PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL EQUIPMENT

• US 20100222114A1
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: FUJII, Mika, Shiosaka, Sumiyo
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• 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 1/0225 Rotatable telephones, i.e. the body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis perpendicular to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0243 using the relative angle between housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

Portable information terminal equipment having a function to perform the informing process at the time of reception in cooperation with a connecting section driving mechanism as well as a function to enable the open/close movement of the upper and lower units through one-touch operation making use of the connecting section driving mechanism. Depending on informing modes, a motor drive circuit drives a motor under the control of a controller on receipt of a call or a message to apply a driving force to the open/close mechanism of a hinge unit. Thereby, the portable information terminal equipment is folded/unfolded, that is, the posture of the portable information terminal equipment is changed, and a user is informed of the receipt of the call or the message. Besides, the portable information terminal equipment performs conventional informing processes, such as ringing, light emitting, message or image display and the like, in combination with the open/close or rotative operation.

Claims

1. Portable information terminal equipment comprising:

two units;

a connecting section for connecting the two units with each other for relative movement;

a connecting section driving mechanism for changing the relative positions of the two units to open/close the units;

a controller for controlling the connecting section driving mechanism to move either or both the units from a first relative position to a relative position at a prescribed relative angle to each other when receiving a call or a message to thereby inform a user of the receipt of the call or the message; and

a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

3. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered;

and

further comprising a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

5. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector, and

a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

8. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller, and

further comprising a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

11. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered;

and

wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

13. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, further comprising a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector;

wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

16. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller;

when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

18. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

20. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered; and

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

22. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, further comprising a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector, and, wherein:

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

27. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

30. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered; and

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

32. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, further comprising a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector, and, wherein:

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

35. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller;

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

37. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

2. Portable information terminal equipment comprising:

two units;

a connecting section for connecting the two units with each other for relative movement;

a connecting section driving mechanism for changing the relative positions of the two units to open/close the units; and

a controller for controlling the connecting section driving mechanism to move either or both the units from a first relative position to a relative position at a prescribed relative angle to each other when receiving a call or a message based on information about the sender of the call or the message and/or the received message to thereby inform a user of the receipt of the call or the message;

a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

4. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered;

and

further comprising a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

6. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector; and

a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

7. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a setting interface for registering user settings with respect to the sender information, received message information and the relative positions of the two units, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the relative positions of the units when receiving a call or a message based on the user settings; and

a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

9. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller;

and

further comprising a battery state detector for detecting whether or not a battery, which is a power supply for driving the equipment, is being charged and/or the remaining amount of charge in the battery, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism based on the result of the detection by the battery state detector.

10. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

12. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered;

and

wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

14. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector;

wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

15. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a setting interface for registering user settings with respect to the sender information, received message information and the relative positions of the two units, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the relative positions of the units when receiving a call or a message based on the user settings;

and

wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

17. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller, and

when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

19. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein, when an incoming call is not answered, the two units are arranged in prescribed relative positions according to the number of unanswered calls from the same sender during a prescribed time period under the control of the controller.

21. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered;

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

23. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector;

and wherein;

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

24. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a setting interface for registering user settings with respect to the sender information, received message information and the relative positions of the two units, wherein:

the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the relative positions of the units when receiving a call or a message based on the user settings;

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

25. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a setting interface for registering user settings with respect to the sender information, received message information and the relative positions of the two units, wherein the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the relative positions of the units when receiving a call or a message based on the user settings;

and wherein;

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

26. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller;

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

28. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

29. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the connecting section has a slide structure including slide rails set on one of the units and slide parts set on the other unit in sliding engagement with the slide rail; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by sliding the unit having the slide parts along the slide rails.

31. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the controller provides open/close operation control so that the two units are located in prescribed relative positions when an incoming call is not answered;

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

33. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a detector for detecting the placed condition of the equipment, wherein the controller provides open/close operation control based on the placed condition of the equipment detected by the detector;

and wherein;

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

34. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, further comprising a setting interface for registering user settings with respect to the sender information, received message information and the relative positions of the two units, wherein:

the controller controls the connecting section driving mechanism in a manner so as to change the relative positions of the units when receiving a call or a message based on the user settings;

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

36. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the two units repeatedly open/close at prescribed intervals under the control of the controller;

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

38. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

39. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.

40. The portable information terminal equipment claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the connecting section rotatably supports the two units on a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a display surface; and

the connecting section driving mechanism changes the relative positions of the two units by rotating either or both the units on the rotation axis.