JP2003319035A - Foldable portable telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foldable portable telephone set capable of receiving an electronic mail which can improve facility of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The foldable portable telephone set 1 performs telephone call to other person, and transmits and receives the electronic mail by connecting a first cabinet 2 with a second cabinet 3 in such a manner that folding is possible. The telephone set 1 is equipped with a first display panel 5 which is exposed and displays an image when the first and the second cabinets 2, 3 are opened, and a second display panel 6 which enables visual confirmation of an image from the outside when the first and the second cabinets 2, 3 are closed. Contents of a received electronic mail can be displayed on the second display panel 6 while the portable telephone set 1 is closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable mobile phone having a display unit and a main body unit rotatably connected to each other, and more particularly to a foldable mobile phone having a display panel which is visible in a folded state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional foldable portable telephone, a display portion having a display panel for displaying an image and a main body portion having a drive circuit incorporated therein are foldably connected to each other. The display unit is provided with a first display panel that is exposed when opened and a second display panel that is provided on the outer surface side and is visible in the closed state.

The first display panel can display a menu of input operations using operation keys provided on the main body, contents of electronic mail, images such as photographs, and the like. The second display panel displays the fact that the call and the e-mail have been received, the sender, and the like, and can inform the user of the information when the mobile phone is closed.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional foldable mobile phone, in order to confirm the content of the received electronic mail, the main body and the display are opened for displaying on the first display panel. It requires complicated operations. In particular, in the case of unnecessary e-mail such as junk e-mail, no reply is sent, so the operation of opening the main body and the display is useless. For this reason, there is a problem that the usability is poor for the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable mobile phone capable of receiving an electronic mail which can improve the usability of the user.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a foldable mobile phone for connecting a first and a second housing in a foldable manner to make a call with an opponent and send and receive an e-mail. A first display panel that exposes an image when the first and second casings are opened and a second display panel that allows an image to be viewed from the outside when the first and second casings are closed And the content of the received electronic mail can be displayed on the second display panel.

With this configuration, when the first and second casings are opened, it is possible to make a call or send an e-mail to the destination displayed on the first display panel, for example. First, second
When an email is received when the housing is closed, the content of the email is displayed on the second display panel.

Further, according to the present invention, in the foldable portable telephone having the above-mentioned structure, an outer surface side operation key which can be operated with the first and second casings closed is provided, and an e-mail can be sent by operating the outer surface side operation key. The content is displayed on the second display panel. According to this configuration, when an email is received when the first and second casings are closed, the sender information and the like are displayed on the second display panel, and the contents of the email are displayed when the external operation keys are operated. It

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the foldable portable telephone having the above-mentioned structure, the contents of the electronic mail are page-fed by operating the operation key on the outer surface side.

Further, according to the present invention, in the foldable portable telephone having the above structure, when the first and second casings are opened from the state where the contents of the electronic mail are displayed on the second display panel, the second
It is characterized in that the display panel is hidden and the content of the electronic mail is displayed on the first display panel. With this configuration, when the first and second casings are opened, the display of the content of the electronic mail is switched from the second display panel to the first display panel.

Further, according to the present invention, in the foldable portable telephone having the above structure, a transmission key which can be operated in a state where the first and second casings are opened is provided, and immediately after the first and second casings are opened, It is characterized in that when the call key is operated, the telephone number is sent to the sender of the electronic mail. According to this configuration, when the first and second casings are opened while the electronic mail is being viewed on the second display panel, the content of the electronic mail is displayed on the first display panel, and the sender is called only by pressing the call key. Can be applied.

Further, according to the present invention, in the foldable portable telephone having the above structure, when the first and second casings are opened from the state where the contents of the electronic mail are displayed on the second display panel,
It is characterized in that the display state of the display panel is set to the state of inputting a reply mail to the sender of the electronic mail. With this configuration, a reply mail can be created on the first display panel immediately when the first and second housings are opened while the electronic mail is being viewed on the second display panel.

Further, according to the present invention, in the foldable portable telephone having the above structure, when the first and second casings are opened from the state in which the contents of the electronic mail are displayed on the second display panel,
It is characterized in that the display state of the display panel is selected between input of a reply mail to the sender of the email and transmission of a telephone number to the sender of the email.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view showing an open state of the folding mobile phone according to the first embodiment. The foldable mobile phone 1 has a display unit 2
The (first housing) and the main body 3 (second housing) are rotatably connected by a hinge 4.

The display unit 2 is provided with a first display panel 5 which is exposed when opened and allows an image to be visually recognized. The first display panel 5 is composed of a liquid crystal display element and forms an image by applying a voltage to each pixel arranged in a matrix. Above the first display panel 5, a speaker 7 that emits sound is arranged.

The main body section 3 has a control section 31 (see FIG. 4) built therein, and a plurality of operation keys 10 are provided on the surface. The operation key 10 is composed of a power key 11 for turning on / off the power of the mobile phone 1, a transmission key 12 for transmitting a telephone number, an input key 13 for inputting a telephone number, text of an electronic mail, and the like. Further, it also has a side key 14 (outer surface side operation key) provided on a side surface of the display unit 2, a surface key 15 (see FIG. 2A) described later, and the like. Operation key 10
A microphone 8 for catching the voice of the user is provided below the.

The display section 2 and the main body section 3 are provided with open / close detection sections 9a and 9b, respectively, at positions facing each other when closed. It is possible to detect that the mobile phone 1 is closed by the contact between the open / close detectors 9a and 9b, and open when the open / close detectors 9a and 9b are separated from each other.

2A and 2B are a front view and a side view showing a closed state of the mobile phone 1. On the back side of the first display panel 5, there is provided a second display panel 6 in which an image can be visually recognized from the outer surface side in a closed state. The second display panel 6 is composed of a liquid crystal display element like the first display panel 5, and forms an image by applying a voltage to each pixel arranged in a matrix. A plurality of front surface keys 15 (outer surface side operation keys) are provided on the surface of the display unit 2 when the mobile phone 1 is closed.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the first and second display panels 5 and 6. A backlight 20 is arranged between the first and second display panels 5 and 6 whose back sides face each other. The backlight 20 is a diffusion sheet 25, 26.
It has light guide plates 23 and 24 which are arranged to face the first and second display panels 5 and 6 with respect to. The light guide plates 23 and 24 are formed in a wedge shape, and the reflection sheet 2 is provided on the inclined surfaces in contact with each other.
7 is sandwiched. Light sources 21 and 22 are arranged on one side surface of each of the light guide plates 23 and 24.

Light emitted from the light sources 21 and 22 is guided by the light guide plates 23 and 2.
4 is guided and is reflected by the reflection sheet 27, and the first,
The light is emitted in the direction of the second display panels 5 and 6. Light guide plate 2
The outgoing light of 3, 24 is diffused by the diffusion sheets 25, 26,
Images can be displayed by irradiating the first and second panels 5 and 6 with uniform illumination light.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 1. A control unit 31 that controls each unit is provided in the main body unit 2. The control unit 31 includes a wireless unit 32, a storage unit 33,
The first and second display panels 5 and 6, the operation key 10 and the open / close detection units 9a and 9b are connected.

The radio unit 32 communicates with the base station of the mobile phone via the antenna 30. The storage unit 33 is composed of a ROM and a RAM, and stores the control program, the destination information, the contents of the received electronic mail, and the like, and also temporarily stores various calculations. According to the input signal of the operation key 10, the detection signals of the open / close detection units 9a and 9b, and the reception signal of the wireless unit 32, the control unit 31 performs an operation to display an image on the first and second display panels 5 and 6. In addition, communication is performed via the wireless unit 32.

The operation of the mobile phone 1 having the above-described structure when receiving an electronic mail will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power of the mobile phone 1 is turned on by operating the power key 11, the electronic mail standby state is set in step # 11. When the electronic mail is received, the process proceeds to step # 12, and it is determined whether or not the mobile phone 1 is in the folded state based on the detection results of the open / close detection units 9a and 9b.

When the mobile phone 1 is open, the process moves to step # 21 and the first display panel 5 displays that an electronic mail has been received. Information such as the sender's email address may be displayed at the same time. In step # 22, a predetermined operation for displaying the contents of the electronic mail is performed by the operation key 10, and the contents of the received electronic mail are displayed on the first display panel 5 in step # 30.

The mobile phone 1 is determined by the judgment in step # 12.
Is folded, the second display panel 6 displays that the electronic mail has been received in step # 13. Information such as the sender's email address may be displayed at the same time.
In steps # 14 and # 15, the process waits until the folded state is released or the side key 14 is pressed.

When the folded state is released, step #
Then, the operation proceeds to step 22, and the same operation as above is performed. If the side key 14 is pressed in the folded state, step #
The contents of the electronic mail received after shifting to 16 are displayed on the second display panel 6. As a result, the user can check the content of the e-mail with the mobile phone 1 folded. Same function as side key 14
May be provided.

At step # 17, the side key 1
It is determined whether 4 has been pressed. If the side key 14 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step # 19 and it is determined whether or not the folded state of the mobile phone 1 is released. When the mobile phone 1 is in the folded state, the process returns to step # 17 and waits until the side key 14 is pressed or the mobile phone 1 is released from the folded state.

When the side key 14 is pressed, the contents of the electronic mail displayed on the second display panel 6 are page-fed,
The screen display can be switched. One of the front keys 15 may be used as a page feed key. When the mobile phone 1 is opened, the process proceeds to step # 30, the second display panel 6 is hidden, and the content of the electronic mail is displayed on the first display panel 5. As a result, the operation of switching the display screen using the operation keys 10 becomes unnecessary, and the operability can be improved.

In step # 31, the process waits until the call key 12 is pressed, and when the call key 12 is pressed, step # 3.
In 2, the telephone number is sent to the sender of the email. As a result, a call with the sender of the electronic mail becomes possible (step # 33). When the call ends, the process returns to step # 11 to wait for the reception of the electronic mail.

According to the present embodiment, when the electronic mail is received, the contents can be confirmed with the mobile phone 1 closed, so that the complicated operation of opening the mobile phone 1 is not necessary. In particular, unnecessary e-mails such as junk mails can be discriminated while the mobile phone 1 is closed, so that useless operations can be omitted. Therefore, the usability for the user can be improved. It should be noted that a delete key that can delete the electronic mail displayed on the second display panel 6 may be provided on one of the front surface keys 15 so that unnecessary electronic mail such as junk mail can be deleted immediately after checking the contents.

After confirming the contents of the electronic mail on the second display panel 6, when the cellular phone 1 is opened, the call key 1
Just press 2 to call the sender. Therefore, the operation of making a call to the sender is simplified, and the operability of the mobile phone 1 can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The present embodiment has the same configuration as the mobile phone 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, and the control program at the time of receiving an electronic mail is different. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 1 of this embodiment.

Steps # 11 to # 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. When it is determined that the folded state of the mobile phone 1 is released in step # 19, the process proceeds to step # 40. Step #
At 40, the second display panel 6 is hidden and the first display panel 5 is in the input state of the reply mail to the sender of the electronic mail.

When the user inputs the reply mail, the reply mail is awaited in step # 41, and when the sending operation is performed, the reply mail is sent in step # 42. When the transmission of the reply mail is completed, the process returns to step # 11 to wait for the reception of the electronic mail.

When it is detected in step # 12 and step # 14 that the folded state of the portable telephone is detected, the above-mentioned step # 21 and step # 22, respectively.
Then, in step # 22, a predetermined operation for displaying the content of the electronic mail is performed by the operation key 10 in step # 22.

After that, the process proceeds to step # 23, and the content of the received electronic mail is displayed on the first display panel 5.
In step # 24, a predetermined operation for replying the electronic mail is performed by the operation key 10, and step # 40
Then, the first display panel 5 enters the reply input state.

According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the second display panel 6 can be obtained.
After opening the mobile phone 1 after checking the contents of the e-mail, the reply mail can be entered without any special operation. Therefore, the operation of transmitting the reply mail to the sender is simplified, and the operability of the mobile phone 1 can be improved.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. The present embodiment has the same configuration as the mobile phone 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, and the control program at the time of receiving an electronic mail is different. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 1 of this embodiment.

Since steps # 11 to # 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 described above, description thereof will be omitted. When it is determined in step # 19 that the folded state of the mobile phone 1 is released, the process proceeds to step # 50. Step #
At 50, the second display panel 6 is hidden and the first display panel 5 is in a selection state for selecting whether to send a telephone number to the sender of the electronic mail or send a reply mail.

In step # 51, it is judged whether or not the user has selected the transmission of the telephone number. If the user has selected the transmission of the telephone number, the telephone number is transmitted to the sender of the electronic mail in step # 52. As a result, a call with the sender of the electronic mail becomes possible (step # 53). When the call ends, the process returns to step # 11 to wait for the reception of the electronic mail.

If it is determined in step # 51 that the reply mail transmission is selected, the first display panel 5 is selected in step # 54.
Is entered in the reply mail. When the user inputs the reply mail, the reply mail is transmitted in step # 55. When the transmission of the reply mail is completed, the process returns to step # 11 to wait for the reception of the electronic mail.

When it is detected in steps # 12 and # 14 that the folded state of the portable telephone is detected, the above-mentioned steps # 21 and # 22 are respectively performed.
Then, in step # 22, a predetermined operation for displaying the content of the electronic mail is performed by the operation key 10 in step # 22.

After that, the contents of the electronic mail received at step # 23 are displayed on the first display panel 5.
In step # 25, a predetermined operation for selecting whether to send a telephone number to the sender of the e-mail or send a reply mail is performed by the operation key 10. Then, the process proceeds to step # 50 and the first display panel 5 is selected. It becomes a state.

According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the second display panel 6 can be obtained.
When the mobile phone 1 is opened after confirming the contents of the e-mail, the first display panel 5 shifts to a screen for selecting whether to send a telephone number to the sender or send a reply mail. Therefore, it is possible to shift to these operations with one selection operation. Therefore, the operation of making a call to the sender or the operation of sending a reply mail is simplified, and the operability of the mobile phone 1 can be improved.

In the first to third embodiments, the display section 2 is provided with the first display panel 5 and the second display panel 6, but the second display panel 6 may be provided on the main body section 3 side. Further, the user may be allowed to select a control program including the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 of the first to third embodiments.

[0046]

According to the present invention, when the electronic mail is received, the contents of the electronic mail displayed on the second display panel can be confirmed with the mobile phone closed, so that the complicated operation of opening the mobile phone is unnecessary. . In particular, unnecessary e-mail such as unsolicited e-mail can be discriminated while the mobile phone is closed, so that unnecessary operation can be omitted. Therefore, the usability for the user can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the contents of the electronic mail can be displayed on the second display panel at a desired time by the operation keys on the outer surface side.

Further, according to the present invention, the contents of the e-mail can be page forwarded while the portable telephone is folded by operating the operation keys on the outer surface side, and the usability can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the first and second casings are opened from the state where the contents of the electronic mail are displayed on the second display panel, the second display panel is hidden and the first display panel is displayed. Since the contents of the e-mail are displayed on the screen, the screen switching operation is unnecessary and the operability can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, after confirming the contents of the electronic mail on the second display panel and opening the mobile phone, the sender can be called only by pressing the call key. Therefore, the operation to call the sender becomes easy,
The operability of the mobile phone can be improved.

According to the present invention, after confirming the contents of the electronic mail on the second display panel and opening the mobile phone, the reply mail can be input without any special operation. Therefore, the operation of transmitting the reply mail to the sender is simplified, and the operability of the mobile phone can be improved.

According to the present invention, when the contents of the electronic mail are confirmed by the second display panel and then the mobile phone is opened, the first
The display panel moves to a screen for selecting whether to call the sender or send a reply mail. Therefore, it is possible to shift to these operations with one selection operation. Therefore, the operation of making a call to the sender or the operation of sending a reply mail is simplified, and the operability of the mobile phone can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view and a side view showing an open state of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view and a side view showing a closed state of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the display unit of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mobile phone 2 Display 3 main body 4 Hinge part 5 First display panel 6 Second display panel 7 speakers 8 microphone 9a, 9b Open / close detection unit 10 operation keys 11 Power key 12 Call key 13 Input key 14 Side key 15 Surface key 20 backlight 21, 22 Light source 23, 24 Light guide plate 25, 26 Diffusion sheet 27 Reflective sheet 30 antenna 31 Control unit 32 radio section 33 storage

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A foldable mobile phone for connecting a first and a second housing in a foldable manner to make a call with a partner and send and receive an e-mail, and is exposed when the first and the second housing are opened. And a first display panel for displaying an image
A foldable mobile phone, comprising: a second display panel that allows an image to be visually recognized from the outside when the housing is closed, and the content of the received e-mail can be displayed on the second display panel. 2. An external operation key that is operable with the first and second casings closed, and the content of the electronic mail is displayed on the second display panel by operating the external operation key. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1. 3. The content of the electronic mail is page-fed by operating the operation key on the outer surface side.
The foldable mobile phone described in. 4. When the first and second casings are opened from the state where the contents of the electronic mail are displayed on the second display panel, the second display panel is hidden and the electronic mail is displayed on the first display panel. The foldable mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein contents are displayed. 5. A transmission key that can be operated with the first and second casings opened is provided, and when the transmission key is operated immediately after opening the first and second casings, the transmission source of the electronic mail is set. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 4, wherein a telephone number is transmitted to the foldable mobile phone. 6. The display state of the first display panel when the first and second casings are opened from the state in which the content of the email is displayed on the second display panel The input state is set.
The foldable mobile phone according to claim 3. 7. The display state of the first display panel when the first and second casings are opened from the state in which the content of the email is displayed on the second display panel is changed to that of the reply mail to the sender of the email. The selection state of input and transmission of a telephone number to a sender of an electronic mail is selected.
A foldable mobile phone according to claim 3.