Abstract:
In information terminals, such as the cellular phone, the user interface for being adapted to enough in multi-functionalization is provided. The portable communication terminal with the touch panel on the surface of body, a display information generating section which generates the display information displayed on the touch panel, a manipulation position detector which detects the coordinate point specified on the touch panel, wherein the display information generating section divides the touch panel into a plurality of display ranges, and changes the ratio of a plurality of display ranges depending on the relative position detected by the manipulation position detector.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an information terminal equipped with a display on the surface of the body like a cellular phone. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In recent years, about information terminals, such as a cellular phone, while miniaturization of the body is required, with the advance of multi-functionalization, such as transmission/reception of e-mail, connection to the Internet, and camera photographing, regarding the cellular phone, adaptation to multimedia and the operativity of the user interface are required. 
         [0003]    Now, usually, even though the cellular phones operated with a single hand are miniaturized in consideration of the portability and the operativity, because the key are operated with watching the display screen, the display screen of the cellular phone, and the various keys, such as the numeric keys and the selection operation keys, had to be positioned separately. For this reason, the display screen must be arranged into a part except for the various keys, and an expansion of the screen was not enough to enjoy multimedia comfortably with the cellular phone, because space for the display is limited to the half of the arrangement surface. 
         [0004]    As opposed to this, an art disclosed by the patent literature 1 propose that a display screen which displays the variety of information placed in the different side from the an operation key side for inputting the various manipulate signals. According to the art shown by the patent literature 1, the display screen of sufficient size to display various information is gained, without consideration to the key arrangement. 
         [0005]    [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-354085 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    However, as mentioned above, although diversification of the user interface is also required more with rising of needs for multimedia, because the key arrangement required depending on the kind of multimedia differs, in the fixed interface, there is the problem that it cannot respond enough to needs. 
         [0007]    The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems as described above, and it is an object to provide a system with the user interface which can respond to multi-functionalization enough in information terminals, such as the cellular phone. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    In order to accomplish the object as described above, the present invention provides an information terminal with a display on the surface of the body comprising: a display information generating section for generating the display information displayed on the display; and a position detector for detecting the coordinate point specified on the display; wherein the display information generating section divides the display into a plurality of the display ranges, and changes the ratio of the a plurality of the display ranges depending on the relative position detected by the position detector. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the present invention as described above, since the screen was divided into a plurality of display ranges, the information displayed on the screen of the information terminal is made clear, and the display mode can be varied according to each function of the information terminal, and it is possible to respond to multi-functionalization of the information terminal. 
         [0010]    In the invention as described above, it is preferred that a touch panel provided in the display for inputting the manipulate signal with the pressure to the display; and a input range setting section for dividing the input range for the manipulate signal on the touch panel; wherein the input range setting section changes the input range depending on the relative position detected by the position detector. 
         [0011]    In this case, on the touch panel, a plurality of display ranges and input ranges can be placed, the coordinate point on the display is specified by touching and dragging the boundary line of the display range or the input range, by detecting this, the ratio of a plurality of display ranges or the input range can be changed, thereby, the area of each display range can be expanded and contracted. 
         [0012]    In the invention as described above, it is preferred that The information terminal comprising a gadget section slid to the longitudinal direction in the surface of the body, wherein a position detector detects the coordinate point with the relative position of the gadget section in the body, and a display information generating section changes the display information depending on the relative position of the gadget section in the body detected by the position detector. 
         [0013]    In this case, the coordinate point on the display is specified with the position of the gadget section, by moving the gadget section, the boundary line at the time of dividing into a plurality of display ranges can be changed freely, thereby, the area of each display range can be expanded and contracted. 
         [0014]    In the invention as described above, it is preferred that the information terminal comprising a acceleration sensor for detecting the value and the direction of acceleration wherein the display information generating section changes the display information depending on the relative position detected by the position detector and the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, and the input range setting section changes the input range depending on the relative position detected by the position detector and the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. In this case, based on the boundary layer position of the display range divided into the plurality, and the acceleration given to the body, the display style can be changed and the interface can be varied. 
         [0015]    In the invention as described above, it is preferred that the information terminal comprising a input part provided in the gadget section for inputting the manipulate signal. In this case, the manipulate signal can be inputted from the gadget section itself, and diversification of the interface can be attained further. 
         [0016]    In the invention as described above, it is preferred that the display information generating section has the function for setting up the range which displays the display information on the display, and the input range setting section each locates the gadget section and the input range in the both sides of the display range of the display information by dividing the input range depending on the relative position detected by the position detector. In this case, because the input interface can be placed on those both sides as situated across the display range, the manual operation button and the arrow key can be placed on both sides of the game screen, for example as the game controller. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0017]    As has been discussed above, in accordance with the present invention, In information terminals, such as the cellular phone, the user interface, for telephone call manipulation, mail preparation, or contents viewing, enough according to multi-functionalization can be provided by setting up a plurality of display ranges and input ranges on the display, making these boundary lines change freely, and making each range expand and contract. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    [ FIG. 1 ] An outline view of the portable communication terminal  1  in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0019]    [ FIG. 2 ] A block diagram showing the internal configuration of the portable communication terminal  1  in accordance with the embodiment. 
           [0020]    [ FIG. 3 ] A block diagram showing the functional module virtually built on CPU in accordance with the embodiment. 
           [0021]    [ FIG. 4 ] An explanatory view showing the case where the display range is divided by making the gadget section into the boundary line in accordance with the embodiment. 
           [0022]    [ FIG. 5 ] An character kind inputted depending on the input mode of each application is the explanatory view showing signs that it is changed automatically in accordance with the embodiment. [ FIG. 6 ] An explanatory view about the operation method (game controller mode) of the information terminal in accordance with the embodiment. 
           [0023]    [ FIG. 7 ] An explanatory view about the operation method (inclination input key mode) of the information terminal in accordance with the embodiment. 
           [0024]    [ FIG. 8 ] An explanatory view about the operation method of the information terminal in accordance with a modification of the embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    With reference to the accompanying drawing, an embodiment of the information terminal related to the present invention is described in detail in the following.  FIG. 1  is the outline view of the portable communication terminal  1  in accordance with this embodiment. 
         [0026]    As shown in the FIG. (a) and (b), the portable communication terminal  1  is provided with the body  100  of rectangular shape, and the gadget section  200  fit into this body  100 , which can be slid to the sliding direction. As for the front side of the body  100 , the touch panel  300  was allocated, and the gadget section  200  crossed this touch panel  300 , and has fitted in. 
         [0027]    As shown in the figure (c), the arrow key  203  operational for all directions is placed in the center by the side of the front of the gadget section  200 , and the manual operation button  201 ,  202  is placed in it by the both sides. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is the block diagram showing the internal configuration of the portable communication terminal  1  related to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the portable communication terminal  1  is provided with the duplexer  102  connected to the antenna  101 , and the receiving system module and transmission system module which were connected to this duplexer  102 . 
         [0029]    As the receiving system module, it has the low noise amplifier  110 , the mixer  111 , IF amplifier  112 , the orthogonal mixer  113 , A/D converter  114 , the demodulator  115 , the channel decoder  116 , the audio decoder  117 , D/A converter  118 , the amplifier  119  with the switch and the loudspeaker  120 . On the other hand, as a transmission system module, it has the microphone  140 , the amplifier  139 , A/D converter  138 , the voice encoder  137 , the channel encoder  136 , the modulator  135 , D/A converter  134 , the orthogonal mixer  133 , IF amplifier  132 , the mixer  131 , and the power amplifier  130 . 
         [0030]    The portable communication terminal  1  is provided with the synthesizer  103 , the time base  150 , CPU 160 , RAM 162 , ROM 163 , and EEPROM 161  as a control system module, is provided with the acceleration sensor  164 , LCD 300 , the gadget section  200 , LED 167 , the touch sensor  168 , and the vibrator  174  as a user interface system module, and is provided with the electrical power system battery  171 , the power supply  172 , and A/D converter  173  as an electrical power system module. 
         [0031]    The antenna  101  transmits and receives the signal to the base station (not shown) via the electric wave line. The duplexer  102  is a circuit which changes input and output of the signal transmitted and received, inputs into the low noise amplifier  110  the signal which the antenna  101  received, and outputs the signal outputted from the power amplifier  130  to the antenna  101 . 
         [0032]    In the receiving system module, the low noise amplifier  110  amplifies the signal inputted from the duplexer  102 , and outputs it to the mixer  111 . The mixer  111  undergoes the output of the low noise amplifier  110 , separates only specific frequency, and is outputted as an intermediate frequency signal. IF amplifier  112  amplifies the intermediate frequency signal outputted from the mixer  111 . The orthogonal mixer  113  undergoes and carries out orthogonal demodulation of the output of IF amplifier  112 . The A/D converter  114  digitizes the output of the orthogonal mixer  113 . The demodulator  115  restores to the output of A/D converter  114 . The channel decoder  116  carries error correction to the output of the demodulator  115 . The control message and voice data are contained in the signal which carried error correction. The control message is sent out to CPU 160  and voice data is sent out to the audio decoder  117 . 
         [0033]    The signal inputted into the audio decoder  117  from the channel decoder  116  is decoded by voice data, and is delivered to D/A converter  118 . The D/A converter  118  changes the output of the audio decoder  117  into the analog signal. The amplifier  119  with the switch is changed to suitable timing based on the control signal from CPU 160 , and amplifies the output of D/A converter  118  in the state of the switch ON. The loudspeaker  120  amplifies the output of the amplifier  119  with the switch. 
         [0034]    On the other hand, in the transmission system module, the microphone  140  receives the audio signal from the user, and outputs this audio signal as an analog signal. The amplifier  139  amplifies the analog signal outputted from the microphone  140 . The A/D converter  138  changes the output of the amplifier  139  into the digital signal. The voice encoder  137  codes and curtails the output of A/D converter  138 , and outputs it as voice data. The channel encoder  136  cries the control message from CPU 160 , and in one voice from the voice encoder  137 , and adds the error correcting code. 
         [0035]    And the modulator  135  modulates the output of the channel encoder  136 . The D/A converter  134  changes the output of the modulator  135  into the analog signal. The orthogonal mixer  133  changes the output of D/A converter  134  into the IF frequency signal (intermediate frequency signal). The IF amplifier  132  amplifies the output of the orthogonal mixer  133 . The mixer  131  raises the frequency of the signal which IF amplifier  132  outputs. The power amplifier  130  amplifies the output of the mixer  131 . 
         [0036]    The synthesizer  103  takes the synchronization of the mixer  111 , the orthogonal mixer  113 , the mixer  131 , and the orthogonal mixer  133  during communication. The time base  150  supplies the clock signal to each part. 
         [0037]    In the user interface system, the acceleration sensor  164  is the sensor which detects the value and the direction of acceleration. The LCD 165  is a liquid crystal display on which the user is made to display the message, the input character, etc. In GUI on the touch panel  300 , the key for inputting the numbers from “0” to “9”, “#”, etc. via this LCD 165  can be displayed, and the manipulate signal is acquired through the touch sensor  168  on the touch panel  300 . 
         [0038]    The gadget section  200  is the input device formed in the longitudinal direction of the surface of the body so that slide movement was available, and equips the front face part with the manual operation button  201 , 202  and the arrow key (joystick)  203 . 
         [0039]    The LED 167  is for telling the user the message by lighting and putting out lights. The touch sensor  168  detects that the user&#39;s finger contacted the touch panel surface, and inputs the manipulate signal with the pressure to the touch panel  300  surface. It may be made for the touch sensor  168  to detect the user&#39;s fingerprint. The vibrator  174  is a device which informs mail arrival, and when it receives a message, it will vibrate. 
         [0040]    The electrical power system battery  171  supplies electric power to the power supply  172  and A/D converter  173 . The power supply  172  is the power supply of the portable communication terminal  1 . The A/D converter  173  supplies the signal to CPU 160 . 
         [0041]    The CPU 160  is an processing unit which controls each section of the above, carries out sequential execution of the command of the program stored in ROM 163 , and performs the various functions. The RAM 162  is used as a working memory of CPU 160 , etc. and stores the result of an operation by CPU 160  temporarily. The program for CPU 160  is recorded on ROM 163  and the executive instruction of the program is outputted one by one with the request from the CPU 160 . The user data, IDs indigenous on the body, and the telephone numbers, such as the abbreviated dialing, are recorded on the EEPROM 161 . 
         [0042]    And as for this embodiment, modules, such as a display information generating section  160   a,  a manipulation position detector  160   c,  and an input range setting section  160   d,  are virtually built by CPU 160  by executing the above program by the application execution section  160   b  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Here, the “module” in the following explanation is constituted by hardwares, such as the device and apparatus, software with the function, or such combination, and means the functional unit for attaining predetermined operation. 
         [0043]    The application execution section  160   b  is a module for executing the program and builds each above module virtually on the CPU 160 . 
         [0044]    The display information generating section  160   a  is a module for generating the display information, including the picture, alphabetic information, etc., displayed on the LCD 165 , and constituting GUI by cooperating with the manipulate signal acquisition section  160   f.  This display information generating section  160   a  is provided with the function to divide the display range in the LCD 165  into a plurality of display ranges while it sets up the range which displays display information on the LCD 165 . And the ratio of a plurality of display ranges is changed with the relative position detected by the manipulation position detector  160   c.    
         [0045]    The display information generating section  160   a  changes display information according to the coordinate point (the relative position on the touch panel  300 ) which the manipulate signal was inputted and was detected by the manipulation position detector  160   c,  and the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor  164 . 
         [0046]    The manipulation position detector  160   c  is a module for detecting the coordinate point specified on the touch panel  300 . This coordinate point is detected as a coordinate point of the input position based on the input coordinate of the manipulate signal which the touch sensor  168  detected, and the relative position of the gadget section  200  on the body. The display information generating section  160   a  changes display information according to the relative position of the gadget section  200  on the body detected by this manipulation position detector  160   c.    
         [0047]    The input range setting section  160   d  is a module for dividing the input range of the manipulate signal on the touch panel  300 . In the case of the present embodiment, the manipulation position detector  160   c  detects the operating point on the touch panel  300 , and the relative position of the gadget section  200 , The input range changes according to this detected relative position and the acceleration which the acceleration sensor  164  detected. The input interface (I/F)  160   e  is a module which receives the user&#39;s manipulate signal inputted from the operation devices, such as the touch panel, the manual operation button, the joystick, and is inputted into the manipulate signal acquisition section  160   f.    
         [0048]    The manipulate signal acquisition section  160   f  is a module which inputs the inputted manipulate signal into the application execution section  160   b  as an operating command. In detail, the manipulate signal is compared with the relative position of the gadget section  200 , and the input setting for which the input range setting section  160   d  determines, the operating command associated with the comparison result and manipulate signal is selected, and is inputted into the application execution section  160   b.    
       Operation Method 
       [0049]    The portable communication terminal  1  which has the above composition is operated as follows. The portable communication terminal  1  is provided with many functions, such as transmission and reception of e-mail, the Internet connectivity, camera photographing, the movie/picture browser, the game, as to the touch panel  300  or the gadget section  200 , the manipulate signal and operating command which are assigned to each manual operation button (GUI is included.) are suitably changed according to the input mode in each function. 
         [0050]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , in cases where the touch panel  300  is divided into the above and below display ranges  301  and  302  by making the gadget section  200  into the boundary line, the ratio of the display ranges  301  and  302  changes by sliding the gadget section  200  up and down, and changing the relative position to the body  100 . At this time, as shown in the FIG. (b) and (c), the character input key  401  is displayed on the lower display range  302  as GUI as an input range responded the input mode, the display range is expanded and contracted by the slide moving of the gadget section  200 . 
         [0051]    In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, the auxiliary input key  402  is added and displayed with the character input key  401  by the further upward movement of the gadget section  200 . As for this auxiliary input key  402 , the character group forecast from the character inputted by the character input key  401  is displayed. In the illustrated example, in cases where Japanese “A” is inputted by the character input key  401 , the character group forecast from “A” is displayed. In this way, the above manipulate signal acquisition section  160   f  changes the coordinates of the input range of each input key according to the expanding and contracting of the input range, and the addition and reduction of the input key, and compares the operating point and the input range of each input key which are inputted by the user&#39;s touch operation, and selects the inputted operating command. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , regarding the input key, the character kind to input is automatically changed according to the input mode of each application. For example, be shown in the figure (a), in the case of calling operation, when alter operation is carried out, the number like the telephone number will be inputted, as shown in the FIG. (b) and (c), in inputting the texts, such as e-mail, it changes to katakana, the hiragana, and Roman letters input, as shown in the figure (d), in the input columns (text box), such as the mail address, the input of the half-width alphabetic characters and the symbols are available. In the figure (e), in cases where it starts application and the function, the menu item is displayed on the input key. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 6  ( a ), in list display modes, such as the address book, it becomes the complete display by lowering the gadget below, at this time, address information can be called by touching the name listed in the list. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 6  ( b ), in cases where the portable communication terminal  1  is used as a game controller, the input range is divided according to the relative position of the gadget section  200  detected by the position detector, and the gadget section  200  and the input range  403  are positioned in the both sides of the display range  301  of display information. Thereby, when the game screen is displayed on the display range  301 , the joystick of the gadget as an arrow key and the manual operation button displayed on the input range  403  are placed at the both sides. The position of the gadget section  200  can turn over right and left by slide moving, and the input range  403  can also be positioned in the opposite side of the game screen following it. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ) and ( b ), at the input range  404 , the input key of GUI is placed obliquely the 45 degrees, by detecting tilt of the body with the acceleration sensor, the character to display may be changed corresponding to it. That is, each of the input key displayed cancellous as GUI is tilted the 45 degrees, when the body is stood or lie down, the character is arranged in each readable direction. In cases where it stands, as for these characters, the character in the input key becomes the input character, when it lies, the character besides the input key becomes the input character. In this case, even though the two characters will be assigned to the one input key, the character inputted is switched in the time of lying with the time of standing corresponding to the detection result of the acceleration sensor. 
         [0056]    As shown in the figure (b), the left screen  405  is the menu screen of the card game type in the case of the present embodiment. In the menu screen of this card game type, the application and the function for starting are assigned to the card shape icon (card icon) I 1  like playing card, and each function can be started by touching this card icon I 1 . As to this card icon I 1 , the card icon is shuffled by shaking the body and generating acceleration, the position of the card icon and the overlap can be changed, thereby, the card icon assigned the required function can be moved to the position easy to operate. The box type icon (box icon) I 2  is displayed together, and by touching this box icon I 2 , the card can be aligned or can be put into the box icon I 2 . By shaking the body, in the screen, this box icon I 2  itself can also roll and can be moved. 
       Modification Example 
       [0057]    Incidentally, the present invention is not limited thereto, but it is possible to add a variety of modification. For example, With the above embodiment, even though modification of the display range and the input range is adjusted by slide moving of the gadget section  200 ,  FIG. 8  ( a ) be shown in—(d), the coordinate point on the touch panel  300  is appointed by touching and dragging the basic information bar  303  as a boundary line with the finger  300   a,  the ratio of the display range  301 , 302  may be changed by making this move up and down. 
       Operation/Effect 
       [0058]    In accordance with the present embodiment, since the screen is divided into a plurality of display ranges  301 , or  302  and the input range  400 , the information displayed on the touch panel can be made clear, and the display mode can be varied according to each function of the information terminal, and it is possible to respond to multi-functionalization of the information terminal. 
         [0059]    Particularly, in the case of the present embodiment, since the coordinate point on the touch panel  300  can be specified with the position of the gadget section  200  slid to the longitudinal direction of the body  100  surface, by moving the gadget section  200 , the boundary line at the time of dividing into a plurality of display ranges can be changed freely, thereby, the area of each display range can be expanded and contracted. 
         [0060]    Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since to have further the acceleration sensor  164  for detecting value and the direction of acceleration given to the body  100 , the display style can be changed with acceleration given to the body  100  by shaking, tilting, standing or laying in addition to alter operation on the input interface like the gadget section  200  and the touch panel  300 . 
         [0061]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ) and ( b ), the display mode of the display button can be settled without being affected by effect of the direction of the body, since to make the input key of GUI tilt over the 45 degrees, to detect the direction of the body with the acceleration sensor as the input range  404  and to change the character displayed, since the manipulate signal inputted changes responding the direction of the body, the user can carry suitable alter operation by pushing the input key according to the character of the direction easy to read, without being sensible of the direction of the body. 
         [0062]    Since the manual operation buttons  201  and  202  and the arrow key  203  are placed as an input part for inputting the manipulate signal into the gadget section  200 , the manipulate signal can be inputted also from gadget section  200  itself, and diversification of the interface can be attained. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6 , since the input range is divided in order that the gadget section  200  and the manual operation button  403  may be positioned in both sides of the display range  301 , the manual operation button and the arrow key can be arranged on both sides of the game screen (display range  301 ), for example like the game controller. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1 —Portable communication terminal 
           100 —Body 
           160 —CPU 
           160   a —Display information generating section 
           160   b —Application execution section 
           160   c —Manipulation position detector 
           160   d —Input range setting section 
           160   e —Input interface (I/F) 
           160   f —Manipulate signal acquisition section 
           164 —Acceleration sensor 
           165 —LCD 
           168 —Touch sensor 
           200 —Gadget section 
           201 , 202 —Manual operation button 
           203 —Arrow key 
           300 —Touch panel 
           300   a —Finger 
           301 , 302 —Display range 
           303 —Basic information bar 
           400 —Input range 
           401 —Character input key 
           402 —Auxiliary input key 
           403 —Manual operation button 
           404 —Input range 
           405 —Left screen