equipped with the startup program 152 described in this embodiment will be explained. Figure 8 is a diagram of the configuration of a program supply system 4 for producing an information terminal 1 equipped with the startup program 152.

[0068] The program delivery system 4 comprises an information terminal 1 owned by the user and a server 5 that communicates with the information terminal 1 via a network N. The server 5 may consist of multiple servers.

[0069] Figure 9 is a control flowchart showing each step in the production method of information terminal 1. In step S21, the control unit 11 obtains the startup program 152 from an external server 5 via the network N and implements it on information terminal 1.

[0070] In step S22, the control unit 11 stores startup condition information 153, which sets the startup conditions for the application program, in the storage unit 15. The startup condition information 153 is information that pre-associates different application programs with a plurality of pressing methods 153b, which include either the number of presses or the pressing time of the switch 131 (push button switch), or both.

[0071] In this embodiment, we have described an information terminal 1, etc., that allows the user to easily launch a desired application program without having to operate a software button.

[0072] Information terminal 1 allows users to start using necessary applications without having to operate the display unit 141 (touch panel). In outdoor work environments (for example, construction sites, building sites, and civil engineering sites), the usability of the touch panel may be reduced if the user's hands are wet or dirty. However, information terminal 1 allows users to easily launch a program selected from multiple programs via the switch 131. Furthermore, in emergency situations, such as when it is necessary to take a photograph or video or to contact another company, operations can be performed quickly without using the display unit 141 (touch panel).

[0073] Note that the specific example of the application program 151 described in this embodiment is just one example. The user may pre-register any program as the application program 151 so that it can be used on the information terminal 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1. Information terminal 2 switches 4. Program Delivery System 5 Servers 11 Control Unit 12 Communications Department 13 Input section 14 Output section 15 Storage section 21 Setting Image 31 Guidance Images 131 (131a~131c) Switch 132 Sound collection section 141 Display section 142 Sound emission section 151 (151a~151i) Application Programs 152 Startup Program 153 Startup Condition Compatibility Information 153a switch 153b Pressing method 153c Application Program N Network

Claims

1. A push button switch, A storage unit that stores multiple application programs and startup condition correspondence information for setting the startup conditions of the application programs, A control unit and a display unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned startup condition information is information that pre-associates different application programs with multiple pressing methods, each including either the number of presses or the pressing time of the push button switch, or both. When the control unit detects a press operation on the push button switch, it starts the application program corresponding to the press method without requiring any operation on the display unit. The control unit, When the display unit detects a press operation on the push button switch while it is in sleep mode, the display unit displays information relating the push button switch, the pressing method, and the application program. An information terminal characterized in that, when a press operation on the push button switch is detected while the corresponding information is displayed on the display unit, the application program corresponding to the press method is launched.

2. The information terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of presses includes multiple consecutive presses within a predetermined threshold time.

3. The information terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the application program includes two or more of the following: an interactive generation AI program, a voice telephone program, a video telephone program, a map program, a weather information provision program, an email management program, and a web browser.

4. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts an interactive generation AI program as the application program when it is in a state of receiving prompt input using voice input.

5. The information terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the startup condition correspondence information is associated with the application program, which has a high priority to be used in an emergency, in the order of the pressing method, which has a short input judgment time: one press, two presses, and long press.

6. The information terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a portable information terminal.

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