Abstract:
In menu structure, information is separately displayed on a menu item-by-menu item basis. Therefore, the adoption of menu structure involves inconvenience. (For example, pieces of information under different menu items cannot be viewed at the same time.) A portable information communication terminal eliminates this inconvenience. Information is configured in list structure wherein items (A 1 , . . . , A 5 , B 1 , . . . , B 4 , B 5 , B 6 , C 1 , . . . , C 5 , D 1 , . . . (A to D represent groups.)) are arranged in succession. List information (B 5  to C 5 ) which is within a predetermined range (the second precedent line through the fourth subsequent line) from a specific item C 1  of a predetermined serial number (top number) in a selected group (group C) is displayed. Since the top item in group C is the specific item, items corresponding to group B are also displayed. Thus, items corresponding to different groups (group B and group C) can be displayed at the same time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to screen display in a portable information communication terminal such as a cellular phone.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     In a portable information communication terminal such as a cellular phone, information and the like obtained through the Internet have been conventionally displayed on a screen. If there is too much information to be displayed, only part of the information can be displayed on a screen sometimes. To cope with this, menu structure is adopted to display information the user wants.  
         [0005]     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a mode of displaying information wherein menu structure is adopted according to prior art will be described. A menu  310  is displayed on the screen  300  of a cellular phone. The menu  310  contains three different menu items, A, B, and C, and the user selects any one of them. In the example in  FIG. 19 , the user uses a cursor to select “B.” When the menu item is selected, information corresponding to the menu item is displayed. In this case, B 1 , B 2 , and B 3  corresponding to menu item “B” are displayed on the screen  300 . If menu item “A” is selected, A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  are displayed on the screen  300 ; if menu item “C” is selected, C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C 4  are displayed.  
         [0006]     As mentioned above, if menu structure is adopted, the user can display information the user wants and specifies. For example, if the user desires to display information B 2 , the user only has to select menu item “B.” However, with menu structure, the user has difficulty in grasping how many pieces of information there are. If the user selects a menu item to display pieces of information and totalizes them, the user can grasp the number of pieces of information (e.g. 3+3+4=10). However, this is troublesome.  
         [0007]     Pieces of information corresponding to different menu items cannot be simultaneously displayed. For example, the user cannot display information A 3  and information B 1  at the same time.  
         [0008]     As mentioned above, if menu structure is adopted, pieces of information are separately displayed on a menu item-by-menu item basis. This causes inconvenience.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Consequently, the present invention is intended to eliminate inconvenience associated with menu structure, i.e. inconvenience resulting from that pieces of information are separately displayed on a menu item-by-menu item basis.  
         [0010]     The present invention relates to a portable information communication terminal. A portable information communication terminal according to the present invention comprises a list information recording means, a group selecting means, and a list information reading means.  
         [0011]     The list information recording means records list information wherein individual items are related to groups and provided with serial numbers. The group selecting means selects a group. The list information reading means reads out list information which corresponds to a selected group and is within a predetermined range from a specific item of a predetermined serial number in the selected group. The list information is read out as read list information.  
         [0012]     According to the invention constituted as mentioned above, the list information reading means reads out list information within a predetermined range from a specific item of a predetermined serial number in a selected group as read list information. In general, list information within a predetermined range from a specific item contains items corresponding to different groups. Therefore, items corresponding to different groups can be displayed at the same time. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is an outside drawing illustrating an example of the constitution of a cellular phone  1  to which the present invention is applied;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rotary input portion  14 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the underside of a holder  32 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the way a scale  33  is secured in a dial main body  34 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the rotary input portion  14 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of the internal constitution of the cellular phone  1  to which the present invention is applied;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of the cellular phone (portable information communication terminal)  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating an example of list information  117   a;    
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a drawing illustrating the process of reading out list information;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating the details of the display on a display unit  13 ;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 11A  to  11 D are drawings illustrating the transition of the display on the display unit  13  in response to the operation of a first scrolling portion  14   b;    
         [0024]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are drawings illustrating the transition of the display on the display unit  13  in response to the operation of a second scrolling portion  14   c;    
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cellular phone  1  in the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the details of group displaying process (S 14 );  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the details of first scrolling process (S 16 );  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating the details of second scrolling process (S 18 );  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a cellular phone  1  provided with a jog dial;  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is a drawing showing the plan view and the side view of the jog dial  3 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  is a drawing illustrating the mode of displaying information wherein menu structure is adopted according to prior art. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     Referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described below.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is an outside drawing illustrating an example of the constitution of a cellular phone  1  to which the present invention is applied.  
         [0034]     The cellular phone  1  is provided substantially in the center thereof with a substantially disk-shaped rotary input portion  14 . As illustrated by hollow arrows, the rotary input portion  14  is so constituted that it is rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise on a rotation axis perpendicular to the surface of the sheet of the specification. The user can operate the rotary input portion  14 , the conversation button  15  and power button  16  respectively located on the left and right of the rotary input portion  14 , and the numeric keypad  17  located thereunder to input various commands.  
         [0035]     With the cellular phone  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the user performs various operations, viewing the display unit  13  consisting of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like. For example, the user turns the rotary input portion  14  or presses specified areas on the upper face (flat face) of the rotary input portion  14  down toward the interior of the cellular phone  1 . Thereby, the user can scroll, for example, the display of today&#39;s news downloaded through the Internet.  
         [0036]     A speaker  12  and a microphone  18  are provided in proximity to the upper end and lower end of the front face of the cellular phone  1 , respectively. When making a telephone call, the user utilizes these items. On the upper end face of the cellular phone  1 , an antenna  11  is installed as is protruded from the enclosure.  
         [0037]     The cellular phone  1  is not limited to so-called straight type, illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The cellular phone may be so constituted that it can be folded on hinges. In this case, a first enclosure provided with a display unit  13  and a second enclosure provided with a rotary input portion  14  and a numeric keypad  17  are folded up.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  illustrate an example of the structure of the rotary input portion  14 .  
         [0039]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rotary input portion  14  basically comprises a base  31 , a holder  32 , a scale  33 , a dial main body  34 , an operation dial  35 , and a central button member  36 .  
         [0040]     The base  31  is made of, for example, insulating resin and formed as a substantially rectangular plate. A center button  41  is provided in the center on the upper face of the base  31 , and peripheral buttons  42 A to  42 D are placed therearound at equal intervals. The base  31  is disposed so that the line connecting the peripheral button  42 A and the peripheral button  42 C will be substantially in parallel with the center line of the cellular phone  1  in  FIG. 1  in the vertical direction. Therefore, the peripheral button  42 A is positioned on the upper side on the cellular phone  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and the peripheral button  42 B is positioned on the left side. The peripheral button  42 C is positioned on the lower side on the cellular phone  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and the peripheral button  42 D is positioned on the right side. (Hereafter, the peripheral button  42 A will be referred to as “upper button  42 A”; the peripheral button  42 B as “left button  42 B”; the peripheral button  42 C as “lower button  42 C”; and the peripheral button  42 D as “right button  42 D” as appropriate.)  
         [0041]     An upward movement arresting members  43  is provided with a lug extending toward the center of the base  31 . The upward movement of the holder  32  is arrested by the lug. On both sides of the upward movement arresting member  43 , rotation arresting members  44 A and  44 B are provided slightly away from the arresting member  43 . The rotation of the holder  32  is arrested by the rotation arresting members  44 A and  44 B. The upward movement arresting member  43  and the rotation arresting members  44 A and  44 B constitute a holder arresting portion  51 A, which is disposed at a corner of the base  31 . The same (holder arresting portion  51 B,  51 C, and  51 D) is disposed at the three remaining corners.  
         [0042]     The holder  32  is formed as an insulating disk having a hole in the center thereof. In the center of the upper face thereof, a dial holding cylinder  61  is formed for rotatably holding the dial main body  34  and the like. The dial holding cylinder  61  is so formed that it is protruded from the vicinity of the hole upward (the upper side in  FIG. 2 ). Therefore, the axis of the hole in the dial holding cylinder  61  is matched with the axis of the rotation of the dial main body  34  and the like.  
         [0043]     On the upper face of the holder  32 , brushes  62 A,  62 B, and  62 C which are of conductive elastic material are placed. Change in the state of electrical connection between the brushes  62 A,  62 B, and  62 C and the scale  33  placed on the holder  32  is detected. Thereby, the amount and direction of rotation of the rotary input portion  14  (operation dial  35 ) are detected.  
         [0044]     More specific description will be given. The brushes  62 A and  62 B are disposed so that their positions in the radial direction will provide contact with slits  72  in the scale  33 . That is, when the scale  33  is placed on the holder  32 , the brushes  62 A and  62 B are brought into contact with slits  72  in the scale  33 . When the rotary input portion  14  is operated and turned and accordingly the scale  33  is rotated, the brushes  62 A and  62 B and the scale  33  are repeatedly brought into contact and out of contact with each other. In contact state, the brushes  62 A and  62 B are in a position between one slit  72  and another  72 . In non-contact state, the brushes  62 A and  62 B are in a position corresponding to a slit  72 .  
         [0045]     The brush (earth brush)  62 C is disposed in a position where the brush  62 C is kept in contact with the scale  33  when the scale  33  is placed on the holder  32 . Thus, when the scale  33  is rotated, continuity is repeatedly provided and removed between the brush  62   c  and the brush  62 A or  62 B through the scale  33 .  
         [0046]     Thus, pulses are produced in correspondence with change in the state of continuity between the brush  62 A or  62 B and the brush  62 C (the repetition of contact and non-contact between the brush  62 A or  62 B and the scale  33 ). Based on the number of the pulses, the amount of rotation of the rotary input portion  14  can be calculated.  
         [0047]     The brush  62 A and the brush  62 B are disposed so that they are displaced from each other in the circumferential direction. Thus, the direction of rotation of the rotary input portion  14  can be detected. As an example, it is assumed that the rotary input portion  14  in  FIG. 1  is turned counterclockwise. The leading edge (or falling edge) of a pulse generated by contact of the brush  62 A with the scale  33  is detected earlier than the leading edge (or falling edge) of a pulse generated by contact of the brush  62 B with the scale  33 . This time lag is equivalent to the positional deviation between the brush  62 A and the brush  62 B.  
         [0048]     As a further example, it is assumed that the rotary input portion  14  is turned clockwise. In this case, the leading edge (falling edge) of a pulse generated by contact of the brush  62 B with the scale  33  is detected earlier than the leading edge (or falling edge) of a pulse generated by contact of the brush  62 A with the scale  33 .  
         [0049]     Therefore, based on the time lag in the occurrence of the leading edges (or falling edges) of pulses, the direction of rotation of the rotary input portion  14  is detected.  
         [0050]     In the peripheral area of the holder  32 , arrested members  63 A to  63 D are formed in correspondence with the holder arresting portions  51 A to  51 D. When the holder  32  is placed on the base  31 , the displacement (rotation and dislodgment) of the arrested members  63 A to  63 D is arrested by the holder arresting portions  51 A to  51 D, respectively.  
         [0051]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , projections  101 A to  101 D for button depression are formed on the underside of the holder  32  in positions corresponding to the peripheral buttons  42 A to  42 D. Therefore, when the upper part of the rotary input portion  14  in the cellular phone  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is depressed in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the sheet of the specification, the upper button  42 A (peripheral button  42 A) is depressed by the projection  101 A for button depression. When the left part of the rotary input portion  14  is depressed, the left button  42 B (peripheral button  42 B) is depressed by the projection  101 B for button depression. When the lower part of the rotary input portion  14  is depressed, the lower button  42 C (peripheral button  42 C) is depressed by the projection  101 C for button depression. When the right part of the rotary input portion  14  is depressed, the right button  42 D (peripheral button  42 D) is depressed by the projection  101 D for button depression.  
         [0052]     Dial main body holding members  64 A to  64 D are formed on the rim of the holder  32  at a predetermined distance therebetween so that the holding members  64 A to  64 D are protruded from the upper face (upward in the figure). Lugs extending toward the center of the holder  32  are formed at the upper ends of the dial main body holding members  64 A to  64 D. The dislodgment of the dial main body  34  is prevented by the lugs.  
         [0053]     On the upper face of the holder  32 , a projection  65  is formed for providing click feeling. When the rotary input portion  14  is turned, the user is provided with click feeling by the projection  65  for click feeling and the uneven portion  83  for click feeling on the dial main body  34 .  
         [0054]     A hole  71  into which the dial holding cylinder  61  is to be inserted is formed in the center of the scale  33 , and a large number of the slits  71  are formed therearound. As mentioned above, the slits  72  are radially arranged with a predetermined angular pitch, and positioned in proximity to the rim of the scale  33 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the scale  33  is secured on the underside of the dial main body  34  and placed on the holder  32 .  
         [0055]     A hole  81  into which the dial holding cylinder  61  is to be inserted is formed in the center of the dial main body  34 . A power transmission projection  82  is formed on the upper face of the dial main body  34 . The power transmission projection  82  is engaged with the power transmission recess  92  formed on the underside of the operation dial  35 . The power transmission projection  82  transmits turning force from the operation dial  35  to the dial main body  34 .  
         [0056]     On the peripheral portion of the underside of the dial main body  34 , the uneven (corrugated) portion  83  for providing click feeling, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is formed throughout the circumference thereof. As mentioned above, the projection  65  for click feeling is fit into a recess of the uneven portion  83  with play.  
         [0057]     A hole  91  into which the central button member  36  is to be inserted is formed in the center of the operation dial  35 . A power transmission recess  92  into which the power transmission projection  82  of the dial main body  34  is to be fit is formed on the underside of the operation dial  35 . Though the central button member  36  is cylindrical in  FIG. 2 , it may be spherical. On the upper face of the operation dial  35 , a large number of grooves  93  are formed for producing appropriate friction during turning operation for the enhancement of operability. However, the grooves  93  may be omitted.  
         [0058]     The rotary input portion  14  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is constituted of the above-mentioned members, and is assembled into the cellular phone  1  with the upper face of the operation dial  35  exposed.  
         [0059]     With the rotary input portion  14  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the user can depress the upper right part of the operation dial  35  (the upper side in  FIG. 1 ) to press the upper button  42 A. The user can depress the lower left part of the operation dial  35  (the lower side in  FIG. 1 ) to press the lower button  42 C. The user can depress the upper left part of the operation dial  35  (the left side in  FIG. 1 ) to press the left button  42 B. The user can depress the lower right part of the operation dial  35  (the right side in  FIG. 1 ) to press the right button  42 D.  
         [0060]      FIG. 6  is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of the internal constitution of the cellular phone  1  to which the present invention is applied.  
         [0061]     A control unit  111  loads a control program, stored in ROM (Read Only Memory)  117 A in memory  117 , into RAM (Random Access Memory)  117 B. According to the loaded control program, the control unit  111  controls the operation of the entire cellular phone  1 .  
         [0062]     For example, according to an instruction from the user, the control unit  111  boots up a program for reading read list information or other purposes, and changes the range displayed on the display unit  13 . When the rotation detecting portion  121  of an input detection unit  115  detects input to the rotary input portion  14 , that is, when the rotary input portion  14  is turned, the control unit  111  controls DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Thereby, the control unit  111  calculates the amount, direction, and the like of rotation of the rotary input portion  14 , and changes the display on the display unit  13 . The process in which the control unit  111  changes the display on the display unit  13  in response to input to the rotary input portion  14  will be described later in detail.  
         [0063]     An RF (Radio Frequency) unit  112  transmits and receives radio waves to and from base stations through the antenna  11 . In voice communication mode, for example, the RF unit  112  amplifies RF signals received through the antenna  11  and subjects the signals to required processing, such as frequency conversion and analog-to-digital conversion. Then, the RF unit  112  outputs the obtained data under voice to the DSP  113 . When supplied with data under voice from the DSP  113 , the RF unit  112  performs required processing, such as digital-to-analog conversion and frequency conversion. Then, the RF unit  112  transmits the obtained aural signals through the antenna  11 .  
         [0064]     The DSP  113  subjects data under voice supplied from the RF unit  112  to, for example, inverse spectrum spread, and outputs the obtained data to a voice codec  114 . Further, the DSP  113  subjects data under voice supplied from the voice codec  114  to spectrum spread, and outputs the obtained data to the RF unit  112 . Furthermore, under control of the control unit  111 , the DSP  113  performs varied processing, such as the calculation of an amount of rotation and the direction of rotation, for changing image display.  
         [0065]     The voice codec  114  converts the voice of the user collected through the microphone  18  into data under voice, and outputs the data to the DSP  113 . Further, the voice codec  114  converts data under voice supplied from the DSP  113  into analog aural signals, and outputs the corresponding aural signals through the speaker  12 .  
         [0066]     The rotation detecting portion  121  of the input detection unit  115  is connected with the brushes  62 A,  62 B, and  62 C in the  FIG. 2 . The rotation detecting portion  121  monitors the state of contact or non-contact between the brushes  62 A and  62 B and the scale  33 . Then, the rotation detecting portion  121  outputs pulses corresponding to any change in the state of contact to the control unit  111 .  
         [0067]     The depression detecting portion  122  of the input detection unit  115  is connected with the center button  41  and the peripheral buttons  42 A to  42 D in  FIG. 2 . When any of these buttons is depressed (when the upper face of the rotary input portion  14  is depressed inward), the depression detecting portion  122  detects that, and outputs a corresponding signal to the control unit  111 .  
         [0068]     The control unit  111  is connected with a drive  210  as required. The drive  210  is loaded with a magnetic disk  211 , an optical disk  212 , a magnetic optical disk  213 , a semiconductor memory  214 , or the like as appropriate. Computer programs read out therefrom are installed in the control unit  111  as required. (Such computer programs include a program for implementing a list information reading portion  111 a, a cursor position determining portion  111   b , a group selecting portion  14   a , or the like.)  
         [0069]     An input detection unit  116  detects inputs from the conversation button  15 , power button  16 , numeric keypad  17 , and the like provided in the cellular phone  1 . Then, the input detection unit  116  outputs corresponding signals to the control unit  111 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of the cellular phone (portable information communication terminal)  1  in an embodiment of the present invention. The cellular phone (portable information communication terminal)  1  comprises the display unit  13 , the group selecting portion  14   a , the first scrolling portion (identifiable item changing means)  14   b , the second scrolling portion (specific item changing means)  14   c , the list information reading portion  111   a , the cursor position determining portion  111   b , and the memory  117 .  
         [0071]     The memory  117  records list information  117   a .  FIG. 8  shows an example of list information  117   a . The list information  117   a contains individual items A 1 , A 2 , . . . , A 5 , B 1 , B 2 , . . . , B 6 , C 1 , C 2 , . . . , C 5 , and D 1 , . . . The individual items are related to groups. For example, items A 1 , A 2 , A 5  are related to group A, and items B 1 , B 2 , . . . , B 6  are related to group B. Items C 1 , C 2 , . . . , C 5  are related to group C, and items D 1 , . . . are related to group D. In addition, the individual items A 1 , A 2 , . . . are provided with serial numbers. For example, item A 2  is subsequent to item A 1 ; item A 3  is subsequent to item A 2 ; and so on. Item B 1  is subsequent to item A 5 ; item B 2  is subsequent to item B 1 ; and so on. Item C 1  is subsequent to item B 6 ; item C 2  is subsequent to item C 1 ; and so on. Item D 1  is subsequent to item C 5 ; and so on. A space is placed between groups.  
         [0072]     The group selecting portion  14   a  selects a group. The group selecting portion  14   a  comprises the holder  32 , the dial main body  34 , the operation dial  35 , the left button  42 B, and the right button  42 D. When the left part of the operation dial  35  of the group selecting portion  14   a  is depressed, the left button  42 B is pressed as a result. When the right part of the operation dial  35  of the group selecting portion  14   a  is depressed, the right button  42 D is pressed as a result. Pressing the left button  42 B is equivalent to selecting the previous group, and pressing the. right button  42 D is equivalent to selecting the subsequent group. The groups are arranged in the order of ABCDE. For example, if the left button  42 B is pressed with the group C selected, group B is selected. If the right button  42 D is pressed at this time, group D is selected.  
         [0073]     The list information reading portion  111   a  reads out list information which corresponds to a selected group and is within a predetermined range from a specific item of a predetermined serial number in the selected group. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the process of reading out list information will be described.  
         [0074]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the process of reading out list information which works when group C is selected. The items corresponding to group C are items C 1 , C 2 , . . . , C 5 . It is assumed that the predetermined serial number is the top number in individual groups. Therefore, the specific item  117   b  is item C 1 . Further, it is assumed that the start of the predetermined range is the second item (item B 5 ) precedent to the specific item and the end thereof is the fourth item (item C 5 ) subsequent to the specific item. Therefore, the read list information  117   c  read out contains item B 5  to item C 5 .  
         [0075]     The display unit  13  comprises a group display portion  13   a , a list display portion  13   b , and a cursor display portion (specific item indicating means)  13   c . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the display on the display unit  13  will be described.  
         [0076]     The group display portion  13   a is for displaying a selected group. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , group C is selected. The group display portion  13   a  displays group names landscape. For this reason, it is easily understandable that pressing the left button  42 B (right button  42 D) is equivalent to selecting the previous (subsequent) group.  
         [0077]     The list display portion  13   b  is for displaying read list information  117   c  read out by the list information reading portion  111   a.    
         [0078]     The cursor display portion (specific item indicating means)  13   c  positions the cursor on the specific item (item C 1 ) so that the specific item can be discriminated from the other items.  
         [0079]     The cursor position determining portion  111   b  determines the position of the cursor displayed in the cursor display portion  13   c . In the example in  FIG. 10 , the fourth line from the top line is taken as the cursor position. The list information reading portion  111   a  reads out list information starting with the third item precedent to the specific item. Therefore, the cursor is positioned on the specific item (item C 1 ).  
         [0080]     The first scrolling portion (identifiable item changing means)  14   b  comprises the holder  32 , the dial main body  34 , the operation dial  35 , the upper button  42 A, and the lower button  42 C. When the upper part of the operation dial  35  of the group selecting portion  14   a  is depressed, the upper button  42 A is pressed as a result. When the lower part of the operation dial  35  of the group selecting portion  14   a  is depressed, the lower button  42 C is pressed as a result. Pressing the upper button  42 A (lower button  42 C) is equivalent to changing the item identifiably indicated by the cursor to the precedent (subsequent) item. That is, this instructs the cursor position determining portion  111   b  to shift the cursor position upward (downward) by one line. Thus, the position of the cursor displayed in the cursor display portion  13   c  is changed.  
         [0081]     If the item identifiably indicated by the cursor is positioned on the uppermost (lowermost) line in the list display portion  13   b , read list information  117   c  is read out so that the item identifiably indicated by the cursor will remain on the uppermost (lowermost) line.  
         [0082]     The group display portion  13   a  indicates a group to which the item identifiably indicated by the cursor corresponds. The group can be acquired from the list information reading portion  111   a.    
         [0083]     Referring to  FIGS. 11A  to  11 D, the transition of the display on the display unit  13  in response to the operation of the first scrolling portion  14   b  will be described. It is assumed that the present display on the display unit  13  is as illustrated in  FIG. 11A . If the lower button  42 C is pressed at this time, that instructs the cursor position determining portion  111   b  to shift the cursor position downward by one line. As a result, the position of the cursor displayed in the cursor display portion  13   c  is shifted downward by one line. (Refer to  FIG. 11B .) If the lower button  42 C is repeatedly pressed, the position of the cursor displayed in the cursor display portion  13   c  eventually reaches the last line in the list display portion  13   b . (Refer to  FIG. 11C .) Up to this point, the items displayed in the list display portion  13   b  are unchanged (item B 5  to item C 5 ), and the position of the display is unchanged as well.  
         [0084]     If the lower button  42 C is further pressed in the state illustrated in  FIG. 11C , item D 1 , or the item subsequent to item C 5 , should be identifiably indicated by the cursor. However, item D 1  is not contained in the read list information  117   c . Consequently, the list information reading portion  111   a  reads out read list information  117   c  so that item D 1  will be contained and positioned on the lowermost line (the eighth line) in the list display portion  13   b . More specifically, the list information reading portion  111   a  accepts item D 1  from the first scrolling portion  14   b , and the positioning of the cursor on the lowermost line (the eighth line) from the cursor position determining portion  111   b . Then, the list information reading portion  111   a  reads out the seventh item (item B 6 ) precedent to item D 1  through item D 1  so that item D 1  will come to the last line. Then, the read list information  117   c  read out by the list information reading portion  111   a  is displayed. (Refer to  FIG. 11D .) At this time, the group to which the item indicated by the cursor so that the item can be discriminated from the other items corresponds is changed from C to D. Accordingly, the group display portion  13   a  displays group D.  
         [0085]     The second scrolling portion (specific item changing means)  14   c  comprises the scale  33 , the dial main body  34 , the operation dial  35 , and the brushes  62 A,  62 B, and  62 C. The operation dial  35  is turned with the central button member  36  as the axis of rotation. The amount and direction of rotation are detected based on contact between the scale  33  and the brushes  62 A,  62 B, and  62 C, as mentioned above. Turning the operation dial  35  clockwise (counterclockwise) by a predetermined amount (e.g.  30  degrees) is equivalent to changing the specific item to the subsequent (precedent) item.  
         [0086]     The group display portion  13   a  displays a group to which the specific item identifiably indicated by the cursor corresponds. The group can be acquired from the list information reading portion  111   a.    
         [0087]     The first scrolling portion  14   b  and the second scrolling portion  14   c  shares the operation dial  35  therebetween. Which portion should be actuated is determined by operating the operation dial  35 . If the upper (lower) part of the operation dial  35  is pressed, the first scrolling portion  14   b  is actuated. If the operation dial  35  is turned, the second scrolling portion  14   c  is actuated.  
         [0088]     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the transition of the display on the display unit  13  in response to the operation of the second scrolling portion  14   c  will be described. It is assumed that the present display on the display unit  13  is as illustrated in  FIG. 12A . If the operation dial  35  is turned counterclockwise through  30  degrees, the specific item is changed from item C 1  to item B 6 , the item precedent thereto. Thus, the list information reading portion  111   a  reads out read list information  117   c  containing the third item (item B 3 ) precedent to the specific item through the third item (item C 3 ) subsequent to the specific item. The cursor is placed on the specific item B 6 . (Refer to  FIG. 12B .) At this time, the display position of the specific item remains on the fourth line from the top while the items displayed in the list display portion  13   b  are changed. That is, the list display portion  13   b  keeps the display position of the specific item constant. A this time, the group to which the specific item indicated by the cursor so that the item can be discriminated from the other items is changed from C to B. Accordingly, the group display portion  13   a  displays group B.  
         [0089]     Next, the operation of this embodiment of the present invention will be described.  
         [0090]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cellular phone  1  in the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0091]     First, the input detection unit  115  judges whether there is any input to the rotary input portion  14  (S 10 ). If there is input to the rotary input portion  14  (S 10 , Yes), the rotation detecting portion  121  and the depression detecting portion  122  judge the type of the input. That is, the portions  121  and  122  judge which the input is, the rotation of the operation dial  35 , the depression of the upper (lower) button  42 A(C), or the depression of the left (right) button  42 B(D) (S 12 ).  
         [0092]     If the input is the depression of the left (right) button  42 B(D) (S 12 , Left or right), group displaying process is carried out (S 14 ). If the input is the depression of the upper (lower) button  42 A(C) (S 14 , Upper or lower), first scrolling process is carried out (S 16 ). If the input is rotation (S 14 , Rotation), second scrolling process is carried out (S 18 ). Then, the operation goes back to the judgment of the presence/absence of input to the rotary input portion  14  (S 10 ).  
         [0093]     If there is no input to the rotary input portion  14  (S 10 , No), the process is terminated.  
         [0094]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the details of group displaying process (S 14 ). First, a group is selected by depressing the left (right) button  42 B(D) of the group selecting portion  14   a  (S 142 ). The selected group is sent from the group selecting portion  14   a  to the group display portion  13   a , and is displayed there. Then, the list information reading portion  111   a  judges whether the top item in the selected group is displayed in the list display portion  13   b  (S 144 ).  
         [0095]     If the top item in the selected group is displayed in the list display portion  13   b  (S 144 , Yes), the list information reading portion  111   a  sends the position of the top item in the selected group to the cursor position determining portion  111   b . The cursor position determining portion  111   b  takes this position as the cursor position. Then, the cursor display portion  13   c  moves the cursor to the position of the top item in the selected group (S 146 ). Then, the process is terminated.  
         [0096]     If the top item (specific item) in the selected group is not displayed in the list display portion  13   b  (S 144 , No), the list information reading portion  111   a  reads out read list information  117   c  based on the specific item (S 148 ). Then, the list display portion  13   b  displays the read list information  117   c . Finally, the cursor display portion  13   c  moves the cursor to the specific item (S 149 ), and indicates the item so that the item can be discriminated from the other items. Then, the process is terminated.  
         [0097]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the details of first scrolling process (S 16 ). First, the upper (lower) button  42 A(C) of the group selecting portion  14   a  is depressed. Then, the list information reading portion  11   a  judges whether the cursor has reached the uppermost (lowermost) line in the list display portion  13   b  (S 162 ). If the cursor has reached the uppermost (lowermost) line in the list display portion  13   b  (S 162 , Yes), the process proceeds as follows: (Refer to  FIG. 11C .) the list information reading portion  111   a  reads out read list information  117   c  so that the item identifiably indicated by the cursor will remain on the uppermost (lowermost) line. Thus, the displayed items are scrolled up (down) by one line (S 164   a ). (Refer to  FIG. 11D .) If the cursor has not reached the uppermost (lowermost) line in the list display portion  13   b  (S 162 , No), the process proceeds as follows: (Refer to  FIG. 11A .) the cursor position determining portion  111   b  shifts the cursor position upward (downward) by one line (S 164   b ). (Refer to  FIG. 11B .)  
         [0098]     After the completion of the processing of S 164   a  or S 164   b , the list information reading portion  111   a  judges whether the cursor has moved to another group (S 166 ). If not (S 166 , No), the process is terminated. If the cursor has moved to another group (S 166 , Yes), the list information reading portion  111   a  sends the group at which the cursor is positioned to the group display portion  13   a  to change the display of group (S 168 ). (Refer to  FIG. 11D .) Then, the process is terminated.  
         [0099]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating the details of second scrolling process (S 18 ). First, the operation dial  35  of the group selecting portion  14   a  is turned clockwise (counterclockwise) by a predetermined amount of rotation (e.g. 30 degrees). Thus, the specific item is changed to the subsequent (precedent) item. As a result, read list information  117   c  read out by the list information reading portion  111   a  is accordingly shifted backward (forward). Therefore, the items displayed in the list display portion  13   b  are scrolled up (down) by one line (S 184 ). (Refer to  FIG. 12B .)  
         [0100]     After the displayed items are scrolled (S 184 ), the list information reading portion  11   a  judges whether the cursor has moved to another group (S 186 ). If not (S 186 , No), the process is terminated. If the cursor has moved to another group (S 186 , Yes), the list information reading portion  111   a  sends the group at which the cursor is positioned to the group display portion  13   a  to change the display of group (S 188 ). (Refer to  FIG. 12B .) Then, the process is terminated.  
         [0101]     In the embodiment of the present invention, the list information reading portion  111   a  reads out read list information  117   c  within a predetermined range from a specific item of a predetermined serial number in a selected group. In this example, the predetermined range includes the third item precedent to the specific time through the fourth item subsequent to the specific item. The specific item is the top item in the selected group. Thus, the coverage of display can be changed to a desired group, and this is convenient for browsing a great length of list information  117   a.    
         [0102]     In general, list information within a predetermined range from a specific item contains items corresponding to different groups. For example, if the top item in group C is the specific item, items corresponding to group B are contained in list information. Therefore, items corresponding to different groups (group B and group C) can be displayed at the same time.  
         [0103]     Items can be scrolled across groups (first scrolling, second scrolling). Therefore, all the items can be browsed through, and the total number of the items can be grasped with ease.  
         [0104]     In addition, the mode of scrolling (first scrolling, second scrolling) can be changed by operating the operation dial  35 , which is a member shared between the first scrolling portion  14   b  and the second scrolling portion  14   c . This is convenient. For example, the user can display an item the user wants by the second scrolling and thereafter move the cursor to the item by the first scrolling.  
         [0105]     In this embodiment of the present invention, the rotary input portion  14  is used as an input device. However, the input device is not limited to this, and a publicly known jog dial may be used as an input device.  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a cellular phone  1  provided with a jog dial.  
         [0106]     The cellular phone  1  comprises a display unit  13 , a jog dial  3 , a left key  4   a , and a right key  4   b.    
         [0107]     The jog dial  3  is an operation element which can be turned and depressed.  FIG. 18  is a drawing showing the plan view and the side view of the jog dial  3 . The jog dial  3  can be operated in three manners: (1) it can be rotated upward; (2) it can be rotated downward; and (3) it can be pressed rearward.  
         [0108]     The operation caused when the jog dial  3  is rotated upward/downward is identical with the operation caused when the operation dial  35  is turned. The operation caused when the left key  4   a  or right key  4   b  is pressed is identical with the operation caused when the left (right) button  42 B (D) is pressed.  
         [0109]     The above embodiment is implemented as follows: a computer composed of CPU, a hard disk, flash memory, and a media (floppy disk, CD-ROM, memory stick, and the like) reading device is provided. The media reading device is caused to read a medium with programs recorded thereon which programs are for implementing the above-mentioned elements (e.g. the list information reading portion  111   a , the cursor position determining portion  111   b ). Then, the programs are installed in the hard disk, flash memory, or the like. The above-mentioned functions can be also implemented by this method.