AU9132298A

AU9132298A - Portable terminal device capable of controlling direction of screen display on display

Info

Publication number: AU9132298A
Application number: AU91322/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Fumiyuki Kobayashi
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1997-11-05
Filing date: 1998-11-04
Publication date: 1999-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-04
Also published as: GB9824281D0; JPH11143604A; GB2331204A; AU739713B2; GB2331204B

Description

~u rmra-u~ ll~- S F Ref: 440970

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIRCAION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: NEC Corporation 7-1, Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo

JAPAN

Fumiyuki Kobayashi Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Hales, 2000, Australia Portable Terminal Device Capable of Controlling Direction of Screen Display on Display The following statement Is a full description of this Invention, Including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- P3C-ABLE C TYNAL D-V7LCE CAPBEO CU L~ IEIC FS~ D ISP LAY CN DISPLAY BCKGFMNDOF TE-TF" The present invle-zion relates to a cort able ter:-,inal device, and ror prticularly to a ::<)-table terminal device h v-rng pa.. display displaying a character string, a syrbol or the like.

Drescriotion of the Related Art *vo Recently, a irebile inforiucn. terminal having a f:nction _Uch as a ccnr.iicatioflfnct using a telephone and a data carmuni cation E unction performred by connecting to a telephone circuit has been widely spread. In this type of rob-ile informtationl termti'a 1 characters displayedi on a display are always displ ayed parallel, to a long side.

5 At this timre, w.ten a user holds the mrobile inforation terninal parallel to the long side, itis difficult for the user to read the characters disrplayed on the di splay. Thus, this terminal has a problemu of a serious lack of facilities.

A telephone handset disclosed in Capanese Patent Laid-Cpen Vlo.

Heisei 1-(1988) -243646 incorporates a sensor for sensing a direction of gravity. In accordance with a signial fran the sensor, the direction of the characters or the Like displayed on the display is changed. Even if this telepocne handset Is t-ilted, the characters or the ik e are always displayed in the direction of gra-vity. Thus, the user easily rzeads5 the characters or the like displayed,- on the display.

How-,ever, even if this telechonie handset is chanced in its direction on a desk, the direction of oravuitv is5 not charced and thus -Azv i; t 2 the direction of the characters or the like displayed on the display is not changed.

SURLARY OF Tr INVLNTICNI An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device obtained by further i-prove the conventional portable terninal device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable S. terminal device which can control a direction of screen display on a display by a user's operation of a controlling button disposed on the portable terminal device.

A still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device which can autcmatically control the direction of screen display on the display in response to how the user holds the portable terminal device, without needing any user's operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a S portable termmnal device wu-ich realizes its sTall size without an additional space for the controlling button.

In order to achieve the above objects, a portable terminal device of the present invention includes: a display for displaying data; decision circuit for deciding whether or not the portable terminal device is held by a user; and a controller for automatically controlling a direction of screen display on the displaying rreans in accordance with a result of decision obtained fran the decision circuit.

The decision circuit is preferably at least one of a pressure sensor and a photo-detection sensor.

The portable terminal device further includes a setting section 1 I for autcratically setting a telephone function whnen the direction of screen display on the display is controlled by the controller. The display autcratically displays information about the telephone function when the direction of screen display on the display is controlled by the controller. The infouration about the telephone function is a ten key. The portable terminal device is either a mobile telephone or a radio selective call receiver.

A portable terminal device includes a display for displaying the data; a decision circuit for detecting a contact with the user; and a *O0 controller for autcatically controlling the direction of screen display on the display in accordance with a result of detection obtained from the decision circuit. The portable terminal device is characterized in that the decision circuit is at least one of a pressure sensor and a photo-detection sensor. The portable terminal 15 device is characterized in that the decision circuit is arranged on a surface other than the surface on which the display is disposed. The portable terminal device is characterized in that the decision circuit are arranged on both side surfaces with respect to the surface on which the display is disposed, in the condition where the portable terminal device is longitudinally held. ne portable terminal device is characterized in that the controller sets the direction of screen display on the display to a first direction when the user is in contact with one or both of the decision circuit arranged on both the side surfaces, and the controller sets the direction of screen display on the display to a different second direction fran the first direction when the user is in contact with neither of the decision circuit arranged on both the side surfaces. The portable terminal device

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further includes at least one recess arranged on the surface even with the surface on iwich the display is disposed, wherein the decision circuit is disposed in the recess. The portable terminal device is characterized in that the recess is shaped so that it may fit the finger of the user. The portable terminal device further includes setting section for autoratically setting the telephone function when the direction of screen display on the display is controlled by the controller. The portable terminal device is characterized in that the S* display automatically displays the information about the telephone *t'0 function when the direction of screen display on the display is controlled by the controller. The portable terminal device is c haracterized in that the information about the telephone function is a ten key. The portable terminal device is characterized in that the portable terminal device is either a mobile telephone or a radio selective call receiver.

A portable terminal device includes a display for displaying the S data; a decision circuit for deciding which function of a plurality of .i functions is used; and a controller for autamatically controlling the direction of screen display on the displaying ireans in accordance with a result of decision obtained from the decision circuit. The portable terminal device is characterized in that the controller automatically controlls the direction of screen display on the display when the decision circuit decides that the telephone function of the plurality of functions is used.

The portable terminal device is characterized in that the portable terminal device is either a mobile telephone or a radio selective call receiver. i A portable terminal device includes a display for displaying the data; a swi tch section for switching the direction of screen display on the display; and controller for controlling the direction of screen the display;f the switch display on the display in response to an operation of the sitch section. n The portable terminl device is characte z ed in that the display is arranged on the surface even wiL the switch section.

A portaole terminal device includes a plurality of display screens; and display for autcmatically selecting and displaying one Of the pluralit of display screens in accordance with n application.

0 The portable te device is characterized th the applicaio is determined in accordance with the direction of the portable terminal device. The portable terminal device is characterized in th Sapplication is detemined in accordance ith whether or not the user touches a predetenrmined portion. A portable terminal device includes a display for displayng the data; a sensor ontroller for detecting the contact with the user; and a controller for autacatically controlling the direction of screen display on the display in accordance with a result of output fra the sensor.

A portable terminal device includes a display for displaying the data; a decision section for deciding hich function of a pluralit o functions is used; and a controller for autcatically controling the direction of screen display on the display in accordance with a result of decision obtained frm the decision sectionf dse pluraity o display A portable terminal device includes a plurality of display s lectin e and displaY3-"g one screens; and a display for autantically selecting and displaying one 25 screens n aordanc with a pplication.

of the plurality of display screens in accordance A t thod of controlling a direction of screen display of a A O 6 portable terminal device includes the steps of; displaying data on a display; deciding whether or not the portable terminal device is held by a user; and autcmatically controlling the direction of screen display on the display in accordance with a result of decision obtained from the deciding step. The rrethod of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device is characterized in that the controlling step further includes the steps of: deciding whether or not the direction of screen display on the S display is previously set to a first direction, when the deciding step decides that the portable terminal device is held by the user; S displaying the data without controlling the direction of screen .4 display on the display, when the direction of screen display is previously set to the first direction; and displaying the data by controlling the direction of screen display on the display to the 15 first direction, when the direction of screen display is not previously set to the first direction.

A irethod of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device includes the steps of: displaying data on a display; deciding whether or not a telephone function is used; and autcmatically controlling the direction of screen display on the display in accordance with a result of decision obtained from the deciding step.

A irethod of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable temninal device includes the steps of: displaying data on a display; deciding whether or not an instruction to control the direction of screen display on the display is given; andautcmatically controlling the direction of screen display on the display in -1- L. accordance with a result of decision obtained frcm the deciding step.

The rrethod of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device is characterized in that the controlling step further includes the steps of: deciding whether or not the direction of screen display on the display is previously set to a first direction, when the deciding step decides that the instruction to control the direction of screen display is given; displaying the data without controlling the direction of screen display on the display, when the direction of screen display is previously set to the first direction; 'Q and displaying the data by controlling the direction of screen S display on the display to the first direction, when the direction of screen display is not previously set to the first direction. The irethod of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device further includes the step of: automatically setting the telephone function when the direction of screen display on the display is controlled. The nethod of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device further includes the step of: S automatically displaying the information about the telephone function Swhen the direction of screen display on the display is controlled.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the direction of display screen on the display can be controled only by the user's operation of the controling button disposed on the portable terminal device. A general-purpose properties can be thus improved.

~Moreover, the direction of screen display on the display can be controled in accordance with hiether or not the user's fingers and plra cce into contact with a pressure sensor or a photo-detection sensor on any surface of a portable terminal device body. Thus, the direction of -~soavscee c teCLSIisl, can beau:ra:ioa coro-l in 300ne to how zle sr odstb ocerewtn neeciicar user's -per cnn. An c c rab Cs teo Furzhe~or=, zroe oressure sens o~o -c tcn senso is arrangedc-n toesre ohr-r- 5-1fro "e disolav, ,w.herebv there i s no rned. for an-" sl:- th-o conzrroiioc buutcn for ccoTro- n e offori cre CLola c-o toe dis-Ilav.

A rniaturizatzcn can be ~~sya_ 7e Thee ndcn___ -S 7re;a-ures ann anvant-aces of tohe inventionw becore rnor'e appaarent :rcmx roe o±on detailed descrijotior-I taknL- cn]ucin-! -nayi~rwns Fig. I i s an e:*:rLernl nian -iew of a aenerai :rbile ortc *te-ri-inali 1; Ficr 2 a clrcuIZ onstutcr.c of the rc1 ifopi tennifna1 1 showni Fic. I Fig. 3 shows the cirm ostitution of the irmbiie infomirationcr ten~ni sow i Fg.2 ha-vinca an additiocnal1 telernhone -Finction; Ficis. :a and~ 4b are eK-ernal-, pimn views ofa referred arbodjirentL in __olh a sreen cdsulay on a display of thie rrbile inforxaticn terinel-- of trhe present anvant-ion isset alcoa a long s ie anid alorg a 5hr side; ELig. 5 shows thie circuit cntuto--o a orefe--.red aTbcrLa-ent of the mrbile infonratico te=IInA-Iscin7 Fin 7s. 4a a-Tnd 4b; Fig. 6 isa flo.- chart-L for descrIing a of a prefferu-ed efftodiL-np-t of a directicn of dispily o n e ri ay -In response to a user's cerat-i i' -Lnte mrobile infor-nati on tennixal' shon in Figs. 4a and 4b; Fin. f- 7iaflwcrtaresrbn the controlinTg operati on of a ureferred e-tbcdikrent of thie direction of display on a display 22 5 in esnn~eto be uncionfor use in a irdbile informat on cent a 21 SnflCjn nf 7iO53. 4a and AO; Ei,-rs. 8a and 8b are an, external plan ie azid a perspective vie-w of a preferred erboci~ant in wnticn- the~ screen display on thie display of the iroile info=raticn termnal of a second ern.boirraent of the present is se~t aina the lorg side; ices. 9a and 9b are an extern- 1 plan viwarid a perspecrii ,e view 01 a Preferred e-,Tbcdi,.eD,-t i wiich th-e screern display oni the display of the infmile inffomrrtion -Lenr~n:na show,,n in Fins. 8a and Sb is set along the short side; 10 i-llustrates an eyarnle of the display of a preferrecd eirboddirenc of the dispiay in whit-ch a schedule functi-on of thie irObile iformiation tena-minal srnon in Figs. 8a anid Sb is used; 0Fig. -11 shows thie circuit constitution of a preferred aeidirrent othe irobile Lnonto ernlsoni Figs. 8a anrd 8b and Fg 9a and 9b; Fig. 12 is ani exterv,:-l plani view of a preferred eAbcdii:renat in Ahich the screen display on the disp)lay of the wirole infformation terminal of a third erLbodLment of the present invent~ionr is set along the long side; Filg. 13 show-,s the circuit constitutionz of a preferred edxdiirerit of the irobile infonrat-ionm~ia shown in. Eia. 12; and Fig. 14 illustrates an arrangamrnt of a -preferred eicbcdirrent ofL a pressure sensor Of t!oe Uresentz inve-ntion,.

=DoE: tAL .31 Q DC 7 T EITTC N 1CFT -FHE P 7 F DTM 1 I -S 7i rst to facilitate understanding of the present b lo-nvenL-ion, a qenei:-a moble nrfcr-maton -Lerm-inal will1- be described wirn reference 70 F-ig.1 ad3 Fig. 1 is an external olan lie;w of thne general rrdoile L-fination ttemi 1 7 ig 1 a r-ble ort'ton term-ina 1 has a rectangular di- lay 2 rhicai -is constituted by a LCD. This rrcbile :Lrforrat-ion z'e 1ennl1 is da sion-ed so frat conten ts o is la-vad on fm dispolay 2 is aisn 1 ~ved n a cirection narallel to a long side. Thus the contents ::displayed on the display 2 are alw.,ays displayed parl-lel tLO a lo-na.itudi-nal direction ara are not disolayed -rarall Iel to a short sice.

15Usin.g Fig. 2, a circuit corntitution of the mobie inron'ation *ter.na I shnown in FIcn. 1 wMil be described.

in Fin. 2, t.7'-ten data is innumzea frc an nout- section 3 such as a tuc naelor bttn, the inn-ut data is iorocessed in a contLlIer n.Tebut aa iaso stored in a storage 5 and displayed on moe display 2. The LTut section 3 is operated, whereby the data stored in the storage 5 is read out and displayed on the displa 2.

krcng thi1s t of irdilIe inforat-ion temmnmal s so-re tennnaLs nae tlehone fiL-mction. That is, thev L coroo'-Le P113 in the body thereof and are used as P113 teleohone.

Usig Fig. 3, the circuit constitution of the mnbile iformation terminal I shon in EI-g. 2 hav-ing an adLdi-l telephone function will be described. Thle sanme eler-ents as the eleientLLs shown ilu. 2 have the sam--e reference nirrerals in FPig. 3..,!when the telephone function is used, a telepho.ne n-zr=cer to te called is inputted fran the pniut section 3. The zelerhone ni-rhber to- be cFalled innutted fr n te i nout section 3 is t'-:nsmitted/receivei from an antenna 11 throuch a controller 6 and a ra-iLo(: section 1O. ',%aen a voice Ls trnrnc e ceived, an audi-o a~ii a receiVer 7 ada rnicronohone 8 which serve as an no/otu nit are used. wh,-ren the data other than the voice i s traun&mitt~ea/received, the input sect-ion 3 and the disoiav 2 are used.

However, his tvce 3of -zorta-±e termiinal device 1 has a problem :1 Of a serious lac:. of fac-i-izes, because the contents displayed on the displav 2 are alwt.ays disolayed parallel to the longitudi-nal1 direction and are not disolayed narallel to the short side. Now, wdi be described in detail the oresent -invention with reference to Figs. 4 to I 153 In view.. ofE the ahove-rrentioned pr-oblers, the present invention enhances an onperability by controlling the direction of screen display on the disolay in accordance ith whether or rot the user's fingers and palm cone into contact with a pressure sensor or a photo-detection sensor on anv surface of a portable terminal device body.

Figs. 4a and 4b are eyternal plan views of a preferred erbodirven.t in whnich the s5creen display on the display Of the portable termi-nal devi ce or preferably the mrobile information teminal of the present invention is set parallel to the long side of the display and parallel to the short side thereof.

In Figr. 4a, the screen display such as characters and sy -,ols is displayed parallel to the long side of the rectangular display on a display 22 su7ch as LCD of a robile information terminal 21. in this 4

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situation, when the user operates a controlling button 23, the direction of screen display on the display 22 is controlled to the direction parallel to the short side as shown in Fig. 4b. Similarly, in the state where the screen display is displayed along the short side on the display 22 in Fig. 4b, when the user operates the controlling button 23, the direction of screen display on the display 22 is controlled to the direction parallel to the long side as shown in Fig.

4a. The direction of a screen display can be switched alternatively.

Although the rectangular display is described in Figs. 4a and 4b, L. '0 the present invention is not limited to the rectangular display. A square display may be also used. That is, the screen display may. be S displayable in a transverse direction along each of two perpendicular a sides. In other words, the screen display may be displayed in a constant direction for the user, for exanple, in the transverse 5 direction, regardless of the direction of the mobile information terminal. The sae is true of all the following embodiments.

Using Fig. 5, the circuit constitution of a preferred ebodirrent S of the mobile information terminal 21 shown in Figs. 4a and 4b will be described.

In Fig. 5, the data inputted froa an input section 24 is processed in a controller 25 and then stored in a storage 26. The input section 24 is operated, whereby the data stored in the storage 26 is read out and displayed on the display 22. The direction of display on the display 22 is selectively set to the display along the short side or the display along the long side by the user's operation of the controlling button 23. It is preferable that the input section 24 is the touch panel or the button.

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t Next, Eig. 6 is used so as to describe in detail the controlling oceration of a preferred embodirent of a direction of display on the display 22 in response to the user's operation in the mobile .in-orration terminal 21 shown in Figs. 4a and 4b.

In Fig. 6, a determination is nade as to whether or not the user gave an instruction to control the direction of screen display, i.e., .ihether or not the controlling button 23 was operated (step 101). If it is detemrrined that the user gave the instruction to control the direction of screen display (YES in step 101), it is determined whether ,10 or not the direction of display on the display 22 is currently set to the direction of the long side (step 102). If the direction of display S on the display 22 is set to the direction of the long side (YES in step 102), the direction of display on the display 22 is controlled and then the characters or the like are displayed along the short side (step 103). On the other hand, if the direction of display on the display 22 is set to the direction of the short side (NO in step 102), the S direction of display on the display 22 is controlled and then the characters or the like are displayed along the long side (step 104).

If it is determined that the user gave no instruction to control the direction of screen display (NO in step 101), the characters or the like are displayed in the direction of screen display which is currently set (step 105).

In this nanner, the user operates the controlling button 23 in accordance with the situation or the application, whereby the display screen on the display 22 is controlled between the direction of the short side and the direction of the long side.

In the state where the display 22 is set to the direction of the

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4 *t 14 short: side, the display 22 can display not only the information displayed during setting the direction of the long side but also the information required for the use of the telephone function, for exanple, a ten key or the like for inputting the telephone number. In this case, the information needed for the use of the telephone function should preferably be autcmatically displayed when the direction of screen display on the display 22 is set to the direction of the short side by operating the controlling button 23. Alternatively, a different button (not shown) from the controlling button 23 may be operated by the user, 10 whereby the information is displayed. On the other hand, as a matter 1 of course, the same is true of the contents displayed whnen the display 22: is set to the direction of the long side during using the telephone function.

Fig. 7 is used so as to describe in detail the controlling 15 operation of a preferred erbodi.rent of the direction of display on the display 22 in the case of using the telephone function.

In Fig. 7, the determination is made as to whether or not the operation for using the telephone function, for example, the push of the button (not shown) was performed by the user (step 201). If the operation for using the telephone function was performed (YES in step 201), the direction of screen display on the display 22 is automatically set to the direction of the short side (step 202). On the other hand, if the operation for using the telephone function was not performed (NO in step 201), the direction of screen display on the display 22 is automatically set to the direction of the long side (step 203).

Figs. 8a and 8b are an external plan view and a perspective view 4' it

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of a preferred ewb r :Lent in wh-ich the screen display on the display of the portable tenritflal device or preferably the 1 rbile information terminal of a second elOdiner~t of the present invention is set parlle t th log ide of the display. Figs. 9a and 9b are an Plan view and a oersPectlVe view of a preferred embodi-ITent in which. the screen display on the display of the portable terminal device or preferably the 0rbl -noT~to n ter muial of the second emodinnt.

or thle present invenltin Is set parallel to the shtort side of the display.

41I is aadSaioie information terminal 31 has the uncin ofa e 1 ephofl di rectory, an address book, a schedule, a rerrO, etc whih ar use in he or of an electronic tool ontaiig the necesarY ,nort~ wIc e user has put down ina dateboko h like. The nrcbile information termdnal 31 also has PTM (personalinfo_ t~ 4:aet~t uncto inluig the telephone function and an electrof-Lic Nrail function.

fit$,n th-uciobfte schedule, the rrenm), etc. is used, the direction of screen display on a display 32 is typically along the long side. Thus, as shown in Fig., the imbile information terminal 31 is 20 laterally used and held. it is preferable that the display 32 includes LCD. Eg 10sosa xnl f the display of a preferred etrbodi-flnflt of he display 32 in which the schedule funcion is used.

Con the other hand, when the telephone function is usedr the direct-ion of screen display on the display 32 is typically along the side. Thus, as shown in Fig. 9a, the nobile inforrration terminal 31 is lon-gitudhrla.).y used and held.

In Figs. 8b and 9b, ;When the mobile informaton terminal 31 is laterally used and held, pressure sensors 33 and 34 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the nmbile information terminal 31. When the mobile information terminal 31 is longitudinally used and held, the pressure sensors 33 and 34 are disposed on both the side surfaces of the mobile information terminal 31. The user's fingers and palm come into contact with the pressure sensor 33 and/or the pressure sensor 34, whereby the direction of screen display on the display 32 is controlled.

That is, w'hen the user uses and holds the mobile information terminal 31 laterally as shown in Figs. 8a and 8b, the user's fingers and palm .i10 do not come into contact with the pressure sensors 33 and 34. Thus, the screen is displayed along the long side on the display 32. On the other hand, when the user uses and holds the mobile information terminal 31 longitudinally as shown in Figs. 9a and 9b, the user's fingers and palm care into contact with the pressure sensors 33 and/or 34. Thus, the screen is displayed along the short side on the display 32.

In this way, the direction of display can be automatically changed in accordance with the direction in which the user views the display.

Using Fig. 11, the circuit constitution of a preferred errbodinnt of the rmbile information terminal 31 shown in Figs. 8a and 8b and Figs. 9a and 9b will be described.

In Fig. 11, when the data is inputted frma an input section the input data is processed in a controller 36. The data is stored in a storage 37 and displayed on the display 32. The input section 35 is operated, whereby the data stored -in the storage 37 is read out and displayed on the display 32. It is preferable that the input section S0, *0

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Sos 00 00 0 @0 0 @0 0 is the touch panel or the button.

The direction of screen display on the display 32 is controlled by the controller 36 in accordance with whether or not the signal frcm the pressure sensors 33 and 34 is detected. That is, when the user's fingers and palm do not ccre into contact with the pressure sensors 33 and 34, the signal is not outputted from the pressure sensors 33 and 34.

Thus, the controller 36 controls the display 32 so that the direction of screen display is set to the direction of the long side. On the other hand, when the user's fingers and palm care into contact with the I0 pressure sensors 33 and 34, the signal is outputted from the pressure sensors 33 and 34. Wnen the signal is inputted frm the pressure sensors 33 and/or 34, the controller 36 controls the display 32 so that the direction of screen display is set to the direction of the short side. The direction of screen display can be controlled in accordance 15 with, for exanple, whether a binary signal has one value or the other value, instead of whether or not the signal is detected.

When the telephone function is used, the telephone number to be called is inputted frnm the input section 35. The telephone nuirber to be called inputted fran the input section 35 is transmitted/received frar. an antenna 42 through the controller 36 and a radio section 41.

When the voice is transmitted/received, an audio amplifier 40, a receiver 38 and a microphone 39 are used as the input/output unit.

nWen the data other than the voice is transmitted/received, the input section 35 and the display 32 are used.

in this manner, the display screen on the display 32 can be automatically controlled between the direction of the short, side and the direction of the long side in response to how the user holds the i--

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mobile information terminal 31, without necessity of any operation.

Since it is unnecessary to provide the controlling button 23 shown in Fig. 4, a miniaturization can be realized without addition of a new space for the provision of the controlling button.

The operation for controlling the display 32 in response to the operation performed by the user of the mobile information terminal 31 is the sare as the operation in a flow chart shown in Fig. 6. For avoiding the repeated description, the description is cmitted. It S should be noted that step 101 shown in Fig. 6, "whether or not the instruction to control the direction of screen display is given" S corresponds to "whether or not the user's fingers and palm core into contact with the pressure sensors 33 and/or 34" in this embodiment.

In the state where the display 32 is set to the direction of S the short side, the display 32 can display not only the information displayed during setting the direction of the long side but also the information required for the use cf the telephone function, for example, S the ten key or the like for inputting the telephone number. The S information needed for the use of the telephone function should be preferably displayed autcatically when the direction of screen display on the display 32 is set to the direction of the short side.

Alternatively, the button (not shown) may be operated by the user, whereby the information is displayed. Of course, the same is true of the contents displayed when the display 32 is set to the direction of the long side during the use of the telephone function.

The operation for controlling the display 32 in response to the function used in this mobile information terminal 31 is the same as the operation in the flow chart shown in Fig. 7. For avoiding the repeated r des:ri ion, the description is amitted.

Fig. 12 is an external plan view of a preferred embodiment in ,hich the screen display on tsplay play of the portable terminal device or preferably the robile information terminal of a third embodiment of the present invention is set parallel o the long side of the display.

In Fig. 12, a rmobile infonration terminal 51 includes a recess 53 on the same plane where a display 52 is provided. A photo-detection *sensor 54 is arranged in the recess 53. It is preferable that this recess 53 is recessed so that it mray fit the user's finger, rrore ''10 particularly, the thurib.

When the user laterally uses and holds the rrobile information terminal 51, the user's finger is put on the recess 53 in which the photo-detection sensor 54 is arranged. Since an external light is shut 8 out in the photo-detection sensor 54, the screen is displayed along the long side on the display 52. On the other hand, when the user longitudinally uses and holds the rrobile information terminal 51, the S user's finger is not put on the recess 53 in which the photo-detection S sensor 54 is arranged. Since the external light is sensed by the photo-detection sensor 54, the screen is displayed along the short side on the display 52.

In this manner, the direction of screen display on the display 52 is controlled in accordance with whether or not the external light is sensed by the photo-detection sensor 54.

The operation for controlling the display 52 in response to the operation perfonred by the user of the mobile information terminal 51 is the sane as the operation in the flow chart shown in Fig. 6. For avoiding the repeated description, the description is emitted. It 17 rn n r; s w i-i

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should be noted that step 101 show- in Fig. 6, "whether or not the instruction to control the direction of screen display is given" corresoonds to "whether or not the external light is sensed by the photo-detection sensor 54" in this erbodirment.

using Fig. 13, the circuit constitution of a preferred erbcdirrent of the mcbile information terminal 51 shown in Fig. 12 w ll be described.

In Fig. 13, when the data is inputted frcm an input section r the incut data is processed in a controller 56. The input data is then S0 stored in a storage 57 and displayed on the display 52. The input S section 55 is operated, whereby the data stored in the storage 57 is S read out and displayed on the display 52. It is preferable that the input section 55 is the touch panel or the button.

The direction of screen display on the display 52 is controlled 5 by the controller 56 in accordance with whether or not the signal frcm the photo-detection sensor 54 is detected. That is, mwen the user's fingers and palm are not put on the photo-detection sensor 54, the signal is not outputted fran the photo-detection sensor 54. Thus, the controller 56 controls the display 52 so that the direction of screen display is set to the direction of the long side. On the other hand, when the user's fingers and palm are put on the photo-detection sensor 54, the signal is outputted fran the photo-detection sensor 54. Ten the signal is inputted from the photo-detection sensor 54, the controller 56 controls the display 52 so that the direction of screen display is set to the direction of the short side.

When the telephone function is used, the telephone nuiber to be called is inputted from the input section 55. The telephone number to '4 acs~e~ars. be called innutt-ed frML the iJnnut section 55 is transmitted/receive .rr an anenna 62 thrcuah the controller 5' and a radio section 61.

Wher tt. voi ce is trnrn te/eci-ca audio anpi f ier 60, a receiVer 58 and a iucrcochone 59 are used as the i nout/output uit.

Then the data other than the o-ice is -Urans=-itted/receiveci, the ineu section 55 and the disoclav 52 are used.

_1r tb'L s !rannerr thie disoiav screen on rne cnso)Iav 52 can be autraticaliv controll1ed te*e-n the= cdrection of the short sidan rite direction of the 'mna s;o i-~crs c how the user holds thie irdoie i orto tcrrinal 51, ithout necessity of any operaoicn.

:1 Lntesate wIhere the c 5solav 52 is set to the d~irection of tne shortu side, the diolav 52 can display not only the infonration displayed during setting tne carection of the long side but also the infonration reouired for the use of the telephone fuinction, for e a -1e, tenr key or the l ik 1 e for inocuttina the teledhone nurrber. -I Te inforiatiocn needed for the use of the telephone functi on1 _s *-autclraticall- y displayed, -when the direction of screen display on the display 52 iJs set to the direction of the short side. However, the button (not shown) ay be operated by the user, whereby the i-nfonration is displayed. Of course, the saTe is true of the contents displayed when the dsplay 52 is set to the direction of the long side during the use of the telephone funiction.

TZhe coeratilon for controlling the display 52 in response to te function used in this type of unbile Lrffomation tenia 51 is one saTe as the operatiLon in the flow chart shown in Fig. 7. Sor avoidino the repeated description, the descriptIon is ciitted.

Although the present invention is described above wi-,th reference to trne orer-errec ccrrns the r,<rable tenninal device of the present nvenltiof is not li-ij L to the al:oVe erbCiTnts. For exann 1 e, aithrcudn tie nortable rerminal dev.ice of thiLs errbcdiTrant includes the two oressu-re s ensors 33 an~d 34, the nurber of oressure sensors is not lmited at all. Fig 144 s*.ows an e:*:sxme in ThiCh on pressure sensor 74 Is arranced. T-he chotko-detection senscr 541 Fh'~ig i. 12 is reolaced byte -oressuiLe sensor 74. That is, a imobi-Le in eronm on terdnnal 71 carises a recess 73 on the sanme plane whrire a display 72 is provicied_. ph ressure senso 4i r~cc in the recess 73. lin this manner, the carectacf n of screen disc 1 av cn the display 72 is au* 'lcli controlled in accordan-ce drn ,,nerher or not the user's fi nger- cCars 'm onatwan e pressure se-n-or 74 I ore=over, a olace itere the pressure sensor is arranged is not lited at PI1 For exmmln in the rportable, terminal device o r s 'a e±rbcdhment, the pressure senrsors 33 and 34 are arranged on the upper and lower surfaces or on the side surfaces with resnect to the surface on %hich the display is arranged. Hfow-ever, e-ven. if the pressure sensor is arranged onl the back surface opposite to the front surface on which the display i--s arranged, there is no proiblenm. On the other hand, as show7n in, Fig. 14, the pressure sensor 74 my be arranged on the samre plane whiere the display 72 is arranged.

Moreover, th~e photo-detection sensor is the samr as the pressure sensor in thlat the nizLner tnereor and i-ts place are not limited.

n te portable terminal dvc of this cirbodirrent, when the user's fincers; and paim ccare into contact woith the pressure sensors 33 and/or 34, the direction of screen display on the display 32 is autaraticaily controlled to t-he longitudinal direction. However, the 23 jisplay 32 mal; be ocntrolljed i such m anner that die direic-~nO screen disolav on the display 32 is not au=cr'aticall v controll 1 ed to the longitudcinal: direction uantil thie use~r's 'moors andi cairn. c=.e *into Contact with both thie oressure sensors 33 and 34.

3 in the portLable terminal devic of this erMOCdiirent, whnen the runycrio-n or the schedue, the merro, etc. zs usea, de cairection or screen display on the~ displ 32 is rziosyset to t*n cirecr o o the long side. Cn then other hanhen the tzrl -p'n'ne urctiori is ue, I: the direction of screen display on, thne display 32 -is previously set to 10 rie cirection or the~ side.~weir the control or on~re 14rke (notL shct-m) is operated by the user-, 'emerebv the dctio of scendipa can% be -previ cus! v set -in r-esonse to troe runmction.

D-n thre irortable terminal devidce of thris erbiirat h 'rble aznroraion terminal is describ--ed as an e:xample. -How-ever, of couL-rse, the Present invention can be also a'm-Pl~ed to a mrbile telep.:hone, a radio selective call rece-iver or the like Although the display is cuadrilateral in the aoe-decrice ewibodirnts, it may be ell11inti Cal. That is obvously, as longaTh direction o f dis, yi cagci t,.o peroendicular directions -within the di splay in response to the direuL- -1 of thje devi-.ce, any shae possible for thie contrTol Of biJdi-recti--onaJ- electrcdes on LCD.

'as described aborve, accordina to the portable tenu[inal deri ce o= the present in-vention, the direction of disolav screen on the Msrla caPn be contMrolled GnlI- by the users coeration of thie contro iin~a butt-on disposed on the portable temnldvc. Thre gernerl~rys properties can be thus =xr rovea.

Morem-er, the directLion of screen- display o-n th~e display canT be ccontrol led in a c:!'ehccor nC Ltn, ~n er or not the user s fingers and oalrnccrC int cac withr the pressure oesro h oht-etclo sensoL,. anyi surface ofc the zrortabetria device bodyv. Thus, the dir-ection of 61501 sc'reen on -h cc isaV can auccltrat caiycnrllrL- 1ed 5~nrerosetonow the user holds thie orcaFble e- ia device, t neein ar;usr cerdln.The ocerability can ie thus enhanced.

:Eurthenor, toe pressure sensior or the 1photo-detection sensor is rr~od on the sur fare other thian the surface having the ci sD av, wrebv there is no need For an a6 65 tiona 1 space fr thre controillng 10 butto-n f-or controllina the cdire-co of screen olszolav on zne oistia-v,.

Te rminiatLuriZation ca-n be thus lreali7zea.

Cb-vious lv, n=rrerous additi n odificationS and varliatio:n5. or the orese-nt inventio-n are cossible in 1in of the above tUeachr-i-rIos.

T

*t eore -to be in--derstocd that within the scorce of thie a-upenoiec cl.irrs, the invention ray be piracticed otherwise than- as specitifically described herein.

Claims

3. The- po-"table teminal device as clainred in claim 1, further setting rreans for autaratically setting a telephone function when the directicn of screen display on said displaying m~ans is controlled by sa-id controlling mrans
4. The oortable -:enTLiial devirce as claLxe-d in claim 3, whereinr said displayinrj mrans autcn'atically displays infonnation about the telephone function wh en -:he direction of screen display on said displaying mans is controlled by said controlling mians. The portable tenninal device as clalined in cla-im 4, wherein said intormatLion about the telepohone function is a ten key.7 26
6.Teporzable tenminal device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said portable terminal device is a =rbile telephone.
7. The r-ortabile terminal device as clai-mad in claim~ 5, wherein said portable ter-minal device is a radio selective call receiver. S k portabl e terminal device ccinrisifg: displaying means for displaying the data; Tr.,ea-ns for detecting a contact with the user; and controlling ireanis for autar'aticallY controlling the direction of screen display on said displaying rreans in accordance with a result of detectionl dotained fran said detecting uireans. 3 9. 9Y portable terminal device as claimed in claim 8, Aherein said A S detecting mreans is at least one of a pressure sensor and a photo-I detection sensor. The portable terminal device as claimred in claim 8, wherein said at least one detecting ireans is arranged on a surface other than the surface on which said displaying neanis is disposed.
11.. The portable terminal devi-ce as clainted in claim 8, wherein said detecting meanis is arranged on both side surfaces with respect to the 2 5 surface on whiich said displaying means is disposed, in the condition wnere said portable terminal device is longitudinally held. 1 27
12. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said controlling means sets the direction of screen display on said displaying means to a first direction when the user is in contact with at least one of said detecting means arranged on said surfaces, and said controlling reans sets the direction of screen display on said displaying eans to a different second direction from said first direction when the user is in contact with neither of said detecting means arranged on said surfaces. S* t
13. The portable terminal device as claimred in claim 8, further ccrprising: at least one recess arranged on the surface even with the surface on which said displaying means is disposed, wherein said detecting mreans is disposed in said recess.
14. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said recess is shaped so that it may fit the finger of said user. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 8, further caprising: setting means for autamatically setting the telephone function when the direction of screen display on said displaying means is controlled by said controlling means.
16. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said displaying means automatically displays the information about the telephone function when the direction of screen display on said 7 28 displaying means is controlled by said controlling means.
17. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said infonmation about the telephone function is a ten key.
18. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said portable terminal device is a mobile telephone. S.
19. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said portable tenninal device is a radio selective call receiver. A portable terminal device ccnprising: displaying means for displaying the data; Sdeciding mans for deciding which function of a plurality of functions is used; and switching means for automatically switching the direction of screen display on said displaying means in accordance with a result of decision obtained from said deciding means.
21. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said switching means automatically switches the direction of screen display on said displaying means when said deciding means decides that the telephone function of said plurality of functions is used.
22. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said portable terminal device is a mobile telephone. i .F ,xr up-
23. The portable terminal device as clairred in claim 20, whe-,ein said portable terminal device is a radio selective call receiver.
24. A portable terminal device caprising: displaying rrearis for displaying the data; control means for controlling the direction of screen display on said displaying rrearis; and controlling Ireans for controlling the direction of screen display on said displaying ireans in response to an operation of said control rreans. The portable terminal device as clained in claim 24, wherein said *displaying mreans is arranged on the surface even with said control mreans.
26. A portable terminal device cairprising: a plurality of display screens; and displaying 'reans for autcxratica-lly selecting and displaying one of said plurality of display screens in accordance with an application.
27. The portable terminal device as claimed in claim 26, wherein said application is determined in accordance with the di-ection of said portable terminal device. J
28. The portable terminal device as claL-ed in claim 26, wherein said application is determined in accordance 1-ith whether or not the user touches a predetermined portion.
29. A portable terminal device ccmprising: a display for displaying the data; a sensor for detecting the contact with the user; and a controller for automatically controlling the direction of screen display on said display in accordance with a result of output fron said sensor. S' 30. A portable terminal device ccrprising: 10 a display for displaying the data; S* a decision section for deciding which function of a plurality of S functions is used; and a switching section for automatically switching the direction of screen display on said display in accordance with a result of decision obtained frcm said decision section.
31. A portable terminal device canprising: a plurality of display screens; and a display for autanatically selecting and displaying one of said plurality of display screens in accordance with an application.
32. A method of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device, ccrprising the steps of: displaying data on a display; deciding whether or not said portable terminal device is held by a user; and automatically controlling the direction of screen display on 141, 31 said display in accordance with a result of decision obtained frcm said deciding step.
33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said controlling step S further ccrprises the steps of: deciding whether or not the direction of screen display on said display is previously set to a first direction, when said deciding step decides that said portable terminal device is held by the user; displaying said data without switching the direction of screen display on said display, when the direction of screen display is previously set to said first direction; and displaying said data by switching the direction of screen display on said display to said first direction, when the direction of screen display is not previously set to said first direction. r
34. A method of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device, ccmprising the steps of: "displaying data on a display; deciding whether or not a telephone function is used; and automatically controlling the direction of screen display on said display in accordance with a result of decision obtained frma said deciding step. A method of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable tennrinal device, corprising the steps of: l displaying data on a display; deciding whether or not an instruction to control the direction of screen display on said display is given; and autaatically controlling the direction of screen display on said display in accordance with a result of decision obtained fran said deciding step.
36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said controlling step further ciomprises the steps of: deciding whether or not the direction of screen display on said display is previously set to a first direction, when said deciding step decides that the instruction to control the direction of screen display S is given; displaying said data without switching the direction of screen display on said display, when the direction of screen display is previously set to said first direction; and displaying said data by controlling the direction of screen S display on said display to said first direction, when the direction of S screen display is not previously set to said first direction.
37. The method as claimed in claim 35, further ccaprising the step of: autanatically setting the telephone function when the direction of screen display on said display is controlled.
38. The method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising the step of: automatically displaying the information about the telephone function when the direction of screen display on said display is controlled. |I I- 1 -33-
39. A portable terminal device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments as illustrated in Figs. 4a to Fig. 14. A method of controlling a direction of screen display of a portable terminal device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments as illustrated in Figs. 4a to Fig. 14. DATED this Third Day of November 1998 10 NEC Corporation It S'c? Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON I t ta S.. 'JIt, I L