JP3730859B2 - Foldable mobile phone - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile phone with an automatic scroll function, and more particularly to improvement of a menu display / selection method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, mobile phones are mainly configured so that users can set functions according to their preferences. Here, the function refers to a function that is collectively set or confirmed by the user. For example, there is a function for setting a ringtone (melody), saving the other party's dial in the memory as a phone book, checking received mail, and checking a list of incoming calls (hereinafter called incoming call history). .
[0003]
With the diversification of functions of such mobile phones, the setting of functions as described above has become complicated by adopting a hierarchical structure. Since the function setting is manually performed by the user, many key operations are required. Here, as an example of function setting key operation in the prior art, a ring tone setting method will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (JP 2000-115345 A).
[0004]
The procedure for setting the ringtone is divided into the following a and b.
a. Display the function menu in sequence and select “Ringtone”.
b. After selecting “ring tone” in a, the type of ring tone is sequentially displayed, and a specific ring tone is selected.
a is referred to as “selecting a function menu”, and b is referred to as “selecting a detailed menu”. The numerical values after (1) in FIG. 1 indicate key operations by the user.
[0005]
First, the operation flow of procedure a will be described. S101 is a standby screen. When the user presses a key, the display of the function menu is started ((1) display start). As shown in the figure, S102 indicates a telephone directory function, S103 indicates a screen selection function, S104 indicates a mail function, S105 indicates an incoming call history function, and S106 indicates a display screen for a ringtone function. The display screen of each function is switched by pressing the user key each time ((2) to (5) next screen display). The key to be pressed here is a key assigned in advance for scrolling. When the last screen (S106) is displayed, the display returns to the first display screen (S102). When setting a ring tone as in the example of FIG. 1, the determination key is depressed on the screen for setting a desired ring tone. The enter key is assigned separately from the scroll key.
[0006]
Next, the detailed menu of step b is displayed and selected. When the enter key is pressed down on the ringtone screen of S106 in step a, a detailed menu screen from S107 to S110 is displayed ((7) to (9) next screen display). Here, a screen for each type of ringtone is displayed. If it is desired to set “Melody 4” as a ring tone, the determination key is depressed on the “Melody 4” screen in S110 (10 determination). The screen of S111 is displayed and the setting is completed.
[0007]
As for the automatic scrolling technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-59835 discloses an automatic scrolling method for displaying messages in a radio selective call receiver. This method stores a plurality of received messages and automatically scrolls them at a specified time interval in accordance with a user instruction. You can also specify the scrolling speed for each message.
However, this automatic message scrolling technology only automatically displays a plurality of received or related messages on the screen, and does not target display of information involving user selection operations such as menu operations. .
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As shown in (1) to (10) in FIG. 1, the conventional function menu selection method has many keys by the user.
-Requires operation. In particular, since the scroll operation for selecting a menu item to be set from one function is relied on each time for the key operation, the key operation becomes a simple repetition and places a burden on the user.
Further, since the automatic scroll method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-59835 is applied only to message display, it does not reduce the burden on the user for general operation of the mobile phone.
Conventionally, in order to select a desired menu on a screen on which a part of a function menu is displayed, it is necessary to scroll each time by a key operation. Also, in the prior art in which automatic scrolling is introduced, it is applied only to the display of messages.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable selection and setting of a desired menu item while reducing the number of key operations as much as possible, and to reduce the burden on the user regarding key operations and menu selection. It is to provide a method.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone and a menu selection method that achieve user-friendly operations when selecting and setting functions. In setting the functions of mobile phones, it is important to reduce the number of key operations as described above in order to reduce the burden on the user, but in addition to that, such key operations are truly convenient for the user. It is necessary to devise in order to make it better.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention. Folding Mobile phone That By operating the side key provided on the side On the rear display The function menu can be automatically scrolled, and when the desired function menu is displayed, the scrolling is stopped and determined by the menu. As a result, the number of key operations for determining the function is reduced and the burden on the user is reduced. Further, when selecting and determining a more detailed menu after determining the function menu in this way, the same as above. On the rear display By employing automatic scrolling, the burden on the user is further reduced. In addition, the same means can be applied to the selection of lower-level menus that span a plurality of hierarchies. By applying automatic scrolling to this multi-level menu selection, it becomes possible to supply user-friendly mobile phones in response to the recent advancement and complexity of mobile phone functions.
[0010]
In the automatic scrolling, the menu displayed when the enter key is pressed while sequentially scrolling the display of the screen on which the function menu is displayed can be selected and set. That is, the key operation of stopping the scrolling when the desired function menu is displayed can be omitted. As a result, it is possible not only to reduce the number of key operations by automatic scrolling but also to reduce the number of key operations.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the automatic scrolling, it is possible to set a scroll time interval. In other words, in the automatic scrolling of the screen on which the function menu is displayed, the user can freely set the time interval for scrolling to the next screen. For example, if the user is not used to key operations, the automatic scrolling time interval may be set long so that the screen can be viewed slowly. Also, if you are used to key operations, you can set a short time interval to avoid redundant operations. By enabling the setting of such an automatic scrolling time interval, the operation for setting the functions can be made more user-friendly. This time interval is set by a counter incorporated in the mobile phone.
[0012]
In addition, after the automatic scroll display is started, if there is no scroll stop request by the user within a certain time, the scroll is automatically stopped and the initial screen is returned. This is set by a counter different from the counter for setting the scroll time interval. If automatic scrolling is started due to an erroneous operation, if scrolling does not stop unless there is a scroll stop request, wasteful power consumption occurs during that time. Such a wasteful power consumption can be avoided by the automatic scroll stop function.
[0013]
According to the invention Foldable with a liquid crystal display (LCD) on the back and side keys Mobile phone Even in the folded state, similar automatic scrolling can be realized by using the rear LCD and the side keys.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone according to the present invention. The configuration described here is the same whether the cellular phone is a folding type or not.
In FIG. 2, a mobile phone according to the present invention includes an antenna 201, a radio unit 202, a memory 203, an audio signal processing unit 204, a speaker 205, a microphone 206, a control unit 207, an operation unit 208, a display. Part 209.
[0015]
The wireless unit 202 is connected to the antenna 201 and performs transmission / reception processing of a wireless signal through the antenna 201. The memory 203 stores data set by the user. The audio signal processing unit 204 is connected to a speaker 205 and a microphone 206, converts a signal received via the antenna 201 and the radio unit 202 and processed by the control unit 207 into an analog audio signal, and outputs audio from the speaker 205. As output. The audio signal processing unit 204 processes the analog audio signal input from the microphone 206 to generate a digital signal, and the digital signal is transmitted to the other party via the control unit 207, the radio unit 202, and the antenna 201. .
[0016]
The operation unit 208 includes a plurality of keys for inputting a telephone number and the like, selecting each function, and the like. The operation unit 208 in FIG. 3, the operation unit 402 in FIG. 4A, and the operation unit 402 in FIG. This corresponds to the operation unit (side key) 404 of b). FIG. 3 is an external view showing a non-foldable mobile phone, and FIG. 4 is an external view showing the foldable mobile phone. Since the side key 404 in FIG. 4 is disposed on the side surface of the foldable mobile phone, it can be operated even in the folded state.
[0017]
The control unit 207 is connected to the wireless unit 202, the memory 203, the audio signal processing unit 204, the operation unit 208, and the display unit 209, and controls these units. When the control unit 207 monitors the operation unit 208 and detects a user operation, the control unit 207 performs processing corresponding to the key operation, and controls the display unit 209 to perform various displays. The display unit 209 corresponds to the display unit 301 in FIG. 3, the display unit 401 in FIG. 4A, and the rear LCD in FIG. 4B. The control unit 207 includes a timer circuit 210 and a CPU 211. The CPU 211 monitors whether or not a predetermined key of the operation unit 208 is pressed, and outputs a timer start or stop command to the timer circuit 210 when the key press is recognized. The timer circuit 210 can set two types, an interval timer and a one-shot timer, and operates according to control from the CPU 211.
[0018]
The automatic scroll method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Automatic scrolling is automatic switching of each screen display without using a user operation. In the present invention, automatic scrolling is basically started and stopped by a user's key press.
[0019]
In FIG. 5A, when there is a scroll start request from the user in the standby state (S501), the CPU 211 starts the timer circuit 210 to calculate the scroll time interval (S502). In the example of FIG. 5, scrolling is performed at intervals of 1 second, and the timer used is a 100 msec timer. Also, a flag for counting one second, which is the scroll interval, is “counter 1”, and a flag for counting the scroll display timeout time is “counter 2”. The scroll display time-out time is a time when there is no scroll stop request for a certain time after scrolling is started (details will be described later). Here, the time-out time is 10 seconds. When the timer starts, the counter 1 and the counter 2 are initialized (set to 0).
[0020]
When the timer is started, the CPU 211 monitors whether or not a timer interrupt has occurred (S503). As will be described later, the CPU 211 also monitors whether there is a menu selection or scroll stop request from the user. After 100 msec from the timer start, the timer circuit 210 generates a timer interrupt to the CPU 211 (YES in S503). When the CPU 211 recognizes the occurrence of an interrupt, the CPU 211 updates the counter value in S504. Here, updating the counter value means adding 1 to the counter 1 and the counter 2 respectively.
[0021]
Next, in S505, it is determined whether or not the scroll display timeout time has elapsed. Here, since a timer of 100 msec is used, the timeout time of 10 seconds is “100 msec × 100 times = 10000 msec (10 seconds)”, so that when the count 2 reaches 100, a timeout occurs. The timeout operation will be described later.
[0022]
If the count 2 is less than 100 (NO in S505), it is determined in S506 whether one second of the scroll time interval has elapsed. Since one second is “100 msec × 10 times = 1000 msec (1 second)”, the counter is continuously updated until the counter 1 reaches 10 (S503 to S505). When the count value in the counter 1 reaches 10 (YES in S506), the screen is updated, that is, the screen is scrolled assuming that 1 second has elapsed (S507), and the counter 1 is cleared (returns to 0) in S508. Then, a new scroll screen is displayed for 1 second (S503 to S506).
[0023]
S503 to S508 (scroll display at 1 second intervals) are repeated until a scroll stop request is received from the user. However, when automatic scrolling is started due to a malfunction, it is wasted power consumption to continue the automatic scrolling operation until a stop request is made by the user. Therefore, a function is provided to automatically stop scrolling when there is no scroll stop request for a certain period of time after the start of automatic scrolling. As described above, the time when there is no scroll stop request from the start of automatic scrolling is called a timeout time.
[0024]
The timeout operation will be described. In this embodiment, the timeout time is set to 10 seconds. When 10 seconds are continuously counted in the determination of the timeout time in S505, the process automatically shifts to the scroll stop process in S509. In S509, all the flags used for scrolling are cleared, and the timer function is stopped. Thereafter, in S510, the screen returns to the initial standby screen.
[0025]
Steps S503 to S508 are a flow during a scroll operation after the start of scrolling, and do not include an operation when there is a scroll stop request by the user. Therefore, the operation when there is a scroll stop request by the user will be described using S511 to S513.
In FIG. 5B, S511 represents the scroll operation of S503 to S508. If there is a stop request during scrolling in S512, the scroll screen is stopped in S513 and the flag used for scrolling is cleared, as in the stop processing due to timeout in S509. In the present embodiment, the scroll stop request is due to the user pressing a predetermined key. When a stop request is made by the user, the screen when the stop request is received remains displayed. Then, as will be described later, menu item scrolling of the selected function is started by pressing the enter key.
[0026]
In this embodiment, the scroll time interval (scroll speed) is 1 second, but the user can set the scroll time interval in advance. The scroll time interval is set as follows. When the time interval to be selected in advance is determined in several steps (here, 5 steps), the scroll speed is selected from 1 to 5 according to the user's preference. Or you may comprise so that a user can set freely the time interval of a scroll. In this case, the user inputs the number of seconds for scrolling according to his / her preference. Thus, by setting the scroll time interval in advance, the scroll speed can be adjusted according to the user's preference.
[0027]
Next, the “ringing tone setting” operation using automatic scrolling in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As in the conventional example of FIG. 1, there are five function menus. (1) to (5) in FIG. 6 represent key operations by the user.
[0028]
First, scrolling of the function menu is started when the user presses a predetermined key on the operation unit on the standby screen S601. When the function menu is in the order of phone book, screen selection, mail, history, ringtone, a screen showing the phone book function is displayed in S602. Thereafter, in S602 to S606, the function menu screen is automatically switched (scrolled) in the order of phone book → screen selection → mail → history → ring tone every second. Since the ring tone function is selected here, the user does not operate any keys until the ring tone screen is displayed. When the screen of S606 is displayed, the user presses a key for stopping scrolling ((2) Function menu scrolling stop). The keys for starting and stopping automatic scrolling may be the same or different keys. If there is a scroll stop request, the screen remains stopped on the ringtone selection screen in S606.
[0029]
Next, a more detailed menu in the menu called ringtone function is selected and determined. Here, the type of ringtone is selected and determined. While the screen indicating the ring tone function in S606 is displayed, the user depresses a key for determining a menu (determining a function menu). The key for determining the function menu may be the same as or different from the key for starting and stopping scrolling. When the enter key is depressed, a more detailed ring tone menu (here, melody 1 to melody 4) is displayed.
When "Melody 4" is selected, it is necessary to scroll from Melody 1 to Melody 4. Here, the automatic scrolling is adopted for the scrolling as well as the selection of the function menu in step a. After depressing the enter key, the screen is automatically switched (scrolled) in the order of melody 1 → melody 2 → melody 3 → melody 4 in order of every other second. In order to select melody 4, when the scroll screen becomes melody 4, the scroll stop key is pressed down (scroll stop of (4)). After pressing the stop key, the screen stops with melody 4. By depressing the determination key in S610 (decision (5)), the ringtone is determined to be melody 4 and the selection of the ringtone is completed (S611).
[0030]
In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the settings made by the user are summarized as follows. (1) Start scrolling (start automatic scrolling of function menu), (2) Stop scrolling (stop scrolling of function menu), (3) Determine function menu (determine function menu as ringtone, more detailed Menu automatic scrolling start), {circle over (4)} stop scrolling (more detailed menu scrolling stop), and {circle over (5)} more detailed menu determination (determination of ringtone type). Here, when it is configured to apply automatic scrolling for selecting a lower level detailed menu, automatic scrolling of a more detailed menu is started without being determined and completed by (5). Will be.
[0031]
In the above, after stopping scrolling in (2) or (4), if you do not select the function of the stopped screen, press the auto scroll start key to start scrolling again from the next screen after the stopped screen. Is done. In the above, the scroll stop operation of (2) or (4) may be omitted. After starting automatic scrolling of (1), more detailed menu scrolling can be started by determining the menu of the function of (3). After the automatic scrolling of the more detailed menu (3) is started, the type of the ring tone can be determined by determining the more detailed menu (5). After scrolling the menu in more detail (3), it is possible to change to the function menu display screen by pressing the scroll start key twice in succession (return to the previous automatic scroll).
[0032]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the function menu or more detailed menu scroll display is automatically performed, so that it is not necessary to press a key every time the display is switched. Therefore, the key operation for function setting is simplified and the burden on the user is reduced as compared with the conventional example. Furthermore, since it is possible to adopt a configuration in which automatic scrolling is applied to select menus that extend to lower layers, it is possible to further increase the key operation by the user in response to the sophistication and complexity of mobile phone functions in recent years. Can be reduced. In addition, since a function for automatically stopping scrolling after a predetermined time has elapsed, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed. Further, by allowing the user to freely set the scroll time interval, a mobile phone that meets the user's preference can be supplied.
[0033]
The present invention can be applied to both a non-foldable mobile phone and a foldable mobile phone. In particular, in the second embodiment applied to the folding mobile phone with a back LCD shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit corresponds to the operation unit 402 in FIG. 4 (a) and the operation unit (side key) 404 in FIG. 4 (b). To do. The side key 404 in FIG. 4 is disposed on the side surface of the foldable mobile phone and includes a rear LCD, so that it can be operated even in a folded state.
[0034]
In the folding mobile phone with a rear LCD, the same configuration is adopted in which automatic scrolling is performed in which each screen display is automatically switched without using a user operation. The automatic scrolling is started and stopped by pressing a key of the user. At this time, the key to be pressed is configured to use a side key. Thereby, even when the cellular phone is folded, it is possible to start or stop automatic scrolling of the function menu or the like while looking at the rear LCD. The start and stop of scrolling may be the same side key or different side keys. Further, the basic operations for function setting (1) to (5) and the operations that can be omitted are the same in the case of this embodiment. Furthermore, also in the present embodiment, the user can freely set the scroll time interval.
[0035]
Thus, even in the folded state, it can be operated using the side keys and the rear LCD. Therefore, as an effect of the present embodiment, even when the cellular phone is folded, the automatic scrolling function simplifies the key operation for function setting and reduces the burden on the user as compared with the conventional example. In addition, since a function for automatically stopping scrolling after a predetermined time has elapsed, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the user can freely set the scroll time interval of the function menu, it is possible to supply a mobile phone according to the user's preference.
[0036]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, what enables the user to specify the contents of the automatic scroll display in advance is provided. Here, it is possible to further reduce the number of key operations by determining scroll contents in advance for functions frequently used by the user.
[0037]
This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile phone generally has various functions such as the five functions shown in FIG. 6, but frequently used functions may be fixed depending on each user. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a user who frequently uses ring tone settings is assumed, and ring tone settings will be described as an example. Further, a foldable mobile phone with a back LCD will be described as an example.
[0038]
The user as described above sets a function menu for scrolling on the rear LCD in advance as a ring tone. When the user wants to change the contents of the ring tone, if the user presses down the scroll start key as a side key while closing the folding LCD mobile phone with the back LCD, the details regarding the ring tone are immediately displayed from the standby screen (S701). The scroll of the menu screen is started ((1) automatic scroll start). That is, scrolling of the screens of melody 1 to melody 4 is started (S702 to S705). When selection of melody 4 is desired, when the screen automatically scrolls and melody 4 is displayed, the key is depressed to stop scrolling ((2) stop scrolling). Thereafter, the setting to the melody 4 is completed by depressing the decision key ((3) depressing the decision key).
[0039]
In the present embodiment, as described above, when the user selects and sets one of the function menus in advance, the key operation can be further simplified with respect to the above-described embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, among the key operations (1) to (5) in FIG. 6, (2) Stop scrolling (stop scrolling of function menu), (3) Determine function menu (function menu is received) It is possible to omit determination of sound and automatic scrolling of a more detailed menu). Furthermore, (4) stop of scrolling (more detailed menu scrolling stop) can be omitted.
[0040]
As an effect of the present embodiment, by selecting and setting one of the function menus in advance according to the user's preference, it becomes possible to greatly reduce the key operation and reduce the burden. Further, even when the cellular phone is in a folded state, it can be operated with the side keys while looking at the rear LCD, and the above effect is exhibited.
[0041]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Conventionally, when it is desired to make a call to a party registered in the telephone directory, the folding cellular phone is once opened, and then the telephone number of the other party is called from the telephone directory by means of key operation or voice recognition. Then press the calling dial to call the other party. The following functions are provided in order to omit the series of operations as described above.
[0042]
The phonebook is automatically scrolled on the rear LCD while the folding cellular phone with the rear LCD is folded. When the partner information is found, the scrolling is stopped and the memory dial of the partner to be called is displayed on the rear LCD. At this time, the start and stop of the automatic scrolling are configured to use the side key, so that the other party's memory dial can be displayed in the folded state. Then, the other party can be automatically called by opening the folding mobile phone with the back LCD.
[0043]
The effect of this embodiment will be described. First, the effect that the number of key operations for function setting is reduced by automatic scrolling and the burden on the user is reduced is the same as in the above embodiment. Further, in the case of a foldable mobile phone with a back LCD, it is possible to display the other party's memory dial using the back LCD and side keys in the folded state. Because of this and the automatic scrolling for function setting according to the present invention, the number of key operations by the user with the telephone open is reduced, so that the key operation for function setting in a form that further reduces the burden on the user. Is possible.
[0044]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the user can set in advance the contents for which automatic scrolling is desired and the following functions are set.
a. Automatic scrolling display of received mail contents
b. Automatic scroll display of schedule contents
[0045]
First, the case of the received mail a will be described by taking a folding mobile phone with a back LCD as an example. When a mail is received in a state in which the folding mobile phone with the back LCD is folded, a message such as “There is received mail” can be displayed on the back LCD. When such a message is displayed, the content of the received mail is displayed by depressing the automatic scroll start key in the side key. When there is no received mail, the normal standby screen remains, and even if the automatic scroll start key is pressed in this state, the received mail is not scrolled. With the above function, the user can easily check the contents of the mail without opening the folding mobile phone with the back LCD when receiving the mail.
[0046]
Next, the case of schedule b will be described. The schedule function is a function for registering a schedule for a specific day in advance and notifying the user at the registered time by an alarm or a message. For example, the contents of the scroll display are set to “schedule list” in advance. When the user presses down the automatic scroll start key in the side key while the folding mobile phone with the rear LCD is folded, only the schedule for the day can be scrolled and displayed on the rear LCD. On days when no schedule is registered, a message such as “no schedule” can be displayed. Or you may comprise so that the display of a schedule list may display all the cases. The user can set whether to display the schedule for the current day only or to display the schedule for all cases.
[0047]
The effect of this embodiment will be described. First, the effect of automatic scrolling for menu selection is the same as in the previous embodiment. In addition, by setting the scroll display content in advance, the user can confirm the scroll content desired by the user while the folding mobile phone with the back LCD is folded. With this and automatic scrolling for function setting according to the present invention, it is possible to confirm the display contents in a form that reduces the number of key operations and reduces the burden on the user without opening the folding mobile phone with a back LCD. Become.
[0048]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the automatic scrolling is started and stopped by pressing a key, but other methods may be used. For example, voice recognition can be used. When the user speaks “Kaishi” or “Toshishi” toward the microphone connected to the mobile phone, the scrolling is automatically started or stopped.
[0049]
The effect of this embodiment will be described. First, the effect of automatic scrolling for menu selection is the same as in the previous embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the key operation can be further reduced by using the voice recognition, and the burden on the user is further reduced.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
The first effect of the present invention is that it is possible to reduce the burden of the key operation for the function setting by the user by the automatic scroll function. The second effect is that, by adopting a configuration in which the user can freely set the automatic scrolling speed, it becomes possible to supply a mobile phone that is even easier to use when the user sets a function. A third effect is that wasteful power consumption can be suppressed by providing a function of automatically stopping scrolling. In summary, the effect of the present invention is to improve the convenience of the mobile phone by widely applying the automatic scroll function to the screen display for function setting in the mobile phone in general.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional function menu display method.
FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of a mobile phone according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external view showing a mobile phone that is not a folding type;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are external views showing a folding mobile phone with a back LCD, in which FIG. 4A shows an open state and FIG. 4B shows a closed state;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of an embodiment of the automatic scroll method according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of function menu selection in the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of function menu selection in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
201 Antenna
202 Radio unit
203 memory
204 Audio signal processor
205 Speaker
206 Microphone
207 Control unit
208 Operation unit
209 Display
210 Timer circuit
211 CPU
301 display
302 Operation unit
401 display
402 Operation unit
403 Rear LCD
404 Operation part (side key)

Claims (8)

In a foldable mobile phone that can display a menu consisting of a plurality of hierarchical function items,
An input means comprising a plurality of keys for inputting a telephone number, selecting a function, and the like;
Display means for performing various displays;
A control unit that performs processing corresponding to a key operation by the input unit and performs various displays on the display unit;
The input means includes an automatic scroll start key and a predetermined key. At least the automatic scroll start key and the predetermined key are provided on a side surface of the foldable mobile phone and can be operated even when the foldable mobile phone is closed. Key
The display means includes a back display unit that is provided on a back surface of the foldable mobile phone and is exposed even when the foldable mobile phone is closed,
The control means starts automatic scrolling by pressing the automatic scroll start key in a state in which the foldable mobile phone is closed, and sequentially and automatically sets a plurality of function items on the rear display unit at regular time intervals. The function display currently displayed on the said back display part is selected by scroll-displaying and pressing the said predetermined key. The foldable mobile telephone characterized by the above-mentioned. It said control means further if there are multiple function items in the lower layer of the selected function item, sequentially displayed automatically scroll the multiple function items of the lower layer, by the predetermined key is pressed 2. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein a function item currently displayed on the rear display unit is selected. The control means stops scrolling when a scroll stop key of the input means is pressed, selects a function item displayed at that time by pressing a determination key of the input means, and The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stop key and the enter key are provided on a side surface of the foldable mobile phone. Wherein, at any speed selected from a plurality of predetermined speed, the folding type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to perform the automatic scroll in the rear display unit. The foldable mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of function items are designated in advance by a user. The foldable mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automatic scrolling can be started and stopped and a desired function item can be selected by voice input. The said control means is provided with the timer circuit which measures a predetermined time interval, and determines the time interval of automatic scrolling, and the time which times out scroll display, It is any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Folding mobile phone . 8. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein the control means automatically stops scrolling when there is no function selection operation before the time-out period elapses after automatic scrolling starts.

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