JP2009136027A - Mobile communication terminal and its information recording control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication terminal having excellent operability, and its information recording control method by which a user can use information records easily and simply at a talking mode or a standby mode. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile communication terminal comprising a first unit (100), a second unit (200), and a movable connection means (300) for changing a relative position between the first unit and the second unit in an electrically connected state to each other comprises: an information storage means (120) for recording information; unit position detection means (112, 113) each detecting the displacement of relative position between the first unit and the second unit; and controllers (117, 118) each changing an information recording operation to the information storage means depending on whether the line is in a standby mode or in a talking mode when the relative displacement is effected in a predetermined change. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cellular phone or other portable information terminal having a folding type structure and an information recording function, and more particularly to improvement of information recording control.

  Conventionally, as a structure of a portable information terminal, particularly a cellular phone, a straight type, a folding type, and the like are used. In particular, folding type mobile phones are widely preferred because they can be stored compactly, and the demand is expanding. Furthermore, in recent years, as seen in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-30226, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-215218, or Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959 (“foldable portable information terminal”) by the present inventors, etc. There has also been proposed a new foldable portable information terminal in which two units such as an upper unit and a lower unit are joined so as to be opened and closed and rotated.

  On the other hand, some portable information terminals have a function of recording various kinds of information such as sound and images. For example, a large number of portable information terminals are provided which are improved in convenience by performing reception information during a call and recording information instead of a memo during standby.

  A portable information terminal provided with a camera unit is also widely known for recording captured image information or moving image information and transmitting the information by a portable information terminal. Such devices are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-257460 (“portable videophone device”), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-275094 (“information communication device”), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-320463 (“mobile terminal”). Apparatus ") and the like.

  In an apparatus equipped with a camera unit, in order to take an image of the user himself and use it as a videophone, the camera opening is considered to be located in the same direction plane as the display surface of the image monitor display. In order to take an image of the surroundings, the camera opening is considered to be located on the side opposite to the surface on which the image monitor display is disposed. For this purpose, in each of the above-mentioned devices, the relative posture between the camera opening and the monitor display is made variable so as to be suitable for use as a videophone or surrounding image pickup. That is, in the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-257460, the camera unit and the display unit are rotatably provided via a common shaft. In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-275094, a rotation mechanism is provided between an imaging unit and a main body that displays an image. Further, in the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-320463, the lid portion provided with the display device is foldable with respect to the housing body and is pivotally attached.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-30226 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-215218 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-257460 JP 2001-275094 A JP 2001-320463 A

  However, in order to use the information recording function in the conventional portable information terminal, a series of operations are required using a predetermined operation unit. The same applies to a new foldable portable information terminal in which the above-described upper unit and lower unit are coupled so as to be openable and closable. The operation in this case is complicated for the user, and it is difficult to perform the operation at the time of a telephone call or the like. Therefore, it is desired to improve the usability of the information recording function.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal with good operability and an information recording control method thereof that can easily and conveniently use information recording during a call or during standby .

A mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is a mobile communication terminal having a first unit, a second unit, and a movable connecting means for variably connecting a relative position between the first unit and the second unit, Information storing means for recording information, unit position detecting means for detecting a change in relative position of the first unit and the second unit, and communication if the relative position change is a predetermined change Control means for changing the information recording operation to the information storage means depending on whether it is waiting or not .

An information recording control method according to the present invention includes a first unit, a second unit, movable connecting means for variably connecting relative positions of the first unit and the second unit, and information storage means for recording information. The information recording control method in the portable communication terminal having the above, wherein a change in relative position of the first unit and the second unit is detected, and if the relative position change is a predetermined change, at the time of communication The information recording operation to the information storage means is changed depending on whether the information is stored or waiting .

According to the present invention , different operations can be performed with the same operation depending on whether the call is in progress or in standby. For example, reception information can be recorded during a call, and image or audio information from the camera unit can be recorded as information instead of a memo during standby. Thereby, information recording can be performed easily and simply, and the operability is remarkably improved.

(a), (b) is an external view which shows one Example of the mobile telephone based on this invention, (c) is a principal part perspective view explaining the structure of the biaxial hinge vicinity used. (a)-(c) is the external view shown in the state which made the mobile phone of the same Example into the different attitude | position. It is a schematic block diagram of the electric circuit part of an Example mobile telephone. (a), (b) is a schematic diagram explaining arrangement | positioning of the magnetic sensor group and magnet group which concern on the mobile telephone of an Example. (a), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the magnet with respect to the Hall element of a lower unit in each main rotation position with respect to the lower unit of an upper unit. (a) to (d) are external views for explaining main locking positions (relative postures) of the lower unit and the upper unit in the mobile phone of the embodiment.

  [Embodiment] The foldable portable information terminal of the present invention detects opening / closing / turning operations of an upper unit and a lower unit that are connected to each other in a freely openable manner or in a freely rotatable manner during a call or standby. By setting the information recording state, it is possible to easily and simply record received information such as voice during a call and information instead of a memo such as voice or an image during standby. Hereinafter, an example is given and the present invention is explained in full detail with reference to drawings.

  1 to 6 show an embodiment of a folding cellular phone as a portable information terminal of the present invention. Note that many of the configurations described below of the cellular phone 500 of this embodiment are common to the foldable cellular phone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959.

  However, in the mobile phone of this embodiment, in addition to the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959, a camera unit 121 that captures a moving image or a still image and received information, or the camera unit 121 and the microphone 103 and the like, and a setting information storage unit 119 for storing various setting information relating to information recording and information recording cancellation based on mutual positions of the upper and lower two units.

  Further, the control unit 109 of the embodiment further has a function of discriminating the opening / closing / rotation state of the unit (rotation opening / closing detection unit) and a function of measuring time (time keeping control) as compared with the one of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959. Section), a function for determining the communication state (communication control section 117), and a function for managing the storage capacity of the information storage section (record control section 118).

  Hereafter, each part of an Example is demonstrated in order. FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are external views of the present cellular phone, in which the upper unit is developed vertically with respect to the lower unit, and the display part is disposed on the side surface of the lower unit. The state rotated sideways toward the side is shown. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a main part for explaining the structure in the vicinity of the biaxial hinge (movable connecting member) 300 used in this embodiment. 2 (a) to 2 (c) show an external view in which the upper unit of the same embodiment is developed vertically with respect to the lower unit, and the display surface is directed to the opposite side of the camera unit opening portion side. It shows a state in which it is rotated sideways to have a different posture. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the electric circuit unit 400 of the embodiment mobile phone.

  1 mainly includes a lower unit 100 having an operation unit, an upper unit 200 having a display unit, and the lower unit 100 and the upper unit 200 are rotatable and rotatable. It is composed of three parts of a biaxial hinge 300 that is a movable joining member (universal hinge part) to be coupled.

  The lower unit 100 and the upper unit 200 have a flat oval shape with a predetermined thickness and substantially the same size. The lower unit 100 and the upper unit 200 are mechanically coupled via a biaxial hinge 300, and the upper unit 200 rotates and rotates with respect to the lower unit 100 around the biaxial hinge portion. It has a flexible structure. The lower unit 100 and the upper unit 200 are electrically connected by appropriate connecting means via a biaxial hinge portion.

  In the outer case 101 of the lower unit 100, each part (described later) surrounded by a broken line 100A in FIG. On one side (operation surface) 101a of the lower unit 100, an operation unit 102A including a plurality of operation keys 102 for using the functions of the mobile phone 500 is disposed. Further, the opening of the microphone 103 is arranged at the tip of the same operation surface. In addition, the first rotating shaft is substantially perpendicular to the operation surface at a central position in the width direction at a predetermined distance from the lower unit edge near the base end of the operation surface (a distance approximately half the thickness of the upper unit). A (horizontal rotating shaft) 301 protrudes from the tip and is fixed rotatably.

  In the outer case 201 of the upper unit 200, each part (described later) surrounded by a broken line 200A in FIG. 3 is housed or attached. On one side (display surface) 201a of the upper unit, a display 202 having a substantially rectangular shape is arranged vertically. A speaker 203 is disposed at the tip. A small sub-display 206 is provided on the surface opposite to the display surface 201a.

  A second rotating shaft (opening / closing rotating shaft) 302 is rotatably attached to the upper unit base end portion (combined side) so as to be positioned at a substantially central portion in the thickness direction of the upper unit. The center portion of the second rotating shaft 302 is rotatably coupled to the tip end portion of the first rotating shaft 301, and brackets 303, 303 are attached to the tip end portions of the shaft portions extending on both sides. . The brackets 303 and 303 are firmly fixed to the upper unit 200 from the inside. In FIG. 1 (c), 303a and 303b are (bracket) ends, 303c is a mounting wing, 303d is a mounting hole, 304 is a base plate, 304a and 304b are long sides, and 304c is a long guide hole. , 304d is a guide rod, 305 is a click plate urging spring, 306 is a click plate, 306a is a click plate protrusion, 307 is a horizontal rotation angle regulating stopper piece, 307a is a locking claw, and 308 is a bracket groove. This rotating mechanism is described in detail in the equivalent to Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. Incidentally, the reference numerals in FIG. 1 correspond to the reference numerals in the attached drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959.

  As described above, the cellular phone 500 according to the embodiment has a mechanism in which the two upper and lower units 200 and 100 include two orthogonal rotation shafts that can rotate independently at the respective base end portions. The structure is connected by a shaft hinge 300.

  Next, an electric circuit unit and the like of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in the circuit block diagram of FIG. 3, the cellular phone of the embodiment includes an antenna 104, an RF circuit 105, a modulation / demodulation circuit 106, a baseband processing circuit 107, a codec circuit 108, a control unit 109, a microphone 103, operation keys 102, The notification unit 110 includes three magnetic sensors 111a, 111b, and 111c for detecting the position of the upper unit (attitude with respect to the lower unit). Furthermore, the mobile phone of the embodiment includes a camera unit 121 that captures a moving image or a still image, and an information storage unit 120 that records received information or information input from the camera unit 121 and the microphone 103, and the like. A setting information storage unit 119 for storing various setting information related to information recording and information recording cancellation based on the mutual positions of the upper and lower two units. Each of these functional units is mounted in the lower unit 100. The opening of the camera unit 121 is opened on one side surface of the lower unit 100.

  The control unit 109 includes a rotation angle detection unit 112 that determines the rotation angle of the upper unit 200 based on the output of each magnetic sensor 111, and an open / close detection unit 113 that includes an open / close state and front / back distinction. Upper unit posture detection means (rotation opening / closing detection unit) for determining the state, and a function (communication control unit 117) for determining the communication state. In addition, the display control unit 114 that controls the display content and the direction of the display content reflecting the rotation angle detection unit 112 and the output of the open / close detection unit 113, and the incoming control operation corresponding to the open / close operation / movement operation of the upper unit are also possible. The incoming / end call control unit 115 has a notification control unit 116 that can also control an incoming call notification operation corresponding to the opening / closing operation / movement operation of the upper unit. Further, the control unit 109 has a function of measuring time by a recording unit control unit (recording control unit 118) for managing the storage capacity of the information storage unit 120 and a time measuring control unit not explicitly shown.

  The RF circuit 105 includes a receiving circuit, a transmitting circuit, and a frequency synthesizer that are not explicitly shown. The operation keys 102 constituting the operation unit are known transmission keys, alphabet / kana / kanji / numeric conversion keys, power on / off keys, cross keys for cursor operations, an end key, and the like.

  Further, the cellular phone of the embodiment includes a speaker 203, a magnet 204a corresponding to the magnetic sensors 111a and 111b, a magnet 204c corresponding to the magnetic sensor 111c, a display (liquid crystal display: LCD) 202 serving as a main screen, a display A touch panel mechanism 205, a sub-display 206, and a sub-operation key 207 incorporated on the surface of the device 202 are configured. Each of these functional units is mounted in the upper unit 200. The speaker 203 functions as a voice receiver and also serves as the notification unit 110. The individual parts constituting the electric circuit unit described above are known, and detailed description of the configuration, function, and the like will be omitted in this specification.

  Next, characteristic operations of the mobile phone according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the mobile phone 500 of this embodiment in which two units are coupled by the biaxial hinge 300 described above, the upper unit 200 can be opened and closed with respect to the lower unit (rotates about the second rotation shaft 302), In addition, the lower unit 100 can be rotated around the first rotation shaft 301. Accordingly, the upper unit 200 has a limitation that its front and back surface rotation is limited to a direction perpendicular to the second rotation shaft 302, but any position on one side of the lower unit with the first rotation shaft position as a fulcrum. Can be moved to. Moreover, it can be located in the same position upside down. That is, the lower unit 100 and the upper unit 200 can take various relative postures as required, and the relative postures can be maintained as they are by the horizontal rotation shaft restraining means and the click mechanism at a predetermined locking position. it can. The relative postures at the individual locking positions are as follows: the magnetic sensor group 111 described above, the magnet group 204 cooperating therewith, and the rotation angle detection unit 112 and the open / close detection unit 113 that process the output of the magnetic sensor group 111. It is possible to detect by the upper unit posture detecting means constituted by

  Here, the mounting positions of the magnetic sensor group 111 and the magnet group 204 for detecting the relative posture between the lower unit 100 and the upper unit 200 in the embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement of the magnetic sensor group and the magnet group in the mobile phone of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), four Hall elements (magnetic sensors) 111 are arranged inside the lower unit 100 with the sensitive side facing the operation surface. The two Hall elements 111a and 111b are arranged on a circular arc having a predetermined radius centered on the horizontal rotation axis 301, in the lower half of the figure, on a radial line that forms an angle of 45 ° with the major axis of the lower unit ( Center opening angle 90 °). A third Hall element 111d is arranged at the intersection of the long axis of the lower unit and the arc of the predetermined radius centered on the horizontal rotation axis 301. A fourth Hall element 111c is disposed at the tip of the lower unit so as to be close to one side. Each Hall element can also detect the direction of the magnetic field of the magnet.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the upper unit 200 has a half magnetized in the thickness direction downward in the drawing along the circumference of the predetermined radius centered on the first rotating shaft 301. An annular magnet 204a is attached. A magnet 204c is attached to the tip of the upper unit so as to correspond to the Hall element 111c. It is not always necessary to use a semi-annular magnet, and individual magnets may be arranged at positions corresponding to the Hall elements 111a and 111b.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing the position of the magnet with respect to the Hall element of the lower unit 100 at each of the main rotational positions of the upper unit with respect to the lower unit. FIG. 5 (a) shows the case where the upper unit and the lower unit are parallel. In FIG. 5, Lo1 indicates the position of the magnet 204a when both units are folded with the display surface facing outward, and Lo4 indicates the magnet 204b. Indicates the position. At this time, since outputs are obtained from the Hall elements 111a, 111b, and 111c, the current state (posture) of the upper unit can be determined by the outputs of the rotation angle detector 112 and the open / close detector 113.

  Lo2 indicates the position of the magnet 204a when rotated 90 ° clockwise in the figure. In this case, since the output is obtained only from the Hall element 111b, the state (posture) of the upper unit can be determined. Lo3 indicates the position of the magnet 204a when it is further rotated 90 ° clockwise (regular call posture) in the figure. In this case, since no output is obtained from all the Hall elements, the state (posture) of the upper unit can be determined.

  Note that the position of the magnet 204a when both units are folded with the display surface on the inside is Lo1 (the direction of the magnetic field is opposite to that in FIG. 5), but the position of the magnet 204c is Lo4 'and matches the Hall element 111c. Therefore, it can be determined that the display screen is in the folded state.

  FIG. 5 (b) shows the case where the upper unit is in a vertical posture with respect to the lower unit, and the width direction of the upper unit is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower unit. It shall be facing the camera opening. In this case, the position of the magnet 204a when the two units are folded with the display surface facing outward is Lo5. The magnet 204b (not shown) is the farthest distance from the lower unit. In the state of FIG. 5 (b), the output can be obtained only from the Hall element 111d, so that the current state (posture) of the upper unit includes the front and back directions by the outputs of the rotation angle detector 112 and the open / close detector 113. Can be determined. Even when the display surface of the upper unit faces away from the camera opening, the state (posture) of the upper unit is determined based on the output obtained only from the Hall element 111d.

  As described above, in the mobile phone of the embodiment, the lower unit and the upper unit can take various mutual positions (relative postures) as needed, and in particular, FIG. 1 (a), (b), FIG. 2 (a) to (c) and FIG. 6 (a) to (d), the horizontal rotation direction locking position shown in each external view, and the horizontal rotation direction locking position at each horizontal rotation direction locking position. On the other hand, in a vertically deployed posture (hereinafter referred to as a vertical posture), the relative posture can be maintained as it is. Further, each posture can be individually detected (determined) by the upper unit posture detecting means constituted by the magnetic sensor group 111 and the magnet group 204 cooperating therewith.

  FIG. 6A is an external view illustrating a state in which the cellular phone according to the embodiment is folded in a direction in which the display surface of the upper unit faces the lower unit. This state is exactly the same as a state in which a conventional mobile phone is folded, and the whole is compact so that it is convenient to carry. Further, the display surface is protected without being exposed to the outside. Note that information on the minimum range is displayed on the sub display unit 206.

  FIG. 6B is an external view showing a state where the upper unit 200 is raised as it is from the state of FIG. In this state, display can be confirmed, various operations can be performed, and telephone calls can be made in the same manner as a conventional mobile phone.

  FIG. 6 (c) is an external view showing a state in which the upper unit 200 is rotated approximately 90 degrees clockwise along a plane parallel to the operation surface 101a of the lower unit 100 from the state of FIG. 6 (b), for example. FIG. At this time, the display unit is horizontally long. Note that the state shown in FIG. 6 (c) can also be obtained by sliding it counterclockwise from the folded state shown in FIG. 6 (d).

  When the upper unit and the lower unit are in the positional relationship as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the upper unit posture detecting means described above senses this positional relationship, and the display control unit 114 The display content to be displayed on the display unit 202 is converted in accordance with the vertical direction of the operation surface 101a and displayed horizontally (with the left and right sides of the display content as the long side direction of the display unit). At this time, for the operation unit or the second operation unit that has directionality in the processing corresponding to the operation, such as a direction key (cursor key), the corresponding processing content is adapted to the display direction.

  In the state of FIG. 6C, a large amount of character information can be easily confirmed by the horizontally long display surface, and it is easy to see when a horizontally long image is displayed. As described above, the cellular phone according to the embodiment can be viewed in the open state with the display unit facing sideways, or can be appropriately operated as necessary.

  Although illustration is omitted, contrary to the above description, the upper unit 200 is rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise in the display plane direction from the normal call position (standard expanded state) in FIG. In this case as well, the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 100 are substantially orthogonal to each other in substantially the same plane, and the display is horizontally long with respect to the vertical direction of the operation surface.

  In this case as well, the upper unit attitude detection means senses that the upper unit and the lower unit are in such a positional relationship, and the display control unit 114 displays correspondingly on the display 202 in accordance with the vertical direction of the operation surface. The display content to be displayed is converted (the left and right sides of the display content are in the direction of the long side of the display. The direction is relatively opposite to that in the case of FIG. 6 (c)) and displayed horizontally.

  In the cellular phone according to the embodiment, when the mobile phone is closed, the mobile phone can be closed in a state opposite to the standard state, that is, the display portion normally stored inside is closed. FIG. 6D is an external view showing a state in which the display surface of the upper unit 200 is folded with respect to the lower unit 100 in a direction facing outward. For example, by rotating the upper unit 200 halfway from the state in which the cellular phone is opened (FIG. 6 (b)), it is possible to close the display surface outward as shown in FIG. 6 (d). . In this state, it is compact so that it is convenient to carry, and the display contents can be visually confirmed while being folded at the same time, and the second operation unit 207 is exposed to the outside, so that the second operation unit 207 is used. Thus, it is possible to perform a predetermined operation according to the display content.

  6 (d) may be detected by the upper unit posture detection means, and the display content may be displayed upside down on the display correspondingly. At this time, the processing content of the second operation unit, such as a direction key (cursor key), having a direction corresponding to the operation is adapted to the display direction. In this way, the mobile phone can be held in the palm as in the standard folded state without changing the way the mobile phone is held, and the display can be read as it is and necessary operations can be performed.

  Further, when the cellular phone of the embodiment is in the state shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) (standing position), if the user holds the cellular phone in a state of facing the display 202, the opening of the camera unit 121 is opened. The user's face captured by the camera unit 121 can be confirmed on the display 202, and can be used as a videophone while transmitting the user's own image. . It is also convenient to record the user's own image.

  In addition, when the mobile phone of the embodiment is in the state shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C (standing position), if the user holds the mobile phone in a state facing the display 202, the camera unit 121 The opening is located on the opposite side of the display 202, and is therefore suitable for capturing and recording an external landscape, others, etc. with the camera unit 121 while confirming with the display 202. Note that recording of an image or the like can be controlled in association with a vertical posture detection operation, as will be described later.

  The telephone function, data transmission / reception function, etc., the display function corresponding to each attitude, and the communication control function of the above-described example mobile phone are equivalent to the mobile phone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959. The characteristic operation of the present invention will be further described below. According to the mobile phone of the present embodiment, a predetermined relative posture among the relative postures (mutual positions) of the lower unit and the upper unit cooperates with the magnetic sensor group 111 and during the call or standby. When detected by the magnet group 204, the recording unit enters an information recording state.

  For this purpose, the user can set in advance that the information recording state is set when the mutual position (relative posture) between the lower unit and the upper unit shifts to a predetermined posture during a call or during standby. . For example, as a mutual position change between the lower unit and the upper unit, for example, by the user's setting operation, the user slightly rotates from the position (posture) in FIG. 6B around the second rotation shaft 302 (see FIG. 6B). When the information recording state is shifted by the opening / closing operation), an input setting for setting the audio information recording state is made, and this fact is stored in the setting information storage unit 119. In addition, it is preferable to provide a click mechanism also in the rotation position where information recording starts.

  When the above operation setting is made, the user rotates the upper unit a little around the second rotation axis 302 with respect to the mobile phone in which the positional relationship between both units is in the state of FIG. The information recording state is entered by switching (opening / closing operation), and if waiting, the voice information input from the microphone 103 is set for a preset time or information for a preset storage capacity. To remember. In addition, if it is during a call, recording of the received information (voice) is started for the same operation (transitional position shift), and information for a preset time or preset storage capacity Record in the storage unit 120.

  Further, in the mobile phone of the embodiment, a control procedure for setting an information recording state when the position is shifted from the position shown in FIG. 6B is input in advance as the mutual position between the lower unit and the upper unit as described above. Set and store it in the setting information storage unit 119, and release the information recording by rotating the upper unit to the position shown in FIG. It is possible to set the control for setting the state. If this setting is made, if the user returns to the state shown in FIG. 6B during recording, the recording is immediately terminated.

  In the mobile phone according to the embodiment, the following settings can be made in combination with the above-described settings or selectively. The user previously rotates the upper unit from the position (posture) in FIG. 6B as a mutual position change between the lower unit and the upper unit during a call or in standby, and moves to the position shown in FIG. An input setting for a voice information recording state can be performed in the case of shifting to (posture), and this fact is stored in the setting information storage unit 119.

  Further, when the upper unit is further rotated from the position shown in FIG. 6C to move to the position shown in FIG. 6B, a control procedure for changing the information recording state to the information recording release state is input and set. The information recording release state is achieved by rotating the upper unit to the position shown in FIG. 6B with respect to the mobile phone at the position shown in FIG. It is also possible to set such control as follows.

  When the above operation setting is made, the user displaces the upper unit to the position shown in FIG. 6C with respect to the mobile phone in which the positional relationship between both units is in the state shown in FIG. The information received from the microphone 103 is received in response to the same operation (mutual position shift) during a call. (Voice) recording is started, information for a preset time or preset storage capacity is recorded in the information storage unit 120, and the recording is immediately terminated when the user performs a return operation.

  In addition to the mobile phone in the state of FIG. 6B, the user is waiting or talking by slightly rotating the upper unit around the first rotation shaft 301 (horizontal rotation). It is also possible to adopt a configuration that shifts to a recording state of audio information.

  Furthermore, in the mobile phone of the embodiment, images can be recorded in addition to voice information, and when image information is received during communication by performing a predetermined setting operation, a received image corresponding to the same operation as described above is received. Is recorded in the information recording unit 120.

  As described above, the mobile phone according to the embodiment includes the camera unit 121. The operation state of the camera unit 121 and the recording of the image output (output information) can also be controlled based on the mutual position of the lower unit and the upper unit or changes thereof.

  1 and the external view of FIG. 2 show examples of the mutual positions of the lower unit and the upper unit in which the camera unit 121 that captures moving images or still images is in an operating state. In FIG. 1 ((a) to (c)), the indicator 202 provided on the display surface 201a of the upper unit is also positioned at a position facing the operator, and the camera unit 121 (opening portion) provided on one side of the lower unit. ) Is also a position facing the subject. On the other hand, in FIG. 2 ((a) to (c)), the display unit 202 provided on the display surface 201a of the upper unit is positioned so as to face the operator, and the camera unit 121 provided on one side surface of the lower unit is a subject. It will be the position facing.

  The mobile phone of the embodiment changes the mutual position (relative attitude) between the lower unit and the upper unit to the state shown in FIG. 1 ((a), (b)) with respect to the standby mobile phone ( The information is recorded from the camera unit 121 and the microphone 103. Therefore, by performing a predetermined setting operation in advance, when the user moves the upper unit while waiting and the positional relationship between the two units is in the state shown in FIG. Information (the self-portrait in the normal use state) is stored in the information storage unit 120 for a preset time or for a preset storage capacity.

  In addition, the embodiment starts recording the received information (image and / or sound) by changing the upper unit to a slightly different position from the posture shown in FIG. 1 during a videophone call. The information storage unit 120 can be set so as to record information for a predetermined storage time or a preset storage capacity.

  Furthermore, the mobile phone of the embodiment changes the relative position (relative posture) between the lower unit and the upper unit to the state shown in FIG. 2 ((a) to (c)) with respect to the mobile phone in standby. The information recording state from the camera unit 121 and the microphone 103 is also set by operating (operating). Therefore, if a predetermined setting operation is performed in advance and stored in the setting information storage unit 119, when the user moves the upper unit while waiting and the positional relationship between the two units is in the state shown in FIG. Then, image information from the camera unit 121 (external scenery in the normal use state) is stored in the information storage unit 120 for a preset time or for a preset storage capacity.

  An example will be given of the control related to the present invention in this embodiment. First, when a user waits, a desired setting for information recording is performed. This setting content is stored in the setting information storage unit 119. As the user setting item, the type of information to be stored is selected. For standby use, audio information from the microphone and image information from the camera unit can be selected individually or simultaneously. An appropriate upper unit posture (position) is associated as an initial setting in accordance with the selected information. If necessary, an input instruction can be given in association with the recording start posture for each information. Further, an appropriate recording time (recording capacity) is associated as an initial setting in accordance with the selected information. If necessary, an input instruction can be given in association with the recording time for each piece of information. Manual operation according to the unit position change for releasing the recording state can be arbitrarily set arbitrarily.

  The user can also select received contents (sound, image) individually or simultaneously corresponding to the time of communication. An appropriate upper unit posture (position) is associated as an initial setting in accordance with information selected in the same manner as in standby. If necessary, an input instruction can be given in association with the recording start posture for each information. Further, an appropriate recording time (recording capacity) is associated as an initial setting in accordance with the selected information. If necessary, an input instruction can be given in association with the recording time for each piece of information. Manual operation according to the unit position change for releasing the recording state can be arbitrarily set arbitrarily.

  When the mobile phone is in operation after the setting is completed, the user records the information according to the setting stored in the installation information storage unit 119 for a certain period of time by positioning the upper unit at a predetermined position when waiting. . For example, assuming the unit posture shown in FIG. 2, the unit posture detecting means detects this and the recording control unit 118 operates, and the image information captured by the camera unit 121 (the input from the microphone 103 at the same time according to the setting). Audio) is recorded in the information recording unit 120 for a certain period of time. If set, the recording state is canceled (recording stop) when the user moves from the unit posture shown in FIG. 2 even during recording. Further, when the user moves the upper unit to a predetermined position set at the time of standby, the unit attitude detecting means detects this and the recording control unit 118 operates, and instead of the memo, the input voice from the microphone 103 is received as the information recording unit. Recorded at 120 for a certain period of time.

  In addition, even when the user places the upper unit at a predetermined position during communication, information is recorded for a certain period of time according to the setting stored in the installation information storage unit 119. For example, when the upper unit is slightly moved in the closing direction from the unit posture shown in FIG. 6B, the unit posture detecting means detects this and the recording control unit 118 is activated, and the voice information during the call is changed to the information recording unit 120. Is recorded for a certain period of time. If it is set, even if the user is in the middle of recording, the recording state is canceled (recording stop) if the user returns to the unit posture shown in FIG. 6B.

  According to the present embodiment described above, during a call or standby, the opening / closing / turning operation of the upper unit and the lower unit coupled to be freely opened / closed and rotated is detected to record voice, image and other information. Since it is in the state, it is possible to easily and simply record received information and information such as images and sounds by the camera unit, and the operability can be greatly improved.

  In addition, since the mobile phone of the embodiment can be folded with the display unit facing outward, as in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-303959, it reads the mail while it is closed, sees the map and other images, Can be confirmed on the display, and operations such as receiving a call after judging the display contents can be immediately performed in a closed state. When folded with the display unit on the outside, it can be carried compactly while looking at a screen such as a map, and if necessary, it can be carried while protecting the display unit with the display unit housed inside as in the prior art. In addition, by rotating the display unit vertically and horizontally, it is possible to support both vertical and horizontal content display with a single mobile phone of the same size as the conventional one.

  The specific control associated with the positions of both units according to the present invention includes, in addition to those already described, movement from a specific position, movement from a specific position for a predetermined short time, and return to the specific position. Various configurations can be considered in which a transition from a specific position to another specific position is associated with information recording control or other function control.

  For example, an external scenery (image information) monitored by a display for a certain period of time can be obtained by moving the mobile phone in the state of FIG. 2 from this posture and returning it to the state of FIG. 2 within a predetermined short time. 2. Start recording of image information by moving to a slightly different locking position with respect to the standby mobile phone in the state of FIG. 2, and return to the state of FIG. 2 in the recording state Various controls such as associating the stop of recording can be considered.

  In addition, the type of information to be recorded may be configured so as to be able to arbitrarily select and record information such as audio, moving images, and still images. In addition, the recordable capacity of the information storage unit is monitored, and according to the recordable capacity, video and audio, still image and audio, audio only, still image only, etc. are selected, and information is recorded for a predetermined time. You may be made to do.

  In the embodiment, many kinds of information can be recorded. However, in the present invention, it is needless to say that only necessary information can be recorded. For example, in a foldable mobile phone that does not include a camera unit, the present invention can be applied to recording audio information. Various changes can also be made within the technical scope of the present invention with respect to other portions and the correspondence between the positions of both units and information recording control.

  Although the mobile phone of the embodiment has a structure using a hinge part (movable joint member), the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone or the like that is folded by a single rotating shaft using voice as stored information. it can. In short, any cellular phone may be used as long as the upper unit and the lower unit are coupled so as to be capable of relative movement and the relative posture can be detected.

  In addition, the present invention has been described with reference to a mobile phone as an embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a portable information terminal device such as a PDA, which is the same as described in the embodiment. An effect can be obtained.

The present invention can be applied to a mobile phone or other mobile information terminal having a folding type structure and an information recording function .

100… Lower unit
101… Outer case
101a… Operation surface
102 ... Operation part (operation keys)
103… Microphone
104… Antenna
105… RF circuit
106… Modulation / demodulation circuit
107… Baseband processing circuit
108… Cordic circuit
109… Control unit
110… Notification means
111a, 111b, 111c, 111d ... Magnetic sensor (Hall element)
112… Rotation angle detector
113… Open / close detector
114… Display control unit
115… Incoming / Ending call control unit
116… Notification control unit
117… Communication control unit
118… Recording control unit
119 ... Setting information storage unit
120 ... Information recording part
121… Camera part
200… Upper unit
201… Outer case
201a… Display surface
202… Display (main screen)
203… Speaker
204a, 204c ... Magnet
205… Touch panel
206… Sub-display
207… Sub operation key
300 ... Movable joining member (biaxial hinge)
500 ... Mobile phone

Claims (12)

A mobile communication terminal having a first unit, a second unit, and a movable connecting means for variably connecting a relative position between the first unit and the second unit;
Information storage means for recording information;
Unit position detecting means for detecting a change in relative position of the first unit and the second unit;
If the relative position change is a predetermined change, a control means for changing an information recording operation to the information storage means depending on whether it is a communication time or a standby time;
A mobile communication terminal characterized by comprising: The control means selects received information at the time of communication and records it in the information storage means, and at the time of standby, selects information from an input means provided in the portable communication terminal to select the information. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal records in a storage unit. 3. The portable communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a type of information to be recorded in the information storage unit depending on whether the communication is being performed or the standby is being performed. The mobile communication according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit sets a recording capacity of information to be recorded in the information storage unit depending on whether it is during communication or in standby. Terminal. The portable communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a microphone and / or a camera device. The predetermined change is a transition to or from a predetermined relative position among a plurality of relative positions that can be taken by the first unit and the second unit. Item 6. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of Items 1-5. Information recording in a portable communication terminal comprising: a first unit; a second unit; movable connecting means for variably connecting relative positions of the first unit and the second unit; and information storage means for recording information. A control method,
Detecting a change in relative position of the first unit and the second unit;
If the relative position change is a predetermined change, the information recording operation to the information storage means is changed depending on whether it is a communication time or a standby time.
An information recording control method. When the communication is in progress, the received information is selected and recorded in the information storage means, and when in the standby mode, the information from the input means provided in the portable communication terminal is selected and recorded in the information storage means. The information recording control method according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The information recording control method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a type of information to be recorded in the information storage means is selected depending on whether it is a communication time or a standby time. The information recording control method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a recording capacity of information to be recorded in the information storage unit is set depending on whether it is a communication time or a standby time. The information recording control method according to claim 7, wherein the input unit is a microphone and / or a camera device. The predetermined change is a transition to or from a predetermined relative position among a plurality of relative positions that can be taken by the first unit and the second unit. The information recording control method according to any one of Items 7-11.

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