(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0083.642 A1
`Senpuku et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`US 2005.0083.642A1
`
`(54) MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE, AND
`DISPLAY-CONTROL METHOD AND
`PROGRAM FOR MOBILE
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`(76) Inventors: Tsuyoshi Senpuku, Tokyo (JP);
`Hirohiko Higuchi, Tokyo (JP);
`Tomoaki Tsukada, Tokyo (JP);
`Daisuke Iizawa, Tokyo (JP)
`Correspondence Address:
`OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER &
`NEUSTADT, P.C.
`1940 DUKESTREET
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/499,653
`
`9
`
`9
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`Mar. 8, 2002
`PCT/JP02/02197
`
`
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G06F 1/16
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................... 361/681; 455/575.4; 455/556.1;
`345/169; 345/905
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A mobile communications device includes a first display
`device and a Second display device. The Second display
`device is arranged on, and is movable with respect to, a
`casing, and movement of the Second display device is
`detected by a Sensor. Moreover, the mobile communications
`device may include a control device for executing applica
`tion programs, and when the Second display device is
`moved, automatically updates display content on the first
`display device or the Second display device in cooperation
`with the movement. When the second display device
`changes from closed Status to open Status, the control device
`automatically Selects content related to content on the first
`display device and displays it on the Second display device.
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 1 of 22
`Fig. 1
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`MPU
`
`3a
`
`LOUID CRYSTAL
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`(MAINDISPLAY DEVICE)
`
`
`
`LOUID CRYSTAL
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`(SUBDISPLAY DEVICE)
`
`VIDEO CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO DECODER
`/ ENCODER
`
`CAMERA
`
`5
`
`I/O CONTROLLER
`
`MEMORY
`
`10
`
`TRANSMITTER
`-RECEIVER
`CIRCUIT
`
`VOICE DECODER
`/ ENCODER
`
`OPENING-CLOSING U 7
`SENSOR
`
`OPERATION
`BUTTON
`
`8
`
`ANTENNA
`
`11
`
`SPEAKER
`
`13
`
`MICROPHONE
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 2 of 22
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`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 2
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 3 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 4 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 4
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 5 of 22
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`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 5
`
`A-5
`
`21
`
`20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 6 of 22
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`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 6
`
`E-MAIL CONTENT
`CORRESPONDING
`TO LIST
`
`RECEIVED
`E-MAIL BOX
`
`E-MAIL 1/1 O
`
`HELLO.
`TOO BAD
`ITRAINED
`YESTERDAY.
`
`3b
`
`RECEIVED
`E-MAIL BOX
`
`
`
`RECEIVED BOX
`
`RECEIVED BOX
`
`2. SUBJECT 2
`3. SUBJECT 3
`4. SUBJECT 4
`5. SUBJECT 5
`
`FUNCTIONFUNCTION2FUNCTION3
`
`3a
`
`
`
`D
`
`SLIDE OPEN
`
`2. SUBJECT 2
`3. SUBJECT 3
`4. SUBJECT 4
`5. SUBJECT 5
`
`3a
`
`FUNCTIONFUNCTION2FUNCTION3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 7 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 7
`
`START
`
`SO
`
`DISPLAY MENU
`(RECEIVED E-MAILLIST DISPLAY)
`
`S1
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE KEY INPUT
`
`INPUT FROM
`DECISION KEY
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY EXECUTION RESULT OF
`SPECIFIED MENU, ON FIRST
`DISPLAY DEVICE (DISPLAY
`DETAILS OF SPECIFIED E-MAIL)
`
`
`
`
`
`CHECK FLAG.
`CHANGED FROM CLOSED
`TO OPEN STATUS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY EXECUTION RESULT OF
`SPECIFIED MENU, ON SECOND
`DISPLAY DEVICE (DISPLAY
`DETAILS OF SPECIFIED E-MAIL)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 8 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 8
`
`S10
`
`DETECT POSITION
`
`S11
`
`
`
`SIGNAL CHANGE
`FROM CLOSED
`TO OPEN
`
`S12 SIGNAL CHANGE
`FROM OPEN
`TO CLOSED
`CHECK SENSOR
`OUTPUT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SIGNAL NOT
`CHANGED
`S14
`
`S15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 9 of 22
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`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 9
`
`HELP SCREEN
`
`SETTINGS
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`SETTINGS
`SCREEN
`
`SETTINGS
`ASSISTANT:
`
`WHEN YOU
`RECEIVE A CALL
`FROMAN
`UNREGISTERED
`CALLER...
`
`SWITCH TO
`SETTING
`ASSISTANT
`
`SWITCHTO
`SETTING
`ASSISTANT
`56S2
`2. OFF R)
`FUNCIONIENTON2INGTON
`SLIDE OPEN
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 10 of 22
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`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 10
`
`S2O
`
`DISPLAY MENU (DISPLAY
`FUNCTION SETUP MENU)
`
`S21
`
`RECEIVE KEY INPUT
`
`
`
`INPUT FROM
`DECSION KEY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY EXECUTION RESULT OF
`SPECIFED MENU, ON FIRST
`DISPLAY DEVICE. (CHANGING
`FUNCTION SETTINGS PROCESS)
`
`CHECK FLAG
`CHANGED FROM CLOSED
`TO OPENSTATUS
`p
`
`
`
`DISPLAY EXPLANATION RELATED
`TO SPECIFIED MENU.
`(DISPLAY HELPSCREEN)
`
`END
`
`S27
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 11 of 22
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`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 12 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 12
`
`
`
`

`

`SCREEN
`DISPLAY
`MODE
`DOUBLE SCREEN
`DISPLAY MODE
`DISPLAY SENT MAGE ON
`MAN DISPLAY DEVICE.
`DISPLAY RECEIVED IMAGE ON
`SUB-DISPLAY DEVICE.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IMAGE
`REDUCTION
`
`
`
`
`
`SYNTHESIZE
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY COMPOSITE
`IMAGE ON MAIN
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 13 of 22
`Fig. 13
`
`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`STARTTELEPHONE CALL
`
`S3O
`
`RECEIVE IMAGE, TAKE PICTURE
`USNG CAMERA
`S32
`SINGLE SCREEN
`DISPLAY MODE
`
`
`
`
`
`S34
`
`RECEIVE KEY
`INPUT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HAS
`USER PRESSED
`CALL TERMINATION
`BUTION
`YES
`
`S36
`
`CALL TERMINATION
`PROCESSING
`
`CHANGETO
`DOUBLE SCREEN
`DISPLAY MODE
`
`
`
`CHANGE TO
`SNGLE SCREEN
`DISPLAY MODE
`
`END TELEPHONE CALL
`
`S43
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 14 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`
`
`nebOOK
`CO WIC &
`
`5. Schedule
`6. BrOWSer
`7. Visual
`8. Data bOX
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 15 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`
`
`1. Settings
`2. Phonebook
`
`4. Mail
`5. Schedule
`6. BrOWSer
`7. Visual
`8. Data bOX
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 16 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 17 of 22
`Fig. 17
`
`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`START APPLICATION
`EXECUTION
`
`RECEIVE KEY
`INPUT
`
`
`
`MAN DISPLAY
`DEVICE ACTIVE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE PROCESS ON
`MAN DISPLAY DEVICE
`BASED ON KEY INPUT
`
`EXECUTE PROCESS ON
`SUBDISPLAY DEVICE
`BASED ON KEY INPUT
`
`SUB-DISPLAY
`DEVICE POWER
`SUPPLY ON
`
`SUB-DISPLAY
`DEVICE POWER
`SUPPLY OFF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETURNTO DISPLAY
`CONTENTS OF PREVIOUS
`DOUBLE SCREEN
`DISPLAY MODE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SUB-DISPLAY
`DEVICE POWER
`SUPPLY OFF
`
`COPY DISPLAY CONTENTS
`OF SUB-DISPLAY DEVICE
`TOMAN DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 18 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 18
`
`COMPOSE E-MAIL
`SET CHOSEN
`APPLICATION
`
`COMPOSEE-MAIL
`
`TITLE
`
`3b
`
`SSESS
`
`
`
`SCREEN
`
`CONTENTS
`
`FUNCTONIFUNCTION2UNCTION
`
`02.04.18
`1 O:08
`
`3a
`
`O2. O4.18
`10:08
`
`3a
`
`WAITING
`WAITING
`SCREEN -> SCREEN
`FINGTONIENCTONEIFUNCION
`SLIDE OPENI 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 19 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 19
`
`MENUSCREEN
`
`2. MENU 2
`3. MENU 3
`4 MENU 4
`5. MENU 5
`6. MENU 6
`7. MENU 7
`8. MENU 8
`FUNCTONFUNCTON2FUNCTION
`
`ZVIDEOfELEFFONE3
`
`VDEO
`EONE
`
`
`
`VIDEO
`TELEPHONE
`SCREEN
`
`ZVIDEOfELEFAONE3
`( )
`6
`
`Z7-2
`% <3
`NCTONINGTON2INCTION
`
`D.
`SLIDE OPEN
`
`%2
`2 <3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 20 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Fig. 20
`
`DEFAULT
`SCREEN
`
`5666&SEAFC
`9MEBASE
`
`BROWSER
`SCREEN
`
`
`
`BROWSER
`SCREEN
`
`SEARCH
`
`
`
`FUNCTIONFUNCTION2FUNCTION
`
`ŽBRÖWSERSCREEN3
`%WEAfEF
`9MEBASE 2
`
`1. TOKYO
`2. NAGOYA
`FUNCTIONFUNCTION2FUNCTION3
`
`
`
`RD
`SLIDE OPEN
`
`%5ROWSERSCFEEN3
`2WEAfEF
`9MEBASE 2
`1. TOKYO
`2. NAGOYA
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 21 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 21
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 21, 2005 Sheet 22 of 22
`
`US 2005/0083.642 A1
`
`Fig. 22
`
`
`
`

`

`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE, AND
`DISPLAY-CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM
`FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`0001. The present invention relates to mobile communi
`cations devices Such as mobile phones and mobile informa
`tion terminals having wireleSS communication functions, to
`display-control methods and programs for Such devices, and
`in particular, to Such devices having multiple displayS.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`0002 Heretofore, various types of mobile phones have
`been developed and are in use, but most of them have only
`one display. There is, however, a mobile phone with multiple
`displays described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publica
`tion 1997-247250. With this mobile phone, by utilizing two
`foldable displays as one Screen, text messages by e-mail or
`wireleSS calls, and large amounts of data from facsimiles or
`personal computers, can be displayed.
`0003. The above-described mobile phone prior art, how
`ever, merely discloses mobile communications device dis
`playing large amounts of information with the implementa
`tion of multiple displays and does not show any specific
`technology for improving the user interface regarding opera
`tion of the multiple displays, and therefore remains an issue
`that improved user operability for displaying, for example,
`by Switching among multiple displays, has not yet to be
`devised.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`0004. The present invention is provided to solve the
`above-explained problems, and aims at improving the user
`interface of a mobile communications device having mul
`tiple displayS.
`0005 The mobile communications device of the inven
`tion comprises: a casing, a first display device for displaying
`text or images, a Second display device that is arranged on,
`movable with respect to, the casing, a Sensor for generating
`Signals according to the position of the Second display
`device; and a control device for executing application pro
`grams and displaying first execution results on the first
`display device, and for displaying Second execution results,
`related to the first execution results, on the Second display
`device based on output signals from the Sensor when the
`Second display device is moved into a predetermined posi
`tion.
`0006 Alternatively, the control device is configured to
`enable a plurality of application programs to be executed,
`and when it displays a Second execution result on the Second
`display device, the control device displays the result of
`executing an application program that the first display
`device is using.
`0007 Alternatively, the control device executes email
`browsing programs as application programs, and the first
`display device displays an receiving list of e-mails as a first
`execution result, and the Second display device displayS
`content of an e-mail in the receiving list as a Second
`execution result.
`0008 Alternatively, the control device displays on the
`Second display device a help display for a first execution
`
`result currently being displayed when the Second display
`device is moved into operable position.
`0009. Alternatively, the first display device displays a
`menu having a plurality of displayed options, and when the
`control device has judged based on an output Signals from
`the Sensor that the Second display device has been moved,
`then the control device judges that one option has been
`Selected from the plurality of options.
`0010 Alternatively, based on output signals from the
`Sensor the control device Selects on which display device to
`display a Second execution result, and displays the Second
`execution result on the first display device or the Second
`display device according to the Selection result.
`0011 Alternatively, the sensor detects open and closed
`State of the Second display device; and when the Sensor has
`detected that the Second display device has gone from being
`the open State to the closed State, then the control device
`displays on the first display device an Synthesized image in
`which content displayed on the first display device when the
`Second display device was open and content displayed on
`the Second display device when the Second display device
`was open, are Synthesized.
`0012 Alternatively, the mobile communications device
`comprises a camera for taking first Video images, and each
`of the first display device and the Second display device
`respectively displays either a Second Video image, which is
`sent from a communication partner, or a first video image in
`the open State; and when the Sensor has detected that the
`Second display device has gone from the open State to the
`closed State, then the control device reduces the first video
`image, Synthesizes the reduced first Video image and the
`Second Video image, and displays the Synthesized video
`image on the first display device.
`0013 Alternatively, the mobile communications device
`comprises an input device for Selecting the content displayed
`on the first display device or the Second display device, and
`based on Signals from the Sensor, the control device deter
`mines the Second display device will not display, and Selects,
`as an active Screen, the display device, which is to be
`operated by the input device, from between the first and
`Second display devices, and updates the content on the first
`display device using the content on the active Screen when
`the Second display device has gone into non-display Status.
`0014) A display control method of the invention com
`prises: a detection Step of detecting whether Second display
`device has changed from being not-in-use to being in-use,
`wherein first display means and the Second display means
`are provided in the mobile communications device, and a
`display Step of Selecting display content related to an option
`displayed on the first display means from a plurality of
`display-content items, and displaying the display content on
`the Second display means, when the change into the State of
`inuse has been judged in the detection Step.
`0015. Alternatively, the display step displays on the sec
`ond display means the next execution results from an
`application program using the first display means.
`0016 Alternatively, the display step displays the second
`execution result on the first display means when the Second
`display means is not being used and a decision button on the
`mobile communications device has been pushed.
`
`

`

`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`0017 Alternatively, the detection step detects output sig
`nals from a Sensor for detecting that the Second display
`means has moved with respect to the first display means.
`0.018. Alternatively, the display control method further
`comprises a list-display Step of displaying on the first
`display means an e-mail received list having a number of
`Subject headings, and a designation Step of designating one
`email from the received list, wherein the display Step
`displayS detailed content of the e-mail designated in the
`designation Step as content for display on the Second display
`CS.
`Alternatively, the display control method of the
`0.019
`invention further comprises: a step of receiving a first video
`image Sent from a communication partner, a step of taking
`a Second Video image using a camera provided in the mobile
`communications device; a dual-screen display Step of dis
`playing the first and Second Video images at the same time
`by means of the first and Second display means and display
`ing the first and Second Video images on either the first or
`Second display means, and a single-screen display Step of
`Synthesizing and displaying on the first display means the
`first and Second Video imageS when the Second display
`device has gone from being not-in-use to being in-use.
`0020. Alternatively, the single-screen display step
`Shrinks the Second Video image and Synthesizes the first and
`the Second Video image.
`0021 Alternatively, when the second display device has
`gone to being in-use, then the display Step displays a help
`display related to the content displayed on the first display
`device.
`0022. Moreover, the display control method of the inven
`tion may further comprise: a step of detecting an input signal
`from an input device, the input device being provided for
`Selecting content displayed on the first display means or the
`Second display means, a step of Selecting display content
`based on the input Signal from the first input device, a Step
`of displaying different content on the first display means and
`the Second display means respectively; a step of Selecting
`based on a signal from the first input device either the first
`display means or the Second display means as an active
`Screen to be controlled based on a Signal from a Second input
`device provided in the mobile communications device; and
`an update Step of updating the content displayed on the first
`display device using the content displayed on the active
`Screen, when the Second display device has gone to being
`not-in-use.
`0023 Programs according to the invention execute any of
`the above-described display-control methods on a computer.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`0024 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configura
`tion of a mobile communications device according to the
`invention;
`0025 FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the mobile com
`munications device according to the invention;
`0026 FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the mobile com
`munications device according to the invention;
`0.027
`FIG. 4 is a side view of the mobile communica
`tions device according to the invention;
`
`0028 FIG. 5 is a side view of the mobile communica
`tions device according to the invention;
`0029 FIG. 6 illustrates an e-mail browsing screen
`according to the invention;
`0030 FIG. 7 is a flow chart representing a display control
`method according to the invention;
`0031
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart representing opening-and
`closing process according to the invention;
`0032 FIG. 9 illustrates a function-setting screen accord
`ing to the invention;
`0033 FIG. 10 is a flow chart representing a display
`control method according to the invention;
`0034 FIG. 11 illustrates a video communication screen
`according to the invention;
`0035 FIG. 12 illustrates a video communication screen
`according to the invention;
`0036 FIG. 13 is a flow chart representing a video con
`Versation Screen-Switching process according to the inven
`tion;
`0037 FIG. 14 illustrates an application execution screen
`according to the invention;
`0038 FIG. 15 illustrates an active screen according to
`the invention;
`0039 FIG. 16 illustrates an active screen according to
`the invention;
`0040 FIG. 17 is a flow chart representing a display
`control method according to the invention;
`0041
`FIG. 18 illustrates an application execution screen
`according to the invention;
`0042 FIG. 19 illustrates an application execution screen
`according to the invention;
`0043 FIG. 20 illustrates an application execution screen
`according to the invention;
`0044 FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a mobile com
`munications device according to the invention; and
`004.5 FIG.22 is a side view of a mobile communications
`device of the invention.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`0046 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing details of a
`mobile communications device of the invention. MPU 1
`(micro processing unit) has a function to control operations
`of each device, and is connected through a bus to a Video
`circuit 2, a Video decoder/encoder, an I/O (input output)
`controller 6, a memory 9, a transmitter-receiver circuit 10,
`and a Voice decoder/encoder 12. The Video circuit 2 has a
`Video memory, which is not illustrated, and electrically
`drives liquid crystal display devices 3a and 3b. In the
`following explanation, the liquid crystal display device 3a is
`called a main display device and the liquid crystal display
`device 3b is called a sub-display device. The video circuit 2
`can independently control the main display device 3a (the
`first display device) and the sub-display device 3b (the
`Second display device). The main display device 3a and the
`
`

`

`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`Sub-display device 3b display images, Such as text, Still
`images, and moving pictures, according to control signals
`from the video circuit 2. The video decoder/encoder 4 is a
`circuit having an encoder that encodes images taken with a
`camera 5 into compressed data in accordance with an
`encoding format such as MPEG4 (Moving Picture Experts
`Group 4), and having a decoder that decodes encoded data
`received through an antenna 11 and the transmitter-receiver
`circuit 10 and restores it into original images. A commer
`cially available MPEG decoder-encoder IC, for example,
`may be used as the video decoder/encoder 4. The I/O
`controller 6 is an input-output processing controller that
`transmits input signals from various devices to the MPU 1,
`and transmits output signals from the MPU 1 to the various
`devices. The opening-closing Sensor 7 is a Sensor that
`detects the position of the moveable sub-display device 3b.
`For example, a Switch may be provided in a position where
`the Switch is pushed by the sub-display device 3b or its
`casing when the Sub-display device 3b is moved into closed
`position. A plurality of operation buttons 8 is assigned to
`various functions and characters, and is used as input
`devices. The memory 9 Stores various types of programs and
`data. The type of memory used (volatile memory, non
`volatile memory, etc.) is what is appropriate in accordance
`with the type of data.
`0047 The transmitter-receiver circuit 10 is a circuit that
`performs voice and data communication through the antenna
`11. Various types of circuit are known for the transmitter
`receiver circuit 10, and the already widely used PDC (Per
`sonal Digital Cellular), GSM (Global System for Mobile
`Communications), and CDMA (Code Division Multiple
`Access) formats, or next generation communication formats,
`which are expected to become widely used in the future,
`such as WCDMA (Wide-band Code Division Multiple
`Access), and Cdma2000, may be used as transmitter-re
`ceiver circuit communication formats. The Voice decoder/
`encoder 12 is a circuit that has an encoder, which encodes
`Voice Signals obtained with a microphone 14, and a decoder
`that decodes into voice signals encoded data received by the
`transmitter-receiver circuit 10. AS a voice coding Scheme,
`the CELP (Code Excited Linear Prediction) encoding
`Scheme is widely known. The Voice Signals decoded in the
`Voice decoder/encoder 12 are reproduced through a speaker
`13.
`0.048. In addition, the speaker 13 is not limited to repro
`ducing Voice Signals but can also reproduce music and Sound
`effects from electrical Signals formed in a Synthesizer circuit,
`which is not shown in the figure.
`0049 FIGS. 2 and 3 are front views of the mobile
`communications device, and the Symbols used refer to the
`Same or equivalent components as those in FIG. 1. Here,
`FIG. 2 illustrates the situation where the sub-display device
`3b is hidden at the back side of the main display device 3a.
`The sub-display device 3b, as shown in FIG. 3, has a
`Structure in which it slides relative to a main casing 20, and
`the user can use the main display device 3a in addition to 3b
`at the same time. Moreover, buttons 8a–8c are input devices
`that function as the operation buttons 8. The selector 8a has
`a direction-key function that generates a direction-indicating
`Signal by the rim portion being pushed, and a decision
`button function that, by the central part of the button being
`pushed down, confirms a designated option and indicates a
`next operation. For example, when the user Specifies an
`
`option on a menu, by the user instructing the movement of
`a cursor or a highlighted display on the Screen and pushing
`the button, the MPU 1 performs a process associated with
`that option. Software keys 8b, associated with an option
`displayed on the main display device 3a or 3b, are an input
`device used when execution of the displayed function has
`been specified. Numerical buttons 8c are an input device
`used to input numbers or text characters.
`0050 FIGS. 4 and 5 are front views of the mobile
`communications device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the
`Symbols used in these figures refer to the Same or equivalent
`components as those in FIG. 1. Here, FIG. 4 illustrates a
`situation where the sub-display device 3b is hidden and
`not-in-use, as in FIG. 2. And on the other hand, FIG. 5
`corresponds to FIG. 3, and illustrates the situation where the
`main display device 3a has been slid out relative to the main
`casing 20. As may be understood from FIG. 5, the main
`casing 20 and the Sub-casing 21, which Supports the Sub
`display device 3b, are configured Such that a sliding face is
`on a curved Surface. Therefore, when the Sub-casing 21 is
`pulled out, Since the Sub-casing 21, and the camera 5 and the
`sub-display device 3b, are thrust out frontward with the
`angle changing, the camera 5 and the Sub-display device 3b
`are set at an angle that facilitates user usage.
`0051 (1) E-Mail Receiving and Browsing Operations
`0052 Next, e-mail browsing operations using the above
`described mobile communications device will be explained.
`0053 Here, a situation where a plurality of e-mails is
`received by the transmitter-receiver circuit 10 and is stored
`in the memory 9 is assumed. When the user selects a
`received e-mail list browsing function from the menu dis
`played on the main display device 3a, as shown in FIG. 6(a),
`a list of the plurality of received e-mail Subject names,
`Senders, transmitting times, etc. is displayed. Next, the user
`Specifies a desired received e-mail using the button 8a.
`Further, in this situation, only the received e-mail is speci
`fied, and following action based on the designation does not
`OCC.
`In conventional mobile communications devices,
`0054.
`in order to display details of received e-mail from this
`Situation, it is necessary to push a decision button. In the
`mobile communications device of this invention, on the
`other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(b), by pulling out the
`sub-casing 21, the MPU 1 activiates the Sub-display device
`3b automatically, and displays the details of the Specified
`received e-mail on the sub-display device 3b. Since in this
`Situation it becomes unnecessary to carry out both the
`operation in which the user pulls out the Sub-casing 21 and
`the operation of pushing the decision button that displays the
`details of the received e-mail, an improvement in user
`friendliness is obtained. Moreover, where sub-display
`device 3b is not used, by pushing down the center of the
`button 8a, the user can choose browser display of the
`received e-mail, and the MPU1 displays the details of the
`Specified received email on the main display 3a, instead of
`displaying a received e-mail list.
`0055 FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the e-mail browsing
`operations explained using FIG. 6. Here, e-mail browsing is
`shown as a representative example, but it can be applied to
`cases where other functions are realized. When the e-mail
`browsing function is selected by the user, the MPU 1 reads
`
`

`

`US 2005/0083642 A1
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`a corresponding program from the memory 9, and Starts
`execution of a browsing program (Step S0). Next, the MPU
`1 displays a menu on the main display device 3a (Step S1).
`In cases of e-mail browsing, the MPU 1 reads from the
`received email list Stored in the memory 9 Subject name,
`Sender, and time of data receipt, and describes the Subject
`name, Sender, and time of data receipt as images into the
`video memory of the video circuit 2. In this way, the list of
`received e-mail is displayed on the main display device 3a.
`0056) Next, the MPU 1 performs a key-input receiving
`process for the operation button 6 (Step S2). Specifically,
`signals from the operation button 8 are read from I/O
`controller 6. In addition, by operation of the selector 8a, the
`MPU 1 performs the process of changing the Specified menu
`option, based on this key input.
`0057 Then, the MPU 1 checks whether there is input
`from a decision key for the selector 8a (Step S3). If “YES",
`the MPU 1 executes the process assigned to the menu choice
`option Specified in Step S2, and displays the execution result
`on the main display device 3a (Step S4). When browsing
`e-mail, the MPU 1 reads details of specified received e-mail
`from the memory 9, and displays them on the main display
`device 3a. Additionally, in this case, in order to Secure a
`displaying area on the main display device 3a, a menu
`display Such as a received e-mail list will be replaced with
`the execution result (namely, the details of the e-mail).
`0058. On the one hand, in cases of “NO” in step S3, a flag
`stored in the memory 9 is checked and it is determined
`whether the sub-display device 3b has changed from closed
`Status to open status (Step S5). A configuration for this flag
`is described later. Here, in cases of “NO”, processing is
`returned to step S2. On the other hand, in cases of “YES',
`the MPU 1 executes the process assigned to the selected
`option from the Specified menu, and displays the execution
`result on the sub-display device 3b. For example, details of
`a Specified e-mail are displayed on Sub-display device 3b. In
`addition, the menu of the main display device 3a is dis
`played as it is, without being erased. Therefore, as shown in
`FIG. 6(b), a menu (list of received e-mails) display is
`displayed on the main display device 3a, and Since the
`details are displayed on the Sub-display device 3b, the user
`can refer to both displays at once.
`0059. After Step S4 or S6 is completed, MPU 1 performs
`other processing. For example, based on operation of the
`operation button 6 as in Step S2, edit-processing of reply
`e-mail or completion-processing of e-mail browsing pro
`ceSSes is performed.
`0060. In addition, details of a plurality of received
`e-mails are written in the memory 9. As in the above-stated
`explanation, when the MPU 1 detects the action of opening
`the sub-display device 3b, the MPU 1 automatically selects
`from the plurality of received e-mails and displays on the
`sub-display device 3b details of one received e-mail.
`0061 AS mentioned above, according to processing
`shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user can easily switch from
`using one Screen to using two Screens. Moreover, Since it is
`possible to execute a Selected option after pulling out the
`Sub-casing 21 without having to expressly push the decision
`button of the Selector 8a, the ease of use is greatly improved.
`0.062
`Next, an operation that detects opening-and-clos
`ing of the sub-display device 3b is explained, using FIG. 8.
`
`0063. The MPU 1 records changes in the open-closed
`status of the sub-display device 3b as flags in the memory 9
`by performing detection processing through Step S10 at
`regular intervals.
`0064.) Firstly, the MPU 1 accesses the I/O controller 6,
`and detects the position of the sub-display device 3b (Step
`S11).
`0065 For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the Sub
`casing 21 is Stowed at the back Side of the main body casing
`20, the Switch will output a meaningful Signal by the
`Sub-casing 21 depressing the Switch that is provided on the
`main body casing 20.
`0.066 Next, the MPU 1 judges whether the open/closed
`Status of the Sub-display device 3b has changed, based on the
`Signal detected at Step S11 and the Signal previously Stored
`in the memory 9. Here, O is set as a value of the flag recorded
`in the memory 9 when the sub-display device 3b has
`changed from being closed to being open (Step S13). On the
`other hand, the MPU 1 sets the flag to 1 when the status is
`not changed (S14).
`0067 Furthermore, the MPU 1 sets the flag to 2 when the
`Status is changed from open Status to closed Status.
`0068. By the fact that the MPU 1 operates as mentioned
`above, various kinds of application programs can refer to the
`flag and make judgments concerning the open/closed Status
`of the sub-display device 3b.
`0069 (2) Help Display
`0070 Next, other examples of automatic display of
`execution results that accompany movement of the Sub
`display device 3b will be explained.
`0071 FIG. 9(a) represents a display when the user
`Selects a function-Setting option from the main menu. The
`Setting of functions may be realized using publicly-known
`function-Setting technology. Then when a user uses the
`Selector 8a to designate an option that Setting a function is
`desired, and further requires a help explanation concerning
`the option, the user can refer to the help information by
`pulling out the sub-casing 21. That is, as shown in FIG. 9(b),
`when the MPU1 detects that the sub-display device 3b has
`changed to closed Sta