JP2006276228A - Information output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user friendliness by outputting information from an image in an exposed state in a plurality of partial images and a plurality of sub-monitor images, in an information output apparatus for outputting visible information according to a mode, which is, for example, applied to a mobile communication terminal. <P>SOLUTION: An upper half area and a lower half area of a main liquid crystal display (LCD) 34 provided in a main body, are respectively covered by two flips. An upper sub-LCD 36 and a lower sub-LCD 38 are respectively provided in the two flips. The flips are connected to the main body by a free joint and attitude of the flips is freely changed with reference to the main body. Whether the upper half area or the lower half area is exposed and whether the upper sub-LCD 36 or the lower sub-LCD 38 is exposed, depend on the attitude of the flips. A CPU 28 judges the attitude of the flips based on outputs of an open/close sensor 24 and a wrench sensor 26, and information is output from the image which is in the exposed state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information output apparatus, and more particularly to an information output apparatus that is applied to, for example, a mobile communication terminal and outputs visible information corresponding to a mode.

An example of a conventional device of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to this prior art, two covers are respectively coupled to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main body. Both covers are connected to the main body by a universal joint, whereby the posture of the cover is freely changed.
JP-A-10-31352 [H04N 7/14, H04B 1/38, H04Q 7/32, 7/38, H04M 1/00]

    However, in the prior art, visible information is output only from a display monitor provided on one main surface of the main body. For this reason, when all or a part of one main surface of the main body is covered with a cover, recognition of visible information and, consequently, operation using visible information becomes difficult.

    Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an information output device capable of improving usability.

  The information output device (10) according to the invention of claim 1 includes a main monitor screen (34) provided in the main body, a plurality of covers (FL1, FL2) each covering a plurality of partial screens forming the main monitor screen, A plurality of sub-monitor screens (36, 38) respectively provided on the cover, a plurality of universal joints (UJ1, UJ2) respectively connecting the plurality of covers to the main body, and a state determining means (S1) for determining the posture of each of the plurality of covers , S5, S11, S21, S25, S31), and output means (S69, S71, S71, S71, S31), and an output means for outputting information from an exposed screen among a plurality of partial screens and a plurality of sub-monitor screens. S73, S79, S99, S101, S103, S117).

  A plurality of partial screens forming a main monitor screen provided in the main body are respectively covered by a plurality of covers. A plurality of sub-monitor screens are respectively provided on the plurality of covers. A plurality of such covers are respectively coupled to the main body by a plurality of universal joints. Therefore, each posture of the plurality of covers is freely changed with respect to the main body. Which of the plurality of partial screens forming the main monitor screen is exposed and which of the plurality of sub-monitor screens is exposed depends on the posture of each of the plurality of covers.

  The postures of the plurality of covers are determined by the state determination unit. The output means outputs information from an exposed screen among the plurality of partial screens and the plurality of sub-monitor screens based on the determination result of the state determination means. Therefore, even if the posture of the cover changes, information can be accurately recognized and usability can be improved.

  The information output device according to the invention of claim 2 is dependent on claim 1 and further comprises mode discriminating means (S61, S91) for discriminating the operation mode, and the output means outputs information corresponding to the discrimination result of the mode discriminating means. To do.

  The information output device according to the invention of claim 3 is dependent on claim 2, and the operation mode includes a telephone mode and a content reception mode.

  According to the present invention, since information is output from an exposed screen among a plurality of partial screens and a plurality of sub-monitor screens, the information can be accurately recognized even if the cover posture is changed. Improvement is realized.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal 10 of this embodiment includes a wireless processing circuit 14 that realizes a wireless communication function in cooperation with a mobile communication system. The wireless communication function is always in an activated state as long as the power is turned on.

  When a dial operation is performed by the touch panel 40 or 42, the CPU 28 instructs the wireless processing circuit 14 to perform a calling process. The radio processing circuit 14 executes a calling process, and as a result, a calling signal is emitted toward a desired call partner. With the start of the calling process, the state of the mobile communication terminal 10 shifts from the non-calling state to the calling attempt state.

  In addition, when a call signal is received through the antenna 12, the wireless processing circuit 14 provides an incoming call detection signal to the CPU 28. In order to notify the incoming call, the CPU 28 instructs the sound generator 30 to generate a voice message, and connects the switch SW1 to the terminal T2. With the start of such incoming call notification processing, the state of the mobile communication terminal 10 shifts from the non-call state to the call trial state. The voice message generated by the sound generator 30 is output from the speaker 22 via the switch SW1 and the amplifier 20.

  If no off-hook operation is performed on the incoming notification, the call connection will fail. The state of the mobile communication terminal 10 returns from the call trial state to the non-call state. On the other hand, if an off-hook operation is performed for the incoming call notification, the call connection is successful. The state of the mobile communication terminal 10 shifts from a call trial state to a call ready state. The switch SW1 is connected to the terminal T1.

  When the call transition is established, the uttered voice captured by the microphone 18 is emitted from the antenna 12 through the modulation processing by the wireless processing circuit 14. The emitted speech voice is transmitted toward the communication terminal of the other party. The received voice sent from the other party is received by the antenna 12 and demodulated by the radio processing circuit 14. The demodulated received voice is output from the speaker 22 via the switch SW1 and the amplifier 20. When one speaker performs an off-hook operation, the call connection is interrupted. The state of the mobile communication terminal 10 shifts from a call ready state to a non-call state.

  Note that the “callable state” refers to a state in which a connection between speakers is successful and a call is possible. The “call attempt state” refers to a state in which connection between speakers is being attempted and the success / failure of the connection is uncertain. “Non-calling state” refers to a state in which neither a call ready state nor a call trial state is set.

  When a mail acquisition operation is performed by the touch panel 40 or 42, the CPU 28 controls the wireless processing circuit 14 to issue a mail acquisition request. As a result, the e-mail is transferred from a mail server (not shown). The transferred electronic mail is input to the CPU 28 via the antenna 12 and the wireless processing circuit 14. The CPU 28 stores the received electronic mail in the flash memory 46.

  When a mail browsing operation is performed by the touch panel 40 or 42, the character generator 32 is driven. The contents of the stored e-mail are displayed on the main LCD 34, the upper sub LCD 36, or the lower sub LCD 38 by the character generator 32.

  When a mail creation operation is performed by the touch panel 40 or 42, the character generator 32 is driven, and a mail creation screen is displayed on the main LCD 34, the upper sub LCD 36, or the lower sub LCD 38. The created electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server through the wireless processing circuit 14 and the antenna 12 when a mail transmission operation by the touch panel 40 or 42 is performed.

  2 (A) and 2 (B), portable terminal 10 is formed of a main body MB and two flip (cover) FL1 and FL2. The area of the main surface of each of the flips FL1 and FL2 is approximately ½ of the area of the main surface of the main body MB.

  Upper sub LCD 36 and touch panel 40 are embedded in one main surface of flip FL1 in a stacked state, and lower sub LCD 38 and touch panel 42 are embedded in one main surface of flip FL2 in a stacked state. Further, the main LCD 34 is embedded in the center in the length direction of the main body MB. Upper sub LCD 36, lower sub LCD 38, and main LCD 34 are exposed on one main surface of flip FL1, one main surface of flip FL2, and one main surface of main body MB, respectively.

  The flip FL1 is coupled to the main body MB by a universal joint UJ1, and the flip FL2 is coupled to the main body MB by a universal joint UJ2. The universal joint UJ1 has a hinge HG1 extending in the axis AX1 direction and a shaft SH1 extending in the axis AX3 direction, and the universal joint UJ2 has a hinge HG2 extending in the axis AX2 direction and a shaft SH2 extending in the axis AX3 direction.

  Accordingly, the flip FL1 is opened and closed with the hinge HG1 as an axis, and is twisted with the shaft SH1 as an axis. Similarly, the flip FL2 is opened and closed with the hinge HG2 as an axis, and is twisted with the shaft SH2 as an axis. The flips FL1 and FL2 can take 16 postures by such an opening / closing operation and / or a twisting operation.

  Note that the open / close state of each of the flips FL1 and FL2 is detected by the open / close sensor 24 shown in FIG. Further, the twist states of the flips FL1 and FL2 are detected by the twist sensor 26 shown in FIG.

  When the flips FL1 and FL2 are closed without being twisted, as shown in FIG. 2A, one main surface of the main body MB is covered with the flips FL1 and FL2. When the flip FL2 is closed in a twisted state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lower half of the other main surface of the main body MB is covered with the flip FL2. When the flip FL1 is closed in a twisted state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the upper half of the other main surface of the main body MB is covered with the flip FL2.

  The CPU 28 performs the open / close discrimination task shown in FIG. 4, the twist discrimination task shown in FIG. 5, the telephone mode discrimination task shown in FIG. 6, the mail mode discrimination task shown in FIG. 7, the telephone display task shown in FIGS. ~ The mail display task shown in Fig. 11 is executed in parallel. Note that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in the flash memory 46 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 4, in step S1, the open / close state of upper flip FL1 is determined. If the upper flip FL1 is open, the upper flip open flag is set to “1” in step S3, and the open / close state of the lower flip FL2 is determined in step S5. On the other hand, if the upper flip FL1 is in the closed state, the upper flip open flag is set to “0” in step S9, and the open / closed state of the lower flip FL2 is determined in step S11. If the lower flip FL2 is open, the lower flip open flag is set to "1" in step S7, and if the lower flip FL2 is closed, the lower flip open flag is set to "0" in step S13. When the process of step S7 or S13 is completed, the process returns to step S1.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in step S21, the twist state of upper flip FL1 is determined. If the upper flip FL1 is twisted, the upper flip twist flag is set to “1” in step S23, and the twist state of the lower flip FL2 is determined in step S25. On the other hand, if the upper flip FL1 is not twisted, the upper flip twist flag is set to “0” in step S29, and the twist state of the lower flip FL2 is determined in step S31. If the lower flip FL2 is twisted, the lower flip twist flag is set to "1" in step S27, and if the lower flip FL2 is not twisted, the lower flip twist flag is set to "0" in step S33. When the process of step S27 or S33 is completed, the process returns to step S21.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S41, the incoming flag is set to “0”. When an incoming call occurs, YES is determined in step S43, and the incoming flag is set to “1” in step S45. When the call ends, YES is determined in step S47, and the incoming flag is returned to “0” in step 49. When the process of step S49 is completed, the process returns to step S43.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in step S51, the mail mode flag is set to “0”. When the mail mode activation operation is performed, YES is determined in step S53, and the mail mode flag is set to “1” in step S55. When the mail mode stop operation is performed, YES is determined in step S57, and the mail mode flag is returned to "0" in step 59. When the process of step S59 is completed, the process returns to step S53.

  Referring to FIG. 8, it is determined in step S61 whether or not the mail mode flag is “0”. If YES here, the states of the upper flip-open flag, the lower flip-open flag, the upper flip twist flag, and the lower flip twist flag are determined in steps S63, S65, and S67, respectively. When each of the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicates “1” and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, the process proceeds from step S63 to step S69.

  When the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “1” and “0”, respectively, and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, the process proceeds from step S65 to step S71. When the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “0” and “1”, respectively, and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, the process proceeds from step S67 to step S73.

  In step S69, the calendar is displayed on the upper sub LCD 36, the main menu is displayed on the main LCD 34, and the telephone directory list is displayed on the lower sub LCD 38. In step S 71, the calendar is displayed on the upper sub LCD 36 and the schedule is displayed in the upper half area of the main LCD 34. In step S73, the phone book list is displayed on the lower sub LCD 38, and the phone book details are displayed in the lower half area of the main LCD 34.

  In step S75, the state of the incoming flag is determined. In step S77, the states of the upper flip open flag, the lower flip open flag, the upper flip twist flag, and the lower flip twist flag are determined. If the incoming flag indicates “1”, the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “1” and “0”, respectively, and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, Proceed to step S79. If any one is not satisfied, the process returns to step S61.

  In step S79, the telephone menu is displayed on the upper sub LCD 36, and the name and telephone number of the caller are displayed in the upper half area of the main LCD 34. If the incoming flag returns to “0”, “YES” is determined in the step S81, and the process returns to the step S61.

  Note that the calendar, main menu, schedule, phone book list, phone book details, and sender name are all stored in the flash memory 46 and displayed on the desired LCD by the character generator 32.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in step S91, it is determined whether or not the mail mode flag is “1”. If YES here, the states of the upper flip open flag, the lower flip open flag, the upper flip twist flag, and the lower flip twist flag are determined in steps S93, S95, S97, S105, S107, S109, and S111, respectively.

  When each of the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicates “0” and the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicate “1” and “0”, respectively, the process proceeds from step S93 to step S99. The mail text is displayed in the upper half area of the main LCD 34. When each of the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicates “0” and the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicate “0” and “1”, respectively, the process proceeds from step S95 to step S101. The mail text is displayed in the lower half area of the main LCD 34.

  When the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “1” and “0”, respectively, and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, the process proceeds from step S97 to step S103. In step S103, the text of the received e-mail is displayed on the upper sub LCD 36, and the continuation of this text is displayed in the upper half area of the main LCD 34.

  When the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “1” and “0”, respectively, and when the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicate “1” and “0”, respectively, step S105 to step S113. Then, the contents of the file attached to the received e-mail are displayed on the upper sub LCD 36.

  When each of the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicates “1” and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, the process proceeds from step S107 to step S115 and should be returned. An e-mail creation screen is displayed on the main LCD 34.

  When the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “0” and “1”, respectively, and each of the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicates “0”, the process proceeds from step S109 to step S117. In step S117, the body text of the received electronic mail is displayed on the lower sub LCD 38, and the received electronic mail list is displayed on the lower sub LCD 38.

  When the upper flip open flag and the lower flip open flag indicate “0” and “1”, respectively, and when the upper flip twist flag and the lower flip twist flag indicate “0” and “1”, respectively, steps S111 to S119 are performed. Then, the contents of the file attached to the mail are displayed on the lower sub LCD 38.

  In any of steps S99 to S103 and S113 to S119, the desired information is displayed on the desired LCD by driving the character generator 32.

  The state shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is a state in which both the upper flip FL1 and the lower flip FL2 are opened and neither the upper flip FL1 nor the lower flip FL2 is twisted. At this time, the main LCD 34, the upper sub LCD 36, and the lower sub LCD 38 are all exposed to the outside.

  The state shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is a state where the lower flip FL2 is opened and neither the upper flip FL1 nor the lower flip FL2 is twisted. Further, the state shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is a state in which the lower flip FL2 is opened and twisted. At this time, the lower half area of the main LCD 36 and the lower sub LCD 38 are exposed to the outside.

  The states shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B are states in which the upper flip FL1 is opened and neither the upper flip FL1 nor the lower flip FL2 is twisted. Further, the state shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is a state in which the upper flip FL1 is opened and twisted. At this time, the upper half LCD 34 and the upper half area of the main LCD 36 are exposed to the outside.

  The state shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B is a state in which both the upper flip FL1 and the lower flip FL2 are closed and the lower flip FL2 is twisted. At this time, the lower half area of the main LCD 36 is exposed to the outside.

  The state shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B is a state in which both the upper flip FL1 and the lower flip FL2 are closed and the upper flip FL1 is twisted. At this time, the upper half area of the main LCD 36 is exposed to the outside.

  In addition, the transition of the display mode in each of the telephone mode and the mail mode is shown in FIG. The display mode of the column surrounded by the thick line is a display mode using all LCDs exposed to the outside.

  As can be seen from the above description, the upper half area and the lower half area of the main LCD 34 provided in the main body MB are covered with the flips FL1 and FL2, respectively. On the flips FL1 and FL2, an upper sub LCD 36 and a lower sub LCD 38 are provided, respectively. The flips FL1 and FL2 are respectively coupled to the main body MB by universal joints UJ1 and UJ2. Accordingly, the postures of the flips FL1 and FL2 freely change with respect to the main body MB. Which of the upper half area and the lower half area of the main LCD is exposed and which of the upper sub LCD 36 and the lower sub LCD 38 is exposed depends on the postures of the flips FL1 and FL2.

  The CPU 28 determines the postures of the flips FL1 and FL2 based on the outputs of the open / close sensor 24 and the twist sensor 26 (S1, S5, S11, S21, S25, S31). Further, the CPU 38 outputs information from the screen in the exposure state based on the determination result (S69, S71, S73, S79, S99, S101, S103, S117). Therefore, even if the posture of the cover changes, information can be accurately recognized and usability can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. (A) is a front view showing a state in which both flips are closed, and (B) is a front view showing a state in which both flips are opened. (A) is a perspective view which shows a certain attitude | position of FIG. 2 Example, (B) is a perspective view which shows the other attitude | position of FIG. 2 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of CPU applied to the FIG. 1 Example. (A) is a front view showing a state where both flips are opened, and (B) is a side view showing a state where both flips are opened. (A) is a front view showing a state where the lower flip is opened, (B) is a side view showing a state where the lower flip is opened. (A) is a front view showing a state where the lower flip is opened and twisted, and (B) is a side view showing a state where the lower flip is opened and twisted. (A) is a front view showing a state where the upper flip is opened, and (B) is a side view showing a state where the upper flip is opened. (A) is a front view showing a state where the upper flip is opened and twisted, and (B) is a side view showing a state where the upper flip is opened and twisted. (A) is a front view showing a state where the lower flip is twisted, (B) is a side view showing a state where the lower flip is twisted. (A) is a front view which shows the state by which the upper flip was twisted, (B) is a side view which shows the state by which the upper flip was twisted. It is an illustration figure which shows a part of operation | movement of FIG. 1 Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile communication terminal 14 ... Wireless circuit 18 ... Microphone 22 ... Speaker 24 ... Opening / closing sensor 26 ... Twist sensor 28 ... CPU
32 ... Character generator 34, 38 ... Sub LCD
36 ... Main LCD

Claims (3)

Main monitor screen provided on the main unit,
A plurality of covers each covering a plurality of partial screens forming the main monitor screen;
A plurality of sub-monitor screens respectively provided on the plurality of covers;
A plurality of universal joints respectively coupling the plurality of covers to the body;
A state discriminating unit that discriminates the posture of each of the plurality of covers; and an output that outputs information from an exposed screen of the plurality of partial screens and the plurality of sub-monitor screens based on a discrimination result of the state discriminating unit An information output device comprising means. It further comprises mode discriminating means for discriminating the operation mode,
The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs information corresponding to a determination result of the mode determination unit.   The information output device according to claim 2, wherein the operation mode includes a telephone mode and a content reception mode.

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