JP2004110453A - Mobile terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply portable terminal equipment to terminal equipment to be carried for enjoying a movie even in a congested automobile or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This mobile terminal equipment is configured to be suspended from the neck with a strap. The display of an image is switched according to the change of attitudes detected by an attitude sensor 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable terminal device, and can be applied to, for example, a terminal device that is carried and enjoys a moving image. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used even in a crowded vehicle or the like by switching the display of an image in accordance with a change in posture detected by a posture sensor by allowing the strap to hang from the neck. To
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) which is a portable terminal device, for example, e-mails and schedules received by a computer at home are uploaded, and these e-mails can be confirmed in a car while commuting.
[0003]
In such a mobile terminal device, when no operation is performed for a long time, the display of an image on the liquid crystal display panel is stopped to reduce power consumption. Further, for example, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-239203, the present invention is applied to a mobile phone, a user's operation is detected by a switch provided on an earpiece, and display of an image is stopped based on the detection result. By doing so, power consumption is reduced.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-239203
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in this type of portable terminal device, it is possible to prevent the portable terminal device from being damaged by dropping by hanging it from the neck with a strap. Also, this strap is provided on the lower end surface of the housing, so that it can be brought upside down from the state of being hung from the neck and brought to the front so that the display screen can be viewed without being disturbed by the strap. .
[0006]
However, when the strap is hung from the neck in this way, a screen turned upside down is displayed on the portable terminal device in a state of being hung from the neck, and a strange state is seen from the surroundings. In addition, if the image is displayed while being hung from the neck in this way, if the image is used during commuting, for example, there is a possibility that the display may be seen by another person. On the other hand, in the state of being hung from the neck in this way, it is a case where it is not used. Thus, in this type of portable terminal device, it is considered that the power supply is normally turned off when hanging from the neck.
[0007]
However, in the case of using the device while commuting, for example, the device may be used not only when the user is seated but also while standing in a crowded vehicle. In such a case, if the vehicle is congested, the portable terminal device may slide out of the hand immediately when arriving at the station and getting on and off the passengers, or when the vehicle shakes greatly. is there.
[0008]
In these cases, if the portable terminal device is hung from the neck by the strap, it is possible to prevent the portable terminal device from being damaged by falling. However, it is difficult to operate the shutdown of the power supply. In particular, in the portable terminal device, these controls are downsized for the downsizing of the overall shape, which makes it extremely difficult to turn off the power in an immediate case.
[0009]
As a result, the portable terminal device has a problem that it is practically difficult to use it in a crowded vehicle or the like.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a portable terminal device that can be used even in a crowded vehicle or the like.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, in the invention of claim 1, a strap is connected to the lower side of the housing, and the present invention is applied to a portable terminal device that can be hung from the neck using the strap. There is provided control means for switching display of an image by the image display means in accordance with a change in the posture detected by the sensor.
[0012]
According to the configuration of the first aspect, the present invention is applied to a portable terminal device that can be hung from a neck using a strap, and changes an image by an image display unit according to a change in posture detected by a posture sensor. By providing the control means for switching the display, the display can be stopped, for example, when the portable terminal device is in a posture hanging from the neck. This makes it possible to prevent an unnatural display of turning upside down when the vehicle suddenly slides down from a hand in a crowded vehicle, and it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which a third party can see and see. It can be used in crowded vehicles and the like.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[0014]
(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a use state of a PDA according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The PDA 1 according to this embodiment is entirely formed in a vertically elongated substantially rectangular shape, and is connected to a strap 2. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA 1 can hook the strap 2 around the neck and hold the strap 2 hanging from the neck. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, if necessary, the display screen can be visually checked and various operating elements can be operated by being held by hand and brought to the front of the user.
[0015]
The PDA 1 has the strap 2 connected to the lower end face, which is the lower side of the housing, so that the PDA 1 is brought upside down from the state of being hung from the neck and brought to the front so that it is not obstructed by the strap. The display screen can be visually checked. When the PDA 1 is hung from the neck, the whole PDA 1 is turned upside down as shown in FIG.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PDA 1. The PDA 1 detachably holds a recording medium 4 made of a mini-disc so that an electronic mail and a schedule can be recorded on the recording medium 4 by a computer at home. The recording medium 4 provides music contents (hereinafter referred to as music contents) and moving image contents such as movies (hereinafter referred to as image contents).
[0017]
The drive 5 reproduces and outputs the data recorded on the recording medium 4 under the control of the central processing unit 6. The liquid crystal display unit 7 constitutes an image display means for displaying an image, displays an e-mail and a schedule read from the recording medium 4 under the control of the central processing unit 6, and further displays a moving image decoded by the decoder 8. Displays images and still images. The decoder 8 reproduces music content and image content read from the recording medium 4 under the control of the central processing unit 6. The decoder 8 outputs audio data obtained by reproducing the content in this way to the earphone SP via a digital-to-analog conversion circuit and an amplification circuit (not shown). On the other hand, the video data is output to the liquid crystal display unit 7 via the bus. Thus, in the PDA 1, music content recorded on the recording medium 4 can be reproduced and viewed with the earphone SP. When the music content is accompanied by a promotion image or the like, a liquid crystal display unit is provided. 7 can be displayed. Similarly, the image content of a movie or the like recorded on the recording medium 4 can be confirmed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 while viewing the sound with the earphone SP.
[0018]
The operation unit 9 is an operation unit such as a reproduction switch and a power switch arranged on the surface of the PDA 1 so that an operation by a user is notified to the central processing unit 6 via an input / output circuit (I / O) 10. Has been done.
[0019]
The attitude sensor 11 is a so-called tilt sensor, in which a small amount of liquid is sealed in a closed space, and the deviation of the liquid in this space is detected by conduction between electrodes, capacitance between electrodes, and the like, thereby changing the posture. Has been made to be detectable. In this embodiment, the attitude sensor 11 is configured such that the PDA 1 is held so that the top and bottom of the display screen by the liquid crystal display unit 7 are oriented correctly, and conversely, the top and bottom of the display screen are reversed. In this way, the PDA 1 is arranged so as to be distinguishable from the case where the PDA 1 is held.
[0020]
The central processing unit 6 configures a computer that controls the entire operation of the PDA 1 together with the RAM 12 and the ROM 13 by securing a work area in the RAM 12 and executing a processing program recorded in the ROM 13. That is, when the power of the PDA 1 is turned on, the central processing unit 6 starts the boot-up program recorded in the ROM 13, copies the content recorded in a predetermined area of the ROM 13 to the RAM 12, and completes the copying. Execute the program copied to.
[0021]
In executing this program, the central processing unit 6 displays a predetermined menu screen on the liquid crystal display unit 7 in response to the operation of the operating element 9, and in response to a user's selection on this menu screen by operating the operating element 9. Then, the operation of the drive 5 and the like is controlled, whereby the electronic mail and schedule recorded on the recording medium 4 are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7. Similarly, the music content and the image content recorded on the recording medium 4 are reproduced and provided to the user.
[0022]
In this process, when a mode setting menu is selected by the user, the central processing unit 6 displays a predetermined mode setting screen. The central processing unit 6 accepts the selection of the mode for switching the display by the attitude sensor 11 by the user's operation on the mode setting screen.
[0023]
The central processing unit 6 switches the operation of the liquid crystal display unit 7 when the mode for switching the display is selected by the attitude sensor 11 and detects the reversal of the top and bottom by the attitude sensor 11, and displays the image. Stop. When the display of the image is stopped in this way and the correct orientation of the top and bottom is detected by the attitude sensor 11, the stopped display is restarted. Thus, the display of the image is stopped when the PDA 1 slips from the hand, or when the user intentionally releases the PDA 1.
[0024]
Further, when the display of the image is based on the reproduction of the image file, the central processing unit 6 also suspends the reproduction of the image file in conjunction with the stop of the display of the image. When the display of the image content is resumed, the reproduction is started from a position several seconds back from the position where the reproduction is temporarily stopped. This allows the PDA 1 to recall a story when a movie or the like is being watched and the playback is paused and resumed in this way.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the display of the image is a promotion image or the like accompanying the music content, the central processing unit 6 continues the reproduction of the music even if the display of the image is stopped. Thereby, in the music reproduction, the reproduction is continued even if the top and bottom are reversed.
[0026]
In addition to the case where the display of the image is paused in this way and the music content is not reproduced, the power supply is turned off if the top and bottom remain inverted after a certain period of time. In this case, the power-down state is recorded and stored in a memory (not shown) backed up by the power supply or a so-called last memory of a nonvolatile memory, and this state is reproduced by power-on. Also in this case, the reproduction of the image content is started from a position several seconds back from the reproduction position recorded in the last memory. The central processing unit 6 also records the state in the last memory in a case other than the case where the music content or the image content is being reproduced, and in the case where the operation of the operation element is not detected for a predetermined time or more. Turn off the power.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the mode for switching the display by the attitude sensor 11 is not selected, the central processing unit 6 ignores the change in the attitude even when the attitude sensor 11 detects the change in the attitude. Continue the display. In cases other than the case where the music content and the image content are being reproduced, and when the upside-down is detected by the posture sensor 11 and the upside-down is still reversed even after a certain period of time has passed, furthermore, for a certain period of time. As described above, when the operation of the operation element is not detected, the power supply is turned off. Also in this case, the state where the power is turned off is recorded and held by a so-called last memory, and this state is reproduced by turning on the power.
[0028]
(1-2) Operation of the First Embodiment In the configuration described above, in the PDA 1, an e-mail recorded on the recording medium 4 by the operation of the operation unit 9 by the user in a state where the recording medium 4 is set. , The schedule is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7. Also, music contents and image contents are reproduced and provided to the user.
[0029]
In the PDA 1, when the user holds the hand and looks at the image on the liquid crystal display unit 7, the posture sensor 11 detects that the top and bottom of the display screen is held in the correct direction. On the other hand, for example, when the PDA 1 slides down from the hand due to the shaking of the train, or when the user releases the PDA 1 to change trains, the PDA 1 is hung from the neck by the strap, and the posture sensor 11 Reversal is detected.
[0030]
In the PDA 1, when the mode in which the display is switched by the posture sensor 11 is selected, when the posture sensor 11 detects the reverse of the top and bottom, the display of the image on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is controlled to stop. As a result, in the PDA 1, the display of the image with the upside down is stopped, and the strange state seen from the surroundings can be effectively avoided. Also, it is possible to prevent an e-mail or the like from being seen by others. In addition, since the display of the image is automatically stopped without operating any of the controls, the operation can be simplified accordingly, and the device can be used even in a crowded vehicle. When the screen is turned upside down in this way, it is a time when the user is not looking at the screen, so that the display of the image is stopped and the power consumption can be reduced.
[0031]
When the display of the image is stopped in this manner, if the image content such as a movie is provided to the user, the reproduction of the content is temporarily stopped in the PDA 1. On the other hand, when music content is provided, the reproduction of the content is continued, and the audio signal of the music content is continuously provided to the user via the earphone SP. Thereby, in the PDA 1, the reproduction process is controlled in accordance with the switching of the image in accordance with the characteristics of the content, and the usability of the user is improved.
[0032]
That is, in image content such as a movie, an image is mainly used, and it is considered to be extremely rare for a user who stops displaying an image and watches only audio. On the other hand, music content is mainly music, and in many cases, music is viewed without looking at images. Thus, as in the case of the PDA1, the reproduction process is controlled in conjunction with the switching of the image. For example, when only the music is to be listened to, the PDA1 is simply hung from the neck, and the breast pocket is turned upside down. To listen to music while effectively avoiding unnecessary power consumption. For image contents, temporary viewing can be stopped and viewing can be resumed by a simple operation such as releasing the PDA 1 and hanging it from the neck.
[0033]
That is, in the PDA 1, the display of the image is stopped in this way, and when the orientation sensor 11 detects the elimination of the upside down, the display of the image is restarted. As a result, the PDA 1 can resume the operation of confirming the e-mail or the like using the temporarily interrupted image, and further resume the viewing of the image content. At this time, in the PDA 1, the reproduction is started from a position several seconds back from the position where the reproduction is temporarily stopped, so that a story such as a movie can be recalled.
[0034]
Further, in the PDA 1, while the e-mail, the schedule is being displayed, or the image content is being provided to the user, after the upside-down is detected in this way, the upside-down is maintained even after a certain period of time. If the power goes down. In this case, the state where the power is turned off is recorded by a so-called last memory, and this state is reproduced by turning on the power. This makes it possible to effectively avoid wasteful power consumption when the user forgets the operation while hanging from the neck. Also, when reproducing the state in which the power supply is turned off in this way, the image content has returned to the head side from the place where the reproduction has been paused for a few seconds in the same manner as in the case where the display is resumed by eliminating the upside-down inversion. Reproduction is started from a point, so that the story can be recalled.
[0035]
On the other hand, when the mode of switching the display by the attitude sensor 11 is not selected, the PDA 1 ignores the detection result by the attitude sensor 11 and continues to display the image even when the orientation is reversed. In cases other than providing music or image content to the user, if the controls are not operated for a certain period of time, or if the top and bottom remain inverted after a certain period of time, This state is reproduced by turning on the power supply.
[0036]
Accordingly, for a user or the like who finds the operation of stopping the display of an image due to the reversal of the top and bottom to be troublesome, the PDA 1 can be used with the same convenience as that of the related art, and the user's usability can also be improved. .
[0037]
(1-3) Effects of the First Embodiment According to the above configuration, the display of the image is switched in accordance with the change in the posture detected by the posture sensor so that the strap can be hung from the neck. Thus, the mobile terminal device can be used even in a crowded vehicle or the like.
[0038]
That is, by stopping the display of the image due to the reversal of the top and bottom, an unusual state viewed from the surroundings can be eliminated, and furthermore, the eavesdropping of the e-mail or the like by another person can be prevented.
[0039]
If this image is a moving image accompanying the music content being played, the operation of the music content is continued according to the characteristics of the content by reversing the top and bottom, so that the user can enjoy the music. Can be improved.
[0040]
When the image is a moving image of image content, the operation is switched according to the feature of the content by reversing the top and bottom, and the reproduction of the content is paused in conjunction with the stop of the display, thereby enjoying the image content such as a movie. User usability can be improved.
[0041]
(2) Second Embodiment In the PDA according to this embodiment, first and second operation modes are provided in a mode in which the display is switched by the attitude sensor 11, and in the first operation mode, The display of the image is stopped in the same manner as in the mode in which the display is switched by the attitude sensor 11 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the second operation mode, the music content is displayed with the image upside down by the upside down. Note that the PDA according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the processing relating to the second operation mode is different, so that the PDA according to the first embodiment can be appropriately implemented. The configuration will be described by diverting the configuration described above, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0042]
That is, when music content to be played on the PDA is downloaded from a predetermined site via the Internet, a moving image file for advertisement is downloaded to the computer together with the user's consent, and the moving image file is recorded together with the moving image file on the recording medium 4. Recorded in.
[0043]
When reproducing music content accompanied by such a moving image file for promotion, the central processing unit 6 of the PDA 1 reproduces the moving image file for promotion and displays the image. When the second operation mode is selected by the user, the top and bottom of this image are reversed and displayed by reversing the top and bottom. As a result, in this embodiment, the detection result of the attitude sensor is effectively used, and is used for advertising music content.
[0044]
On the other hand, in this second operation mode, the central processing unit 6 processes the display of schedules, e-mails and the like, and image contents in the same manner as in the first operation mode.
[0045]
In the second embodiment, even if the display of the image is stopped in the schedule or the like and the display of the image accompanying the music content is reversed by the user's selection, the display of the first embodiment is performed. The same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained, and further, it can be used for advertisement and the like.
[0046]
(3) Third Embodiment In the PDA according to this embodiment, first and second operation modes are provided in a mode in which the display is switched by the attitude sensor 11, and in the first operation mode, The display of the image is stopped in the same manner as in the mode in which the display is switched by the attitude sensor 11 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the second operation mode, a dedicated image is displayed for the music content when the camera is turned upside down. Note that the PDA according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the processing relating to the second operation mode is different, so that the PDA according to the first embodiment can be appropriately implemented. The configuration will be described by diverting the configuration described above, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0047]
That is, in this PDA, an animation image for wallpaper is saved as a file by downloading via the Internet or by prior installation. Here, in this animation image, there is an animation in which a specific mascot is dancing, an animation for displaying a geometric pattern that changes over time, such as a neon sign, and the like.
[0048]
In the central processing unit 6 of the PDA 1, when the music content is reproduced and the second operation mode is selected by the user, the display image on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is changed to the animation image by reversing the top and bottom. Switch to the display. In this case, an animation image is displayed in the direction corresponding to the upside down.
[0049]
As a result, in this embodiment, the individuality of each user can be expressed in the same manner as a so-called ringtone, by effectively utilizing the detection result of the posture sensor.
[0050]
On the other hand, in this second operation mode, the central processing unit 6 processes the display of schedules, e-mails and the like, and image contents in the same manner as in the first operation mode.
[0051]
In the third embodiment, even if the display of images is stopped in a schedule or the like and an animation image is displayed for music content by the user's selection, the same as in the first embodiment is performed. The effect can be obtained, and further, the individuality of the user can be exhibited.
[0052]
(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described third embodiment, the case where an animation image is displayed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a still image is displayed instead of an animation image. Alternatively, a still image or a moving image integrated with a PDA design that may be mistaken for a PDA case may be displayed, or various images obtained by the user on the Internet or the like may be displayed.
[0053]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the display of the image is stopped by reversing the top and bottom and the reproduction is stopped at the time of the reproduction of the image content has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At the same time, the same processing may be performed.
[0054]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the top and bottom are detected based on the time when the user stands up has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the top and bottom are detected based on the state where the user is lying down. You may make it. Incidentally, when the user is lying down, in the PDA, the user is held horizontally so as to correspond to the direction of the face, and this state is the correct orientation of the top and bottom. As a result, in the PDA, the orientation detected by the orientation sensor in the state where the operator is operated is determined to be the correct orientation, and the display is switched by a change in the orientation by executing a series of processes. Can be.
[0055]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a PDA has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to a mobile phone having a music reproducing function and an image reproducing function. .
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the strap can be hung from the neck, and the display of the image is switched according to the change in the posture detected by the posture sensor, so that even in a crowded vehicle or the like, Can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a PDA according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state when the PDA of FIG. 1 is used.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state of being hung from a neck in comparison with FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PDA, 2 ... Strap, 4 ... Recording medium, 6 ... Central processing unit, 7 ... Liquid crystal display unit, 8 ... Decoder, 11 ... Attitude sensor

Claims (4)

In a portable terminal device connected to a strap on the lower side of the housing and can be hung from the neck using the strap,
Image display means for displaying an image,
A posture sensor for detecting a change in posture,
A portable terminal device comprising: a control unit that switches display of an image by the image display unit in accordance with a change in the posture detected by the posture sensor. Switching of the display by the control means,
2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display is stopped due to the upside down. The control means includes:
When the image is a moving image accompanying the music content being reproduced,
2. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction of the music content is continued and the display is stopped by reversing the top and bottom. The control means includes:
When the image is a moving image of image content,
The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display is stopped and the reproduction of the image content is temporarily stopped by reversing the top and bottom.

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