U.S. patent number RE47,224 [Application Number 14/687,794] was granted by the patent office on 2019-02-05 for electronic device, controlling method thereof, controlling program thereof, and recording medium.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FUJITSU CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED. The grantee listed for this patent is FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Yoko Fujii, Kenetsu Furuki, Yuko Nakajima, Makoto Sugimoto, Hironobu Taniguchi.
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United States Patent |
RE47,224 |
Taniguchi , et al. |
February 5, 2019 |
Electronic device, controlling method thereof, controlling program
thereof, and recording medium
Abstract
A plurality of screen aspects is acquired; each screen layout is
optimized; switching of the screen aspects is supported; and
visibility and functionality of the display screen are improved. An
electronic device (portable terminal apparatus) including a display
function in a rotatable and/or openable/closable case includes a
displaying unit that displays a vertically elongated vertical
screen or a horizontally elongated horizontal screen and a
controlling unit (CPU) that changes screen layouts correspondingly
to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen displayed on the
displaying unit. The change in the screen layout corresponding to
the vertical screen or the horizontal screen includes a change in
arrangement of icons.
Inventors: |
Taniguchi; Hironobu (Kawasaki,
JP), Furuki; Kenetsu (Kawasaki, JP), Fujii;
Yoko (Kawasaki, JP), Nakajima; Yuko (Kawasaki,
JP), Sugimoto; Makoto (Kawasaki, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJITSU LIMITED |
Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
FUJITSU CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES
LIMITED (Kawasaki, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
39224444 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/687,794 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
11699072 |
Jan 29, 2007 |
8421825 |
Apr 16, 2013 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 22, 2006 [JP] |
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2006-257322 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/0245 (20130101); G06F 1/1622 (20130101); G06F
1/1677 (20130101); H04M 1/0247 (20130101); G06F
1/1622 (20130101); H04M 1/0233 (20130101); G06F
1/1679 (20130101); H04M 1/0214 (20130101); H04M
1/0214 (20130101); G06F 1/1677 (20130101); H04M
1/0233 (20130101); G06F 1/1679 (20130101); G06F
2200/1637 (20130101); H04M 1/021 (20130101); H04M
1/0245 (20130101); G06F 2200/1614 (20130101); H04M
1/0247 (20130101); H04M 1/021 (20130101); G06F
2200/1637 (20130101); G06F 2200/1614 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09G
5/00 (20060101); G06F 1/16 (20060101); H04M
1/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;345/659,649,655,656 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1691528 |
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Nov 2005 |
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CN |
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1748216 |
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Mar 2006 |
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CN |
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2003-319043 |
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Nov 2003 |
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JP |
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2004-228767 |
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Aug 2004 |
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JP |
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2005-124004 |
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May 2005 |
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JP |
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2006-148224 |
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Jun 2006 |
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JP |
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2008-017373 |
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Jan 2008 |
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JP |
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2004-85745 |
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Oct 2004 |
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KR |
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2003-056787 |
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Jul 2003 |
|
WO |
|
2004/072867 |
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Aug 2004 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Japanese Office Action dated Mar. 27, 2012, issued in corresponding
Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-257322, with English
Translation. cited by applicant .
The Korean Office Action dated Dec. 17, 2007 issued in
corresponding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0011791, with
English Translation. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action dated Oct. 16, 2009, issued in corresponding
Chinese Patent Application No. 200710085820.5, with English
Translation. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hotaling; John M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Westerman, Hattori, Daniels &
Adrian, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic device including a display function in a rotatable
and/or openable/closable case, the device comprising: a
.[.displaying unit.]. .Iadd.display .Iaddend.that displays a
vertically elongated vertical screen or a horizontally elongated
horizontal screen; .[.and.]. a controlling unit .Iadd.that includes
a central processing unit and a memory unit and .Iaddend.that
changes screen layouts correspondingly to the vertical screen or
the horizontal screen displayed on the .[.displaying unit,.].
.Iadd.display; a movable arm that is supported by a fixed case in
an openable/closable manner; and a movable case that is rotatably
supported by the movable arm, wherein the display is disposed on
the movable case and is rotated or opened/closed, .Iaddend. wherein
.Iadd.one or both of the movable arm and the movable case include a
sensor that detects the rotation or opening/closing of the movable
case, the controlling unit displays a screen on an area of the
display that protrudes from the fixed case when the movable case is
in the closed state, .Iaddend. the controlling unit sets a first
vertical display field and a second vertical display field, on the
vertical screen, the first vertical display field displaying an
image with a launched function, the second vertical display field
displaying a mark, an icon, clock display or any combination
thereof, the second vertical display field being arranged on the
top of or on the bottom of the first vertical display field,
.[.and.]. the controlling unit sets a first horizontal display
field and a second horizontal display field, on the horizontal
screen, the first horizontal display field displaying, display
contents corresponding to display contents of the first vertical
display field, the second horizontal display field displaying
display contents corresponding to display contents of the second
vertical display field, the second horizontal display field being
arranged at the side of the first horizontal display field
horizontally.Iadd., and the controlling unit further sets a third
vertical display field on the vertical screen and sets a third
horizontal display field on the horizontal screen, the third
horizontal display field displaying display contents corresponding
to display contents of the third vertical display field, the second
horizontal display field and the third horizontal display field
being arranged one above the other.Iaddend..
2. The electronic device of claim 1, .[.further comprising:.].
.Iadd.wherein .Iaddend. .[.a sensor unit that detects the rotation
or the opening/closing of the displaying unit, wherein.]. the
controlling unit switches the .[.displaying unit.]. .Iadd.display
.Iaddend.to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen based on
the rotation information or the open/close information acquired
from the sensor .[.unit.]..
3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit
sets a reference position, and rotated positions or opened
positions at a predetermined angle or more to the right and/or left
for the .[.displaying unit.]. .Iadd.display.Iaddend., and wherein
the screen form of the .[.displaying unit.]. .Iadd.display
.Iaddend.is switched to the vertical screen or the horizontal
screen at the reference position and the rotated positions or the
opened positions.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the change in the
screen layout corresponding to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen includes a change in arrangement of icons.
5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit
launches the function assigned to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen correspondingly to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen on the .[.displaying unit.].
.Iadd.display.Iaddend..
.[.6. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a
movable arm that is supported by a fixed case in an
openable/closable manner; and a movable case that is rotatably
supported by the movable arm, wherein the displaying unit is
disposed on the movable case and is rotated or
opened/closed..].
.[.7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein one or both of the
movable arm and the movable case include a sensor unit that detects
the rotation or opening/closing of the movable case..].
8. A controlling method of an electronic device including a display
function in a rotatable and/or openable/closable case, the method
comprising: .Iadd.detecting, by a sensor, a rotation or an
opening/closing of a movable case that is rotatably supported by a
movable arm that is supported by a fixed case in an
opening/closable manner; .Iaddend. displaying, on a .[.displaying
unit.]. .Iadd.display disposed on the movable case.Iaddend., a
vertically elongated vertical screen or a horizontally elongated
horizontal screen; .[.and.]. changing, by a controlling unit,
screen layouts correspondingly to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen.[.,.]..Iadd.; and displaying a screen on an area
of the display that protrudes from the fixed case when the movable
case is in the closed state, .Iaddend. wherein said changing the
screen layouts includes setting a first vertical display field and
a second vertical display field, on the vertical screen, the first
vertical display field displaying an image with a launched
function, the second vertical display field displaying a mark, an
icon, clock display or any combination thereof, the second vertical
display field being arranged on the top of or on the bottom of the
first vertical display field, or setting a first horizontal display
field and a second horizontal display field, on the horizontal
screen, the first horizontal display field displaying display
contents corresponding to display contents of the first vertical
display field, the second horizontal display field displaying
display contents corresponding to display contents of the second
vertical display field, the second horizontal display field being
arranged at the side of the first horizontal display field
horizontally.Iadd., and wherein said changing the screen layouts
further includes setting a third vertical display field on the
vertical screen, or setting a third horizontal display field on the
horizontal screen, the third horizontal display field displaying
display contents corresponding to display contents of the third
vertical display field, the second horizontal display field and the
third horizontal display field being arranged one above the
other.Iaddend..
9. The controlling method of an electronic device of claim 8,
.[.comprising:.]. .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend. .[.detecting, by a sensor
unit, the rotation or the opening/closing, wherein.]. switching to
the vertical screen or the horizontal screen is performed by the
controlling unit based on the rotation information or the
open/close information acquired from the sensor .[.unit.]..
10. The controlling method of an electronic device of claim 8,
comprising: setting, by the controlling unit, a reference position,
and rotated positions or opened positions at a predetermined angle
or more to the right and/or left for the .[.displaying unit.].
.Iadd.display .Iaddend.and switching a screen form of the
.[.displaying unit.]. .Iadd.display .Iaddend.to the vertical screen
or the horizontal screen at the reference position and the rotated
positions or the opened positions.
11. The controlling method of an electronic device of claim 8,
wherein the change in the screen layout corresponding to the
vertical screen or the horizontal screen includes a change in
arrangement of icons.
12. The controlling method of an electronic device of claim 8,
comprising: launching, by the controlling unit, the function
assigned to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen
correspondingly to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen on
the .[.displaying unit.]. .Iadd.display.Iaddend..
13. A .Iadd.non-transitory .Iaddend.recording medium storing a
computer-readable control program of an electronic device including
a display function in a rotatable and/or openable/closable case,
the program being executed by a computer, the program comprising:
.Iadd.detecting a rotation or an opening/closing of a movable case
that is rotatably supported by a movable arm that is supported by a
fixed case in an openable/closable manner; .Iaddend. displaying a
vertically elongated vertical screen or a horizontally elongated
horizontal screen; .[.and.]. changing screen layouts
correspondingly to the vertical screen or the horizontal
screen.[.,.]..Iadd.; and displaying a screen on an area that
protrudes from the fixed case when the movable case is in the
closed state; .Iaddend. wherein said changing the screen layouts
includes setting a first vertical display field and a second
vertical display field, on the vertical screen, the first vertical
display field displaying an image with a launched function, the
second vertical display field displaying a mark, an icon, clock
display or any combination thereof, the second vertical display
field being arranged on the top of or on the bottom of the first
vertical display field, or setting a first horizontal display field
and a second horizontal display field, on the horizontal screen,
the first horizontal display field displaying display contents
corresponding to display contents of the first vertical display
field, the second horizontal display field displaying display
contents corresponding to display contents of the second vertical
display field, the second horizontal display field being arranged
at the side of the first horizontal display field
horizontally.Iadd., and wherein said changing the screen layouts
further includes setting a third vertical display field on the
vertical screen, or setting a third horizontal display field on the
horizontal screen, the third horizontal display field displaying
display contents corresponding to display contents of the third
vertical display field, the second horizontal display field and the
third horizontal display field being arranged one above the
other.Iaddend..
14. The recording medium storing a computer-readable control
program of an electronic device of claim 13, .[.the program further
comprising:.]. .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend. .[.detecting the rotation or
the opening/closing, wherein.]. switching to the vertical screen or
the horizontal screen is performed based on the rotation
information or the open/close information.
15. The recording medium storing a computer-readable control
program of an electronic device of claim 13, the program further
comprising: setting a reference position, and rotated positions or
opened positions at a predetermined angle or more to the right
and/or left and switching to the vertical screen or the horizontal
screen at the reference position and the rotated positions or the
opened positions.
16. The recording medium storing a computer-readable control
program of an electronic device of claim 13, wherein the change in
the screen layout corresponding to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen includes a change in arrangement of icons.
17. The recording medium storing a computer-readable control
program of an electronic device of claim 13, the program further
comprising: launching the function assigned to the vertical screen
or the horizontal screen correspondingly to the vertical screen or
the horizontal screen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority
from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-257322, filed
on Sep. 22, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electronic device
such as a portable terminal apparatus including a display function
in a rotatable and/or openable/closable case, and more
particularly, to an electronic device that changes a display style
such as a screen layout in response to rotation of a displaying
unit, a controlling method thereof, a controlling program thereof,
and a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In some conventionally known portable terminal apparatuses, cases
of the portable apparatuses include folding and rotating functions,
and a displaying unit and an input operation unit are included in
different cases. In such a portable terminal apparatus disclosed in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228767,
a first case including a displaying unit is rotatable relative to a
second case overlapping the first case in a closed state; if the
first case is rotated clockwise relative to the second case, a
first screen is displayed on the displaying unit; and if the first
case is rotated counterclockwise relative to the second case, a
second screen is displayed on the displaying unit (abstract, FIG.
7, etc.).
By the way, although two screen displays, i.e., vertical and
horizontal screens can be achieved when the displaying unit is
configured to be rotated to switch the normal vertical screen to
the horizontal screen, since visibility is deteriorated if the
vertical screen display is displayed on the horizontal, the
visibility of the display contents is improved by rotating the
display contents such as characters by 90 degrees. However, when
the vertically elongated vertical screen display is normally used,
if the vertical screen display is deployed on the horizontal
screen, the display contents are vertically compressed,
horizontally expanded, or generate a useless space, resulting in an
inconvenient screen display, and benefits of the horizontal screen
cannot be utilized. If the horizontally elongated horizontal screen
display is normally used and is deployed on the vertical screen,
the vertical screen is horizontally compressed, vertically
expanded, or generates a useless space, which is inconvenient.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228767
does not disclose or indicate such needs and problems and does not
disclose or indicate a configuration for solving the needs and
problems, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to acquire a plurality of
screen aspects and optimize each screen layout.
It is another object of the present invention to support switching
of the screen aspects and improve visibility and functionality of
the display screen.
To achieve the objects, the present invention relates to an
electronic device such as a portable terminal apparatus including a
display function in a rotatable and/or openable/closable case, and
the displaying unit is, for example, disposed on a movable case and
rotatable, includes a certain reference position as well as
rightward and/or leftward rotated positions from the reference
position, and can display different screen aspects such as a
vertical screen or horizontal screen. By changing a screen layout
depending on the screen aspect displayed on the displaying unit,
the screen layout can be optimized and visibility and functionality
of the displaying unit can be improved. If a different function is
assigned to a screen aspect such as a vertical or horizontal
screen, the different functions can be launched in response to the
screen switching and a different function can be acquired for each
screen, etc., resulting in improvements in functionality.
Therefore, the objects are achieved.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to a first aspect
of the present invention there is provided an electronic device
including a display function in a rotatable and/or
openable/closable case, the device comprising a displaying unit
that displays a vertically elongated vertical screen or a
horizontally elongated horizontal screen; and a controlling unit
that changes screen layouts correspondingly to the vertical screen
or the horizontal screen displayed on, the displaying unit.
Preferably, the electronic device comprises a sensor unit that
detects the rotation or the opening/closing of the displaying unit,
wherein the controlling unit switches the displaying unit to the
vertical screen or the horizontal screen based on the rotation
information or the open/close information acquired from the sensor
unit. Preferably, the controlling unit sets a reference position
and rotated positions or opened positions at a predetermined angle
or more to the right and/or left for the displaying unit, and the
screen form of the displaying unit is switched to the vertical
screen or the horizontal screen at the reference position and the
rotated positions or the opened positions. Preferably, the change
in the screen layout corresponding to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen includes a change in arrangement of icons.
Preferably, the controlling unit launches a function assigned to
the vertical screen or the horizontal screen correspondingly to the
vertical screen or the horizontal screen on the displaying unit.
Preferably, the electronic device comprises a movable arm that is
supported by a fixed case in an openable/closable manner; and a
movable case that is rotatably supported by the movable arm,
wherein the displaying unit is disposed on the movable case and is
rotated or opened/closed. Preferably, One or both of the movable
arm and the movable case include a sensor unit that detects the
rotation or opening/closing of the movable case.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to a second aspect
of the present invention there is provided a controlling method of
an electronic device including a display function in a rotatable
and/or openable/closable case, the method comprising the steps of
displaying a vertically elongated vertical screen or a horizontally
elongated horizontal screen; and changing screen layouts
correspondingly to the vertical screen or the horizontal
screen.
Preferably, the controlling method of an electronic device
comprises the step of detecting the rotation or the
opening/closing, wherein switching to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen is performed based on the rotation information or
the open/close information. Preferably, the controlling method of
an electronic device comprises the step of setting a reference
position, and rotated positions or opened positions at a
predetermined angle or more to the right and/or left and switching
to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen at the reference
position and the rotated positions or the opened positions.
Preferably, in the controlling method of an electronic device, the
change in the screen layout corresponding to the vertical screen or
the horizontal screen includes a change in arrangement of icons.
Preferably, the controlling method of an electronic device
comprises the step of launching a function assigned to the vertical
screen or the horizontal screen correspondingly to the vertical
screen or the horizontal screen.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to a third aspect
of the present invention there is provided a control program of an
electronic device including a display function in a rotatable
and/or openable/closable case, the program being executed by a
computer, the program comprising the steps of displaying a
vertically elongated vertical screen or a horizontally elongated
horizontal screen; and changing screen layouts correspondingly to
the vertical screen or the horizontal screen.
Preferably, the control program of an electronic device comprises
the steps of detecting the rotation or the opening/closing, wherein
switching to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen is
performed based on the rotation information or the open/close
information. Preferably, the control program of an electronic
device comprises the step of setting a reference position, and
rotated positions or opened positions at a predetermined angle or
more to the right and/or left and switching to the vertical screen
or the horizontal screen at the reference position and the rotated
positions or the opened positions. Preferably, in the control
program of an electronic device, the change in the screen layout
corresponding to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen
includes a change in arrangement of icons. Preferably, the control
program of an electronic device comprises the step of launching a
function assigned to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen
correspondingly to the vertical screen or the horizontal
screen.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to a fourth aspect
of the present invention there is provided a recording medium
storing a computer-readable control program of an electronic device
including a display function in a rotatable and/or
openable/closable case, the program being executed by a computer,
the program comprising the steps of displaying a vertically
elongated vertical screen or a horizontally elongated horizontal
screen; and changing screen layouts correspondingly to the vertical
screen or the horizontal screen.
Preferably, the program comprises the step of detecting the
rotation or the opening/closing, wherein switching to the vertical
screen or the horizontal screen is performed based on the rotation
information or the open/close information. Preferably, the program
comprises the step of setting a reference position, and rotated
positions or opened positions at a predetermined angle or more to
the right and/or left and switching to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen at the reference position and the rotated
positions or the opened positions. Preferably, in the recording
medium storing a computer-readable control program of an electronic
device, the change in the screen layout corresponding to the
vertical screen or the horizontal screen includes a change in
arrangement of icons. Preferably, The program comprises the step of
launching a function assigned to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen correspondingly to the vertical screen or the
horizontal screen.
The features and advantages of the present invention are listed as
follows.
(1) When the screen aspect is changed from the vertical screen to
the horizontal screen, from the horizontal screen to the vertical
screen, etc., the layout is changed for each screen and the screen
configuration can be optimized to improve visibility and usability
of the screen display.
(2) By differentiating the function that can be used in the
vertical screen and the function that can be used in the horizontal
screen in response to the screen switching between the vertical
screen and the horizontal screen, functionality can be improved and
specialties such as differences in visibility of the screens can be
utilized.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings
and each embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable terminal apparatus
according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a closed state of the portable terminal
apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a front view of an opened state of the portable terminal
apparatus;
FIG. 4 depicts right rotation (left rotation) of a movable case of
the portable terminal apparatus in the opened state;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a controlling method of the
portable terminal apparatus;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the portable terminal
apparatus;
FIG. 7 depicts a position of a rotation lock mechanism of the
portable terminal apparatus;
FIG. 8 depicts a top side of a movable rear-case;
FIG. 9 depicts a rear side of a movable arm;
FIG. 10 depicts a stopper mechanism and a center stop position;
FIG. 11 depicts a stopper operation;
FIG. 12 depicts a stopper operation;
FIG. 13 depicts a circuit configuration example of the portable
terminal apparatus;
FIGS. 14A and 14B depict a vertical screen display;
FIGS. 15A and 15B depict a horizontal screen display;
FIGS. 16A and 16B depict a horizontal screen display;
FIGS. 17A and 17B depict a change in a screen layout;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example of a control program of the
portable terminal apparatus;
FIGS. 19A and 19B depict another horizontal screen display;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a controlling method of a portable
terminal apparatus according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 21 depicts operation of a portable terminal apparatus
according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 22 depicts a right sub-screen display example;
FIG. 23 depicts a left sub-screen display example;
FIG. 24 depicts a horizontal main screen display example;
FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a controlling method of the portable
terminal apparatus;
FIG. 26 is a state transition diagram of display screen mode
transition;
FIG. 27 is a flowchart of operation procedures of the portable
terminal apparatus;
FIG. 28 depicts an example of a sub-vertical screen display of a
portable terminal apparatus according to a fourth embodiment;
FIG. 29 depicts an example of a horizontal screen display of the
portable terminal apparatus;
FIG. 30 depicts a PC (vertical screen display) according to another
embodiment; and
FIG. 31 depicts the PC (horizontal screen display) according to
another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
portable terminal apparatus; FIG. 2 is a side view of a closed
state of the portable terminal apparatus; FIG. 3 is a front view of
an opened state of the portable terminal apparatus; and FIG. 4
depicts right rotation (left rotation) of a movable case of the
portable terminal apparatus in the opened state.
This portable terminal apparatus 2 is an example of a rotatable
and/or openable/closable electronic device that includes a
plurality of movable units such as an opening/closing unit and
rotating units, and includes a fixed case 4 that is an
operation-side case and a movable case 6 that is a display-side
case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A movable arm 8 is attached to the
fixed case 4 with a hinge 10 that is an opening/closing unit; a
rotation module 12 is attached to the movable arm 8 and acts as a
rotation supporting unit; and the movable case 6 is fixed to the
rotation module 12. In this case, the movable case 6 can be opened
and closed by the rotation around the hinge 10, and the movable
case 6 can be rotated by a predetermined angle to the right or left
from the center position (reference position of rotation) by the
rotation around the rotation module 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, a rotation center Oa of the movable case 6 is
established in the vicinity of the hinge 10 and a peripheral edge
14 is formed as a half-circle edge on the movable case 6. The fixed
case 4 is disposed with an input operation unit 16 including a
plurality of keys such as symbol keys and cursor keys, and the
movable case 6 is disposed with a displaying unit 18 that is a
displaying unit including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) device,
etc. The displaying unit 18 is a rectangular shape that has
vertical and horizontal sides with different lengths, and displays
a vertically elongated vertical screen or horizontally elongated
horizontal screen depending on a rotation angle .theta. (between 0
to 90 degrees to the right or left) of the movable case 6.
Since the portable terminal apparatus 2 includes the hinge 10, the
movable case 6 can be opened and closed along with the movable arm
8. That is, the movable case 6 can be closed along with the movable
arm 8 as shown in FIG. 1 or can be maintained in an opened state as
shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the movable case 6 can be
rotated by the rotation module 12 by a predetermined angle, for
example, 90 degrees, around the rotation center Oa to the right (an
arrow A) or left (an arrow B) to form an L-shape with the fixed
case 4. In the opened state shown in FIG. 4, a is a center position
(right/left rotation start point) conforming to the center line of
the movable case 6; b is aright rotated position (right rotation
end point) of the movable case 6; and c is a left rotated position
(left rotation end point) of the movable case 6.
In the opened state of the movable case 6, if the movable case 6 is
located at the center position a, the displaying unit 18 can
display a vertical screen as shown in FIG. 3; if the movable case 6
is located at the right rotated position b, the displaying unit 18
can display a horizontal screen as shown by solid lines of FIG. 4;
and if the movable case 6 is located at the left rotated position
c, the displaying unit 18 can display a horizontal screen as shown
by dotted lines of FIG. 4.
A controlling method of the portable terminal apparatus will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a
flowchart of process procedures that are an example of a
controlling method of the portable terminal apparatus.
In this controlling method, it is detected whether the movable case
6 is in the opened state or closed state (step S1) and, in the case
of the closed state, the displaying unit 18 displays nothing since
the fixed case 4 overlaps the movable case 6 to hide the displaying
unit 18 (step S2).
If the movable case 6 is in the opened state (FIG. 3) and the
rotation angle of the movable case 6 is zero degrees, the movable
case 6 is located at the center position a and the displaying unit
18 displays the vertical screen (step S3).
If the movable case 6 is in the opened state (FIG. 3) and the
movable case 6 is rotated to the right or left, based on the
detection of the rotation (step S4), the displaying unit 18
displays the horizontal screen depending on the rotated position
(step S5).
The vertical or horizontal screen deployed on the displaying unit
18 is controlled to become a screen layout corresponding to a
vertically elongated screen display for the vertical screen or a
screen layout corresponding to a horizontally elongated screen
display for the horizontal screen. The screen layout as used herein
generally refers to setting or changing factors such as alignment,
arrangement, and direction of display elements such as characters,
graphics, images, and icons displayed on the screen.
Therefore, this controlling method includes the following process
procedures for displaying the vertical screen or the horizontal
screen and changing the screen layout corresponding to each screen,
correspondingly to the opening/closing operation of the fixed case
4 and the movable case 6, the rotating operation of the movable
case 6, etc.
a) Detection of Opening/Closing or Rotation of Movable Case 6
The movable case 6 is opened and closed with the movable arm 8 and
the hinge 10 relative to the fixed case 4. In either the opened or
closed state, the movable case 6 can be rotated on the movable arm
8. To change the display form depending on whether the movable case
6 is in the opened state or the closed state and depending on the
rotation angle, a open/close sensor 112 (FIG. 13) of a sensor unit
96 detects the opened state or the closed state and rotation
sensors 42, 44 (FIGS. 6 and 13) detect the rotation angle .theta.
of the movable case 6.
b) Screen Switching
If the movable case 6 is in the opened state and located at the
center position a, the displaying unit 18 displays the vertical
screen. If the movable case 6 is rotated to the right rotated
position b, the displaying unit 18 displays the horizontal screen,
or if the movable case 6 is rotated to the left rotated position c,
the displaying unit 18 is switched to the display aspect of the
horizontal screen. If the movable case 6 is returned to the center
position a from the horizontal screen display position, the
displaying unit 18 is switched to the display of the vertical
screen. The display aspect of the screen of the display unit 18 is
switched based on the open/close detection and the rotation
detection by a control program described later.
c) Screen Layout Changing Control
With regard to the vertical or horizontal screens acquired by the
above screen switching, the screen display is switched to a
vertical screen layout for the vertical screen and switched to a
horizontal screen layout for the horizontal screen. In the case of
the horizontal screen, the screen display may be switched to a
screen layout corresponding to the right side for a right
horizontal screen and switched to a screen layout corresponding to
the left side for a left horizontal screen. The screen layouts are
set and controlled by the control program described later.
A configuration example of the portable terminal apparatus 2 will
be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. FIG. 6 is an exploded
perspective view of the portable terminal apparatus; FIG. 7 depicts
a position of a rotation lock mechanism of the portable terminal
apparatus; FIG. 8 depicts a top side of a movable rear-case; FIG. 9
depicts a rear side of a movable arm; and FIGS. 10, 11, and 12
depict a stopper configuration and operation thereof. In FIGS. 6 to
12, the same reference numerals are added to the same portions as
FIGS. 1 to 4.
As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed case 4 includes a fixed front-case 20
and a fixed rear-case 22, and a bearing 24 of the hinge 10 is
formed on the longitudinal edge of the fixed front-case 20. The
bearing 24 is disposed with a bearing hole 26. A fixed substrate,
etc., are mounted to the fixed rear-case 22.
The movable case 6 includes a movable front-case 28 and a movable
rear-case 30, and the rotation module 12 is attached to a round
portion 32 of the movable rear-case 30. A through-hole 36 is formed
at a rotation center portion of the rotation module 12 and the
through-hole 36 is used to allow cables not shown to pass
through.
The movable front-case 28 is disposed with a movable substrate 40,
and the movable substrate 40 is disposed with the rotation sensors
42, 44 that detect the rotation direction and the rotation angle
.theta. of the movable case 6.
The movable arm 8 includes an arm 46 and an arm cover 48. To a
round portion 50 of the arm 46, the movable rear-case 30 of the
movable case 6 is fixed with a fixing means, for example, a
plurality of screws 52, along with the above rotation module 12.
Bearings 54, 56 of the hinge 10 is formed on the arm 46, and the
bearing 24 of the fixed case 4 is inserted into an interval 58
between the bearings 54, 56. A hinge module 60 is a hinge axis
reaching the bearing 24 of the fixed case 4 and is inserted and
fixed in the bearing 54, and a hinge module 62 also is a hinge axis
and is inserted and fixed in the bearing 56. The hinge module 62
may be configured as a cable guide to allow cables not shown to
pass through.
The arm 46 of the movable arm 8 is disposed with a plurality of
magnets, i.e., three magnets M2, M3, M4, on the same trajectory as
the rotation sensors 42, 44 disposed on the movable front-case 28
of the movable case 6. The center position a, the right rotated
position b, or the left rotated position c of the rotating movable
case 6 is detected by the rotation sensors 42, 44 and the magnets
M2, M3, M4.
The arm cover 48 includes a lid 64 that covers the top surface of
the arm 46 and covering portions 66, 68 that cover the bearings 54,
56. The lid 64 is bonded to the arm 46 to protect the top surface
of the arm 46, and the covering portions 66, 68 cover peripheral
walls of the bearings 54, 56 to reinforce and protect the bearings
54, 56.
The hinge 10 includes the bearing 24 of the fixed case 4, the
bearings 54, 56 of the movable arm 8, and the hinge modules 60, 62
as above and supports the movable arm 8 on the fixed case 4 in an
openable/closable manner (allowing 180-degree opening/closing in
this embodiment). The rotation module 12 rotatably supports the
movable case 6 on the movable arm 8.
The movable arm 8 rotatably supporting the movable case 6 via the
rotation module 12 and the movable case 6 made rotatable on the
movable arm 8 by a rotation module 34 are disposed with a rotation
lock mechanism 70 (FIG. 7, etc.) that determines the center
position, i.e., zero-degree position, of the allowable left/right
rotation angles of 90 degrees of the movable case 6 and a stopper
mechanism 72 (FIG. 10, etc.) that determines a rotation range of
the allowable left/right rotation angles of 90 degrees.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a pin-engaging portion 74
of the rotation lock mechanism 70 is integrally formed with the
movable rear-case 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the pin-engaging portion
74 is located outside of the rotation module 12 and projects from
the top surface of the movable rear-case 30. A lock pin 76 engaging
with the pin-engaging portion 74 is attached to the arm 46 of the
movable arm 8 and is disposed within the arm 46 in this
embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation lock mechanism 70 is a mechanism
for fixing and retaining the movable case 6 rotatably supported via
the rotation module 12 by the movable arm 8 at a position
conforming to the fixed case 4, i.e., at the center position a.
Fixing and retaining of the movable case 6 on the movable arm 8
generate a retaining state that allows a user to recognize the
position as a reference position and to the extent that the movable
case 6 is not moved unless the user applies a force in the left or
right direction with the intention to rotate the movable case 6 and
are not assumed to be a lock state that does not allow the movement
thereof. The movable case 6 is retained to the extent that the
movable case 6 is not rotated by the load of the normal rotating
operation.
In this embodiment, to fix and retain the movable case 6 at a
position conforming to the fixed case 4, i.e., at the center
position a, the rotation lock mechanism 70 is disposed on a virtual
center axis 78 (FIG. 7) penetrating the rotation center Oa of the
rotation module 12 fixed to the movable arm 8.
As shown in FIG. 10, the stopper mechanism 72 is a configuration
that sets the maximum rotation angle of the right/left rotation of
the movable case 6, centering on the rotation lock mechanism 70, to
stop the movable case 6 at the maximum rotation angle. In this
embodiment, the pin-engaging portion 74 is also used as a stopper
portion and the stopper surfaces 80, 82 are formed on the
pin-engaging portion 74.
For this pin-engaging portion 74, an arc-shaped groove 84 is formed
for inserting the pin-engaging portion 74, and stoppers 86, 88 are
formed at the ends of the groove 84, coming into contact with the
stopper surfaces 80, 82 of the pin-engaging portion 74.
Specifically, the stopper surface 80 is applied to the stopper 86
and the stopper surface 82 is applied to the stopper 88 to block
the rotation of the movable case 6. The blocking positions are the
positions b, c, which are at 90 degrees to the left/right from the
center position a.
In such a configuration, when the movable case 6 located at the
position shown in FIG. 10 is rotated counterclockwise, the stopper
surface 80 of the pin-engaging portion 74 is applied to the stopper
86, which is the end of the groove 84, and the movable case 6 is
stopped at the position of 90 degrees counterclockwise (on the
observer's right), as shown in FIG. 11. When the movable case 6
located at the position shown in FIG. 10 is rotated clockwise, the
stopper surface 82 of the pin-engaging portion 64 is applied to the
stopper 88, which is the end of the groove 84, and the movable case
6 is stopped at the position of 90 degrees clockwise (on the
observer's left), as shown in FIG. 12.
A circuit configuration of the portable terminal apparatus 2 will
be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a block diagram
of an electric circuit of the portable terminal apparatus 2. In
FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are added to the same portions
as FIGS. 1 to 12.
In addition to a telephone function, an e-mail
transmission/reception function, etc., the portable terminal
apparatus 2 includes a control function for changing a display form
depending on the opening/closing operation of the fixed case 4 and
the movable case 6, the rotating operation of the movable case 6,
etc.
The portable terminal apparatus 2 includes the input operation unit
16, the displaying unit 18, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 90, a
memory unit 92, a power source unit 94, the sensor unit 96, a radio
unit 98, and an acoustic unit 100. The input operation unit 16
includes a plurality of keys and is used to enter telephone numbers
and characters for creating e-mail documents, etc. The displaying
unit 18 displays the vertical screen or horizontal screen and is
switched to different screen aspects and controlled to become a
screen layout corresponding to the vertical screen or horizontal
screen depending on the opened/closed state and the rotation angle
of the movable case 6.
The CPU 90 executes a program in the memory unit 92 to load the
detection information and the control information such as loading
the input of the input operation unit 16 and the detection signal
of the sensor unit 96, to read and write the information of the
memory unit 92, and to perform various controls such as the screen
control of the displaying unit 18. With regard to the vertical
screen and the horizontal screen, the CPU 90 controls the screen
layout corresponding to each screen and launches an optimum
function for each screen and, in the function corresponding to the
vertical screen, the CPU 90 is used for the menu list display, the
data list display, the telephone history display, etc., utilizing
the spread in the up/down direction of the vertically elongated
vertical screen. In the function corresponding to the horizontal
screen, the CPU 90 is used for the panoramic display of a camera
image, the English text display, the processing thereof, the
deployment of television broadcasting reception images, etc.,
utilizing the spread in the width direction of the horizontally
elongated horizontal screen.
The memory unit 92 stores a control program including processes
such as execution of functions corresponding to the screen
switching, the screen layout switching, and the opening/closing or
rotating (screen), other programs, and various data and is a
recording medium including an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic
Random-Access Memory) 102, an execution flash memory 104, and an
archive flash memory 106 in this embodiment. The SDRAM 102, the
execution flash memory 104, and the archive flash memory 106 are
connected to the CPU 90 through a bus 108.
The SDRAM 102 configures a work area, executes the program read and
loaded from the archive flash memory 106, and generates calculation
processes and control information. The execution flash memory 104
stores various data and constructs a database, etc. The archive
flash memory 106 stores various programs such as the OS (Operating
System) and control program.
An external memory IF (interface) 110 is connected to an external
memory, such as a memory card, and the external memory stores the
address data, such as telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, and
various contents.
The power source unit 94 includes a battery, a battery charging
circuit controlled by the CPU 90, a stabilizing circuit, a power
source controlling circuit, etc., and supplies power to various
function units such as the radio unit 98.
The sensor unit 96 detects the opening/closing of the movable case
6 due to the movable arm 8, the rotation angle .theta. (between 0
to 90 degrees to the right or left) and the rotation direction of
the movable case 6. Therefore, the sensor unit 96 includes the
open/close sensor 112 and the rotation sensors 42, 44. The
open/close sensor 112 detects presence of magnetic flux from the
magnets M (FIG. 6) to generate detection output that represents
whether the movable case 6 is in the opened state or closed state.
The rotation sensors 42, 44 are disposed on a movable substrate 40
of the movable case 6, and the disposed positions of the three
magnets M2, M3, M4 (FIG. 6) conform to positions on the trajectory
of the rotation sensors 42, 44 of the rotating movable case 6.
For example, when located at the center position a (FIG. 3) of the
movable case 6, since the rotation sensor 42 overlaps the magnet M2
and the rotation sensor 44 overlaps the magnet M3, the output
indicating the center position a of the movable case 6 can be
acquired from the rotation sensors 42, 44. At the center position
a, for example, the same high-level or low-level output can be
acquired from the rotation sensors 42, 44. If the movable case 6 is
rotated to the right or left, the magnetic forces from the magnets
M2, M3, M4 affecting the rotation sensors 42, 44 are changed, and
the rotation sensors 42, 44 generate the output corresponding to
the change. The change in the output is generated from the
left/right rotation angle .theta. of 20 degrees and, therefore,
represents the rotation direction to the right or left. The output
indicating a position of 90 degrees to the right or position of 90
degrees to the left can be acquired from the rotation sensors 42,
44. For example, when the high-level output is acquired from the
rotation sensor 42 and the low-level output is acquired from the
rotation sensor 44, the output indicates the position of 90 degrees
to the right, and when the output is acquired inversely, the output
indicates the position of 90 degrees to the left.
The radio unit 98 performs transmission/reception for voice
communication or data communication such as e-mail through an
antenna 118 and performs the modulation process of voice and data,
the demodulation process of voice and data from radio signals,
etc.
The acoustic unit 100 outputs received voice through a speaker 120
or captures from a microphone 122 and amplifies voice to be
transmitted, etc.
The screen aspect of the displaying unit 18 will be described with
reference to FIGS. 14A to 16B. FIGS. 14A and 14B depict a vertical
screen display and FIGS. 15A to 16B depict horizontal screen
displays. In FIGS. 14A to 16B, the same reference numerals are
added to the same portions as FIGS. 1 to 13.
When the movable case 6 is in the opened state, the screen aspect
of the displaying unit 18 changes depending on the rotation of the
movable case 6, and the vertical screen display (FIGS. 14A and 14B)
and the horizontal screen display (FIGS. 15A to 16B) are
acquired.
1) Vertical Screen Display
When the movable case 6 is in the opened state and a vertical
screen 124 is displayed on the displaying screen 18 as shown in
FIG. 14A, the movable case 6 is located at the center position a as
shown in FIG. 14B. The vertical screen 124 is a screen when the
displaying unit 18 is maintained in a vertically long state; a
middle portion is set to a vertical main display field 126; and top
and bottom portions are set to first and second vertical
sub-display fields 128, 130. For example, in a schedule management
mode, the vertical main display field 126 displays a calendar along
with the year and month display; the second vertical sub-display
field 128 displays a battery mark 132 representing a remaining
amount of the battery, a radio-wave reception intensity mark 134
representing radio-wave reception intensity, a mail mark 136
representing whether an e-male is received, a time display 138
representing a clock time in a first line and icons 140 in a second
line; and the second vertical sub-display field 130 displays a
selection icon 142 corresponding to a schedule management menu at
the center, a menu icon 144 and a previous month icon 146 to the
left of the selection icon 142, and a new icon 148 and a next month
icon 150 to the right of the selection icon 142. The previous month
icon 146 is used for displaying a previous month calendar on the
vertical main display field 126 and the next month icon 150 is used
for displaying a next month calendar on the vertical main display
field 126. The selection icon 142 is used for selecting a menu,
date and time, etc. The new icon 148 is used for registering a new
schedule on the selected date and time.
2) Horizontal Screen Display
When the movable case 6 is rotated to the right as shown in FIG.
15B, the displaying unit 18 displays a horizontal screen 152R
(right horizontal screen) as shown in FIG. 15A. The horizontal
screen 152R is a screen when the displaying unit 18 is maintained
in a horizontally long state; a horizontal main display field 154
is set to the right side; and horizontal sub-display fields 156,
158 are set to the left side. As is the case with the vertical
screen, in the schedule management mode, the horizontal main
display field 154 displays a calendar along with the year and month
display, and the horizontal sub-display fields 156, 158 display
from the top side the battery mark 132, the radio-wave reception
intensity mark 134, the mail mark 136, the icons 140, a date/time
display 160 representing a date, day of the week, and clock time as
well as the selection icon 142 corresponding to a schedule
management menu at the center, the menu icon 144 and the new icon
148 on the upper side of the selection icon 142, and the previous
month icon 146 and the next month icon 150 on the lower side of the
selection icon 142.
When the movable case 6 is rotated to the left as shown in FIG.
16B, the displaying unit 18 displays a horizontal screen 152L (left
horizontal screen) as shown in FIG. 16A. The horizontal screen 152L
is a screen when the displaying unit 18 is maintained in a
horizontally long state and the display aspect of the horizontal
screen 152L is the same as the horizontal screen 152R. Therefore,
the same reference numerals are added to the same portions and the
description thereof is omitted.
The switching of the screen layout of the vertical screen 124 and
the horizontal screens 152R, 152L will be described with reference
to FIGS. 17A and 17B. FIGS. 17A and 17B depict differences and
relationships of screen layouts of the vertical screen 124 and the
horizontal screens 152R, 152L.
The changes in the screen layouts of the vertical screen 124 and
the horizontal screens 152R, 152L are listed as follows.
With regard to the vertical main display field 126 and the
horizontal main display field 154, as shown in FIG. 17, the
vertical main display field 126 of the vertical screen 124 and the
horizontal main display field 154 of the horizontal screens 152R,
152L have a square shape in common, and the disposed positions are
changed. That is, on the vertical screen 124, the vertical main
display field 126 is located in the center of the vertical screen
124 and, on the horizontal screens 152R, 152L, the horizontal main
display field 154 is located on the right sides of the horizontal
screens 152R, 152L.
With regard to the vertical sub-display fields 128, 130 and the
horizontal sub-display fields 156, 158, on the vertical screen 124,
while the vertical main display field 126 is disposed in the center
with the vertical sub-display field 128 located in the upper field
of the vertical main display field 126 and the vertical sub-display
field 130 in the lower field of the vertical main display field 126
and, on the horizontal screens 152R, 152L, the horizontal main
display field 154 is disposed on the right side with the horizontal
sub-display fields 156, 158 located on the upper and lower left
sides.
With regard to the vertical sub-display field 128 and the
horizontal sub-display field 156, in the vertical sub-display
fields 128, the battery mark 132, the radio-wave reception
intensity mark 134, the mail mark 136, and the time display 138 are
horizontally arranged with the icons 140 located under the battery
mark 132, and in the horizontal sub-display field 156, the battery
mark 132 and the radio-wave reception intensity mark 134 are
arranged with the mail mark 136 located on the underside thereof,
the icons 140 located on the underside thereof, and the date/time
display 160 located on the underside thereof.
With regard to the vertical sub-display field 130 and the
horizontal sub-display field 158, in the vertical sub-display field
130, the selection icon 142 is disposed at the center with the menu
icon 144 and the previous month icon 146 located to the left
thereof and the new icon 148 and the next month icon 150 located to
the right of the selection icon 142 and, in the horizontal
sub-display field 158, the selection icon 142 is disposed at the
center with the menu icon 144 and the new icon 148 located on the
upper side thereof and the previous month icon 146 and the next
month icon 150 located on the lower side of the selection icon
142.
With regard to the time display 138 and the date/time display 160,
the time display 138 of the vertical screen 124 is hour and minute,
and the date/time display 160 of the horizontal screens 152R, 152L
is month, date, day of the week, hour, and minute, which are more
detailed than the vertical screen 124.
The screen operation of the displaying unit 18 will be described
with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 depicts an example of process
procedures of the control program of the displaying unit 18.
When the movable case 6 is opened from the closed state shown in
FIG. 1, the movable case 6 becomes the opened state relative to the
fixed case 4, as shown in FIG. 3. The displaying unit 18 in the
opened state is in the vertical screen state (step S11) and
displays, for example, the vertical screen 124 (FIG. 14A), and the
vertical screen display has the vertical screen layout.
The rotation of the movable case 6 is monitored; the detection
information is loaded from the rotation sensors 42, 44 to the CPU
90; and it is determined from the detection information whether the
displaying unit 18 is rotated to the right or left (step S12). As
shown by solid lines in FIG. 4, if the movable case 6 is rotated to
the right, the displaying unit 18 is in the horizontal screen state
after the rotation to the right (step S13) and displays, for
example, the horizontal screen 152R (FIG. 15A), and the horizontal
screen display has the horizontal screen layout.
As shown by dotted lines in FIG. 4, if the movable case 6 is
rotated to the left, the displaying unit 18 is in the horizontal
screen state after the rotation to the left (step S14) and
displays, for example, the horizontal screen 152L (FIG. 16A), and
the horizontal screen display has the horizontal screen layout.
When the movable case 6 is rotated from the horizontal screen
states (steps S13 and S14) and is returned to the center position a
(FIG. 3), the movable case 6 goes to the vertical screen state
again (step S11) and displays the vertical screen 124 (FIG. 14A),
and the vertical screen display has the vertical screen layout.
In this way, the vertical screen 124 is switched to the horizontal
screen 152R or the horizontal screen 152L; the horizontal screen
152R or the horizontal screen 152L is switched to the vertical
screen 124; and the screen aspect is changed to the screen layout
corresponding to each screen.
With regard to the horizontal screen display of the first
embodiment, although the horizontal sub-display fields 156, 158 are
located to the left of the horizontal main display field 154 on the
horizontal screen 152L as shown in FIG. 16A, the horizontal main
display field 154 may be located on the left side and the
horizontal sub-display fields 156, 158 may be located to the right
of the horizontal main display field 154 to generate a horizontal
screen 162L as shown in FIG. 19A. In this case, since the operating
area is closer to the input operation unit 16 of the fixed case 4,
the input operationality is enhanced.
With regard to the above first embodiment, features will be
extracted to refer to operational effects.
The portable terminal apparatus 2 includes a configuration allowing
a screen portion, i.e., the displaying unit 18 to be rotated,
includes the folding function, and includes a configuration
allowing the movable case 6 equipped with the displaying unit 18 to
be rotated from the normal vertical screen state by 90 degrees to
the left or right.
The rotation and opening/closing of the movable case 6 equipped
with the displaying unit 18 are detected by the sensor unit 96, and
a function is included to detect whether the displaying unit 18 is
rotated to the right or left.
Since the portable terminal apparatus 2 includes a configuration
that is rotated from the normal vertical screen state by 90 degrees
to the left or right to generated a horizontal screen, when the
vertical screen 124 in the opened state is rotated 90-degree to the
left or right, not only the character display is rotated 90-degree,
but also the screen layout such as arrangement of icons and
characters is changed to acquire an easy-to-use screen layout for
the horizontal screen display. The horizontal screens 152R, 152L
are changed to the vertical screen 124 and an easy-to-use screen
layout is acquired for the vertical screen display.
Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a controlling
method of the portable terminal apparatus according to the second
embodiment.
The portable terminal apparatus 2 according to the second
embodiment includes a function of switching the screen display
based on detection of the rotation and the rotation direction of
the movable case 6 equipped with the displaying unit 18 and, when
the vertical screen 124 (FIG. 14A) is rotated to the horizontal
screen 152R (FIG. 15A) or the horizontal screen 152L (FIG. 16A) and
when the horizontal screen 152R (FIG. 15A) or the horizontal screen
152L (FIG. 16A) is rotated to the vertical screen 124 (FIG. 14A), a
convenient function is launched for each screen. Therefore, the
portable terminal apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment
includes the same configuration as the portable terminal apparatus
2 according to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4, 6, and 13).
In the controlling method of the portable terminal apparatus 2, as
shown in FIG. 20, it is detected whether the movable case 6 is in
the opened state or closed state (step S21) and, in the case of the
closed state, the displaying unit 18 displays nothing since the
fixed case 4 overlaps the movable case 6 to hide the displaying
unit 18 (step S22).
When the movable case 6 is operated and goes to the opened state
(FIG. 3), a function assigned to the opened state is launched (step
S23), and this launch results in the vertical screen state (step
S24). In this case, if the rotation angle of the movable case 6 is
zero degrees, the movable case 6 is located at the center position
a and, for example, the vertical screen 124 is displayed as a
vertically elongated vertical screen.
When the movable case 6 is in the opened state (FIG. 3), if the
movable case 6 is rotated to the right or rotated to the left, the
rotation and the rotation direction, i.e., right rotation or left
rotation are detected (step S25).
In the case of the right rotation, the function assigned to the
right rotation is launched (step S26) to form the horizontal screen
state after the rotation to the right (step S27) and, for example,
the horizontal screen 152R is displayed as a horizontally elongated
horizontal screen. In the case of the left rotation, the function
assigned to the left rotation is launched (step S28) to form the
horizontal screen state after the rotation to the left (step S29)
and, for example, the horizontal screen 152L is displayed as a
horizontally elongated horizontal screen.
This controlling method includes the above procedures such as a)
detection of opening/closing or rotation of movable case 6, b)
screen switching, and c) screen layout changing control, and the
processes are performed to launch the functions assigned to the
opened/closed states or the right and left rotations, etc. with the
control program depending on the opening/closing and the rotation
direction. With the control program, the CPU 90 loads the detection
information of the open/close detection and the rotation detection
of the sensor unit 96, and the vertical or horizontal screen
deployed on the displaying unit 18 is controlled to become the
screen layout corresponding to the vertically elongated screen
display for the vertical screen or the screen layout corresponding
to the horizontally elongated screen display for the horizontal
screen.
The function corresponding to the vertical screen is used for the
menu list display, the data list display, and the telephone history
display, utilizing the spread in the up/down direction of the
vertically elongated vertical screen, and the function
corresponding to the horizontal screen is used for the panoramic
display of a camera image, the English text display, the processing
thereof, and the deployment of television broadcasting reception
images, etc., utilizing the spread in the width direction of the
horizontally elongated horizontal screen.
In the second embodiment, in response to the detection of the
rotation and the direction of the screen portion, the function of
switching the screen display is launched along with the associated
function that is the convenient function for the horizontal screen
when the vertical screen is switched to the horizontal screen to
reinforce the functionality of the portable terminal apparatus
2.
Third Embodiment
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 21 to 27. FIG. 21 depicts left/right rotation of
the movable case of the portable terminal apparatus in the closed
state; FIG. 22 depicts a right sub-screen display example; FIG. 23
depicts a left sub-screen display example; FIG. 24 depicts a
horizontal main screen display example; FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a
controlling method of the portable terminal apparatus; FIG. 26 is a
state transition diagram of display screen mode transition; and
FIG. 27 is a flowchart of operation procedures of the portable
terminal apparatus. In FIGS. 21 to 27, the same reference numerals
are added to the same portions as FIGS. 1 to 20.
This embodiment includes the same configuration as the first
embodiment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, in the portable
terminal apparatus 2, the movable case 6 can be rotated around the
rotation center Oa of the rotation module 12 to the right (an arrow
A) or left (an arrow B) while the movable case 6 is folded onto the
fixed case 4, i.e., in the closed state, and a partial display area
164 of the displaying unit 18 of the movable case 6 can be viewed
from backside of the fixed case 4 at the right rotated position b,
as shown by solid lines.
Although the display of the displaying unit 18 is cancelled when
the movable case 6 is in the closed state, if the movable case 6 is
rotated to the right from the center position a, which is the
reference position, a right sub-screen 170 can be displayed as
shown in FIG. 22, for example. If the movable case 6 is rotated to
the left from the center position a, a left sub-screen 172 can be
displayed as shown in FIG. 23, for example. Although the right
sub-screen 170 and the left sub-screen 172 are the same screen
display in this embodiment, these screens may be symmetrically
displayed.
On the right sub-screen 170 and the left sub-screen 172, a display
area WS is deployed as an area that can be viewed because the area
protrudes from the fixed case 4. On the right sub-screen 170 and
the left sub-screen 172, an invisible area overlapping the fixed
case 4 is defined as a hidden area WB and a visible area protruding
from the fixed case 4 is utilized as the display are WS within an
entire display area WT of the displaying unit 18. Although the
display contents of the right sub-screen 170 and the left
sub-screen 172 may be a portion of the display contents of the main
display screen, to prevent lack of information, the display area WS
displays the display contents identical or similar to the display
contents of the main display screen as the right sub-screen 170 and
the left sub-screen 172.
While the displaying unit 18 displays the right sub-screen 170 or
the left sub-screen 172, if the movable case 6 is opened, the
display contents of the right sub-screen 170 or the left sub-screen
172 may be displayed on a horizontal main screen 173 using the
entire display area WT, as shown in FIG. 24, for example. The
display examples of the sub-screens 170, 172 and the horizontal
main screen 173 are illustrative only, and a main screen with
changed display contents or other display screens may be
displayed.
The right sub-screen 170, the left sub-screen 172, and the
horizontal main screen 173 are illustrative only and display a
plurality of messages 176 along with the battery mark 132, the
radio-wave reception intensity mark 134, a plurality of time
displays 138a, 138b, and 138c, and one or more icons 174
representing notification information such as incoming-call
information, presence of unread e-mails, and the number thereof.
With regard to the time displays 138a, 138b, and 138c, false
recognition such as contents recognition changed due to viewing
angles is prevented by switching the screen layouts, such as
changing the display angle of the same contents, to facilitate
visibility and comprehension of the display contents.
A controlling method of this embodiment includes process procedures
of displaying the right sub-screen 170 and the left sub-screen 172
as shown in FIG. 25. In this controlling method, it is detected
whether the movable case 6 is in the opened state or closed state
(step S31) and, in the case of the opened state, the left/right
rotation angle is detected and determined (step S32).
In the opened state, if the rotation angle is zero degrees, a
vertical main screen (vertical main display mode) is displayed as
the above vertical screen (step S33); in the case of the right
rotation, a right horizontal main screen (right horizontal main
display mode) is displayed as the above horizontal screen (step
S34); and in the case of the left rotation, a left horizontal main
screen (left horizontal main display mode) is displayed as the
above horizontal screen (step S35). In this case, the screen aspect
is controlled to become the vertical screen layout correspondingly
to the vertical main screen (vertical main display mode) and is
switched to the horizontal screen layout for the right horizontal
main screen (right horizontal main display mode) or the left
horizontal main screen (left horizontal main display mode).
In the closed state, the left/right rotation angle is also detected
and determined (step S36). If the rotation angle is zero degrees,
nothing is displayed (step S37); in the case of the right
direction, the right sub-screen (sub-display mode) is displayed
(step S38); and in the case of the left direction, the left
sub-screen (sub-display mode) is displayed (step S39).
In the switching of the screen display of the displaying unit 18,
as shown in FIG. 26, if the movable case 6 is in the closed state
and the rotation angle is zero degrees, the movable case 6 is
located at the center position and is in a state 1, and nothing is
displayed (ST1). If this non-display state (state 1) is shifted to
a state 2 where the movable case 6 is in the opened state and the
rotation state is zero degrees, the vertical main display mode is
initiated (ST2); if the vertical main display mode is shifted to a
state 3 where the rotation state is right rotation, the right
horizontal main display mode is initiated (ST3); and if the
vertical main display mode is shifted to a state 4 where the
rotation state is left rotation, the left horizontal main display
mode is initiated (ST4). The screen aspect is switched to the
vertical screen layout for the vertical main display mode of the
state 2, the horizontal screen layout for the right horizontal main
display mode of the state 3, and the horizontal screen layout for
the left horizontal main display mode of the state 4 to perform the
screen display.
If the non-display state (state 1) is shifted to a state 5 by
rotating the movable case 6 to the right or left, the sub-display
mode is initiated (ST5). The sub-display mode includes the right
sub-display mode and the left sub-display mode depending on the
rotation direction.
If the movable case 6 is closed during the state 3 (right
horizontal main display mode) or the state 4 (left horizontal main
display mode), the state is shifted to a state 5 (sub-display
mode).
Since the modes can be switched in this way, when the movable case
6 is in a rotated state, the right horizontal main display mode or
left horizontal main display mode can be shifted to the sub-display
mode and the sub display mode can be shifted to the right
horizontal main display mode or left horizontal main display mode
by opening/closing the movable case 6. Specifically, the right
horizontal main display mode can be switched to the right
sub-display mode, and the left horizontal main display mode can be
switched to the left sub-display mode.
The switching of the displaying unit 18 is performed by the control
program of the displaying unit 18 as shown in FIG. 27. In the
process procedures of the control program, the displaying unit 18
is control to become the non-display state in the state 1
(non-display) (step S41). If the detection information of the
opened state is loaded from the open/close sensor 112 (step S42)
and the movable case 6 is in the rotation state of zero degrees,
the state 1 is shifted to the state 2 to perform the vertical main
display mode and, for example, the vertical main screen is deployed
on the displaying unit 18 (step S43).
While the vertical main display mode is performed, if the rotation
sensors 42, 44 detect the right rotation of the movable case 6 and
the detection information is loaded (step S44), the state is
shifted to the state 3 to perform the right horizontal main display
mode and, for example, the horizontal main screen is deployed on
the displaying unit 18 (step S45).
While the right horizontal main display mode is performed, if the
open/close sensor 112 detects the closed state of the movable case
6 and the detection information is loaded (step S46), the state is
shifted to the state 5 to perform the sub-display mode and, for
example, the right sub-screen 170 (FIG. 22) is deployed on the
displaying unit 18 (step S47).
In the state 1 (non-display) (step S41), if the movable case 6 is
rotated and the left or right rotation detection information is
loaded from the rotation sensors 42, 44 (step S48), the state is
shifted to the state 5 to perform the sub-display mode and, for
example, the right sub-screen 170 (FIG. 22) or the left sub-screen
172 (FIG. 23) is deployed on the displaying unit 18 (step S49).
While the sub-display mode is performed, if the movable case 6 is
put into the opened state, which is detected by the open/close
sensor 112, and the detection information of the opened state is
loaded (step S50), the rotation detection information is acquired
from the rotation sensors 42, 44 (steps S44 and S51).
If the detection-information of the left-rotation of the movable
case 6 is loaded from the rotation sensors 42, 44 (step S51), the
state is shifted to the state 4 to perform the left horizontal main
display mode and, for example, the horizontal main screen is
deployed on the displaying unit 18 (step S52).
While the left horizontal main display mode is performed, if the
rotation detection information indicating zero degrees is loaded
from the rotation sensors 42, 44 (step S53), the state is shifted
to the state 2 to perform the vertical main display mode and the
vertical main screen is deployed on the displaying unit 18 (step
S54).
In the process procedures, at step S43, the rotation of the movable
case 6 is monitored (step S51); if the detection information
indicating the left rotation is acquired from the rotation sensors
42, 44, the process goes to step S52; at step S45, the rotation of
the movable case 6 is monitored (step S53); and if the rotation
sensors 42, 44 detect the rotation state of zero degrees, the
process goes to step S54. At step S50, the rotation of the movable
case 6 is monitored (step S44); if the detection information
indicating the right rotation is acquired from the rotation sensors
42, 44, the process goes to step S45; at step S52, opening/closing
of the movable case 6 is monitored (step S46); and if the detection
information indicating the closed state is acquired from the
open/close sensor 112, the process goes to step S47.
In such an embodiment, the vertical screen layout can be applied to
the vertical screen and the horizontal screen layout can be applied
to the horizontal screen to achieve improvement of visibility of
the screen contents of the vertically elongated vertical screen and
the horizontally elongated horizontal screen, etc.
Fourth Embodiment
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 28
and 29. FIG. 28 depicts an example of a sub-vertical screen display
and FIG. 29 depicts an example of a horizontal screen display. In
FIGS. 28 and 29, the same reference numerals are added to the same
portions as FIGS. 1 to 27.
In this embodiment, the portable terminal apparatus 2 shown in
FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 12 is used. That is, as shown in FIG. 21 (the
third embodiment), in the portable terminal apparatus 2, the
movable case 6 can be rotated around the rotation center Oa of the
rotation module 12 to the right (an arrow A) or left (an arrow B)
while the movable case 6 is folded onto the fixed case 4, i.e., in
the closed state. As shown by solid lines, the partial display area
164 of the displaying unit 18 of the movable case 6 can be viewed
from backside of the fixed case 4 at the right rotated position
b.
In the fourth embodiment, by rotating the movable case 6 in the
closed state to the right, for example, a sub-vertical screen 178
(FIG. 28) is displayed as a vertical screen, and if the movable
case 6 is opened by rotating the movable case 6 around a rotation
center Ob of the hinge 10 to a direction of an arrow D, the
horizontal screen 152R (FIG. 29) is displayed. In the schedule
mode, a vertically elongated display area 164 is displayed on the
sub-vertical screen 178 as a vertical screen for the same
information, and the display aspect is controlled to become a
sub-vertical screen layout. Since the entire displaying unit 18 is
exposed on the movable case 6 as shown in FIG. 29 by opening the
movable case 6 from the closed state, the horizontally elongated
horizontal screen 152R is displayed and the display aspect is
controlled to become the horizontal screen layout. In this case,
while the sub-vertical screen layout displays only a calendar
corresponding to the vertical main display field 126 (FIGS. 14 and
17), the horizontal screen layout displays the horizontal screen
152R (FIG. 15). The contents of the horizontal screen 152R have
been described above.
Although the movable case 6 is rotated to the right in this
embodiment, the same applies to the left rotation of the movable
case 6; the sub-vertical screen 178 as a vertical screen is
displayed by rotating the movable case 6 in the closed state to the
left; and the horizontal screen 152L (FIG. 16) is displayed by
putting the movable case 6 into the opened state. The aspects of
the sub-vertical screen layout and the horizontal screen layout are
the same as those in the case of the right rotation.
Other Embodiments
(1) Although the portable terminal apparatus 2 has been illustrated
as the electronic device in the above embodiments, the present
invention is applicable to a personal computer (PC). FIGS. 30 and
31 are perspective views of a PC; FIG. 30 depicts the case of
maintaining the movable case 6 vertically elongated in the opened
state; and FIG. 31 depicts the case of rotating the movable case 6
to the right and maintaining the movable case 6 horizontally
elongated in the opened state. In FIGS. 30 and 31, the same
reference numerals are added to the same portions as FIGS. 1 to
29.
This PC 200 includes the above mechanism (FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 12)
and electric circuit (FIG. 13), executes the above controlling
method (FIGS. 5 and 20) and control program (FIGS. 25 and 27), and
has the same display forms (FIGS. 14 to 17) to display the vertical
screen 124 and the horizontal screen 152R; the vertically elongated
vertical screen 124 is displayed on the displaying unit 18 by
setting the movable case 6 to the vertical direction; the
horizontally elongated horizontal screen 152R is displayed on the
displaying unit 18 by rotating the movable case 6, for example, to
the right to the horizontal direction; and the screen aspect can be
displayed in the vertical screen layout for the vertical screen 124
and in the horizontal screen layout for the horizontal screen 152R.
In this case, by rotating the movable case 6, for example, to the
left to the horizontal direction, the screen layout can be switched
to the horizontal screen layout to display the horizontally
elongated horizontal screen 152L (e.g., FIG. 16) on the displaying
unit 18.
(2) Although the portable terminal apparatus 2 and the PC 200 have
been illustrated as the electronic device in the above embodiments,
the present invention is applicable to remote-control apparatuses,
game devices, etc., including a movable unit.
Although the most preferred embodiments, etc., of the present
invention have been described as above, the present invention is
not limited to the above description; it is obvious that various
modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art
based on the gist of the present invention described in the claims
or disclosed in the specification; and it is needless to say that
such modifications and changes are within the range of the present
invention.
The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a
portable terminal apparatus including a display function in a
rotatable and/or openable/closable case, and is useful because if
the screen aspect is changed from the vertical screen to the
horizontal screen, from the horizontal screen to the vertical
screen, etc., the layout is changed for each screen; the screen
configuration is optimized; visibility and usability of the screen
display can be improved; and functionality can be reinforced since
the function corresponding to the screen can be launched.
* * * * *