Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL EQUIPMENT AND
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile
information terminal equipment, more particularly, to a
mobile radio wave communication equipment, such as a
mobile telephone, furnished with functions including
electronic note, data communication, word processor,
personal computer, and so on.
Moreover, the present invention relates to the
communication control and user interface of a terminal
for which the mobile radio wave communication equipment
such as a mobile telephone and personal information
management functions are combined.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to the
structure of a cover for protecting an input display unit
for the portable electronic apparatus such as a mobile
information terminal equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART
As a conventional mobile information terminal
equipment furnished with functions of a mobile telephone
plus an electronic note, there is a mobile information
terminal equipment disclosed in the official gazette of
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 5-211464
of Japan Patent Application. The outline of the Patent
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Publication No. HEI 5-211464 is given below.
Fig. 58 and Fig. 59 show the appearance of the
conventional mobile information terminal equipment.
In Fig. 58, a body 1 of a mobile information
terminal equipment, an antenna 2, a speaker 3, a liquid
crystal display 4, a microphone 5, a telephone keyboard
6, and a cover 7 are illustrated.
Fig. 59 gives another front view with cover 7
opened, showing an electronic note keyboard 8 and a cover
switch 9.
Telephone keyboard 6 for dialing keys is placed on
the top of cover 7 installed on a mobile information
terminal equipment body 1. Electronic note Keyboard 8
for character data input keys is installed from the back
of cover 7 to the area covered by cover 7. A telephone
mode and an electronic note mode are switched based on
the output from a cover switch 9, which detects the
opened/closed status of cover 7. When the cover is
closed, the telephone mode is set, enabling the user to
use the equipment as a regular mobile telephone.
Meanwhile, the electronic note mode is set as the cover
is opened, thus allowing the user to use it as an
ordinary electronic note.
Fig. 60 shows the memory configuration for storing
electronic note data of the mobile information terminal
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equipment. The memory is the Random Access Memory (RAM)
and incorporated in mobile information terminal equipment
body 1 (not shown in Fig. 58 and Fig. 59).
A telephone directory data memory 10, a schedule
data memory 11, and a memorandum data memory 12 are
illustrated in Fig. 60.
Telephone directory data memory 10 stores a name and
a telephone number input from electronic note keyboard 8
as a pair. Schedule data memory 11 stores the activities
input from electronic note keyboard 8 and the planned
time and date for starting and ending each activity as a
triad. Memorandum data memory 12 stores data input from
electronic note keyboard 8 collectively.
Fig. 61, Fig. 62, and Fig. 63 show examples of
screens displayed on liquid crystal display 4. Character
strings are displayed on three lines on the screen. Line
1 shows a selected function, a mode name, and status
information, and etc. Line 2 and line 3 show data input
from telephone keyboard 6 or electronic note keyboard 8,
and data read from the RAM (not shown).
In telephone mode, e.g., when the cover is closed, a
"TEL" 13 indicating telephone mode and a mark 14 for
receiving sensitivity appear on line 1. A dialed data
"0367895421" 15 input by pressing the numeric keys on
telephone keyboard 6 is displayed on line 3 (Fig. 61).
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When the cover is opened, e.g., in electronic note
mode, and in telephone directory data search mode,
"TEL.NO. SEARCH" 16 is displayed on line 1. On line 2, a
retrieved data, a name "YAMADA TARO" 17 is displayed and
on line 3, its telephone number "03-6789-5421" 18 is
displayed, respectively (Fig. 62). Displayed data is
retrieved from telephone directory data memory 10 shown
in Fig. 60 of the RAM (not shown) incorporated in mobile
information terminal equipment body 1. When the cover is
opened, data can be easily retrieved, input, modified,
deleted, etc. using electronic note keyboard 8 which has
alphabetic keys, kana keys, and so forth.
When the cover is closed in the status shown in Fig.
62, telephone mode starts and "TEL" 13 and mark 14 for
receiving sensitively are added to the display at line 1
(Fig. 63). Pressing the S (SEND) key at this status
enables the user to actually dial the displayed telephone
number, because it is in telephone mode.
In this way, the mobile information terminal
equipment disclosed in the official gazette Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 05-211464 is a
mobile telephone set having an electronic note function
for facilitating the input of character data by
installing the operation keys for electronic note on both
the rear sides of the opening/closing part attached to
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the main cabinet and on the body surface covered with the
opening/closing part.
Another example of the conventional mobile
information terminal equipment is disclosed in Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 06-284067 of Japan
Patent Application. The mobile information terminal
equipment is a mobile telephone with functions for a word
processor or a personal computer.
Fig. 64 and Fig. 65 are the front views showing the
appearance of the conventional mobile information
terminal equipment.
Fig. 64 is the front view showing cover 7 in the
closed status while Fig. 65 shows the front view of cover
7 in the opened status.
In Fig. 65, a hinge 19 is shown. For the
conventional mobile information terminal equipment, cover
7 and mobile information terminal equipment body 1 are
overlapped in parallel with the plane in the front view.
Mobile information terminal equipment body 1 is coupled
with cover 7 by hinge 19, which can hold the cover at a
necessary position from the closed status to the opened
status.
When the mobile information terminal equipment is
used as a mobile telephone, as shown in Fig. 64, mobile
information terminal equipment body 1 is overlapped with
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cover 7, and used with cover 7 in the closed status. The
power source key P on telephone keyboard 6 is pressed.
When there is a call-in, pressing down the send key S on
telephone keyboard 6 enables a telephone talk.
Furthermore, pressing down the one-touch key D on
telephone keyboard 6 makes corresponding dial signals to
be automatically transmitted, thus allowing a call-out.
When a talk ends, the ending talk key E on telephone
keyboard 6 is pressed.
To dial manually for a call-out, after the power
source key P is pressed, cover 7 is opened. Then, a send
key (not shown) of electronic note keyboard 8 is pressed,
and the dial number is input from dial keys (not shown)
of electronic note keyboard 8. After that, cover 7 is
closed, and talking is enabled when the equipment is
entered to a talk mode.
When using as a word processor or a personal
computer, after the power source key P on telephone
keyboard 6 is pressed with the cover in the closed
status, cover 7 is opened, and with cover 7 in the opened
status, designated keys (not shown) of electronic note
keyboard 8 are operated to activate the application.
Operating the input mode selection keys (not shown) of
electronic note keyboard 8 to select either a kana or
roman character input mode renders it possible to
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function as a word processor or to input necessary data
into a personal computer. Moreover, input characters can
be displayed on liquid crystal display 4 so that the
input data can be confirmed.
Fig. 66 is a flowchart showing the execution of a
processor (not shown) incorporated in mobile information
terminal equipment body 1. The program shown in this
flowchart is stored in the ROM incorporated in mobile
information terminal equipment body 1.
The processor periodically detects whether or not an
input has been made (S1). When an input is detected, it
is analyzed (S2), and at the judgement step S3, so as to
detect whether or not the input is related to the
telephone function, to the application, or to the
read/write of the data of the Integrated Circuit (IC)
card.
If the input is related to the telephone function,
information is exchanged (S4) with a control circuit (not
shown) (for example, information such as the send key is
operated, or end-talk key is operated, etc., is
transmitted, and when call-in information is received,
corresponding necessary information is displayed, and so
on).
If the input is related to the application, the
corresponding application is activated, and the control
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is handed over to the application (S5). As the
application software, a word processor software,
communication software, database, table calculation
software are pre-loaded or loaded from the IC card and
stored in the RAM (not shown) incorporated in mobile
information terminal equipment body 1.
If the input is related to the data read/write of
the IC card, data transmission is implemented between the
RAM (not shown) incorporated in mobile information
terminal equipment body 1 and the IC card (S5).
For the mobile information terminal equipment
disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. Hei 06-284067, the cabinet of the mobile radio
telephone set is separated into two pieces on its surface
parallel to the front surface, and on the facing
surfaces, a display unit and keys for inputting
characters are provided. Thus it provides a structure
which does not damage the portability even when a large-
size display and many keys are installed. The two pieces
separated on the surface parallel to the front surface of
the cabinet of the telephone set are coupled with a
hinge, which permits the pieces to hold still in whichever
position necessary from the closed to the opened status.
When the two pieces are in the closed, overlapped status,
dial operation or telephone talk is enabled by using the
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operation panel on which the one-touch dial key, end-talk
switch, power source switch, etc., are provided. For
using as a word processor or a personal computer, and not
as a mobile telephone set, the two pieces are kept in the
opened status, and the character data can be input by
dint of a large-size display and many keys provided for
the character input.
Meanwhile, for the structure of protective cover of
the input display unit of the electronic apparatus, as
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
Hei 04-85895 of the Japan Patent Application, a shaft is
set on part of the protective cover, and the shape of the
guide groove is modified with the shaft as the base, and
a rotating or sliding structure is provided.
The Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication
No. Hei 04-67381 of the Japan Utility Model Application
discloses a lap-top electronic apparatus which has a
groove in the protective cover to cover the display by
sliding the cover.
However, above two structures expose the input
display unit when they are used, and they simply protect
the input display unit with the cover when they are not
used. They serve only for the purpose of protecting the
input display unit, but they do not serve to improve
the protection of the key panel, steadiness, or
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operability.
For example, Fig. 67 shows a model of an electronic
apparatus with a protective cover.
In the figure, an electronic apparatus body 101, a
protective cover 102, an input display unit 103, a guide
groove 104, a shaft 105, an operation button 106, and a
pen 107 are illustrated.
The operation is explained next.
The electronic apparatus body 101 inputs data by
pressing input display unit 103 with pen 107, and
displays necessary information on input display unit 103.
Besides, it has operation buttons such as switches. In
order to protect input display unit 103, it has
protective cover 102 having a shaft 105 which engages
guide groove 104. The protective cover 102 is closed
when the electronic apparatus is not in use. The
protective cover is opened with the hinge structure when
the electronic apparatus is to be used. Although not
shown in the figure, changing the shape of guide groove
104 realizes different types of installing of the
protective cover 102.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
Because the conventional mobile information terminal
equipment is configured as aforementioned, the disclosure
in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 05-
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211464 renders it possible to increase the number of keys
while retaining portability to a certain degree,
facilitating the input operation and featuring additional
functions to the electronic note. However, it is not
able to enlarge the screen of the liquid crystal display,
posing some problems in seeing the display screen.
Furthermore, all functions and data of the electronic
note are retrieved in sequential order, which inhibits
the user from retrieving and obtaining the desired data
instantaneously.
In addition, although the disclosure in the Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication N0. HEI 06-284067 made the
screen of the liquid crystal display larger and the
number of keys increased, it was not handy for using it
with its cover opened (as a word processor or a personal
computer) by holding with one hand, thus posing the
problem of portability. On top of that, it was not easy
to dial manually because the cover must be opened and
closed.
Furthermore, both of the conventional equipments had
the same problem. The conventional equipment does not
work as a telephone while the cover is opened, and if the
cover is opened during telephone talk, a desired screen
would not appear. Besides, although functions for the
computer and electronic note of inputting characters,
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etc., are realized with maintaining the portability of a
mobile telephone to a certain extent, the keys for
telephone operation and the keys for character input
operation must be provided separately. This required
the increase in the number of physical keys in case of
adding or extending the information processing functions
other than the telephone, thereby sophistication of the
mobile information terminal equipment had to face the
problem from both aspects of the cost and the size.
Furthermore, the structure of the protective cover
of the conventional electronic apparatus made it
difficult to handle its opening or closing with one
hand. It also had such problems of unintentionally
pressing the switches while inputting with a pen. Or,
the opening and closing structure was complex, it was
prone to be broken, and the number of parts was
increased. It also had a problem that it is not easy to
hold the equipment in hand because the width of the
equipment is increased at the opening and closing
portion of the cover. It also had a problem that the
cover was in the way when the cover was in the opened
status.
As has been explained thus far, the protective
cover of the conventional electronic apparatus had
problems of operability and durability.
The present invention is aimed at overcoming above-
mentioned problems. It aims at obtaining a mobile
information terminal equipment that enables the user to
telephone regardless of the status of its opened or
closed cover. It is another object of the present
invention to achieve the mobile information terminal
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equipment enabling the user to open or close the cover
with ease during talking over the telephone. It is yet
another object of the present invention to achieve a
mobile information terminal equipment enabling the user
to use functions for the electronic note, word
processor, personal computer, etc., easily during
talking over the telephone. It is another object of the
present invention to obtain a mobile information
terminal equipment excellent in portability with an
easy-to-see screen and improved operability. It is a
further object of the present invention to achieve a
mobile information terminal equipment which allows the
extension of the information processing functions
without adding physical keys, and which allows the use
of the information processing functions and data
communication functions effectively during telephone
talk.
Furthermore, the present invention aims at solving
the above mentioned problems, and at improving the
operability and durability of the protective cover for
the input display unit of the mobile electronic
apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a mobile information
terminal equipment comprising: a slidable cover that
covers a part of a surface of said mobile information
terminal equipment, said slidable cover having an
aperture through which a portion of the surface of said
mobile information terminal equipment is viewable even
when said slidable cover is in a closed position, a
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detector for detecting whether said slidable cover is in
an open position or a closed position; and a display
control unit operatively connected to said detector,
said display control unit controlling an input display
unit to display the information in a landscape
orientation when said slidable cover is in the open
position, and in a portrait orientation when said
slidable cover is in the closed position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a portable electronic
apparatus, comprising: an input display unit for
inputting information and displaying information; a key
panel with switches; a body with said input display unit
and said key panel allocated on a front longitudinal
surface thereof; a slidable cover mounted on the surface
of said body for opening/closing said input display
unit; a detector for detecting whether said slidable
cover is in an open position or a closed position; and a
display control unit operatively connected to said
detector, said display control unit controlling said
input display unit to display the information in a
landscape orientation when said slidable cover is in the
open position, and in a portrait orientation when said
slidable cover is in the closed position, wherein the
landscape orientation has a longitudinal direction
parallel with the longitudinal direction of said body,
and wherein the portrait orientation has a latitudinal
direction parallel with the latitudinal direction of
said body.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a portable
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electronic apparatus comprising: an input display unit
for inputting information and displaying information; a
key panel with switches; a body with said input display
unit and said key panel allocated on surface thereof,
and; a slidable cover mounted on the surface of said
body for opening/closing said input display unit, a
detector for detecting whether said slidable cover is in
an open position or a closed position; and a display
control unit operatively connected to said detector,
said display control unit controlling an input display
unit to display the information in a landscape
orientation when said slidable cover is in the open
position, and in a portrait orientation when said
slidable cover is in the closed position, said slidable
cover having an aperture through which a portion of said
input display unit is viewable even when said slidable
cover is in a closed position.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a mobile
information terminal equipment comprising: a cover for
opening/closing part of a surface of the mobile
information terminal equipment; a display unit for
displaying information on a display area in part of the
surface of the mobile information terminal equipment; a
detector for detecting a position of the cover whether
the cover is in an open position or a closed position;
and a display switch for changing a size of the display
area for displaying information according to the
position of the cover detected by the detector.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a mobile
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information terminal equipment comprising: a cover for
opening/closing part of a surface of the mobile
information terminal equipment; a display unit for
displaying information on a display area in part of the
surface of the mobile information terminal equipment; a
detector for detecting a position of the cover whether
the cover is in an open position or a closed position;
and a display switch for changing a displaying direction
of information according to the position of the cover
detected by the detector.
A mobile information terminal equipment may
comprise a slide cover for sliding and covering part of
a surface of the mobile information terminal equipment.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a display unit for displaying
information on a display area in part of the surface of
the mobile information terminal equipment, a location
detector for detecting a location of the slide cover,
and a display switch for changing a size of the display
area for displaying information and a displaying
direction of information according to the location of
the slide cover detected by the location detector.
A mobile information terminal equipment may
comprise a display unit for displaying an application
screen, wherein information may be displayed in
telephone mode when the mobile information terminal
equipment may be used as a telephone set and in
information terminal mode when the mobile information
terminal equipment may be used as an information
terminal, and wherein one of the applications among a
plurality of applications, each of which may have one or
more application screens and display one of the
application screens on the display unit may be executed
in telephone mode, and a subsequent
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screen determinator for selecting possible subsequent
screens among a plurality of application screens and for
determining one application screen to be displayed among
the possible subsequent screens in case of transitting
from telephone mode to information terminal mode.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a transition table for setting a
transition condition and a subsequent screen in
accordance with a use status in telephone mode, and
wherein the subsequent screen determinator may determine
the subsequent screen based on the transition table.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a user information setter for
arbitrarily setting the subsequent screen as user
information in accordance with the use status in
telephone mode, and wherein the subsequent screen set as
the user information may be retrieved as the possible
subsequent screen based on which the subsequent screen
may be determined.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a historical information storage for
storing the use status in telephone mode and history of
the subsequent screen, and wherein the subsequent screen
stored in the historical information may be retrieved as
the possible screen based on which the subsequent screen
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may be determined.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a talk log information storage for
storing talk log information of telephone mode including
the subsequent screen displayed during telephone talk,
wherein the mobile information terminal equipment may be
possible to transit from telephone mode to information
terminal mode during telephone talk, and wherein the
subsequent screen may be set based on the talk log
information as one of the possible subsequent screens.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein data obtained in information terminal mode may be
used in telephone mode after information terminal mode
may be transitted to telephone mode.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the application may be possible to activate
another application, and at least one of data displayed
on a preceding application screen and data pertaining to
the data displayed used in a preceding application screen
and data may be displayed on a subsequent application
screen, in information terminal mode.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a cover, and wherein the mobile
information terminal equipment may be used in telephone
mode irrespective of a location of the cover.
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The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the talk log information storage may further
store the data concerning the subsequent screen during
telephone talk as the talk log information, and the data
may be displayed on the subsequent screen when the
subsequent screen stored in the talk log information may
be displayed.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a reservation application among the
applications executed in information terminal mode, and
wherein the reservation application may have an input
screen on which information necessary for reservation may
be input and then transmitted.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a voice output unit and a telephone
keyboard used in telephone mode, an application which may
have an application screen on which data may be
input/output in information terminal mode, and wherein an
input request from an opposite party may be made by one
of outputting the input request into the voice output
unit and displaying the input request on the application
screen display unit, and a response to the opposite party
may be input from the telephone keyboard in telephone
mode, wherein an input request from the opposite party
may be displayed on the application screen and a response
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to the opposite party may be input onto the application
screen in information terminal mode, and wherein the
application may be executed in telephone mode and in
information terminal mode.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein a content of the display unit in telephone mode
may be selected and discarded before being displayed on
the display unit when transitting from information
terminal mode to telephone mode.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
comprise the telephone keyboard for inputting data in
telephone mode, wherein the application may be executed
by limiting its functions and by selecting and
discarding the information to be displayed on the display
unit in information terminal mode.
A mobile information terminal equipment having a
body may comprise a display unit having a touch screen, a
door having a display window on part of the display unit
a switch button, a door opening/closing detector for
detecting door opened/closed status, a first software
module for providing a user interface when using as a
telephone set in the door closed status, and a second
software module for providing a user interface when using
as an information processor in the door opened status.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
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wherein the first and the second software modules may
share information for a telephone operation.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a third software module for providing a
function to access the shared data.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the mobile information terminal equipment may be
used as a telephone set in the door closed status by the
same operation as that for a mobile telephone with the
switch button.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein characters and pictographs may be displayed on
the display window of the door in the direction easier to
see when the body may be vertically held in the door
closed status.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the touch screen may be located under the door
and touched by pressing the switch button of the door in
the door closed status, and a touch input may be mapped
with the switch button of the door.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the touch screen may be directly touched in the
door opened status, and wherein a personal management
information function, telephone, and data transmission
may be enabled by graphic user interface (GUI) using a
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display screen.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the characters and pictographs may be displayed
on the display unit in the direction easier to see when
the body may be horizontally held in the door opened
status.
The mobile information terminal equipment may be,
wherein the touch input may be mapped with the graphic
user interface in the door opened status.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
comprise a microphone and a speaker, and wherein the
input sensitivity to the microphone and the output from
the speaker may be adjustable so that the user may use
the body in hand-free condition with ear and mouth
released from the body when the door may be opened from
the door closed status.
The mobile information terminal equipment may
further comprise a microphone, a voice signal switch
unit, a radio unit, and a modem, and a control unit for
controlling the microphone, the voice signal switch unit,
the radio unit and the modem, and wherein the control
unit may instruct the voice signal switch unit to
temporarily shut a path from the microphone to the radio
unit during talk to validate a path from the modem to the
radio unit, so as to switch the line used for the
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telephone to the modem to allow the user to halt the talk
being conducted with hand-free condition and to transmit
the data including the information written using the
personal management function, and then may resume the
talk upon completion of the data transmission.
A portable electronic apparatus may comprise an
input display unit for inputting information and
displaying the information, a key panel with switches, a
body with the input display unit and the key panel
allocated on a surface, and a slide cover mounted on the
surface of the body for opening/closing the input display
unit.
The portable electronic apparatus may be, wherein
the slide cover may be used to select one of the input
display unit and the key panel and to protect the covered
other part.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise a rail on the body for sliding the slide cover.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise a support projection on the surface for
supporting an inside of the slide cover.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise a switch on the rail for detecting
opened/closed status of the slide cover.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
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comprise a cut-off part on the slide cover for
displaying part of the input display unit even when it
may be covered with the slide cover.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise a transparent part on the slide cover.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise the opening/closing support projection for the
slide cover and the rail for keeping the slide cover in
its opened/closed position.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise projection on the rail for preventing the slide
cover from falling off the body.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise a convex surface on the slide cover for
facilitating a slide operation on the surface.
The portable electronic apparatus may further
comprise the slide operation support projection on the
slide cover for making the slide cover smoothly slide
against the rail.
Further scope of applicability of the present
invention will become apparent from the detailed
description given hereinafter. However, it should be
understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since
various changes and modifications within the scope of
the invention will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully
understood from the detailed description given
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hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given
by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative
of the present invention, and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the
mobile information terminal equipment of Embodiment 1 of
the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the
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mobile information terminal equipment of Embodiment 1 of
the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows an electrical configuration of the
mobile information terminal equipment of Embodiment 1 of
the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a figure explaining the operation (user
interface) of the mobile information terminal equipment
with its cover closed of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a figure explaining the operation (user
interface) of the mobile information terminal equipment
with the cover closed of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a figure showing an example of displaying
a name list of an ADDRESS BOOK of the mobile information
terminal equipment with its cover opened of the present
invention;
Fig. 7 is a figure showing an example of displaying
detailed information of an ADDRESS BOOK of the mobile
information terminal equipment with its cover opened of
the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a figure showing an example of displaying
a monthly calendar of a SCHEDULE of the mobile
information terminal equipment with the cover opened of
the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a figure showing an example of displaying
the detailed information of a SCHEDULE of the mobile
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information terminal equipment with the cover opened of
the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a figure showing an example of displaying
a MEMO of the mobile information terminal equipment with
the cover opened of the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a figure showing an example of displaying
a TALK LOG of the mobile information terminal equipment
with the cover opened of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a figure showing a display example of a
TELEPHONE screen of the mobile information terminal
equipment with the cover opened of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a figure explaining the operation of
moving from the cover closed to the cover opened status
of the mobile information terminal equipment of the
present invention;
Fig. 14 is a figure showing an example of transition
table of the mobile information terminal equipment of the
present invention;
Fig. 15 is a figure showing an example of the user
information of the mobile information terminal equipment
of the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a figure showing an example of historical
information of the mobile information terminal equipment
of the present information;
Fig. 17 is a figure showing an example of a TALK LOG
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
of the mobile information terminal equipment of the
present invention;
Fig. 18 is a flowchart explaining the operation of
moving from the cover closed to the cover opened status
of the mobile information terminal equipment of the
present invention;
Fig. 19 is a front view showing the appearance of
the mobile information terminal equipment of Embodiment 1
of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a front view showing the appearance of
the mobile information terminal equipment of Embodiment 1
of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a figure explaining the operation (user
interface) of the mobile information terminal equipment
with the cover in the closed status of the present
invention;
Fig. 22 is a figure explaining the operation (user
interface) of the mobile information terminal equipment
with he cover in the closed status of the present
invention;
Fig. 23 is a figure explaining the operation for
moving from the cover opened to the cover closed status
of the mobile information terminal equipment of one
Embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 24 is a figure of a TELEPHONE screen explaining
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
the operation of moving from the cover opened status to
the cover opened status of the mobile information
terminal equipment of the present invention;
Fig. 25 is a figure of a display screen of telephone
mode explaining the operation for moving from the cover
opened status to the cover closed status shown in Fig. 24
of the mobile information terminal equipment;
Fig. 26 is a figure of a TELEPHONE screen explaining
the operation for moving from the cover opened to the
cover closed status of the mobile information terminal
equipment of the present invention;
Fig. 27 is a figure of a display screen of
telephone mode for explaining the operation of moving
from the cover opened status to the cover closed status
shown in Fig. 26 of the mobile information terminal
equipment;
Fig. 28 is a figure of an ADDRESS BOOK screen
explaining the operation for moving from the cover opened
status to the cover closed status of the mobile
information terminal equipment of the present invention;
Fig. 29 is a figure of a display screen of telephone
mode explaining the operation for moving from the cover
opened to the cover closed status of Fig. 28 of the
mobile information terminal equipment;
Fig. 30 is a figure showing an example of data
26
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
format of an ADDRESS BOOK stored in the RAM of the mobile
information terminal equipment of the present invention;
Fig. 31 is a figure showing an example of a screen
for seat reservation of the mobile information terminal
equipment with the cover opened of the present invention;
Fig. 32 is a front view of the mobile information
terminal equipment with the door closed of the present
invention;
Fig. 33 is a front view of the mobile information
terminal equipment with the door opened of the present
invention;
Fig. 34 is a sectional view of the mobile
information terminal equipment in the door closed status
of the present invention;
Fig. 35 shows the appearance for using the mobile
information terminal equipment as a mobile phone in
accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
Fig. 36 is a figure showing a use status for using
the mobile information terminal equipment as the portable
personal information management apparatus in accordance
with Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
Fig. 37 is an explanation figure (1) of character
display method of the mobile information terminal
equipment in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present
invention;
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
Fig. 38 is an explanation figure (2) of character
display method of the mobile information terminal
equipment in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present
invention;
Fig. 39 is an explanation figure (3) of character
display method of the mobile information terminal
equipment in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present
invention;
Fig. 40 is an explanation figure (4) of character
display method of the mobile information terminal
equipment in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present
invention;
Fig. 41 is an explanation figure (5) of character
display method of the mobile information terminal
equipment in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present
invention;
Fig. 42 is a block diagram showing a configuration
of the mobile information terminal equipment in
accordance with Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
Fig. 43 is a figure showing a screen display example
of the mobile information terminal equipment with its
door closed in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the
present invention;
Fig. 44 is a figure showing a screen display example
during dial operation of the mobile information terminal
28
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
equipment with its door closed in accordance with
Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
Fig. 45 is a figure showing a screen display example
of the mobile information terminal equipment with its
door opened in accordance with Embodiment 6 of the
present invention;
Fig. 46 is a flowchart showing a display switching
procedure by opening/closing the door of the mobile
information terminal equipment in accordance with
Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
Fig. 47 shows a slide cover in the closed status for
the portable electronic apparatus of one Embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 48 shows a slide cover in the opened status for
the portable electronic apparatus of one Embodiment of
the present invention;
Figs. 49A and 49B show a portable electronic
apparatus of one Embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 50 shows part of a rail of the portable
electronic apparatus of one Embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 51 shows a portable electronic apparatus of one
Embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 52 shows a portable electronic apparatus of one
Embodiment of the present invention;
29
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
Fig. 53 shows a portable electronic apparatus of one
Embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 54 shows part of a rail of the portable
electronic apparatus of one Embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 55 is a sectional view showing a projection for
preventing the slide cover from falling off the main body
for the portable electronic apparatus of one Embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 56 shows a portable electronic apparatus of one
Embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 57 is a sectional view of a projection of a
slide operation support of the portable electronic
apparatus of one Embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 58 is a front view showing an apparatus of the
conventional mobile information terminal equipment;
Fig. 59 is a front view showing the appearance of
the conventional mobile information terminal equipment;
Fig. 60 shows the configuration of memory memorizing
the electronic note data of the conventional mobile
information terminal equipment;
Fig. 61 shows an example of a screen displayed on
liquid crystal display 4 of the conventional mobile
information terminal equipment;
Fig. 62 shows an example of a screen displayed on
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
liquid crystal display 4 of the conventional mobile
information terminal equipment;
Fig. 63 shows an example of a screen displayed on
liquid crystal display 4 of the conventional mobile
information terminal equipment;
Fig. 64 is a front view showing the appearance of
another conventional mobile information terminal
equipment;
Fig. 65 is a front view showing the appearance of
another conventional mobile information terminal
equipment;
Fig. 66 is a flowchart showing an operation of
another conventional mobile information terminal
equipment; and
Fig. 67 shows a cover of the conventional portable
electronic apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1.
Embodiment 1 of the mobile information terminal
equipment of the present invention is explained below
with reference to figures. Firstly, the mechanical
configuration of the mobile information terminal
equipment of the present invention is explained with
Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are the front views showing the
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
appearance of the mobile information terminal equipment
according to the present invention.
In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a touch screen 20 is a
transparent tablet on which the coordinate can be input
with a pen (not shown) or by touching it with a finger.
The configuration elements, the same parts, or
corresponding parts explained in the conventional
examples are given the same reference numbers and their
explanation is omitted.
Touch screen 20 is attached on liquid crystal
display 4, and constituting an input/output device
(called the liquid crystal tablet) used for display and
input operation. For the mobile information terminal
equipment of this Embodiment, cover 7 moves (slides) up
and down along the plane surface on the drawing shown in
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 shows that cover 7 is at the
top and Fig. 2 shows cover 7 at the bottom. In contrast
with the conventional mobile information terminal
equipment, Fig. 1 is referred to as the status in which
the cover is closed (cover closed status) and Fig. 2 is
referred to as the status in which the cover is opened
(cover opened status).
As a location detector for detecting a location of
cover 7, a cover switch 9 is employed. Cover switch 9
detects the opened/closed status of cover 7, and if the
32
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
cover is in the closed status, telephone mode is set: If
the cover is in the opened status, information terminal
mode is set and used as an information terminal
equipment.
In the cover closed status (Fig. 1), the appearance
becomes a mobile telephone, telephone keyboard 6 can be
used, and only the bottom part of liquid crystal display
4 is exposed, and only the exposed part can be used. On
the other hand, in the cover opened status (Fig. 2),
although the entire liquid crystal display 4 is exposed,
telephone keyboard 6 is hidden and unavailable. In this
status, normally it is turned by 90 degrees, and used
with its right side before the user, as shown in Fig. 2.
Even during telephone talk, the cover can be easily
opened by sliding the cover 7 with the hand holding
mobile information terminal equipment body 1. In the
cover opened status, by holding the side of microphone 5
of mobile information terminal equipment body 1 with the
left hand, data input or menu selection, etc., can be
easily done by holding a pen (not shown) with the right
hand or by touching touch screen 20 with the fingertip of
the right hand. In addition, because the screen becomes
horizontally long, it becomes easy to see the screen in
light of the user interface.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
The electrical configuration of the mobile
information terminal equipment of the present invention
is explained next using Fig. 3.
In Fig. 3, a processor 21, an audio processor 22, a
radio transmission unit 23, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 24,
a Random Access Memory (RAM) 25, and a power source 26
are illustrated. These components are incorporated in
mobile information terminal equipment body 1.
Processor 21 handles the digital data and implements
functions of the electronic note, word processor,
personal computer, etc., and controls liquid crystal
display 4, touch screen 20, and the input/output of
telephone keyboard 6, and performs the controlling
according to the cover opening/closing signal sent from
cover switch 9. Programs executed by this processor are
stored in ROM 24, and various application data is kept in
RAM 25. To prevent unintended activation, processor 21
stops the operation of touch screen 20 in the cover
closed status, and stops the operation of telephone
keyboard 6 in the cover opened status.
Audio processor 22 handles analog data, and performs
the input/output control of speaker 3 and microphone 5 of
the telephone function. Radio transmission unit 23
conducts processing related to the radio, such as the
high-frequency modulation and demodulation of the mobile
34
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
telephone. Furthermore, power source 26 supplies power
to processor 21, audio processor 22, and so on.
The operation of cover closed status of the mobile
information terminal equipment regarding the present
invention is explained next, specifically centering on
the user interface, with Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.
Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show examples of screens displayed
on liquid crystal display 4, corresponding to Fig. 61 and
Fig. 62, respectively, showing a sample screen of the
conventional mobile information terminal equipment.
The examples in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the screens
by placing the right side of the front view of the
appearance of the mobile information terminal equipment
of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 at bottom.
A difference in display of the mobile information
terminal equipment between the present invention and the
conventional art is the contents on the screen are turned
by 90 degrees leftward. In the cover closed status,
because cover 7 shown in Fig. 1 covers liquid crystal
display 4, the right side of liquid crystal display 4
shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 cannot be used. Viewed from
the case using in the cover opened status as the
reference, the screen is turned by 90 degrees. Based on
the output from cover switch 9 which detects the location
of cover 7, a display switch (not shown) limits the
display area of liquid crystal display 4 to the area
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
shown in Fig. 1, and performs turning processing for the
display characters and symbols by 90 degrees. For
instance, for this 90-degree turning processing, the
character font stored in ROM 24 is read, turning
processing is implemented by processor 21, and then the
content is displayed on liquid crystal display 4. In the
cover closed status, touch screen 20 is in a sleeping
status, and thus does not respond to a touch made with a
pen or a finger.
The operation of the mobile information terminal
equipment of the present invention in its cover opened
status is explained next, especially focusing on the user
interface using Figs. 6 through 12.
Drawings in Figs. 6 to 12 show the examples of the
application screens (hereinafter, the screens) displayed
on liquid crystal display 4.
Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a screen example
displaying a name list of the ADDRESS BOOK. Fig. 7 is a
drawing showing a screen example of displaying a detailed
information of the ADDRESS BOOK. Fig. 8 is a drawing
showing a screen example displaying a monthly calendar of
the SCHEDULE. Fig. 9 is a drawing showing a screen
example displaying detailed information of the SCHEDULE.
Fig. 10 is a drawing showing a screen example displaying
the MEMO. Fig. 11 is a drawing showing a screen example
displaying the TALK LOG. And Fig. 12 is a drawing
36
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
showing a screen displaying a case for making a phone
call in the cover opened status.
Fig. 6 is explained first.
The display screen of liquid crystal display 4
contains four major areas, (1) a content area 27, (2) a
tag area 28, (3) a scroll area 29, and (4) a menu area
30. Content area 27 displays various instruction
information, and the user can select desired information
out of the displayed content or input information. For
the example of Fig. 6, a name list of the ADDRESS BOOK is
displayed, and the user selects MATSUURA JIRO among them.
Tag area 28 displays tags related to the information
displayed in content area 27. When a displayed tag is
selected, the top data of the corresponding index is
displayed on content area 27. For the example of Fig. 6,
because NAME LIST is displayed, the vowel "A" and
syllables "KA", "SA", "TA", "NA", "HA", "MA", "YA", "RA",
and "WA" ending with "A" of the Japanese alphabets and
the first four letters "A", "B", "C" and "D" from the
English alphabets are displayed on the tag. Although
English alphabets are displayed from "A" through "D" in
this example, touching the scroll button "O" on tag area
28 on the right bottom of the screen allows the tag
display to
37
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
sequentially scroll upward, thus enabling the selection
of an alphabet from "E" down to "Z". In this example, if
"MA" is touched and selected, for instance, MAEKAWA
HANAKO (not shown in Fig. 6) is displayed at the top of
the name list on content area 27.
Scroll area 29 is used to see the data in the
neighborhood of the data displayed in content area 27.
For instance, it is used to see the next page when the
whole data cannot be displayed at once in content area
27. Touching the scroll buttons "e" and "v" on the top
and the bottom in scroll area 29 allows the hidden
information to appear on the screen.
Menu area 30 displays the functional level menu.
When a desired function is touched and selected from the
menu, the function is activated and data is displayed on
content area 27. For the example shown in Fig. 6, the
name data of Japanese Kanji characters and Roman
characters displayed in content area 27 is obtained by
selecting the ADDRESS BOOK in menu area 30. The menu
displayed in menu area 30 can be partially changed case
by case so that the function can be easily activated even
when the menu is hierarchical. Meanwhile, the basic
functional-level menus are always displayed so that any
one of the basic functions can be selected at any stage.
The five basic functions in this example are the TALK
38
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
LOG, MEMO, SCHEDULE, ADDRESS BOOK and TELEPHONE
functions.
Fig. 7 is explained next.
As shown in Fig. 6, in the state in which the name
list of the ADDRESS BOOK is displayed in content area 27,
if MATSUURA JIRO displayed in content area 27 is double
touched, or MATSUURA JIRO displayed in content area 27 is
touched, and then the DETAILS displayed in menu area 30
is touched, content area 27 displays the screen of
DETAILS of the ADDRESS BOOK as in Fig. 7. And in content
area 27, HOME ADDRESS, HOME PHONE, HOME FAX, COMPANY
NAME, DEPT. POSITION, OFFICE ADDRESS, OFFICE PHONE,
OFFICE FAX, and etc., corresponding to the name MATSUURA
JIRO are displayed. If HOME PHONE is double touched, for
instance, the telephone function, which will be explained
later is activated, and after the S button is touched, a
telephone call can be made. At this stage, if the NAME
LIST displayed in menu area 30 is touched, the status
(the screen) shown in Fig. 6 can be recovered.
Fig. 8 is explained next.
When the SCHEDULE in menu area 30 is touched, the
MONTHLY CALENDAR screen appears as shown in Fig. 8, and
the calendar for this month is displayed in content area
27. Because the date becomes the retrieval key for the
SCHEDULE, for instance, months are displayed in tag area
28. Similarly to the above-mentioned address book, the
39
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
desired month can be displayed as the tag by touching the
scroll buttons "e" or "v" in tag area 28, and when the
tag is touched, the screen displays the desired month,
that is, the calendar for the desired month can be
displayed in content area 27.
Fig. 9 is displayed next.
In the state in which MONTHLY CALENDAR of the
SCHEDULE is displayed in content area 27, if the date
"16" on the calendar of January 1996 is double touched or
the date 16 displayed in content area 27 is touched, and
then if the DETAILS displayed in menu area 30 is touched,
content area 27 displays the screen of the DETAILS of the
SCHEDULE as in Fig. 9. In content area 27, the schedule
table (bar) by time corresponding to the date "16" is
displayed on the top of content area 27. If the MANAGER
MEETING displayed on the schedule table in content area
27 is touched, MEMO which is the detailed information
corresponding to the MANAGER MEETING is displayed on the
bottom of content area 27. If the MONTHLY CALENDAR
displayed in menu area 30 is touched at this stage, the
state (the screen) shown in Fig. 8 can be recovered.
Fig. 10 is explained next.
When the MEMO in menu area 30 is touched, the MEMO
screen appears as shown in Fig. 10. Various word-
processor functions (edit command, etc.) are displayed in
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
content area 27, and characters can be input. Touching
the KEYBOARD displayed in content area 27 displays the
screen keyboard and, thereby enables the input of
characters at the screen keyboard. Furthermore, by
touching the PEN, hand-written characters or diagrams can
be input by the pen. Through the character recognition,
input hand-written characters or diagrams can be
converted into the character code. In addition, the
basic edit functions of the word processor, such as the
deletion of input characters, character insertion to an
arbitrary location, duplication, cutting, and pasting of
arbitrary character strings, etc., can be used.
Moreover, not only characters but also voices can be
input through microphone 5 and attached to the memo as a
voice memo 31. Touching the attached voice memo 31
permits the replay of the recorded voice memo 31.
In this case, menus such as the TALK LOG, SCHEDULE,
ADDRESS BOOK, MEMO, etc., are displayed on the left, and
the schedule date is displayed on the right side of tag
area 28. The display on the right side tag varies
depending on the preceding menu. Fig. 10 shows the case
moved from the SCHEDULE shown in Fig. 9. Double touching
one of the tags displayed on the right in tag area 28
(for instance, the date "17") allows the screen to show
the MEMO of the SCHEDULE of that date (January 17, 1996),
41
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
without once returning to the SCHEDULE.
On the other hand, the left tags in tag area 28 are
used to link the preceding screen with the current
screen. For instance, if the SCHEDULE is touched on tag
area 28 on the MEMO screen of Fig. 10, the memo data
written here is linked to the SCHEDULE for January 16,
1996. In Fig. 10, after the date "17" on tag area 28 is
touched, if the SCHEDULE on tag area 28 is touched, the
memo data written here is linked with January 17, 1996 of
the SCHEDULE. If the function on menu area 30 is touched
instead of touching the tag, the current screen is not
linked with the next screen.
Fig. 11 is explained next.
When the TALK LOG on menu area 30 is touched, the
TALK LOG screen appears as shown in Fig. 11. The date,
the opposite party on the line, etc., are displayed in
content area 27. For content area 27 of Fig. 11, 0
indicates fax transmission, 1 fax receiving, 0 telephone
call out, ~ telephone call in, a mail transmission, and
the black a indicates mail reception. The ME., SCH., and
ADD. indicate that the memo, schedule, and address book
exist corresponding to the telephone talk. When the ME.,
SCH., and ADD. are touched, each screen corresponding to
the ME., SCH., and ADD. of the telephone talk appears.
In this case, the date tags are displayed on the
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
left side and the menu tags are displayed on the right in
tag area 28. When one of the date tags on the left is
touched, one page of the TALK LOG corresponding to the
touched date appears from the top in content area 27. If
one of the menu tags on the right (for instance MEMO) is
touched, the corresponding screen (the MEMO screen in
this case) appears and the subsequent screen (the MEMO
screen in this case) is linked and corresponded to the
TALK LOG which has been selected on the preceding screen.
Fig. 12 is explained next.
When the TELEPHONE is touched on menu area 30, the
TELEPHONE screen appears as shown in Fig. 12. A
telephone set is displayed in content area 27, and a
telephone call can be made. This screen appears when the
home phone is double touched on the ADDRESS BOOK screen
shown in Fig. 7, or when the log relating to the
telephone is double touched on the TALK LOG screen of
Fig. 11. In this case, the telephone number shown in the
preceding screen is displayed on telephone number display
window 32. When the send button S is touched, a
telephone call can be made.
By touching the numeric buttons on the TELEPHONE
screen shown in Fig. 12, a telephone number can be input
manually, and then touching the send button S also allows
the telephone call to be made. Just like a regular
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
telephone, functions such as redial, speed dial, and one-
touch dial are provided, each of which enabling a
telephone call to be easily made by simply touching it.
In the cover opened status, because the opposite parties
and their numbers registered for the redial and one-touch
dial are visually displayed as shown in Fig. 12, a very
handy and easy-to-see user interface can be provided.
With the speed dial, touching the tag displayed in
tag area 28 allows the telephone number and the opposite
party registered to be displayed. Fig. 12 shows an
example of a screen displayed in content area 27 when tag
"21" on the left tag area 28 is touched. The telephone
number (09) 9999-9999 and the name ASUKA stored at the
21st memory area are displayed to the right of the SPEED
DIAL button. To select a number not displayed on the tag
in tag area 28, touching the scroll buttons "e" and "v"
shown in tag area 28 allows it to be displayed. The menu
tags displayed on the right side of tag area 28 are the
same as those explained for the TALK LOG with Fig. 11.
With Fig. 13, the subsequent screens which can be
displayed at the time of the transition from telephone
mode (the cover closed status) to the cover opened status
are explained next.
There can be four statuses in telephone mode, a
STAND BY status 33, a DIALING status 34, a TALKING status
44
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
35, and a TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OPERATING status 36.
Meanwhile, as the subsequent screens for transitting to
the cover opened status, the TELEPHONE screen 37, TALK
LOG screen 38, MEMO screen 39, SCHEDULE screen 40, and
ADDRESS BOOK screen 41 can be considered.
If, for instance, the cover is opened during the
STAND BY status 33, the user may want to use a screen of
either the TALK LOG screen 38, MEMO screen 39, SCHEDULE
screen 40, or ADDRESS BOOK screen 41. Because it is in
the STAND BY status 33, there are cases to immediately
transit to TELEPHONE screen 37. If the cover is opened
during the DIALING status 33, the TELEPHONE screen 37,
TALK LOG screen 38, and ADDRESS BOOK screen 41 are the
screens which the user may want to use. Because it is in
the DIALING status 34, there are few cases to immediately
transit to the MEMO screen 39 or SCHEDULE screen 40. If
the cover is opened during the TALKING status 35, the
user can use either the MEMO screen 39, SCHEDULE screen
40, or ADDRESS BOOK screen 41. Because it is in the
TALKING status 35, there are few cases to immediately
transit to TELEPHONE screen 37 or TALK LOG screen 38.
Furthermore, if the cover is opened during the TELEPHONE
DIRECTORY OPERATING status 36, ADDRESS BOOK screen 41 is
the only screen available to the user.
In opening the cover, because the subsequent screens
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
which can be displayed are limited as explained above, it
is possible that the subsequent screen can be
automatically decided. Therefore, the number of touch
operations can be reduced to improve the operability. By
reducing the time to display the appearing screen, the
call charge can be cut in case that the operation is
taken in the TALKING status 35.
Among several possible subsequent screens from the
TELEPHONE status shown in Fig. 13, how to decide which
subsequent screen to be displayed is explained next.
Fig. 14 shows an example of a transition table 42
stored in ROM for the subsequent screen at the time of
opening the cover.
On transition table 42, a TELEPHONE status 43,
subsequent screen 45 when the cover is opened, and
transition condition 44 for the subsequent screen are
described. Some examples of transition conditions 44 are
the presence or absence of user setting, the presence or
absence of history setting, or the presence or absence of
corresponding TALK LOG. The presence or absence of user
setting indicates, when transitting from telephone mode
to information terminal mode, whether or not the user has
set the subsequent screen as the user information for
each status of telephone mode. The presence or absence
of the history setting indicates whether or not each
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
status of telephone mode and the history of subsequent
screen are stored when transitting from telephone mode to
information terminal mode. The presence or absence of a
talk log indicates, since the screen can be transitted to
screen for information terminal mode, which are the MEMO
screen, SCHEDULE screen, or ADDRESS BOOK screen, from
telephone mode, whether or not the talk log information
of the TELEPHONE including these subsequent screens
during talk has been stored. Although the values on
transition table 42 are expressed with words for the
purpose of explanation, actually, they are coded.
The user can set, clear, or update the values for
TELEPHONE status 43, transition condition 44, and
subsequent screens 45 on transition table 42. In this
case, transition table 42 is stored in RAM 25.
The user information setting means (not shown)
stores user information in RAM 25. The user can set,
clear, and update the user information.
Fig. 15 shows one example of the user information
stored in RAM 25. For user information 46 in this
example, subsequent screen 48 can be set for each
TELEPHONE status 47. If the user has not set any
subsequent screen 48, for instance, "-" is stored.
Although the values of user information 46 are expressed
with words for the purpose of explanation, actually, they
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
are coded.
A historical information setting means (not shown)
stores the historical information in RAM 25.
It is also possible for the historical information
setting means to automatically acquire the historical
information and store it in RAM 25 only when it is set
to do so. The historical information setting means could
be realized by a program which is loaded from RAM 25 and
executed by processor 21. It is also possible that a
hardware or firmware which acquires the historical
information and stores it in RAM 25 realizes the
historical information setting means.
Fig. 16 gives an example of storing the historical
information in RAM 25. In this example, historical
information 49 contains items of a history number 50, a
TELEPHONE status 51, a transition direction 52, and a
screen 53. Historical information 49 is stored
consecutively from the information having lower history
number 50, and if the number of information exceeds the
designated storage area, the information is deleted
consecutively from the one having the oldest number (from
lowest history number 50).
With reference to Fig. 16, how to store historical
information 49 is explained next.
In the example of Fig. 16, the last status with the
48
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
cover closed status is stored in the column for
TELEPHONE status 51 for history number 50 "1". In this
example, STAND BY status 33 is stored. Then, when the
cover is opened, "~" is stored in the column of
transition direction 52 for history number 50 "1".
Further, the first screen displayed when the cover is
opened is stored in the column of screen 53 for history
number 50 "1". In this example, the MEMO screen is
stored. Subsequent screens after the first screen with
the cover opened status are not stored in historical
information 49. The screen immediately before the cover
closing is stored in the column of screen 53 for history
number 50 "2". In this example, TALK LOG screen 38 is
stored.
When the cover is closed, "~" is stored in the
column of transition direction 52 for history number 50
"2". Then, the first TELEPHONE status entered after the
cover is closed is stored in the column of TELEPHONE
status 51 for history number 50 "2". In this example,
TALKING status 35 is stored. 5tatuses after the first
TELEPHONE status in the cover closed status are not
stored in historical information 49, and the status
immediately before the cover opening is stored in the
column of TELEPHONE status 51 for history number. 50 "3".
In this example, STAND BY status 33 is stored. After
49
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
that, historical information 49 is consecutively stored
in the same manner.
For the historical information, the two consecutive
numbers in history number 50, an odd and an even, pair up
one block. For example, "1" and "2" in history number 50
form one block. The columns of transition direction 52
are added only for the sake of explanation. Although the
values in the columns of historical information 49 are
expressed with words for the purpose of explanation,
actually, they are coded. Moreover, the above manner of
storing the screen or status immediately before the cover
closed or opened status can be realized by overwriting in
the pertinent column whenever the screen or the status
has changed.
A talk log information setting means (not shown)
automatically acquires TALK LOG 38 and stores it in RAM
25.
Fig. 17 shows an example of TALK LOG 38 stored in
RAM 25. Talk log information 54 contains items for
talking type 55, talk time and date 56, phone No. 57,
opposite party 58, and pointers 59, 61, and 63 indicating
the top address at which data the user obtained by
operating on the subsequent screen is stored, and
subsequent screen types 60, 62, and 64. Item names are
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
abbreviated in Fig. 17 due to spacing. Values given in
Fig. 17 correspond to the TALK LOG screen shown in Fig.
11. Although the values in each column of talk log
information 54 are expressed with words for the purpose
of explanation, actually, they are coded.
The storing method for talk log information 54 is
next explained using Fig. 17.
Irrespective of the cover closed or opened status,
type 55, talk time and date 56, phone No. 57, and
opposite party 58 are stored in the pertinent columns in
next line each time a telephone talk has been made.
Then, when a screen is changed automatically by the
system or by the user operation, the type of the
subsequent screen is stored in the column of subsequent
screen type 60, and the top address at which the data the
user obtained on that screen is stored in the pertinent
column of pointer 59. When the screen is changed after
the user changed the type of the screen, the type of the
subsequent screen is stored in the column of subsequent
screen type 62, and the top address of the data is stored
in the column of pointer 62 of the pertinent line,
respectively. In the example of Fig. 17, up to 3 types
can be stored. If the subsequent screen has four or more
different types, the subsequent screens at the fourth and
after are not stored in talk log information 54.
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The flowchart in Fig. 18 outlines the processing
flow of deciding the subsequent screen in transitting
from telephone mode to information terminal mode.
With reference to Figs. 15 to 18, the procedure of
deciding which screen to be displayed is explained with
transition table 42 shown in Fig. 14.
At step S101, transition table 42 is scanned to get
the transition condition 44 for the current TELEPHONE
status 43. At step S102, the information to be
referenced by the transition condition 44 is checked. If
the transition condition 44 on transition table 42 is the
user information, the process forwards to step 5103. At
step S103, user information 46 is scanned. At step S102,
if transition condition 44 on transition table 42
indicates the presence of talk log information, at step
S104, talk log information 54 is scanned. At step S102,
if transition condition 44 on transition table 42
indicates the presence of the history setting, at step
S105, historical information 49 is scanned. After step
S103, step S104, and step S105, at step 5107, whether or
not the subsequent screen has been identified is checked,
and if it has been successfully identified, the process
is forwarded to step S108. At step S108, screen
transition processing is performed. That is, the
subsequent screen displayed on liquid crustal display 4
52
CA 02202309 1997-04-10
when this status is transitted from the cover closed to
the cover opened status, concluding processing. At step
S107, whether or not the subsequent screen has been
identified is checked, and if failed, processing is
repeated again from step 5101.
With reference to Figs. 15 to 18, the procedure of
deciding which screen to be displayed is explained in
concrete.
The operation of deciding the screen to be displayed
in transitting from telephone mode to information
terminal mode is performed by a subsequent screen
decision means (not shown), The subsequent screen
decision means, for instance, can be realized by
executing a program stored in RAM 24 by processor 21.
Or, it can be realized by the hardware or firmware
capable of performing these functions.
The situation in which the cover is closed and the
TELEPHONE status 43 is in STAND BY status 33 is explained
first.
Transition table 42 is scanned first to find a line
indicating TELEPHONE status 43 is in STAND BY status 33.
Then transition condition 44 on the line firstly found is
checked. In the example in Fig. 14, because it says USER
SETTING, user information 46 of Fig. 15 is scanned. The
example of Fig. 15 shows "-" for subsequent screen 48,
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
indicating that no setting has been made for TELEPHONE
status 47 at STAND BY status 33. The scan, therefore,
was a failure, and transition table 42 shown in Fig. 14
is referred again. Then, transition condition 44 for the
next line showing the STAND BY status 33 in the column of
the TELEPHONE status 43 is checked. Because transition
condition 44 for the example in Fig. 14 says HISTORY
SETTING, historical information 49 given in Fig. 16 is
scanned. In historical information 49, an item
indicating the STAND BY status 33 in the column of the
TELEPHONE status 51 in the cover closed status is at
STAND BY 33, and that transition direction 52 is "
indicating the transition toward the cover opened status
is scanned. The scanning is conducted in the direction
from the bigger history number toward the smaller number.
In this situation, history No. 9 is not scanned because
it stands for the current situation. The first item that
satisfies the condition is history number 50 "5".
Because screen 53 at this time is SCHEDULE screen 40,
SCHEDULE screen 40 is determined to be the next screen to
be displayed.
There is a method different from the above
description of determining the screen by scanning
historical information 49 of Fig. 16. It is also
possible to determine a screen with the most frequent
54
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
appearance as the subsequent screen by picking up screen
53 indicating "--" for transition direction 52 showing the
STAND BY status 33 in the column of the TELEPHONE status
43. The example in Fig. 16 shows MEMO screen 39 twice
and SCHEDULE screen once, thus MEMO screen 39 is
determined to be the screen to display in this method.
In this method, because the most recent screen is not
selected, but because the most frequent subsequent screen
up to that point is selected, the determination of
subsequent screen becomes more proper.
The situation in which TELEPHONE status 43 is
TALKING status 35 with the cover closed status is
explained next.
Transition table 42 is first scanned to find a line
indicating the TALKING status 35 in the column of the
TELEPHONE status 43. Transition condition 44 for the
line first found is checked. Because the example in
Fig. 14 says USER SETTING, user information 46 of Fig. 15
is scanned. The example of Fig. .15 says "-", which
indicates that a setting has not been made for transition
screen 48 showing the TALKING status 35 in the column of
the TELEPHONE status 47. Therefore, this scan is a
failure, and transition table 42 of Fig. 14 is referred
again. Then, the next transition condition 44 showing
the TALKING status 35 in the column of the TELEPHONE
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
status 43 is checked. Because CORRESPONDING TALK LOG is
indicated in this example, talk log information shown in
Fig. 17 is scanned. If, for instance, the type of the
on-going telephone talk is telephone transmission, and
the phone No. is (0467) 12-3456, talk log information 54
is scanned sequentially from the latest log to find a
line indicating that the TYPE is 0, and PHONE No. is
(0467) 12-3456. In the example of Fig, 17, the line that
says KIMURA WATCH for opposite party 58 is found in the
Figure. Then, because the column of subsequent screen
type 6Q is ADD., the transition screen is determined to
be ADDRESS BOOK screen 41.
The data to be displayed on the subsequent screen in
this case could be the data pointed to by the address
"10120" indicated by pointer 59 corresponding to
subsequent screen type 60 "ADD". It is also possible to
find the subsequent screen with the same talking type
(phone, fax, etc.) but in the direction opposite to the
stored talking direction TRANSMISSION or RECEPTION, and
with the same telephone number as the current talk. Or
irrespective of the phone, face, etc., it is possible to
find the subsequent screen only in the direction opposite
to the stored talking direction. Likewise, it is also
possible to find the latest subsequent screen with the
same telephone number as the one currently in use. In
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
either case, it is advantageous because the data
concerning the previous talk with the opposite party can
be promptly seen. There are various methods to decide
the subsequent screen depending on the previous talk
activity with the opposite party.
If there is no line that matches the condition or if
the subsequent screen type 60 is "-" even if the line is
existent, the scanning is a failure and transition table
42 shown in Fig. 14 is referred again. Then, the next
line indicating TALKING status 35 in the column of the
TELEPHONE status 43 is checked under TRANSITION CONDITION
44. Because TRANSITION CONDITION 44 in the example of
Fig. 14 says HISTORY SETTING, historical information 49
shown in Fig. 16 is scanned. The procedure after that is
the same as above. If the line matching the condition
exists, but if subsequent screen type 60 is nonexistent,
showing "-", the scanning condition can be changed among
the various methods to make re-scanning possible.
A situation in which TELEPHONE status 43 is at
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OPERATING status 36 with the cover
closed status is explained next.
Transition table 42 is first scanned to find a line
showing TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OPERATING status 36 in the
column of the TELEPHONE status 43. Transmission
condition 44 of the line first found is checked.
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Because it says USER SETTING in the example of Fig. 14,
user information 46 of Fig. 15 is scanned. Because
subsequent screen 48 showing TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
OPERATING status 36 in the column of the TELEPHONE status
47 says the TALK LOG status 38, the subsequent screen is
determined to be the TALK LOG screen 38.
Although the only possible screen to be displayed in
Fig. 13 is the ADDRESS BOOK screen 41 for the TELEPHONE
DIRECTORY OPERATING status 36, the screen is changed to
the TALK LOG screen 38 in the above case. This is
because the user has set the subsequent screen. Fig. 13
represents the candidates of system-provided subsequent
screens. If the setting has been made by the user, it is
prioritized. The subsequent screen can always be
determined even when the matching transition condition is
not found. Even if no matching transition condition is
found, Fig. 14 indicates a screen change to the ADDRESS
BOOK screen 41 for the STAND BY screen 33, to the
TELEPHONE screen 37 for the DIALING screen 34, to the
MEMO screen 39 for the TALKING screen 35, and to the
ADDRESS BOOK screen 41 for the TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
OPERATING screen 36, respectively.
It is also possible to select the subsequent screen
based on the user information, historical information, or
talk log information without referring the transition
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
table. The user information, historical information, and
talk log information can be used independently.
This Embodiment therefore improves operability
besides ensuring the certain size of the display screen
by mechanically adopting a liquid crystal tablet with
combined display and input operation. Moreover, the use
of a slide cover improves operation, allowing the user to
open or close the cover easily with one hand even during
talk.
Functionally, a telephone call can be made even when
the cover is open, thus the number of operations for
opening/closing the cover is reduced. Furthermore, it is
easy to use because the user can use it by selecting the
preferred status (the cover opened or closed status)
depending on the use conditions and environment in using
as a telephone set.
Moreover, when the cover is opened, the screen is
displayed in accordance with the historical information,
operation situation in conjunction with the cover
opening/closing, user setting, and so forth. Thus the
number of operations is reduced and the waiting time
until the desired screen appears can be shortened.
Therefore, functions for the electronic note, word
processor, personal computer, etc., can be easily
employed even during telephone talk, with improved
operability.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
In addition, the Embodiment offers convenience
because the data can be linked based on the historical
information of the operation on the basis of the talk
log, the desired data can be easily obtained with fewer
operation steps.
In this way, by determining the subsequent screen to
be displayed when the cover is opened according to the
historical information, operation situation (talk log for
the telephone set, as an example), user setting, etc.,
the number of operation steps until the desired screen
can be obtained is reduced, and the waiting time until
the desired screen appears is shortened, the operability
improves.
Embodiment 2.
The mobile information terminal equipment of this
Embodiment is explained next referring to Figs. 19 and
20.
The mechanical configuration of the mobile
information terminal equipment is explained with Fig. 19
and Fig. 20.
Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 are the front views showing the
appearance of the mobile information terminal equipment.
Fig. 19 is a front view with cover 7 in the closed
status, and Fig. 20 is a front view with cover 7 in the
opened status.
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
In Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, a window 65 is shown.
Window 65 is constructed either by cutting out cover 7 or
by applying a transparent material. The displayed
information inside the window 65 on liquid crystal
display 4 can be seen with cover 7 in the closed status
(Fig. 19).
For the mobile information terminal equipment, cover
7 and mobile information terminal equipment body 1
overlap along the plane parallel to the plane of the
front view, in the cover closed status, and are coupled
with hinge 19. In opening the cover, cover 7 rotates
until it overlaps the rear surface of mobile information
terminal equipment body 1 with the hinge as the pivot.
Because telephone keyboard 6 is attached to cover 7, it
is advantageous in making liquid crystal display 4 and
touch screen 20 relatively larger compared with the
mobile information terminal equipment described in
Embodiment 1. Therefore, this Embodiment offers improved
operability. However, for the cover opening/closing
operation, operability is somewhat less desirable
compared with the one described in Embodiment 1 when the
mobile information terminal equipment is operated with
the hand holding it. For the electrical configuration,
an explanation is omitted because it is the same as
Fig. 3 described for Embodiment 1.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
The operation for the cover closed status is
explained next with Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, specially
centering on the user interface.
The difference in display from the mobile
information terminal equipment described in Embodiment 1
lies in that the content is turned by 90 degrees
rightward on the screen. This is because, mechanically,
window 65 is placed at the upper part of the liquid
crystal display 4 and touch screen 20 in Fig. 20. Other
explanation is omitted because it is the same as those
explained for Embodiment 1. The explanation for the
operation in the cover opened status is also omitted for
it is the same as that of Embodiment 1.
The subsequent screen for transitting from telephone
mode (the cover closed status) to information terminal
mode (the cover opened status) is explained next.
As explained in Embodiment 1, the screen that
appears upon cover opening can be determined by
historical information, operation situation (TELEPHONE
status), user setting (user information), and so on. It
is also possible to fix the subsequent screen. This
embodiment is used to provide an explanation for fixing
the subsequent screen for transitting from telephone mode
to information terminal mode. This embodiment is
advantageous for cost cutting and for simplifying (down-
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
sizing) the equipment because the memory amount and
processing amount can be reduced.
The subsequent screen could be 1) always an initial
screen, 2) always the TELEPHONE status 37, 3) always user
set screen, and 4) the immediately preceding screen when
the cover was closed most recently. Another possible way
is to 5) prioritize the user setting, and if there is no
user setting, adopt either the screen of 1), 2) or 4)
mentioned above.
The above-mentioned case 1) can be realized by
resetting the system every time the cover is opened or
closed (the initialization or release of unnecessary area
such as work area in RAM 25 and the initialization of
programs executed by processor 21). The above case 2)
can be realized by activating the processing module of
the TELEPHONE screen after processing the case 1). For
the above case 3), the user sets one subsequent screen on
the transition table irrespective of the TELEPHONE
status. After processing the case 1), a screen can be
changed to the one set on the transition table. For the
above case 4), the system status can be maintained
irrespective of the cover opening/closing. For the above
case 5), by checking whether the user setting has been
made, and if there is the user setting, the above case 3)
is performed, and if there is no user setting,
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
either case 1), 2), or 4) can be performed.
It is also possible for the mobile information
terminal equipment in Embodiment 1 to fix the subsequent
screen as has been explained.
Embodiment 3.
The method of determining the subsequent screen from
telephone mode (the cover closed status) to information
terminal mode (the cover opened status) has been
explained in Embodiments 1 and 2. Conversely, the
subsequent TELEPHONE status and the display data to be
displayed on the display screen can be linked with the
transition from information terminal mode (the cover
opened status) to telephone mode (the cover closed
status). With reference to Fig. 23 through Fig. 29, the
determination of subsequent TELEPHONE status and the
creation of display screen when transitting from the
cover opened status to the cover closed status are
explained below.
Fig. 23 is a figure indicating the candidates of the
TELEPHONE status for each screen when transitting from
the cover opened status to the cover closed status.
When the screen immediately before closing the cover
is the TELEPHONE screen 37, the TELEPHONE status could be
either the STAND BY status 33, DIALING status 34, or
TALKING status 35 after the cover is closed. On the
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
TELEPHONE screen displayed in Fig. 12, when characters
such as numerics, etc., are not displayed on telephone
number display window 32, e.g., when there is no input,
it transits to the STAND BY status 33. When characters
such as numerics, etc., are displayed in telephone number
display window 32 shown in Fig. 12, e.g., when the
telephone number has been input, and if the send button S
is not touched, it transits to the DIALING status 34.
Further, when characters such as numerics, etc., are
displayed in telephone number display window 32, e.g.,
when the telephone number has been input, and if the send
button S is touched, it transits to the TALKING status
35.
When the screen immediately before closing the cover
is the TALK LOG screen 38, the TELEPHONE status could be
STAND BY status 33 or DIALING status 34 after the cover
is closed. On the TALK LOG screen shown in Fig. 11, when
a specific line is touched or double touched, e.g., a
specific log is selected, it transits to the DIALING
status 34. On the TALK LOG screen shown in Fig. 11, when
a specific line is not touched at all, e.g., when no
specific log is selected, it transits to the STAND BY
status 33. When the cover is not closed after a double-
touch, it transits to the TELEPHONE screen 37. In order
to avoid dialing a wrong number, it does not directly
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
transit from the TALK LOG screen 38 to TALKING status 35
so as to enable the user to confirm the telephone number.
In order to transit to the TALKING status 35, after the
TELEPHONE screen 37 appears, the send button S shown in
Fig. 12 is touched (telephone talk is enabled
irrespective of the cover opened/closed in this case), or
after the cover is closed, the send key S shown in Fig. 1
is pressed.
When the screen immediately before closing the cover
is the MEMO screen 39 or SCHEDULE screen 40, the
TELEPHONE status after the cover is closed is only the
STAND BY status 33. This is because the functions of the
MEMO screen 39 and SCHEDULE screen 40 are not directly
linked with the telephone functions. Therefore, when the
cover is closed on the SCHEDULE screen shown in Fig. 8
and Fig. 9, and on the MEMO screen shown in Fig. 10, it
transits to the STAND BY status 33.
When the screen immediately before closing the cover
is the ADDRESS BOOK screen 41, the TELEPHONE status after
the cover is closed could be either the STAND BY status
33, DIALING status 34, or TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OPERATING
status 36. On the ADDRESS BOOK screen of Fig. 6, when a
specific line is touched or double touched, or when the
ADDRESS BOOK screen 16 is displayed, e.g., when a
specific name is selected, it transits to the DIALING 34
66
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
status dust as the case for the above TALK LOG screen 38.
On the ADDRESS BOOK screen of Fig. 6, if a specific name
is selected, the home telephone for that name is
automatically selected, and if the home telephone is not
set, the office phone is automatically selected. The
user can set the unit to give a home phone the precedence
over an office phone, and vice versa.
When no specific line is selected on the ADDRESS
BOOK screen of Fig. 7, or when a name line is selected, a
selection similar to the above is made. The user can set
the home phone to be selected when the line of home
address or home phone is selected, and the office phone
to be selected when the line of the company name,
department and position, office address, or office phone
number is selected. In either case, if the cover is
opened after a double-touch, the TELEPHONE screen of Fig.
12 appears, and the call number (telephone number)
selected is displayed at telephone number display window
32. If the cover is closed after a touch or double-
touch, the call number (telephone number) selected is
displayed in the visible area of liquid crystal display 4
shown in Fig. 1.
When the cover is closed after a touch or double-
touch, a display screen shown in Fig. 5 appears and it
transits to TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OPERATING status 36.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
Then, for instance, by operating the roll key U or D, the
call numbers stored in the address book adjacent to the
displayed call number are displayed in the visible area
on liquid crystal display 4 shown in Fig. l, and pressing
the send key S allows the user to talk to the opposite
party corresponding to the displayed call number.
Fig. 24 through Fig. 29 illustrate examples of the
above operation.
Fig. 24 indicates that the telephone number is being
input. On the TELEPHONE screen in the cover opened
status, the telephone number "04671234" is being input
manually. When the cover is closed in this status, as in
Fig. 25, the input telephone number "04671234" 66 is
displayed in the visible area on liquid crystal display 4
shown in Fig. 1. Then, by operating telephone keyboard 6
of Fig. 1, the telephone number can be input. Therefore,
the input in the cover opened status is not wasted, thus
operability is improved.
Fig. 26 shows the TELEPHONE screen displayed after
the uppermost line (the line which says WATANABE
CONSTRUCTION) on the TALK LOG screen shown in Fig. 11 is
double touched. Therefore, the corresponding telephone
number "(0467) 12-3456" is displayed on telephone number
display window 32. When the cover is closed in this
status, as in Fig. 27, the telephone number "(0467)-12-
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
3456" 68 and the corresponding opposite party (WATANABE
CONSTRUCTION) 67 are displayed in the visible area on
liquid crystal display 4 shown in Fig. 1. After that,
talk is enabled by pressing the send key S of Fig. 1.
Therefore, there is no need of inputting the telephone
number again after the cover is closed, and thus
operability is improved.
Fig. 28 indicates the situation in which the HOME
PHONE line on the ADDRESS BOOK screen shown in Fig. 7 is
touched. When the cover is closed in this situation, as
in Fig. 29, the telephone number "(0467)-11-2222" 70 and
the corresponding opposite party (MATUURA JIRO) 69 are
displayed in the visible area on liquid crystal display
4. In this case, the TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OPERATING
status 36 is also valid, and TEL. NO. SEARCH 16 indicating
the status (mode) is displayed in the visible area on
liquid crystal display 4 of Fig. 1. After that, the
adjacent telephone numbers stored in the ADDRESS BOOK are
searched and displayed by operating the roll key "U" or
"D" of Fig. 1, and the telephone talk is enabled by
pressing the send key S. This is the case that the
retrieval has been completed close to the desired
opposite party then the desired opposite party searched
manually. Thus operability is improved since the
retrieval of the telephone number after the cover is
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
closed becomes easy.
In retrieving the telephone number stored in the
ADDRESS BOOK by operating the above roll key "U" or "D",
because the opposite party may have several telephone
numbers (for instance, home phone and office phone,
etc.), there are cases that the user wants to retrieve an
opposite party and the user wants to retrieve one of the
telephone numbers belonging to the opposite party.
Therefore, it is also possible to retrieve the opposite
party by simply operating the roll key "U" or "D", and to
retrieve one of the telephone numbers of the displayed
opposite party, by pressing the "#" key first, and then
by operating the roll key "U" or "D".
When the address book is retrieved in the cover
opened status, by storing the historical information, it
is possible that the retrieval can be implemented in
historical order in the cover closed status. For
instance, if the "~" key is pressed, and then the roll
key "U" or "D" is operated, the opposite parties on the
screen are not displayed in the order stored in the
ADDRESS BOOK, but the ADDRESS BOOK data can appear
according to the order retrieved in the cover opened
status. This improves the operability because the data
being retrieved often is displayed first, thus the key
operation is reduced.
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
Fig. 30 shows an example of the data format of the
ADDRESS BOOK stored in RAM 25.
Fig. 30 is provided with the historical information
concerning the address book retrieval. The data
described in the figure corresponds to the ADDRESS BOOK
screen shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. For the example of
Fig. 30, one data block (record) consists of 10 items, a
name 71 of Japanese Kanji characters and Roman
characters, a home address 72, a home phone 73, a home
fax 74, a company name 75, a department & position 76, an
office address 77, an office phone 78, an office fax 79,
and forward and backward pointers 80.
When the ADDRESS BOOK is retrieved in the cover
opened status, the top addresses) of the preceding
and/or succeeding data blocks are stored in the column of
forward and backward pointers 80 of Fig. 30 as the
historical information. After pressing the "*" key, and
when the roll key "U" or "D" is operated, the address
book data can be displayed according to the retrieved
order in the cover opened status by following the
pointer.
The mobile information terminal equipment shown in
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 explained in Embodiment 1 has been
described to this point. In transitting from information
terminal mode to telephone mode, the same description
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
applies to the mobile information terminal equipment of
Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 of Embodiment 2.
Embodiment 4.
In the above Embodiments, the methods for
determining the subsequent screen and the subsequent
TELEPHONE status concerning the opening/closing of the
cover have been explained. However, the display screen
becomes smaller in the cover closed status compared with
the cover opened status. Therefore, in order to display
the data obtained in the cover opened status in the cover
closed status, the data on the display screen in the
cover opened status must be selected to be displayed in
the cover closed status.
Fig. 30 shows the data format of the ADDRESS BOOK
stored in RAM 25.
In Fig. 30, items to be displayed in the cover
closed status are stored in the first data block
(record). In this example, the items indicated with [],
name 71 and home office 73, are the items to be
displayed. With name 71, because the description says
ONLY IN (), only the name of the Roman characters are
displayed. With home phone 73, because "*" is described,
all data for the item are displayed. When the cover is
closed on the screen shown in Fig. 28, the information is
selected and then displayed just as the screen shown in
Fig. 29.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
For some application (service), questions or input
requests from the server to the mobile information
terminal are made by outputting voice or a brief message
from the screen to the mobile information terminal, and
then responses to the server are made by inputting from
the telephone keyboard of the mobile information terminal
in telephone mode. For the same application (service),
in information terminal mode, questions or input requests
are made from the server to the mobile information
terminal by displaying the application screen on the
mobile information terminal and the reply from the mobile
information terminal to the server are made by selecting
an item on the displayed application screen or by hand-
writing in the designated area. A mobile information
terminal equipment capable of performing such functions
for one application is explained below.
The cover closed status is fundamentally the
TELEPHONE status. Therefore, for instance, to make a
seat reservation by calling a train company, it is easier
to receive voice instructions, and then respond by
pressing telephone keyboard 6. However, in the cover
opened status, because the screen is large, it is easier
to input with a pen to the screen on which items to be
input are displayed in a fill-in-the-blank format.
With Fig. 31, a method of selecting information on the
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screen display in the cover closed status and a method of
changing the response depending on the cover
opened/closed status are explained below.
Fig. 31 shows an example of an application screen
for the seat reservation using the telephone line or data
communication line.
In the cover opened status, when a telephone call is
made to a railway company, a telephone number database
(not shown) is retrieved, and a matched application is
automatically activated by the system. In this example,
an application of JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY SEAT RESERVATION
is activated. The user fills in necessary information in
the 0 columns with a pen. For instance, when the user
hand-writes numbers directly with a pen in the MONTH and
DATE column, the numbers are character recognized and
then coded. For the TRAIN NAME column, first touch the
TRAIN NAME and then touch MA in tag area 28. Then a
window 81 appears, displaying train names beginning with
ma, mi, mu, me, and mo. If the MIRAI is touched, for
instance, it appears on the column right to the TRAIN
NAME. When train number 501 is directly written with a
pen, the number is character recognized and then coded.
For the SEAT TYPE column, when the SEAT TYPE is
touched, a window 82 appears, displaying the type menu.
If the user touches PRIVATE and then SLEEPING CAR,
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
PRIVATE SLEEPING CAR is displayed in the seat type
column. After necessary information has been inp~it
(filled in blanks), the TRANSMISSION button is touched to
make the system send the input data by calling the
pertinent railway company. If the railway company has
both the data communication line and the telephone line,
data transmission is performed via the data communication
line. If only the telephone line is available, input data is
converted into the DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) tone,
and then transmitted according to the voice instruction.
In the cover closed status, when a telephone call is
made to the railway company (after the telephone number
is input, the send key S is pressed), the system performs
call-out processing, and after the line is connected, the
user inputs necessary information through the key
operation according to the voice instruction. In the
cover opened status, on the other hand, after a telephone
call operation is made to the pertinent railway company
(after the telephone number is input, the send button S
is touched), the system activates the application without
performing actual call-out processing. After the
TRANSMISSION button is touched in the application, the
actual call-out processing is performed and the data
transmission starts when the line has been connected.
The application of making a seat reservation to a
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
railway company is explained above. The method is also
applicable to making a seat reservation to a theater, or
an airline company. It is also possible to send certain
forms of information, such as the registration to a
government office, etc., to a company or an organization.
Depending on the cover opened/closed status, a
suitable user interface can be used. In the cover opened
status, a visual user interface can be used and the
communication charge can be lowered. The user can freely
select the cover closed/opened status depending on the
situation.
Embodiment 5.
The linkage method of the subsequent screen in
connection with the cover opening/closing has been
explained in the above Embodiments. During the cover
opened status, the subsequent screen can be determined
using the historical information in a similar manner,
and the desired screen appears with fewer number of
operations.
Although the cover closed status is assumed to be
telephone mode and the cover opened status to be
information terminal mode in the previous Embodiments, it
is possible to use the cover closed status as information
terminal mode by limiting the functions. For instance,
by displaying the data only for retrieving the telephone
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CA 02202309 1997-04-10
numbers in the address book in telephone mode, it is
possible to set information terminal mode in the cover
closed status.
Embodiment 6.
This Embodiment explains about the user interface
and communication control of a terminal having combined
functions of a mobile telephone and a personal
information management. The structural features of the
terminal are first explained.
In Fig. 32, which shows a front view of the mobile
information terminal equipment of this Embodiment in the
cover closed status, a mobile information terminal
equipment body 201, a door 202 attached to mobile
information terminal equipment body 201 with a hinge 205,
and a display window 204 and a switch button 203 attached
to door 202 are illustrated.
Fig. 33 is a front view of the mobile information
terminal equipment in the door 202 opened status.
In the figure, a cover detect switch (a means for
detecting the door opened/closed) 207 detects the
opened/closed status of door 202, and a touch screen 206
makes a contact with switch button 203 when switch button
203 is pressed.
Fig. 34 is a cross sectional view of the mobile
information terminal equipment of this Embodiment with
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
the door closed.
In the figure, the part with which switch button 203
contacts touch screen 206 is formed with a soft rubber
(elastic material) having some area. Switch button 203
is supported by a support 209 attached to door 202. On
the bottom of touch screen 206, a display unit 210 is
installed contacting with touch screen 206.
Fig. 35 shows the appearance of the mobile
information terminal equipment of Embodiment 6 for using
as a mobile telephone, and Fig. 36 shows a status using
it mainly as a portable personal information management
apparatus.
In the figure, a microphone 212, and a speaker 213
are shown.
For using the equipment as a mobile telephone with
the door closed, because it is generally easier to use
the body holding vertically, characters or pictographs
are also set to be displayed vertically. When using it
as a mobile telephone with door 202 closed, if switch
button 203 attached to door 202 is pressed, an input is
interpreted as a dialing operation, and the pressed numbers
are displayed at the location in the display window where
the user can see.
For using the equipment as a portable personal
information management apparatus, because information in
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
schedule book or address book, received mail, or user
memo, etc., are often retrieved, it is generally easier
to use body 201 while holding the unit horizontally, with
a horizontally wide display. Therefore, characters are
displayed in the vertical direction on the horizontally
wide display, i.e., they are controlled to be displayed
in a direction 90 degrees different from the display in
the door 202 closed status.
Methods of displaying characters are explained using
the explanatory figures of Fig. 37 to Fig. 41.
With body 201 in the vertically placed status, from
point a of Fig. 37, characters are displayed one after
another until they reach point b. Then, the line is
scrolled to the next line, and when characters reach the
final column of that line, the line is again scrolled on
to the next line, and this is repeated sequentially.
With body 201 in the horizontally placed status,
characters are displayed one after another from point a
toward point b of Fig. 38. When the characters reach the
last column of that line, the line is scrolled to the
next line, and this is repeated sequentially. Because
the character bit mapping data used for the display with
body 201 in the vertically placed status is not suited
for the display with body 201 in the horizontally placed
status, as in Fig. 39, a bit mapping data different from
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
the character bit mapping data used for the display with
body 201 placed in the vertical position is used for the
display with body 201 placed in the horizontal position.
By using a different bit mapping data for body 201 in the
vertical and in horizontal positions, the display shown
in Fig. 40 is realized for body 201 in the vertically
held condition and the display in Fig. 41 is realized for
body 201 in horizontally held condition.
The method of switching the display according to the
closing/opening of the door is explained below.
Fig. 42 is a block diagram showing the configuration
of Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
In the figure, a control unit 231, a radio unit 232,
a microphone 212 for inputting a user's voice to the
telephone, etc., a speaker 213 for outputting voice
signals during talk operation, and effect/warning sound,
etc., during operation, an audio interface (I/F) circuit
235 for converting analog/digital (A/D) voice signals, a
sound signal switch unit 236 for switching input/output
path of the voice signal in talk and in generating
effect/warning sound stored in memory, a modem unit 237
for implementing data communication, a liquid crystal
display (LCD) 238 for displaying a screen, a touch screen
206 for detecting a user's touch input, and a touch
location information 203A obtained indirectly by pressing
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
switch button 203 of door 202 are shown.
Control unit 231 controls the display screen of the
user interface for the door closed/opened status, using
the touch location information from touch screen 206 and
the switch status information from cover detect switch
207.
An example of screen display in the door 202 closed
status is shown in Fig. 43.
The screen consists of three basic lines. On the
top line, information the user needs before making a
phone call, such as time, radio field strength, etc., are
displayed. On the second line, the telephone number,
etc., input when the user starts the dialing operation
are displayed. On the bottom line, message display,
error display, etc. necessary for the operation are
displayed. Because the example in Fig. 43 shows an idle
status immediately after power on, the time and field
strength information are displayed on top.
When door 202 is closed, the mapping of touch input
is carried out according to switch button 203 of door
202. When the user presses switch button 203 of door
202, a key selected based on the touch location
information 203A indirectly obtained is determined to
control the user interface.
Fig. 44 shows the dial operation screen in the door
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
202 closed status.
Fig. 45 shows an example of screen display in the
door 202 opened status.
The telephone functions of the mobile information
terminal equipment of this Embodiment can be used even
when door 202 is opened. Fig. 45 shows the dial
operation screen when the door is open. On the screen of
Fig. 45, the ten-key button for inputting the dial number
and the address book button for activating an electronic
telephone directory function among the personal
information management functions, etc., are graphically
displayed.
The mapping of touch input for the door 202 opened
status is performed according to the Graphic User
Interface (GUI). The user operates the unit by directly
touching the buttons and icons displayed on the screen.
The display switching procedure according to the
opening/closing of the door is explained with a flowchart
shown in Fig. 46.
Fig. 46 is the flowchart showing the operation flow
of an interrupt processing program in control unit 231 to
handle an interrupt from the cover detect switch 207.
When the status of cover detect switch 207 is
changed, an interrupt is generated and the program starts
(step S10). The program reads the switch status from the
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
input port to determine whether door 202 is closed or
opened (step S20). When door 202 is closed, the program
activates a user interface program (step S30) of
performing the screen display control for closing the
door. When door 202 is opened, the program activates a
user interface program for performing the screen display
control for opening the door. The door opened/closed
status can be determined at step S20 simply with the
interrupt reception, if the previous door status is
stored in the program.
The user interface programs for the door closed and
opened status can be configured as two independent
software modules, because, as explained previously, they
are activated by the interrupt processing program for the
cover detect switch 207, respectively. However, because
it is possible for the mobile information terminal
equipment of this Embodiment to make a telephone call
both in the door 202 closed and opened statuses, if the
user opens or closes door 202 during dialing operation,
it is necessary to enable the continuous input operation.
Although there are two independent software modules which
control the screen display, the information concerning
the telephone operation such as dial data, etc., is
shared between the modules so that the identical data is
to be accessed. The shared data can be safely used from
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
the two independent software modules by controlling the
access authority for writing using semaphore, and so on.
The safe use of the shared data can be also realized by
providing a special software module for controlling the
information regarding the telephone operation, wherein
the special software module provides a function to access
the shared data.
An example of opening/closing door 202 during
telephone talk after the telephone dial operation is
finished is explained next.
When talking over the telephone in the door 202
closed status, usually microphone 212 is placed close to
the user's mouth and speaker 213 is put close to the
user's ear. In order to retrieve SCHEDULE, etc., using
the personal information management functions while
talking, when the opening of door 202 is detected during
talk, a control is performed so as to enable hand-free
talking, i.e., the sensitivity of microphone 212 and
output level of speaker 213 is increased so that the
talking can be carried on without having them close to
the mouth or the ear.
To send SCHEDULE data or received mail, etc., to the
opposite party while talking, telephone mode is switched
to data transmission mode by selecting the transmission
button displayed on the SCHEDULE or MAIL screen. Control
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
unit 231 instructs voice signal switch unit 236 to
temporarily shut down the path from microphone 212 to
radio unit 232, and validates the path from modem 237 to
radio unit 232 in order to switch the line from telephone
to modem for the data transmission. In such a situation,
because the switching of line to the modem must be
performed both on the transmission side and the receiving
side, some corresponding operation must be performed on
the receiving side. However, because telephone talking
is already going on with the opposite party, the
transmission side can provide the timing of starting data
transmission over the telephone. Because the timing of
ending data transmission can be mutually confirmed during
data transmission procedure, telephone mode is
automatically resumed.
According to this Embodiment, the display window and
the door having the switch button are provided for the
body. The detector is provided for detecting the
opening/closing the door, and the separate software
modules control the user interface for using the
equipment as a telephone in the door closed status and
for using the information processing functions in the
door opened status. Therefore, the screen display is
optimized for the door closed status and the door opened
status. When the cover is opened, because the entire
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
large-size display is used and operated with the graphic
user interface (GUI), addition of physical buttons is
unnecessary even when the information processing
functions are expanded. Thus, the cost and the size of
the apparatus can be reduced.
Embodiment 7.
As one Embodiment of the present invention, a
portable electronic apparatus having a slide cover for
the input display unit is explained. The portable
electronic apparatus of Embodiment 7 is, for instance,
the mobile information terminal equipment described in
the previous Embodiments 1 through 6. Or, it can take a
different form of a portable electronic apparatus.
In Fig. 47 and Fig. 48, a portable electronic
apparatus body 301, a slide cover 302, an input display
unit 303, a rail 304 furnished with portable electronic
apparatus body 301, a slide projection 305 of slide cover
302 which engages with rail 304, switches 306, a switch
panel 319 with allocated switches, and a front face 320
allocated with input display unit 303 and switch panel
319.
Fig. 47 shows the condition with slide cover 302
closed. Fig. 48 shows the condition with slide cover 302
opened.
The operation is explained next.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
Holding the portable electronic apparatus body with
one hand as shown in Fig. 47, slide cover 302 can be
opened or closed by sliding it up and down along the
body. Furthermore, input display unit 303, switches 306,
and rail 304 are allocated in such a manner that switches
306 are hidden and protected when the slide cover is
opened.
The configuration thus enables the user to
open/close the slide cover easily. Moreover, when the
input display unit is exposed as the slide cover is slid
down, the switches become hidden, thus preventing the
user from pressing the switches inadvertently.
Figs. 49A and 49B show other examples of portable
electronic apparatus.
An input display unit 307, long and narrow support
projection 308 and cone-shaped support projection 308a
provided among switches on the portable electronic
apparatus body 301, contact surfaces 309 provided for
slide cover 302 which makes contact with support
projections 308 and 308a. By placing rail 304 at the
outside of input display unit 303 of display device 307,
in the area 321 above the frame of input display unit
303, as in Figs. 49A and 49B, the hinge previously
required for opening/closing the cover, or the additional
width required at the rail become unnecessary. Thus the
width W of the main body can be reduced.
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
The width of portable electronic apparatus body 301
is shortened as much as possible. Operability
improves because it becomes easier to hold the body with
one hand.
As shown in Figs. 49A and 49B, long and narrow or
cone-shaped support projections 308 and 308a are
provided among switches 306 of portable electronic
apparatus body 301 and contact surfaces 309 are provided
for slide cover 302 which makes contact with support
projection 308. The force indicated by the imaginary
line from top of the slide cover 302 is received at
support projections 308 and 308a via contact surfaces 309
without bending the slide cover 302 and without pressing
switches 306 at the same time. Even if an excessive
force should be erroneously added to the slide cover, the
slide cover would not be broken and the switches would
not be pressed, which helps improve the durability and
operability.
Fig. 50 shows part of the end of the rail.
A switch lever 310 is secured at the end of rail
304. An opening/closing mode switch 311 is set touching
the switch lever.
According to the opening/closing operation of slide
cover 302, switch lever 310 is pushed in the direction of
arrow A, which causes opening/closing switch 311 to be
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
pressed to turn the switch on or off. When this signal
is detected, display mode is switched according to the
opening/closing of the slide cover. Switch lever 310 is
arranged in the rail groove so as to minimize malfunction
of opening/closing switch 311.
As shown in Fig. 51, it is possible to remove part
of slide cover 302 in such a manner that it would not
diminish its functions. By using input display unit 303
seen from cut-off part 312, a display screen that fits
the small display seen from cut-off part 312 can be
created and displayed. Conversely, when the slide cover
is opened, a display screen using up the entire display
surface can be used. It is also possible to design the
slide cover such that it is partly transparent 313
instead of removing a portion as shown in Fig. 52.
The operation of the portable electronic apparatus
is enabled even when slide cover 302 is closed.
Moreover, by linking the opening/closing of slide cover
302 with opening/closing mode switch 311, versatile usage
of the portable electronic apparatus is realized with
improved functions and operability.
Fig. 53 shows the opening/closing support
projections provided for slide cover 302 and rail 304.
Opening/closing support projections 314 are provided
near the both ends of rail 304 of portable electronic
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
apparatus body 301. Opening/closing support projections
315 are attached on slide projection 305 of slide cover
302 and located vis-a-vis opening/closing support
projections 314.
According to the opening/closing of slide cover 302,
opening/closing support projections 314 and 315 touch and
click with each other. Because the projections work as
obstacles for each other, the locations of slide cover
302 and rail 304 stay unchanged, maintaining slide cover
302 in its opened or closed location.
Fig. 54 shows a projection different from
opening/closing support projections 314 and 315, to
prevent the slide cover from falling off the body.
In the figure, a projection 316 for preventing the
slide cover from falling off the body is attached to one
end of rail 304. The cross section of projection 316 is
indicated in Fig. 55.
The cross section of projection 316 for preventing
the slide cover from falling off the body shows that one
end of the projection has a relatively loose grade angle,
so that slide projection 305 of slide cover 302 coming
from the left is able to surmount it while the other end
has a steep grade angle B, close a right angle, so as to
become an insurmountable obstruction blocking the slide
projection 305 that nears from the right.
CA 02202309 2001-09-24
At the initial stage when the slide cover has not
been mounted yet, slide cover 302 is inserted into rail
304 of portable electronic apparatus body 301 in the
direction approaching grade angle A and then mounted.
After that, when slide cover 302 is opened, it nears the
obstruction at grade angle B. However, slide cover 302
does not move farther because it is blocked by the wall
at grade angle B of projection 316, unless abnormally
destructive force is involved.
Due to opening/closing support projections 314 and
315, slide cover 302 is kept on the rails as it is opened
or closed. The operation is secured by the clicking of
the projections. Projection 316 for preventing the slide
cover from falling off prevents slide cover 302 from
falling off portable electronic apparatus body 301 during
operation. Therefore, the operability of the portable
electronic apparatus is improved.
Fig. 56 shows the shape of a slide cover.
Fig. 57 shows its cross section.
A slide support projection 317 is attached inside
slide projection 305 contacting rail 304 of portable
electronic apparatus body 301, and provides a resistance
against slide cover 302 during its opening/closing.
Convex surfaces 318 on the slide cover 302 are
furnished in such a manner that a user's fingers touch
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
them when the portable electronic apparatus is held in
hand and provides a comfortable design.
In holding portable electronic apparatus body 301 in
hand, slide cover 302 is opened/closed by feeling the
convex surfaces 318 with your fingers. Slide support
projection 317 allows slide cover 302 to move smoothly.
With convex surfaces 318 of slide cover 302 and with
slide support projection 317, the slide cover can be
easily and smoothly operated with your fingers, with the
improved operability of the portable electronic
apparatus.
This Embodiment has described the mounting structure
of the slide cover provided for the protection of the
input display unit, and which improves the operability of
the portable electronic apparatus having a slide cover.
The portable electronic apparatus of this Embodiment
has a rail on its main body. The slide cover covers the
input display unit while it is closed and covers the
switches when it is opened. The rail is arranged at the
frame portion of the input display unit so that the main
body does not get wider. The support projection is
attached to the main body and its contact is mounted on
the slide cover. A switch detecting the opening/closing
mode of the slide cover is provided on part of the rail.
By making a cut-out or a transparent window on part of
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CA 02202309 2001-09-24
the slide cover, functions can be improved even when the
slide cover is closed. The opening/closing support
projections that support the opened/closed position of
the slide cover are provided, and the projection for
preventing the slide cover from falling off the body is
also attached. Furthermore, the slide support
projections are also added so that the sliding operates
smoothly.
The narrow width of the portable electronic
apparatus of the present invention allows the user to
handle the slide cover with one hand. In addition, it
has such advantages as preventing inadvertent pressing of
the switches. The slide cover is able to endure external
force applied to it. Furthermore, mode functions can be
added because the opening/closing of the slide cover can
be detected. Also, the slide cover moves smoothly
without falling off, maintaining the opened/closed
position.
The invention being thus described, it will be
obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
scope of the invention, and all such modifications as
would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended
to be included within the scope of the following claims.
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