GB2349304A

GB2349304A - Portable terminal switches its call alert mode when inserted into a holder

Info

Publication number: GB2349304A
Application number: GB0004047A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tamami Ichihashi
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1999-02-24
Filing date: 2000-02-21
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB0004047D0; JP2000244612A

Abstract

The incoming call alert mode of a portable information terminal device 1 is automatically switched, preferably between a vibration mode (4,5, Fig 2) and a ringing mode (6, 7, fig 2), depending on whether or not the terminal 1 is in its holder 8. The portable terminal 1 has two or more selectively switchable call alert modes and means 3 to automatically switch the alert mode in response to the position of the terminal 1 in relation to a portable holder 8. In a preferred embodiment, a magnet 9 embedded in the holder 8 is able to activate the alert mode switching means 3 , preferably a reed switch 3 or Hall effect element (3a, fig 4), when the terminal is placed in the holder 8. Thus the incoming call alert mode of the terminal 1 is switched by the terminal 1 being inserted in and removed from, the holder 8. Most preferably, insertion in the holder 8 switches a ringing tone alert mode to a vibration alert mode. A hook portion 8a on the holder 8 enables the holder 8 to be worn on a belt 10, improving the interaction between the magnet 9 and switch 3.

Description

PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL DEVICE HAVING CAPABILITY OF SWITCHING INCOMING CALL ALERTING MODES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device such as cellular phone and PDS (personal digital service) in which the incoming call alerting mode can be selectively switched to any one of at least two alerting modes including vibration and ringing tone alerting modes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Portable information terminal devices such as cellular phones and PDS generally have two incoming call alerting modes, including an alerting mode for alerting a user of an incoming call by ringing a tone, and an alerting mode for alerting a user of the incoming call by causing a vibrator in the device to be vibrated by rotation and/or vibration.

The incoming call alerting mode by ringing tone and vibration permits selective switching by actuating a button on the terminal device main body to change the preset alerting mode.

Accordingly, a user can notice the incoming call by feeling the vibration of the terminal device without ringing a tone if the user wears the terminal device in which the incoming alerting mode is switched to a vibration alerting mode in a circumstance where ringing of a tone is not wanted, for example, in a meeting or on a train. Alternatively, the user can notice the incoming call by hearing the ringing tone when he or she places the terminal device on the desk or puts the terminal device in his or her bag after the alerting mode has been set to the ringing tone alerting mode.

However, in such prior art portable information terminal devices, it is necessary for a user to preliminary actuate a button for presetting the terminal device to any of ringing tone or vibration alerting modes. Once the mode is preset, the terminal device remains in any of the ringing tone and vibration alerting modes as far as presetting of the alerting mode is not altered.

Therefore, a problem arises that a ringing tone will suddenly ring out on receipt of an incoming call, which destroys the atmosphere or annoys other persons if the user attends a meeting or travels by a train while he or she fails to switch the preset alerting mode to the vibration alerting mode.

Conversely, a problem occurs that the user may fail to respond an important call when he or she does not sense the vibration for alerting receipt of the incoming call in case where the terminal device in which the alerting mode has been preset to the vibration mode is put into his or her bag or placed on the desk.

Japanese Patent Kokai Publication JP-A-9-261307 proposes a portable telephone device including means for switching the vibration alerting mode to the ringing tone alerting mode when the terminal device is set on a battery charger.

However, the disclosed portable telephone device contemplates to prevent the charger or the terminal device from breaking due to vibration of the terminal device when there is an incoming call during charging by the charger. The above-mentioned problems in the prior art cannot be solved.

In other words, the disclosed device resets the vibration alerting mode when the terminal device is set on the charger. It is impossible to switch the incoming call alerting mode in response to the manner in which the terminal device is accommodated in a holder or a bag or it is placed on the desk. The above-mentioned problems of the prior art that the ringing tone will suddenly ring out or failure to respond an incoming call without noticing the vibration alerting are not solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is proposed in order to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes comprising a main body of the portable information terminal device ; means which is provided in the main body of the device for alerting a user of the device of an incoming call in one of two or more selectively switchable alerting modes ; and a portable holder accommodating therein the main body of the device and in that the main body of the device includes means for automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the incoming mode a I ert i ng means depend i ng upon whether or not the main body of the device is accommodated in the holder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal device characterized in that the incoming call alerting means has two incoming call alerting modes including : (a) a mode of alerting an incoming cal I by a ringing tone which is generated externally of the main body of the device on the incoming call, and (b) a mode of alerting the i ncom i ng ca I I by vibrations which are transmitted externally of the main body of the device on the i ncom i ng ca I I, and in that the incoming call alerting mode switching means switches the a I ert i ng mode into the v i brat i on a I ert i ng mode when the main body of the device is accommodated in the holder and switches the a I ert i ng mode into the ringing tone a I ert i ng mode when the main body of the device is removed out from the holder.

In the thus formed portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the present invention, means for switching the alerting modes only by accommodating or removing the device main body in or from the holder is provided, so that presetting of the incoming call alerting mode is automatically switched to the vibration alerting mode or the ringing tone alerting mode depend i ng upon whether or not the device main body is accommodated in the holder. Namely, an automatic switching system of the incoming call alerting mode acting on the alerting unit acts in response to the placement state of the main body relative to the holder.

This can positively prevent the bel I from sudden ringing in response to an incoming call even if the user attends a meeting or travels on a train with carrying the main body of the terminal device in the holder while without switching the ringing tone alerting mode into the vibration alerting mode.

Since the incoming call is alerted to the user by the ringing tone so far as the terminal device main body is removed from the holder 8 even if the terminal device main body which is in the vibration alerting mode is put into the bag or placed on the desk.

Accordingly, failure to respond an important call is avoided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the alerting mode switching means includes a magnet which is provided in the holder and a switching unit which is provided in the main body of the device for switching among alerting modes of the incoming call alerting means by a magnetic force of the magnet when the main body of the device is accommodated in the holder.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention the switching means includes a reed switch which is turned on/off by the action of the magnetic force of the magnet for switching a control signal which is input to the incoming call alerting means when the main body of the device is accommodated in the holder.

In the terminal device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the incoming call alerting mode switching means includes a Hall effect element which generates an electromotive force by the action of the magnetic force from the magnet for switching a control signal which is input to the incoming call alerting means when the main body of the device is accommodated in the holder.

Since the automatic incoming call alerting mode switching function can be achieved only by the magnet which is embedded in the side of the holder and the reed switch on the side of the main body of the device in the portable information terminal device of the present embodiment, only compact and light weight components such as magnet and reed switch is required, which wi I I not make the terminal device more complicate and larger in size.

The present invention is preferable to the portable information terminal devices such as cellular phone or PDS which requires reduction in size and weight.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the holder is provided on its surface with a hook portion through which a be ft tike member can be inserted and in which the magnet is disposed within an insertion space of the hook portion.

In the thus formed portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming alerting modes of the present invention, the magnet on the side of holder which causes the magnetic force to act upon the switching unit including the reed switch or Hal I effect element is disposed within the hook portion of the holder into which the belt is inserted. Accordingly, when the user carries the device main body while the be I t at the wa i st i s i nserted i nto the ho I der, the magnet is urged upon the holder by the belt which is inserted into the hook portion, causing the magnet to further approach the switching unit on the side of terminal device.

This causes the magnetic force of the magnet to positively act upon the switching unit so that switching operation of the incoming alerting mode in accordance with the present invention can be positively and smoothly achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a sectional and elevational view of a main part showing a portable information terminal device having a capability of automatic-ally switching the incoming call alerting modes in a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuitry of the incoming call alerting means in the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart explaining an operation for switching among incoming call alerting modes in the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a sectional and elevational view of a main part showing a portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuitry of the i ncom i ng ca I I a I ert i ng means i n the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the second embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Now, modes of embodying a portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment Now, a first mode of embodying a portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching among incoming call alerting modes of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 through 3.

Fig. 1 is a sectional and elevational view of a main part showing the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuitry of the incoming call alerting means in the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart explaining the operation for switching the incoming call alerting modes in the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the first embodiment.

As shown in the drawings, the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode in the present embodiment comprises a main body 1 of the terminal device and a portable holder 8 for accommodating a main body 1 of the device therein.

The main body 1 of the device constitutes a radio wave communication device (wireless telecommunication device) such as cellular phone and PDS (personal digital service), and includes a key pad unit la and a display (not shown) on the front face thereof. An antenna lb for transmitting and receiving signals is provided on the upper side of the main body in such a manner that it projects therefrom.

A reed switch 3 which functions as a incoming call alerting mode switching unit is provided within the main body 1 of the device. Turning on/off of the reed switch 3 causes the circuitry of the incoming call alerting means (unit) in the main body 1 of the device which is shown in Fig. 2 to be contro I I ed and activated.

The reed switch 3 is turned on/off by the action of a magnet 9 which is disposed on the inner surface of a holder 8. The reed switch 3 is disposed in the vicinity of the rear side in the main body 1 of the device so that i t w i I I be c I ose to the magnet 9 of the holder 8.

Although the main body 1 of the device is usually made of a resin which can be easily fabricated in a light weight and is excellent in durability, it may be made from any material as far as the magnetic force of the magnet 9 can transmit (permeate) through the material for actuating the reed switch 3 of the main body 1 of the device.

The device main body 1 can be accommodated in the holder 8.

Accommodation of the device main body 1 in the ho I der 8 enables the user to carry the device main body 1 whi le the main body is protected from the external impact without dropping or being detached from the portable holder 8.

Although the holder 8 is usual ly made of a synthetic resin or leather which is excellent in flexibility and weight, it may be made of any material so far as the magnetic force of the magnet 9 is able to transmit through the material for actuating the reed switch 3 of the device main body 1.

A hook portion 8a is provided on the rear side of the holder 8. A strip like member or strap like member such as a belt 10 which is represented by a two dotted cha i n I i ne i n F i g. 1 can be inserted into the hook portion 8a.

A user can wear the holder 8 on his or her body by inserting the be I t 10 and the I i ke on the trousers into this hook portion 8a so that he or she can feel the vibration which is generated when the main body 1 accommodated in the holder 8 is in the vibration alerting mode.

The magnet 9 is embedded in an accommodating portion 8b on the i nner wa I I of the ho I der 8 so that the magnetic force of the magnet 9 enables the reed switch 3 within the main body 1 of the device to be turned on or off.

In the present embodiment, the magnet 9 is accommodated in the hollow accommodating portion 8b for accommodating the magnet which is formed on the inner side of the holder 8 facing the hook portion 8a. The magnet 9 is positioned in such a manner that it faces the reed switch 3 which is provided in the rear side of the main body 1 when the main body 1 is accommodated in the holder 8 as shown in Fig. 1.

When the main body 1 is accommodated in the holder 8, the magnetic force of the magnet 9 is transmitted through the wa I I s of the magnet accommodating portion 8b and the main body 1 and app I i ed to the reed switch 3 for causing the reed switch 3 to be turned on (or off). When the main body 1 is removed from the holder 8, the magnetic force of the magnet 9 wi I I not reach the reed switch 3. which causes the reed switch 3 which has been turned on or off to be turned off or on, respectively.

The magnet (and the magnet accommodating portion 8b) is disposed so that they are located in the insertion space of the hook portion 8a of the holder 8 in the substantially mid position thereof.

This causes the magnet 9 to be urged inward of the holder 8 by means of the belt 10 which is inserted into the hook portion 8b, so that the magnet 9 approaches the reed switch 3 of the main body 1. This results in that it is possible for the magnetic force of the magnet 9 to positively act upon the reed switch 3.

Turning on or off of the reed switch 3 by the magnet 9 causes the circuitry of the incoming call alerting means in the main body 1, which is shown in Fig. 2 to be controlled and actuated.

As shown in Fig. 2, the circuitry in the main body ! comprises a control unit 2 for outputting a control signal so as to perform an incoming cal I alerting when an incoming cal I signal is received by an antenna lb, the reed switch 3 for switching the control signal from the control unit, a vibrator drive unit 4 for activating the incoming call alerting in response to the input signal from the control unit 2 and a ringing tone generating unit 5.

The vibrator 5 is driven by the vibrator drive unit 4 for alerting the user of the incoming call by the vibration of the device and a sounder 7 is driven by a ringing tone generating unit 6 for alerting the user of the incoming call by a ringing tone.

When an incoming signal is received by the main body 1 via the antenna lb, the control unit 2 outputs the control signal for causing the vibrator drive unit 4 of the ringing tone generating unit 6 to alert the user of the incoming call.

The reed switch 3 which is shown in Fig. 1 is disposed between the control unit 2, and the vibrator drive unit 4 or the ringing tone generating unit 6 so that the control signal from the control unit 2 is input to any one of the vibrator drive unit 4 and the ringing tone generating unit 6 in response to the turning on or off of the reed switch 3 for selecting any one of the vibration and ringing tone alerting modes.

The reed switch 3 is configured to be turned on or off by the auction of the magnetic force. In the present embodiment, the reed switch 3 is turned on or off by the magnet 9 which is embedded in the holder 8 which accommodates the main body 1 of the device as mentioned above.

In the present embodiment, the present device is preset in such a manner that the reed switch 3 is turned on when the magnetic force of the magnet 9 acts upon the reed switch 3, that is when the main body 1 is accommodated in the holder 8. When the reed switch 3 is turned on, the control signal from the control unit 9 is input to the vibrator drive unit 4.

On the other hand, the reed switch 3 is turned off when the magnetic force of the magnet 9 does not act upon the reed switch 3, that is when the main body 1 is removed f rom the ho I der 8. When the reed switch is turned off, the contro I s i gna I f rom the contro I unit 2 is input to the ringing tone generating unit 6.

Then, either one of the vibrator drive unit 4 and the ringing tone generating unit 6 to which the control signal switched by the reed switch 3 is input performs the alerting in a given manner so that the incoming call is alerted externally of the main body 1.

When the control signal from the control unit 2 is input to the vibrator drive unit 4, the vibrator drive unit 4 drives the vibrator 5 for causing the vibration so that the vibration is externally transmitted from the main body for alerting the user of the incoming call.

On the other hand, when the control signal from the control unit 2 is input to the ringing tone generating unit 6, the ringing tone generating unit 6 drives the sounder 7 for generating a ringing tone externa I I y of the main body so that the ringing tone is output externally of the main body for alerting the user of the incoming call.

Alternatively, the mode of alerting the incoming call may be another mode other than the vibration and ringing tone modes in the present embodiment.

For example, alerting may be conducted by lighting characters, graphics and indicators in the display unit on the front face of the main body 1.

In the present embodiment, the incoming call alerting mode is switched to the vibration alerting mode by turning the reed switch 3 on when the reed switch 3 is accommodated in the holder 8. Reversa operation is possible, too. In other words, the alerting mode may be switched to the vibration mode by turning the reed switch 3 off when the reed switch 3 is accommodated in the holder 8.

The terminal device of the present invention may have a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode into the vibration alerting mode when the main body 1 of the device is accommodated in the holder 8 if it has at least the vibration alerting mode as the incoming call alerting mode.

Accordingly, the present invention can be embodied even if the terminal device has a plurality of incoming call alerting modes including the vibration alerting mode and even if the reed switch is turned on or off in a manner other than that of the present invention.

Operation of the portable information terminal device having an automatically alerting mode switching capability of the present embodiment which is thus formed will be described with reference to the flow chart in Fig. 3.

In order to initiate the use of the terminal device, the power source of the main body is turned on (step 1).

When the main body 1 of the device is accommodated in the holder 8 while the power source is turned on, the magnet 9 of the holder 8 will approach the reed switch 3 of the main body 1 of the device so that the reed switch 3 is turned on by the action of the magnetic force.

Since the holder 8 is usually worn on the user's body while it is attached to the belt 10 on the waist at this time, the holder 8 is biased to the main body 1 of the device by the belt 10 so that the reed switch approaches the magnet 9. This will assure the positive action of the magnetic force of the magnet upon the reed switch 3.

When the terminal device receives an incoming call under this condition, the control signal from the control unit 2 is output to the vibrator drive unit 4 via the reed switch 3 since the reed switch 3 is turned on. Then, the vibrator drive unit 4 to which the control signal has been input drives the vibrator 5 (step 5).

The user senses the vibration which has been transmitted through the main body 1 and the holder 8 from the vibrator 5 and can recognize the incoming call.

Then, the user can initiate a telephone conversation by removing the main body 1 of the device from the holder 8 and depressing a start button (not shown).

On the other hand, when the main body 1 is removed from the ho I der 8 and is not accommodated there i n (step 2), the reed switch is separated from the magnet 9 of the holder 8. Accordingly, the magnetic force of the magnet 9 w i I I not act upon the reed switch 3 so that the reed switch is rendered off.

Under this condition, the main body 1 i s usua I I y separ ated from the user's body and i s p I aced upon the desk or put into the bag.

On receipt of an incoming cal I from an external station under this condition (step 8), the control signal from the control unit 2 is output to the ringing tone generating unit 6 via the reed switch 3 since the reed switch 3 is turned off. The ringing tone generating unit 6 into which the control signal is input drives the sounder 7 (step 9).

This causes the sounder 7 to generate the ringing tone. The user hearing this ringing tone can notice that there is an incoming call even if he or she is separated from the main body 1 of the device and i s ab I e to make a conversation by actuating the main body 1 of the device (step 6).

As mentioned above, the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the present embodiment is provided with the reed switch 3 which is turned on or off by the action of the magnetic force upon the main body 1 of the device and the holder 8 for accommodating the main body 1 of the device is provided with the magnet 9 which acts upon the reed switch 3.

Setting of the i ncom i ng ca I I a I ert i ng mode can be automatically switched into the vibration or ringing tone mode only by accommodating or removing the main body 1 of the device in or from the holder 8 for turning the reed switch 3 on or off.

This can positively prevent the bell from suddenly ringing in response to an i ncom i ng ca I I even if the user attends a meeting or rides on a train with carrying the main body 1 of the terminal device in the holder 8 while without switching the ringing tone alerting mode into the vibration alerting mode.

Since the incoming call is alerted to the user by the ringing tone so far as the terminal device main body 1 is removed from the holder 8 even if the terminal device main body 1 which is in the vibration alerting mode is put into the bag or placed on the desk. Accordingly, failure to respond an important call is avoided.

Since the automatic incoming call alerting mode switching function can be achieved by only the magnet 9 which is embedded on the side of the holder 8 and the reed switch 3 on the side of the main body of the device in the portable information terminal device of the present embodiment, only compact and I ight weight components such as magnet 9 and reed switch 3 is required, which will not make the terminal device more complicate and larger in size. The present invention is preferable to the portable information terminal devices such as cellular phone or PDS which require reduction in size and weight.

Second Embodiment Now, a second embodiment of the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 is a sectional and elevational view of a main part showing a portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuitry of the incoming call alerting means in the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes in the second embodiment.

As shown in the drawings, the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the present embodiment is a variant of the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching incoming call alerting modes of the above-mentioned first embodiment. The reed switch 3 in the first embodiment which serves as the switch on the side of main body 1 of the device which is actuated by the action of the magnet of the holder 8 is replaced with a Hall effect element (Hall unit) 3a.

The Hall effect element 3a is disposed in the vicinity of the rear side of the main body 1 of the device as is similar to the reed switch 3 in the above-mentioned first embodiment so that it will generate an electromotive force by the action of the magnetic force of the magnet 9 embedded in the inner face of the holder 8.

Specifically, an electric current is caused to flow through the Ha I I ef f ect e I ement 3a. When the magnet 9 approaches the Ha I I effect element 3a, the impedance of the Hall effect 3a changes to cause variations in voltage.

The incoming call alerting mode is switched to vibration alerting mode or ringing tone alerting mode in response to the detection of the variations in voltage.

Excepting for the above-mentioned difference, the second embod i ment i s substant i a I I y i dent i ca I i n structure to the first embodiment.

The main body l of the device is provided with the Hal I effect element 3a which generates an electromotive force by the action of magnet force of the magnet 9 disposed within the holder 8 in the thus formed portable information term modes of the embodiment so that the incoming call alerting mode can be switched to the vibration alerting mode or the ringing tone alerting mode. Accordingly, the i ncom i ng ca I I a I ert i ng mode can be automatically switched to the vibration alerting mode or ringing tone alerting mode only upon accommodating or removing the main body 1 of the device in and from the holder 8 similarly to the first embodiment.

Since the Hall effect element 3a which can be made smaller than the reed switch 3 is used as switching unit for switching among the vibration and ringing tone modes in the present embodiment, reduction in size and weight of the main body 1 of the device can be further facilitated.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the present invention set forth in the claims.

Although the information terminal device of the present embodiments is generally applied to radio wave communications devices such as cellular phone and PDS, the present invention may be applied to various terminal devices other than the cellular phone and PDS so far as i t i nc I udes i ncom i ng ca I I a I ert i ng means.

The meritorious effects of the present invention are summarized as follows.

In the portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting modes of the present invention, unwanted ringing of a tone or failure to respond an incoming call without noticing of the incoming call can be positively prevented by automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode into the vibration alerting mode or the ringing tone alerting mode when the terminal device is accommodated or removed in or from the holder, respectively.

It should be noted that other objects, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent in the entire disclosure and that modifications may be done without departing the scope of the present invention as disclosed herein and claimed as appended herewith.

Also it should be noted that any combination of the disclosed and/orclaimed elements, matters and/or items may fa I I under the modifications aforementioned.

Claims

CLAIMS : 1. A portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching incoming call alerting mode, comprising : a main body of said portable information terminal device ; means which is provided in said main body of the device for alerting a user of said device of an incoming call in one of two or more selectively switchable alerting modes : and a portable holder accommodating therein said main body of the device, and wherein said main body of the device includes means for automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode of said incoming mode alerting means depending upon whether or not said main body of the device is accommodated in said holder.
2. A portable information terminal device having a capab i I i ty of automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode as defined in claim 1 in which said incoming call alerting means has two incoming cal I alerting modes including : (a) a mode of alerting an i ncom i ng ca I I by a ringing tone which is generated externa I I y of said main body of said device on the incoming call, and (b) a mode of alerting the incoming call by vibration which is transmitted externally of said main body of said device on the incoming call, and wherein said incoming call alerting mode switching means switches the alerting mode into the vibration alerting mode when said main body of said device is accommodated in said holder and switches the alerting mode into the ringing tone alerting mode when said main body of said device is removed from said holder.
3. A portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode as defined in claim 1 wherein said incoming call alerting mode switching means comprises: a magnet which is provided in said holder, and a switching unit which is provided in said main body of the device for switching the incoming call alerting mode of said i ncom i ng ca I I a I ert i ng means by a magnetic force of said magnet when said main body of said device is accommodated in said holder.
4. A portable information device having a capability of automatically switching incoming call alerting mode as defined in claim 3 wherein said incoming call alerting mode switching means includes a reed switch which is turned on/off by the magnetic force of said magnet for switching a control signal which is input to said incoming call alerting means when said main body of said device is accommodated in said holder.
5. A portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode as defined in claim 3 in which said incoming call alerting mode switching means comprises a Hall effect element which generates an electromotive force by the magnetic force of said magnet for switching a control signal which is input to said incoming call alerting means when said main body of the device is accommodated in said holder.
6. A portable information terminal device having a capability of automatically switching the incoming call alerting mode as defined in claim 1 wherein said holder is provided on its surface with a hook portion through which a belt like member can be inserted, and wherein said magnet is disposed within an insertion space of said hook portion.
7. A portable information terminal device having an automatic switching system of incoming call alerting mode, comprising: a main body of the device ; alerting unit alerting a user of said device of an incoming cal I in one of two or more selectively switchable alerting : and a portable holder receiving said main body of the device, and an automatic switching system of the incoming call alerting mode act i ng on sa i d a I ert i ng un i t i n response to a p I acement state of said main body relative to said holder.
8. The portable information terminal device as defined in claim 7 in which said alerting unit has two incoming call alerting modes including: (a) a mode of alerting an incoming call by ringing sound, and (b) a mode of a I ert i ng the i ncom i ng ca I I by vibration, and wherein said automatic switching system switches the alerting mode into the vibration alerting mode when said main body is fixed to said holder and switches the alerting mode into the ringing alerting mode when said main body is removed from said holder.
9. The portable information terminal device as defined in claim 7 wherein said automatic switching system of the incoming call alerting mode : a magnet which is retained by said holder, and a switching unit switching the incoming cal I alerting mode in response to a magnetic force of said magnet when said main body is placed in the proximity of said holder.
10. The portable information device as defined in claim 9 wherein said switching unit includes a reed switch which is turned on/off in response to the magnetic force of said magnet for switching a control signal when said main body is placed in the proximity of said holder.
11. The portable information terminal device as defined in claim 9 wherein said switching unit comprises for generating a signal responsive to the magnetic force of said magnet when said main body of the device is placed in the proximity of said holder, said signal being indicative of the alerting modes.
12. The portable information terminal device as defined in claim 7 wherein said holder is provided on its surface with a hook portion through which a belt like member can be inserted, and wherein said magnet is disposed within an insertion space of said hook portion.
13. A portable information terminal device substantially as any of the embodiments herein described with reference to the drawings.