JP2007104275A - Freely rotatable mobile communication apparatus, and freely rotatable mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freely rotatable mobile communication apparatus for providing services by using a turning state between an upper case and a lower case. <P>SOLUTION: This mobile communication apparatus includes the lower case 1 and upper case 2 which are jointed to each other with a hinge 21 and rotated by an electric motor 12 into an arbitrary rotation state, and a control part 11 when executing requested service controls the electric motor 12 to place the lower case 1 and upper case 2 in a predetermined rotation state corresponding to the service. Further, control procedures for the electric motor 12 for placing the lower case 1 and upper case 2 in rotation states predetermined by services are prepared as a script table and the electric motor 12 is controlled based upon the script table corresponding to the requested service. It is made possible to transmit a control signal instructing a change in the rotation state between the lower case part 1 and the upper case 2 of the mobile communication apparatus on an opposite communication side to the opposite communication side at a request from a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotatable portable communication device and a rotatable portable telephone, and in particular, portable communication adopting a uniaxial folding type, a flip type, or a biaxial rotatable type as the rotatable type. It can be suitably applied to devices and mobile phones.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in portable communication devices represented by a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., for example, it is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-003131 “Foldable phone” disclosed in Patent Document 1. In consideration of such things as improving portability when not in use or providing a larger display, it can be folded when not in use and opened when in use A structure that includes a folding mechanism is adopted. In such a foldable mobile communication device, when not in use, it is folded so that the inner surfaces of the upper casing and the lower casing on which the main body is mounted are in close contact with each other. A fully open state in which the upper casing is separated from the lower casing by approximately 180 degrees on the same plane by rotating the upper casing from the lower casing around the support shaft. Can be.

In general, on the inner surface side of the upper housing portion, for example, a display unit using a liquid crystal panel, a speaker for reception, and the like are arranged, while on the inner surface side of the lower housing portion, for example, various operation buttons and A transmitter microphone and the like are disposed, and a main body including a control unit for realizing various functions of the foldable portable communication device is mounted inside the lower casing.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-200231 (page 2-3)

  In recent years, foldable mobile communication devices have become more and more multifunctional to have more functions to improve not only portability but also operability and convenience. Yes.

  However, in the case of a conventional foldable mobile communication device, the service function to be used is usually provided in a folded state, such as an incoming call notification when not in use, and the user is not aware of it. There are many.

  In addition, the service function for the user in the conventional foldable mobile communication device is realized by using the display on the display unit, voice and vibration, so that the user of the mobile communication device can visually understand more intuitively. A service that positively utilizes the physical rotation state between the upper and lower casings, including the opening angle between the upper and lower casings and repeated opening and closing operations. Is not considered at all, nor is it actually provided.

  Furthermore, not only a single-axis folding portable communication device but also a rotatable portable communication device including a two-axis type is in the same situation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to positively provide a service using the rotation state between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion. When the service is performed in the rotatable portable communication device including the foldable type and the rotatable portable phone, the rotation state between the upper casing portion and the lower casing portion is changed. A rotatable portable communication device that allows a user to easily recognize each service provided to the user by enabling the setting to a predetermined state arbitrarily determined in advance for each service, and The object is to provide a rotatable mobile phone.

  In addition, another object of the present invention is that the rotation state between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion can be freely set to a predetermined state, thereby enabling the rotation. The object is to provide a fashionable service function that can be more intuitively understood and enjoyed for a user who carries a portable communication device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the rotatable portable communication device and the rotatable portable telephone according to the present invention employ the following characteristic configuration.

(1) The upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are rotatably joined to each other, and one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion is made to the other. In a rotatable portable communication device that can be set to an arbitrary rotation state, one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion is rotated to an arbitrary rotation state with respect to the other. And when the requested service is executed, the rotating state between the upper casing and the lower casing determined in advance corresponding to the service is set. A rotatable portable communication device comprising a control unit for controlling the electric motor to be set.
(2) A script table showing a control procedure for the electric motor for causing the control unit to set a rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit predetermined for each service. The rotatable portable communication device according to (1), wherein the control unit controls the electric motor based on the script table corresponding to the requested service.
(3) In response to a request from the user of the rotatable portable communication device, the control unit determines whether the upper casing portion and the lower casing portion of the rotatable portable communication device of the communication partner are The rotatable portable communication device according to (1) or (2), wherein a control signal for rotating one of the other with respect to the other is transmitted to the rotatable portable communication device of the communication partner. .
(4) When the control unit receives the control signal from a communication partner, the rotatable portable mobile phone according to (3), which controls the electric motor based on the rotation operation specified in the control signal. Communication equipment.
(5) The control unit corresponds to the rotation operation for setting the rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit, which is determined in advance corresponding to each service. The rotatable portable communication device according to any one of the above (1) to (4), which is performed together with any one or more outputs of display, sound and vibration indicating each service.
(6) Based on the result of interpretation of the facial expression or emotion of the character appearing in the application being executed by the control unit, a rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit is determined in advance. The rotatable portable communication device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the electric motor is controlled so as to be set in a rotated state.
(7) The rotation state between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion is a uniaxial folding or flip open / close state, or a biaxial rotational state (above) The rotatable portable communication device according to any one of 1) to (6).
(8) A rotatable portable telephone in which the rotatable portable communication device according to any one of (1) to (7) is a portable telephone.

  According to the rotatable portable communication device and the rotatable portable telephone of the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

  That is, as a first effect according to the present invention, it is possible to set the rotation state between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion to a predetermined state arbitrarily determined in advance for each service. For each service provided to the user, not only the voice, vibration and display on the display unit, but also the user visually recognizes the rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit, Each service can be easily recognized.

  In addition, as a second effect of the present invention, it is possible for the user to freely set the rotation state between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion to a predetermined state. It is possible to provide a service function rich in fashion that can be more intuitively understood through vision and that can be enjoyed by the user.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a rotatable portable communication device and a rotatable portable telephone according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, as an example of the rotatable portable communication device according to the present invention, the upper casing portion having a display unit or the like can be freely set with respect to the lower casing unit having an operation unit or the like. A single-axis foldable mobile phone that performs an opening / closing operation will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such a case.

  The rotatable portable communication device according to the present invention is rotatably joined at the end portions of the upper casing portion and the lower casing portion, so that either the upper casing portion or the lower casing portion is connected. Any type of mobile communication device may be used as long as one of the mobile communication devices can be set in any rotation state with respect to the other. For example, instead of the upper housing portion, a uniaxial folding type that opens and closes the lower housing portion with respect to the upper housing portion may be used, or the upper housing portion may be opened. After that, it may be a biaxial rotatable type that can be further rotated left and right. Further, the mobile communication device according to the present invention may be not only a mobile phone but also a mobile information terminal PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or, in some cases, a portable notebook PC.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a foldable mobile phone which is an example of a rotatable portable communication device according to the present invention. A foldable mobile phone 100 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a lower housing 1 and an upper housing 2, and one side of each other is rotatably joined by a support shaft 23 of a hinge portion 21. A control unit 11 for controlling the overall operation of the foldable mobile phone 100 is mounted on the lower casing unit 1 constituting the main body unit, and is designated based on a drive instruction from the control unit 11. An electric motor 12 that is driven to rotate by the angle is also mounted. A central shaft 14 of a gear 13 is fixed to the motor shaft of the electric motor 12, and the gear 13 rotates integrally with the rotation of the electric motor 12.

  Further, the gear 13 is fitted with the gear 22 provided so that the central axis coincides with the support shaft 23 of the hinge portion 21 of the upper casing portion 2 rotatably connected to the lower casing portion 1. Match. Therefore, when the gear 13 is rotated by the designated angle in accordance with the rotation operation of the electric motor 12 that is rotated by the angle designated by the drive instruction from the control unit 11, the gear 22 fitted to the gear 13 is rotated. Then, the upper housing part 2 is opened in a direction away from the lower housing part 1 up to a specified angle, or is closed in a direction close to the lower housing part 1 up to a designated angle.

  Note that a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, a receiving speaker, and the like are disposed on the inner surface side of the upper housing unit 2. On the other hand, for example, various operation buttons for operation by the user and a microphone for transmission are arranged on the inner surface side of the lower housing unit 1. The control unit 11 that receives the operation button operation is foldable. The operation of each part of the mobile phone 100 is controlled. The control unit 11 may be configured using any control mechanism including hardware logic and software logic.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the case where the control unit 11 uses software logic, the control unit 11 is configured by a program control device such as an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) that can execute a program, and is described using a script language. A case is described in which a control unit capable of executing a specified process is used in accordance with a control procedure (that is, a control table: hereinafter referred to as a script table).

  This script table sets and registers the rotation state between the upper casing unit 2 and the lower casing unit 1 predetermined for each service for each service. A service is provided for each service of the foldable mobile phone 100. When executing one of the requested services, the control unit 11 refers to a predetermined script table corresponding to the requested service, and operates the folding mobile phone 100 according to the script table. To control the electric motor 12 so as to set the rotation state between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 1 according to the control procedure described in the script table, Implements the requested service such as incoming call processing.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 lowers the upper casing unit 2 so as to be in a rotating state corresponding to each service by software control using a script table corresponding to each service. The electric motor 12 is instructed to rotate by a specified angle with respect to the side casing 1 or the specified opening / closing operation is repeated, and the lower casing is centered on the support shaft 23 of the hinge part 21. By rotating the upper housing part 2 by a specified angle with respect to the body part 1 or by repeatedly opening and closing the body part 1, the lower housing part 1 of the upper housing part 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100 is used in executing the service. Therefore, the user can be notified of the execution of the service, or can be provided with a service that can be more intuitively understood by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the opening / closing operation of the foldable mobile phone 100 of FIG. That is, by changing the folding state of the foldable mobile phone 100 by software control based on a script table set in advance for each service in the control unit 11, for example, the user can receive a call more clearly. For example, it is possible to provide a service with high fashionability that can be understood more intuitively, for example, by imitating the feelings of the communication partner being happy or sorry.

  Next, an example of the software flow of the control unit 11 of the foldable mobile phone 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of the control program of the control unit 11 of the foldable mobile phone 100 of FIG. 1, and an example of an opening / closing control routine for controlling the folded state of the foldable mobile phone 100. Is shown. Here, FIG. 3A shows an example of the script table described above, and shows a control procedure for controlling the open / closed state of the lower casing 1 of the upper casing 2. FIG. 3B shows a flow of a control program for performing processing for controlling the opening / closing operation of the upper housing 2 while referring to the script table.

  In the script table of FIG. 3A, for example, in the case of a videophone call or a voice call, a control signal is received from a communication partner, and the communication partner in communication is happy based on the control signal. Therefore, the upper casing 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100 is set to 170 degrees with respect to the lower casing 1 at an interval of 100 milliseconds. The case where the opening / closing operation | movement between 180 degree | times is performed repeatedly is illustrated.

  Here, as a procedure for transmitting and receiving a control signal for instructing execution of the script table as shown in FIG. 3A from the communication partner side, first, in the folding mobile phone 100 on the transmission side, for example, the feeling that I am happy In response to a request from the user who wants to transmit the message to the communication partner (for example, operation of a specific operation button instructing to transmit such feeling), the control unit 11 includes a control signal including a control code indicating the feeling of being happy Is generated and transmitted to the communication partner. The control code included in the control signal opens and closes the upper casing 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100 of the communication partner with respect to the lower casing 1 in order to more intuitively understand the feeling of joy. It is a signal for instructing to be repeated.

  On the other hand, in the foldable mobile phone 100 that has received the control signal from the communication partner, the control unit 11 includes a control code included in the received control signal (that is, an instruction for a repetitive opening / closing operation imitating, for example, a feeling of joy) For example, the script table as shown in FIG. 3A described above is read, and the electric motor 12 is controlled, and the opening / closing operation of the upper housing portion 2 is performed as a predetermined opening / closing operation to express a feeling of joy. The opening / closing operation is repeatedly performed on the lower casing 1.

  Next, the script table illustrated in FIG. 3A will be described. “MemoryAngle” on the first line of the script table is a script that instructs to store the current angle with respect to the lower casing 1 of the upper casing 2. “SetAngle d, s” means that the electric motor 12 is set so that the angle of the upper housing 2 with respect to the lower housing 1 is set to d degrees (that is, the opening angle is d degrees) in s milliseconds. The script “SetAngle 170, 1000” in the second line is a script for instructing to control, and opens and closes at 170 degrees from the current angle in 1000 milliseconds, that is, 1 second. In this state, for example, it is instructed to close from the open angle of 180 degrees fully opened to the lower casing 1 to an open angle close to 10 degrees.

In addition to “SetAngle d, s”, a script having a different form can be prepared as a script for instructing the open / close state of the foldable mobile phone 100. For example, “MoveAngle
+ d, s "is used to further open the angle of the upper casing 2 with respect to the lower casing 1 in s milliseconds (in the case of minus designation" -d ", the current It is also possible to instruct the electric motor 12 to set the angle to be closed by d degrees.

  “Wait s” is a script that instructs to wait for s seconds before executing the script on the next line, and “Wait 100” on the third line instructs to wait for 100 milliseconds. In addition, “SetAngle 180, 1000” in the fourth row is opposite to the closing operation in the second row. It is instructed to completely open the angle from 170 degrees to 180 degrees.

  Furthermore, in the “Wait 100” on the 5th line, we again instruct to wait for 100 milliseconds, and on the “SetAngle 170, 1000” in the 6th line, we again close it to 170 degrees in 1 second. After instructing, “Wait 100” on the 7th line is again instructed to wait for 100 milliseconds. Thereafter, “RecoverAngle” in the eighth line instructs to return to the original opening angle stored in “MemoryAngle” in the first line.

  Next, the opening / closing control operation executed while referring to the script table illustrated in FIG. 3 (A) will be further described in accordance with the flowchart of the opening / closing control routine shown in FIG. 3 (B). Here, as described above, for example, during a videophone call, in order to more intuitively show the feeling that the communication partner is happy, the upper casing 2 of the folding mobile phone 100 is set to 170 degrees. By receiving a control signal instructing execution of the script table of FIG. 3A that is set to repeatedly open and close between 180 degrees, the opening and closing control routine of FIG. 3B is started. The

  First, in the foldable mobile phone 100 that has received a control signal including a control code that expresses, for example, the feeling of happiness, the open / close control routine that controls the open / close operation of the foldable mobile phone 100 is called by the control unit 11. Thus, the opening / closing operation of the foldable mobile phone 100 is started (step S1). The opening / closing control routine reads the script table shown in FIG. 3A into the storage device for execution as a script table to be referred to according to the control code included in the received control signal (step S2).

  Next, the first line of the read script table is acquired (step S3), and in the case of the script on the first line, FIG. 3A, the processing of “MemoryAngle” is executed (step S4). As a result, in the case of FIG. 3A, the current angle with respect to the lower casing 1 of the upper casing 2 is stored and stored as described above.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the next line still exists in the read script table (step S5). If it still exists (YES in step S5), the process returns to step S3 to acquire and execute the next line. In the case of the script table of FIG. 3A, since there are a plurality of lines up to the eighth line, the processes from step S3 to S5 are repeated until the eighth line is reached. By this iterative process, the script of each line in FIG. 3A is sequentially executed, and as described above, the upper housing 2 repeats between 170 degrees and 180 degrees with respect to the lower housing 1. Opening and closing operations are performed.

  When “RecoverAngle” on the eighth line of the last line in FIG. 3A is executed, the next line does not exist in the read script table (NO in step S5), and the operation of the open / close control routine ends. .

  As a result of the above operation, the upper casing 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100 is slightly closed by 10 degrees in parallel with the lower casing 1 being completely opened up to 180 degrees. The state of 170 degrees is repeated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper housing part 2 performs a repetitive opening and closing operation, and visually represents an operation that mimics the joy of expressing the joy of the communication partner. Can do. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation simulating the feeling of being happy as an example of the opening / closing operation of the foldable mobile phone 100.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper casing 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100 is closed by 90 degrees from a parallel state in which the upper casing 2 is completely opened to 180 degrees with respect to the lower casing 1. By performing the folding operation up to 90 degrees based on a script table different from that shown in FIG. It is also possible to visually express the movement that mimics that feeling. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operation simulating a feeling of regret as another example of the opening / closing operation of the folding mobile phone 100.

  As described above, in the open / close state of the upper casing 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100, and in a general rotatable portable communication device such as a two-axis portable communication device, A fashionable service function that allows users to more intuitively understand and enjoy by freely setting the rotation state to an arbitrary state that is predetermined as one form of visual service provision. Can be provided.

  Furthermore, the open / close state of the upper casing 2 of the foldable mobile phone 100 (or the rotating state of the upper casing in a general rotatable portable communication device) is changed to the foldable mobile phone 100 (or Each service is provided for each of the various services provided in the mobile communication device (which can be freely rotated) so that the user can recognize each service more intuitively. When trying to do so, it is possible to set a predetermined open / closed state (or rotating state) predetermined for the service, and for each service provided to the user, voice, vibration and display In addition to the display on the unit, the user can visually recognize the open / closed state (or the rotating state) between the lower casing unit 1 and the upper casing unit 2 so that each service can be more efficiently performed. It is also possible to recognize.

  Note that the opening / closing operation (or rotation operation) between the lower housing unit 1 and the upper housing unit 2 predetermined for each service is indicated by a display and sound indicating each corresponding service. Of course, it may be performed together with one or more outputs of vibration.

  Next, another application mode of the rotatable portable communication device according to the present invention will be further described.

  (1) When a flip (upper lid) type portable communication device is used as the shape of the rotatable portable communication device, the flip portion can be driven by an electric motor provided on the main body side in the same manner as the above-described upper housing portion. It is configured, and an automatic opening / closing mechanism (rotation operation mechanism) by an electric motor is provided for the flip part, so that the same operation as the opening / closing operation for the lower case part of the upper case part is flipped. You may make it carry out to a part.

  (2) When there is an incoming call or mail incoming to the rotatable portable communication device, as described above, the rotation between the upper casing portion and the lower casing portion of the rotatable portable communication device. By automatically setting the moving state to a predetermined state and automatically setting the upper housing part to a fully open state sufficiently separated from the lower housing part, the user bothers to open the upper housing part. It is possible to omit the trouble of confirming the incoming call and responding to it, and the operability and response to the incoming call can be improved.

  (3) In a conversation during a telephone call (or during a videophone call) using a portable mobile communication device, emotions such as “happy”, “sorry”, and “sad” are more intuitively transmitted to the communication partner. For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, as a control signal for the rotatable portable communication device of the communication partner, the upper housing portion of the rotatable portable communication device of the communication partner When a control signal for setting the rotation state with the lower casing to a predetermined state can be transmitted by the user's button operation, and the corresponding operation button is operated It is also possible to execute a script table showing a control procedure for transmitting the control signal to the rotatable portable communication device as the communication partner as the program logic of the control unit.

  (4) Even when various applications such as games (for example, applications described in Java (registered trademark) Script) mounted on a rotatable portable communication device are executed, they appear in the application. When the character to be displayed is displayed on the screen, the control unit interprets the emotional expression and emotion of the character, and according to the interpretation result, the upper casing unit and the lower casing of the rotatable portable communication device By controlling the electric motor so that the rotation state between the two parts is set to a predetermined rotation state, it is possible to more intuitively understand the situation of the appearing character and make the application more enjoyable to execute. be able to. For example, when trying to display an expression that the appearance character is happy on the display unit, the open / close state between the upper casing unit and the lower casing unit is simultaneously fluttered as illustrated in FIG. It is also possible to perform the operation.

  The configuration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, it should be noted that such examples are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the cross-sectional structure about the foldable mobile telephone which is an example of the rotatable portable communication apparatus by this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating an example of the opening / closing operation | movement of the foldable mobile telephone of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a flow of a control program of a control unit of the foldable mobile phone in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement imitating the feeling of being glad as an example of the opening / closing operation | movement of the foldable mobile telephone of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement imitating the feeling of being sorry as another example of the opening / closing operation | movement of the foldable mobile telephone of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lower housing | casing part 100 Folding-type mobile telephone 11 Control part 12 Electric motor 13 Gear 14 Center shaft 2 Upper housing | casing part 21 Hinge part 22 Gear 23 Support shaft

Claims (8)

  The upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are joined to each other so as to be rotatable, and one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion can be freely rotated with respect to the other. In the rotatable portable communication device that can be set in a moving state, either one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion can be rotated to an arbitrary rotating state with respect to the other. When the requested service is executed, the rotation state between the upper casing and the lower casing determined in advance corresponding to the service is set. And a control unit for controlling the electric motor.   The control unit includes a script table showing a control procedure for the electric motor for setting a rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit predetermined for each service. The rotatable portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the unit controls the electric motor based on the script table corresponding to the requested service.   In response to a request from the user of the rotatable portable communication device, the control unit is either the upper casing portion or the lower casing portion of the rotatable portable communication device of the communication partner. 3. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein a control signal for performing a rotation operation on the other device is transmitted to the mobile communication device of the communication partner. 4. machine.   The rotation according to claim 3, wherein when the control unit receives the control signal from a communication partner, the control unit controls the electric motor based on a rotation operation specified in the control signal. Free portable communication equipment.   The control unit performs a rotation operation for setting a rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit, which is determined in advance corresponding to each service. 5. The rotatable portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is rotated together with any one or more outputs of display, sound, and vibration.   Based on the result of interpretation of the facial expression or emotion of a character appearing in the application being executed by the control unit, a predetermined rotation state between the upper housing unit and the lower housing unit is determined. The rotatable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric motor is controlled to be set in a state.   The rotating state between the upper housing part and the lower housing part is a uniaxial folding or flip open / close state or a biaxial rotational state. The rotatable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   8. A rotatable portable telephone set, wherein the rotatable portable communication device according to claim 1 is a portable telephone set.

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