JP2001358810A - Portable information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable information terminal equipment for which proper operability and convenience are secured without enlarging an outer shape, even when an opening/closing cover is opened, with respect to the portable information terminal equipment provided with the opening/closing cover. SOLUTION: A portable telephone set 10 provided with a freely openable/ closable opening/closing cover 13 which houses an operation panel 14 on an inner side, and a display panel 12 for displaying images is provided with an opening/closing detection sensor 33 for detecting the opening/closing of the opening/closing cover 13 and a CPU 30 for outputting image signals to the display panel 12 to display the images on the display panel 12, inputting opening/ closing detection signals from the opening/closing detection sensor 33, performing a prescribed signal processing to the image signals to be outputted to the display panel 12 by the input of the opening/closing detection signals, and displaying the images at the display panel 12 by the signal-processed image signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal having an openable / closable cover for accommodating an operation unit.

[0002]

Heretofore, some portable telephones have an operation part on which an input key for a telephone number and the like are arranged, and an openable / closable cover for accommodating the operation part inside is attached. .

FIG. 7 shows a conventional portable telephone provided with such a cover for an operation section. In FIG. 7, an operation unit 3 in which a telephone number input key, various function buttons, and the like are arranged is provided in a lower half portion of a surface of a main body casing 2 of the mobile phone 1.

An opening / closing cover 4 is attached to a lower end of the main body casing 2 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main casing 2 by pivotally supporting a base end thereof.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 5 denotes a display panel;
Denotes an antenna, 7 denotes a speaker, and 8 denotes an operation lever such as a switch.

[0006] In the portable telephone 1, at the time of standby, the opening / closing cover 4 is folded over the main body casing 2,
The operation unit 3 is housed inside.

When the operation of the operation unit 3 becomes necessary for transmission and reception, the opening and closing cover 4 is raised from the main casing 2 and opened, so that the operation unit 3 is exposed to the outside.

The portable telephone 1 provided with the opening / closing cover 4 for accommodating the operation unit 3 has a structure in which a part of a microphone and function buttons are arranged on the opening / closing cover 4 side.
In the state where the open / close cover 4 is folded, the external dimensions can be made smaller than a mobile phone without the open / close cover, and the operation unit 3 is accommodated inside the folded open / close cover 4 during standby. Since it is not exposed to the outside, it has the advantages that the input keys and the like are protected and that the operation unit 3 is prevented from being erroneously pressed to cause a malfunction.

However, in the conventional portable telephone 1 as described above, when the open / close cover 4 is opened, FIG.
As can be seen from FIG. 2, there is a problem that the opening / closing cover 4 projects outside the main body casing 2 and the outer shape becomes large.

In particular, in recent years, as mobile phones have become more multifunctional and the amount of information to be transmitted and received has increased, it has become increasingly necessary to increase the size of the display panel to improve the operability and convenience of the mobile phone. It has become to.

[0011] For this reason, the external shape of a mobile phone tends to be large, and therefore, like a conventional mobile phone,
If the cover is protruded outward from the main casing when the cover is opened, the external shape of the mobile phone when used becomes larger, and the mobile phone becomes unsuitable for portable use. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of a portable information terminal such as a conventional portable telephone.

That is, the present invention provides a portable information terminal provided with an opening / closing cover, wherein the external shape does not become large even when the opening / closing cover is opened, and good operability and convenience are ensured. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable information terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an openable / closable cover for housing an operation unit inside and a display unit for displaying an image. In the portable information terminal, an open / close detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the open / close cover, an image signal output to the display section to display an image on the display section, and an open / close detection signal is input from the open / close detection means. Image display means for performing predetermined signal processing on an image signal output to the display unit in response to the input of the opening / closing detection signal, and displaying an image based on the processed image signal on the display unit. And

[0015] The portable information terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A display that displays phone numbers, e-mails, and other images, and an openable / closable cover that stores and protects the operation unit that inputs phone numbers and processes other information inside when not in use When inputting a telephone number or processing other information by operating the operation unit, the open / close cover is opened and the operation unit is exposed to the outside.

When the open / close detecting means detects that the open / close cover has been opened, and the open / close detecting signal is input to the image display means from the open / close detecting means, the image display means outputs the signal to the display unit. The required signal processing is performed on the image signal for displaying the image on the lever display unit, and the image displayed on the display unit is changed to a required mode.

For example, in the case where a part of the display unit is hidden by the openable cover, the image displayed on the display unit is compressed to change the image so that the entire image is visible. Also, by scrolling the image displayed on the display unit in a required direction, a necessary part of the image can be changed to a mode in which it is not hidden by the open / close cover, or a required part of the image displayed on the display unit can be changed. Is moved to a required position on the display unit to change it to a mode that is not hidden by the open / close cover.

As described above, according to the first aspect,
Even when a part of the image displayed on the display unit is hidden by the openable cover when the openable cover attached to the operation unit is opened, the image is displayed on the display unit by the image display unit. Since the image is changed to a required mode so that operation by the image is not hindered, good operability and convenience of the portable information terminal are ensured, and thereby, the portable information terminal can be opened and closed. Cover
In the open position, it can be attached to a position overlapping the display unit, so that the opened opening / closing cover does not protrude from the outer edge of the portable information terminal and enlarge the external shape of the portable information terminal. You can do it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the image display means includes an opening / closing cover opened by the opening / closing detection means. When the open / close detection signal shown is input, signal processing for compressing the image displayed on the display unit is performed on the image signal. Even in the case where is not visible, the operability and convenience of the portable information terminal can be ensured by displaying the compressed image on a portion that does not overlap with the open / close cover at the open position of the display unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the signal processing for compressing the image reduces scanning lines for displaying the image. This is characterized in that the compressed image is displayed on the display unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the image display means includes an opening / closing cover closed by an opening / closing detecting means. When the open / close detection signal shown is input, the image signal is subjected to signal processing for returning the compressed image displayed on the display unit to the original size, whereby the open / close cover is closed. When the operation is not performed by the operation unit, the original image is displayed on the entire display unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the portable information terminal according to the fifth aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which the opening / closing cover is located at a position overlapping the display section when the opening / closing cover is at the open position. And wherein the image display means performs signal processing on the image signal to display the compressed image on a portion that does not overlap with the open / close cover at the open position of the display unit, whereby the compressed image is displayed. Since the image is displayed on a portion of the display unit that does not overlap with the open / close cover at the open position, the operability and convenience of the portable information terminal are ensured, and the open / close cover overlaps the display unit at the open position. Since it can be mounted at a position, it is possible to prevent the openable cover from protruding from the outer edge of the portable information terminal to enlarge the external shape of the portable information terminal. That.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the image display means includes an opening / closing cover opened by the opening / closing detection means. When the open / close detection signal shown is input, the image signal is subjected to signal processing for scrolling the image displayed on the display unit in a required direction, thereby displaying the image hidden behind the open / close cover. The displayed image is scrolled in the required direction even if part of the part is not visible, and the required part of the image is displayed in a part that does not overlap with the open / close cover in the open position of the display part. Thereby, operability and convenience of the portable information terminal are ensured.

According to a portable information terminal according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the invention, the image display means includes an opening / closing cover closed by an opening / closing detecting means. When the open / close detection signal shown is input, the image signal is subjected to signal processing for scrolling the image at the scroll position displayed on the display unit to the original position, whereby the open / close cover is closed. When the operation is not performed by the operation unit, the original image is displayed on the entire display unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect, the portable information terminal according to the eighth aspect of the present invention further includes a portable information terminal provided at a position overlapping the display section when the open / close cover is in the open position. Wherein the image display means is arranged to perform signal processing on the image signal to scroll the image in a direction not overlapping with the open / close cover at the open position of the display unit, whereby the image is scrolled. By displaying the image of the part necessary for operation etc. on the part that does not overlap with the openable cover at the open position of the display unit, the operability and convenience of the portable information terminal are ensured, and the openable cover is opened. Can be installed at a position that overlaps the display unit at the position, so that the openable open / close cover protrudes from the outer edge of the portable information terminal to enlarge the external shape of the portable information terminal. It can be made so that it does not.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, in the portable information terminal according to the ninth aspect, the image display means includes an opening / closing cover opened by the opening / closing detection means. When the open / close detection signal shown is input, the image signal is subjected to signal processing for moving an arbitrary image selected from the images displayed on the display unit to a required position. Even when a part of the display unit is hidden by the opened cover, a necessary part of the displayed image is moved to a part that does not overlap with the openable cover at the open position of the display unit. Thereby, operability and convenience of the portable information terminal are ensured.

[0027] A portable information terminal according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the ninth aspect, achieves the above object.
The selection of the image to be moved is characterized by being performed by detection of a touch position by a touch panel attached to the display unit, whereby the user can display a desired image of the touch panel attached to the display unit. By simply touching a part corresponding to the position where the image is to be moved, the image part to be moved can be selected and moved to a required position on the display unit when the opening / closing cover is opened.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a portable information terminal according to the ninth aspect has the following features.
When the open / close detection signal indicating that the open / close cover has been closed is input from the open / close detection means, the image display means moves the selected image at the movement position displayed on the display unit to the original position. The signal processing is performed on the image signal, and when the opening / closing cover is closed and the operation by the operation unit is not performed, the moved image is displayed at the original position on the display unit. Become like

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a portable information terminal according to the ninth aspect of the present invention has the following structure.
The open / close cover is arranged at a position overlapping the display unit when in the open position, and the image display means moves the selected image to a portion that does not overlap with the open / close cover at the open position of the display unit. It is characterized in that signal processing is performed on the image signal, whereby, among the images displayed on the display unit, the image of the part necessary for operation etc. is not overlapped with the openable cover at the open position of the display unit. By being displayed, the operability and convenience of the portable information terminal are ensured, and the openable cover can be attached to a position overlapping the display unit in its open position. It is possible to prevent the outer shape of the portable information terminal from expanding from the outer edge of the terminal.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mode of a mobile phone according to the present invention in a standby state, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a mode of operating the mobile phone. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile phone 10 has a display panel 12 disposed at the center of the surface of a main body casing 11, and an opening / closing cover 13 is attached to a lower portion of the display panel 12.

The opening / closing cover 13 is attached to the main casing 11 so as to be vertically rotatable by a shaft 13A whose upper end is parallel to the lower end of the display panel 12.

An operation panel 14 is attached to a portion of the main body casing 11 covered by the opening / closing cover 13, and as shown in FIG.
On the surface of 4, the first key such as a telephone number input key and function key
An operation key K1 is arranged, and a second operation key K2 is arranged on the back side (the front side when in the open position) of the opening / closing cover 13.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 18 denotes a CCD camera, and reference numeral 19 denotes a jog dial for performing operations such as switching the display screen of the display panel 12.

In the portable telephone 10, from the state where the cover 13 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 13 is opened and the operation surface of the operation panel 14 is opened as shown in FIG. In this case, the open / close cover 13 is opened upward and unfolded on the display panel 12 and does not protrude outward from the peripheral edge of the main body casing 11, so that the outer shape of the mobile phone 10 is not enlarged. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit of the mobile phone 10. As shown in FIG. In FIG.
An antenna 20 mounted on the main body casing 11 of the mobile phone 10 controls a transmission / reception circuit 21 and a clock of an image signal and an audio signal received by the transmission / reception circuit 21 and also functions as an interface with a CPU described later. The data processing circuit 22, a DSP (Digital Signal) which is a high-speed arithmetic processing type microprocessor
Processor 23 is sequentially connected.

The DSP 23 has an audio codec 24
, A microphone 25 and a ringer 26 are connected to the audio codec 24, and a speaker 29 is connected via a modulation transmission circuit 27 and a reception demodulation circuit 28.

The data processing circuit 22 and the DSP 23
Is connected to the CPU 30.

The display panel 12 is connected to the CPU 30 via an LCD driver 31.
The CCD camera 18 is connected via a signal processing circuit 32, and an open / close detection sensor 33 attached to the open / close portion of the open / close cover 13 for detecting the open / close state of the open / close cover 13 and a touch panel 34 attached to the display panel 12 are connected. Then, a connector 35 connected to a personal computer or the like and exchanging various data with the personal computer or the like is connected via an external I / F 36, and various personal data such as abbreviated dials inputted by the user are transmitted. SRAM 37 to be recorded and ROM 3 in which various control programs for the mobile phone are recorded
8, a first operation key K1 and a second operation key K2 including various operation keys such as a function key and a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number, and a jog dial 19 are respectively connected.

In the control unit of the portable telephone 10, the radio wave received by the transmission / reception circuit 21 by the antenna 20 is separated into an image signal and an audio signal in the next data processing circuit 22, and each of them is separated based on a command from the CPU 30. The image signal is output to the CPU 30 and the audio signal is output to the DSP 23 under the clock control.

The audio signal input to the DSP 23 is subjected to audio processing in the DSP 23, input to an audio codec 24, D / A converted, and output to a speaker 29 via a modulation transmission circuit 27 and a reception demodulation circuit 28. And output to the ringer 26.

The audio signal input from the microphone 25 is subjected to A / D conversion by the audio codec 24,
DSP 23, data processing circuit 22, transmission / reception circuit 21
Is transmitted from the antenna 20 via the.

The CPU 30 controls the operation of the data processing circuit 22, the DSP 23, the LCD driver 31 and the like according to various control programs of the mobile phone stored in the ROM 38.

That is, the CPU 30 sets the first operation key K
A control program corresponding to the operation signal is read from the ROM 38 based on an operation signal from the operation key of the first or second operation key K2, and image data of the operation screen is output to the LCD driver 31 based on the read control program. To display an operation screen on the display panel 12, control the operation of the data processing circuit 22 and the DSP 23, write and read data to and from the SRAM 37, and communicate with a personal computer or the like to which the connector 35 is connected. The exchange of data of etc. is performed.

Further, the CPU 30 controls the jog dial 1
9 when the display screen switching operation is performed by R9
The corresponding image data read from the OM 38 is output to the LCD driver 31, and the screen displayed on the display panel 12 is switched.

Further, when an image is captured by the CCD camera 18, the CPU 30 receives a video signal from the CCD camera 18 that has been subjected to signal processing by the signal processing circuit 32, and sends this video signal to the LCD driver 31. By outputting, the captured image is displayed on the display panel 12.

Here, as described above, since the opening / closing cover 13 is opened upward and is spread on the display panel 12, the lower part of the display panel 12 is opened. There is an inconvenience that the screen is hidden by the opening / closing cover 13 at the position, and a part of the screen displayed on the display panel 12 cannot be seen as it is.

Therefore, the portable telephone 10 is provided with a screen processing program described below in the ROM 38 of the control unit, and when the opening / closing detection sensor 33 detects that the opening / closing cover 13 has been opened, CPU 30
The following processing is performed based on the screen processing program read from the ROM 38 so that all or a necessary part of the screen displayed on the display panel 12 can be seen.

That is, when the open / close detection sensor 33 detects that the open / close cover 13 has been opened, the CPU 30 displays an image displayed on the display panel 12 based on the detection signal input from the open / close detection sensor 33. Is an image G1 ′ compressed upward as shown in FIG. 4B, as compared with the image G1 when the opening / closing cover 13 shown in FIG. 4A is closed.
The signal processing of the image signal output to the driver 31 is performed.

As a result, a portion that is hidden when the opening / closing cover 13 is opened becomes a blank b,
This prevents the image displayed on the display panel 12 from being hidden by the opening / closing cover 13.

The compression of the image is performed by, for example, reducing (decimating) the number of scanning lines of the image G1 in accordance with the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the display space where the compressed image of the display panel 12 is displayed. It is performed by the method described above.

The CPU 30 has an open / close detection sensor 33
When the opening / closing cover 13 is detected to be closed by this, based on the detection signal input from the opening / closing detection sensor 33, the compressed image G1 ′ shown in FIG. Is restored to the original image G1 in FIG.

When the first operation key K1 or the second operation key K2 is operated, for example, the display panel 12
When only the image of A displayed in the lower part of the screen is required among the images G1 of FIG. 5A displayed in FIG. 5B, the image G1 is scrolled upward, and a part of the images G1 including the image A in the image G1 is input, as shown in FIG. 5B. "Is displayed on the display panel 12.

The CPU 30 has an open / close detection sensor 33
When the opening / closing cover 13 is detected to be closed, the image G1 shown in FIG. 5B at the scroll position displayed on the display panel 12 based on the detection signal input from the opening / closing detection sensor 33. "In FIG.
(A) The image G1 is returned to the original position.

When the user wants to see desired characters or images displayed on the display panel 12 when operating the first operation key K1 or the second operation key K2, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, an image photographed by the CCD camera 18 or a photograph or a character sent from another terminal is displayed in a portion that is hidden when the cover 13 of the display panel 12 is opened. In the above, the letters ABCD) are displayed, and the opening / closing cover 1
When the user wants to make the photos, characters, and the like visible even when the cover 3 is opened, the user of the mobile phone 10 needs to make the photos, characters, and the like (when the open / close cover 13 is opened open). In this case, ABCD characters)
Touch the cover 13 before opening it.

By this selection operation, the touch position on the display panel 12, that is, the position where a desired photograph or character is displayed is detected by the touch panel 34 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the display panel 12. The CPU 30 operates the touch panel 34
When a detection signal for detecting that the open / close cover 13 is opened is input from the open / close detection sensor 33 based on the touch position detection signal input from the camera, a photograph, a character, or the like at the position indicated by the touch position detection signal (In this case, the letters ABCD) are moved to a portion that is not hidden by the open / close cover 13 when the open / close cover 13 of the display panel 12 is opened, as shown in FIG. 6B.

The CPU 30 is provided with an open / close detection sensor 33.
When the opening / closing cover 13 is detected to be closed by the operation, the character of FIG. 6B at the moving position displayed on the display panel 12 is displayed based on the detection signal input from the opening / closing detection sensor 33. 6 (a).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an opening / closing cover is closed.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the same example in a state where an opening / closing cover is opened.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of image processing in the same example.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of image processing in the same example.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of image processing in the same example.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile telephone (portable information terminal) 11 ... Main body casing 12 ... Display panel (display part) 13 ... Opening / closing cover 13A ... Axis 14 ... Operation panel 18 ... CCD camera 19 ... Jog dial 30 ... CPU (image display means) 33 ... Open / close detection sensor (open / close detection means) 34 ... touch panel 38 ... ROM (image display means) K1 ... first operation button (operation section) K2 ... second operation button (operation section)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09G 3/20 680 G09G 3/20 680S 5/00 550 5/00 550C 5/34 5/34 M 5 / 36 5/36 520E H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109T (72) Inventor Mizumoto Tomino 1-4-1, Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Pioneer Design Inc. (72) Inventor Takenori Nakatsuka Meguro-ku, Tokyo 1-4-1 Meguro Pioneer Design Inc. (72) Inventor Mikiko Arakawa 678-11 Teratake, Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture (72) Katsumi Kobayashi 1-3-21 Kawaguchi, Kawaguchi City, Saitama F-term (reference) 5C080 AA10 BB05 DD01 DD22 EE01 EE17 EE21 EE22 JJ01 JJ02 JJ06 KK07 5C082 AA21 AA24 AA27 AA31 BA02 BA12 BB01 CA33 CA34 CA52 CA73 CB01 MM04 MM10 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 GG04 HH 07 5K067 AA34 BB04 FF23 FF25 HH23 KK13 KK15

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A portable information terminal comprising an openable / closable cover for housing an operation unit inside and a display unit for displaying an image, an open / close detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the openable cover, and the display unit An image signal is output to the display unit to display an image on the display unit, and an open / close detection signal is input from the open / close detection unit, and the input / output of the open / close detection signal performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal output to the display unit. And an image display means for displaying an image based on the signal-processed image signal on a display unit. 2. An image display means, when an open / close detection signal indicating that an open / close cover has been opened is input from the open / close detection means, performs signal processing for compressing an image displayed on a display unit into an image signal. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal is used. 3. The signal processing for compressing an image is a signal processing for reducing scanning lines for displaying an image.
The portable information terminal described in. 4. When the open / close detection signal indicating that the open / close cover is closed is input from the open / close detection unit to the image display unit, the compressed image displayed on the display unit is returned to the original size. 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein a signal processing for returning to the image signal is performed on the image signal. 5. The open / close cover is disposed at a position overlapping the display when the cover is in the open position, and the image display means does not overlap the compressed image with the open / close cover at the open position of the display. 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein a signal processing to be displayed on the portion is performed on the image signal. 6. A signal processing for scrolling an image displayed on a display section in a required direction when the image display means receives an open / close detection signal indicating that the open / close cover has been opened from the open / close detection means. 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal performs the following on the image signal. 7. The image display means, when an open / close detection signal indicating that the open / close cover has been closed is input from the open / close detection means, based on the image at the scroll position displayed on the display unit. 7. The portable information terminal according to claim 6, wherein a signal processing for scrolling the image signal is performed on the image signal. 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing cover is arranged at a position overlapping the display portion when the opening / closing cover is at the open position, and the image display means displays an image at a portion not overlapping the opening / closing cover at the opening position of the display portion. The portable information terminal according to claim 6, wherein signal processing for scrolling in the direction is performed on the image signal. 9. The image display means, when an open / close detection signal indicating that the open / close cover has been opened is input from the open / close detection means, displays an arbitrary image selected from the images displayed on the display unit. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein a signal processing for moving the image data to a required position is performed on the image signal. 10. The portable information terminal according to claim 9, wherein the selection of the image to be moved is performed by detecting a touch position by a touch panel attached to a display unit. 11. When the open / close detection signal indicating that the open / close cover has been closed is input from the open / close detection means, the image display means also displays the selected image at the moving position displayed on the display unit. 10. The portable information terminal according to claim 9, wherein a signal processing for moving the image signal to the position is performed on the image signal. 12. The opening / closing cover is disposed at a position overlapping the display when the opening / closing cover is at the open position, and the image display means overlaps the selected image with the opening / closing cover at the opening position of the display. The portable information terminal according to claim 9, wherein a signal processing for moving the image signal to a part that does not become effective is applied to the image signal.