JP2013175089A - Case, portable terminal having case, change method of input system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a case which facilitates input into a portable terminal having a contact input device and is excellent in handleability, and to provide a portable terminal having the case, a method for switching input systems and a program.SOLUTION: A case 20, of the present invention, to be attached to a housing 80 of a portable terminal 90 having a contact input device 7 can be attached in multiple directions with respect to the housing 80 of the portable terminal 90. The case 20 includes: an input part 29 having key buttons 29' for performing input into the contact input device 7; and a direction instruction part 28 for making the portable terminal 90 recognize a direction with respect to the housing 80, when the case is attached to the housing 80.

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a case attached to a casing of a portable terminal provided with a contact type input device.

  There is a touch panel as an example of a contact-type input device in which input is performed by sensing contact of a user's fingertip or stylus. In the case of a portable terminal provided with a touch panel, the user can input by directly touching the touch panel. However, in the case of a touch panel, unlike a keyboard key, no force is exerted in a direction to move the user's fingertip away from the touch panel. Therefore, when the touch panel is pressed and when it is released from the touch panel, there is little change in the sense of the user's fingertip, and the user has difficulty in determining whether the fingertip is in contact with or away from the touch panel in a short time. There is a case. In particular, when inputting continuously on the touch panel, for example, when entering a phone number to make a call using a mobile terminal equipped with a touch panel, or when inputting letters or numbers by e-mail, It is easy to influence. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes that a removable key sheet is arranged on the touch panel as an input assisting member for a portable terminal equipped with a touch panel, thereby simplifying input to the touch panel.

JP 2011-113248 A

  However, Patent Document 1 does not mention handling of a key sheet when a key sheet is not necessary, that is, when a key sheet is directly input to the touch panel. If the mobile terminal and the key sheet are managed separately, the key sheet may be lost, and a problem remains in the handling of the key sheet.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problem that it is difficult to provide an input assisting member that facilitates input to a portable terminal including a contact type input device with excellent handling properties. It is to provide a terminal, an input method changing method, and a program.

  The case attached to the case of a portable terminal provided with the contact type input device of the present invention can be attached to the case of the portable terminal in a plurality of directions. Also, the case has an input unit having a key button for inputting to the contact type input device, and a direction indicating unit for causing the portable terminal to recognize the orientation with respect to the case when attached to the case. Is provided.

  A portable terminal of the present invention includes the above case, a display device, a contact-type input device disposed on the display device, and a detection unit that detects a direction indicating unit when the case is attached to the casing of the portable terminal. And having. Further, based on the detection result of the detection unit, the input method for inputting to the contact type input device via the key button and the input method for directly inputting to the contact type input device are changed.

  An input method changing method of the present invention includes an input unit having a key button and a direction indicating unit, a case that can be attached to a casing of a mobile terminal in a plurality of directions, a display device, and a display device It is the change method of the input method to the portable terminal which has the contact-type input device arrange | positioned, and the detection part which detects the direction instruction | indication part of a case. An input method in which the case is attached to the case of the mobile terminal, the direction indicating unit is detected by the detection unit, and input is made to the contact type input device via the key button based on the detection result of the detection unit, and the contact type input Change the input method to input directly to the device.

  A program for causing a mobile terminal to execute the above method is also included in the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a character, a number, a symbol, etc. can be simply input into a contact-type input device through the key button of the case attached to the housing | casing of the portable terminal. If you do not input to the contact type input device through the key buttons on the case, attach the case to the case of the mobile terminal by changing the mounting direction of the case with respect to the case of the mobile terminal. It can protect and prevent loss of the case.

It is one Embodiment of the portable terminal with a contact-type input device concerning this invention, Comprising: It is the external appearance schematic of each surface. It is the schematic of one Embodiment of a 1st protective case, Comprising: (a) is an external appearance schematic, (b) is the schematic seen from the back surface of a base, (c) is the schematic of the AA 'cross section of (b) It is. It is the schematic of one Embodiment of a 2nd protective case, Comprising: (a) is an external appearance schematic, (b) is the schematic seen from the back surface of the base. It is the schematic of the portable terminal of the state in which the 1st protective case was attached to the portable terminal so that the input part of a 1st protective case might oppose the back surface of a portable terminal. It is the schematic of the portable terminal of the state in which the 1st protective case was attached to the portable terminal so that the input part of a 1st protective case might oppose the touch panel of a portable terminal. It is the schematic explaining the method to judge which direction the 1st protective case was attached with respect to the housing | casing of a portable terminal, (a) is the insertion direction recognition protrusion inserted in the detection recessed part. The previous state, (b), is a state in which the insertion direction recognition protrusion is inserted into the detection recess. It is the schematic which showed a mode when the recessed part for fitting of a portable terminal and the protrusion for fitting fit. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the BB ′ cross section of FIG. 5, and is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the input unit when the touch panel is of the capacitive type, where (a) is a state in which the key button is not pressed; (B) is a state in which the key button is pressed. It is the schematic of the BB 'cross section of FIG. 5, and is the schematic which shows the structure and operation | movement of an input part when a touch panel is a resistive film system, Comprising: (a) is the state in which the key button is not pressed, b) is a state where the key button is pressed. It is the schematic of another example of the input part of a 1st protection case, (a) is a left-handed design, (b) is a right-handed design.

  Details of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structure which has the same function in an accompanying drawing, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a portable terminal with a contact input device according to the present invention, and is a schematic external view of each surface. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped portable terminal 90 includes a housing 80 that is surrounded by a display surface 1, a back surface 6 facing the display surface, and four side surfaces 2, 3, 4, and 5. Of the four side surfaces, the first side surface 2 and the second side surface 3 face each other, and the third side surface 4 and the fourth side surface 5 face each other. The portable terminal 90 is equipped with a display device 8 and a contact type input device 7 arranged on the display device 8, and the contact type input device 7 is arranged so as to be exposed from the display surface 1 of the portable terminal 90. Has been.

  A first guide 12a for guiding a first protective case 20 which is an input auxiliary member to be described later is provided at the end of the third side surface 4 in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface 2 and the second side surface 3. Are provided. In addition, a second guide 12b for guiding the second protective case 40 is provided at the end of the first side surface 2 and the second side surface 3 in the longitudinal direction on the fourth side surface 5 side. Yes. These guides 12 a and 12 b have a groove shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface 2 and the second side surface 3.

  The first and second guides 12a and 12b are provided with a fitting recess 16 for fixing the first protective case 20 or the second protective case 40. Two or more fitting recesses 16 may be provided in each guide 12a, 12b. It is preferable that the fitting concave portions 16 of the first side surface 2 and the second side surface 3 are arranged at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the display surface 1.

  The third side surface 4 has a first detection recess for receiving an insertion direction recognition protrusion (direction indicating portion) 28 provided inside one third side portion 25 of the first protective case 20 to be described later. 13 and a second detection recess 14 are provided, and a detection unit 18 for detecting that the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 is inserted is provided in each of the detection recesses 13 and 14. The first detection recess 13 and the second detection recess 14 are symmetrical with respect to the center of the end on the first side 2 and the end on the second side 3 in the third side 4. It is provided in the position.

  Examples of the contact input device 7 include a touch panel, a touch sensor, and a touch pad. Hereinafter, the contact input device 7 will be described as a touch panel.

  While viewing the image displayed on the display device 8, the user makes an input by bringing a fingertip or stylus into contact with the touch panel.

  In the following description, when the mobile terminal 90 is described as a smartphone, a hardware key 9 is provided on the display surface 1 of the mobile terminal 90, and a camera lens 10 and a light 11 are provided on the back surface 6. Although not shown, the portable terminal 90 is also provided with a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece, various connectors, and various side keys. Although description is omitted because it is not related to the present invention, it is preferable that the connectors and side keys installed on the first side surface 2 and the second side surface 3 are arranged on the fourth side surface 5 side as much as possible.

  Next, the 1st protective case 20 and the 2nd protective case 40 which are attached to the housing | casing 80 of the portable terminal 90 and are used are demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the first protective case 20, wherein (a) is a schematic external view, (b) is a schematic view seen from the back of the base, and (c) is an AA of (b). 'It is a schematic view of a cross section.

  The first protective case 20 is provided with an input unit 29 having a plurality of key buttons 29 'on which numbers and symbols are written, and a base 21 having a substantially rectangular shape and a base 21 surrounding the base 21 from three continuous directions. A first side 23, a second side 24, and a third side 25 are provided. Moreover, the 1st side part 23 and the 2nd side part 24 are facing, the side surface facing the 3rd side part 25 is open | released, and it becomes the insertion part 26 in which the portable terminal 90 is inserted. ing. Further, a contact point 35 with the touch panel 7 is provided inside each key button 29 ′ of the input unit 29.

  On the inner side of the first side portion 23 and the second side portion 24, a fitting protrusion 31 is provided so as to be fitted to the fitting recess 16 of the mobile terminal 90. Further, inside the third side portion 25, there is one insertion direction recognition protrusion (direction indicating portion) 28 for insertion into the first detection recess 13 or the second detection recess 14 of the portable terminal 90. Is provided. The tip or the whole of the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 is made of a conductive material.

  The input part 29 of the first protective case 20 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. When the structure of the touch panel 7 of the portable terminal 90 is a capacitance type, the key button 29 'is made of a material that is elastic and conductive. In addition to the contact point 35 with the touch panel 7, an insulating material 36 is provided inside the input unit 29 so as not to touch the touch panel 7 (see FIG. 8). When the structure of the touch panel 7 is a resistive film type, the key button 29 ′ of the first protective case 20 does not need to be a conductive material. The operation of the input unit 29 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The first protective case 20 has a key button in addition to the input unit 29 and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. However, the hardware key 9 of the portable terminal 90 can be pushed. It is not necessary to make this key button conductive because it is only possible. Further, the parts other than the input part 29 of the first protective case 20 are made of a plastic material.

  The first protective case 20 is inserted into the mobile terminal 90 from the third side surface 4 to the fourth side surface 5 of the mobile terminal 90 in the insertion portion 26. At this time, the fitting protrusion 31 of the first protective case 20 moves while being guided by the first guide 12a. And the fitting protrusion 31 of the first protective case 20 and the fitting recess 16 provided in the first guide 12a of the first and second side surfaces 2 and 3 of the first protective case 20 are provided. Mate. Further, the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 is inserted into the first detection recess 13 or the second detection recess 14 of the mobile terminal 90.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views of an embodiment of the second protective case 40, where FIG. 3A is a schematic external view, and FIG. 3B is a schematic view seen from the back of the base.

  The second protective case 40 is provided with a base 41 having a substantially rectangular shape, and a first side 43, a second side 44, and a third side 45 surrounding the base 41 from three consecutive directions. It has been. Moreover, the 1st side part 43 and the 2nd side part 44 have opposed, the side surface which opposes the 3rd side part 45 is open | released, and it becomes the insertion part 46 in which the portable terminal 90 is inserted. ing. On the inner side of the first side portion 43 and the second side portion 44, a fitting protrusion 51 is provided so as to be fitted to the fitting concave portion 16 of the portable terminal 90.

  In addition, a slit 47 for the camera lens 10 and the light 11 of the portable terminal 90 is formed in the base 41. The second protective case 40 is preferably formed of a plastic material in order to maintain strength.

  The second protective case 40 is always attached to the casing 80 of the mobile terminal 90 in the same direction. The second protective case 40 is attached to the casing 80 of the mobile terminal 90 so that the base 41 is positioned on the back surface 6 of the mobile terminal 90. At this time, the camera lens 10 and the light 11 of the mobile terminal 90 are slits. 47 is exposed.

  The first protective case 20 and the second protective case 40 include the display device 8 installed on the mobile terminal 90 when it is attached to the housing 80 of the mobile terminal 90, a connector and a key (not shown), etc. An opening is provided as appropriate so as not to cover.

  Further, the second protective case 40 is inserted into the insertion portion 46 from the fourth side surface 5 of the mobile terminal 90 toward the third side surface 4. At this time, the fitting protrusion 51 of the second protective case 40 moves while being guided by the second guide 12b. And the 2nd protective case 40 is fixed to the portable terminal 90 by the fitting protrusion 51 of the 2nd protective case 40 and the recessed part 16 for fitting located in the 2nd guide 12b of the portable terminal 90 fitting. Is done.

  4 and 5 show a state in which the first protective case 20 and the second protective case 40 are attached to the portable terminal 90. FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state where the first protective case 20 is attached to the portable terminal 90 so that the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 faces the back surface 6 of the portable terminal 90. FIG. 5 shows a state where the first protective case 20 is attached to the mobile terminal 90 so that the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 faces the touch panel 7 of the mobile terminal 90.

  In the following, when the first protective case 20 is attached to the casing 80 of the mobile terminal 90 so that the back surface 6 of the mobile terminal 90 and the input unit 29 face each other (FIG. 4), the insertion direction When the recognition protrusion 28 is inserted into the second detection recess 14 and the first protective case 20 is attached to the portable terminal 90 so that the touch panel 7 and the input unit 29 face each other (FIG. 5). In addition, the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 is disposed inside the third side portion 25 of the first protective case 20 so that the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 is inserted into the first detection recess 13. Will be described.

  When the user directly touches the touch panel 7 and inputs numbers and characters, as shown in FIG. 4, the first protective case 20 is carried so that the input unit 29 is installed on the back surface 6 of the portable terminal 90. It is attached to the casing 80 of the terminal 90. The second protective case 40 is attached to the housing 80 of the mobile terminal 90 so that the base 41 is disposed on the back surface 6 of the mobile terminal 90. In this case, the back surface 6 of the mobile terminal 90 is protected by the first protective case 20 and the second protective case 40.

  On the other hand, when the user uses the key buttons 29 ′ of the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 to input numbers and characters on the touch panel 7, the input unit 29 is connected to the touch panel of the mobile terminal 90 as shown in FIG. 7, the first protective case 20 is attached to the housing 80 of the mobile terminal 90. The second protective case 40 is attached to the housing 80 of the mobile terminal 90 so that the base 41 is disposed on the back surface 6 of the mobile terminal 90.

  In this case, since the key button 29 ′ of the input unit 29 has elasticity, a repulsive force is generated when the user presses the key button. Therefore, the user has pressed the key button 29 ′ with the fingertip, Further, it is easy to recognize that the fingertip has been released from the key button 29 ′. Therefore, by performing input using the first protective case 20, it is possible to improve operability when performing continuous input on the touch panel 7.

  Further, since the first protective case 20 is detachable from the portable terminal 90, the first protective case attached to the casing 80 of the portable terminal 90 according to the use of the first protective case 20 as described above. What is necessary is just to change 20 directions.

  Here, a method for determining in which direction the first protective case 20 is attached to the housing 80 of the mobile terminal 90 will be described.

  The detection part 18 of the 1st detection recessed part 13 and the 2nd detection recessed part 14 is comprised by two electrode 18a, 18b, for example, as shown to Fig.6 (a). When the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 of the first protective case 20 is inserted into the first detection recess 13, the electrode 18 a and the electrode 18 b are connected by the conductor portion 28 ′ at the tip (or the whole) of the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28. Are electrically connected, and a signal 80 is transmitted to inform that the input unit 29 is located on the touch panel 7 of the portable terminal 90 (see FIG. 6B). Based on this signal, a processor (not shown) of the mobile terminal 90 determines that the input unit 29 is disposed on the touch panel 7 of the mobile terminal 90. Similarly, the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 is inserted into the second detection recess 14, so that a processor (not shown) determines that the input unit 29 is disposed on the back surface 6 of the mobile terminal 90. Note that the second detection recess 14 may be configured without the detection means 18.

  As described above, the detection unit 18 of the first detection recess 13 and the detection unit 18 of the second detection recess 14 allow the processor of the mobile terminal 90 to make the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 the touch panel 7. It can be recognized whether it is located above or not. Then, based on the recognition result, the processor sets the input setting of the touch panel 7 and the display setting of the display device 8, the setting of inputting numbers and characters into the touch panel 7 using the key buttons 29 'of the input unit 29, or It is possible to automatically switch to a setting in which a user directly touches the touch panel 7 to input numbers and characters. In addition, an area that is not covered with the first protective case 20 of the touch panel 7 is stored in advance in the mobile terminal 90, and the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 is positioned on the touch panel 7. When the protective case 20 is attached to the housing 80 of the mobile terminal 90, characters or the like may be displayed only in an area of the touch panel 7 that is not covered with the first protective case 20.

  Further, since the attachment direction of the first protective case 20 with respect to the housing 80 is determined by detecting the insertion direction recognition protrusion 28 by the detection unit 18, the first protection case 20 is portable when the user operates the portable terminal 90. The terminal 90 is unlikely to malfunction.

  Note that the above-described method for switching between the setting for inputting numbers and characters on the touch panel 7 using the key button 29 ′ of the input unit 29 and the setting for inputting the numbers and characters directly by touching the touch panel 7 by the user A program to be executed by 90 is also included in the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a state where the fitting recess 16 and the fitting protrusions 31 and 51 of the mobile terminal 90 are fitted. The fitting between the fitting recess 16 and the fitting protrusion 31 of the first protective case 20 and the fitting between the fitting recess 16 and the fitting protrusion 51 of the second protective case 40 are as follows: Since both are performed in the same manner, only one portion of the fitting portion between the fitting recess 16 of the second side surface 3 and the fitting protrusion 31 of the first protective case 20 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the direction in which the first protective case 20 is slid in order to be attached to the casing 80 of the mobile terminal 90, the convex portion 19 is adjacent to the fitting concave portion 16 on the upstream side of the fitting concave portion 16 of the portable terminal 90. Is provided. When the first protective case 20 is slid in order to attach the first protective case 20 to the housing 80 of the portable terminal 90 (see FIG. 6A), the fitting recess 16 and the fitting protrusion 31 is fitted (see FIG. 6B). At this time, since the convex portion 19 is provided adjacent to the fitting concave portion 16, the fitting projection 31 is not easily detached from the fitting concave portion 16.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the BB ′ cross section of FIG. 5, and is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of the input unit 29 when the touch panel 7 is a capacitive type. A state where the key button is not pressed, and (b) is a state where the key button is pressed.

  The contact point 35 of the key button 29 ′ does not contact the touch panel 7 when the key button 29 ′ is not pressed, and a gap 61 exists between the contact point 35 of the key button 29 ′ and the touch panel 7. When the user presses the key button 29 'in the direction of the arrow, the key button contact 35 touches the touch panel to input numbers and characters.

  When the user stops pressing the key button 29 ′ in the direction of the arrow, the input unit 29 has elasticity, so that the force (repulsive force) to return to the original state causes the contact between the key button contact 35 and the touch panel 7. A gap 61 is formed again between them. Further, the repulsive force makes it easy for the user to recognize that the key button 29 'has been pressed with the fingertip and that the fingertip has moved away from the key button 29'.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the BB ′ cross section of FIG. 5, and is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and operation of the input unit 29 when the touch panel 7 is a resistive film type. (B) is a state in which the key button is pressed.

  When the structure of the touch panel 7 is a resistive film type, the contact 35 of the key button 29 ′ does not touch the touch panel 7 when the key button 29 ′ is not pressed, and other than the key button 29 ′ of the input unit 29. A gap 61 exists between the input unit 29 and the touch panel 7 so that the part does not always touch the touch panel 7.

  When the user presses the key button 29 ′ in the direction of the arrow, the key button contact 35 touches the touch panel 7 and can input numbers and characters.

  When the user stops pressing the key button 29 ′ in the direction of the arrow, the input unit 29 has elasticity, so that the force (repulsive force) to return to the original state causes the contact between the key button contact 35 and the touch panel 7. A gap 61 is formed again between them. Also, the repulsive force makes it easy for the user to recognize that the fingertip has been released from the key button when the fingertip is released from the key button.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first protective case 20 having the input unit 29 is attached to the casing 80 of the portable terminal 90 including the contact input device (touch panel) 7. At this time, when the first protective case 20 is attached to the housing 80 so that the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 is positioned on the touch panel 7, the touch panel is operated through the operation of the key button 29 ′ of the input unit 29. 7 can easily input characters, numbers, symbols, and the like to the portable terminal 90. In addition, by forming the key button 29 ′ from an elastic material, when the key button 29 ′ is pressed, the key button 29 ′ generates a repulsive force (stress), and the user can also move the mobile terminal 90 to the mobile terminal 90. You can tell that letters, numbers, symbols, etc. have been entered.

  Further, when the first protective case 20 is attached to the casing 80 of the portable terminal 90 so that the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 is located on the back surface 6 of the portable terminal 90, the casing of the portable terminal 90 is removed. The body 80 can be protected.

  Furthermore, even when the user directly touches the touch panel 7 when inputting to the touch panel 7, the first protective case 20 can be attached to the casing 80 of the mobile terminal 90. It is possible to protect with the single protective case 20, and since it is not necessary to carry the mobile terminal 90 and the first protective member 20 separately, the probability of losing the first protective case 20 is also reduced.

  Furthermore, since the input part 29 of the first protective case 20 is not limited to a specific design, the first protective case 20 can be purchased or used properly according to the user's preference. Another design of the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20 is shown in FIG. When the mobile terminal 90 having a contact type input device is wide for the user and the key input operation with one hand is difficult, the operation is facilitated by shifting the key arrangement of the protective case toward the dominant hand with respect to the user. be able to. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the first protective case 20 is attached to the housing 80 so as to be positioned on the touch panel 7, the input unit 29 is arranged to be biased to the left side. Convenience for left-handed users can be improved. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, when the first protective case 20 is attached to the housing 80 so as to be positioned on the touch panel 7, the input unit 29 is arranged to be biased to the right side. The convenience of right-handed users can be improved.

  Further, as another design of the input unit 29 of the first protective case 20, it is conceivable to arrange the key buttons 29 'in a QWERTY arrangement, and further, according to the specifications of the touch panel 7 on the mobile terminal 90 side. A 29 'arrangement can be configured.

  In actual use, the key arrangement to be input when using the key sheet of the protective case is set in advance on the mobile terminal, and the protrusion installed on the bottom surface of the protective case is the protrusion provided on the bottom surface of the mobile terminal. It is made to switch instantaneously at the time of detection by the means for detecting.

  Examples of the mobile terminal 90 include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a game machine, a tablet PC (Personal computer), a notebook PC, and a PDA (Personal Data Assistants).

7 Input device (touch panel)
8 Display Device 18 Detecting Unit 20 First Protective Case 28 Insertion Direction Recognition Projection (Direction Instructing Unit)
29 Input part 29 'Key button 80 Case 90 Portable terminal

Claims (9)

A case to be attached to a casing of a mobile terminal provided with a contact type input device,
It can be attached to the housing of the mobile terminal in a plurality of directions,
An input unit having a key button for inputting to the contact type input device, and a direction indicating unit for causing the portable terminal to recognize the orientation with respect to the case when attached to the case are provided. The case.   The case according to claim 1, wherein the input unit has elasticity.   The case according to claim 2, wherein the key buttons have electrical conductivity, and the key buttons have insulation properties.   There is a gap between the key button and the contact input device when the case input unit is attached to the housing of the mobile terminal so as to face the contact input device of the mobile terminal. The case according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A display device, a contact input device disposed on the display surface of the housing, and disposed on the display device;
A detection unit that detects the direction indicating unit when the case according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is attached to the housing of the mobile terminal;
Have
A portable terminal in which an input method of inputting to the contact type input device via the key button and an input method of directly inputting to the contact type input device are changed based on a detection result of the detection unit.   The mobile terminal according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the detection units are provided corresponding to the orientation of the case with respect to the housing. A conductor portion is formed on at least a part of the direction indicating portion, and the detection portion is provided with two electrodes spaced from each other,
The two electrodes of the detection part are electrically connected to each other by the contact of the conductor part of the direction indicating part, and a signal for informing the mounting direction of the case with respect to the casing of the portable terminal flows. The portable terminal as described in. A case having an input unit having a key button and a direction indicating unit, which can be attached to the casing of the mobile terminal in a plurality of directions, a display device, and a contact-type input device disposed on the display device; A detection unit that detects the direction indicating unit of the case, and a method for changing an input method to a portable terminal,
Attaching the case to the housing of the mobile terminal,
The direction indicating unit is detected by the detection unit,
Based on the detection result of the detection unit, the input method for inputting to the contact type input device via the key button and the input method for directly inputting to the contact type input device are changed. How to change the input method.   The program which makes the said portable terminal perform the method of Claim 8.