JP2004266708A - Mobile information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile information terminal wherein the restriction of downsizing design of provision of a directivity wireless communication means ordinarily located on an upper end face of the terminal by taking the user-friendliness into account is excluded. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile information terminal with a near distance wireless communication function having directivity is provided with: a means for displaying a position of a near distance wireless communication means of the mobile terminal and a direction to confront a communication opposite party onto a display screen of the mobile terminal when the near distance wireless communication function is utilized; and a means for displaying a display direction of a menu selected by a user for operations of the near distance wireless communication function onto the display screen so as to confront the communication opposite party when the display direction is directed into a direction to confront the communication opposite party in the case that the direction confronting the communication opposite party is different from a generic support direction at an ordinary use. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA having wireless communication means having directivity such as infrared communication, and holding a terminal in a desired direction to secure communication efficiency of the wireless communication means. The present invention relates to a configuration of a portable information terminal device that shows an appropriate direction to a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional portable information terminal device, when wireless communication means having directivity such as infrared communication is provided, the position of the communication means on the terminal is set to a position where the user can easily face the communication partner during normal use. For example, for example, it has been common to install the portable information terminal device at a position in front when the portable information terminal device is held with one hand (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Non-patent document 1]
"Reference Guide: iPAQ H3600 Series Pocket PC", Compaq Computer Corporation, February 2001 (first edition), p. 7-2 to 7-3
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, placing the directional wireless communication means in a specific range on the terminal is a design constraint in miniaturizing the portable information terminal device. An object of the present invention is to eliminate such a design constraint while suppressing a decrease in user's convenience.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA having a short-distance wireless communication function having directivity, when the short-distance wireless communication function is used, the position of the short-distance wireless communication means of the portable terminal and the communication partner are correct. Means is provided for displaying the direction of the pairing on the display screen of the mobile terminal.
[0006]
Further, when using the short-range wireless communication function, when the position of the short-range wireless communication means of the mobile terminal and the direction for directly facing the communication partner are different from the general holding direction during normal use, Means is provided for displaying a screen for selecting an operation of the short-range wireless communication function by a user so that the display direction is set to be erect when the display direction is directed to the communication partner.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<Example>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable information terminal device that implements the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a portable information terminal device that implements the present invention. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams showing screens when the directional communication function is used. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process when the directional communication function is used.
The configuration of the portable information terminal device of FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. In FIG. 1, 11 is a CPU, 12 is a memory, 13 is a display device, 14 is a touch panel, and 15 is an infrared communication means as a directional wireless communication means in the present embodiment. It may not have a touch panel like an infrared remote controller.
[0008]
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the appearance of a portable information terminal device for realizing the present invention, and its configuration is as follows. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a portable information terminal device main body, and reference numeral 22 denotes an operation button. Reference numeral 13 denotes a display device, and 15 denotes infrared communication means. The operation button 22 is located on the upper left side of the main body 21, and is located at a position where the user can easily operate it with his thumb when holding it with his left hand. In FIG. 2A, it is assumed that the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication unit 15a faces the upper end surface. In FIG. 2B, it is assumed that the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication unit 15b faces the lower end surface.
Alternatively, the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication unit 15 may face the left end surface or the right end surface of the portable information terminal device 21 (not shown).
[0009]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen when the directional communication function of FIG. 2A is used. When the user activates the information transmission function by the infrared communication means, a symbol indicating the position of the infrared communication means 15a and the direction to face the communication partner, such as 31, is displayed on the display device 13a. As in 32, a message urging the user to face the communication partner may be displayed.
[0010]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen when the directional communication function of FIG. 2B is used. When the user activates the information transmission function by the infrared communication means, a symbol indicating the position of the infrared communication means 15b and the direction to face the communication partner, such as 41, is displayed on the display device 13b. As shown at 42, a message urging the user to face the communication partner may be displayed. Further, a message may be displayed so as to be erect when the handset is switched to a position close to the communication partner, as in the case of 43.
As a method of instructing the position of the infrared communication means 15 and the direction for facing the communication partner, voice guidance may be used instead of displaying the symbols. Alternatively, simultaneously with the display of the symbol, it is also possible to simultaneously use a warning sound for notifying the communication partner that the user is not directly facing or transmitting a guidance voice for indicating a direction.
[0011]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process when the directional communication function is used. With reference to FIG. 5, a processing procedure when the directional communication function of the portable method terminal realized by the present invention is used will be described. During normal use, as shown in FIG. 2B, even in the case where the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication unit 15b is directed to the lower end face, the image is displayed in the normal mode regardless of the direction of the light transmitting and receiving unit (step). 51). If an infrared communication process such as data transmission is requested in step 52, the process proceeds to the next step 53. In the "start of erecting mode display when facing" of step 53, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication means 15b is directed to the lower end surface, the light transmitting and receiving unit is turned to the upper end surface. Then, the screen display is changed so that the user stands upright, and the process proceeds to step 54. Hereinafter, in step 56, the display direction is maintained until the facing erect mode is canceled. During this time, the direction in which the light transmitting and receiving unit should be directed may be displayed as indicated by 41 in FIG. In step 54, an infrared communication process is executed in response to a processing request from the user, and data is transmitted / received to / from a communication partner. At this time, in a device such as a remote controller, only transmission may be performed, and in this case, the light receiving unit may not be provided. If the user's request is to end the infrared communication process, the process proceeds from step 55 to step 56. In step 56, the erect mode at the time of facing is canceled, and in step 57, the display returns to the normal display mode. If the direction in which the light transmitting and receiving unit should be directed is displayed as indicated by 41 in FIG. 4, the display is stopped at this point.
[0012]
When the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication unit 15 is installed on the left end or the right end of the portable information terminal device, the user may be erected when the light transmitting and receiving unit is turned to the left end surface or the right end surface. The design is changed and the display such as the menu and the text is kept in the same position.
[0013]
According to the present embodiment, the light transmitting and receiving unit of the infrared communication unit is located at a position other than the upper end, and in the holding direction during normal use, even when it is difficult to face the communication partner, the user is guided to switch and face the communication partner. There is an effect that can be.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in a portable information terminal device having a directional communication function, even when an element that specifically performs the directional communication function is located at a position other than the upper end surface in a normal holding position of the portable terminal. This has the effect of avoiding a decrease in user convenience.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable information terminal device that implements an embodiment.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the appearance of a portable information terminal device that implements an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when a directional communication function is used.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when a directional communication function is used.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when a directional communication function is used.
[Explanation of symbols]
13a, 13b: display device, 21a, 21b: portable information terminal device, 22a, 22b: operation switch, 15a, 15b: infrared communication means, 41: position of the light transmitting / receiving part of the infrared communication means and direction to face the communication partner , An erect message display when 43... 41 are held forward.

Claims (3)

Operated by hand, a portable information terminal device including a directional wireless communication unit having a function of communicating data with a communication partner and a display device for displaying information including the data,
The directional wireless communication unit is provided at a desired position in a peripheral portion of the portable information terminal device,
When activating the directional wireless communication unit, displaying a direction instruction figure on the display unit of the display device to instruct the directional wireless communication unit to operate the directional wireless communication unit in a direction directly facing the other party. A portable information terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. When the directional wireless communication means is different in the direction for directly facing the other party, when the directional wireless communication means is redirected in the direction for directly facing the other party, 2. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment is performed such that the direction indication graphic displayed on the display unit is erect. Operated by hand, a portable information terminal device including a directional wireless communication unit having a function of communicating data with a communication partner and a display device for displaying information including the data,
The directional wireless communication unit is provided at a desired position in a peripheral portion of the portable information terminal device,
When activating the directional wireless communication means, if the directional wireless communication means has a different direction for directly facing the other party,
The directional wireless communication means outputs a direction guidance voice for guiding the user to operate the directional wireless communication means in a direction directly facing the other party, or generates a warning sound, and displays the directional sound on a display unit of the display device. A portable information terminal device for displaying a direction indication figure for instructing the other party to operate the wireless communication means in a direction directly facing the other party.

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