PORTABLE INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS

• US 20080220821A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kazutaka Okuzako, Masatake Nakano
• Original Assignee: Kazutaka Okuzako, Masatake Nakano
• Inventors: NAKANO, Masatake, OKUZAKO, Kazutaka
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00469 with enlargement of a selected area of the displayed information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera

Abstract

An outer display is provided in an area exposed to the outside, of a first movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other. An outer operation section is provided in an area other than the exposed area of the first and second movable parts whichever comes behind the outer display in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other. The operator can enter predetermined information on a predetermined display content displayed on the outer display. Even in a condition where the first and second movable parts fold closed, the operator can enter predetermined information from the outer operation section while watching the outer display, which enhances the operability.

Claims

1. A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

a first movable part;

a second movable part, the first movable part and the second movable part being connected so as to be mutually angularly displaceable, from a closed condition where the movable parts are opposed to each other to an open condition where areas of the first and second movable parts opposed in the closed condition are exposed to the outside;

an inner operation section for entering predetermined information, the inner operation section being provided in an area of the second movable part opposed to the first movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an inner display for displaying a predetermined display content in response to predetermined information entered from the inner operation section, the inner display being provided in an area of the first movable part opposed to the second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer display for displaying a predetermined display content, the outer display being provided in an area exposed to the outside, of at least one of the first movable part and second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer operation section for entering predetermined information on the predetermined display content displayed on the outer display, the outer operation section being provided in an area other than the exposed area of at least one of the first and second movable parts whichever comes behind the outer display in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an externally oriented imaging section provided in the exposed area;

a condition detector for detecting a closed condition and an open condition of the first and second movable parts; and

a controller for causing the imaging section to shoot an image in response to predetermined information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, causing the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the predetermined information was entered from the inner operation section, and causing the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the predetermined information was entered from the outer operation section.

3. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section includes an operation selector for activating one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section and deactivating the other one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section.

4. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller sets the outer operation section to a command input function capable of inputting a command related to photographing, while displaying the image shot by the imaging section on the outer display.

5. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller displays a plurality of function display buttons for setting a desired function selected from among a plurality of functions related to photographing on one of the inner display and the outer display, and

a plurality of function setting operation buttons corresponding to the plurality of function display buttons are respectively provided in the inner operation section and the outer operation section.

6. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller displays a plurality of function display buttons for setting a desired function selected from among a plurality of functions related to photographing on one of the inner display and the outer display, and

a plurality of function setting operation buttons corresponding to the plurality of function display buttons are respectively provided in the inner operation section and the outer operation section.

7. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller displays the function setting display buttons on the outer display in a state where settable functions are restricted in comparison with the plurality of function display buttons displayed on the inner display.

8. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a setting information storage section for storing information set with the function setting operation button.

9. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a setting information storage section for storing information set with the function setting operation button.

10. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section and a content showing a setting on the photographing.

11. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the outer operation section is provided with an operation key for entering information concerning setting on photographing.

12. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the outer operation section has operation keys including at least an UP key, a DOWN key, a LEFT key and a RIGHT key, and

the controller is adapted to modify exposure correction setting or ZOOM/WIDE setting when the UP key or the DOWN key, or the LEFT key or the RIGHT key is pressed while displaying the image shot by the imaging section on the outer display.

13. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller is adapted to cause an end of the outer display to display a content showing setting on photographing.

14. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section and a content showing setting on photographing.

15. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inner operation section is provided with an operation key for entering information concerning setting on photographing.

16. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display a function menu screen so that function setting items related to photographing can be displayed thereon and each of the items can be chosen by the outer operation section.

17. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the outer operation section has at least a key for causing the outer display to display the function menu screen.

18. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display the function menu screen when the key is operated while the controller is causing the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section.

19. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the outer operation section has at least an UP key and a DOWN key, and

the controller is adapted to move a cursor displayed on the function menu screen to choose an item by pressing at least one of the UP key and the DOWN key.

20. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the outer operation section further has a CENTER key, and

the controller is adapted to validate or cancel an item chosen with the cursor by pressing the CENTER key.

21. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer operation section is provided with an operation key for entering information concerning a setting on photographing, and

the operation key has at least an UP key, a DOWN key, a LEFT key and a RIGHT key.

22. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 21, wherein the controller is adapted to modify exposure correction setting or ZOOM/WIDE setting when one of the UP key and the DOWN key or one of the LEFT key and the RIGHT key is pressed while displaying the image shot by the imaging section on the outer display.

23. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a memory for storing image data, wherein

the outer operation section has a CENTER key arranged in a center of the UP key, DOWN key, LEFT key and RIGHT key, and

the controller is adapted to cause the memory to store the image data of the image shot by the imaging section when the CENTER key is pressed while the controller is causing the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section.

24. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 21, wherein the outer operation section is provided to face a side the same as a side which the display face of the outer display faces.

43. A cellular telephone comprising the portable information processing apparatus of claim 1 or 2.

2. A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

a first movable part;

a second movable part, the first movable part and the second movable part being connected so as to be mutually angularly displaceable, from a closed condition where the movable parts are opposed to each other to an open condition where areas of the first and second movable parts opposed in the closed condition are exposed to the outside;

an inner operation section for entering predetermined information, the inner operation section being provided in an area of the second movable part opposed to the first movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an inner display for displaying a predetermined display content in response to predetermined information entered from the inner operation section, the inner display being provided in an area of the first movable part opposed to the second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer display for displaying a predetermined display content, the outer display being provided in an area exposed to the outside, of at least one of the first movable part and second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer operation section for entering predetermined information on the predetermined display content displayed on the outer display, the outer operation section being provided in an area other than the exposed area of at least one of the first and second movable parts whichever comes behind the outer display in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

a condition detector for detecting a closed condition and an open condition of the first and second movable parts; and

an imaging section disposed on the exposed area, for shooting an image in response to predetermined information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, the imaging section being provided facing the same side as the side where the display face of the outer display faces,

wherein an image shot with the imaging section is displayed on the inner display when the predetermined information used to shoot an image with the imaging section was entered from the inner operation section, and is displayed on the outer display when the predetermined information used to shoot an image with the imaging section was entered from the outer operation section.

25. A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

a first movable part;

a second movable part, the first movable part and the second movable part being connected so as to be mutually angularly displaceable, from a closed condition where the movable parts are opposed to each other to an open condition where areas of the first and second movable parts opposed in the closed condition are exposed to the outside;

an inner operation section for entering predetermined information, the inner operation section being provided in an area of the second movable part opposed to the first movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an inner display for displaying a predetermined display content in response to predetermined information entered from the inner operation section, the inner display being provided in an area of the first movable part opposed to the second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer display for displaying a predetermined display content, the outer display being provided in an area exposed to the outside, of at least one of the first movable part and second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer operation section for entering predetermined information on the predetermined display content displayed on the outer display, the outer operation section being provided in an area other than the exposed area of at least one of the first and second movable parts whichever comes behind the outer display in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

a condition detector for detecting a closed condition and an open condition of the first and second movable parts; and

an operation selector key for activating one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section and deactivating the other one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section.

26. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 25, wherein the operation selector key activates the outer operation section and deactivates the inner operation section.

27. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 25, wherein by validating an input from the inner operation section, the inner operation section is activated, and by validating an input from the outer operation section, the outer operation section is activated, and

the operation selector key is adapted to modify a setting on whether the input from the inner operation section or the input from the outer operation section is validated.

28. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 25, wherein the operation selector key is provided in at least one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section.

29. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

a controller, wherein

by validating an input from the inner operation section, the inner operation section is activated, and by validating an input from the outer operation section, the outer operation section is activated, and

the controller is adapted to modify a setting on whether the input from the inner operation section or the input from the outer operation section is validated when the operation selector key is operated.

30. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

an externally oriented imaging section provided in the exposed area in the closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other; and

a controller for causing the imaging section to shoot an image in response to information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, causing the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the inner operation section, and causing the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the outer operation section.

31. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 30, wherein the outer operation section and the imaging section are provided to face the same side as the side where the display face of the outer display faces in the closed condition, and

the outer operation section and the imaging section are provided on opposite sides of the outer display.

32. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 30, wherein the outer operation section includes at least an operation key for causing the outer display to display a function menu screen including items for setting function related to photographing, and is provided so that each of the items of the function menu screen displayed in the outer display can be chosen by the operation key.

33. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section in the open condition and switches from the inner display to the outer display to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section when switching from the open condition to the closed condition is carried out.

34. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 30, further comprising:

a memory for storing a image data, wherein

the inner operation section includes an operation key intended for storage of the image data shot by the imaging section into the memory.

35. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 30, wherein the inner operation section includes a shutter key.

36. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 30, further comprising:

a memory for storing a image data, wherein

the outer operation section includes an operation key intended for storage of the image data shot by the imaging section into the memory.

37. The portable information processing apparatus claim 30, wherein the outer operation section includes a shutter key.

38. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 32 or 36, wherein the outer display displays the image shot by the imaging section and a description of the operation key of the outer operation section.

39. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 38, wherein the outer operation section is provided to face a side the same as a side which the display face of the outer display faces, and

an operation key description area showing the description of the operation key is provided in an end area close to the operation key in a display screen of the outer display.

41. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 32, wherein the outer operation section has at least an UP key and a DOWN key, and

the controller is adapted to move a cursor displayed on the function menu screen to choose an item by pressing at least one of the UP key and the DOWN key.

42. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 41, wherein the outer operation section further has a CENTER key, and

the controller is adapted to validate or cancel an item chosen with the cursor displayed on the function menu screen by pressing the CENTER key.

44. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

a condition detector for detecting at least the closed condition;

an externally oriented imaging section provided in the exposed area in the closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other; and

a controller for causing the imaging section to shoot an image in response to information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, causing the inner display to display the image shot by the image section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the inner operation section, and causing the outer display to display the image shot by the image section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the outer operation section, wherein

the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section and a content showing a setting on a current photographing set by the outer display section when the condition detector detects the closed condition.

45. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

an externally oriented imaging section provided in the exposed area in the closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other, wherein

the controller is adapted to cause the imaging section to shoot an image in response to information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, is adapted to cause the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the inner operation section, and is adapted to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the outer operation section, and

the controller is adapted to invalidate an input of information from the inner operation section when a change from the open condition to the closed condition is detected by the condition detector and is adapted to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section and a content showing a setting on a current photographing set by the outer display section.

46. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

an externally oriented imaging section provided in the exposed area in the closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other, wherein

the controller is adapted to cause the imaging section to shoot an image in response to information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, is adapted to cause the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the inner operation section, and is adapted to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the outer operation section,

the controller is adapted to invalidate an input of information from the outer operation section and is adapted to validate an input of information from the inner operation section when a change from the closed condition to the open condition is detected by the condition detector, and

the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section and a content showing a setting on a current photographing set by the outer operation section when a change from the open condition to the closed condition is detected by the condition detector.

48. The portable information processing apparatus of claim 29, wherein the outer display is a translucent half-reflecting liquid crystal display device,

a backlight is provided on a back of the outer operation section as viewed from a display face, and

when a predetermined interval of time has elapsed since the backlight was turned on, the controller turns the backlight off.

40. A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

a first movable part;

a second movable part, the first movable part and the second movable part being connected so as to be mutually angularly displaceable, from a closed condition where the movable parts are opposed to each other to an open condition where areas of the first and second movable parts opposed in the closed condition are exposed to the outside;

an inner operation section for entering predetermined information, the inner operation section being provided in an area of the second movable part opposed to the first movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an inner display for displaying a predetermined display content in response to predetermined information entered from the inner operation section, the inner display being provided in an area of the first movable part opposed to the second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer display for displaying a predetermined display content, the outer display being provided in an area exposed to the outside, of at least one of the first movable part and second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer operation section for entering predetermined information on the predetermined display content displayed on the outer display, the outer operation section being provided in an area other than the exposed area of at least one of the first and second movable parts whichever comes behind the outer display in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

a condition detector for detecting a closed condition and an open condition of the first and second movable parts,

an operation selector key for activating one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section and deactivating the other one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section;

an externally oriented imaging section provided in the exposed area in the closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other; and

a controller for causing the imaging section to shoot an image in response to information entered from one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section, causing the inner display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the inner operation section, and causing the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section when the information for shooting by the imaging section was entered from the outer operation section, wherein

the outer operation section includes at least an operation key for causing the outer display to display a function menu screen including items for setting function related to photographing, and is provided so that each of the items of the function menu screen displayed in the outer display can be chosen by the operation key, and

the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display the function menu screen when the operation key is operated while the controller is causing the outer display to display the image shot by the imaging section.

47. A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

a first movable part;

a second movable part, the first movable part and the second movable part being connected so as to be mutually angularly displaceable, from a closed condition where the movable parts are opposed to each other to an open condition where areas of the first and second movable parts opposed in the closed condition are exposed to the outside;

an inner operation section for entering predetermined information, the inner operation section being provided in an area of the second movable part opposed to the first movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an inner display for displaying a predetermined display content in response to predetermined information entered from the inner operation section, the inner display being provided in an area of the first movable part opposed to the second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer display for displaying a predetermined display content, the outer display being provided in an area exposed to the outside, of at least one of the first movable part and second movable part in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

an outer operation section for entering predetermined information on the predetermined display content displayed on the outer display, the outer operation section being provided in an area other than the exposed area of at least one of the first and second movable parts whichever comes behind the outer display in a closed condition where the first and second movable parts are opposed to each other;

a condition detector for detecting a closed condition and an open condition of the first and second movable parts;

an operation selector key for activating one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section and deactivating the other one of the inner operation section and the outer operation section; and

a controller, wherein

the controller is adapted to modify a setting on whether the input from the inner operation section or the input from the outer operation section is validated when the operation selector key is operated,

a display face of the outer display is formed smaller than a display face of the inner display, and

the controller is adapted to cause the outer display to display items of a function menu screen under conditions that display of settable functions of the outer display is limited in comparison with the inner display.