JP4517551B2 - Portable information processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information processing device, and in particular, in a portable information processing device that can be opened and closed, by opening and closing in a plurality of directions, for example, when reading and writing e-mails, it is easy to use according to applications. The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, mobile phones have become more sophisticated and multifunctional, and various applications such as e-mails and games have been used in addition to calls using mobile phones.
[0003]
In addition, the types of mobile phones are increasing, and in particular, there is a tendency that a foldable mobile phone that can be opened and closed in which a display unit and an operation unit are coupled by a hinge is preferred. In general, the folding-type mobile phone is vertically long when opened so that it can be easily talked.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, when reading and writing e-mails on a mobile phone whose main function is calling, it opens vertically, compared to the case where characters are entered, text entered, or received text is viewed horizontally. There was a problem that was inconvenient.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and in a portable information processing device that can be opened and closed, by opening and closing in a plurality of directions, for example, when reading and writing mail, depending on the application. It is intended to be easy to use.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first housing and a second housing so that the first state where the display unit and the operation unit are opposed to each other and the second state where the display unit and the operation unit are opened can be taken. A first hinge that rotatably supports the housing of the first axis extending in a first direction, and a first state in which the display unit and the operation unit are opposed to each other, and The first housing and the second housing are rotated about a second axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so that the third state can be taken. A second hinge that is movably supported; A first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism for locking the first casing and the second casing in the first state; With The first lock mechanism is unlocked when the first housing is rotated from the first state to the second state, and the second lock mechanism is configured to move the first housing to the first state. When it is rotated from the state 3 to the third state, the lock is released. .
[0007]
State detection means for detecting whether the first housing and the second housing are rotated from the first state to the second state or the third state is further provided. be able to.
[0008]
The operation unit includes a plurality of operation detection units that detect an operation and a detection unit information display unit that displays information about the operation detection unit, and an operation in the detection unit information display unit based on a detection result by the state detection unit. Control means for controlling display of information related to the detection unit can be further provided.
[0009]
A mode setting unit that sets the mode of the portable information processing device based on the detection result by the state detection unit can be further provided.
[0010]
The portable information processing device has a call function for making a voice call and a mail function for sending or receiving text mail. The mode setting means includes a first case and a second case. A call mode for executing the call function is set when the state is rotated from the first state to the second state, and a mail mode for executing the mail function is set when the state is rotated from the first state to the third state. Can be set.
[0011]
The first hinge rotates with the first casing about the second axis of the second hinge when the first casing rotates from the first state to the third state. Can be.
[0013]
The first lock mechanism is provided between the first housing and the second hinge, and the second lock mechanism is provided between the first hinge and the second housing. Can be.
[0014]
In the portable information processing device of the present invention, the first hinge can be in a first state in which the display unit and the operation unit are closed to face each other and a second state in which the display unit and the operation unit are opened. The first housing and the second housing are supported so as to be rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, and the display unit and the operation unit are closed opposite to each other by the second hinge. The first housing and the second housing extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so that the first state and the third state opened can be taken. It is supported so as to be rotatable about the second axis. Then, the first housing and the second housing are locked in the first state by the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism, and the first housing is moved from the first state to the second state. When rotating to the state, the lock of the first lock mechanism is released, and when the first housing is rotated from the first state to the third state, the lock of the second lock mechanism is released. .
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the appearance of a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied.
[0016]
The cellular phone includes an upper casing 1 having a display unit 4, a lower casing 2 having an operation unit 7, and a hinge 3 a and a hinge 3 b for connecting the upper casing 1 and the lower casing 2. FIG. 1 shows an exploded state, but these are assembled as shown in FIG.
[0017]
The upper housing 1 includes a display unit 4, a speaker 5, an antenna 6, a shaft passing part (hole) 12a, and a lock claw 13b. The display unit 4 is composed of a thin display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays characters and images. The speaker 5 above the display unit 4 outputs a received voice. An antenna 6 provided on the right side of the upper end surface of the upper housing 1 so as to be extendable and contracted performs wireless communication with a base station (not shown).
[0018]
The lower housing 2 includes an operation unit 7, a microphone 8, an operation button 9, a shaft passing part (hole) 12b, and a lock hole 14a. The operation unit 7 includes a thin display device such as an LCD 36 (FIG. 3 to be described later) and a transparent touch pad 37 (FIG. 3 to be described later) disposed on the upper side. A microphone 8 below the operation unit 7 inputs a transmission voice. The operation button 9 above the operation unit 7 is an operation button for instructing reception / transmission history calling, telephone directory display, or power on / off. In this description, three operation buttons are provided, but the number is arbitrary. .
[0019]
The hinge 3a has a shaft 11a, and a lock claw 13a is formed on the lower surface on the right side in FIG. The hinge 3b has a shaft 11b. In FIG. 1, a lock hole 14b is formed on the upper surface below the shaft 11b. The shaft 11a is passed through a shaft-passing portion (hole) 12a of the upper housing 1 and supports the upper housing 1 so as to be rotatable. The shaft 11b is passed through a shaft-passing portion (hole) 12b of the lower housing 2 and supports the lower housing 2 so as to be rotatable. The hinge 3a and the hinge 3b are coupled so as to be orthogonal to each other.
[0020]
Further, when the upper casing 1 and the lower casing 2 are closed so that the display section 4 and the operation section 7 face each other, the lock claw 13a of the hinge 3a is inserted into the lock hole 14a of the lower casing 2, and the lock claw The lock claw 13b of the upper housing 1 is inserted into the lock hole 14b of the hinge 3b and is locked based on the elastic force of the lock claw 13b. Yes. Thereby, the operation | movement by which the upper housing | casing 1 and the lower housing | casing 2 are opened carelessly is suppressed.
[0021]
The shaft passing portion (hole) 12a has a pressing portion (not shown) such as a leaf spring that is elastically deformed, and this pressing portion presses the outer periphery of the shaft 11a. When the upper housing 1 is rotated to a predetermined angle, the pressing portion presses the flat portion 15a of the shaft 11a. As a result, the upper housing 1 is in a stable state at that position.
[0022]
Similarly, when the pressing portion inside the shaft passing portion (hole) 12b comes into contact with the flat portion 15b formed at the center of the shaft 11b, the lower housing 2 is stabilized at that position. Thereby, it becomes easy to rotate the upper housing | casing 1 and the lower housing | casing 2, and to stop in a preferable position.
[0023]
Hereinafter, the hinges 3a and 3b, the shafts 11a and 11b, the shaft-passing portions 12a and 12b, the lock claws 13a and 13b, the lock holes 14a and 14b, and the plane portions 15a and 15b are simply hinges when it is not necessary to distinguish them individually. 3, the shaft 11, the shaft passing portion 12, the lock claw 13, the lock hole 14, and the plane portion 15.
[0024]
Next, a usage example of the mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
When the user does not use the mobile phone, the mobile phone is closed so that the display unit 4 of the upper housing 1 and the operation unit 7 of the lower housing 2 face each other, as shown in FIG. 2A.
[0026]
When making a call using a mobile phone, the user resists the elastic force of the lock claw 13b and moves the upper housing 1 from the lower housing 2 around the shaft 11a of the hinge 3a as shown in FIG. 2B. It is made to rotate in the direction of leaving | separating and it opens so that the upper housing | casing 1 and the lower housing | casing 2 may become vertically long. At this time, the vertical sensor 38 (FIG. 3) detects that the mobile phone has been opened vertically and notifies the CPU 33 (FIG. 3). At this time, the CPU 33 sets a call mode.
[0027]
Thus, the state in which the mobile phone is opened vertically is a state in which the user can make a call easily with the speaker 5 placed on the ear and the microphone 8 attached to the mouth.
[0028]
On the other hand, when sending and receiving e-mail using a mobile phone, the user rotates the upper housing 1 around the shaft 11b of the hinge 3b as shown in FIG. 2C against the elastic force of the lock claw 13a. The upper casing 1 and the lower casing 2 are opened so as to be horizontally long. At this time, the hinge 3 a rotates integrally with the upper housing 1. At this time, the horizontal sensor 39 (FIG. 3) detects that the mobile phone has been opened horizontally and notifies the CPU 33 of it. At this time, the CPU 33 sets the mail mode.
[0029]
In this way, the state in which the mobile phone is opened horizontally is easy to read characters and is easy to hold in the hand, which is suitable for the user to read and write mail.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the mobile phone shown in FIG.
[0031]
The upper casing 1 includes a display unit 4, a speaker 5, an antenna 6, a communication unit 31, and a display control unit 32. The lower casing 2 includes an operation unit 7 (including an LCD 36 and a touch pad 37), a microphone, and the like. 8, an operation button 9, a CPU 33, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 34, and a memory 35. The vertical sensor 38 is provided in the hinge 3b so as to detect when the lock claw 13b of the upper housing 1 is inserted into the lock hole 14b of the hinge 3b. Similarly, the lateral sensor 38 is provided in the lower housing 2 so as to detect when the lock claw 13a of the hinge 3a is inserted into the lock hole 14a of the lower housing 2. The four units are connected to each other via a bus 40.
[0032]
The communication unit 31 performs wireless communication with a base station (not shown) via the antenna 6. The display control unit 32 controls display on the display unit 4 based on an instruction from the CPU 33.
[0033]
The CPU 33 controls the entire mobile phone based on the operation of the operation button 9 by the user or the operation on the touch pad 37 of the operation unit 7. In addition, the CPU 33 performs a display direction determination process based on an on / off signal (lock state detection signal) detected from the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39, sets a mode based on the result, and displays the display direction. A display direction is instructed to the control unit 32 and the LCD 36 of the operation unit 7.
[0034]
The DSP 34 performs various high-speed arithmetic processing, and the memory 35 stores telephone directory or address book data input by the user via the operation unit 7 or reception and transmission history.
[0035]
The LCD 36 of the operation unit 7 displays operation keys based on instructions from the CPU 33. The touch pad 37 disposed on the upper side of the LCD 36 detects coordinates corresponding to the operation position of the user and outputs the detected coordinates to the CPU 33. The CPU 33 compares the coordinates of the operation keys displayed on the LCD 36 with the coordinates detected by the touch pad 37 to determine which operation key has been operated by the user. The CPU 33 assigns a predetermined function to each operation key (described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10). Therefore, the user can input a telephone number or a character by pressing the touch pad 37 with a finger or a pen.
[0036]
The vertical sensor 38 is constituted by, for example, a micro switch, and when the lock claw 13b of the upper housing 1 is inserted into the lock hole 14b of the hinge 3b, that is, when locked, the vertical sensor 38 is pressed by the lock claw 13b and turned on. Become. When the lock claw 13b of the upper housing 1 is released from the lock hole 14b of the hinge 3b, that is, when the lock is released, the pressing by the lock claw 13b is released, and the vertical sensor 38 (microswitch) is turned off.
[0037]
Similarly, the lateral sensor 39 is also constituted by a micro switch, and when the lock claw 13a of the hinge 3a is inserted into the lock hole 14a of the lower housing 2, that is, when locked, the lateral sensor 39 is turned on, When the lock claw 13a of the hinge 3a is disengaged from the lock hole 14a of the lower housing 2, that is, when the lock is released, it is turned off.
[0038]
Next, the display direction determination process of the CPU 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0039]
This process is started when the mobile phone is turned on.
[0040]
In step S1, the CPU 33 determines whether the vertical sensor 38 has been turned off (from the state in which the upper housing 1 is closed with respect to the lower housing 2 from the lower housing 2 around the shaft 11a of the hinge 3a). If it is determined whether or not the vertical sensor 38 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0041]
In step S2, the CPU 33 determines whether or not the lateral sensor 39 is turned off (whether or not the upper casing 1 is opened in a direction away from the lower casing 2 around the axis 11b of the hinge 3b).
[0042]
If the CPU 33 determines in step S2 that the horizontal sensor 39 is not turned off (the state of the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39 is the state shown by the block 201 in FIG. In a case where the mobile phone is correctly opened around the shaft 11a with respect to the lower housing 2), in step S3, the mobile phone is set to a call mode. That is, at this time, the CPU 33 controls the communication unit 31 based on an input from the operation unit 7 or the operation button 9 to execute a calling operation or a receiving operation for a predetermined partner. At this time, the CPU 33 also executes a mail transmission or reception operation based on a command from the user. Therefore, in this call mode, the same function as in the conventional mobile phone is executed.
[0043]
When the call mode is set, the CPU 33 controls the display control unit 32 and the operation unit 7 in step S4 so that characters and images can be correctly viewed when the mobile phone is vertically long (upper housing). When the body 1 is opened around the shaft 11a with respect to the lower housing 2, the user can correctly visually recognize when the lower housing 2 is disposed below and the upper housing 1 is disposed above. Display in the direction you can).
[0044]
FIG. 6 shows an example of display of a telephone number on the display unit 4 in this case, and FIG. 7 shows an example of display of characters of received mail. Further, the CPU 33 displays the operation keys for the call mode on the LCD 36 of the operation unit 7 as shown in FIG. 9 described later.
[0045]
This call mode is continued until it is determined in step S5 by the CPU 33 that the vertical sensor 38 is turned on (the upper housing 1 is closed with respect to the lower housing 2), and the vertical sensor 38 is turned on. When it is determined, in step S6, the CPU 33 controls the display control unit 32 and the operation unit 7, erases the display screen of the LCD 36 of the display unit 4 and the operation unit 7, and ends the process.
[0046]
When it is determined in step S2 that the horizontal sensor 39 is turned off (when the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39 are in the state shown by the block 202 in FIG. 5), the horizontal sensor 39 is also turned off in step S1. As a result, in this case, the mobile phone has been disassembled (unusual use state). Therefore, in this case, in step S7, the CPU 33 prohibits display of the screens on the LCD 36 of the display unit 4 and the operation unit 7 and ends the processing.
[0047]
On the other hand, if the CPU 33 determines in step S1 that the vertical sensor 38 is not turned off (if it is determined that it is turned on), the process proceeds to step S8.
[0048]
In step S8, the CPU 33 determines whether or not the lateral sensor 39 is turned off (the same process as in step S2).
[0049]
If the CPU 33 determines in step S8 that the horizontal sensor 39 has been turned off (the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39 are in the state shown by the block 102 in FIG. In the case where the mobile phone 2 is correctly opened around the axis 11b), in step S9, the mobile phone is set to the mail mode. That is, at this time, the CPU 33 performs a mail transmission or reception operation or a reception operation such as an image or game on the Internet based on a command from the user. At this time, since the CPU 33 prohibits the calling operation, the operation of the operation unit 7 or the operation button 9 relating to the calling operation is invalidated.
[0050]
In the mail mode, the incoming call operation is not prohibited. When an incoming call is accepted in the mail mode, the user once closes the upper casing 1 with respect to the lower casing 2 and then opens again by rotating around the shaft 11a. As a result, the above-described call mode is set, and a normal call is possible.
[0051]
When the mail mode is set, the CPU 33 controls the display control unit 32 and the operation unit 7 in step S10 so that characters and images can be correctly viewed when the mobile phone is horizontally long (the upper casing 1 is When the lower casing 2 is opened around the shaft 11b with respect to the lower casing 2, the lower casing 2 is disposed below, and the upper casing 1 is disposed in the direction in which the user can visually recognize correctly. ) Display.
[0052]
FIG. 8 shows a display example of received mail characters in the mail mode. Further, in the mail mode, the CPU 33 displays operation keys on the LCD 36 of the operation unit 7 as shown in FIG.
[0053]
This mail mode is continued until it is determined by the CPU 33 in step S11 that the lateral sensor 39 is turned on (the upper housing 1 is closed with respect to the lower housing 2), and the lateral sensor 39 is turned on. When it is determined, in step S12, the CPU 33 controls the display control unit 32 and the operation unit 7, erases the display screen of the LCD 36 of the display unit 4 and the operation unit 7, and ends the process.
[0054]
If it is determined in step S8 that the horizontal sensor 39 is not turned off (turned on) (when the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39 are in the state shown in block 101 of FIG. 5), in step S1 Since the lateral sensor 39 is not turned off (turned on), in this case, the mobile phone is closed (the state shown in FIG. 2A). Therefore, in this case, in step S13, the CPU 33 prohibits display of the screens of the LCD 36 of the display unit 4 and the operation unit 7 and ends the process.
[0055]
As described above, the open / close state of the mobile phone is detected by the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39, and the display direction of the LCD 36 of the display unit 4 and the operation unit 7 is changed according to the detection result.
[0056]
Next, display of operation keys in the call mode will be described with reference to FIG.
[0057]
First, in FIG. 9, the operation unit 7 is viewed so that the microphone 8 is on the lower side, and the position of the operation key on the upper left of the LCD 36 of the operation unit 7 is set to a position aa. In order from the left of the position aa, a position ab, a position ac, and a position ad are set. Position bb, position bc, position bd in order from the left of position ba below position aa, position cb, position cc, position cd in order from the left of position ca below position ba, and below position ca In order from the left of the position da, a position db, a position dc, and a position dd are set. This position is common both in the call mode and in the mail mode.
[0058]
When the call mode is set in step S3 in FIG. 4, the CPU 33 controls the operation unit 7 in step S4, and the operation keys on the LCD 36 of the operation unit 7 are used for the call mode as shown in FIG. (Characters and images are displayed in a direction that can be correctly viewed when the mobile phone is opened vertically). At this time, based on the display of the operation keys on the LCD 36, the CPU 33 assigns each operation key to the position (coordinates) as described below.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 9, in the call mode, in order from the upper left, the operation keys at position aa are “1” in the numeric mode, “a” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “.” In the alphabet mode, “@”, “/” And “:” are assigned, and the operation key at the position ab is “2” in the numeric mode, “ka” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “A”, “B” in the alphabetic mode. , And “C”, and the operation key at the position ac has “3” in the numeric mode, “sa” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “D”, “E”, and “F” in the alphabet mode. A “mode switching” operation key is assigned to the operation key at the position ad. This “mode switching” operation key is an operation key for sequentially switching hiragana / kanji mode, alphabetic mode or number mode.
[0060]
In the second row from the top, in order from the left, the operation key at position ba includes “4” in numeric mode, “ta” line in hiragana / kanji mode, “G”, “H” and “I” in alphabetic mode. ”Is assigned, and the operation key at position bb is assigned“ 5 ”in the numeric mode,“ na ”line in the hiragana / kanji mode,“ J ”,“ K ”, and“ L ”in the alphabet mode. The operation key of bc is assigned “6” in the numeric mode, “ha” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “M”, “N”, and “O” in the alphabet mode, and the operation key at the position bd. , “→ (right arrow)” operation key is assigned. This “→” operation key is an operation key used to move the cursor to the right by one character when changing a character to be edited at the time of creating a mail.
[0061]
In the third row from the top, in order from the left, the operation keys at position ca include “7” in the numeric mode, “ma” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “P”, “Q”, “R” in the alphabetic mode. ”And“ S ”, and the operation key at the position cb is“ 8 ”in the numeric mode,“ ya ”line in the hiragana / kanji mode,“ T ”,“ U ”, and“ V ”in the alphabet mode. Assigned to the operation key at position cc is “9” in numeric mode, “ra” line in hiragana / kanji mode, “W”, “X”, “Y” and “Z” in alphabetic mode, The “← (leftward arrow)” operation key is assigned to the operation key at the position cd. This “←” operation key is an operation key used to move the cursor to the left by one character when changing the character to be edited at the time of mail creation.
[0062]
In the bottom row, from left to right, the operation key at position da is assigned “*” in numeric mode, “muddy sound” and “semi-sound sound” in hiragana / kanji mode, and the operation key at position db , “0” in numeric mode, “Wa” line in hiragana / kanji mode, “space (_)” in alphabetic mode, “#” in numeric mode, hiragana / kanji mode Then, a “return (rtn)” operation key is assigned, and a “clear” operation key is assigned to the position dd. The “clear” operation key is an operation key used when deleting a character.
[0063]
This mobile phone has three types of character input modes, hiragana / kanji mode, alphabetic mode, and number mode. Further, in the hiragana / kanji mode, for example, when the operation key “1” at the position where the “a” line is assigned is pressed once, “a” is input. Similarly, when the operation key “1” is pressed twice, “I” is input, when the operation key “1” is pressed three times, “U” is input, and when the operation key “1” is pressed four times, When “E” is input and the operation key “1” is pressed five times, “O” is input. As described above, in the hiragana / kanji mode, one character of the line assigned to the operation key is preset according to the number of times of pressing. Then, the input of the next character is prepared by pressing the “→” operation key.
[0064]
Therefore, in this call mode, for example, if you create a mail sentence "Hello" in Hiragana / Kanji mode, the user, in order to enter the "child", press operation key position ab "2" 5 times. At this time, the touch pad 37 notifies the CPU 33 that the position ab has been operated five times, and the CPU 33 displays “ko” on the display unit 4 based on the coordinates of the operation keys for the call mode displayed on the LCD 36. To display. Thereafter, when the “→” operation key at the position bd is pressed by the user, the CPU 33 moves the cursor of the LCD 36 by one to the right so that the next character can be input.
[0065]
Similarly, when the user presses the operation key “0” at the position db three times, the CPU 33 displays “n”, and when the user presses the “→” operation key at the position bd, the CPU 33 moves the cursor on the LCD 36. When the user presses the operation key “5” at the position bb twice, “NI” is displayed, and when the user presses the “→” operation key at the position bd, The cursor on the LCD 36 is moved to the right by one. Similarly, when the user presses the operation key “4” at the position ba twice, “Chi” is displayed, and when the user presses the “→” operation key at the position bd, the cursor on the LCD 36 is moved to the right. Next, when the operation key “6” at the position bc is pressed once by the user, “ha” is displayed. In this way, the characters are input, the sentence of "Hello" is created and displayed on the display unit 4.
[0066]
On the other hand, the operation keys in the mail mode are assigned as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, description of functions corresponding to those in FIG.
[0067]
When the mail mode is set in step S9 in FIG. 4, the CPU 33 controls the operation unit 7 in step S10, and sets the operation keys on the LCD 36 of the operation unit 7 for the mail mode (characters and images are displayed on the mobile phone in landscape orientation). Display in a direction that can be viewed correctly). At this time, based on the display of the operation keys on the LCD 36, the CPU 33 assigns each operation key to the coordinates (position) as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view of the operation unit 7 so that the microphone 8 is on the lower side, and characters are displayed facing sideways. However, when the user actually uses the mobile phone, Since it is opened and used, the display characters are in the correct orientation for the user.
[0068]
That is, in the mail mode, the “mode switching” operation key is assigned to the position aa, the “→” operation key is assigned to the position ab, and “←” is assigned to the position ac. An operation key is assigned, and a “clear” operation key is assigned to the position ad.
[0069]
In the second row from the top, in order from the left, the operation keys at position ba include “3” in the numeric mode, “sa” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “D”, “E”, and “in the alphabet mode. F ”is assigned, and the operation key at position bb is assigned“ 6 ”in the numeric mode,“ ha ”line in the hiragana / kanji mode,“ M ”,“ N ”, and“ O ”in the alphabet mode. The operation key at position bc is assigned “9” in the number mode, “ra” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “W”, “X”, “Y”, and “Z” in the alphabet mode. “#” Is assigned to the operation key, and “return (rtn)” operation key is assigned in the hiragana / kanji mode.
[0070]
In the third row from the top, in order from the left, the operation keys at the position ca include “2” in the numeric mode, “ka” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “A”, “B”, and “ “C” is assigned, and the operation key at position cb is assigned “5” in the numeric mode, “NA” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “J”, “K”, and “L” in the alphabet mode. The operation key at position cc is assigned “8” in the numeric mode, “ya” line in hiragana / kanji mode, “T”, “U”, and “V” in alphabet mode, and is assigned to the operation key at position cd. Is assigned “0” in the number mode, “wa” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, and “space (_)” in the alphabet mode.
[0071]
In the bottom row, from left to right, the operation key at position da includes “1” in number mode, “a” line in hiragana / kanji mode, “.”, “@”, “/” In alphabetic mode. And “:” are assigned, and the operation key at position db is assigned “4” in the numeric mode, “ta” line in the hiragana / kanji mode, “G”, “H”, and “I” in the alphabet mode. The operation key at position dc is assigned “7” in number mode, “MA” line in hiragana / kanji mode, “P”, “Q”, “R” and “S” in alphabet mode, and position dd. The operation keys are assigned with “*” in the numeric mode and “turbid sound” and “semi-turbid sound” in the hiragana / kanji mode.
[0072]
In this e-mail mode, for example, if you create a mail sentence "Hello" in Hiragana / Kanji mode, the user, in order to enter the "child", press operation key position ca "2" 5 times. At this time, the touch pad 37 notifies the CPU 33 that the position ca has been operated five times, and the CPU 33 displays “ko” on the display unit based on the coordinates of the mail mode operation keys displayed on the LCD 36. Display. Thereafter, when the “→” operation key at the position ab is pressed by the user, the CPU 33 moves the cursor of the LCD 36 by one to the right so that the next character can be input.
[0073]
Similarly, when the user presses the operation key “0” at the position cd three times, the CPU 33 displays “n”. When the user presses the “→” operation key at the position ab, the CPU 33 moves the cursor on the LCD 36. Next, when the operation key “5” at the position cb is pressed twice by the user, “NI” is displayed, and when the user presses the “→” operation key at the position ab, The cursor on the LCD 36 is moved to the right by one. Similarly, when the operation key “4” at the position db is pressed twice by the user, “Chi” is displayed. When the “→” operation key at the position ab is pressed by the user, the cursor on the LCD 36 is moved to the right. Next, when the operation key “6” at the position bb is pressed once by the user, “ha” is displayed. In this way, characters are input, the sentence of "Hello" is created and displayed on the display unit 4.
[0074]
As is clear from the example of character input in FIGS. 9 and 10, even when the same character is input, the operation keys (operation positions) to be operated are different.
[0075]
Thus, the vertical sensor 38 and the horizontal sensor 39 detect the open / closed state of the mobile phone, and the mode is set according to the detection result, and the position of the operation key is assigned based on the set mode. Can easily input characters as displayed without worrying about the length and width of the operation unit 7. That is, when the user holds the display unit 4 upward, the mobile phone can be opened in the portrait mode (call mode) or in the landscape mode (mail mode). You can always see the “a” line in Kanji mode and the keys “.”, “@”, “/” And “:” in alphanumeric mode (the display position is position aa in the case of portrait, In the case of landscape, it is position da).
[0076]
As described above, during a call, the mobile phone can be enjoyed by opening the mobile phone in a vertically long form that is easy to make a call, and when sending and receiving mail, the mobile phone is opened in a horizontally long form that is easy to read characters. You can read and write emails carefully. Further, even when the mobile phone is opened horizontally, characters can be input with the same operation feeling as when the mobile phone is opened vertically.
[0077]
As described above, the present invention is applied to a mobile phone as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other portable information processing apparatuses such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistants).
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention According to the portable information processing device By changing the direction of opening, for example, when reading and writing mail, it can be made easier to use depending on the application.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the appearance of a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the mobile phone of FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the mobile phone of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating display direction determination processing of the mobile phone of FIG.
5 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining a display direction of the mobile phone of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a call mode display screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a call mode display screen.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in a mail mode.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a call mode operation screen;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a mail mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper housing | casing, 2 Lower housing | casing, 3a, 3b Hinge, 4 Display part, 7 Operation part, 11a, 11b Axis, 12a, 12b Shaft passing part, 13a, 13b Lock claw, 14a, 14b Lock hole, 32 Display control part , 33 CPU, 36 LCD, 37 Touchpad, 38 Vertical sensor, 39 Horizontal sensor

Claims (7)

In a portable information processing apparatus having a first housing having a display unit and a second housing having an operation unit,
The first casing and the second casing are arranged in a first state so that the display section and the operation section are opposed to each other and can be in a first state and an opened second state. A first hinge that pivotally supports a first axis extending in the direction of 1;
The first casing and the second casing are arranged so that the display section and the operation section face each other in a first state where the display section and the operation section are closed and a third state where the display section and the operation section are opened. A second hinge rotatably supported about a second axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction ;
A first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism for locking the first casing and the second casing in the first state ;
The first lock mechanism is unlocked when the first casing is rotated from the first state to the second state;
The second lock mechanism is a portable information processing apparatus that is unlocked when the first casing is rotated from the first state to the third state . State detecting means for detecting whether the first housing and the second housing are rotated from the first state to the second state or the third state. portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:. The operation unit includes a plurality of operation detection units that detect an operation, and a detection unit information display unit that displays information about the operation detection unit,
On the basis of the detection result by the state detecting means, the portable information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control means for controlling display of information on the operation detection unit in the detection unit information display unit. The state based on the detection result by the detection unit, portable information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a mode setting means for setting a mode of the portable information processing apparatus. The portable information processing apparatus has a call function for making a voice call, and a mail function for sending or receiving a text mail.
The mode setting means sets a call mode for executing the call function when the first casing and the second casing are rotated from the first state to the second state. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a mail mode for executing the mail function is set when the first state is turned to the third state. The first hinge is configured to move the first casing around the second axis of the second hinge when the first casing rotates from the first state to the third state. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing apparatus rotates with the housing. The first locking mechanism is provided between the first housing and the second hinge,
The second lock mechanism is provided between the first hinge and the second casing .
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

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