GB2355894A

GB2355894A - Folded portable telephone with LED indicating reception status

Info

Publication number: GB2355894A
Application number: GB0019604A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hirokazu Aoki
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1999-08-10
Filing date: 2000-08-09
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: GB0019604D0; JP2001053838A

Abstract

When a foldable portable telephone is folded, an LED is used to enable a user to determine whether or not the telephone is in-range and can be used. A foldable telephone has an LED (12, fig. 3b) arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user when the telephone is folded. Preferably, the LED is also visible to the user when the telephone is unfolded (12, fig. 3a). A receiving section receives a signal transmitted from a base terminal station S102 and a control unit controls the lighting of the LED according to the received signal. Preferably, the LED is lit in a first lighting pattern (e.g. continuously off) when the strength or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, indicating inner zone status S107 and lit in a second lighting pattern (e.g. continuously on) when the strength or SNR is below the predetermined value, indicating outer zone status S108. A third lighting pattern (e.g. on/off) may be used when the receiving section receives an incoming call from the base terminal station S106. The first and second lighting patterns may be reversed and there may be a liquid crystal display arranged to be visible only when the telephone is unfolded (13, fig 3a).

Description

1 2355894 FOLDED PORTABLE TELEPHONE AND METHOD OF OPERATION The present

invention relates to a folded portable telephone and to a method of indicating, when the portable telephone is folded, whether or not it is capable of being used.

Previously proposed portable telephones will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 A, 113, 2A and 213 of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 A and 1 B show perspective views of a first telephone in the unfolded and folded conditions respectively, Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a second telephone in an unfolded condition, and Fig. 213 is a perspective view of the second telephone in a folded condition.

Referring to Figs. 1 A and 1 B, there is shown a portable telephone having a first member 110, a second member 120, and a hinge 130.

The first member 110 has a substantially rectangular shape. An antenna 111 extends from the upper portion of the first member 110. An LCD (liquid crystal display) 112 is provided on the front facial portion of the first member 110.

2 The second member 120 also has a substantially rectangular shape.

The second member 120 has a front facial portion whose size is substantially equal to that of the front facial portion of the first member 110.

A hinge 130 is connected to a lower portion of the first member 110, and to a lower portion of the second member 120. The hinge 130 enables the second member 120 to be folded on to the first member 110 such that the front facial portion of the first member 110 is covered by the front facial portion of the second member 120.

When the portable telephone 100 receives a signal transmitted from a BTS (base terminal station) (not shown), and a signal to noise ratio of the received signal transmitted from the BTS is more than the predetermined ratio, the portable telephone 100 can be used.

The LCD 112 displays a symbol indicative of the status of each of an inner-zone and an outer-zone. The LCID 112 displays a first symbol indicative of the status of the inner-zone, when the signal to noise ratio is more than or equal to the predetermined ratio. The LCID 112 displays a second symbol indicative of the status of the outer-zone, when the signal to noise ratio is less than the predetermined ratio.

The LCID 112 on the front facial portion of the first member 110 is covered by the second member 120 while the portable telephone 100 is folded. Thus, a user of the portable telephone 100 cannot see the LCID 112 displaying the symbol indicative of the status of each of the inner-zone or the outer-zone while the portable telephone 100 remains folded.

Referring now to Figs. 2A and 213, there is shown a portable 3 telephone 101 having a first member 110, a second member 120, and a hinge 130 similar to the previously mentioned portable telephone 100. The portable telephone 101 further includes another LCD 113 provided on a rear facial portion of the first member 110 opposite to the front facial portion of the first member 110.

The LCD 113 is exposed on the rear surface portion while the portable telephone 101 remains folded, and it displays the symbol indicative of the status of each of the inner-zone or the outer-zone while the portable telephone 101 remains folded. Thus, a user of the portable telephone 101 can see the LCD 113 displaying the symbol i ndicative of the status of the inner-zone or the outer-zone while the portable telephone 101 remains folded. Therefore, the user can recognize whether or not the portable telephone 101 with the LCD 113 is capable of being used.

Previously proposed techniques are disclosed in the following publications.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 11 -163985) proposed a portable telephone having a first body and a second body.

While this previously proposed portable telephone is in the call-waiting condition, the second body is pushed into the first body, so that the second body is contained within the first body. When this previously proposed portable telephone is used, the contained second body is pulled out from the fi rst body.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 5-30166) there was proposed a portable radio telephone apparatus having a first 4 body, a second body, and a hinge between the first and second bodies to connect the two bodies together rotatably. The first body has a liquid crystal display, and the second body includes a microphone flip portion and a transparent panel window. The transparent panel window is arranged in a position to cover the surface of the liquid crystal display while the portable radio telephone apparatus is folded with the second body on the first body.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 6-37697) there was proposed a portable telephone having a first body, a second body, and a hinge between the two bodies for connacting the two bodies together rotatably. The first body has a first display and a second display. The first display is arranged in such a position that the first display is covered by the second body when the portable telephone is folded with the second body on the first body. However, the second display is arranged in such a position that the second body does not cover the second display while the portable telephone is folded. In addition, in this previously proposed portable telephone, power is supplied only to the second display while the portable telephone is folded.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 11-18157) proposes a folded type portable telephone, which has a first body, a second body, a detecting unit, and a reception-status monitoring second. The first body has a display capable of showing the status of either the inner-zone or the outer-zone. The second body is coupled to the first body in a reclosable manner. The second body has a function switch. The detecting unit detects whether or not the folded type portable telephone has been folded by fixing the second body on the first body. The reception-status monitoring section monitors the status of radio waves transmitted from a base station to the folded type portable telephone. While the folded type portable telephone cannot receive the radio waves, the reception-status monitoring section controls the display to display the code indicating the status of the outer zone. While the folded type portable telephone can receive the radio waves, the reception-status monitoring section controls the display to display the code indicating the status of the inner-zone. In addition, while the proposed folded type portable telephone is folded and when the portable telephone could receive the radio waves which it is not able to receive, the reception status monitoring section emits a sound or vibrates the proposed folded type portable telephone.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 11-103273) there is proposed a portable telephone having a main body and a folding flip portion capable of covering the front part of the main body. The folding flip portion has a display and a battery indicator. The display shows when the degree of intensity of the received radio waves transmitted from a base station is close to the level of a threshold intensity that permits communications to take place between the base station and the proposed portable telephone. The battery indicator indicates when the battery voltage supplying the proposed portable telephone is close to a value of a lower limit for operating the proposed portable telephone.

Features of a folded type portable telephone and a method of its operation to be described below, by way of example in illustration of the 6 present invention, are that an indication may be given of whether or not the portable telephone is inside a zone in which the portable telephone can be used for communication while the portable telephone is folded, and whether or not the portable telephone is inside a zone in which the portable telephone can be used for communication while the portable telephone is folded, without increasing the weight and volume of the folded type portable telephone.

In one arrangement to be described below, by way of example in illustration of the present invention, a folded type portable telephone includes a housing having a first housing section, a second housing section, and a hinge between the first and second housing sections, an LED arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user when the first housing section and the second housing section are folded, a receiving section for receiving a signal transmitted from a base terminal station, and a control unit controlling the operation of the LED, according to a received signal.

In the folded type portable telephone of the particular arrangement, the control unit controls the operation of the LED so that it lights in a first lighting pattern when the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it is lit in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, when the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In a folded type portable telephone to be described, by way of example, the receiving section receives a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and the control unit further controls the LED to light in 7 a third lighting pattern, which differs from the first and second lighting patterns, when the receiving section receives a call signal.

In one arrangement of the folded type portable telephone referred to above, the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED which continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In another arrangement of the folded type portable telephone mentioned above, the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In one arrangement of a folded type portable telephone to be described, by way of example, the control unit controls the LED so that it is alternatively turned on and off when the receiving section receives a call signal.

In another illustrative arrangement of a folded type portable telephone, the control unit controls the LED so that it lights in a first lighting pattern while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it lights in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined 8 value.

In one illustrative folded type portable telephone to be described, the receiving section receives a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and the control unit controls the LED so that it lights in a third lighting pattern, which differs from the first and second lighting patterns, when the receiving section receives a call signal.

In another illustrative folded type portable telephone to be described, the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that the light continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In yet another variation of a folded type portable telephone to be described in illustration of the invention, the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

The control unit may be arranged to control the LED so that it is alternatively turned on and off when the receiving section receives the call signal. In one arrangement, the LED is arranged in such a position that it is visible to a user in the situation in which the first housing section and the second housing section are unfolded. It is furthermore possible for the first housing section to include a display on a surface portion of the first 9 member, in an arrangement in which the display is covered by the second housing section when the folded type portable telephone remains folded.

A method of indicating whether or not a folded type portable telephone can be used will also be described below, by way of example in illustration of the invention in which the folded type portable telephone includes a housing having of a first housing section, a second housing section, and a hinge between the first and second housing sections, and an LED arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user in the situation in which the first housing section and the second housing section are folded, including (a) receiving a signal transmitted from a base terminal station, and (b) controlling the operation of the LED so that it lights according to a received signal.

In one method of indicating or displaying whether or not it is possible to use the folding type portable telephone, the LED is controlled so that it lights in a first lighting pattern while the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it lights in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

The method to be described by way of example further includes receiving a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and controlling the LED so that it lights in a third lighting pattern, which differs from the first and second lighting patterns, when the receiving section receives the call signal.

In a particular method of indicating or displaying whether or not a folded type portable telephone can be used, the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In another exemplary method of displaying whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used to be described below, the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In one method to be described of displaying whether or not it is possible to use the folded type portable telephone, the LED is controlled so that it is alternatively turned on and off when the receiving section receives the call signal.

In one particular method of displaying whether or not the folding type portable telephone can be used, to be described below by way of example, the LED is controlled so that it lights in a first lighting pattern while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it lights in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

A method to be described below, by way of example, of displaying 11 whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used further includes receiving a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and controlling the LED so that it lights in a third lighting pattern, which differs from the first and second lighting patterns when the receiving section receives the call signal.

In a particular illustrative method of displaying whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used, the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

In one method of displaying whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used, the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

The illustrative folded type portable telephone can be used, by controlling the LED so that it is alternatively turned on and off when the receiving section receives the call signal, the LED being arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user in the condition in which the first housing section and the second housing section are unfolded, and the first housing section may include a display on a surface portion of the first member, in which the display is covered by the second housing section 12 when the folded type portable telephone remains folded.

The following description and Figs. 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings illustrate, by means of examples, the invention which is defined in the appended claims, whose terms determine the extent of the protection conferred hereby.

In the drawings:

Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a folded type portable telephone, in the unfolded condition, Fig. 3B is a perspective view showing the folded type portable telephone, in the folded condition, Fig. 4 is a block schematic circuit diagram of a folded type portable telephone, and Fig. 5 is a flow chart for use in describing the operation of a folded type portable telephone.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a folded type portable telephone in the unfolded condition. Fig. 3B is a perspective view showing the folded type portable telephone in the folded condition.

The folded type portable telephone 1 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B includes a first member 10, a second member 20, and a hinge 30.

The first member 10 has a substantially rectangular shape. The first member 10 has an upper surface portion 41, a lower surface portion 42 opposite to the upper surface portion 41, a front surface portion 43, a rear surface portion 44 opposite to the front surface portion 43 and two side 13 surface portions 45, 46 opposite to each other.

An antenna 11 and an LED (light emitting device) 12 are provided on the upper surface portion 41. An LCD (liquid crystal display) 13 is provided on the front surface portion 43. Here, the LED 12 may be so arranged that it is visible to a user of the folded type portable telephone 1 when the folded type portable telephone 1 remains folded. Furthermore, the LED 12 is arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user of the folded type portable telephone 1 when the folded type portable telephone 1 is unfolded.

The second member 20 has a substantially rectangular shape. The second member 20 has an upper surface portion 51, a lower surface portion 52 opposite to the upper portion 51, a front surface portion 53, a rear surface portion 54 opposite to the front surface portion 53 and two side surface portions 55, 56 opposite to each other. The size of the front surface portion 53 is substantially equal to the front surface portion 43.

The hinge 30 is connected to the first member 10 at the lower surface portion 42. The hinge 30 is connected to the second member 20 at the lower surface portion 52. The hinge 30 enables the second member 20 to be folded on to the first member 10 so that the front surface portion 43 is covered by the front surface portion 53.

Fig. 4 is a block schematic circuit diagram of the folded type portable telephone 1 having a receiving portion, which includes the antenna 11 and a transmitting and a receiving unit 14, the LED 12, the LCD 13, and a control unit 15.

The antenna 11 is connected to the transmitting and receiving unit 14.

14 The antenna 11 has the function of receiving the electric field which the BTS (base transmitting station) generates for transmitting a signal to the folded type portable telephone 1 -

The transmitting and receiving unit 14 is connected to the control unit 15. The transmitting and receiving unit 14 receives a signal according to the strength of the electric field received by the antenna 11. The transmitting and receiving unit 14 determines the signal to noise ratio of the signal transmitted from the BTS, based on the received electric field. The transmitting and receiving unit 14 transmits the determined signal to noise ratio to the control unit 15. Moreover, the transmitting and receiving unit 14 is able to receive a call signal transmitted from the BTS based on the received electric field while the signal to noise ratio is more than or equal to the predetermined ratio. In this case, the transmitting and receiving unit 14 transmits the call signal to the control unit 15.

The control unit 15 is connected to both the LED 12 and the LCD 13.

The control unit 15 receives the determined value of the signal to noise ratio obtained from the transmitting and receiving unit 14. When the determined value of the signal to noise ratio is more than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 which continues to be turned off. Furthermore, the control unit 15 controls the LCD 13 to display a symbol in the shape of the antenna, which indicates that the folded type portable telephone 1 is inside the inner-zone. Here, the folded type portable telephone I is able to communicate with the BTS inside the inner- zone. In this case, when the control unit 15 receives a call signal obtained from the transmitting and receiving unit 14, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 to be alternatively turned on and off.

Moreover, when the determined value of the signal to noise ratio is less than the predetermined ratio, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 so that it continues to be turned on. Furthermore, the control unit 15 controls the LCD 13 to display the symbol indicating that the folded type portable telephone 1 is inside the outer-zone, that is the folded type portable telephone 1 is outside the inner-zone. Here, the folded type portable telephone I cannot communicate with the BTS inside the outerzone.

Next, the operation of the folded type portable telephone in one arrangement illustrative of the invention will be described.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart for use in describing the operation of the folded type portable telephone.

Referring to Fig. 5, at a step S101, a power key (not shown) of the folded type portable telephone 1 is operated to supply power to the folded type portable telephone 1. At a step S102, the antenna 11 receives the received radiated electric field. Here, the electric field is generated by the BTS (not shown) for transmitting a signal from the BTS to the folded type portable telephone 1. At a step S1 03, the transmitting and receiving unit 14 determines the signal to noise ratio of the signal transmitted from the BTS based on the strength of the received electric field. At a step S104, when the signal to noise ratio is more than or equal to the predetermined ratio, a step S1 05 is carried out. When the signal to noise ratio is less than the predetermined ratio, a step S108 is carded out.

16 At the step S1 05, when the transmitting and receiving unit 14 takes the call signal to the folded type portable telephone 1 based on the received electric field, a step S1 06 is carried out. When the transmitting and receiving unit 14 does not take the call signal, a step S107 is carried out.

At the step S1 06, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 to be alternatively turned on and off, and the step S102 is executed again.

At the step S1 07, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 so that it continues to be turned off, and the LCD 13 displays the symbol in the shape of the antenna indicating that the folded type portable telephone 1 is inside the i nner-zone, and the step S1 02 is executed again.

At the step S1 08, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 so that it continues to be turned on, and the LCD 13 displays the symbol indicating that the folded type portable telephone 1 is outside the inner-zone, and the step S102 is carried out again.

Next, another method of operation of the folded type portable telephone illustrative of the invention will be described.

In the further method of operation of a folded type portable telephone illustrative of the invention, the same steps S101 to S106 in the operation of the folded type portable telephone are employed as have been previously described with reference to Fig. 5.

At the step S1 07, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 so that it continues to be turned on, and the LCD 13 so that it displays the symbol shaped in the.form of the antenna indicating that the folded type portable telephone 1 is inside the inner-zone, and the step S102 is executed again.

17 At the step S1 08, the control unit 15 controls the LED 12 so that it continues to be turned off, and the LCD 13 so that it displays the symbol indicating that the folded type portable telephone 1 is outside the innerzone, and the step S1 02 is executed again.

In the folded type portable telephone which has been described in illustration of the present invention, the LED 12 can indicate whether the folded type portable telephone 1 receives a call signal, is inside the inner zone or is outside the inner-zone when the folded type portable telephone 1 remains folded. Therefore, a user of the folded type portable telephone 1 can be notified whether the folded type portable telephone 1 receives the call signal, is inside the inner-zone or outside the inner-zone by the LED 12 when the folded type portable telephone 1 remains folded. Furthermore, although the additional display function is provided, the weight and volume of the folded type portable telephone do not increase. Accordingly, the present invention can contribute to reductions in the size and the weight of the folded type portable telephone which has been described.

It will be understood that, although particular arrangements have been described, by way of example, in illustration of the present invention, variations and modifications thereof, as well as other arrangements may be conceived within the scope of the appended claims.

18

Claims

I A folded type portable telephone having a housing including a first housing section, a second housing section, and a hinge between the first and second housing sections, an LED arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user in the condition in which the first housing section and the second housing section are folded upon one another, a receiving section for receiving a signal transmitted from a base terminal station, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the LED according to the received signal.

2. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LED to be lit in a first lighting pattern while strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED to be lit in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

3. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

19 4. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the 5 strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

5. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LED so that it is lit in a first lighting pattern while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it is lit in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

6. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 5, wherein the receiving section receives a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and wherein the control unit further controls the LED so that it is lit in a third lighting pattern which differs from the first and second lighting patterns when the receiving section receives the call signal.

7. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

8. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LED so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and controls the LED so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

9. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in any one of claims 3, 4, 7 and 8, wherein the receiving section receives a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and wherein the control unit controls the LED so that it is alternatively turned on and off when the receiving section receives the call signal. 15 10. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the LED is arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user in the condition in which the first housing section and the second housing section are unfolded. 20 11. A folded type portable telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first housing section further includes a display on a surface portion of the first member, and wherein the display is covered by the second housing section when the folded type portable telephone 21 remains folded.

12. A method of indicating whether or not a folded type portable telephone can be used, wherein the folded type portable telephone includes a housing having a first housing section, a second housing section, and a hinge between the first and second housing sections, and an LED arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user in the condition in which the first housing section and the second housing section are folded upon one another, including the steps of:- (a) receiving a signal transmitted from a base terminal station, and (b) controlling the LED so that it is lit in accordance with the received signal.

13. A method of indicating whether or not the folding type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED is controlled so that it is lit in a first lighting pattern while strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it is lit in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

14. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED is controlled 22 so that it continues to be turned off while strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value. 5 15. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while strength of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the strength of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

16. A method of indicating whether or not the folding type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED is controlled so that it is lit in a first lighting pattern while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it is lit in a second lighting pattern, which differs from the first lighting pattern, while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

17. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 13 and in claim 16, including the step of receiving a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and controlling the LED so that it is lit in a third lighting pattern which differs from 23 the first and second lighting patterns when the receiving section receives the call signal.

18. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

19. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in claim 12, wherein the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned on while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is more than or equal to a predetermined value, and the LED is controlled so that it continues to be turned off while the signal to noise ratio of the received signal is less than the predetermined value.

20. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in any one of claims 14, 15,18, and 19, including the steps of receiving a call signal transmitted from the base terminal station, and controlling the LED so that it is alternatively turned on and off when the receiving section receives the call signal.

24 21. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the LED is arranged in a position in which it is visible to a user in the condition in which the first housing section and the second housing section are unfolded by means of the hinge portion.

22. A method of indicating whether or not the folded type portable telephone can be used as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the first housing section includes a display on a surface portion of the first member, and wherein the display is covered by the second housing section when the folded type portable telephone is folded.

23. A folded portable telephone as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 3, 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of operating a folded portable telephone as claimed in claim 12 substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 3, 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.