U.S. patent application number 10/593061 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for electronic device and function assigning method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Hisashi Ohashi.
Application Number | 20070139533 10/593061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34993879 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070139533 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ohashi; Hisashi |
June 21, 2007 |
Electronic device and function assigning method
Abstract
At step ST2, an assign key changing item is selected from menu
items. At step ST3, an assign key to which a function is assigned
is selected. At step ST4, a function to be assigned is selected.
The selected function is assigned to the selected assign key. At
step ST5, a setting result indication screen appears. When one of
two paired functions is assigned, a message which prompts a user to
assign the other function. After the message has appeared for a
predetermined time, the latest assigned states appear. At step ST6,
the latest assign key information is stored to a non-volatile
memory. To quit an assigning process, a menu button 8 is pressed
and the menu is closed (at step ST8).
Inventors: |
Ohashi; Hisashi; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
7-35 Kitashinagawa 6-chome
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
JP
141-0001
|
Family ID: |
34993879 |
Appl. No.: |
10/593061 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP05/03557 |
371 Date: |
February 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.99 ;
348/E5.047; 358/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/23225 20130101;
H04N 5/23293 20130101; H04N 5/232933 20180801; G06F 3/0238
20130101; H04N 5/23216 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/231.99 ;
358/906 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/76 20060101
H04N005/76 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 17, 2004 |
JP |
2004-075676 |
Claims
1. An electronic device having a display panel and a plurality of
keys to which desired functions can be assigned, comprising:
displaying a plurality of items on the display panel; setting a
desired item which is selected from the plurality of items;
displaying a setting screen corresponding to the desired item which
is selected; and setting the desired item by using the setting
screen, wherein a function for displaying the setting screen when
one of the keys is operated is assigned to at least one of the
plurality of keys.
2. The electronic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein when one
of two paired functions is assigned to one of the plurality of
keys, a message which prompts a user to assign the other of the two
paired functions to the key appears.
3. The electronic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein when one
of two paired functions is assigned to one of the plurality of
keys, the other of the paired functions is automatically assigned
to the key.
4. The electronic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a
sequence of operations that a user has preformed are stored and
stored operations are assigned to one of the plurality of keys.
5. The electronic device as set forth in claim 1, wherein functions
assigned to two keys of the plurality of keys are changed with each
other.
6. An electronic device having a display panel and a plurality of
keys to which desired functions can be assigned, comprising:
displaying a plurality of items on the display panel; setting a
desired item which is selected from the plurality of items;
displaying a setting screen corresponding to the desired item which
is selected; and setting the desired item by using the setting
screen, wherein a function for displaying the setting screen for
items that are not included in the plurality of items when one of
the keys is operated is assigned to at least one of the plurality
of keys.
7. The electronic device as set forth in claim 6, wherein when one
of two paired functions is assigned to one of the plurality of
keys, a message which prompts a user to assign the other of the two
paired functions to the key appears.
8. The electronic device as set forth in claim 6, wherein when one
of two paired functions is assigned to one of the plurality of
keys, the other of the paired functions is automatically assigned
to the key.
9. The electronic device as set forth in claim 6, wherein a
sequence of operations that a user has preformed are stored and
stored operations are assigned to one of the plurality of keys.
10. The electronic device as set forth in claim 6, wherein
functions assigned to two keys of the plurality of keys are changed
with each other.
11. A method of assigning desired functions to a plurality of keys,
comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of items and
selecting a desired item from the plurality of items; and selecting
a key to which a function is assigned from the plurality of keys,
wherein a function which has been selected at the function
selecting step and which can be set on a menu is assigned to the
key selected at the key selecting step.
12. A method of assigning desired functions to a plurality of keys,
comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of items and
selecting a desired item from the plurality of items; and selecting
a key to which a function is assigned from the plurality of keys,
wherein a function which has been selected at the function
selecting step and which is other than functions which can be set
on a menu is assigned to the key selected at the key selecting
step.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, such
as a video camera, a digital camera, a cellular phone, or a PDA,
which has a display panel and an operating section and also to a
method of assigning a function to a key.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As an electronic device such as a video camera is becoming
small, the number of hard keys (hereinafter simply referred to as
keys) tends to decrease. As a result, functions that cannot be
assigned to keys need to be operated on a menu. Thus, the video
camera cannot be quickly operated and there are not a lot of
changes that user sees these functions. Consequently, its operation
would become bothersome.
[0003] Even if many keys are provided, since the purpose for which
the user uses the video camera depends on himself or herself, all
functions pre-assigned to keys are not always functions that the
user needs with keys.
[0004] In contrast with related art of which only one function the
user desires is assigned to one key, with respect to keys of a
commander as a remote controlling device for a television receiver,
a technology that allows a plurality of functions to be
sequentially assigned to one key whenever it is operated is
described in Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No.
2002-10380.
[0005] As described in Japanese Patent Application Unexamined
Publication No. 2002-10380, in the method of assigning a plurality
of functions that are sequentially provided to one key, although
the number of keys can be decreased, functions assigned to one key
are restricted. In addition, it is difficult for the user to
remember functions that he or she has assigned to the key. Thus, it
cannot be said that the operability is improved with the
technology. In addition, since functions are not assigned to a
plurality of keys, it cannot be said that the operability of the
method of assigning functions is satisfactory.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
an electronic device and a method of assigning functions that allow
a function of quickly displaying a setting screen for menu items or
a setting screen for non-menu items to be assigned to a key so as
to improve the operability of the electronic device.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To solve the foregoing problem, the present invention is an
electronic device having a display panel and a plurality of keys to
which desired functions can be assigned, comprising:
[0008] displaying a plurality of items on the display panel;
setting a desired item which is selected from the plurality of
items; displaying a setting screen corresponding to the desired
item; and setting the desired item by using the setting screen,
[0009] wherein a function for displaying the setting screen when
one of the keys is operated is assigned to at least one of the
plurality of keys. In addition, according to the present invention,
a function other than functions that can be set on a menu is
assigned.
[0010] In addition, the present invention is a method of assigning
desired functions to a plurality of keys, comprising the steps
of:
[0011] displaying a plurality of items and selecting a desired item
from the plurality of items; and
[0012] selecting a key to which a function is assigned from the
plurality of keys,
[0013] wherein a function which has been selected at the function
selecting step and which can be set on a menu is assigned to the
key selected at the key selecting step. In addition, according to
the present invention, a function other than functions that can be
set on a menu is assigned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a
video camera according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of assign
keys.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a structure
of a signal process of the video camera.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing screens appearing on a
liquid crystal display panel upon settings on a menu.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a flow of an assigning
process for a assign key.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screens
appearing on the liquid crystal display panel in an assigning
process for an assign key.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of
screens appearing on the liquid crystal display panel in an
assigning process for an assign key.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an
embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows
an external structure of a video camera according to the present
invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a lens housing section.
Light from an object enters an imager such as a CCD through a lens.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a zoom ring. Reference numeral 3
denotes a stereo microphone. Reference numeral 4 denotes an
electronic view finder.
[0022] Reference numeral 5 denotes a liquid crystal display monitor
of for example 2.5 inch type. The liquid crystal display monitor 5
can be freely housed in a concave housing portion 6 on one side of
the body. A tape cassette housing section (not shown) is disposed
on the other side of the body. The tape cassette housing section
houses for example a DV (Digital Video) standard tape cassette. An
object is shot by a camera section. The resultant video signal of
the object is processed. The processed video signal is recorded
onto a magnetic tape of the tape cassette by a rotating head.
[0023] The video camera shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of
operation keys. Among these operation keys, assign keys 7, a menu
button 8, and a selection/push-confirmation dial 9 relate to the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the assign keys 7 are
composed of a plurality of (for example, three) assign keys
(hereinafter referred to as the assign keys 1, 2, and 3). The
assign keys 7 are disposed at a position where the user can easily
operate them, for example, near the zoom ring 2. Thus, the assign
keys 7 are apart from the other operation keys. As will be
described later, the user can assign his or her desired functions
to each of the assign keys 7. For example, when the user presses
for example one of the assign keys 7, he or she can perform his or
her desired process such as a record starting process, a tape
forwarding process, a tape rewinding process, a lens-captured image
process, or the like. The keys of the assign keys 7 and so forth
are not limited to hard keys such as pushbutton keys, slide type
keys, or pressure sensitive switches, but touch panel keys of which
the user touches the liquid crystal display panel 5 with his or her
finger or the like.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows an outline of a structure of a signal process
of the video camera. In FIG. 3, solid lines denote a path of
video/audio signals, a path of a stream, and a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) bus. The CPU composes a controller. Dotted lines
denote a path of a control signal. Light from an object enters an
imager 12 composed of a device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled
Device) through a lens 11. An output signal of the imager 12 is
supplied to a camera signal processing section 13. The camera
signal processing section 13 performs various types of camera
signal processes such as a color separating process, a digitalizing
process, and so forth.
[0025] A lens-captured video signal is supplied from the camera
signal processing section 13 to a base band processing section 14.
An indication signal for a menu and so forth is supplied from an
OSD (On Screen Display) section 15 to the base band processing
section 14. The OSD section 15 generates an indication signal for a
menu screen and various types of setting screens corresponding to
commands supplied from a controller 16 composed of a CPU. The base
band signal processing section 14 combines the indication signal
supplied from the OSD section 15 and the lens-captured video
signal.
[0026] Connected to the controller 16 through the CPU bus is a
non-volatile memory, for example an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable
Programmable ROM). An example of the non-volatile memory is a
removable memory card (not shown). The CPU bus of the controller 16
is connected to the base band signal processing section 14.
[0027] A video signal supplied from the base band signal processing
section 14 is compressed by a compression encoder 18 according to
DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) or the like. The compressed signal
is supplied to a multiplexer 19. The multiplexer 19 multiplexes the
compression-encoded audio data, system data, and so forth and
generates record data. The record data are supplied to a record
processing section 20.
[0028] The record processing section 20 performs an error
correction encoding process, a channel coding process, and so
forth. The record signal (record stream data) supplied from the
record processing section 20 is supplied to a rotating head of a
tape head section 21. The rotating head records the record signal
as diagonal tracks on the magnetic tape.
[0029] A reproduction signal (reproduction stream data) reproduced
from the magnetic tape by the rotating head of the tape head
section 21 is supplied to a reproduction processing section 22. The
reproduction processing section 22 performs a channel coding
decoding process, an error collecting process, and so forth.
[0030] Reproduction data are supplied from the reproduction
processing section 22 to a demultiplexer 23. The demultiplexer 23
separates the reproduction data into video data, audio data, and
system data. A decompressing decoder 24 decompresses the
compression-encoded data. The decompressed video data are supplied
from the decompressing decoder 24 to the base band signal
processing section 14.
[0031] The electronic view finder 4 and the liquid crystal display
panel 5 are connected to the base band signal processing section
14. These display devices display a lens-captured image, a
tape-reproduced image, various types of menus, and so forth. The
controller 16 and a key device 25 are connected. The key device 25
includes the assign keys 7, the menu button 8, the
selection/push-confirmation dial 9, and so forth. The
selection/push-confirmation dial 9 is an input device of which when
the dial is rotated, a selection item can be changed on a screen of
the liquid crystal display panel 5 and when the dial is pushed, the
selected item can be confirmed.
[0032] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a GUI menu on which the
video camera is set for various modes and a method of assigning a
short cut to a desired menu item thereof will be described. The CPU
of the controller 16 executes these processes according to the
program. When the video camera is set, the menu button 8 is
pressed. When the menu button 8, a menu screen appears on the
liquid crystal display panel 5. A desired menu item, for example,
"camera setting", is selected from menu items on a screen 31a shown
in FIG. 4A with the selection/push-confirmation dial 9. The
selected menu item is for example highlighted so that it is
distinguished from the other menu items.
[0033] Menu items appear as icons on the left end of the screen.
Besides "camera setting", there are menu items "audio setting",
"memory setting", and "others". While the video camera is in the
record pause state (record standby state), the menu screen appears.
An image (not shown) that is being shot appears as a background
image on the liquid crystal display panel 5.
[0034] The menu has a hierarchical structure. The menu item "camera
setting" has lower hierarchical levels for example sub setting
items "shake compensation", "wide setting", "progressive record",
"sharpness", and "gain level". A screen 31b shown in FIG. 4B
indicates the state of which "camera setting"-> "shake
compensation" have been selected by the selection/push-confirmation
dial 9. In addition, the screen 31b indicates the current setting
of "shake compensation", for example "ON". The
selection/push-confirmation dial 9 is an input device of which when
the dial is rotated, one of a plurality of menu items can be
selected and when the dial is pushed, the selected item can be
confirmed.
[0035] After the menu item "shake compensation" has been confirmed,
as shown in FIG. 4C, a "shake compensation" setting screen 31c
appears. With the selection/push-confirmation dial 9, the menu item
"shake compensation" can be set for a desired state. For example,
"shake compensation" can be set for "ON/OFF". Likewise, another
menu item can be selected. When another menu item is selected, a
setting screen corresponding thereto appears. The selected menu
item can be set for a desired state on the setting screen.
[0036] After one of the foregoing menu items, for example "shake
compensation", has been assigned to one of the assign keys 7, for
example the assign key 1, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the assign key
1 is operated, the shake compensation setting screen 31c quickly
appears on the liquid crystal display monitor 5. In other words,
the assign key 1 functions as a shortcut key of "shake
compensation". Since a setting screen corresponding to a
pre-assigned menu item quickly appears, even if an object is being
shot by the video camera, it can be set for a desire state.
[0037] The process of assigning a function to an assign key is
performed by the CPU of the controller 16 according to the program.
Specifically, an assign key setting menu is selected. With the
selection/push-confirmation dial 9, a function is assigned to an
assign key on the assign key setting menu appearing on the liquid
crystal display panel 5. In other words, by rotating the dial, an
assign key to which a desired function is assigned is selected.
Thereafter, the desired function is selected from the menu items.
Thereafter, the dial is pushed to confirm the selected menu
item.
[0038] Menu items assigned to the assign keys are not limited to
those assigned with the selection/push-confirmation dial 9 on the
menu. For example, a setting item of whether to display a color bar
on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 5 can be assigned
to an assign key.
[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when
one of paired functions is assigned to one of the plurality of
assign keys, a message that prompts the user to assign the other of
the pair to the assign key appears. Next, with reference to a flow
chart shown in FIG. 5 and display screens of the liquid crystal
display panel 5 shown in FIG. 6, a function assigning process for
assign keys will be described.
[0040] At step ST1, the menu button 8 is pressed. The menu appears
on the liquid crystal display panel 5. A plurality of menu items
appear on the menu screen. At step ST2, "changing user setting" is
selected from the menu items. Since the assign keys 7 are composed
of three assign keys, at step ST3, key selection step, an assign
key to which the selected function is assigned is selected.
[0041] When the menu button 8 is pressed, the menu screen appears.
When the menu item "others" is selected on the menu screen, a
screen 41a appears. FIG. 6A shows the screen 41a. The menu item
"others" has sub menu items "changing user setting", "record mode",
and "record format". When "changing user setting" is selected, a
screen 41b shown in FIG. 6B appears. When "changing user setting"
is confirmed, a key selection screen 41c shown in FIG. 6C appears.
The menu "changing user setting" is a menu on which menu items are
assigned to the assign keys 7.
[0042] On the key selection screen 41c, "user setting 1" denotes a
menu item assigned to the assign key 1; and "user setting 2" and
"user setting 3" denote menu items assigned to the assign key 2 and
the assign key 3, respectively. On the key selection screen 41c
shown in FIG. 6C, all the user settings have been assigned "blank".
In other words, no executable functions have been assigned to these
assign keys. Since the assign keys can be assigned "blank", if the
user does not need to assign functions to the assign keys, even if
he or she mistakenly touches these assign keys, the video camera
can be prevented from malfunctioning. In addition, the same
function can be assigned to the plurality of assign keys.
[0043] At step ST4, function selection step, when the
selection/push-confirmation dial 9 is rotated, a desired function
to be assigned is selected. At step ST5, when the
selection/push-confirmation dial 9 is pushed, the selected function
is assigned to the selected assign key. Functions assigned to the
assign keys are not limited to functions assigned with the menu
button 8 and the selection/push-confirmation dial 9 on the menu,
but functions that can be assigned to only the assign keys. When
one of functions that can be assigned with the menu button 8 and
the selection/push-confirmation dial 9 is assigned to an assign
key, the assign key functions as a short cut key.
[0044] When "user setting 1" is selected on the key selection
screen 41c, it is changed to a function selection screen 41d shown
in FIG. 6D. On the function selection screen 41d, as selectable
menu items, there are for example "blank", "edit search+", "edit
search-", and "indexing". "Edit search+" is a function of
reproducing the tape forwards in the record pause state. In
contrast "edit search-" is a function of reproducing the tape
backwards in the record pause state. These functions exemplify
paired functions. Other examples of paired functions are
"tel/wide", and "focus.+-.".
[0045] After step ST4, function assignment, a setting result
information screen appears (at step ST5). In FIG. 6D, when "user
setting 1" is set for e.g. "edit search+", a setting result
information screen 41e appears as shown in FIG. 6E. The screen 41
indicates that the setting has been completed and that the function
"edit search+" has been assigned to the assign key 1. In addition,
the screen 41 indicates a message that prompts the user to assign
the other function of the paired functions, namely "edit search".
Instead of the assignment prompt menu, the paired function may be
automatically assigned to another assign key.
[0046] A predetermined wait time, for example, five seconds, is
preset for the setting result information screen 41e. After the
wait time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 6F, a key selection screen
41f that indicates assigned results of the assign keys 7 appears.
In contrast with the key selection screen 41c, the key selection
screen 41f indicates the latest assigned states of the assign
keys.
[0047] At step ST6, the latest assign key information is stored to
a non-volatile memory (EEPROM 17). At step ST7, it is determined
whether to perform a function assigning process for another assign
key. When the assigning process is continued, the flow returns to
step ST3 (selection of an assign key to which a function is
assigned). To quit the assigning process, the menu button 8 is
pressed and the menu is closed (at sep ST8).
[0048] Functions assigned to the assign keys 7 can be deleted. In
addition, functions assigned to two assign keys can be changed with
each other. FIG. 7 describes this changing process.
[0049] When the menu button 8 is pressed, the menu screen appears.
When the menu item "others" is selected on the menu screen, a
screen 51a appears. FIG. 7A shows the screen 51a. The menu item
"others" has a sub menu item "changing user setting". When the menu
item "changing user setting" is selected, a screen 51b shown in
FIG. 7B appears. When the menu item "changing user setting" is
confirmed, a key selection screen 51c shown in FIG. 7C appears.
[0050] The key selection screen 51c indicates functions currently
assigned to the function keys. For example, the function "edit
search+" has been assigned to the assign key 1. The function
"indexing" has been assigned to the assign key 2. The function
"edit search-" has been assigned to the assign key 3.
[0051] When the user setting 1 (assign key 1) is selected on the
key selection screen 51c and confirmed, an assigned function
changing screen 51d appears. When the user setting 1 (assign key 2)
is selected and confirmed on the assigned function changing screen
51d, a process of changing the functions of the user settings 1 and
2 with each other is performed. As shown in FIG. 7E, the function
assigned to the user setting 1 and the function assigned to the
user setting 2 have been changed to "indexing" and "edit search+",
respectively. The changed results are written to the non-volatile
memory.
[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
sequence of operations that the user performed can be stored and
assigned to one of the plurality of assign keys. For example, as a
menu item, "start of storing a sequence of video camera operations"
is prepared. After the storing operation stare is tuned on, when
one of blank assign keys is pressed, the storing operation is
started. A sequence of video camera operations performed after the
assign key is pressed until it is pressed again are stored to the
non-volatile memory. After the sequence has been stored, when the
assign key is pressed, the same sequence of operations that have
been stored are performed.
[0053] After a sequence of operations have been stored, when only
the assign key is pressed, the operations can be executed. Thus,
since a sequence of operations that the user often uses can be
executed only by pressing only the assign key, the video camera can
be easily operated in an emergency situation or the like.
[0054] Thus, unlike the case that a menu is opened, a menu item is
selected from a plurality of menu items on the menu for each of a
plurality of keys, the selected key is set for the selected menu
item on a setting screen corresponding thereto, when a key is
operated, a setting screen for a selected item quickly appears. As
a result, since a shortcut function can be accomplished, the number
of operation steps necessary for the setting can be decreased. In
addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a
function for displaying a setting screen for unique items other
than menu items selected on the menu can be assigned to each of the
plurality of keys. In addition, since a setting screen quickly
appears, settings can be quickly changed.
[0055] In the foregoing, an embodiment of the present invention has
been specifically described. However, the present invention is not
limited to the foregoing embodiment. Instead, various modifications
corresponding to the spirit of the present invention may be made.
For example, the key selecting step and the function assigning step
can be changed with each other. In addition, the present invention
can be widely applied to various types of electronic devices that
have a display panel on which a menu appears besides a video
camera.
* * * * *