MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

• US 20070123309A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sano, Tatsuya, Mukae, Ryoji
• Application Number:
  US11/559,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20070123309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0233 Including a rotatable display body part
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0243 using the relative angle between housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations

Abstract

A mobile information terminal apparatus including a first case including a display portion, a second case, and a rotary support mechanism for supporting the first case and the second case such that the first case is horizontally rotatable with respect to the second case and the first case takes at least a first position and a second position different from the first position, in which the shapes of the mobile information terminal apparatus at the first position and the second position are substantially identical. Thus key operability, especially that for performing entertainment functions represented by gaming function, is improved and usability of the apparatus is enhanced.

Claims

1. A mobile information terminal apparatus comprising:

a first case including a display portion;

a second case; and

a rotary support mechanism for supporting said first case and said second case such that said first case is horizontally rotatable with respect to said second case and said first case takes at least a first position and a second position different from the first position, wherein

shapes of said mobile information terminal apparatus at the first position and the second position are substantially identical.

2. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said first case has a part of operating keys of said mobile information terminal apparatus,

when said first case is at the second position, the part of the operating keys and the rest of the operating keys are respectively disposed at both left and right end portions in longitudinal direction of said mobile information terminal apparatus so that said mobile information terminal apparatus can be operated by both hands.

3. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a position detector for detecting a position of said first case, and

a controller for controlling functions of said mobile information terminal apparatus depending on results of detection by said position detector, wherein

said controller changes the function of said mobile information terminal apparatus depending on whether said first case is at the first position or at the second position.

4. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

said rotary support mechanism allows said first case to take a third position located between the first and second positions;

and

said controller changes the function of said mobile information terminal apparatus depending on whether said first case is at the first position, at the second position, or at the third position.

5. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

said controller provides phone and/or electronic mail function when said first case is at the first position, and

said controller provides game and/or camera function when said first case is at the second position.

6. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

said controller provides TV or video function when said first case is at the third position.

7. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

at least numeric keys including 0 to 9 are disposed on said second case and at least arrow keys and a decision key are disposed on said first cabinet, and wherein

said controller changes the roles of said numeric keys, said arrow keys, and the decision key depending on the position of said first case.

8. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the numeric keys are made up of ordinary numeric keys and special numeric keys and the special numeric key is configured to be larger and higher than the ordinary key.

9. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the special numeric keys are arranged to surround at least one ordinary numeric key and have their keytops provided with a down slope portion toward the surrounded ordinary numeric key.

10. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

when said first case is at the second position capable of responding to both of the game and camera functions, the controller switches between the game function and the camera function depending on whether or not a predetermined key has been depressed for a long time.

11. The mobile information terminal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein

a zoom key for use in a mode of performing the camera function is used as an L key for gaming in a mode of performing the game function and a shutter key for use in the mode of performing the camera function is used as an R key for gaming in the mode of performing the game function.

12. A method of controlling a mobile information terminal apparatus, wherein

said mobile information terminal apparatus includes a first case having a display portion, a second case, a rotary support mechanism for supporting said first case and second case such that said first case is horizontally rotatable with respect to said second case and said first case takes at least a first position and a second position different from the first position and, wherein

shapes of said mobile information terminal apparatus at the first position and in the second position are substantially identical,

the method of controlling said mobile information terminal apparatus comprising the steps of:

detecting the position of said first case; and

controlling functioning of said mobile information terminal apparatus depending on results of the detection in the step of detecting the position, wherein

at said controlling step, functioning of said mobile information terminal apparatus is controlled to be different depending on whether said first case is at the first position or at the second position.