U.S. patent application number 14/306170 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for mobile phone.
The applicant listed for this patent is KYOCERA Corporation. Invention is credited to Akiko INAMI.
Application Number | 20140295919 14/306170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44143553 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140295919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
INAMI; Akiko |
October 2, 2014 |
MOBILE PHONE
Abstract
A mobile phone operable to operate a first display using a
second touch panel display that partially covers the first display
is disclosed. The first display and the second touch panel display
are slidably coupled such that the second touch panel display may
cover the first display. When low lighting is desired, the second
touch panel display may be unlighted, and the first display
partially covered by the second touch panel display. A visible
portion of the first display may then be operated by touching the
unlit second touch panel display.
Inventors: |
INAMI; Akiko; (Anpachi-gun,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KYOCERA Corporation |
Kyoto-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
44143553 |
Appl. No.: |
14/306170 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12965106 |
Dec 10, 2010 |
8787978 |
|
|
14306170 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0235 20130101;
H04M 1/0266 20130101; H04M 1/0241 20130101; H04M 2250/16 20130101;
H04M 2250/22 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; H04M 1/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/02 20060101
H04M001/02; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2009 |
JP |
2009-282269 |
Claims
1. A mobile phone, comprising: a first casing housing a first
display part such that a first display surface thereof is exposed
from a surface; a second casing comprising a first surface mutually
opposed to a second surface and slidable on the first display
surface with the first surface at a side of the first casing, and
housing a second display part such that a second display surface of
the second display part comprising a touch panel function is
exposed from the second surface; a display control part operable to
control the first display part and the second display parts; an
operation content specifying part operable to specify a content of
an operation performed to the second display surface; and a
positional relation specifying part operable to specify a
positional relation between the first casing and the second casing,
wherein the first casing and the second casing are set in a first
positional relation in which an entire area of the first display
surface is covered with the second casing, a second positional
relation in which an entire area of the first display surface and
the second display surface are visible, and a third positional
relation in which a part of the first display surface is exposed
from the second casing, by sliding the second casing on the first
display surface and as a result of a specification by the
positional relation specifying part, when the positional relation
between the first casing and the second casing are the third
positional relation, a display of the entire area of the second
display surface is set in an off state under control of the display
control part, and information is displayed on the part of the first
display surface, and when it is specified that a prescribed
operation is performed to the second display surface by the
operation content specifying part, the information displayed on the
part of the first display surface is switched under control of the
display control part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-282269, filed on
Dec. 11, 2009, entitled "MOBILE PHONE". The content of which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to
mobile phones, and relate more particularly to mobile phones
comprising a plurality of displays.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed
regarding a mobile phone. For example, a mobile phone having two
display parts is known, and display devices are known. With a
higher performance and a larger-sized screen, a mobile phone has a
tendency of increasing its power consumption. In addition, in a
dark place such as a movie theater, light emitted from a display
surface of a mobile phone is sometimes a hindrance to surroundings.
Furthermore, when an incoming call or an electronic mail is
received when a user is sleeping and a display of a mobile phone is
confirmed, light emitted from a display surface of the mobile phone
can be glaring in some cases.
SUMMARY
[0004] A mobile phone operable to operate a first display using a
second touch panel display that partially covers the first display
is disclosed. The first display and the second touch panel display
are slidably coupled such that the second touch panel display may
cover the first display. On occasions when, for example, low
lighting is desired, the second touch panel display may be
unlighted, and the first display partially covered by the second
touch panel display. A visible portion of the first display may
then be operated by touching the unlit second touch panel
display.
[0005] In a first embodiment, a mobile phone comprises a first
casing, a second casing, a display control part, an operation
content specifying part, and a positional relation specifying part.
The first casing houses a first display part is so that a first
display surface thereof is exposed from a surface. The second
casing comprises a first surface mutually opposed to a second
surface and slidable on the first display surface with the first
surface at a side of the first casing, and accommodating a second
display part so that a second display surface of the second display
part having a touch panel function is exposed from the second
surface. The display control part controls the first display
surface and the second display surface. The operation content
specifying part specifies a content of an operation performed to
the second display surface. The positional relation specifying part
specifies a positional relation between the first and second
casings.
[0006] The first casing and the second casing can be set in a first
positional relation in which an entire area of the first display
surface is covered with the second casing, a second positional
relation in which an entire area of the first display surface and
the second display surface is visible, and a third positional
relation in which a part of the first display surface is exposed
from the second casing, by sliding the second casing on the first
display surface and as a result of a specification by the
positional relation specifying part, when the positional relation
between the first casing and the second casing is the third
positional relation, the display of the entire area of the second
display surface is set in an off state under control of the display
control part, and information is displayed on the part of the first
display surface, and when it is specified that a prescribed
operation is performed to the second display surface by the
operation content specifying part, the information displayed on the
part of the first display surface is switched under control of the
display control part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure are hereinafter
described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements. The figures are provided for
illustration and depict exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure. The figures are provided to facilitate understanding of
the present disclosure without limiting the breadth, scope, scale,
or applicability of the present disclosure. The drawings are not
necessarily made to scale.
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary functional block
diagram of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary functional block
diagram of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary state table of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary state diagram of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 13 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 14 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 15 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 16 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 17 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 18 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 19 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 20 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 21 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 22 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 23 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 24 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 25 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 26 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 27 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 28 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 29 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 30 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 31 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 32 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 33 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 34 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 35 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 36 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 37 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 38 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 39 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 40 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 41 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 42 is an illustration of an exemplary external view of
a mobile device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] The following description is presented to enable a person of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiments of the
disclosure. The following detailed description is exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the
application and uses of the embodiments of the disclosure.
Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, and applications are
provided only as examples. Modifications to the examples described
herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to
other examples and applications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to
be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the
preceding field, background, summary or the following detailed
description. The present disclosure should be accorded scope
consistent with the claims, and not limited to the examples
described and shown herein.
[0051] Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in the
context of one practical non-limiting application, namely, a mobile
phone. Embodiments of the disclosure, however, are not limited to
such mobile phone, and the techniques described herein may also be
utilized in other applications. For example, embodiments may be
applicable to digital books, digital cameras, electronic game
machines, digital music players, personal digital assistance (PDA),
personal handy phone system (PHS), lap top computers, and the
like.
[0052] As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
after reading this description, these are merely examples and the
embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to operating in
accordance with these examples. Other embodiments may be utilized
and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of
a mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 100 comprises an
upper side casing 1 and a lower side casing 2 connected to each
other by a connection mechanism not shown. The upper side casing 1
has a roughly rectangular plate type shape in a planar view and
comprises a first main surface 1a and a second main surface 1b.
Similarly, the lower side casing 2 has the roughly rectangular
plate type shape in the planar view and comprises the first main
surface 2a and the second main surface 2b.
[0054] An upper side display part 11 comprising a touch panel
function is housed in the upper side casing 1. A lower side display
part 12 comprising the touch panel function is housed in the lower
side casing 2. A rectangular display surface 11a of the upper side
display part 11 is exposed from the first main surface 1a of the
upper side casing 1. A rectangular display surface 12a of the lower
side display part 12 is exposed from the first main surface 2a of
the lower side casing 2. The display surface 11a of the upper side
display part 11 is called "upper side display surface 11a", and the
display surface 12a of the lower side display part 12 is called
"lower side display surface 12a" hereafter. Further, as shown in
FIG. 1, a XYZ rectangular coordinate system is used, wherein a
short side direction and a long side direction of the upper side
casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 are set as the X-axis
direction and the Y-axis direction respectively, and a thickness
direction of the upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 is
set as the Z-axis direction, to thereby explain the mobile phone
100.
[0055] A voice output part 20 and a voice input part 21 are further
housed in the upper side casing 1. The voice output part 20
comprises a speaker and the voice input part 21 comprises a
microphone. The speaker of the voice output part 20 is exposed from
an end portion in the +Y direction on the first main surface 1a of
the upper side casing 1. The microphone of the voice input part 21
is exposed from an end portion in the -Y direction on the first
main surface 1a of the upper side casing 1.
[0056] Further, an operation part 23 comprising a plurality of hard
keys 23a is provided on a side face of the lower side casing 2 in
the +X direction. Then, a power supply connector 22 is provided on
a side face of the lower side casing 2 in the -Y direction. By
inserting a plug of an AC adapter (not shown) into the power supply
connector 22, DC power is supplied to the mobile phone 100 from the
AC adapter.
[0057] In the mobile phone 100, the upper side casing 1 can slide
along the X-axis direction on the lower side display surface 12a of
the lower side casing 2, with the second main surface 1b disposed
on the side of the lower side casing 2. Thus, first to third
positional relations can be established between the upper side
casing 1 and the lower side casing 2. The first positional relation
is the positional relation between the upper side casing 1 and the
lower side casing 2 wherein an entire area of the lower side
display surface 12a is covered with the upper side casing 1. The
second positional relation is the positional relation between the
upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 wherein an entire
area of the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side
display surface 12a is visible. In addition, the third positional
relation is the positional relation between the upper side casing 1
and the lower side casing 2 wherein a part of the lower side
display surface 12a is partially exposed from the upper side casing
1. In the mobile phone 100, when the positional relation between
the upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 is set in the
first positional relation, such a state is called a "close state".
Further, when the positional relation between the upper side casing
1 and the lower side casing 2 is set in the second positional
relation, such a state is called a "full open state". Also, when
the positional relation between the upper side casing 1 and the
lower side casing 2 is set in the third positional relation, such a
state is called a "partially open state".
[0058] FIG. 2-FIG. 4 are views showing the close state, the full
open state, and the partially open state of the mobile phone 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the close state, the upper side casing 1 and
the lower side casing 2 are overlapped on each other, and therefore
the upper side display surface 11a is visible. Further, as shown in
FIG. 3, in the full open state, the upper side casing 1 slides
fully, and therefore an entire area of the upper side display
surface 11a and an entire area of the lower side display surface
12a are visible. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in the partially open
state, the upper side casing 1 slides partially, and therefore the
upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 are partially
overlapped on each other. In the partially open state, the entire
area of the upper side display surface 11a is visible, and the
lower side display surface 12a is partially visible. In an example
of FIG. 4, an area of about 1/5 from an edge of the lower side
display surface 12a in the +X direction is visible. A part exposed
from the upper side casing 1 on the lower side display surface 12a
is called an "exposed part 12aa" hereafter.
[0059] If a user has the lower side casing 2 in his/her hand, which
is the lower side casing of the mobile phone 100 in the close
state, and his/her finger is applied to the upper side casing 1, to
thereby make the upper side casing 1 slide in the -X direction with
a relatively strong force, the mobile phone 100 is set in the full
open state. If the upper side casing 1 is made to slide in the -X
direction with a relatively weak force, the mobile phone 100 is set
in the partially open state. Also, if the user has the lower side
casing 2 in his/her hand, which is the lower side casing of the
mobile phone 100 in the full open state, and his/her finger is
applied to the upper side casing 1, to thereby make the upper side
casing 1 slide in the +X direction with a relatively strong force,
the mobile phone 100 is set in the close state. If the upper side
casing 1 is made to slide in the +X direction with a relatively
weak force, the mobile phone 100 is set in the partially open
state. Further, if the user has the lower side casing 2 in the
hand, which is the lower side casing of the mobile phone 100 in the
partially open state, and his/her finger is applied to the upper
side casing 1, to thereby make the upper side casing 1 slide in the
+X direction, the mobile phone 100 is set in the close state. If
the upper side casing 1 is made to slide in the -X direction, the
mobile phone 100 is set in the full open state.
[0060] <Electric Structure of the Mobile Phone>
[0061] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of
the mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile phone 100 comprises a
control part 30; a radio communication part 31; an antenna 31a; an
attitude detection part 32; the upper side display part 11; the
lower side display part 12; the voice output part 20; the voice
input part 21; and the operation part 23. The control part 30, the
radio communication part 31, and the attitude detection part 32 are
housed, for example, in the lower side casing 2.
[0062] The control part 30 comprises CPU 30a and a storage part
30b, etc., and manages collectively an operation of the mobile
phone 100 by controlling other constituent element of the mobile
phone 100. The storage part 30b may comprise, for example but
without limitation, a random access storage device such as a random
access memory (RAM), a non-volatile storage device (non-volatile
semiconductor memory, hard disk device, optical disk device, and
the like), HDD, or any other form of storage medium known in the
art. Various function of the control part 30 is realized by
executing various programs in the storage part 30b by the CPU
30a.
[0063] By using the antenna 31a, the radio communication part 31
receives a radio signal from a mobile phone different from the
mobile phone 100 or a communication device, such as but without
limitation, a Web server connected to the internet, and the like,
and applies amplification processing or down-conversion processing
to a reception signal, and outputs the reception signal to the
control part 30. Further, the radio communication part 31 applies
up-conversion processing or amplification processing to a
transmission signal generated by the control part 30, and
radio-transmits the transmission signal to a mobile phone different
from the mobile phone 100 or a communication device connected to
the Internet, via the antenna 31a.
[0064] The attitude detection part 32 may comprise an acceleration
sensor, etc. which detects an attitude of the mobile phone 100. For
example, the attitude detection part 32 detects whether the long
side direction of the upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing
2 is a vertical direction (direction of a gravitational force), or
is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.
[0065] The voice output part 20 converts voice data from the
control part 30 to voice and outputs it to outside. The voice input
part 21 converts voice from outside into voice data and outputs it
to the control part 30.
[0066] The upper side display part 11 displays various kinds of
information such as character, symbol, and graphics, on the upper
side display surface 11a, under control of the control part 30.
Further, the upper side display part 11 comprising the touch panel
function detects the operation of a finger of the user applied to
the upper side display surface 11a and outputs same to the control
part 30.
[0067] The lower side display part 12 displays various kinds of
information such as character, symbol, and graphics, on the lower
side display surface 12a, under control of the control part 30
similar as the upper side display part 11. Further, the lower side
display part 12 comprising the touch panel function detects the
operation of the finger of the user applied to the lower side
display surface 12a and outputs it to the control part 30.
[0068] The upper side display part 11 and the lower side display
part 12 comprises, for example, a transmission type liquid crystal
display panel and a backlight light source for irradiating the
liquid crystal display panel with light from backside. The upper
side display part 11 and the lower side display part 12 may be a
non-self-luminous display other than the liquid crystal display
panel, and also may be a self-luminous display panel such as an
organic EL panel.
[0069] As described above, the operation part 23 comprises a
plurality of hard keys (activation type switch) 23a, and detects an
activating operation of the user applied to each hard key 23a and
outputs same to the control part 30.
[0070] In an embodiment, the user performs operation to the upper
side display surface 11a, the lower side display surface 12a, and
the operation part 23, to input various information into the mobile
phone 100.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a view showing a plurality of function blocks
formed in the control part 30, by executing various kinds of
program in the storage part 30b, by the CPU 30a of the control part
30. As shown in FIG. 6, a display control part 130, an operation
content specifying part 131, a communication control part 132, and
a positional relation specifying part 133 are formed in the control
part 30, as a function block.
[0072] The display control part 130 controls displays of the upper
side display part 11 and the lower side display part 12. The
display control part 130 can display information such as character
on the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side display
surface 12a, or can individually set the display of an entire area
of the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side display
surface 12a in an off state, respectively.
[0073] In this document, the off state of the entire area of the
display surface means that the information that is visible from
outside cannot be displayed. In contrast, the on state of the
display of the entire area of the display surface means that the
information that is visible from outside in the entire area can be
displayed. Accordingly, for example, when the display control part
130 sets the display of the entire area of the upper side display
surface 11a in the on state, the display control part 130 can
display the information that is visible from outside over the
entire area. For example, when the display control part 130 sets
the display of the entire area of the upper side display surface
11a in the off state, the display control part 130 can not display
the information that is visible from outside over the entire
area.
[0074] In an embodiment, the upper side display part 11 comprises
the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight light source.
Therefore, the display control part 130 causes a light emission
from the backlight light source when the display of the entire area
of the upper side display surface 11a is set in the on state, and
does not cause the light emission from the backlight light source
when the display of the entire area of the upper side display
surface 11a is set in the off state. Similarly, the lower side
display part 12 comprises the liquid crystal display panel and the
backlight light source. Therefore, the display control part 130
causes the light emission from the backlight light source when the
display of the entire area of the lower side display surface 12a is
set in the on state, and does not cause the light emission from the
backlight light source when the display of the entire area of the
lower side display surface 12a is set in the off state. Note that
when the upper side display part 11 and the lower side display part
12 have the self-luminous display panel, electric power supplied to
this panel is stopped, and the display of the entire area of the
upper side display surface 11a and the lower side display surface
12a is set in the off state.
[0075] Further, the display control part 130 displays characters,
etc., in a proper direction in accordance with the attitude of the
mobile phone 100, on the upper side display surface 11a and the
lower side display surface 12a, by changing the direction of the
characters, etc, displayed on the upper side display surface 11a
and the lower side display surface 12a based on a detection result
of the attitude detection part 32.
[0076] The operation content specifying part 131 specifies a
content of the operation detected by the upper side display part 11
and the lower side display part 12. For example, the operation
performed to the upper side display surface 11a is specified to be
the operation of inputting a specified character, or to be the
operation of performing a specified setting. In addition, the
operation content specifying part 131 specifies the content of the
operation performed to a plurality of hard keys 23a, detected by
the operation part 23. Further, the operation content specifying
part 131 can ignore the operation detected by the upper side
display part 11 and the lower side display part 12. Thus, the
operation of the user performed to the upper side display surface
11a and the lower side display surface 12a is deemed ineffective,
and an original behavior of the mobile phone 100 is not performed
corresponding to the operation of the user.
[0077] The communication control part 132 performs various
communications with a communication partner by controlling the
radio communication part 31. For example, the communication control
part 132 performs voice communication or electronic mail
communication, with another mobile phone. Further, the
communication control part 132 performs data communication with a
Web server. When the voice communication is performed, the
communication control part 132 generates a transmitted signal
comprising voice data inputted from the voice input part 21, and
transmits this transmitted signal to other mobile phone via the
radio communication part 31. Further, the communication control
part 132 acquires the voice data from a signal received by the
radio communication part 31, and outputs this voice data to the
voice output part 20.
[0078] The positional relation specifying part 133 specifies the
positional relation between the upper side casing 1 and the lower
side casing 2. Specifically, the positional relation specifying
part 133 specifies in which of the first to third positional
relations, the upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 are
positioned. Thus, the positional relation specifying part 133
specifies which of the close state, the full open state, and the
partially open state, the mobile phone 100 is established.
[0079] Next, an operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the close
state, the full open state, and the partially open state, will be
described.
[0080] <Close State>
[0081] The operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the close
state shown in FIG. 2 comprises an active mode and a sleep mode.
The active mode and the sleep mode of the mobile phone 100 in the
close state are called "CL-active mode" and "CL-sleep mode"
respectively. In the CL-active mode, the display of the upper side
display surface 11a is set in the on state, and the display of the
lower side display surface 12a is set in the off state. Further, in
the CL-active mode, the operation performed to the upper side
display surface 11a is effective, and the operation performed to
the lower side display surface 12a is ineffective.
[0082] Thus, in the CL-active mode, the display of the upper side
display surface 11a is set in the on state, and the operation
performed to the upper side display surface 11a is effective.
Therefore, the user can utilize the upper side display part 11 out
of the upper side display part 11 and the lower side display part
12, to perform communication such as making a call and/or sending
an electronic mail and activate various kinds of settings of the
mobile phone 100.
[0083] In the CL-sleep mode, displays of both the upper side
display surface 11a and the lower side display surface 12a are set
in the off states, and operations performed to the upper side
display surface 11a and the lower side display surface 12a are
ineffective.
[0084] In the close state, the lower side display surface 12a is
not visible. Therefore, actually, the operation is not performed to
the lower side display surface 12a. However, ineffective operation
performed to the lower side display surface 12a means that even if
the operation is performed to the lower side display surface 12a,
the operation content specifying part 131 ignores this
operation.
[0085] In the close state, the operation mode is shifted to a
CL-sleep mode when there are no operations performed to the upper
side display surface 11a and the operation part 23 for a given
period of time in the CL-active mode. Then, when the operation to
the operation part 23 is performed in the CL-sleep mode, the
operation mode is shifted to the CL-active mode.
[0086] <Full Open State>
[0087] The operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the full open
state shown in FIG. 3 comprises the active mode and does not
comprise the sleep mode. The active mode of the mobile phone in the
full open state is called "FO-active mode". In the FO-active mode,
the displays of both the upper side display surface 11a and the
lower side display surface 12a are set in the on states, and the
operations performed to both the upper side display surface 11a and
the lower side display surface 12a are effective.
[0088] Thus, in the FO-active mode, since the displays of both the
upper side display surface 11a and the lower side display surface
12a are set in the on states and the operations performed to both
the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side display
surface 12a are effective, the user can perform various
communications such as making a call and/or sending an electronic
mail and activate various kind of setting of the mobile phone 100,
by utilizing both the upper side display part 11 and the lower side
display part 12.
[0089] <Partially Open State>
[0090] The operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the partially
open state shown in FIG. 4 comprises a first, a second and a third
active mode. The first, the second, and the third modes of the
mobile phone 100 in the partially open state are called "PO-first
active mode", "PO-second active mode", and "PO-third active mode"
respectively.
[0091] In the PO-first active mode, the display of the upper side
display surface 11a is set in the off state, and the display of the
lower side display surface 12a is set in the on state. Also, in the
PO-first active mode, the operation performed to the upper side
display surface 11a is effective, and the operation performed to
the lower side display surface 12a is ineffective.
[0092] Setting for the upper side display surface 11a and the lower
side display surface 12a in the mobile phone 100 in the PO-second
active mode, is the same as the setting in the aforementioned
CL-active mode. Also, the setting for the upper side display
surface 11a and the lower side display surface 12a in the mobile
phone 100 in the PO-third active mode is the same as the setting in
the aforementioned FO-active mode.
[0093] The setting for the upper side display surface 11a and the
lower side display surface 12a in the mobile phone 100 in each
operation mode as described above is shown in FIG. 7.
[0094] The CL-sleep mode, the operation to the upper side display
surface 11a may be set effective. In this case, when the operation
to the operation part 23 is performed in the CL-sleep mode, the
operation mode is shifted to the CL-active mode, and also when the
operation to the upper side display surface 11a is performed, the
operation mode is shifted to the CL-active mode.
[0095] Further, in the partially open state, a part excluding an
exposed part 12aa of the lower side display surface 12a is not
visible. Therefore, the display of this part is not necessarily set
in the on state. Accordingly, when the display in the exposed part
12aa can be set in the on state on the lower side display surface
12a, by providing a plurality of backlight light sources for the
lower side display part 12, the display of the exposed part 12aa
may be set in the on state in the PO-first active mode. Namely,
regarding the exposed part 12aa on the lower side display surface
12a, information that is visible from outside may be displayed, and
regarding the other part, information that is visible from outside
may not be displayed.
[0096] Next, when the positional relation between the upper side
casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 is changed, namely, when a
sliding state of the upper side casing 1 is changed, explanation
will be given for a case that how the operation mode of the mobile
phone 100 is changed. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state shift of the
operation mode of the mobile phone 100.
[0097] <Close State to Full Open State>
[0098] In the full open state, only the FO-active mode exists as
the operation mode of the mobile phone 100. Accordingly, when the
mobile phone 100 is changed from the close state to the full open
state, the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 is set in the
FO-active mode, even in a case that the operation mode of the
mobile phone 100 is set in either case of the CL-active mode and
the CL-sleep mode.
[0099] <Close State to Partially Open State>
[0100] When the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the close
state is set in the CL-active mode, and the mobile phone 100 is
changed to the partially open state, the operation mode of the
mobile phone 100 is set in the PO-second active mode. Namely, in
this case, the setting for the upper side display surface 11a and
the lower side display surface 12a in the mobile phone 100 is not
changed, and only the sliding state of the upper side casing 1 is
changed. Therefore, the operation inside of the mobile phone 100 is
not changed.
[0101] When the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the close
state is set in the CL-sleep mode, and the mobile phone 100 is
changed to the partially open state, the operation mode of the
mobile phone 100 is set in the PO-first active mode. As a result,
the display of the upper side display surface 11a is remained to be
set in the off state and is not changed, and the display of the
entire area of the lower side display surface 12a is changed from
off to on, thus making it possible to display the information in
the exposed part 12aa of the lower side display surface 12a.
Further, the operation to the upper side display surface 11a is
changed from ineffective operation to effective operation. Note
that the information displayed on the exposed part 12aa is
described in detail below.
[0102] <Full Open State to Close State>
[0103] When the mobile phone 100 is changed from the full open
state to the close state, the operation mode is changed from the
FO-active mode to the CL-active mode.
[0104] <Full Open State to Partially Close State>
[0105] When the mobile phone 100 is changed from the full open
state to the partially close state, the operation mode is changed
from the FO-active mode to the PO-third active mode. Namely, in
this case, the setting for the upper side display surface 11a and
the lower side display surface 12a in the mobile phone 100 is not
changed, and only the sliding state of the upper side casing 1 is
changed. Therefore, the operation inside of the mobile phone 100 is
not changed.
[0106] <Partially Open State to Close State>
[0107] When the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the
partially open state is set in the PO-first active mode and this
mobile phone 100 is changed to the close state, the operation mode
of this mobile phone 100 is changed to the CL-active mode or the
CL-sleep mode.
[0108] As described above, when the operation mode of the mobile
phone 100 is set in the PO-first active mode, the information is
displayed on the exposed part 12aa of the lower side display
surface 12a. Although details are described below, in the mobile
phone 100, a received call history of a speech (called "received
call history" hereafter) and a reception history of the electronic
mail (simply called "received mail history" hereafter) can be
displayed on the exposed part 12aa. In the PO-first active mode,
the received call history or the received mail history displayed on
the exposed part 12aa is selected, and when the mobile phone 100 is
changed to the close state in this state, the operation mode of the
mobile phone 100 is changed to the CL-active mode.
[0109] In the PO-first active mode, when the mobile phone 100 is
changed to the close state wherein the received call history or the
received mail history displayed on the exposed part 12aa is not
selected, the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 is changed to
the CL-sleep mode.
[0110] When the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the
partially open state is set in the PO-second active mode and this
mobile phone 100 is changed to the close state, the operation mode
of this mobile phone 100 is set in the CL-active mode. Namely, in
this case, the setting for the upper side display surface 11a and
the setting for the lower side display surface 12a in the mobile
phone 100 are not changed, and only the sliding state of the upper
side casing 1 is changed. Therefore, the operation inside of the
mobile phone 100 is not changed.
[0111] When the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the
partially open state is set in the PO-third active mode and the
mobile phone 100 is changed to the close state, the operation mode
of the mobile phone 100 is changed to the CL-active mode.
[0112] <Partially Open State to Full Open State>
[0113] The operation mode of the mobile phone 100 in the full open
state is set in the FO-active mode. Accordingly, when the mobile
phone 100 is changed from the partially open state to the full open
state, the operation mode of the mobile phone 100 is set in the
FO-active mode, even in a case that the operation mode of the
mobile phone 100 is set in any one of the PO-first active mode,
PO-second active mode, and PO-third active mode.
[0114] The setting for the upper side display surface 11a and the
setting for the lower side display surface 12a in the mobile phone
100 in the PO-third active mode, are the same as the setting of the
mobile phone 100 in the FO-active mode. Accordingly, even if the
operation mode of the mobile phone 100 is changed from the PO-third
active mode to the FO-active mode, the setting for the upper side
display surface 11a and the setting for the lower side display
surface 12a in the mobile phone 100 are not changed. Namely, only
the sliding state of the upper side casing 1 is changed, and the
operation inside of the mobile phone 100 is not changed.
[0115] <Behavior of the Mobile Phone in the PO-First Active
Mode>
[0116] The behavior of the mobile phone 100 with operation mode set
in the PO-first active mode is described below. In the PO-first
active mode, the received call history and the received mail
history can be displayed on the exposed part 12aa of the lower side
display surface 12a. In the PO-first active mode, any one of the
displays of the display of the received call history, the display
of the received mail history, and displays of both the received
call history and the received mail history can be shown based on
user's setting. Further, in the PO-first active mode, the received
call history and the received mail history displayed on the exposed
part 12aa can be limited based on the user's setting. For example,
the received call history from a communication partner who belongs
to a certain specific group and registered in a later described
address book file can be displayed on the exposed part 12aa. The
user's setting regarding the display of the exposed part 12aa is
described in detail below.
[0117] The communication control part 132 detects incoming calls by
the radio communication part 31. Then, the communication control
part 132 generates and stores the received call history in the
storage part 30b based on the detected incoming calls. Several
dozen newest incoming calls are stored in the storage part 30b.
[0118] Further, the communication control part 132 generates the
received mail history based on the electronic mail received by the
radio communication part 31. Then, the communication control part
132 stores the generated received mail history in the storage part
30b. Several dozen newest mails are stored in the storage part
30b.
[0119] <Display of the Received Call History>
[0120] The behavior of the mobile phone 100 when the received call
history is displayed on the exposed part 12aa is explained as
follows. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state that the received call
history is displayed on the exposed part 12aa of the lower side
display surface 12a in the mobile phone 100. In FIG. 9 and in the
subsequent figures, the upper side display surface 11a is shown by
diagonal lines, to show the off state of the display in the entire
area of the upper side display surface 11a in the mobile phone 100
set in the PO-first active mode.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 9, for example, one received call history
200 is displayed on the exposed part 12aa. The received call
history 200 comprises serial number 200a given to a plurality of
received call histories 200, being display objects in the storage
part 30b in an order from a newest one, communication partner
information 200b for specifying a partner of an incoming call, time
of incoming call (including date) 200c, and status icon 200d for
showing whether the mobile phone 100 responds to the incoming call.
The status icon 200d shown in FIG. 9 shows that there is no
response to the incoming call, namely, the incoming call is a call
during absence.
[0122] Further when it is specified by the operation content
specifying part 131 that a prescribed operation is performed to the
upper side display surface 11a, the information displayed on the
exposed part 12aa is switched. According to an embodiment, when it
is specified by the operation content specifying part 131 that a
prescribed operation is performed to the upper side display surface
11a, the display of the exposed part 12aa of the lower side display
surface 12a is scrolled, and other one received call history 200 is
displayed on the exposed part 12aa. According to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 10, if the user applies her/his finger to the upper
side display surface 11a, and the finger is moved to the upper side
(-X direction), with the mobile phone 100 held in an attitude for
use (in a lateral attitude in the example of FIG. 10), the
operation content specifying part 131 specifies its operation
content and the display of the exposed part 12aa is scrolled to the
upper side. The display of the exposed part 12aa is scrolled to the
upper side in accordance with an amount of movement of the finger
of the user to the upper side. FIG. 11 shows a state that a first
next received call history 200 is displayed on the exposed part
12aa by scrolling the display of the exposed part 12aa to the upper
side. Further, FIG. 12 shows a state that a second received call
history 200 is displayed on the exposed part 12aa by further
scrolling the display of the exposed part 12aa to the upper side.
As shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the user can display on the exposed
part 12aa the received call history 200 which is older than the
received call history 200 displayed at present, by moving his/her
finger to the upper side, while touching on the upper side display
surface 11a by his/her finger, in an order from a newest time of
reception 200c.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 13, if the user moves his/her finger to the
lower side (+X direction) while touching on the upper side display
surface 11a by his/her finger, the operation content specifying
part 131 specifies the operation content and the display of the
exposed part 12aa of the lower side display surface 12a is scrolled
to the lower side. The display of the exposed part 12aa is scrolled
to the lower side based on the amount of movement of the finger of
the user to the lower side. Thus, the user can display in the
exposed part 12aa the received call history 200 newer than the
received call history 200 displayed at present, by moving his/her
finger to the lower side, while touching on the upper side display
surface 11a by his/her finger, in an order from an oldest time of
reception 200c.
[0124] <Display of the Received Mail History>
[0125] The behavior of the mobile phone 100 when the received mail
history is displayed on the exposed part 12aa is explained as
follows. FIG. 14 is a view showing a state that the received mail
history is displayed on the exposed part 12aa in the mobile phone
100. As shown in FIG. 14, for example one received mail history 300
is displayed on the exposed part 12aa. The received mail history
300 comprises serial number 300a given to a plurality of received
mail histories 300, being display objects, in the storage part 30b,
in an order from a newest one, communication partner information
300b for specifying a reception partner, time of reception
(including date) 300c, and status icon 300d showing whether the
electronic mail is opened. The status icon 300d shown in FIG. 14
shows that the electronic mail is not opened. The electronic mail
is opened means that a text of the electronic mail is displayed
even once in the mobile phone 100.
[0126] Further, even when the received mail history 300 is
displayed on the exposed part 12aa, if the user moves her/his
finger to the upper side while touching on the upper side display
surface 11a by her/his finger, with the mobile phone 100 held in
the attitude for use, the operation content specifying part 131
specifies the operation content and the display of the exposed part
12aa of the lower side display surface 12a is scrolled to the upper
side. Thus, the next received mail 300 is displayed on the exposed
part 12aa. The display of the exposed part 12aa is scrolled to the
upper side in accordance with the amount of movement of the finger
of the user.
[0127] FIG. 15 shows a state that a first received mail history 300
is displayed on the exposed part 12aa, by scrolling the display of
the exposed part 12aa to the upper side. Further, FIG. 16 shows a
state that a second received mail history 300 is displayed on the
exposed part 12aa, by scrolling the display of the exposed part
12aa to the further upper side. As shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, the
user can display the received mail history 300 which is older than
the received mail history 300 displayed at present in the exposed
part 12aa in an order from an earliest time of reception 300c, by
moving her/his finger to the upper side while touching on the upper
side display surface 11a by her/his finger.
[0128] Meanwhile, if the user moves her/his finger to the lower
side while touching on the upper side display surface 11a by
her/his finger, the operation content specifying part 131 specifies
the operation content, and the display of the exposed part 12aa of
the lower side display surface 12a is scrolled to the lower side.
The display of the exposed part 12aa is scrolled to the lower side
in accordance with the amount of movement of her/his finger of the
user to the lower side. Thus, the user can display on the exposed
part 12aa the received mail history 300 which is newer than the
received mail history 300 displayed at present, by moving her/his
finger to the lower side, while touching on the upper side display
surface 11a by her/his finger, in an order from the earliest time
of reception 300c.
[0129] Status icon 300d shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 shows that the
received mail is already opened.
[0130] <Display of Both the Received Call History and the
Received Mail History>
[0131] The operation of the mobile phone 100 when both the received
call history and the received mail history are displayed on the
exposed part 12aa is explained as follows. If the user moves
her/his finger to the upper side while touching on the upper side
display surface 11a by her/his finger, a history older than the
history displayed at present is displayed on the exposed part 12aa,
in an order from the newest one, out of a plurality of received
call histories 200 and a plurality of received mail histories 300,
being display objects in the storage part 30b. Further, if the user
moves her/his finger to the lower side while touching on the upper
side display surface 11a by her/his finger, a history which is
newer than the history displayed at present is displayed on the
exposed part 12aa in an order from the earliest one, out of a
plurality of received call histories 200 and a plurality of
received mail histories 300, being display objects in the storage
part 30b.
[0132] In FIG. 17, a newest history is displayed, and in FIG. 18, a
second newest history is displayed, and in FIG. 19, a third newest
history is displayed, out of the plurality of received call
histories 200 and the plurality of received mail histories 300,
being display objects in the storage part 30b. When both the
received call history 200 and the received mail history 300 are
displayed on the exposed part 12aa, the serial number 200a of the
received call histories 200 and the serial number 300a of the
received mail histories 300 are respectively serial numbers which
are given to the received call histories 200 and the received mail
histories 300, being display objects in the storage part 30b, in an
order from the newest one.
[0133] If the user moves her/his finger to the upper side while
touching on the upper side display surface 11a in the mobile phone
100 of FIG. 17, the mobile phone 100 is set in a state shown in
FIG. 18 and a state shown in FIG. 19 sequentially. Further, if the
user moves her/his finger to the lower side in the mobile phone 100
of FIG. 19 while touching on the upper side display surface 11a,
the mobile phone 100 is set in the state shown in FIG. 18 and the
state shown in FIG. 17 sequentially.
[0134] <Selection of the Information Displayed on the Exposed
Part>
[0135] In the PO-first active mode, when it is specified by the
operation content specifying part 131 that a prescribed operation
is performed to the upper side display surface 11a, the mobile
phone 100 is set in a state of selecting the information displayed
on the exposed part 12aa. According to the embodiment, shown in
FIG. 20, if the user moves his/her finger to the left side (-Y
direction) while touching on the upper side display surface 11a,
with the mobile phone 100 held in the attitude for use, the
operation content specifying part 131 specifies the operation
content. The mobile phone 100 is then set in a state of selecting
the information (received call history in an example of FIG. 20)
displayed on the exposed part 12aa. When the mobile phone 100 is
set in the state of selecting the information displayed on the
exposed part 12aa, as shown in FIG. 21, selection mark 400 showing
that the information is already selected, is displayed on the
exposed part 12aa, alongside the information.
[0136] Further, as shown in FIG. 22, in a state that the
information displayed on the exposed part 12aa is selected, if the
user moves his/her finger to the right side (+Y direction) while
touching on the upper side display surface 11a by his/her finger,
with the mobile phone 100 held in the attitude for use, the
operation content specifying part 131 specifies the operation
content and a selection of the information displayed on the exposed
part 12aa is canceled. Namely, the mobile phone 100 is set in a
state of not selecting the information. When the selection of the
information displayed on the exposed part 12aa is canceled, the
selection mark 400 is deleted from the exposed part 12aa, and the
display of the exposed part 12aa is returned to the state of FIG.
20. FIG. 23 shows a state that the received mail history 300
displayed on the exposed part 12aa is selected, and the selection
mark 400 is displayed on the exposed part 12aa.
[0137] <Operation of the Mobile Phone in a Case of Changing the
Operation Mode from PO-First Active Mode>
[0138] According to an embodiment, in the PO-first active mode, if
the user slides the upper side casing 1 of this mobile phone 100
while selecting the received call history 200 displayed on the
exposed part 12aa and the mobile phone 100 is changed to the close
state, the mobile phone 100 is set in the CL-active mode and call
is made to the communication partner in association with the
selected received call history 200. Specifically, in the PO-first
active mode, when it is specified by the positional relation
specifying part 133 that the positional relation between the upper
side casing 1 and the lower side casing 2 is changed from the third
positional relation to the first positional relation while
selecting the received call histories 200 displayed on the exposed
part 12aa, the communication control part 132 controls the radio
communication part 31, to make a call to the communication partner
in association with the selected received call history. Thus, the
user can make a call to the communication partner in association
with the selected received call history 200 only by sliding the
upper side casing 1.
[0139] FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of the information
displayed on the upper side display surface 11a at the time of
making a call by the communication control part 132. As shown in
FIG. 24, information 500a showing call origination, partner
information 500b for specifying the communication partner, and
telephone number 500c of the communication partner are displayed on
the upper side display surface 11a.
[0140] Further, in an embodiment, in the PO-first active mode, if
the user slides the upper side casing 1 of the mobile phone 100,
and the mobile phone 100 is changed to the close state while
selecting the received mail histories 300 displayed on the exposed
part 12aa, the mobile phone 100 is set in the CL-active mode, so as
to display a browsing screen of the electronic mail in association
with the received mail histories 300. Specifically, in the mobile
phone 100 set in the PO-first active mode, if it is specified by
the positional relation specifying part 133 that the positional
relation between the upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing
2 is changed from the third positional relation to the first
positional relation while selecting the received mail history 300
displayed on the exposed part 12aa, the browsing screen of the
electronic mail in association with the selected received mail
history 300 is displayed on the upper side display surface 11a
under control of the display control part 130. Thus, the user can
confirm the content of the electronic mail in association with the
selected received mail history 300, only by sliding the upper side
casing 1.
[0141] FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of a browsing screen
501 of the electronic mail displayed on the upper side display
surface 11a. As shown in FIG. 25, sender information 501a showing a
sender of the electronic mail, destination address information 501b
showing a destination address of this electronic mail, and title
501c of this electronic mail are shown in the browsing screen 501
of the electronic mail. Further, reception time (including date)
501b of the electronic mail, and text 501e of the electronic mail
are shown in the browsing screen 501 of the electronic mail.
Further, return button 501f for displaying an edit screen of a
return mail to the electronic mail, and a close button 501g for
ending the display of the browsing screen 501 are shown in the
browsing screen 501 of the electronic mail. If the user operates
the return button 501f, the edit screen of the return mail, as
described below, is displayed on the upper side display surface
11a.
[0142] In the mobile phone 100 set in the PO-first active mode, if
the user slides the upper side casing 1 of this mobile phone 100
while selecting the received mails 300 displayed on the exposed
part 12aa to change the mobile phone 100 to the full open state,
the mobile phone 100 is set in the FO-active mode so as to display
the edit screen of the return mail to the electronic mail in
association with the selected received mail history 300.
Specifically, in the PO-first active mode, if it is specified by
the positional relation specifying part 133 that the positional
relation between the upper side casing 1 and the lower side casing
2 is changed from the third positional relation to the second
positional relation while selecting the received mail histories 300
displayed on the exposed part 12aa, the edit screen of the return
mail to the electronic mail in association with the selected
received mail history 300 is displayed on the lower side display
surface 12a under control of the display control part 130. Further,
according to an embodiment, in the PO-first active mode, if it is
specified by the positional relation specifying part 133 that the
positional relation between the upper side casing 1 and the lower
side casing 2 is changed from the third positional relation to the
second positional relation while selecting the received mail
history 300 displayed on the exposed part 12aa, the edit screen 501
of the electronic mail in association with the selected received
mail history 300 is displayed on the upper side display surface 11a
under control of the display control part 130. Thus, the user can
edit the return mail to the electronic mail while confirming the
content of the electronic mail in association with the selected
received mail history 300, only by sliding the upper side casing
1.
[0143] FIG. 26 is a view showing an example of the browsing screen
501 of the electronic mail and the edit screen 502 of the return
mail displayed on the mobile phone 100. As shown in FIG. 26,
destination address 502a showing the destination address of the
return mail, and title 502b of the return mail are shown in the
edit screen 502 of the return mail displayed on the lower side
display surface 12a. Further, partial screen 502c for displaying
the text of the return mail is shown in the edit screen 502 of the
return mail. Further, send button 502b for sending a prepared
return mail, and cancel button 502e for ending the display of the
edit screen 502 are shown in the edit screen 502 of the return
mail.
[0144] In the edit screen 502 of the return mail, if the user
operates the partial screen 502c which functions also as an
operation button, a text preparation screen is displayed on the
lower side display surface 12a. The user can prepare the text of
the return mail by operating this text preparation screen. Then, if
the user operates the lower side display surface 12a for notifying
the mobile phone 100 of a completion of preparing the text of the
return mail, the edit screen 502 is displayed on the lower side
display surface 12a again. The prepared text is displayed on the
partial screen 502c of the edit screen 502. Thereafter, when the
user operates the send button 502d, the control part 30 sends the
prepared return mail by controlling the radio communication part
31.
[0145] In the aforementioned example, the browsing screen 501 of
the electronic mail is displayed on the upper side display surface
11a, and the edit screen 502 of the return mail is displayed on the
lower side display surface 12a. However, the browsing screen 501
may not be displayed. Further, the edit screen 502 of the return
mail may be displayed extending from the upper side display surface
11a to the lower side display surface 12a. Moreover, the edit
screen 502 of the return mail may be displayed on the upper side
display surface 11a. In this case, it is desirable to display the
browsing screen 501 of the electronic mail in the lower side
display surface 12a.
[0146] Further, according to an embodiment, in the mobile phone 100
set in the PO-first active mode, if the user slides the upper side
casing 1 of the mobile phone 100 to change the mobile phone 100 to
the full open state while not selecting the history such as the
received call history 200 displayed on the exposed part 12aa, the
mobile phone 100 is set in the FO-active mode so that the history
such as the received call history 200 is listed. Specifically, in
the mobile phone 100 set in the PO-first active mode, if it is
specified by the positional relation specifying part 133 that the
positional relation between the upper side casing 1 and the lower
side casing 2 is changed from the third positional relation to the
second positional relation while not selecting the received mail
history 300, etc., displayed on the exposed part 12aa, a plurality
of histories such as received mail histories 300 are simultaneously
displayed on the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side
display surface 12a, under control of the display control part 130.
Thus, the user can confirm the list of the histories such as
received mail histories 300, only by sliding the upper side casing
1.
[0147] FIG. 27 is a view showing an example of a state that the
list of the received call history 200 is displayed on the upper
side display surface 11a and the lower side display surface 12a, in
the mobile phone 100 at the time of displaying the received call
history 200 in the exposed part 12aa. In the example shown in FIG.
27, 10 received call histories 200 are displayed extending from the
upper side display surface 11a to the lower side display surface
12a.
[0148] FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a state that the
list of the received mail histories 300 on the upper side display
surface 11a and the lower side display surface 12a, in the mobile
phone 100 at the time of displaying the received mail history 300
in the exposed part 12aa. In the example shown in FIG. 28, 10
received mail histories 300 are displayed extending from the upper
side display surface 11a to the lower side display surface 12a.
[0149] FIG. 29 is a view showing an example of a state that the
list of the received call histories 200 and the received mail
histories 300 is displayed on the upper side display surface 11a
and the lower side display surface 12a, in the mobile phone 100 at
the time of displaying both the received call history 200 and the
received mail history 300 in the exposed part 12aa. In the example
shown in FIG. 29, 10 received call histories 200 and 10 received
mail histories 300 are displayed extending from the upper side
display surface 11a to the lower side display surface 12a in an
order from a newest one.
[0150] In the examples shown in FIG. 27 to FIG. 29, the call and
mail history is listed by using the upper side display surface 11a
and the lower side display surface 12a. However, the call and mail
history may be displayed on a list only in either one of the upper
side display surface 11a and the lower side display surface
12a.
[0151] <Setting for the Display in the PO-First Active
Mode>
[0152] According to an embodiment, various settings can be made for
the display of the exposed part 12aa in the mobile phone 100 set in
the PO-first active mode. For example, the user can set the
information regarding the display in the exposed part 12aa, namely,
can set whether the exposed part 12aa displays the received call
history or the received mail history, or both the received call
history and the received mail history. Further, the user can set a
luminance of the exposed part 12aa. In addition, the user can set
whether the information such as received call history, etc.,
displayed on the exposed part 12aa should be limited.
[0153] FIG. 30 is a planar view showing the mobile phone 100 in the
close state wherein a setting screen 503 for setting the display of
the exposed part 12aa is displayed. When a prescribed operation is
performed to the upper side display surface 11a of the mobile phone
100 in the close state, the setting screen 503 is displayed on the
upper side display surface 11a. A plurality of selection buttons
503a to 503m are shown in this setting screen 503, for selecting
each kind of behavior condition in the mobile phone 100 regarding
the display of the exposed part 12aa. Further, a setting button
503n for setting to the mobile phone 100 the behavior condition
selected by operating the selection buttons 503a to 503m, and a
cancel button 503o for ending the display of the setting screen 503
are shown in the setting screen 503.
[0154] The selection button 503a is an operation button for
selecting the behavior that a partial slide display is performed by
the mobile phone 100. In this document, the partial slide display
means that the information regarding the received call history,
etc., is displayed on the exposed part 12aa of the lower side
display surface 12a in the mobile phone 100 set in the PO-first
active mode. Accordingly, when the behavior condition such that the
partial slide display is performed in the mobile phone 100 by
operating the selection button 503a, is not set in the mobile phone
100, the information such as received call history is not displayed
on the exposed part 12aa, even although the display of the lower
side display surface 12a is set in the on state in the mobile phone
100 in the PO-first active mode.
[0155] The operation of the selection buttons 503b to 503d is
effective, when the selection button 503a is operated and the
partial slide display is selected to be performed by the mobile
phone 100. The selection button 503b is the operation button for
selecting the received call history to be displayed on the exposed
part 12aa. The selection button 503c is an operation button for
selecting the received mail history to be displayed on the exposed
part 12aa. The selection button 503d is an operation button for
selecting both the received call history and the received mail
history to be displayed on the exposed part 12aa.
[0156] Selection button 503e is an operation button for selecting
the luminance of the exposed part 12aa to be automatically set,
according to a quantity of light (brightness) of surroundings of
the mobile phone 100. Selection button 503f is an operation button
for selecting a value of the luminance of the exposed part 12aa to
be set to a prescribed high value. Selection button 503g is an
operation button for selecting the value of the luminance of the
exposed part 12aa to be set to a prescribed slightly high value.
Selection button 503h is an operation button for selecting the
value of the luminance of the exposed part 12aa to be set to a
prescribed slightly low value.
[0157] Selection button 503i is an operation button for selecting
the information displayed on the exposed part 12aa to be limited
(filtering). Operations of the selection buttons 503j to 503m are
effective, when the selection button 503i is operated to select a
state that the information displayed on the exposed part 12aa is
limited. The selection button 503j is an operation button for
selecting a state that the information such as received call
history displayed on the exposed part 12aa is limited to the
information regarding the communication partner who belongs to
group 1. Selection button 503k is an operation button for selecting
a state that the information displayed on the exposed part 12aa is
limited to the information regarding the \communication partner who
belongs to group 2. Selection button 503l is an operation button
for selecting a state that the information displayed on the exposed
part 12aa is limited to the information regarding the communication
partner who belongs to group 3. Selection button 503m is an
operation button for selecting a state that the information
displayed on the exposed part 12aa is limited to the information
regarding the communication partner who belongs to group 4.
[0158] In the mobile phone 100 according to this embodiment, an
address book file is stored in the storage part 30b. Personal
information regarding a plurality of persons is registered in the
address book file. Each personal information comprises, for
example, name, telephone number, electronic address, and group
number (any one of 1-4) to which a person having the personal
information belongs.
[0159] By operating each one of the selection buttons 503e to 503m
of the setting screen 503, the behavior condition corresponding
thereto is selected, and the display is changed. Then, by operating
the selection buttons 503a to 503m again, the selection of the
corresponding behavior condition is canceled, and the display is
turned back. In the example of FIG. 30, behavior conditions
corresponding to selection buttons 503a, 503d, 503e, 503i, and 503k
are selected. Then, by operating the setting button 503n, the
selected behavior condition is set in the mobile phone 100. Thus,
the mobile phone 100 is operated based on the behavior condition
selected by the selection buttons 503a to 503m.
[0160] When the behavior condition is set in the mobile phone 100
by operating the selection buttons 503a and 503b for displaying
only the received call history in the exposed part 12aa, displays
are made as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13 in a case that the mobile
phone 100 is set in the PO-first active mode. When the behavior
condition is set in the mobile phone 100 by operating the selection
buttons 503a and 503c for displaying the received mail history in
the exposed part 12aa, displays are made as shown in FIG. 14 to
FIG. 16 in a case that the mobile phone is set in the PO-first
active mode. When the behavior condition is set in the mobile phone
100 by operating the selection buttons 503a and 503d for displaying
both the received call history and the received mail history in the
exposed part 12aa, displays are made as shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 19
in a case that the mobile phone 100 is set in the PO-first active
mode.
[0161] Further, when the behavior condition is set in the mobile
phone 100 by operating the selection button 503e for automatically
setting the luminance of the exposed part 12aa according to the
quantity of light (brightness) of the surroundings of the mobile
phone 100, the lower side display part 12 sets the luminance of the
backlight light source according to the quantity of light of the
surroundings, in the mobile phone 100 set in the PO-first active
mode. The mobile phone 100 comprises a light quantity detection
part (not shown) for detecting the quantity of light of the
surroundings, and based on a detection result of this light
quantity detection part, the lower side display part 12 adjusts the
luminance of the backlight light source. Thus, the luminance of the
exposed part 12aa of the lower side display surface 12a becomes
automatically a proper value according to the quantity of light of
the surroundings.
[0162] Further, when the behavior condition is set in the mobile
phone 100 by operating the selection button 503f, for setting the
value of the luminance of the exposed part 12aa to be a prescribed
high value, the lower side display part 12 sets the value of the
luminance of the backlight light source to be the prescribed high
value, in the mobile phone 100 set in the PO-first active mode.
When the behavior condition is set in the mobile phone 100 by
operating the selection button 503g for setting the value of the
luminance of the exposed part 12aa to be a prescribed slightly high
value, or when the behavior condition is set in the mobile phone
100 by operating the selection button 503h for setting the value of
the luminance of the expose part 12aa to be the prescribed slightly
low value, the mobile phone 100 in the PO-first active mode sets
the luminance of the exposed part 12aa according to the set
behavior condition.
[0163] Further, when the behavior condition is set in the mobile
phone 100 by operating the selection buttons 503i and 503j for
limiting the information such as received call history displayed on
the exposed part 12aa to the information regarding the
communication partner who belongs to group 1, the history regarding
the communication partner who belongs to the group 1 is displayed
on the exposed part 12aa, in the mobile phone 100 set in the
PO-first active mode. Specifically, when the received call history
is displayed on the exposed part 12aa, the display control part 130
refers to the address book file in the storage part 30b, and
determines the received call history regarding a sender who belongs
to the group 1, out of several dozen received call histories stored
in the storage part 30b, to be displayed on the exposed part 12aa.
Further, when the received mail history is displayed on the exposed
part 12aa, the display control part 130 refers to the address book
file in the storage part 30b, and determines the received mail
history regarding a sender who belongs to the group 1, out of
several dozen received mail histories stored in the storage part
30b, to be displayed on the exposed part 12aa. Then, when both the
received call history and the received mail history are displayed
on the exposed part 12aa, the display control part 130 refers to
the address book file in the storage part 30b, and determines the
received call history regarding the sender who belongs to the group
1, and the received mail history regarding the sender who belongs
to the group 1, out of the received call histories and the received
mail histories stored in the storage part 30b, to be displayed on
the exposed part 12aa. When the behavior conditions corresponding
to the selection buttons 503k to 503m are set as well, the mobile
phone 100 similarly behaves.
[0164] The setting screen 503 may be displayed on the mobile phone
100 in the full open state. In this case, the setting screen 503
may be displayed extending from the upper side display surface 11a
to the lower side display surface 12a, or may be displayed on
either one of the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side
display surface 12a.
[0165] Further, the setting screen 503 may have a selection button
for selecting the received call history displayed on the exposed
part 12aa to be limited to the received call history regarding the
call during absence (received call history 200 as shown in FIG. 9),
and also may have a selection button for selecting the received
mail history displayed on the exposed part 12aa to be limited to
the received mail history regarding an electronic mail which is an
unopened received mail displayed on the exposed part 12aa (received
mail history 300 as shown in FIG. 14).
[0166] As described above, when the mobile phone 100 behaves in the
partially open state and in the PO-first active mode, the display
of the entire area of the upper side display surface 11a is set in
the off state, and also the information displayed on the exposed
part 12aa of the lower side display surface 12a can be switched.
Accordingly, light emitted from the display surface of the mobile
phone 100 can be suppressed, while displaying lots of information
by the mobile phone 100. Therefore, even when the received call
history is confirmed, which are displayed by the mobile phone 100
in a dark place such as a movie theater, it can be inhibited that
the light emitted from the mobile phone 100 is a hindrance to
surroundings. Further, even when the received call history
displayed on the mobile phone 100 is confirmed while sleeping, it
can be inhibited that the light emitted from a display surface of
the mobile phone is glaring. Further, power consumption of the
mobile phone 100 can be reduced.
[0167] Further, as described above, by scrolling the display of the
exposed part 12aa to switch the information displayed on the
exposed part 12aa, the user can switch the information while
confirming the information piece by piece
[0168] In addition, as described above, by setting the display in
the off state, which is the display of the part excluding the
exposed part 12aa on the lower side display surface 12a, the light
emitted from the display surface of the mobile phone 100 can be
further suppressed and also the power consumption of the mobile
phone 100 can be reduced.
[0169] In the aforementioned example, the information displayed on
the exposed part 12aa is switched by a user moving her/his
vertically while touching on the upper side display surface 11a
with the finger. However, the information displayed on the exposed
part 12aa may be switched by other operation performed to the upper
side display surface 11a. For example, next history may be
displayed on the exposed part 12aa, each time the user touches on
the upper side display surface 11a with the finger and immediately
letting it go.
[0170] Further, in the aforementioned example, one received call
history is displayed on the exposed part 12aa by one line. However,
a plurality of call histories may be displayed by a plurality of
lines.
[0171] Further, in the aforementioned example, the PO-first active
mode--the PO-third active mode are provided as the operation modes
of the mobile phone 100 in the partially open state. However, only
the PO-first active mode may be provided. In this case, when the
mobile phone 100 in the CL-active mode is set in the partially open
state, the operation mode is changed to the PO-first active mode,
and when the mobile phone 100 in the FO-active mode is set in the
partially open state, the mode is changed to the PO-first active
mode.
[0172] Furthermore, in the aforementioned example, the control part
30 comprises the storage part 30b. However, the storage part 30b
may exist separately from the control part 39.
First Modified Example
[0173] In the aforementioned example, the received call history and
the received mail history are displayed on the exposed part 12aa of
the lower side display surface 12a. However, other information may
be displayed. For example, delivered news from a Web server may be
displayed on the exposed part 12aa. Next, the behavior of the
mobile phone 100 when the delivered news from the Web server is
displayed on the exposed part 12aa is described.
[0174] The communication control part 132 acquires via the radio
communication part 31 the delivered news delivered regularly or
irregularly from the Web server and stores it in the storage part
30b, by using RSS reader, etc. Then, when the mobile phone 100 is
set in the PO-first active mode, newest delivered news in the
storage part 30b is displayed on the exposed part 12aa by the
display control part 130. FIG. 31 is a view showing an example of a
state that delivered news 600 from the Web server is displayed on
the exposed part 12aa. In the exposed part 12aa, the delivered news
600 is displayed so that characters flow from right to left.
[0175] Further, if the user moves her/her finger to the upper side
while touching on the upper side display surface 11a with her/his
finger, with the mobile phone 100 held in the attitude for use, the
operation content specifying part 131 specifies its operation
content, so that the display in the exposed part 12aa of the lower
side display surface 12a is scrolled to the upper side. Thus,
similarly to the case of displaying the received call history,
delivered news 600 older than the delivered news 600 displayed on
the exposed part 12aa at present is displayed on the exposed part
12aa. FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a state that the
delivered news 600 older than the delivered news 600 of FIG. 31 is
displayed on the exposed part 12aa.
[0176] If the user moves her/his finger to the lower side while
touching on the upper side display surface 11a with her/her finger
of the user, with the mobile phone 100 held in the attitude for
use, the operation content specifying part 131 specifies the
operation content, so that the display of the exposed part 12aa is
scrolled to the lower side. Thus, similarly to the case of
displaying the received call history, delivered news 600 newer than
the delivered news 600 displayed on the exposed part 12aa at
present is displayed on the exposed part 12aa.
[0177] Further, if the user moves her/his finger to the left side
while touching on the upper side display surface 11a with her/his
finger, while the mobile phone 100 held in the attitude for use,
the operation content specifying part 131 specifies the operation
content, so that the delivered news 600 displayed on the exposed
part 12aa is selected. When the delivered news 600 displayed on the
exposed part 12aa is selected, as shown in FIG. 33, selection mark
601 showing that the delivered news 600 is selected, is displayed
on the exposed part 12aa alongside this delivered news 600.
[0178] Further, if the user moves her/his finger to the right side
while touching on the upper side display surface 11a with her/his
finger, with the mobile phone 100 held in the attitude for use in a
state that the delivered news 600 is selected, the operation
content specifying part 131 specifies the operation content, and
the selection of the delivered news 600 displayed on the exposed
part 12aa is canceled. When the selection of the delivered news 600
is canceled, the selection mark 601 is deleted from the exposed
part 12aa.
[0179] In the PO-first active mode, if the user slides the upper
side casing 1 of the mobile phone 100 while selecting the delivered
news 600 displayed on the exposed part 12aa so that the mobile
phone 100 is set in the close state, as shown in FIG. 34, the
delivered news 600 is displayed on the entire body of the upper
side display surface 11a. Further, in the PO-first active mode, if
the user slides the upper side casing 1 of the mobile phone 100
while selecting the delivered news 600 displayed on the exposed
part 12aa so that the mobile phone 100 is set in the full open
state, the delivered news 600 is displayed extending from the upper
side display surface 11a to the lower side display surface 12a.
Note that in this case, the delivered news 600 may be displayed on
either one of the upper side display surface 11a and the lower side
display surface 12a.
[0180] Further, in the PO-first active mode, if the user slides the
upper side casing 1 to thereby change the mobile phone 100 to the
full open state while not selecting the delivered news 600
displayed on the exposed part 12aa, as shown in FIG. 35, the
delivered news 600 is listed using both the upper side display
surface 11a and the lower side display surface 12a.
[0181] Thus, if the delivered news is displayed on the expose part
12aa, a selection button can be provided to the setting screen 503
of FIG. 30 for selecting information (e.g., delivered news) to be
displayed on the exposed part 12aa. Whereby, the user can select
any one of the display of the received call history, display of the
received mail history, display of both the received call history
and received mail history, and the display of the delivered
news.
Second Modified Example
[0182] In the aforementioned example, the information set in the
setting screen 503 is displayed on the exposed part 12aa,
irrespective of the attitude of the mobile phone 100. However, the
kind of the information displayed on the exposed part 12aa may be
changed, according to the attitude of the mobile phone 100 detected
by the attitude detection part 32.
[0183] For example, as shown in FIG. 36, if the attitude detection
part 32 detects the attitude of the mobile phone 100 wherein the
voice output part 20 is positioned at the right side and the voice
input part 21 is positioned at the left side on the upper side
display surface 11a, the received call history 200 is displayed on
the exposed part 12aa.
[0184] Further, as shown in FIG. 37, if the attitude detection part
32 detects the attitude of the mobile phone 100 wherein the voice
output part 20 is positioned at the left side and the voice input
part 21 is positioned at the right side on the upper side display
surface 11a, the received mail history 300 is displayed on the
exposed part 12aa.
[0185] Then, as shown in FIG. 38, if the attitude detection part 32
detects the attitude of the mobile phone 100 wherein the voice
output part 20 is positioned at the upper side and the voice input
part 21 is positioned at the lower side on the upper side display
surface 11a, the delivered news 600 is displayed on the exposed
part 12aa.
[0186] Thus, the user can confirm various kinds of information by
changing the attitude of the mobile phone 100, and changing the
kind of information displayed on the exposed part 12aa, according
to the attitude of the mobile phone 100 detected by the attitude
detection part 32.
Third Modified Example
[0187] In a case of immediately after purchase of the mobile phone
100, or in a case that all received call histories and received
mail histories in the storage part 30b are deleted, information to
be displayed on the exposed part 12aa does not exist, even when the
mobile phone 100 is changed to the PO-first active mode. In this
case, a message showing no information to be displayed, may be
displayed on the exposed part 12aa. FIG. 39 is a view showing an
example of a state that the exposed part 12aa displays the message
showing no information to be displayed.
[0188] Further, if there is no information to be displayed on the
exposed part 12aa, as shown in FIG. 40, the present time (including
date) 702 may be displayed on the exposed part 12aa.
[0189] Further, if there is no information to be displayed on the
exposed part 12aa, as shown in FIG. 41, the display of the exposed
part 12aa may be set in the off state. Thus, the power consumption
can be further reduced. In this case, it is desirable to set the
entire area of the lower side display surface 12a in the off state,
from a viewpoint of reducing the power consumption. However, only
the exposed part 12aa may be set in the off state. A state of the
display set in the off state is shown by diagonal lines of FIG.
41.
Fourth Modified Example
[0190] If the communication control part 132 detects the incoming
call of a speech by the radio communication part 31 when the mobile
phone 100 is operated in the PO-first active mode, as shown in FIG.
42, the display control part 130 may display the incoming call in
the exposed part 12aa. At this time, the operation performed to the
upper side display surface 11a is deemed to be ineffective. In an
example of FIG. 42, information 800 showing a call being received,
partner information 801 for specifying a communication partner, and
telephone number 802 of the communication partner are displayed on
the exposed part 12aa.
[0191] Then, if the user slides the upper side casing 1 of the
mobile phone 100 during receiving call, so that the mobile phone
100 is changed from the partially open state to the close state,
the communication control part 132 responds to the call by
controlling the radio communication part 31. Thus, conversation
with the communication partner is started in the mobile phone 100.
Thus, the user can respond to the incoming call only by sliding the
upper side casing 1.
[0192] While at least one exemplary embodiment is presented in the
foregoing detailed description, the present disclosure is not
limited to the above-described embodiment or embodiments.
Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. In carrying
out the present disclosure, various modifications, combinations,
sub-combinations and alterations may occur in regard to the
elements of the above-described embodiment insofar as they are
within the technical scope of the present disclosure or the
equivalents thereof. The exemplary embodiment or exemplary
embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the scope,
applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way.
[0193] Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide
those skilled in the art with a template for implementing the
exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be
understood that various changes can be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the
disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal
equivalents thereof. Furthermore, although embodiments of the
present disclosure have been described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that changes and
modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such
changes and modifications are to be understood as being comprised
within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the
claims.
[0194] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
hereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing:
the term "including" should be read as mean "including, without
limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide
exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or
limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as "conventional,"
"traditional," "normal," "standard," "known" and terms of similar
meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a
given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but
instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional,
normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now
or at any time in the future.
[0195] Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction "and"
should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those
items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as
"and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of
items linked with the conjunction "or" should not be read as
requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should
also be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise.
Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the present
disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural
is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to
the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words
and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to"
or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean
that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where
such broadening phrases may be absent. The term "about" when
referring to a numerical value or range is intended to encompass
values resulting from experimental error that can occur when taking
measurements.
* * * * *