HK1051458B

HK1051458B - Folding communication terminal having two displays

Info

Publication number: HK1051458B
Application number: HK03103571.8A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 浜光司; 江本正广; 清田健二
Original assignee: Kyocera Corporation
Priority date: 2000-09-25
Filing date: 2003-05-20
Publication date: 2006-04-21

Description

Folding communication terminal with two displays

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a folding communication terminal device, and more particularly, to a technique of controlling display of contents on a display along with opening and closing of a folding communication terminal.

Background

In recent years, devices such as PHS (personal handyphone system), PDC (personal digital cellular telecommunications system), and CDMA (code division multiple access) have become popular because of their size and weight reduction, their improvement in communication quality, reduction in the price of the devices themselves, and reduction in call charges. These devices are now popular among young people.

In particular, folding mobile communication devices (hereinafter referred to as "folding communication terminals") which are fashionable and easy to operate are popular, resulting in a tendency for manufacturers to compete with each other to sell the folding communication terminals.

"selective radio call receiver" disclosed in japanese laid-open patent publication H6-132876 and "portable telephone set having automatic adjusting function for incoming tone" disclosed in japanese laid-open patent publication H8-307488 are examples of such conventional folding communication terminals.

These applications disclose techniques for stopping the ringer upon detection that the device has been opened from a folded state upon an incoming call.

Further, japanese laid-open patent publication H11-74953 "radio communication device" discloses a folding communication terminal having a position-determining display that can be seen only when the housing is opened and that is used in a normal display for displaying information (hereinafter referred to as "main display"), and further having an auxiliary display (hereinafter referred to as "sub-display") that is used only for displaying limited information such as notification of incoming communication even when the housing is in a folded state. The maximum number of characters that can be displayed on the secondary display is smaller than the primary display.

However, in such a folding communication terminal, the user must perform a troublesome operation in order to confirm detailed information about who the caller is. The user must first open the housing to have the initial screen displayed on the main display, then position the directions to confirm the information, and press the buttons according to the directions.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the problems, a first object of the present invention is to provide a folding communication terminal device which gives more detailed information available without requiring a cumbersome operation by a user when a part of information relating to an incoming communication is displayed on its sub-display.

Further, a second object of the present invention is to provide an information display method for making the detailed information available without requiring a user's troublesome operation. Further, a third object of the present invention is to provide a program for displaying the detailed information without requiring a user's troublesome operation.

Further, a fourth object of the present invention is to provide an open/close type communication terminal similar to the folding mobile communication terminal, that is, a communication terminal that gives more detailed information available without cumbersome operations of the user when a part of information related to incoming communication is displayed on a sub-display. Here, the open/close type communication terminal has a cover covering a main body of the communication terminal, the cover being opened and closed by sliding or rotating by a hinge connecting the cover.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, comprises:

a sub-display that displays simplified information including at least character information when the main body is in a folded state;

a main display that displays a plurality of pieces of detailed information when the main body is in the unfolded state;

a storage unit for storing information of received calls which have not been received and information of mail communication of received e-mails or character mails; and

a display control device for controlling the display states of the sub-display and the main display,

wherein when the main body is in the folded state, the display control means causes the sub-display to display a piece of simplified information indicating that an unanswered call has been received or a mail communication has been received, and when the main body is subsequently changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the display control means causes the main display to display a detailed piece of information about the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the display control means terminates the display of the simplified piece of information by the sub-display when the main display displays the detailed piece of information related to the simplified piece of information displayed on the sub-display.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the display control means terminates the display of the piece of simplified information by the sub-display, the display control means selects a next piece of simplified information to be displayed on the sub-display, the next piece of simplified information being selected from pieces of simplified information other than the piece of simplified information being displayed on the sub-display.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the display control means terminates the display of the piece of simplified information by the sub-display, and when the main body is changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the selected piece of simplified information starts to be displayed on the sub-display.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an information display method for a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, the folder-type communication terminal comprising:

a storage unit for storing information of received unanswered calls and information of mail communication of received e-mails or character mails; and

the information display method comprises the following steps:

a display control step for controlling the display states of the sub-display and the main display,

wherein in the display control step, when the main body is in the folded state, the sub-display displays a piece of simplified information indicating that an unanswered call has been received or a received mail communication has been received, and when the main body is subsequently changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the main display displays a detailed piece of information about the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, comprises:

the storage unit is used for storing the information of the received unanswered calls; and

wherein when the main body is in the folded state, the display control means causes the sub-display to display a piece of simplified information indicating that an unanswered call has been received, and when the main body is subsequently changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the display control means causes the main display to display a detailed piece of information related to the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, comprises:

a storage unit for storing information of mail communication of received e-mail or character mail; and

wherein when the main body is in the folded state, the display control means causes the sub-display to display a piece of simplified information indicating that the mail communication is received, and when the main body is subsequently changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the display control means causes the main display to display a detailed piece of information related to the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an information display method for a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, the folder-type communication terminal comprising:

the information display method comprises the following steps:

wherein in the display control step, when the main body is in the folded state, the sub-display displays a piece of simplified information indicating that an unanswered call has been received, and when the main body is subsequently changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the main display displays a detailed piece of information about the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an information display method for a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, the folder-type communication terminal comprising:

the information display method comprises the following steps:

wherein in the display control step, when the main body is in the folded state, the sub-display displays a piece of simplified information indicating that the mail communication is received, and when the main body is subsequently changed from the folded state to the unfolded state, the main display displays a detailed piece of information about the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

Drawings

The above and other objects, advantages and features will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention, in which:

fig. 1(a) is a front view of a folding communication terminal of the present invention;

fig. 1(b) is a side view of the folding communication terminal of the present invention when it is unfolded;

fig. 1(c) is a front view of the folding communication terminal of the present invention when closed;

fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a folding communication terminal of the present invention;

fig. 3 shows a data structure of a table displaying a so-called address book in which names, email addresses, and telephone numbers correspond;

fig. 4 shows a data structure of a table for registering incoming call history information;

fig. 5 shows a data structure of a table for registering incoming mail history information;

fig. 6 shows a data structure of a table for registering incoming message history information;

fig. 7 shows how the display state of the secondary display changes when the housing is closed;

fig. 8 shows a display state of a main display in a case where a housing is opened when incoming mail history information is displayed on a sub display, and a subsequent display state of the sub display in a case where the housing is closed later;

fig. 9 shows a display state of a main display in a case where a housing is opened when incoming message history information is displayed on a sub display, and a subsequent display state of the sub display in a case where the housing is closed later;

fig. 10 shows a display state of the main display in a case where the casing is opened when the incoming call history information is displayed on the sub display, and a subsequent display state of the sub display in a case where the casing is closed later;

fig. 11 is a flow chart showing a process in which the control unit controls the display of the main display; and

fig. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure in which the control unit controls the display of the secondary display;

fig. 13 shows a display state of the display.

Detailed Description

The folding communication terminal 100 in the embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the drawings.

< Structure >

Fig. 1 shows an external view of a folding communication terminal 100 of the present invention.

The folding communication terminal 100 IS an IS (interim standard) -95 CDMA (code division multiple access) folding cellular phone, in which fig. 1a shows a front view when opened, fig. 1b shows a left side view when opened, and fig. 1c shows a front view when closed.

Visible parts of the folding communication terminal 100 are a housing 101, a main display 102, a shortcut key 103, a four-position key 104, an e-mail key 105, a menu/OK key 106, an end/power key 107, a numeric keypad 108, a microphone 109, an earphone terminal cover 110, a world wide web 111, a side end OK key 112, a side end scroll key 113, a start key 114, an antenna 115, a speaker 116, an incoming communication lamp 117, a sub-display 118, and an open/close detection switch 119.

The housing 101 is a foldable housing made of resin or the like and has a hinge at the center. The housing unit 101 is constituted by an upper housing 101a and a lower housing 101 b.

The main display 102 and speaker 116 are on the inner surface of the upper housing 101a, while the incoming call light 117 and secondary display 118 are on the outer surface of the upper housing 101 a.

The inner surface here refers to a surface of the housing unit 101 that cannot be seen when the foldable terminal is fully closed.

The earphone terminal cover 110, the side end OK key 112, and the side end scroll key 113 are provided at the left end of the lower casing 101 b.

A shortcut key 103, a four-digit key 104, an e-mail key 105, a menu/OK key 106, an end/power key 107, a numeric keypad 108, a microphone 109, a web key 111, a start key 114, an on/off detection switch 119 are on the inner surface of the front face of the bottom casing 101 b.

The main display 102 is a color LCD (liquid crystal display) that can display about 100 characters without scrolling.

The visual information displayed on the main display 102 includes details of information about the history of incoming communications (hereinafter referred to as "detailed information") that cannot be fully displayed on the secondary display 118 (explained later).

The detailed information includes information such as the telephone number or email address of the caller/sender when a call, email or so-called c-mail (an email shorter than email) is received, and also other information resulting therefrom such as the caller/sender name.

The shortcut keys 103 are three switches for selecting the displayed items on the main display 102, which correspond to the positions of the three switches, respectively.

The four-position key 104 moves a cursor and scroll items displayed on the main display 102 up, down, left, and right.

The e-mail key 105 is a button switch for displaying a function screen of e-mail.

The menu/OK key 106 is a push button switch for entering an item in the menu and confirming the selected item.

The end/power key 107 is a button switch for turning on and off the power of the folding communication terminal and ending the call.

Numeric keypad 108 is a set of 12-button switches, each corresponding to a number and/or one or more characters. These button switches are used to input characters related to telephone numbers, e-mails, and the like.

The microphone 109 converts an input voice into an electronic signal (hereinafter referred to as a "voice signal"), and outputs the voice signal to a voice processing unit 124 to be explained later.

The earphone terminal cover 110 protects an earphone terminal (not shown).

The web key 111 is a button switch for accessing the internet connection function display screen.

The side end OK key 112 is a slide switch for memo copying (memo production), recording, and confirming the selected items.

The scroll key 113 is composed of two button switches for scrolling the display page up and down.

The start key 114 is a push button switch for starting communication when a call is made or received.

The antenna 115 is a whip antenna tuned to transmit and receive radio waves.

The speaker 116 is composed of a piezoelectric device or the like, performs an electroacoustic conversion of a received signal and an output caller's voice, and the ringer tunes to inform the user of an incoming call.

The incoming call communication lamp 117 is an LED (light emitting diode) for visually notifying the user of an incoming call.

When there is an incoming communication, the incoming communication lamp 117 flashes green and red during charging of the foldable communication terminal 100.

The sub display 118 is constituted by a black and white LED display device or the like, and displays about 10 characters at maximum. The secondary display 118 is used for displaying a standby screen including a display time and an electric field strength, and also for displaying part of information on incoming communication history (hereinafter referred to as "incoming communication history information") that can be displayed within the above-described maximum number of characters.

The simplified information displayed on the secondary display 118 is information about the latest type of incoming communication from among three types of incoming communication: calls, emails and c-mails. Here, the displayed content is incoming communication history information on the type of incoming communication that was received latest and whose details have not been confirmed by the user. In other words, the number of the type of incoming communication, the time when the last incoming communication was received, that has not been displayed on main display 102.

The open/close detection switch 119 is a micro switch that can mechanically detect whether the folding communication terminal 100 is open or closed.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the folding communication terminal of the present invention in more detail.

The folding communication terminal 100 has an antenna 115, a transmission/reception unit 121, a modulation/demodulation unit 122, a voice processing unit 124, a microphone 109, a speaker 116, a control unit 120, a main display 102, a sub-display 118, an open/close detection switch 119, and an operation unit 123.

Note that the same functional units as those in fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals here, and therefore, explanation of these functions is omitted.

The transmission/reception unit 121 is a circuit composed of a filter, an amplifier, and the like, and wirelessly receives and transmits communication data from/to an external device through the antenna 115.

The communication data is voice data including a call voice, characters in an electronic mail and a c-mail (hereinafter the c-mail will be referred to as "character message"), and control data mainly used for communication control and including such as a caller's telephone number.

Further, this control data includes three types of management information: management information including a caller's telephone number transmitted by a caller when voice communication is started (hereinafter referred to as "call management information"); management information (hereinafter referred to as "mail management information") for an electronic mail sent according to an SMS bearer (short message bearer) system; and management information for character messages (hereinafter referred to as "message management information").

The management information does not include the body of the e-mail or the like, but it is limited to information specifying the sender/caller, the subject of the e-mail, and the like. The user decides whether to obtain the subject after referring to this information.

In other words, a data transmission method is used in which, for an e-mail and a character message, information for specifying a sender e-mail address, a telephone number, and the like, which is low-volume and is not used for charging, arrives first, and a user selects whether to obtain a subject based on this information, and only the selected information is received for charging.

The modulation/demodulation unit 122 modulates data to be transmitted and demodulates received data.

Further, after extracting voice data from the demodulated data and outputting the voice data to the voice processing unit 124, the modulation/demodulation unit 122 outputs the above data, in other words, control data and character data to the control unit 120.

The control unit 120 is composed of a microprocessor, a ROM (read only memory) 201, and a RAM (random access memory) 202 for temporarily storing data, and the like. The control unit 110 executes programs such as making and receiving calls, call setup, and the like, which follow the control program stored in the ROM 201. Further, the control unit 120 controls display of incoming communication history information showing that a call, an electronic mail, or a character mail has been received.

Note that the present invention relates to control of incoming communication history information display. Since the origination, reception, and establishment of calls are well known, their detailed explanation will be omitted.

The control unit 120 stores information from the operation unit 123 (hereinafter also "input information") in the RAM. Character information of e-mail or the like among the input information is output to the modulation/demodulation unit 122 as transmission data.

Further, when there is an incoming communication such as voice, e-mail, and character mail from an external device, the control unit 120 notifies the user, for example, by beeping.

The control unit 120 also executes a program for obtaining data of incoming calls, emails, and character messages according to instructions from the user.

The above procedure is the same as the conventional procedure.

Regardless of whether there is an incoming call, an email, or a character message, if the user is not at the folding communication terminal 100, or notices an incoming communication but cannot respond, the folding communication terminal 100 does not recognize the incoming communication.

However, even if the user misses an incoming communication, it is still possible to confirm what the communication is, because control data including a caller's telephone number, a sender's e-mail address, and the like is obtained when the communication is received.

The control for displaying incoming communication history information is explained below.

The control unit 120 receives control data and character data from the modulation/demodulation unit 122, stores these data in the RAM202, and further has control data for each received call, e-mail, or character message to generate incoming communication history information.

More specifically, when the incoming call management information is contained in the control data received from the modulation/demodulation unit 122, the control unit 120 determines whether a call corresponding to the voice management information can be established, in other words, whether the user answers the call.

If the call is established, the control unit 120 generates information showing that there is an answer (hereinafter referred to as "answer information").

In other words, if the call cannot be established, the control unit 120 generates a message showing no response (hereinafter referred to as non-response "unanswered message").

The control unit 120 also judges whether or not the caller's telephone number is included in the voice management information, and if the judgment is affirmative, extracts the telephone number.

On the other hand, if the caller's telephone number is not contained in the voice management information, in other words, the caller ID is not set, the control unit 120 generates information showing that the caller ID is not set (hereinafter referred to as "caller ID unset information").

If the telephone number is extracted, the control unit 120 refers to the list of names, email addresses, and telephone numbers stored in the RAM202 and determines whether the extracted telephone number matches any telephone number in the list.

When there is a matching phone number, the control unit 120 replaces the extracted phone number with a name corresponding to the matching phone number.

Also, the control unit 120 refers to the current time and date to obtain the reception time and reception date when receiving the call management information.

The control unit 120 also generates information that stores a value for displaying the incoming communication type (hereinafter referred to as "incoming communication type information"), in which case the incoming communication type is displayed as a call.

The control unit 120 also generates a display flag for displaying whether or not the details have been displayed on the main display, in which case the display flag value is set to "0".

The control unit 120 corresponds to the answering information or the unanswered information with the telephone number, name, or caller ID-unset information, and then corresponds to the reception date, reception time, incoming communication type information, and display flag, and registers the result (hereinafter referred to as "incoming history information") in the table 400 of the RAM 202. Note that the table 400 will be explained later.

Then, after registering the above items, the control unit 120 counts the number of display marks in the table 400 having a value of "0". And registers that number as the communication count in the table 400.

In other words, the communication count displays the number of pieces of incoming call history information that are not displayed on the main display unit 102.

Also, the control unit 120 assigns a number in the table 400 by corresponding the number 1 to the latest incoming call history information, in other words, the number 1 to the latest reception time, and then sequentially increments the number in order from the latest to the oldest to each other incoming call history information.

The following shows a procedure performed in the control unit 120 when mail management information is contained in the control data received from the modulation/demodulation unit 122.

The control unit 120 determines whether the mail body corresponding to the mail management information has been read. If the subject has been displayed, the control unit 120 generates information indicating that the subject has been read (hereinafter referred to as "read information").

On the other hand, if the main body is not displayed, the control unit 120 generates information showing that the main body is not read (hereinafter referred to as "unread information").

The control unit 120 then extracts the email address of the sender contained in the mail management information.

After extracting the email address, the control unit 120 refers to the list of names, email addresses, and telephone numbers registered in the RAM202, and determines whether there is an email address corresponding to the extracted email address.

When there is a matching email address, the control unit 120 replaces the extracted email address with a name corresponding to the matching email address.

The control unit 120 then obtains the subject of the electronic mail from the mail management information.

Further, upon receiving the mail management information, the control unit 120 obtains a reception time and a reception date by referring to the current time and date.

The control unit 120 also generates incoming communication type information that stores a value indicating that the incoming communication type is an email.

The control unit 120 then counts the number of pieces of incoming mail history information indicating that the electronic mail has been received and stored in the RAM202, and the control unit 120 also obtains the number of pieces of incoming mail history information plus 1. Note that the incoming mail history information will be explained later.

The control unit 120 also generates a display flag indicating whether or not the detailed information has been displayed on the main display, in which case the value is set to "0".

The control unit 120 corresponds to an email address or name with read information or unread information, and then corresponds to a subject, a reception date, a reception time, incoming communication type information, and a display flag, and registers the result (hereinafter referred to as "incoming mail history information") in the table 500 of the RAM 202. Table 500 will be explained later.

Note that information for identifying a sender/receiver such as an email address, a telephone number, and a name, and caller ID unset information generated in place of the information for identifying the sender/receiver are hereinafter collectively referred to as "identification information".

After the above items are registered, the control unit 120 counts the number of display flags in the table 500 having the value "0", and registers the number in the table 500 as a communication count.

In other words, the communication count represents the number of pieces of incoming mail history information that have not been displayed on the main display 102.

Also, the control unit 120 assigns a number in the table 500 by corresponding the number 1 to the latest incoming mail history information, in other words, the number 1 to the latest reception time, and then sequentially increments the number in the latest to oldest order to each of the other pieces of incoming mail information.

The following shows a procedure in the control unit 120 when message management information is contained in the control data received from the modulation/demodulation unit 122.

The control unit 120 determines whether a body corresponding to the message management information has been read.

If the main body has been displayed, the control unit 120 generates information indicating that the main body has been read, i.e., read information.

On the other hand, if the main body is not displayed, the control unit 120 generates information indicating that the main body is not read, i.e., unread information.

The control unit 120 also judges whether or not the caller's telephone number is contained in the message management information, and if the judgment is affirmative, extracts the telephone number.

On the other hand, if the caller's telephone number is not included in the voice management information, the control unit 120 generates caller ID-not-set information.

If the telephone number is extracted, the control unit 120 refers to the list of names, email addresses, and telephone numbers registered in the RAM202, and determines whether the extracted telephone number matches any telephone number in the list.

Also, the control unit 120 refers to the current time and date to find the reception time and reception date when the message management information is received.

The control unit 120 also generates incoming communication type information that stores a value indicating that the incoming communication type is a character message.

Then, the control unit 120 counts the number of pieces of incoming message history information indicating that the electronic mail has been received and stored in the RAM202, and obtains the number of pieces of incoming message history information plus 1. Note that the incoming message history information will be explained later.

The control unit 120 also generates a display flag indicating whether the detailed information has been displayed on the main display, in which case the value of the display flag is set to "0".

Then, the control unit 120 corresponds to the telephone number and name or caller ID-not-set information with the read information or the unread information, and then corresponds to the reception date, the reception time, the incoming communication type information, and the display flag, and registers the result (hereinafter referred to as "incoming message history information") in the table 600 of the RAM 202. Note that table 600 will be explained later.

Then, after registering the above items, the control unit 120 counts the number of display flags in the table 600 having the value "0" and registers the number in the table 600 as a communication count.

In other words, the communication count indicates the number of pieces of incoming message history information that are not displayed in the main display 102.

Also, the control unit 120 assigns a number in the table 600 by corresponding the latest incoming message history information with the number 1, in other words, the number 1 corresponds to the latest reception time, and then sequentially increments the number in order from the latest to the oldest to each of the other incoming message history information.

This completes the explanation of how the control unit 120 updates the contents in the tables 400, 500 and 600 after receiving the communication.

After the update, when the housing unit 101 is folded, the control unit 120 determines whether a close signal indicating that the housing unit 101 is folded is input from the open/close detection switch 119. According to the determination result, the control unit 120 determines where and to what extent the information in the update table is displayed. In other words, the control unit 120 determines on which of the primary display 102 and the secondary display 118 information is to be displayed, and displays the information accordingly.

More specifically, when there is a turn-off signal, the control unit 120 outputs the incoming communication type information and the reception time as simplified information from the items of the update table onto the secondary display 118, and corresponds to the date and time of the output of the simplified information, in other words, the simplified information display time.

Thus, if there is already other reduced information displayed on the secondary display 118, this reduced information is replaced by the reduced information.

On the other hand, if the off signal is not input, the control unit 120 outputs the reception time of the incoming communication history information to which the number is assigned, the response/non-response information or the read/non-read information, the reception date, and the number as detailed information onto the main display 102. All values of the display flag in the table corresponding to this output are set to "1", and the value of the communication count is set to "0".

Note that when output to the main display 102 is performed after the table 500 is updated, the control unit 120 also includes and outputs a theme in the detailed information.

Further, when the input of the shutdown signal is stopped while the simplified information is output to the sub display 118, the control unit 120 terminates the output of the simplified information to the sub display 118, outputs detailed information corresponding to the simplified information to the main display 102, sets all values of the display flag corresponding to the output in the table to "1", and sets the communication count to "0".

Further, if the signal input is turned off while the control unit 120 is outputting detailed information to the main display 102, the control unit 120 stops the output of the count of 1 or more from the tables 400, 500, and 600 and outputs simplified information whose display time is the latest and the entire count of the simplified information. The control unit 120 corresponds to the date and time at which the simplified information is output in the same table, in other words, the simplified information display time.

Note that, since the display content of main display 102 cannot be confirmed when housing 101 is closed, main display 102 is closed at this time. Since all information on the communication history information is displayed on the main display 102 when the casing 101 is opened, the sub display unit 118 is turned off at this time. Turning off the display in this manner helps to save power.

The operation unit 123 is composed of a shortcut key 103, a four-digit key 104, an e-mail key 105, a menu/OK key 106, an end/power key 107, a numeric keypad 108, a web key 111, a side-end OK key 112, a side-end scroll key 113, and a start key 114.

The operation unit 123 outputs input information to the control unit 120 using keys.

The voice processing unit 124 performs D/a conversion and the like on the voice data received from the modulation/demodulation unit 122 and outputs the result to the speaker 116.

Further, the voice processing unit 124 receives a voice signal from the microphone 109, performs a/D conversion of the signal, and outputs the result to the modulation/demodulation unit 122.

< data >

Fig. 3 shows a data structure of the table 300, which represents a so-called address book stored in the RAM202, in which names, email addresses, telephone numbers are stored correspondingly.

The last name column 301 shows the name of each person registered in the address book. The email address column 302 shows each person's email address and the phone number column 303 shows each person's phone number.

By using the table 300, not only can the user be made to input no telephone number when making a call and no email address when sending an email, but also when the telephone number or email address of the caller/sender is notified, even if the user cannot exactly identify who the caller/sender is from the telephone number or email address, the caller can be recognized quickly because the telephone number or email address is converted to the name of the caller/sender.

Fig. 4 shows a data structure of a table 400 for registering incoming call history information.

The communication count field 401 displays the number of pieces of incoming call history information that have not been displayed on the main display 102, in other words, the number of calls whose value is "0" in the display flag column 408, which will be explained later.

The incoming communication type information field 402 shows the type of information stored in the table, here "call", indicating incoming history information.

The reception time column 403 shows the time at which the control data including the incoming call history information is received.

The identification information column 404 basically shows the telephone number of the caller, but if the telephone number is registered in the table 300, the name of the caller is registered instead of the telephone number.

Note that if the caller ID is not set, the caller's telephone number is not stored. Instead, with "caller ID not set".

The answer/unanswered information column 405 shows whether the user answers an incoming call corresponding to the reception of control data including incoming call history information.

The reception date column 406 shows the date on which the control data including the incoming call history information is received.

The number column 407 shows numbers assigned to the incoming call history information in succession from the latest to the earliest.

Note that the information shown in the reception time column 403 to the number column 407 is information displayed as detailed information on the main display 102.

The display flag column 408 shows whether or not the incoming call history information is already displayed in the main display 102. For example, if the casing 101 is opened and a conversation is started when a call is received, a caller phone number, a caller name, or a caller ID is not set to be displayed on the main display 102, and thus the value of the display flag of the corresponding incoming call history information becomes "1".

Also, if the casing 101 is opened while the simplified content is displayed on the secondary display 118, the incoming history information of all calls registered in the table 400 is displayed on the main display 102, and thus the value of all display flags becomes "1".

The simplified information display time field 409 shows the date and time when the simplified information on the incoming call history information was last displayed on the secondary display 118.

Note that for the call history information whose value of the display flag column 408 is "0", the information shown in the incoming communication count field 401 and the incoming communication type information field 402 and the information shown in the reception time column 403 are all displayed on the secondary display 118 as simplified information.

Fig. 5 shows a data structure of a table 500 for registering incoming mail history information.

The incoming communication count field 501 shows the number of incoming mail history information that has not yet been displayed on the main display 102, in other words, the number of values "0" in the display flag column 509, which will be explained later.

The incoming communication type information field 502 shows what type of information is stored in the table, where "email" shows that the type is incoming mail history information.

The reception time column 503 shows the time at which the control data containing incoming mail history information is received.

The identification information column 504 basically shows the sender's email address, but if the sender is not registered in the table 300, the sender's name is registered instead of the email address.

The subject column 505 shows the subject that the sender has assigned to each email.

The read/unread information column 506 shows whether or not the body of each email has been read.

The reception date column 507 shows the time at which each control data including history information of incoming mails was received.

The number column 508 shows numbers assigned successively to incoming mail history information, from the latest.

The display flag column 509 shows whether or not incoming mail history information has been displayed on the main display 102. For example, if the casing 101 is opened when an email is received, the email address of the sender or the name of the sender and the body are both displayed on the main display 102, whereby the value of the display flag of the corresponding incoming mail history information becomes "1".

Also, if the casing 101 is opened while the simplified content is displayed on the secondary display 118, incoming mail history information of all electronic mails registered in the table 500 is displayed on the main display 102, and thus the values of all display flags become "1".

Note that the folding communication terminal 100 of the present invention can directly obtain the main body corresponding to the incoming mail history information without requiring the user to perform an operation to display detailed information from the initial screen displayed on the main display 102. When such a program is executed, only the value of the display flag of the displayed incoming mail history information becomes "1".

Thus, the following is possible: the incoming mail history information earlier than the incoming mail history information whose display flag has a value of "1" has a display flag having a value of "0".

The reduced information display time field 510 shows the time when the reduced information about the incoming mail history information was last displayed on the secondary display 118.

Note that for incoming mail history information having a value of "0" in the display flag column 509, information shown in the communication count field 501 and the incoming communication type information field 502 and information shown in the reception time column 503 are displayed as simplified information in the secondary display 118.

Fig. 6 shows a data structure of a table 600 for registering incoming message history information.

The communication count field 601 shows the number of incoming message history information that has not yet been displayed on the main display 102, in other words, the number of values "0" in the display flag column 608, which will be explained later.

The incoming communication type information field 602 shows what type of information is stored in the table, where "character message" shows that the type is incoming message history information.

The receive time column 603 shows the time at which the control data including the incoming message information was received.

The identification information column 604 basically shows the sender's email address, but if a telephone number is registered in the table 300, the sender's name is registered instead of the telephone number being registered in the same manner as in the table 400.

The read/unread information column 605 shows whether or not the body of the character message corresponding to the control data reception including the incoming message history information has been read.

The received date column 606 shows the date on which the control data including the incoming message history information was received.

The number column 607 shows numbers assigned successively to incoming message history information in order from the latest to the earliest.

The display flag column 608 shows whether incoming message history information has been displayed on the main display 102. For example, if the casing 101 is opened when a character message is received, a sender's phone number or a sender's name is displayed on the main display 102, and thus the value of the display flag of the corresponding incoming message history information becomes "1".

Also, if the casing 101 is opened while the simplified content is displayed on the secondary display 118, incoming message history information on all character messages registered in the table 600 is displayed on the main display 102, and thus the values of all display flags become "1".

The simplified information display time field 609 shows the date and time when the simplified information on the incoming message history information was last displayed on the secondary display 118.

Note that the information shown in the received data column 603 to the number column 607 is displayed as detailed information on the main display 102. For incoming message history information having a value of "0" in the display flag column 608, information in the communication count field 601 and the incoming communication type information field 602 and information shown in the reception time column are displayed on the secondary display as simplified information.

Note that the value in the display flag column 408 in fig. 4, the value in the display flag column 509 in fig. 5, and the value in the display flag column 608 in fig. 6 show whether or not detailed information on each kind of incoming communication history information has been displayed on the main display 102. In the following, those information whose flag value is "0" will be referred to as "detailed information not shown".

< display >

The display contents of the secondary display 118 will be explained next.

Under the control of the control unit 120, the folding communication terminal 100 performs location registration by transmitting and receiving signals to and from base stations in a sequence (setter), and then shifts to a waiting state where the base stations are not shown.

Fig. 7 illustrates a change in display contents of the secondary display when the housing is in the folded state.

Fig. 7(a) shows a default screen displayed on the secondary display 118 in a waiting state. The default screen shows the current time "9: 30" and the antenna pictogram corresponding to the electric field strength.

The folding communication terminal 100 has a timer and an RSSI (received signal strength indication) detector unit (not shown) as functional units for detecting time and electric field strength.

Note that the control unit 120 may display an icon to indicate the setting of the terminal or that an email has been received in a blank area on the left side of the time display.

Fig. 7(B) shows another screen on the display 118 next time in the waiting state, which shows a state of display in which the screen in (a) later receives a call at 10:00 but the call is not answered.

Thus, this screen shows that detailed information about the call is not displayed and that there is a total of one call for which detailed information is not displayed.

Fig. 7(C) shows a screen on the display 118 next time in a wait state after the screen (B), showing a state in which although the 10:30 receives the e-mail, it is not confirmed.

Thus, this screen shows an email for which detailed information about the email has not been displayed and a total of one detailed information has not been displayed.

Fig. 7(D) shows a screen on the display 118 next time in a waiting state after the screen (C), showing a state in which although the C-mail is received at 11:00, it is not confirmed.

Thus, this screen shows that the detailed information about the c-mail has not been displayed and that there is a total of one c-mail for which the detailed information has not been displayed.

Fig. 7(E) shows a screen on the display 118 next time in a waiting state after the screen (D), showing a state in which although the email is received at 11:30, confirmation thereof is not made.

In this example, the received and previously received e-mails here mean e-mails in which two pieces of detailed information are not displayed.

When the folding communication terminal 100 receives each communication successively in the order of fig. (B) to (E), the control unit 120 writes down information whose detailed information is not displayed, in other words, the control unit 120 writes detailed non-displayed information into the tables 400, 500, and 600 in the RAM 202.

Note that the default screen in (a) will be referred to as a "waiting for simplification screen" hereinafter.

Next, the display contents of the main display 102 will be explained.

Here, if the display state is currently as shown in (E) in fig. 7 and the user opens the folding communication terminal 100, the control unit 120 confirms that the housing 101 has been opened according to the signal stop from the open/close detection switch 119, in other words, the housing 101 is in the state of fig. 1a, and the control unit 120 stops displaying on the sub display 118.

Fig. 8 shows a display state of the main display when the housing is opened and incoming mail history information is being displayed on the secondary display, and a display state of the secondary display when the housing is subsequently closed.

The control unit 120 displays detailed information on the electronic mail on the main display 102 when the display on the sub-display 118 is finished, as shown in fig. 8 (a). This is because the control unit 120 is showing on the secondary display that the e-mail has been received.

Then, the control unit 120 changes the value of the display flag of the incoming mail history information stored in the RAM202 without displaying the detailed information to 1.

According to this procedure, the information on the incoming mail history information shown in (C) and (E) in fig. 7 is no longer displayed on the secondary display 118.

Fig. 8(a) shows that the unread email is an email with number 001 arriving from Taro Yamada on day 1/9, whose subject is "another day", and an email with number 002 arriving from jiro @ aaa.bbb.co.jp on day 1/9, whose subject is "meeting".

Also, if the menu/OK key 106 is pressed in this state, the content of the email number 001 is displayed. Other emails may be selected by operating the four-digit key 104 up and down.

Note that an icon showing the remaining battery capacity is displayed at the upper left end of the screen.

If the user closes the folding communication terminal 100 after the state shown in fig. (a) or the e-mail content is displayed, the control unit 120 confirms that the casing 101 has been closed according to the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119. The control unit 120 turns off the main display 102 and simplifies the information display time with reference to the tables 400, 500, and 600 of the incoming communication type in which the communication count is 1 or more than 1, which is not displayed on the main display 102 as detailed information. The control unit 120 selects the one whose reduced information display time is the latest, here, fig. 7(D), and displays that c-mail, as shown in fig. 8(B), in other words, the character message is received at 11: 00.

Next, if the user opens the folded communication terminal 100 in the state shown in fig. 8(B), the control unit 120 stops to confirm that the housing 101 has been opened according to the input signal from the open/close detection switch 119, and terminates the display on the sub display 118.

Fig. 9 shows a display state of the main display when the housing is opened while the incoming message history information is being displayed on the secondary display, and shows a display state of the secondary display when the housing is subsequently closed.

The control unit 120 displays detailed information on the character message on the main display 102 when the display on the sub display 118 is finished, as shown in fig. 9 (a). This is because the control unit 120 is displaying on the secondary display 118 that a character message has been received.

Then, the control unit 120 changes the value of the display flag of the incoming message history information in the detailed undisplayed information stored in the RAM202 to "1".

According to this procedure, the information on the incoming message history information displayed in fig. 7(D) will not be displayed on the secondary display 118 any more.

FIG. 9(A) shows an unread character message arriving at 11:00, 1.9 months, while six other character messages have been received.

For the other six character messages, the respective reception times and reception dates are shown, and it is also shown that each of the other character messages has been read.

Note that at the top, the unread character message is surrounded by a rectangular box. This is to indicate that the character message is highlighted and to indicate that the character message is selected.

If the menu/OK key 106 is pressed in this state, the contents of the character message are displayed. Other emails may be selected by operating the four-digit key 104 up and down.

If the user closes the folding communication terminal 100 after the state of fig. (a) or the contents of the character message are displayed, the control unit 120 confirms that the housing 101 has been closed according to the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119. The control unit 120 opens the main display 102 and simplifies the information display time with reference to the tables 400, 500, and 600 of the incoming communication type in which the communication count is 1 or more, which is not displayed on the main display 102 as detailed information. The control unit 120 selects the one at which the display time of the abbreviated information is the latest, here fig. 7(B), as shown in fig. 9(B), displaying the call arriving at 10: 00.

Next, if the user opens the folded communication terminal 100 in the state shown in fig. 9(B), the control unit 120 confirms that the housing 101 has been opened according to the stop of the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119, and terminates the display on the sub display 118.

Fig. 10 shows a display state of the main display when the casing is opened while the incoming call history information is being displayed on the secondary display 118, and shows a display state of the secondary display 118 when the casing is subsequently closed.

The control unit 120 displays history information on the call at the time of ending the display on the sub display 118, in other words, displays incoming call history information on the main display 102, as shown in fig. 10 (a). This is because the control unit 120 is showing on the secondary display 118 that the call has been received.

Then, the control unit 120 changes the value of the display flag of the incoming call history information in the detailed undisplayed information stored in the RAM202 to "1".

According to this procedure, the information on the incoming call history information shown in fig. 7(B) will no longer be displayed on the secondary display 118.

Fig. 10(a) shows that the call number 01 arriving from telephone number 09012345678 on days 9 and 1, 11:00, was not answered, and the calls number 02, 03, and 04 were also received before the call number 01. "answered" indicates a call that the user answered, and "not answered" indicates a call that the user did not answer.

Note that at the top, unanswered calls are surrounded by a rectangular box. This indicates that the call is highlighted, indicating that the call is selected.

If the start key 114 is pressed in this state, the control unit 120 starts a procedure of making a call to the displayed phone number.

If the user closes the folding communication terminal 100 after the state in fig. (a) or the contents of the character message are displayed, the control unit 120 confirms that the housing 101 has been closed according to the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119. The control unit 120 turns off the main display 102 and simplifies the information display time with reference to the tables 400, 500, and 600 of the incoming communication type in which the communication count not displayed as detailed information on the main display 102 is 1 or more. The control unit 120 attempts to select one of the reduced information display times that is the latest.

However, the number of communications in tables 400, 500, and 600 that are not displayed on main display 102 is 0. Because there is no communication display, the control unit 120 displays a normal waiting display, in other words, a default display shown by fig. 10 (B): current time "12: 00" and an antenna pictogram showing the current electric field strength.

Next, if the user opens the folding communication terminal 100 in the state shown in fig. 10(B), the control unit 120 confirms that the housing 101 has been opened according to the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119 being stopped, and terminates the display on the sub display 118, and displays an initial screen (hereinafter referred to as "waiting detailed screen") for assisting the user's operation in waiting on the main display 102.

< operation >

The operation of the folding communication terminal 100 is explained below.

Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure for the control unit 120 to now display on the main display 102.

The control unit 120 determines whether the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119 has stopped (step S701), and waits until the signal input from the open/close detection switch 119 stops. When the signal is stopped, the control unit 120 turns off the secondary display 118 (step S702), and determines whether simplified information on the incoming communication history information is being displayed on the secondary display 118 (step S703).

When the simplified information on the incoming communication history information is not displayed on the secondary display 118, the control unit 120 displays a waiting detailed screen on the main display 102 (step S704), and ends the routine.

On the other hand, if the simplified information on the incoming communication history information is being displayed on the secondary display 118, the control unit 120 displays the simplified information related to the simplified information on the incoming communication history on the main display 102 (step S705), and ends the routine.

Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure for the control unit 120 to display on the secondary display 118.

The control unit 120 determines whether a signal is being input from the open/close detection switch 119 (step S801), and waits for the start of input of a signal from the open/close detection switch 119. When the signal starts, the control unit 120 turns off the main display 102 (step S802), and determines whether there is any detailed undisplayed information, in other words, information whose display flag value is "0" (step S803).

When there is no detailed undisplayed information, the control unit 120 displays a waiting for simplification screen on the secondary display 118 (step S804), and ends the routine.

On the other hand, if there is detailed undisplayed information, the control unit 120 refers to incoming communication type information whose incoming communication count is 1 or more, which is not displayed as detailed information on the main display 102, displays simplified information that the incoming communication is the newest (step S805), and ends the routine.

As described above, in the folding communication terminal 100 of the present embodiment, when the simplified information is displayed in the secondary display 118, if the housing 101 is opened, detailed information on the simplified information is displayed on the main display 102. Thus, cumbersome operations are unnecessary.

Also, if the terminal is turned off, simplified information that the user does not detect is displayed on the sub display 118 in chronological order while detailed information is being displayed on the main display 102. This means that the user can easily know the presence of an unchecked communication.

Also, if the terminal is turned off while detailed information is being displayed on the main display 102, simplified information that is not checked by the user is displayed chronologically on the sub-display 118. This means that the user can easily know the presence of unchecked communications.

Further, if the casing 101 is opened in this state, detailed information is displayed on the main display 102 in the same manner as described above.

Note that although a micro switch for mechanically detecting whether the folding communication terminal 100 is opened or closed is used in the present embodiment, an optical sensor for detecting whether the housing 101 is opened, an encoder for detecting an angle, or the like may be used.

Also, the folding communication terminal 100 uses a data transmission method in which an electronic mail and a character message are selectively obtained according to information such as a sender's mail address and a telephone number. A data transmission method of receiving the entire e-mail and character message may be used. In such a case, it is possible to display the main body as detailed information.

Also, in the present embodiment, the main display 102 is not limited to the LCD, but may be, for example, an organic electroluminescent (organic electroluminescent) display.

Also, in the present embodiment, the secondary display 118 is a black and white LCD, but it may be a color LCD, or, for example, organic electroluminescence.

Also, the sub display 118 is shown on the outer surface of the upper casing 101a in the present embodiment, but the sub display 118 may be on the outer surface of the lower casing 101 b.

Further, in addition to the portable communication apparatus of the opening/closing type such as shown in the present embodiment in which the housing is composed of two parts hinged together, and the lid of the housing is opened and closed with the hinge as an axis, there are other portable communication apparatuses that are opened and closed by sliding the lid of the housing in recent years. The present invention is also effective for a slide opening/closing type portable communication apparatus.

When the present invention is a sliding open/close type portable communication apparatus, the "housing" should be read as the "cover" described above, the "fold" as the "close (cover)", and the "open" as the "open (cover)", in the specification.

Here, for convenience, both of the above-described types of portable communication apparatuses are referred to as on/off communication apparatuses.

Although the present invention has been fully explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.

Claims

1. A folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, comprising:

a storage unit for storing information that an unanswered call is received and information that an e-mail or character mail communication is received; and

2. The folding-type communication terminal of claim 1, characterized in that:

the display control means terminates the display of the piece of simplified information by the sub-display when the main display displays the piece of detailed information related to the piece of simplified information displayed on the sub-display.

3. The folding-type communication terminal of claim 2, characterized in that:

when the display control means terminates the display of the piece of simplified information by the sub-display, the display control means selects a next piece of simplified information to be displayed on the sub-display, the next piece of simplified information being selected from pieces of simplified information other than the piece of simplified information being displayed on the sub-display.

4. The folding-type communication terminal of claim 3, characterized in that:

when the display control means terminates the display of the piece of simplified information by the sub-display, and when the main body is changed from the unfolded state to the folded state, the next piece of simplified information selected is displayed on the sub-display.

5. An information display method for a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, the folder-type communication terminal comprising:

the information display method comprises the following steps:

6. A folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, comprising:

7. A folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, comprising:

8. An information display method for a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, the folder-type communication terminal comprising:

the information display method comprises the following steps:

9. An information display method for a folder-type communication terminal in which a state change of a main body of the communication terminal between a folded state and an unfolded state is detectable, the folder-type communication terminal comprising:

the information display method comprises the following steps: