JP2009303268A - Mobile terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide mobile terminal device capable of utilizing an opening and closing operation of two cases as an operation means for call origination in communication or as an operation means to various functions that the present device includes. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile terminal device includes: a first case 4; a second case 8; a linking part 10 linking the first case 4 and the second case 8 so as to be movable to each other; a detection part 46 for detecting relative positions of the first case 4 and the second case 8; a storage part 48 for storing a plurality of options; and a control part 50 which selects any one of the plurality of options stored in the storage part 48 in accordance with the relative positions, detected by the detection part 46, of the first case 4 and the second case 8 from reference positions when the first case 4 is moved with respect to the second case 8 by the linking part 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and more specifically, a mobile terminal device in which a plurality of casings are connected to each other so that they can be overlapped with each other with a display portion exposed. It is about.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 11, a first housing 4 having a display unit 2, a second housing 8 having an operation unit 6, and an operation surface on which the operation unit 6 is disposed in the second housing 8. 9 is provided with an axis perpendicular to 9, and a connecting unit 10 that connects the first casing 4 and the second casing 8 so as to be rotatable in parallel with each other around the axis. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  This overlap type portable terminal device 12 is in a state where the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 are fully opened so that the operation unit 6 can be operated as shown in FIG. In addition, although not shown, the first housing 4 is moved to the first housing 4 so as to cover the operation unit 6 by rotating the first housing 4 from the open state by about 180 ° with respect to the second housing 8. Even in the closed state where the two casings 8 are stacked, the display surface 14 of the display unit 2 can be exposed to the outside.

  And this overlap type portable terminal device 12 has a connecting portion so that the rotation operation (opening / closing operation) of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 can be used for the connection operation and the disconnection operation of the main power source. A power switch (not shown) was provided near 10.

JP-A-7-288860

  However, the stackable portable terminal device 12 as described in Patent Document 1 uses the opening / closing operations of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 for connecting and disconnecting operations of the main power source. However, there has been a problem that such an opening / closing operation is not sufficiently utilized as an operation unit for communication calling and an operation unit for various functions of the own device.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a portable terminal device that can use the opening / closing operation of two housings as an operation unit for communication calling and an operation unit for various functions of the own device. It is an object to do.

In order to solve the above problems, a mobile terminal device according to the present invention provides:
A first housing;
A second housing;
A connecting portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be movable with respect to each other;
A detection unit for detecting a relative position of the first housing and the second housing;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of options;
When the first casing is moved relative to the second casing by the connecting portion, the relative position from the reference position of the first casing and the second casing detected by the detection section Correspondingly, a control unit that selects any one of a plurality of options stored in the storage unit is provided.

  In the portable terminal device according to the present invention, the storage unit stores a plurality of options in association with relative positions of the first casing and the second casing from the reference position. .

The portable terminal device according to the present invention is
The first housing has a display unit,
The control unit displays any one of the options on the display unit when any one of the options stored in the storage unit is selected.

In the mobile terminal device according to the present invention, the second housing has an operation unit,
The control unit is characterized in that a relative position between the first housing and the second housing when a predetermined operation is performed by the operation unit is used as the reference position.

  According to such a portable terminal device of the present invention, the opening / closing operation of the two casings can be used as an operation unit for communication call and an operation unit for various functions of the own device. Can be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows the overlap type mobile telephones 30 and 60 which concern on the 1st and 2nd embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the stackable mobile phones 30 and 60 shown in FIG. 1. It is an AA arrow directional view of the overlap type mobile phones 30 and 60 shown in FIG. 2 is an address information table stored in the storage unit 48 in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the control part 50 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the control part 50 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a control unit 50 when changing an address information table in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a function table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 48 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the control part 50 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the control part 50 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional overlap type mobile phone 12.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a mobile terminal device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 are diagrams which are referred to for explaining the overlapping mobile phone 30 (corresponding to a mobile terminal device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the overlap type mobile phone 30 shown in these drawings, the same parts as those in the conventional overlap type mobile terminal apparatus 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description of the same configuration as the conventional one is omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a main operation unit 31 corresponding to the operation unit 6 of the conventional overlap type mobile terminal device 12 is provided on the operation surface 9 of the second casing 8 in the overlap type mobile phone 30. . The stackable mobile phone 30 rotates the first housing 4 to a certain angle from the closed state in which the first housing 4 is overlaid on the second housing 8 so as to cover the operation unit 31. An open state that cannot be rotated beyond a certain angle can be achieved.

  The overlap type mobile phone 30 according to the present embodiment will be described below assuming that the constant angle between the closed state and the open state is 180 °, as in the conventional overlap type mobile terminal device 12.

  The second casing 8 of the stackable mobile phone 30 is provided with a selection key 34 as a sub operation unit on a side surface 32 that is parallel to the length direction and is adjacent to the operation surface 9. The selection key 34 can be operated in either the open state or the closed state.

  The selection key 34 transmits an “ON” signal when pressed by the fingertip (operated state), and returns to the state before being pressed when the fingertip is released, A key of an automatic return contact system that is in an “OFF” state in which no transmission is performed is used.

  For example, the user can hold the second housing 8 from the back side with four fingers other than the thumb of the left hand and the palm of the hand, and can make the belly portion of the fingertip of the thumb lightly touch the selection key 34. . Then, an operation of pushing the selection key 34 can be performed by moving the thumb while maintaining the state where the second housing 8 is held.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the overlap type mobile phone 30. As described above, the stackable mobile phone 30 includes the display unit 2, the main operation unit 31, and the selection key 34. In addition, the wireless unit 36 having an antenna, the data processing unit 38, the voice processing unit 40, The speaker 42, the microphone 44, the angle detection part 46, the memory | storage part 48, and the control part 50 which controls these are provided.

  Since the wireless unit 36, the data processing unit 38, the audio processing unit 40, the speaker 42, and the microphone 44 operate in the same manner as a call function of a general mobile phone, the description thereof is omitted.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the angle detection unit 46 is provided in the vicinity of the coupling unit 10, and the relative angle of the angle detection unit 46 is changed by rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8. When one of a plurality of predetermined angles set in advance is reached, the angle detector 46 detects this and transmits this signal to the controller 50.

  As such an angle detection part 46, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a mechanical switch, etc. can be used, for example. Further, an electrical conduction contact may be provided to detect a relative angle for each predetermined angle.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the overlap type mobile phone 30 includes a click mechanism 52. The click mechanism 52 is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion 10, and a spring member 56 provided inside the first housing 4 so as to press the ball member 54 against the operation surface 9 of the second housing 8. Urges the ball member 54 toward the operation surface 9 side.

  On the other hand, on the operation surface 9 of the second housing 8, there is a spherical recess 58 in which a part of the ball member 54 is pushed in corresponding to a predetermined angle at which the angle detection unit 46 performs the detection operation. When the first casing 4 and the second casing 8 are rotated with respect to each other, a plurality of them are formed on the same circumference centered on the axis of the connecting portion 10 and clicked at predetermined angles. A feeling can be obtained.

  With reference to the closed state in which the first casing 4 is overlaid on the second casing 8 so as to cover the operation unit 6, the relative angle between the first casing 4 and the second casing 8 in the closed state is determined. When the angle is set to 0 ° and the open state is set to 180 °, the angle detecting unit 46 of the overlap type mobile phone 30 has 0 °, 15 °, 45 °, 75 °, 105 °, 135 °, 165 °, and 180 as predetermined angles. It is designed to detect °. In response to the detection of the relative angle at the predetermined angle, the user can obtain a click feeling from the click mechanism 52.

  Next, the storage unit 48 shown in FIG. 2 stores a plurality of pieces of address information in a table format in association with the relative angles of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8. That is, the storage unit 48 stores an address information table as shown in FIG.

  In the address information table shown in FIG. 4, angle detection is performed except for an angle range from 0 ° to 15 °, which is near the closed state, and an angle range from 165 ° to 180 °, which is near the open state. For each of the five angle ranges with the relative angle detected by the unit 46 as a delimiter, name, name, phone number, and e-mail address address information are stored.

  Next, the control unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 performs the combination of the operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 and the operation of the selection key 34 as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition, the address information is selected to perform the call control operation. Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control unit 50 changes the address information in the storage unit 48 by a user operation.

  When the control unit 50 is in the reception standby state in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 5, after receiving a signal indicating that the selection key 34 has been pressed with a finger (YES in step S101), this selection key When the finger is released and the signal is not received (YES in step S102), the backlight of the display unit 2 is turned on (step S103), and the standby state is continued.

  When the selection key 34 is not pressed (NO in step S101) and the operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 is performed, the control unit 50 performs this flowchart. The control operation as shown in FIG.

  Further, when a signal indicating that the selection key 34 has been depressed is received (YES in step S101) and the signal indicating that the selection key 34 has been depressed is being received (NO in step S102). ) When the operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 is performed and the angle detection unit 46 no longer detects the closed state (NO in step S104), the control unit 50 The control operation after step S105 is performed.

  If the angle detection unit 46 continues to detect the closed state (YES in step S104), the finger is released from the selection key 34 (YES in step S102), or the first casing 4 is moved to the second casing. The control unit 50 is in a standby state until an operation for rotating the control unit 8 is performed (NO in step S104).

  The control operation by the control unit 50 from step S105 to step S110 in FIG. 6 is performed in step S102 in FIG. 5 until it is determined in step S110 that the selection key 34 is released (YES in step S110). This is performed when a signal indicating that the selection key 34 has been depressed has been received since NO is determined.

  In step S105, the control unit 50 reads the address information table shown in FIG. Then, the control operation from the next step S106 to step S110 in FIG. 6 is repeatedly performed while it is determined that the selection key 34 is kept depressed in step S110 (NO in step S110). It is like that.

  In step S106, the control unit 50 determines whether the relative angle between the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 is based on the output signal from the angle detection unit 46 in the address information table shown in FIG. Which predetermined angle range is determined is determined, and corresponding address information is sequentially selected in step S107.

  Then, the control unit 50 displays the names or names of all the address information on the display unit 2, and displays the selected address information in a display format different from other unselected address information. (Step S108). For example, only the selected address information is displayed surrounded by a rectangular frame or displayed in reverse video. Further, the cursor may be displayed only at the position of the beginning or end of the selected address information.

  After the address information is displayed on the display unit 2 in step S108, an operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 is performed, whereby the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 are Is changed (YES in step S109 in FIG. 6), the process returns to step S106 in FIG.

  Further, when the finger is released from the selection key 34 with the relative angle between the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 maintained at a specific angle (NO in step S109 in FIG. 6). (YES in step S110), it is determined that the address information corresponding to the relative angle has been finally selected by the user.

  After the finger is released from the selection key 34 (YES in step S110), an operation for turning the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 to open each other is performed, so that the angle detector 46 When a signal to that effect is transmitted (NO in step S111 and YES in step S112), the control unit 50 calls the radio unit 36 to the terminal device having the finally selected address information. (Step S113).

  Here, when the selected address information is a telephone number, the calling operation performed by the wireless unit 36 is a normal calling operation, and the address information is an e-mail address. This is the operation of sending an e-mail. In the transmission of the e-mail, a fixed sentence registered in advance is transmitted.

  When the communication started by this call is completed (step S114), the control unit 50 ends the series of control operations shown in this flowchart, and enters a reception standby state.

  Further, in step S110, after the finger is released from the selection key 34 (YES in step S110), an operation is performed in which the first casing 4 and the second casing 8 are rotated to close each other. When a signal to that effect is transmitted from angle detection unit 46 (YES in step S111), control unit 50 ends the series of control operations shown in this flowchart without performing a call operation. The reception standby state (the initial state of the flowchart of FIG. 5) is restored.

  In addition, after the finger is released from the selection key 34 (YES in step S110), when an operation for either the closed state or the open state is not performed (NO in step S111 and NO in step S112). Since the signal from the angle detection unit 46 is not transmitted, this state is maintained until an operation to make either the closed state or the open state is performed.

  Next, a control operation when the control unit 50 changes the address information in the storage unit 48 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. When an address information customization function is selected from a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 2 by an operation from the main operation unit 31, the control unit 50 activates the address information customization function (step S201). .

  Then, although not shown, the control unit 50 displays the name of the current address information table shown in FIG. 4 or a list of names on the display unit 2 (step S202). When the address information to be changed is selected from the list by the user's operation (YES in step S203), an item of the method is displayed on the display unit 2 as to how the address information is changed. Is displayed (step S204).

  In other words, the overlap type mobile phone 30 is provided with an address book area (address book) in the storage unit 48 in addition to the address information table area, and address information such as a telephone number and an e-mail address is registered in this address book area. The address book function can be used. Therefore, the address information in the address information table can be changed by a method of selecting from the address information registered in the address book so far by the user (“1” in step S205).

  As another method, a method of directly inputting address information from the numeric keypad of the main operation unit 31 (“2” in step S205) or a method of selecting special address information (step S205). “3”) of any one of them is determined by one of the methods.

  When the user decides to select the address information from the address book (“1” in step S205), the contents of the address book are displayed on the display unit 2 (step S206). When such address information is selected by the user (YES in step S207), the address information before the change in the address information table selected in step S203 is changed to the address information selected from the address book. (Step S211).

  In step S205, after the user decides to directly input the address information from the numeric keypad or the like of the main operation unit 31 (“2” in step S205), the user inputs the address information (YES in step S208). The address information is changed (step S211).

  In step S205, if the user decides on a method for selecting special address information ("3" in step S205), the user selects special address information (YES in step S210). The address information can be changed (step S211).

  As special address information, it is possible to select the latest outgoing call history number, the latest incoming call history number, or the contact information of public institutions such as the police (110) and emergency / fire-fighting (119). Here, the latest outgoing call history number or the latest incoming call history number is not a specific telephone number or e-mail address, but the telephone number or e-mail that has been sent or received so far when the control unit 50 makes a call. The latest address.

  According to such a stackable mobile phone 30, the opening / closing operation of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 can be used as a communication call operation means, so that the operability can be improved. it can.

  Further, the address information to be called by operating the first housing 4, the second housing 8, and the selection key 34 can be changed for each predetermined angle range. Further, by combining the operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 and the operation of the selection key 34, an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  Next, based on FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 3, FIG. 8 thru | or FIG. 10, the overlap type mobile telephone 60 (equivalent to a portable terminal device) which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the overlap type mobile phone 60 according to the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as the overlap type mobile phone 30 according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description of the same configuration and operation as the embodiment is omitted.

  In the stacked cellular phone 60 according to the present embodiment, the storage unit 48 shown in FIG. 2 has names of a plurality of functions provided in its own device different from those in the first embodiment. The two housings 8 are stored in a table format in association with the relative angles of each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 48 stores a function table that includes an address book function, a memo pad function, an e-mail function, an imaging function, and a music playback function.

  The control unit 50 performs a control operation as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10 by a combination of an operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 and an operation of the selection key 34. It is like that.

  Based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the control unit 50 performs the same control operation as the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 in the first embodiment. In this case, the control unit 50 causes the wireless unit 36 to make a call by combining the operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 and the operation of the selection key 34. In this embodiment, instead of the control operation for making a call, various functions provided in the superposition mobile phone 30 are activated.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in step S305 corresponding to step S105 of the first embodiment, the function name is read from the function table of the storage unit 48. In step S307 and step S308 corresponding to step S107 and step S108, the name of the function corresponding to the detected relative angle is selected, the names of a plurality of functions are displayed on the display unit 2, and the name of the selected function Is displayed in a display format different from the names of other unselected functions.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in step S313 corresponding to step S113 of the first embodiment, the finally selected function is activated.

  According to such a stackable mobile phone 60, the opening / closing operation of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 can be used as operation means for various functions of the own device, so that the operability is improved. Can be made.

  Further, various functions activated by operating the first housing 4, the second housing 8, and the selection key 34 can be changed for each predetermined angle range, as in the first embodiment. Further, by combining the operation of rotating the first housing 4 with respect to the second housing 8 and the operation of the selection key 34, an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  In the first and second embodiments, the selection key 34 of the second housing 8 as the sub operation unit is operated to be pushed in, but is rotated like a lever or the like. It is also possible to operate it. From the viewpoint of operability, a side key such as the selection key 34 is preferable.

  In the first and second embodiments, the selection key 34 is provided on the side surface 32 of the second housing 8 so that it can be operated with the left hand. It may be provided on the side surface opposite to the side surface 32 so that it is possible. In addition, the selection key 34 may be of another type instead of the automatic return contact type.

  In the first and second embodiments, the angle detector 46 detects 0 °, 15 °, 45 °, 75 °, 105 °, 135 °, 165 °, and 180 ° as predetermined angles. However, an angle other than these may be detected as the predetermined angle.

  Further, the number of predetermined angles that can be detected may be increased. In such a case, the address information in the address information table shown in FIG. 4 or the name of the function in the function table shown in FIG. 8 is made to correspond to the relative angle between the first housing 4 and the second housing 8. Needless to say, the number can be increased.

  In the first and second embodiments, the constant angle from the closed state to the open state is 180 °, but the constant angle from the closed state to the open state is constant. The angle is not limited to 180 °.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 50 displays all the address information of the address book table stored in the storage unit 48 on the display unit 2 in step S108 of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The selected address information is displayed in a display format different from the other unselected address information, but only the selected address information is displayed on the display unit 2, Other address information that is not selected may not be displayed.

  Similarly, also in the second embodiment, in step S308 of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, only the name of the selected function is displayed on the display unit 2, and the other is not selected. The function name may not be displayed.

  In the first embodiment, when the selection key 34 is pressed in the closed state in Step S101 of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control unit 50 performs the operations after Step S102. Although it can be performed, even in a state other than the closed state, when the selection key 34 is depressed, the operation after step S102 can be performed, and step S104 is omitted. It may be like this.

  Further, in such a case, the address information is set to the relative angle when the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 are rotated with the angle when the selection key 34 is pressed as a reference angle. You may make it make a table respond | correspond.

  That is, when the first housing 4 is rotated with respect to the second housing 8, it corresponds to the relative angle from the reference angle of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 detected by the angle detection unit 46. Then, any one address information is selected from the plurality of address information stored in the storage unit 48.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment as well, in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, even if the selection key 34 is pressed even in a state other than the closed state, the operations after step S302 are performed. While being able to be performed, step S304 may be omitted.

  Further, in such a case, the function table is set to a relative angle when the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 are rotated with the angle when the selection key 34 is pressed as a reference angle. Needless to say, it may be made to correspond.

  That is, when the first housing 4 is rotated with respect to the second housing 8, it corresponds to the relative angle from the reference angle of the first housing 4 and the second housing 8 detected by the angle detection unit 46. Then, one of the functions stored in the storage unit 48 is selected.

  In the second embodiment, the names of the address book function, memo pad function, e-mail function, imaging function, and music playback function are stored as the function table of the storage unit 48. The names of functions that can be made are not limited to these.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the stackable mobile phones 30 and 60 has been described. However, another stackable mobile terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is used. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied based on the same technical idea.

2 Display unit 4 First housing 6 Operation unit 8 Second housing 9 Operation surface 10 Connection unit 12 Stackable mobile terminal device 14 Display surface 30 Stackable mobile phone 31 Main operation unit 32 Side surface 34 Selection key 36 Radio unit 38 Data Processing unit 40 Audio processing unit 42 Speaker 44 Microphone 46 Angle detection unit 48 Storage unit 50 Control unit 52 Click mechanism 54 Ball member 56 Spring member 58 Depression 60 Stackable mobile phone

Claims (4)

A first housing;
A second housing;
A connecting portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be movable with respect to each other;
A detection unit for detecting a relative position of the first housing and the second housing;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of options;
When the first casing is moved relative to the second casing by the connecting portion, the relative position from the reference position of the first casing and the second casing detected by the detection section Correspondingly, a mobile terminal device comprising: a control unit that selects any one of a plurality of options stored in the storage unit.   The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of options in association with relative positions of the first housing and the second housing from the reference position. The first housing has a display unit,
The control unit, when any one option is selected from a plurality of options stored in the storage unit, displays the one option on the display unit. Or the portable terminal device of Claim 2. The second housing has an operation unit,
The said control part makes the relative position of the said 1st housing | casing and the said 2nd housing | casing when predetermined operation is performed by the said operation part be the said reference position. Item 4. The mobile terminal device according to any one of Items 3 to 3.

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