U.S. patent application number 10/212250 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for communication terminal apparatus and communication terminal apparatus control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Shimoosawa, Hiroyuki, Shinano, Toshiaki.
Application Number | 20020190958 10/212250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18440654 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020190958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shimoosawa, Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
December 19, 2002 |
Communication terminal apparatus and communication terminal
apparatus control method
Abstract
A communication terminal apparatus includes a communication
section that controls communication to a destination and a browser
that analyzes hypertexts, and displays an image in accordance with
the analyzed hypertexts on a display, the image having at least an
input field. Hardware keys are configured to input numbers and
characters, and are selectively operable in a first mode to input a
destination number to the communication section in order to
communicate with the destination, and in a second mode to input
data to the input field. An off hook detector detects whether the
communication section is in an off hook condition and a controller
controls a status of the hardware keys in one of the first and
second modes. The controller, when the off hook detector detects
that the communication section is in the off hook condition and
when the hardware keys are in the second mode, switches the input
of the hardware keys, from the second mode to the first mode.
Inventors: |
Shimoosawa, Hiroyuki;
(Fujisawa-shi, JP) ; Shinano, Toshiaki;
(Fujisawa-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1941 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS, INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
18440654 |
Appl. No.: |
10/212250 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10212250 |
Aug 6, 2002 |
|
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|
09300517 |
Apr 28, 1999 |
|
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|
6459423 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/172 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/2471 20130101;
H04N 1/00204 20130101; H04N 1/00387 20130101; H04M 1/2478 20130101;
H04N 1/00411 20130101; H04N 1/00352 20130101; H04M 1/27 20130101;
H04N 1/00496 20130101; H04N 1/00498 20130101; H04M 1/0295 20130101;
H04N 1/00244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/172 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 1998 |
JP |
JP 10-354897 |
Claims
1. A communication terminal apparatus, comprising: a communication
section that controls communication to a destination; a browser
that analyzes hypertexts, and displays an image in accordance with
the analyzed hypertexts on a display, the image having at least an
input field; hardware keys that are configured to input numbers and
characters, the hardware keys selectively operable in a first mode
to input a destination number to said communication section in
order to communicate with the destination, and in a second mode to
input data to the input field of the image; an off-hook detector
that detects whether said communication section is in an off-hook
condition; and a controller that controls a status of said hardware
keys in one of the first and second modes, said controller, when
said off hook detector detects that said communication section is
in the off hook condition and when said hardware keys are in the
second mode, switches the input of said hardware keys, from the
second mode to the first mode.
2. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising an input position controller that controls the
input position of data, on said display by said hardware keys.
3. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said input position controller comprises a cursor key.
4. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, said
hardware keys comprising dial keys to perform the communication to
the destination.
5. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, the
communication apparatus comprising a portable telephone.
6. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, the
communication apparatus comprising Internet telephone.
7. A communication terminal apparatus, comprising: a communication
section that controls communication to a destination; a browser
that analyzes hypertexts, and displays an image in accordance with
the analyzed hypertexts on a display, the image having at least an
input field; hardware keys that are configured to input numbers and
characters, the hardware keys selectively operable in a first mode
to input a destination number to said communication section in
order to communicate with the destination, and in a second mode to
input data to the input field of the image; an off-hook detector
that detects whether said communication section is in an off-hook
condition; and a controller that controls a status of said hardware
keys in one of the first and second modes, said controller, when
said off hook detector detects that said communication section is
in the off hook condition and when said hardware keys are in the
second mode, switches the input of said hardware keys, from the
second mode to the first mode.
8. A communication terminal apparatus connected to a server, the
communication terminal apparatus comprising: a communication
section that controls communication to a destination; a browser
that analyzes hypertexts, and displays an image in accordance with
the analyzed hypertexts on a display, the image having at least an
input field; a hypertexts request section that requests hypertexts
from the server; an off-hook detector that detects whether said
communication section is in an off-hook condition; hardware keys
that are configured to input numbers and characters, the hardware
keys selectively operable in a first mode to input a destination
number to said communication section in order to communicate with
the destination, and in a second mode to input data to said
hypertexts request section to request hypertexts from the server;
and a controller that controls a status of said hardware keys in
one of the first and second modes, said controller, when said off
hook detector detects that said communication section is in the off
hook condition and when said hardware keys are in the second mode,
switches the input of said hardware keys, from the second mode to
the first mode.
9. A communication terminal apparatus, comprising: a communication
section that controls communication to a destination; a browser
that analyzes hypertexts, and displays an image in accordance with
the analyzed hypertexts on a display; an off hook detector that
detects an off hook condition; hardware keys that are configured to
input numbers and characters, the hardware keys selectively
operable in a first mode to input a destination number to said
communication section in order to communicate with the destination,
and in a second mode to input data to the input field of the image;
and a controller that controls input of said hardware keys so that
the input is utilized in the first mode when said off hook detector
detects that said communication section is in the off hook
condition and when said hardware keys are in the second mode.
10. A communication terminal apparatus connected to a server, the
communication terminal apparatus comprising: a communication
section that controls communication to a destination; a browser
that analyzes hypertexts, and displays an image in accordance with
the analyzed hypertexts on a display, the image having at least an
input field; a hypertexts request section that requests hypertexts
from the server; an off hook detector that detects whether said
communication section is in an off hook condition; hardware keys
that are configured to input numbers and characters, the hardware
keys selectively operable in a first mode to input a destination
number to said communication section in order to communicate with
the destination, and in a second mode to input data to said
hypertexts request section to request hypertexts from the server;
and a controller that controls input of said hardware keys so that
the input is utilized in the first mode when said off hook detector
detects that said communication section is in the off hook
condition and when said hardware keys are in the second mode.
11. A communication method for using a communication terminal
apparatus provided with hardware keys that input numbers and
characters, the hardware keys selectively operable in a first mode
to input a destination number in order to communicate with the
destination, and in a second mode to input data to an input field
of a displayed image, the communication method comprising:
controlling communication to a destination; analyzing hypertexts,
and displaying an image in accordance with the analyzed hypertexts
on a display, the image having at least an input field; detecting
an off hook condition; and switching the input of the hardware
keys, from the second mode to the first mode when the off hook
condition is detected and when the hardware keys are in the second
mode.
12. A communication method for using a communication terminal
apparatus provided with hardware keys that input numbers and
characters, the hardware keys selectively operable in a first mode
to input a destination number in order to communicate with the
destination, and in a second mode to input data to obtain
hypertexts from a server connected to the communication terminal
apparatus, the communication method comprising: controlling
communication to a destination; analyzing hypertexts, and
displaying an image in accordance with the analyzed hypertexts on a
display, the image having at least an input field; requesting
hypertexts from the server; detecting an off hook condition; and
switching the input of the hardware keys, from the second mode to
the first mode when the off hook condition is detected and when the
hardware keys are in the second mode.
13. A communication method for using a communication terminal
apparatus provided with hardware keys that input numbers and
characters, the hardware keys selectively operable in a first mode
to input a destination number in order to communicate with the
destination, and in a second mode to input data to an input field
of a displayed image, the communication method comprising:
controlling communication to a destination; analyzing hypertexts,
and displaying an image in accordance with the analyzed hypertexts
on a display, the image having at least an input field; detecting
an off hook condition; and controlling input of the hardware keys
so that the input is utilized in the first mode when the off hook
condition is detected and when the hardware keys are in the second
mode.
14. A communication method for using a communication terminal
apparatus provided with hardware keys that input numbers and
characters, the hardware keys selectively operable in a first mode
to input a destination number in order to communicate with the
destination, and in a second mode to input data to obtain
hypertexts from a server connected to the communication terminal
apparatus, the communication method comprising: controlling
communication to a destination; analyzing hypertexts, and
displaying an image in accordance with the analyzed hypertexts on a
display, the image having at least an input field; requesting
hypertexts from the server; detecting an off hook condition; and
controlling input of the hardware keys so that the input is
utilized in the first mode when the off hook condition is detected
and when the hardware keys are in the second mode.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/300,517, filed on Apr. 28, 1999, the contents of which are
herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to communication terminal
apparatus equipped with a display and methods for controlling these
communication terminal apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, in line with the widespread use of the Internet,
clients having a WWW browser function access a WWW server and
browse HTML documents. These clients include personal computers
(hereinafter referred to as "PC") and personal digital assistants
(hereinafter referred to as "PDA").
[0006] Some clients have a touch panel display rather than a
keyboard. Clients of this type are usually designed to use a soft
keyboard to enter characters in input fields of an HTML document
displayed on a screen. The input modes of characters are switched
by the soft keyboard between alphabet, number, hiragana, katakana,
kanji, etc.
[0007] However, conventional communication terminal apparatuses
require complicated operations involving the need to start the soft
keyboard every time characters are entered in the input fields of
the HTML documents or the need to change input modes, etc.
Moreover, once the soft keyboard is started, the screen is occupied
by the soft keyboard, reducing the visible space of the HTML
documents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an first objective of the present invention to provide
a communication terminal apparatus that will allow characters to be
entered in the input fields of hypertexts only by simple
operations.
[0009] It is an second objective of the present invention to
provide a method of controlling communication terminal that will
allow characters to be entered in the input fields of hypertexts
only by simple operations.
[0010] The above objective is achieved by a communication terminal
apparatus, comprising display section for displaying information;
hypertext browsing section for analyzing hypertexts and displaying
a screen according to the analysis results on said display section;
pointing section for pointing arbitrary positions on said screen;
call section for making a call over a line; hardware key section
for entering call numbers to said call section; and controlling
section for controlling said hardware key section, wherein said
controlling section switches, when the position pointed by said
pointing section is within an input field of said hypertext, the
output destination of said hardware key section from said call
section to said hypertext browsing section, allowing inputs from
said hardware key section to said input field.
[0011] The above objective is achieved by a communication terminal
apparatus, comprising: call section for making a call over a line;
handset section for inputting or outputting voice attached to the
apparatus in a detachable manner; display section for displaying
information attached to the apparatus in such a way that the angle
of elevation of the screen can be changed; hypertext browsing
section for analyzing a hypertext and displaying a screen according
to the analysis results on said display section; pointing section
for pointing arbitrary positions on said screen; hardware key
section for entering call numbers to said call section; and
controlling section for controlling said hardware key section,
wherein said controlling section switches, when the position
pointed by said pointing section is within an input field of said
screen, the output destination of said hardware key from said call
section to said hypertext browsing section, allowing inputs from
said hardware key section to said input field.
[0012] The above objective is achieved by a communication terminal
apparatus, comprising: call section for making a call over a line;
display section for displaying information attached to the
apparatus in such a way that the angle of elevation of the screen
can be changed; hardware key section for entering call numbers to
said call section; and display controlling section, wherein said
display controlling section displays, when the angle of elevation
of said display section is changed and said hardware key section is
covered, a call number input screen for entering call numbers to
said screen, and on the other hand displays, when said hardware key
section is not covered with said display section, an input result
display screen for displaying said call numbers input on said
screen by said hardware key section.
[0013] The above objective is achieved by a facsimile apparatus,
which scans documents, obtains image data and transmits said image
data according to a facsimile protocol, comprising: information
displaying section; hypertext browsing section for analyzing a
hypertext and displaying a screen according to the analysis results
on said display section; pointing section for pointing arbitrary
positions on said screen; call section for making a call over a
line; and hardware key section for entering call numbers to said
call section,
[0014] wherein said controlling section switches, when the position
pointed by said pointing section is within an input field of said
hypertext, the output destination of said hardware key section from
said call section to said hypertext browsing section, allowing
inputs from said hardware key section to said input field.
[0015] The above objective is achieved by a facsimile apparatus,
which scans documents, obtains image data and transmits said image
data according to a facsimile protocol, comprising: call section
for making a call over a line; handset section for inputting or
outputting voice attached to the apparatus in a detachable manner;
display section for displaying information attached to the
apparatus in such a way that the angle of elevation of the screen
can be changed; hypertext browsing section for analyzing a
hypertext and displaying a screen according to the analysis
results; pointing section for pointing arbitrary positions on said
screen; hardware key section for entering call numbers to said call
section; and controlling section for controlling said hardware key
section, wherein said controlling section switches, when the
position pointed by said pointing section is within an input field
of said screen, the output destination of said hardware key section
from said call section to said hypertext browsing section, allowing
inputs from said hardware key section to said input field.
[0016] The above objective is achieved by a facsimile apparatus,
which scans documents, obtains image data and transmits said image
data according to a facsimile protocol, comprising: call section
for making a call over a line; display section for displaying
information attached to the apparatus in such a way that the angle
of elevation of the screen can be changed; hardware key section for
entering call numbers to said call section; display controlling
section for displaying, when the angle of elevation of said display
section is changed and said hardware key section is covered, a call
number input screen for entering call numbers to said screen, and
displaying, when said hardware key section is not covered with said
display section, an input result display screen for displaying said
call numbers input on said screen by said hardware key section.
[0017] The above objective is achieved by a communication terminal
apparatus, comprising: a display for displaying information; a
browser for analyzing a hypertext and displaying the analysis
results on said display; a pointing device for pointing arbitrary
positions on said screen; a line control circuit for making a call
over a line; hardware keys for entering call numbers to said line
control circuit; and a controller for controlling the output
destination of inputs from said hardware keys, wherein said
controller switches, when the position pointed by said pointer is
within an input field of said hypertext, the output destination of
said hardware keys from said line control circuit to said browser,
allowing inputs from said hardware keys to said input field.
[0018] The above objective is achieved by a method of controlling
hardware keys of a communication terminal apparatus comprising a
display and line control circuit, comprising the steps of:
detecting a position pointed by the pointer on a screen displayed
on the display using a browser; and switching, when said detected
position is within an input field of said hypertext, the output
destination of said hardware keys from said line control circuit to
said browser, allowing inputs from said hardware keys to said input
field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and other objects and features of the invention
will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawing wherein one example is illustrated by way of example, in
which;
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a facsimile apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the facsimile
apparatus according to the embodiment above;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the facsimile
apparatus according to the embodiment above;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a setting table used for the facsimile apparatus
according to the embodiment above;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing steps of control when a
contact has been made on the touch panel in the facsimile apparatus
according to the embodiment above;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a drawing showing an example of screen which
includes input fields of the facsimile apparatus according to the
embodiment above;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a drawing showing an example of screen which
displays a soft keyboard according to the embodiment above;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing steps of control when dial
keys are pressed in the facsimile apparatus according to the
embodiment above;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing steps of control by an
input device according to the input mode of the dial keys in the
facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment above;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing steps of dial input
processing in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment
above;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing steps of dial input
processing in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment
above;
[0031] FIG. 11A is a drawing showing transition status 1 of angle
adjustment of the touch panel display of the facsimile apparatus
according to the embodiment above;
[0032] FIG. 11B is a drawing showing transition status 2 of angle
adjustment of the touch panel display of the facsimile apparatus
according to the embodiment above;
[0033] FIG. 11C is a drawing showing transition status 3 of angle
adjustment of the touch panel display of the facsimile apparatus
according to the embodiment above;
[0034] FIG. 12A is a drawing showing an example of dial screen of
the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment above; and
[0035] FIG. 12B is a drawing showing an example of input result
display screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] With reference now to the attached drawings, a communication
terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention is explained in detail below.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] On the top panel of main body 2 of facsimile apparatus 1, a
touch panel display 3 is attached in a manner that it can freely be
opened/closed. Touch panel display 3 is attached to main body 2 in
a manner that the angle of elevation of screen 3a can freely be
changed. More specifically, touch panel display 3 is designed to be
able to take either a first posture with screen 3a facing upward or
a second posture with screen 3a in an upright position. Touch panel
display 3 can change its angle of elevation continuously between
the first posture and second posture.
[0039] On the top panel of main body 2, a dial keys 4 and cursor
keys 5 are provided. Cursor keys 5 are a directional section to
freely move the cursor and pointer displayed on screen 3a in 4
directions. Dial keys 4 and cursor keys 5 are covered with touch
panel display 3 when it is laid on the top panel as described
above.
[0040] On one side of main body 2, a handset 6 is provided. This
example shows a case where a receiver with a cord is used as
handset 6, but a cord-less receiver can also be used. On the front
of main body 2, a scanner paper feeding section 7 and a printer
paper discharge section 8 are provided.
[0041] FIG.2 is a hardware block diagram of facsimile apparatus 1
according to the embodiment above.
[0042] Touch panel display 3 consists of LCD display 3A and touch
panel 3B.
[0043] CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 executes desired processing
according to a program.
[0044] ROM 12 is a read only memory which stores basic programs
such as a startup program.
[0045] RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 is a main memory into which
CPU 11 loads and executes a program or data.
[0046] Flush memory (hereinafter referred to as "FROM") is an
erasable and rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory. FROM 14
mainly stores application programs, executable programs and data
such-as HTML documents.
[0047] Network control unit (hereinafter referred to as "NCU") 15
controls transmission/reception of a signal to/from Public Switched
Telephone Network (hereinafter referred to as "PSTN") 16. NCU 15
processes outgoing and incoming calls, etc. This NCU 15 is
connected with handset 6 and built-in speaker 17.
[0048] Communication control section 18 performs data
communications and facsimile communications via PSTN 16. This
example shows a facsimile modem, but a DSU or terminal adapter (TA)
can also be used. The facsimile modem also performs digitization of
voice signals together.
[0049] Voice processing section 19 encodes and compresses a
digitized voice signal or, inversely, decodes and decompresses a
compressed voice signal.
[0050] Touch panel display 3 consists of an LCD panel display as a
display section and a touch panel as an input device. Therefore,
touch panel display 3 not only displays information but also
accepts user operations. More specifically, screen 3a of touch
panel display 3 displays various kinds of information, input
screens, operation menus, icons and buttons, etc. Touching screen
3a with a pen or finger makes it possible to enter characters or
pictures and select menus, etc.
[0051] Dial keys 4 are used not only for telephone dial operations
but also for entering numbers, etc. in input fields displayed on
touch panel display 3.
[0052] External I/O 20 controls data communications with external
devices such as a PC, TA, barcode reader, and external modem.
External I/O 20 is, for example, a serial interface, a parallel
interface , IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
1394 or USB (Universal Serial Bus).
[0053] PC card interface 21 controls data transmission/reception
between a PC card and the main body 2. For PC cards, a variety of
cards such as flush memory cards, modem cards, LAN cards and ISDN
cards are available.
[0054] Scanner 22 scans documents. Printer 23 prints out various
kinds of data such as images and text.
[0055] Bus 24 is a line that connects CPU 11 and other sections
such as ROM 12 and RAM 13.
[0056] FIG.3 is a functional block diagram showing facsimile
apparatus 1 according to the embodiment above.
[0057] Coordinate position detection section 31 detects coordinates
on the screen of display 3A (hereinafter referred to as "pointing
coordinates") of the position on touch panel 3B that a pen or
finger touches (hereinafter referred to as "focus").
[0058] Facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
comprises browser function section 32. This browser function
section 32 has functions compliant with the HTTP (Hyper Text
Transfer Protocol) standard.
[0059] More specifically, HTML analysis section 33 analyzes HTML
documents read from, for example, a WWW server on the network or
internal HTML documents read from FROM 14.
[0060] HTML display section 34 outputs display data according to
the analysis result from HTML analysis section 33.
[0061] Browser input device 35 receives inputs to the browser
function such as URL inputs, link destination inputs, inputs to
HTML document input fields and performs processing according to
these inputs.
[0062] HTML document requesting section 36 requests a WWW server to
transfer an HTML document in response to an input to browser input
device 35 according to HTTP. HTML document requesting section 36
also reads internal HTML documents stored in FROM 14.
[0063] The display data output from HTML display section 34 above
are displayed by display control section 37 on LCD display 3A.
[0064] Determination section 38 receives pointing coordinates from
coordinate position detection section 31, and it also receives
coordinates of an input field (hereinafter referred to as "input
field coordinates") in a HTML document from HTML display section
34. Through this, determination section 38 determines whether or
not pointing coordinates are within the input field
coordinates.
[0065] Soft keyboard 39 is an input device for entering symbols and
numbers, hiragana, katakana, kanji, displayed on LCD display
3A.
[0066] Dial screen 40 is a screen containing the dial that is
displayed on LCD display 3A according to an internal HTML document
and used to enter telephone numbers. Touching the dial section
allows operations equivalent to dial keys 4.
[0067] Input device control section 41 sends inputs from dial keys
4, soft keyboard 39 and dial screen 40 to browser input device 35
and communication control section 18 based on the determination by
determination section 38.
[0068] Setting table 42 stores various setting contents of
facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown
in FIG.4, flag F1 is set to ON when the focus is in an input field
of the HTML document. Flag F2 is set to ON when soft keyboard 39 is
requested to be displayed. Flag F3 is set to ON when dial keys 4
are also used for browser inputs. Moreover, flags F4 to F8 are set
to ON according to the type of the soft keyboard input mode.
Determination section 38 determines the transmission destination of
the input of the input device taking account of flags in setting
table 42.
[0069] Hookoff detection section 43 detects a hook off of handset 6
via communication control section 18 and informs it to
determination section 38.
[0070] Then the operation of facsimile apparatus 1 as shown above
is explained. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing steps of control
when a touch is produced on touch panel 3B of facsimile apparatus 1
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] In step (hereinafter referred to as "ST") 501 determination
section 38 checks whether or not there is an input to touch panel
3B, that is, determination section 38 checks whether or not there
is a contact by a pen or finger.
[0072] If there is an input, in ST502 determination section 38
checks whether or not the focus is in an input field of the HTML
document. More specifically, determination section 38 checks
whether or not the focus is in the input field on the screen
specified by an INPUT tag of the HTML document.
[0073] If the focus is found in the input field in ST502, the
"focus HTML input field" flag F1 of setting table 42 shown in FIG.
4 is set to ON in ST503.
[0074] Then, in ST504, determination section 38 checks whether the
"soft keyboard display" flag F2 in setting table 42 is ON or OFF.
If it is ON, soft keyboard 39 is displayed on the screen in
ST505.
[0075] FIG. 6A is a drawing showing an example of screen containing
the input device of facsimile apparatus 1 according to the
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a drawing showing
an example of screen on which the soft keyboard is displayed. On
screen 61, a plurality of input fields 62 to 64 specified by INPUT
tags in the HTML document are displayed. If the focus is in one of
input fields 62 to 64, soft keyboard 65 is displayed as shown in
FIG. 6B.
[0076] Here, inputs by soft keyboard 65 are explained using FIG. 6A
and FIG. 6B. The screen shown in FIG. 6A is as screen for ordering
oranges, apples and grapes.
[0077] An ordering operation is completed by the operator entering
the numbers of ordering items and then touching transmission button
66. Input fields 62 to 64 next to the numbers of ordering items are
described with INPUT tags. Touching these input fields 62 to 64
displays soft keyboard 65 as shown in FIG. 6B. For example, if the
operator wants to enter "12", the operator needs to touch "1", "2"
and "End" on soft keyboard 65, in that order.
[0078] On the other hand, if the focus is not in the input field in
ST502, the "focus HTML input field" flag F1 in setting table 42 is
set to OFF in ST506. Then, in ST507, determination section 38
determines whether or not the focus is in the dial icon section of
dial screen 40.
[0079] If the focus is on a dial icon in ST507, dial input
processing is performed in ST508. More specifically, each of the
dial icon of dial screen 40 corresponds to a number or a symbol (*,
#). Therefore, the operator can enter data of the corresponding
numbers or symbols in input device control section 41 by touching
any dial icon with a finger or a pen. The input data are sent by
input device control section 41 to communication control section 18
as telephone dial data.
[0080] Then, a case where dial keys 4 are pressed in facsimile
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is explained. FIG.
7 is a flow diagram showing steps of control when dial keys 4 are
pressed in facsimile apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0081] In ST701, determination section 38 checks whether or not
dial keys 4 have been pressed. If dial keys 4 are pressed, in
ST702, determination section 38 checks whether or not the "dial
key/browser input dual-function" flag F3 is ON in setting table
42.
[0082] If it is ON, it checks whether or not "Focus HTML input
field" flag F1 is ON in ST703. If it is ON, determination section
38 determines that the input data of dial keys 4 be subjected to
browser input processing. More specifically, if one of dial keys 4
is pressed, the number or symbol assigned to the relevant key is
entered. These input data are sent by input device control section
41 to browser input device 35 of browser function section 32.
[0083] On the other hand, in ST702, if the dial key/browser input
dual-function flag F3 is OFF, in ST705, determination section 38
determines that the dial keys be used for dial input processing.
More specifically, if one of dial keys 4 is pressed, the number or
symbol assigned to the relevant key is input to input device
control section 41. The input data are sent to communication
control section 18 by input device control section 41 as telephone
dial data.
[0084] In ST703, if the focus HTML input field flag F1 is OFF, in
ST705, determination section 38 determines likewise that the dial
keys be used for dial input processing.
[0085] As described above, according to the present embodiment, if
the focus is in an input field of the HTML document, the input data
from dial keys 4 are sent to browser input device 35 of browser
function section 32. This allows the dial keys 4 to be used also
for browser input. That is, hard keys used exclusively for entering
call numbers can also be used for inputs to hypertexts i.e.
hypertexts, such as html documents. Therefore, the operability in
entering data in the browser can improve for operators who would
feel it easier to enter data from dial keys 4 than soft keyboard
39. This is because this embodiment can provide those who are
unfamiliar with operations of the soft keyboard with operations
with the hard keys which are conventionally more familiar.
[0086] The use of dial keys 4 without soft keyboard 39 being
displayed prevents the screen of LCD display 3B from being occupied
by soft keyboard 39, without reducing the display area. This
prevents input fields of HTML documents from being hidden.
[0087] The simultaneous use of dial keys 4 also for browser inputs
and display of soft keyboard 39 are determined according to the
content of setting table 42. Thus, dial keys 4 or soft keyboard 39
can be selected and used according to the operator's preferences.
The switching between the two is also automatically performed and
the operator need not be aware of it.
[0088] Then, in facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present
embodiment, control of the input device according to the input mode
of the dial keys is explained. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing
steps of control of the input device in facsimile apparatus 1 of
the present embodiment according to the dial key input mode.
[0089] Facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
can enter hiragana, katakana and alphabetic characters using dial
keys 4. It also has a function to convert hiragana and katakana
characters entered to kanji characters. For example, kanji
conversion is performed by pressing down the "*" and "#" keys after
entering hiragana characters, etc. The input modes of dial keys 4
are switched by assigning a mode change function to the "*" or "#"
key, for example, and pressing them .
[0090] In ST801, determination section 38 checks based on the dial
key/input mode flags in setting table 42 whether or not the input
mode of dial keys 4 is numeric.
[0091] If the input mode is numeric, in ST802, determination
section 38 determines that the input data of dial keys 4 be
subjected to browser input processing. More specifically, when one
of dial keys 4 is pressed, the number or symbol assigned to the
relevant key is input to input device control section 41. These
input data are sent to browser input device 35 of browser function
section 32 by input device control section 41.
[0092] On the other hand, in ST801, if the input mode of dial keys
4 is not numeric, when one of dial keys 4 is pressed in ST803, the
number assigned to the relevant key is stored in RAM 13 as the 1st
digit of a character code. In the same way, the numbers input from
dial keys 4 are stored one by one. In ST804, it is checked whether
or not numbers have been entered up to the number of digits of the
character codes. If numbers have been entered up to the number of
digits of the prescribed character codes, in ST805, the numbers
stored in RAM 13 are handed over to browser input device 35 as
character codes. The character codes are converted to the
corresponding characters by a conversion function incorporated in
input device control section 41.
[0093] As shown above, according to the present embodiment, dial
keys 4 can enter not only numbers but also alphabetic characters,
hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
[0094] Then, details of dial input processing are explained. FIG. 9
is a flow diagram showing steps of dial input processing in
facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0095] In ST901, determination section 38 determines whether or not
PSTN 16 is being used. If it is not used, in ST902, input device
control section 41 checks whether or not there are telephone dial
data from dial keys 4.
[0096] In ST902, if data from dial keys 4 are not telephone dial
data, in ST903, determination section 38 checks whether or not
there are dial icons of dial screen 40, that is, telephone dial
data from touch panel 3B.
[0097] In ST902 and ST903, if there is any entry of telephone dial
data, in ST904, determination section 38 instructs communication
control section 18 to send the telephone dial data to PSTN 16.
Here, the telephone dial data can be sent to PSTN 16 one by one or
all telephone dial data can be stored temporarily in RAM 13 and
then sent altogether to PSTN 16 when handset 6 is off-hooked.
[0098] On the other hand, in ST901, if PSTN 16 is in use and, in
ST904, no telephone dial data from both touch panel 3B and dial
keys 4 are sent, inputs from touch panel 3B and dial keys 4 are
ignored and the telephone dial data disabled in ST905.
[0099] As shown above, the present embodiment allows dial inputs
from both touch panel 3B and dial keys 4. Thus, if it is difficult
for the operator to see dial keys 4 or operate them due to a
certain angle of elevation of touch panel display 3, the operator
can perform dial inputs from dial screen 40. Furthermore, telephone
dial data are sent to PSTN 16 only when PSTN 16 is not in use,
which will prevent call processing from being mistakenly executed
during a call.
[0100] Then, dial input processing is explained in detail. FIG. 10
is a flow diagram showing steps of dial input processing in
facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0101] As shown above, if the operator browses a HTML document and
moves the focus to an input field of the HTML document, the input
mode of dial keys 4 is switched from dial input to browser input.
Control of the input device when handset 6 is detached in this
state is performed as follows.
[0102] First, in ST1001, determination section 38 checks whether or
not handset 6 is detached. This checking is performed by hook-off
detection section 43 detecting that NCU 15 has been connected to
PSTN 16 due to detachment of handset 6.
[0103] When handset 6 is detached, in ST1002, determination section
38 instructs input device control section 41 to switch the
transmission destination of the input data from browser input
device 35 to communication control section 18.
[0104] In ST1003, determination section 38 checks whether or not
dial input is completed. When dial input is completed,
determination section 38 starts the timer in ST1004. After
confirming that a given time has elapsed in ST1005, determination
section 38, in ST1006, instructs input device control section 41 to
return the transmission destination of the input data from dial
keys 4 from communication control section 18 to browser input
device 35.
[0105] As shown above, according to the present invention, the
output destination of the dial keys 4 can automatically return from
the communication control section 18 to the browser input device
34. Therefore, the operator can perform dial inputs and browser
inputs using dial keys 4 without being aware of it at all.
[0106] Furthermore, when a given time has elapsed after the entry
of a call number from dial keys 4 was completed, the output
destination of dial keys 4 is returned from communication control
section 18 to HTML input field 35. Thus, after a communication is
established, entries can be made to the HTML documents again. The
operator need not be aware of the restoring process, either.
[0107] The present invention allows dial keys 4 to be used also for
browser inputs and for entering characters and symbols other than
numbers. Therefore, it is preferable to indicate whether dial keys
4 are to be used also for browser inputs or exclusively for dial
inputs, and display the input mode of dial keys 4 on the screen to
allow the operator to grasp it at first sight.
[0108] More specifically, according to the results of checking
performed by determination section 38 in ST702 of the flow diagram
in FIG. 7, icons, etc. are displayed on the screen of LCD display
3A or separately provided LED lamps are lit to indicate whether or
not dial keys 4 are used also for browser inputs. For example, as
shown in FIG. 1, at the top right of touch panel display 3 is
browser input LED 203 for indicating whether or not dial keys 4 are
used also for browser inputs, next to power supply LED 201 and
answering LED 202 for showing ON/OFF of the automatic message
recording function.
[0109] Furthermore, in ST801 shown in FIG. 8, determination section
38 determines the input mode of dial keys 4, checking whether it is
numeric or character code and based on this result it displays the
input mode on LCD display 3A using icons or characters, etc
[0110] Facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
can freely change the angle of elevation of touch panel display 3
as shown above. Depending on the angle of elevation, dial keys 4
may be hidden behind touch panel display 3, for example, when touch
panel display 3 is laid with its screen facing upward.
[0111] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C are drawings showing transition of
angle adjustment of the touch panel display of facsimile apparatus
1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, touch
panel display 3 is attached to main body 2 via hinge section 110.
Hinge section 110 is connected with touch panel display 3 at
junction 110a and with main body 2 at junction 110b in a pivotable
manner. Therefore, the operator can change touch panel display 3
from a first upright posture with screen 3a facing forward as shown
in FIG. 11A to a position with screen 3a facing upward as shown in
FIG. 11B by raising the bottom of touch panel display 3. Then, the
operator can change touch panel to display 3 in a second posture
with screen 3a facing upward and covering main body 2 as shown in
FIG. 11C by pressing touch panel display 3 downward. With the
second posture, dial keys 4 on main body 2 are hidden. In this
case, dial screen 40 as shown in FIG. 12A is used. However, when
dial keys 4 are available, for example, when the screen is in an
upright position, dial screen 40 does not require dial icon section
40a. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 12B, the screen is switched
to input result display screen 120 with no dial icon section,
giving an enlarged view of the input result of dial keys 4 to
improve visibility.
[0112] Switching of screens may carried out when a sensor attached
to hinge section 110 of touch panel display 3 detects that touch
panel display 3 has exceeded a given angle of elevation.
[0113] The present invention is not particularly limited to the
above embodiment. For example, a facsimile apparatus was taken as
an example to explain the above embodiment, but the present
invention can also include telephones without a facsimile
communication function, that is, telephones with an Internet
communication function without a printer or scanner. Telephones
here include all kinds of communication modes such as portable
telephones, PHS, and Internet telephones.
[0114] Moreover, a touch panel display was taken as an example to
explain the above embodiment, but the LCD display and touch panel
can also be configured separately. Furthermore, an LCD display was
taken as an example of display section for the above embodiment,
but the display section can also include a CRT display and others.
Cursor keys were taken as an example of pointing section for the
above embodiment, but the pointing section can also be made up of a
track ball, mouse on the like.
[0115] The present invention is not limited to the above described
embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be
possible without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0116] This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application
No. HEI 10-354897 filed on Dec. 14, 1998, entire content of which
is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
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