Abstract:
An aspect of the present invention provides a portable device having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, comprising: a joint device which slidably joints the first enclosure and the second enclosure, and which enables a first operation of slidably moving the first enclosure between a first position and a second position in a same plane and enables a second operation of rotatably moving the first enclosure around a predetermined axis in the same plane based on a reference position of at least one of the first position and the second position; and an instruction input device which inputs an instruction to the portable device based on at least the second operation of the first enclosure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a portable device and an imaging device, and more particularly to a portable device having two enclosures that are slidably jointed, and an imaging device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There has been known a camera having a lens barrier which covers a front of the lens when the camera is not used, and opens the front of the lens to make the lens usable when the camera is used. The lens barrier serves to protect the lens and often serves as a switch for controlling the power ON/OFF of the camera. As the lens barrier having further another function, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-33996 discloses a camera in which a lens protection member serving as a lens barrier is movable to a plurality of positions and a different function is allocated to an operation unit depending on an individual position thereof. According to this technique, a plurality of functions can be allocated to one operation unit depending on the position of the lens barrier, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of parts. 
         [0005]    Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-90863 discloses a camera in which a front main portion of the lens barrier is detachably configured as an outside barrier member, and the outside barrier member functions as a remote controller for remotely controlling the camera main body. Such a configuration assures that the lens can be protected when the camera is not in use, and the camera can be used as remote controller when the camera is in use. In addition, the remote controller can be prevented from being lost while the camera is being carried. 
         [0006]    The original purpose of the lens barrier is to protect the lens when not in use, and preferably the lens barrier should stop at one of the position of protecting the lens and the position of exposing the lens to be used. Such a configuration assures that, after the camera is used, the lens can be protected simply by moving the lens barrier from a current position to an opposite position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    However, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-33996, when the lens barrier is movable to a plurality of positions, a visual inspection is needed to confirm the position at which the lens barrier stopped. Moreover, when a plurality of functions are allocated to one operation unit, the number of parts can be reduced, but there is another problem in that it is difficult and troublesome for the user to find which function corresponds to which position of the lens barrier. 
         [0008]    Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-90863 has a disadvantage in that, since the front main portion of the lens barrier is detachably configured as an outside barrier member, there is a possibility that the outside barrier member is removed from the camera when not in use and the lens cannot be properly protected. 
         [0009]    In view of such circumstances, the present invention has been made, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device and an imaging device which not only can protect the lens when not in use, but also can perform camera operation by changing the position of an enclosure such as a lens barrier when in use. 
         [0010]    In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a portable device having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, comprising: a joint device which slidably joints the first enclosure and the second enclosure, and which enables a first operation of slidably moving the first enclosure between a first position and a second position in a same plane and enables a second operation of rotatably moving the first enclosure around a predetermined axis in the same plane based on a reference position of at least one of the first position and the second position; and an instruction input device which inputs an instruction to the portable device based on at least the second operation of the first enclosure. 
         [0011]    Thereby, an easy-to-operate portable device can be provided. 
         [0012]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to the first aspect, the joint device can joint self-returnably to the reference position after the second operation of rotary movement. 
         [0013]    Thereby, an easy-to-operate portable device can be provided. 
         [0014]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to the first or second aspect, the joint device further comprises a device which stops the first enclosure and the second enclosure at the first position and at the second position with a predetermined holding force. 
         [0015]    Thereby, an easy-to-operate portable device at each position can be provided. 
         [0016]    According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the portable device according to any of the first to third aspects further comprises a position detection device which detects whether the first enclosure is located at the first position or the second position, wherein the instruction input device inputs an instruction to the portable device based on a detection result of the position detection device. 
         [0017]    Thereby, a different function at each position can be allocated. 
         [0018]    According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the portable device according to any of the first to fourth aspects further comprises a device which detects a rotating direction of the second operation, wherein the instruction input device inputs an instruction to the portable device based on the detected rotating direction. 
         [0019]    Thereby, a different function in a different rotating direction can be allocated. 
         [0020]    According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the portable device according to the fifth aspect further comprises a device which detects a rotation amount of the second operation, wherein the instruction input device inputs an instruction to the portable device based on the detected rotation amount. 
         [0021]    Thereby, a different function can be allocated based on the rotation amount. 
         [0022]    According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to the sixth aspect, the instruction input device inputs an instruction to the portable device so as to change a speed of a function of operating based on the detected rotation amount. 
         [0023]    Thereby, the operation speed of a function can be changed based on the rotation amount. 
         [0024]    According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to the sixth aspect, the instruction input device inputs an instruction to the portable device so as to change a function of operating based on the detected rotation amount. 
         [0025]    Thereby, a different function can be allocated based on the rotation amount. 
         [0026]    In order to achieve the above object, a ninth aspect of the present invention provides an imaging device comprising: the portable device according to any of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the second enclosure is provided with a photographic lens; and the photographic lens is covered with the first enclosure at the first position and is exposed at the second position. 
         [0027]    Thereby, the photographic lens can be protected. 
         [0028]    According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the imaging device according to the ninth aspect further comprises a position detection device which detects whether the first enclosure is located at the first position or at the second position, wherein, when the first position is detected, the instruction input device inputs an instruction related to an image reproduction, and when the second position is detected, the instruction input device inputs an instruction related to an image photographing. 
         [0029]    Thereby, in no photographing mode, the lens can be protected, and further, an operation related to image reproduction can be performed. 
         [0030]    According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the imaging device according to the ninth aspect further comprises a position detection device which detects whether the first enclosure is located at the first position or at the second position, wherein, when the first position is detected, power supplied to the imaging device is turned off. 
         [0031]    Thereby, when the power supply is turned off, the photographic lens can be protected. 
         [0032]    According to the present invention, the lens and other parts can be protected when not in use, and various operations such as a camera operation can be performed by moving the lens barrier and other enclosures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C are external views of a digital camera  1  of a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention, each illustrating a state in which the silhouettes of a first enclosure  10 , a second enclosure  20 , and a third enclosure  30  thereof are overlapped and located at a first position.  FIG. 1A  is a front view;  FIG. 1B  is a side view; and  FIG. 1C  is a rear view. They illustrate a state in which the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are moved parallel from the first position to a second position; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are external views of the digital camera  1 , each illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are moved parallel from the first position to a second position.  FIG. 2A  is a front view;  FIG. 2B  is a side view; and  FIG. 2C  is a rear view; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the essential portions of the digital camera  1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a joint mechanism seen through from the front side of the first enclosure  10  at a position where the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  thereof are located at the first position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the joint mechanism seen through from the front side of the first enclosure  10  at a position where the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  thereof are located at the second position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6A  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a stick switch  31  is attached to an attachment portion  11  formed on the rear surface of the first enclosure  10 ; and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the attachment portion  11 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7A  is a drawing illustrating a state in which a stick  31   a  is rotated clockwise; and  FIG. 7B  is a drawing illustrating a state in which a stick  31   a  is rotated counterclockwise; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the essential portions of the digital camera  2  of a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  is a drawing illustrating a normal state in which the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are overlapped; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating a state in which the first enclosure is rotated clockwise from the normal state; 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  10  is rotated counterclockwise from the normal state; 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is a drawing illustrating a modification in which push switches  36  and  37  are removed from the first embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  is a drawing illustrating a joint mechanism; 
           [0046]      FIG. 14  is a drawing illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  10  shown in  FIG. 13  is rotated counterclockwise; 
           [0047]      FIG. 15  is a drawing illustrating a state in which the silhouettes of the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are overlapped and located at the first position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 16  is a drawing illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are moved parallel from the first position to the second position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the essential portions of the mobile phone  3 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are located at the first position; 
           [0051]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are being moved from the first position to the second position; 
           [0052]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are located at the second position; 
           [0053]      FIGS. 21A ,  21 B, and  21 C are perspective views, each illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50  is in swing operation; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 22A ,  22 B, and  22 C are perspective views, each illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50  is in swing operation; 
           [0055]      FIG. 23  is an external view illustrating an example in which the first enclosure  10  is moved parallel in the obliquely lower left direction viewed from the front thereof; 
           [0056]      FIGS. 24A and 24B  are external views, each illustrating an example in which the first enclosure  10  is moved parallel in the downward direction viewed from the front thereof; 
           [0057]      FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an internal configuration of the digital camera  1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital camera  1 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 27  is a drawing illustrating an example of a circuit diagram in which the stick switch  31  is used as a volume switch and outputs a current flow according to a rotation angle; 
           [0060]      FIGS. 28A and 28B  are drawings, each illustrating a relation between a swing angle and the current flow; 
           [0061]      FIG. 29  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an internal configuration of the digital camera  2 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 30  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an internal configuration of the mobile phone  3 ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 31  is a flowchart showing an operation related to the swing operation of the mobile phone  3 ; and 
           [0064]      FIGS. 32A ,  32 B and  32 C are external views, each illustrating an example in which the digital camera  1  is moved at the first position by a swing operation in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0065]    Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments for carrying out a portable device in accordance with the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0066]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are external views of a digital camera  1  of a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which  FIGS. 1A and 2A  are front views;  FIGS. 1B and 2B  are side views; and  FIGS. 1C and 2C  are rear views.  FIG. 1  illustrates a state in which the silhouettes of a first enclosure  10 , a second enclosure  20 , and a third enclosure  30  are overlapped and located at a first position; and  FIG. 2  illustrates a state in which the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  are moved parallel from the first position to a second position.  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the essential portions of the digital camera  1 . 
         [0067]    The digital camera  1  is mainly composed of the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first position indicates a storage state in which the operation unit is not exposed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second position indicates a use state in which a photographic lens  25  provided on the front side of the second enclosure  20  and an operation unit  35  provided on the front side of the third enclosure  30  are exposed, and photographing and other operation are enabled. 
         [0068]    The first enclosure  10  is a substantially rectangular plate shaped member, and is used a lens barrier. The attachment portion  11  (detailed later) for attaching the stick switch  31  fixed to the third enclosure  30  is provided on the rear side of the first enclosure  10 . When the stick switch  31  is attached to the first enclosure  10  through the attachment portion  11 , the first enclosure  10  is assembled so as to be integral with the third enclosure  30 . 
         [0069]    The second enclosure  20  is a substantially rectangular plate shaped member having almost the same size as the first enclosure  10 , and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a monitor  21  is mainly provided on the rear side thereof. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a boss  22 , an elongated hole  23 , a push switch  24 , the photographic lens  25 , a flexible printed wiring board  26 , and the like are mainly provided on the front side of the second enclosure  20 . 
         [0070]    The third enclosure  30  is a substantially rectangular plate shaped member having a slightly smaller size than the first enclosure  10  and the second enclosure  20 ; and as shown in  FIGS. 3 , the stick switch  31  is mainly provided on the front side thereof; and the boss  32  and the elongated hole  33  are mainly provided on the rear side thereof. 
         [0071]    The monitor  21  is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The monitor  21  is used in a reproduction mode not only as an image display panel for displaying a photographed image but also as a user interface display panel for performing various setting operations. Moreover, in a photographing mode, a through image is displayed as needed, and the monitor  21  is used as an electronic finder for confirming the image angle. 
         [0072]    The push switch  24  is a switch which is turned on when the tip thereof is pressed. 
         [0073]    The photographic lens  25  is composed of a bending type zoom lens. 
         [0074]    The flexible printed wiring board  26  is arranged such that one end thereof is jointed to a circuit board or the like (not shown) provided inside the second enclosure  20  and the other end thereof is jointed to a circuit board or the like (not shown) provided inside the third enclosure  30 . 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the stick switch  31  is composed of a stick  31   a  having a substantially spherical shaped tip, and a switch unit  31   b  for detecting a motion of the stick  31   a.  The stick  31   a  can be rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise. Moreover, the switch unit  31   b  can detect a rotating operation and a rotating direction of the stick  31   a.  The stick switch  31  is configured such that the stick  31   a  is normally located at a center position. The stick  31   a  can be rotated about 45 degrees in each direction by a rotating operation to stop at that position. When an external force is removed after the rotating operation, the stick  31   a  is configured to be automatically returned to the center position. 
       (About the Movement Between the First Position and the Second Position) 
       [0076]    The joint mechanism for movably jointing the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30 ; and the second enclosure  20  will be described.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the joint mechanism seen through from the front side of the first enclosure  10  at a position where the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  thereof are located at the first position;  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the joint mechanism seen through from the front side of the first enclosure  10  at a position where the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  thereof are located at the second position. 
         [0077]    First, the configuration of the joint mechanism will be described. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the joint mechanism is composed of the boss  22 , the elongated hole  23 , and the push switch  24  provided on the second enclosure  20 ; and the boss  32 , the elongated hole  33 , and the spring  41  provided on the third enclosure  30 . 
         [0078]    The each end of the spring  41  is rotatably inserted into the bosses  22  and  32 ; the boss  22  can slide inside the elongated hole  33 ; and the boss  32  can slide inside the elongated hole  33 . 
         [0079]    The hole diameters of the elongated holes  23  and  33  are larger than those of the bosses  22  and  32  so as to be interlocked with each other. 
         [0080]    The push switch  24  is provided at the left endpoint of the elongated hole  33 . When the boss  32  comes in contact with the push switch  24 , the push switch  24  detects whether the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  are located at the first position or at the second position. 
         [0081]    The spring  41  is a coil spring for urging a force in the unwinding direction, and both ends thereof have a round shape. One end of the spring  41  is rotatably inserted into the boss  22 ; and the other end thereof is rotatably inserted into the boss  32 . 
         [0082]    Each end of the spring  41  is inserted into the boss  22  and the boss  32 . Then, the boss  22  is inserted into the elongated hole  33  and the boss  32  is inserted into the elongated hole  23 . Subsequently, a pin, a screw, or the like (not shown) is attached to the front edge of the boss  22  so as to prevent the boss  22  from being removed from the elongated hole  33 ; and a pin, a screw, or the like (not shown) is attached to the front edge of the boss  32  so as to prevent the boss  32  from being removed from the elongated hole  23 . Thereby, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are movably jointed to the second enclosure  20 . 
         [0083]    Next, the method for moving the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  between the first position and the second position will be described. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , at the first position, the boss  22  is located at the left endpoint of the elongated hole  33 ; and the boss  32  is located at the right endpoint of the elongated hole  23 . The spring  41  urges a force against the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  in the right direction viewed from the front thereof. However, since the boss  22  is located at the left end point of the elongated hole  33 , the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  cannot be moved further in the right direction. In other words, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are fixed to the first position. 
         [0085]    When, at the first position, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are moved in the left direction against the urging force of the spring  41 , the boss  22  slides in the left direction along inside the elongated hole  33  and the boss  32  slides in the left direction along inside elongated hole  23 . In other words, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  move parallel to the left side over-the surface of the second enclosure  20 ; and the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  move from the first position to the second position. 
         [0086]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , at the second position, the boss  22  is located at the right endpoint of the elongated hole  33 ; and the boss  32  is located at the left endpoint of the elongated hole  23 . The spring  41  urges a force against the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  in the left direction viewed from the front thereof. However, since the boss  22  is located at the right end point of the elongated hole  33 , the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  cannot be moved further in the left direction. In other words, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are fixed to the second position. 
         [0087]    Moreover, at the second position, the boss  32  turns on the push switch  24  and then, it is detected that the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  are located at the second position. 
         [0088]    When, at the second position, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are moved in the right direction against the urging force of the spring  41 , the boss  22  slides in the right direction along inside the elongated hole  33  and the boss  32  slides in the right direction along inside elongated hole  23 . In other words, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  move parallel to the right side over the surface of the second enclosure  20 ; and the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  return from the second position to the first position. 
       (About the Operation of the First Enclosure  10 ) 
       [0089]    The first enclosure  10  can be subjected to a rotating operation clockwise and counterclockwise at the first position and at the second position. Hereinafter, the structure and the operation of the first enclosure  10  located at the second position will be described.  FIG. 6A  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the stick switch  31  is attached to the attachment portion  11  formed on the rear surface of the first enclosure  10 ; and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the attachment portion  11 . 
         [0090]    As shown in  FIG. 6A , the substantially spherical shaped front end portion of the stick  31   a  is formed into a substantially D-shape viewed from above so as not to be rotated when attached to the attachment portion  11 . 
         [0091]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , the attachment portion  11  is composed of four elastic nails. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the internal space formed by the four nails is formed into a substantially D-shape in the same manner as for the substantially spherical shaped front end portion of the stick  31   a  so as to be fit into the front end of the stick  31   a.    
         [0092]    When the attachment portion  11  is placed on the front end of the stick  31   a  and an external force is applied thereto from above the first enclosure  10 , the four nails of the attachment portion  11  are bent so as to fit the attachment portion  11  into the front end of the stick  31   a.  Thereby, the first enclosure  10  is attached to the third enclosure  30  through the stick switch  31 . The integrally formed first enclosure  10  and third enclosure  30  move between the first position and the second position. 
         [0093]    At the same time, when an external force is applied to the first enclosure  10 , the stick switch  31  can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. Hereinafter, the method for operating the first enclosure  10  will be described.  FIG. 7A  illustrates a state in which the stick  31   a  is rotated clockwise; and  FIG. 7B  illustrates a state in which the stick  31   a  is rotated counterclockwise. 
         [0094]    When a clockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7A , the stick  31   a  is rotated clockwise around the stick  31   a.  Subsequently, when the clockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  10  is removed, the stick  31   a  is automatically returned to the center position. In other words, the first enclosure  10  returns to the normal state in which the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are overlapped. 
         [0095]    It should be noted that since the third enclosure  30  is smaller than the first enclosure  10 , the third enclosure  30  cannot be seen while the first enclosure  10  is being moved by the rotating operation. 
       (About the Internal Structure) 
       [0096]      FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an internal configuration of the digital camera  1 . 
         [0097]    As shown in the figure, the digital camera  1  of the present embodiment is configured to include a CPU  111 , an operation unit  35 , a zoom lens motor driver  113 , a focus lens motor driver  114 , a camera shake correction control unit  109 , a zoom lens  115 , a focus lens  116 , a camera shake correction lens  110 , a CCD  117 , an A/D converter  118 , an image input controller  119 , an image signal processing circuit  120 , a compression/expansion processing circuit  121 , a display circuit  122 , a monitor  21 , a media controller  125 , a recording medium  126 , a memory  127 , an AE/AF detection circuit  128 , a face detection circuit  108 , a strobe  129 , an infrared communication circuit  130 , a push switch  24 , a stick switch  31  and the like. 
         [0098]    An individual unit is controlled and operated by the CPU  111 . The CPU  111  controls the individual unit of the digital camera  1  by executing a predetermined control program based on an input from the operation unit  35 . 
         [0099]    The CPU  111  incorporates a program ROM, which stores not only a control program to be executed by the CPU  111 , but also various kinds of data required for control and the like. The CPU  111  controls the individual unit of the digital camera  1  by sequentially executing the control program. 
         [0100]    The operation unit  35  includes a power button  53 , a shutter button (not shown), and the like and outputs a signal according to the operation to the CPU  111 . 
         [0101]    The photographic lens  25  is configured to include the zoom lens  115 , and the focus lens  116 , and the camera shake correction lens  110 . 
         [0102]    The zoom lens  115  is driven by the zoom lens motor driver  113  and moves back and forth along the optical axis of the focus lens  116 . The CPU  111  controls the movement of the zoom lens  115  for zooming by controlling the drive of the zoom lens motor through the zoom lens motor driver  113 . 
         [0103]    The focus lens  116  is driven by the focus lens motor driver  114  moves back and forth along the optical axis of the zoom lens  115 . The CPU  111  controls the movement of the focus lens  116  for focusing by controlling the drive of the focus lens motor (not shown) through the focus lens motor driver  114 . 
         [0104]    The camera shake correction lens  110  is controlled by the camera shake correction control unit  109 . The camera shake correction control unit  109  uses a gyro sensor to detect a shake of digital camera  1  and moves the camera shake correction lens  110  in a direction opposite to the shake direction to correct the camera shake of an object image to be photographed through the zoom lens  115  and the focus lens  116 . 
         [0105]    The CCD  117  is provided at the rear stage of the camera shake correction lens  110  and receives object light transmitted through the zoom lens  115 , the focus lens  116 , and the camera shake correction lens  110 . As is well known, the CCD  117  is provided with a light receiving surface on which a large number of light receiving elements are arranged in a matrix. The object light transmitted through the zoom lens  115  and the focus lens  116  is focused on the light receiving surface of the CCD  117  and then is converted to an electrical signal by the individual light receiving element. 
         [0106]    The CCD  117  outputs a charge accumulated on an individual pixel one by one line as a serial image signal in synchronism with a vertical transfer clock and a horizontal transfer clock. 
         [0107]    As described above, when the digital camera  1  is set to the photographing mode, the output of an image signal is started, and the through image is displayed on the monitor  21 . When a photography instruction is given, the output of the image signal for the through image is temporarily stopped; and when the photographing is terminated, the output thereof is resumed. 
         [0108]    Moreover, when needed in the photographing, the CPU  111  instructs the strobe  129  to be emitted as a photographing auxiliary light. 
         [0109]    The image signal outputted from the CCD  117  is an analog signal, and the analog image signal is fed into the A/D converter  118 . 
         [0110]    The A/D converter  118  is configured to include a correlative double sampling (CDS) circuit and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit. The CDS circuit removes noise from an image signal and the AGC circuit amplifies the noise-removed image signal by a predetermined gain. The AID converter  118  further converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal having a predetermined number of bits of gradation width. The image signal is a so-called RAW data having gradation values corresponding to density values of R, G, and B for each pixel. 
         [0111]    The image input controller  119  incorporates a predetermined number of line buffers, and accumulates one frame of image signal outputted from the A/D converter  118  therein. The one frame of image signal accumulated in the image input controller  119  is stored in the memory  127  through a bus  124 . 
         [0112]    The bus  124  connects to not only the CPU  111 , the image input controller  119 , the memory  127  described above, but also the image signal processing circuit  120 , the compression/expansion processing circuit  121 , the display circuit  122 , the media controller  125 , the AE/AF detection circuit  128 , the strobe  129 , the infrared communication circuit  130 , and the like; and these components are configured to send and receive information to and from each other through the bus  124 . 
         [0113]    The one frame of image signal stored in the memory  127  is fed into the image signal processing circuit  120  in a dot sequential manner (in the order of pixels). 
         [0114]    The image signal processing circuit  120  performs a predetermined signal process on the color image signals of R, G, and B which are fed in a dot sequential manner to generate an image signal (Y/C signal) consisting of a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr and Cb. 
         [0115]    In response to an instruction from the CPU  111 , the AE/AF detection circuit  128  fetches the image signals of R, G, and B stored in the memory  127  through the image input controller  119  and calculates a focus evaluated value required for AF (Automatic focus) control. The AE/AF detection circuit  128  includes a highpass filter for passing only the high-frequency component of the G signal; an absolute value converter; a focus region extraction unit for extracting a signal within a predetermined focus region set on the screen; and an integrator for integrating absolute value data within the focus region; and outputs the absolute value data within the focus region integrated by the integrator, to the CPU  111  as the focus evaluated value. During AF control, the CPU  111  searches for a position where the focus evaluated value outputted from the AE/AF detection circuit  128  becomes maximum; and moves the focus lens  116  to that position so as to focus on a major object to be photographed. 
         [0116]    Moreover, in response to an instruction from the CPU  111 , the AE/AF detection circuit  128  fetches the image signals of R, G, and B stored in the memory  127  through the image input controller  119  and calculates a focus evaluated value required for AE control. More specifically, the AE/AF detection circuit  128  divides a photographing region (one screen) into a plurality of regions, and calculates an integration value of the individual image signal of R, G, and B for each region. The information about the integrated value of the individual image signal of R, G, and B calculated for each divided region is stored in the memory  127 . 
         [0117]    The CPU  111  calculates an exposure value from the integrated value calculated by the AE/AF detection circuit  128  and performs exposure setting based on the exposure value. The exposure setting is to determine a diaphragm value and a shutter speed according to a predetermined program diagram. 
         [0118]    The face detection circuit  108  detects a face region of a person from the image signal stored in the memory  127 . In order to detect the face region, first, a predetermined number of resized images each having a different resolution are prepared for the image to be detected. Next, a region where one or more face images match the predetermined sized face image prepared in advance of a plurality of face images is extracted from all the individual resized images. Then, a resized image having a maximum number of extracted regions is selected, the extracted region within the selected resized image is scaled up or down to fit the size of the image before resized, and then, the obtained region is determined as a face to be photographed. Finally, the number of detected face regions, the coordinate, and the size are outputted. 
         [0119]    In response to a compression instruction from the CPU  111 , the compression/expansion processing circuit  121  performs a predetermined type of compression process (e.g., JPEG) on the image signal (Y/C signal) consisting of the inputted luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr and Cb to generate compressed image data. In addition, in response to an expansion instruction from the CPU  111 , the compression/expansion processing circuit  121  performs a predetermined type of expansion process on the inputted compressed image data to generate uncompressed image data. 
         [0120]    In response to an instruction from the CPU  111 , the display circuit  122  controls displaying on the monitor  21 . More specifically, in response to an instruction from the CPU  111 , the display circuit  122  converts an image signal sequentially inputted from the memory  127  into a video signal (e.g., an NTSC signal, a PAL signal, or a SCAM signal) to be displayed on the monitor  21  and outputs the signal to the monitor  21 . Moreover, the display circuit  122  combines a signal such as a character, a graphic, a symbol, and the like to be displayed on the monitor  21  as needed, into an image signal so as to display a predetermined character, graphic, symbol, and the like on the monitor  21 . 
         [0121]    In response to an instruction from the CPU  111 , the media controller  125  controls reading and writing data to and from the recording medium  126 . It should be noted that the recording medium  126  may be detachable from the camera body like a memory card or may be incorporated in the camera body. When a detachable recording medium is used, a card slot is provided in the camera body and the recording medium is inserted into the card slot to be used. 
         [0122]    In response to an instruction from the CPU  111 , the infrared communication circuit  130  performs infrared communication with an external device. The infrared communication circuit  130  modulates data to be sent and sends the modulated data from the light emitting unit  132  to an external device. Moreover, the infrared communication circuit  130  uses the light receiving unit  131  to receive data sent from an external device and modulates the received signal. 
         [0123]    As described above, the push switch  24  detects the first position and the second position of the digital camera  1 . The push switch  24  outputs a signal according to the ON/OFF state thereof. The CPU  111  can analyze the output signal to detect the first position and the second position. 
         [0124]    Moreover, the stick switch  31  detects a rotating operation of the first enclosure  10 . The stick switch  31  outputs a signal according to the direction of the rotating operation. The CPU  111  can analyze the output signal to confirm the direction of the rotating operation. 
       (About Operation) 
       [0125]    Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera  1  of the present embodiment configured as above will be described. When the power is turned on by operating, the power button  53 , the digital camera  1  is ready for operation. In a state where the power is turned on, when the digital camera  1  is moved to the first position, the reproduction mode is selected; and when the digital camera  1  is moved to the second position, the photographing mode is selected. Here, the user can perform a clockwise or counterclockwise rotating operation of the stick switch  31  by applying an external force to the first enclosure  10  at each position so as to operate the camera functions. It should be noted that the clockwise or counterclockwise rotating operation of the stick switch  31  by applying an external force to the first enclosure  10  is hereinafter referred to as a swing operation of the first enclosure  10 .  FIGS. 32A ,  32 B, and  32 C are external views, each illustrating an example in which the digital camera  1  is moved at the first position by a swing operation in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. 
         [0126]    Next, the operation of the digital camera  1  of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 26 . 
         [0127]    When the power button  53  is turned on and the power to the digital camera  1  is turned on, first, a determination is made as to whether the push switch  24  is turned on or not (step S 1 ). If a determination is made that the push switch  24  is turned on, the CPU  111  determines that the digital camera  1  is located at the second position and sets to the photographing mode (step S 8 ). If a determination is made that the push switch  24  is turned off, the CPU  111  determines that the digital camera  1  is located at the first position and sets to the reproduction mode (step S 2 ). By doing so, the CPU  111  switches the operation mode according to the state of the push switch  24 . 
         [0128]    First, the operation in the reproduction mode will be described. 
         [0129]    When set to the reproduction mode, an image file of the last frame recorded in the recording medium  126  is read out through the media controller  125 . The compressed data of the read image file is expanded into an uncompressed YC signal through the compression/expansion processing circuit  121 . 
         [0130]    The display circuit  122  converts the expanded YC signal into a display signal format to be outputted to the monitor  21 . Then, the image of the last frame recorded in the recording medium  126  is displayed on the monitor  21 . 
         [0131]    In this state, when the user performs a swing operation on the first enclosure  10  in the clockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof, the stick  31  a of the stick switch  31  is rotated in the clockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. Then, the switch unit  31   b  detects that the stick  31   a  is rotated in the clockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. Then, the stick switch  31  outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation in the clockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. The CPU  111  analyzes the signal outputted from the stick switch  31 , and detects the occurrence of a clockwise swing operation viewed from the rear thereof (step S 3 ). Further, based on the detection result, the image signal processing circuit  120  is used to perform a frame feeding operation in the forward direction on the image displayed on the monitor  21  (step S 4 ). Then, an image file at the frame fed position is read out from the recording medium  126  and the image is reproduced on the monitor  21  in the same manner as described above. 
         [0132]    Moreover, when the user performs a swing operation on the first enclosure  10  in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof, the stick  31   a  of the stick switch  31  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. Then, the switch unit  31   b  detects that the stick  31   a  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. Then, the stick switch  31  outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof. The CPU  111  analyzes the signal outputted from the stick switch  31 , and detects the occurrence of a counterclockwise swing operation viewed from the rear thereof (step S 5 ). Further, based on the detection result, the image signal processing circuit  120  is used to perform a frame feeding operation in the backward direction on the image displayed on the monitor  21  (step S 6 ). Then, an image file at the frame fed position is read out from the recording medium  126  and the image is reproduced on the monitor  21 . 
         [0133]    In this state, when an enter key (not shown) is used to select a displayed image, the selected image can be sent by infrared communication. 
         [0134]    Next, the operation in the photographing mode will be described. 
         [0135]    As described above, when set to the photographing mode, a through image is displayed on the monitor  21 . In this state, when the user performs a swing operation on the first enclosure  10  in the clockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof, the stick switch  31  is rotated in the clockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation. The CPU  111  detects the signal outputted from the stick switch  31  (step S 9 ), and performs a zooming operation to the wide side by driving the zoom lens  115  through the zoom lens motor driver  113  (step S 10 ). 
         [0136]    Moreover, when the user performs a swing operation on the first enclosure  10  in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof, the stick switch  31  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the rear thereof (step S 11 ) and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation. The CPU  111  detects the signal outputted from the stick switch  31 , and performs a zooming operation to the tele side by driving the zoom lens  115  through the zoom lens motor driver  113  (step S 12 ). 
         [0137]    In this state, the camera is ready for photographing at a desired zoom factor using a shutter button (not shown). 
         [0138]    The allocation of a swing operation to a function is not limited to the present embodiment, but the swing operation may be allocated to any function. For example, in the reproduction mode, the clockwise swing operation may be allocated to the forward frame feeding, and the counterclockwise swing operation may be allocated to the infrared communication. 
         [0139]    According to the present embodiment, when the external force applied to the first enclosure  10  is removed after a swing operation of the first enclosure  10 , the stick  31   a  is automatically returned to the center position, and at the same time, the first enclosure  10  is also returned to the normal state where the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are overlapped, but the present invention is not limited to this automatic return. For example, the stick  31   a  may be configured to be manually returned to the original sate. Such a configuration allows the swing state to be held after the swing operation. Therefore, for example, when a frame is fed in the reproduction mode, a continuous frame feeding can be easily performed. 
         [0140]    Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the first enclosure  10  is moved from the first position to the second position by parallel moving the first enclosure  10  in the left direction viewed from the front thereof, but the direction of the parallel movement is not limited to the left, and any direction including the right, upward, downward, or oblique direction may be possible. For example,  FIG. 23  is an external view illustrating an example in which the first enclosure  10  is moved parallel in the obliquely lower left direction viewed from the front thereof. Moreover,  FIG. 24A  is an external view illustrating an example in which the first enclosure  10  is moved parallel in the downward direction viewed from the front thereof.  FIG. 24B  is an external view illustrating an example in which the first enclosure  10  is swung from the state illustrated in  FIG. 24A . In  FIGS. 24A and 24B , a key board  35 ′ is exposed as the operation unit  35 , which may be used as a mobile personal computer, a game console, or the like. 
         [0141]    Alternatively, a configuration may be made such that the stick switch  31  is used as a volume switch, and a current flow is outputted according to the swing angle of the swing operation, namely, the rotation angle of the stick switch  31  so that the operation speed of a function may be changed according to the current flow. 
         [0142]      FIG. 27  illustrates an example of a circuit diagram in which the stick switch  31  is used as a volume switch and outputs a current flow according to the rotation angle thereof. The stick switch  31  is configured such that a resistance value thereof is changed according to the rotation angle thereof. A constant-voltage source  152  is jointed to both ends of the variable resistor, and further an amperemeter  151  is jointed in tandem thereto. When the stick switch  31  is rotated, the resistance value is changed, and the amount of current flowing through the amperemeter  151  is changed.  FIGS. 28A and 28B  are drawings, each illustrating a relation between the swing angle and the current flow. 
         [0143]    As shown in  FIG. 28A , the clockwise rotatable angle of the stick switch  31  is assumed to be 0 to D. Here, when a wide zoom operation is performed by a swing operation from angle C to angle D, the closer to angle D, the higher the zooming speed. In contrast to this, the counterclockwise rotatable angle of the stick switch  31  is assumed to be 0 to A. Here, when a tele zoom operation is performed by a swing operation from angle B to angle A, the closer to angle A, the higher the zooming speed. The CPU  111  controls the zooming speed according to the input current flow. Alternatively, in the case of feeding a frame of an image to be reproduced, a configuration may be made such that the closer to angle D of the swing operation, the higher the frame feeding speed. 
         [0144]    As described above, the CPU  111  can change the operation speed of a function according to the rotation angle of the swing operation by detecting the current flow. 
         [0145]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 28B , a different function may be allocated to a swing angle of the swing operation, namely, the current flow. In the Figure, the swing angle is divided into a G region indicating a small amount of clockwise rotation; an H region indicating a large amount of clockwise rotation; an F region indicating a small amount of counterclockwise rotation; and an E region indicating a large amount of counterclockwise rotation. The region is determined according to the current flow detected by the CPU  111 . For example, in the reproduction mode, a function may be allocated to a region such that the backward frame feeding is allocated to the F region; the forward frame feeding to the G region; the infrared communication to the H region; the image data display to the E region, and the like. 
         [0146]    Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the first enclosure  10  is swung, various settings are determined according to the signal outputted from the stick switch  31 , and then, the operation is controlled for each mode based on the determined settings, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the first enclosure  10  is swung, various settings are determined by pushing the first enclosure  10  in the depth direction (push operation), and then, the operation may be controlled for each mode based on the determined settings. It should be noted that this operation needs the use of the stick switch  31  in which the switch unit  31   b  can detect that the stick  31   a  is pushed. The stick switch  31  is configured such that when the external force is removed after the push operation, the stick  31   a  is automatically returned to the reference position. 
         [0147]    Alternatively, the stick switch  31  may detect further four directional movements (shift operation) in addition to the swing operation by configuring a retractable switch having a four directional resolution such as the upward, downward, left, and right directions in addition to the rotation direction. In this case, the stick switch  31  may preferably be configured such that when the external force is removed after the shift operation, the stick  31   a  is automatically returned to the reference position. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0148]    According to the first embodiment, the stick switch  31  is used to perform and detect the clockwise or counterclockwise rotating operation on the first enclosure  10 , but the method for the rotating operation and detection is not limited to this. 
         [0149]    The second embodiment uses a hinge and a spring to enable the rotating operation.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the essential portions of the digital camera  2  of the second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. It should be noted that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are assigned to the same portions and the descriptions thereof are omitted. In addition, the movement between the first position and the second position is the same as in the first embodiment and the description thereof is omitted 
         [0150]    The digital camera  2  is mainly composed of the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30 . The second enclosure  20  is the same as that in the first embodiment and the description thereof is omitted. 
         [0151]    The first enclosure  10  is made of a substantially rectangular plate member and is used as a lens barrier. A boss  12 , an arc shaped elongated hole  13 , and a shaft  14  are provided on the rear side of the first enclosure  10 . 
         [0152]    The third enclosure  30  is made of a substantially rectangular plate member equal to or smaller than the first enclosure  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a boss  34 , a volume control switch  27 , push switches  36  and  37  are mainly provided on the front side; and a boss  32  and an elongated hole  33  are mainly provided on the rear side. 
         [0153]    The volume control switch  27  is a switch for detecting the amount of rotation. 
       (About the Operation of the First Enclosure  10 ) 
       [0154]    The first enclosure  10  can be subjected to the clockwise and counterclockwise rotating operations in the first position and in the second position. Hereinafter, the structure and the operation of the first enclosure  10  located in the first position will be described.  FIGS. 9 to 11  are exploded perspective views of the essential portions of the digital camera  2  viewed from the front thereof.  FIG. 9  illustrates a normal state in which the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are overlapped.  FIG. 10  illustrates a state in which the first enclosure  10  is rotated clockwise from the normal state.  FIG. 11  illustrates a state in which the first enclosure  10  is rotated counterclockwise from the normal state. 
         [0155]    First, the joint mechanism for rotatably jointing the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the joint mechanism is mainly composed of the boss  12 , the elongated hole  13 , and the shaft  14  provided on the first enclosure  10 ; and the boss  34 , the volume control switch  27  and the spring  42  provided on the third enclosure  30 . 
         [0156]    One end of the spring  42  is fixed to the boss  12 . 
         [0157]    The hole diameter of the elongated hole  13  is larger than that of the boss  34  so as to be interlocked with the boss  34 . 
         [0158]    The shaft  14  is fitted into the volume control switch  27 . Then, the volume control switch  27  can detect the rotating direction and rotation amount of the shaft  14 . 
         [0159]    The spring  42  is a coil spring for urging force in the pulling direction. One end of the spring  42  is provided on the boss  12  and the other end thereof is provided on the boss  34 . 
         [0160]    The shaft  14  is fitted into the volume control switch  27  and the boss  34  is inserted into the elongated hole  13 . One end of the spring  42  is fixed to the front end of the boss  34  inserted into the elongated hole  13  and the other end of the spring  42  is fixed to the front end of the boss  12 . It should be noted that when the one end of the spring  42  is fixed to the front end of the boss  34 , a retaining pin, screw or the like (not shown) is attached thereto. By doing so, the first enclosure  10  and the third enclosure  30  are rotatably jointed. 
         [0161]    In a normal state shown in  FIG. 9 , the spring  42  urges a force on the boss  34  so as to be located at the center of the elongated hole  13 , namely, a force of holding the first enclosure  10  not to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. For this reason, the first enclosure  10  is held in the normal state. 
         [0162]    Next, the method of operating the first enclosure  10  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 10 , when a clockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  10  against the urging force of the spring  42 , the first enclosure  10  is rotated clockwise around the shaft  14  and the boss  34  slides counterclockwise along inside the elongated hole  13 . When the first enclosure  10  is rotated by a predetermined angle, the pin (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the first enclosure  10  pushes the push switch  36  and the push switch  36  is turned on. Thereby, it is detected that the first enclosure  10  is rotated clockwise. At the same time, the volume control switch  27  detects the amount of rotation of the shaft  14 . 
         [0163]    Subsequently, when the clockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  10  is removed, the pulling force of the spring  42  causes the boss  34  to slide clockwise toward the center position along inside the elongated hole  13 . Then, the first enclosure  10  is automatically returned to the normal state shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0164]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , when a counterclockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  10  against the urging force of the spring  42 , the first enclosure  10  is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft  14  and the boss  34  slides clockwise along inside the elongated hole  13 . When the first enclosure  10  is rotated by a predetermined angle, the pin (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the first enclosure  10  pushes the push switch  37  and the push switch  37  is turned on. Thereby, it is detected that the first enclosure  10  is rotated counterclockwise. At the same time, the volume control switch  27  detects the amount of rotation of the shaft  14 . 
         [0165]    Subsequently, when the counterclockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  10  is removed, the pulling force of the spring  42  causes the boss  34  to slide counterclockwise toward the center position along inside the elongated hole  13 . Then, the first enclosure  10  is automatically returned to the normal state shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0166]    Next, the operation of the digital camera  2  of the present embodiment will be described. 
         [0167]      FIGS. 29  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an internal configuration of the digital camera  2 . The block diagram is different from that of  FIG. 25  in that the volume control switch  27  is replaced by the stick switch  31 , and the push switch  36  and the push switch  37  are further provided. 
         [0168]    Each of the volume control switch  27 , the push switch  36 , and the push switch  37  outputs a signal according to the individual operation, and the output signal is inputted into and detected by the CPU. Therefore, as described above, the volume control switch  27  can detect the amount of rotation of the swing operation; and the push switch  36  and the push switch  37  can detect the swing direction. Further, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the push switch  24  can detect the first position and the second position. These detection results enable the operation shown in  FIG. 26 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 28 , a function can be allocated according to the rotating direction and the rotation amount. 
         [0169]    It should be noted that according to the present embodiment, the volume control switch  27 , the push switch  36 , and the push switch  37  are used to detect both the rotation amount and the rotating direction of the first enclosure  10 , but these switches may be used to detect only the rotating direction of the first enclosure  10  and switch the function. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the joint mechanism is mainly composed of the boss  12  and the shaft  14  provided on the first enclosure  10 ; and the shaft bearing  38  provided on the third enclosure  30 . The first enclosure  10  is rotatably attached to the third enclosure  30  by journaling the shaft  14  to the shaft bearing  38 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the first enclosure  10  attached as above is rotated counterclockwise, the boss  12  pushes the push switch  36 ′, and the push switch  36 ′ is turned on. When the first enclosure  10  attached as above is rotated clockwise, the boss  12  pushes the push switch  37 ′, and the push switch  37 ′ is turned on. Thereby, a predetermined function can be achieved by a simple structure. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0170]    The first embodiment of the portable device in accordance with the present invention is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the digital camera  1 , but the present invention can be practiced by other than the digital camera. 
         [0171]    The third embodiment of the portable device in accordance with the present invention is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone.  FIGS. 15 and 16  are external views of the mobile phone  3  of the third embodiment in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates a state in which the silhouettes of the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are overlapped and located at the first position.  FIG. 16  illustrates a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are moved parallel from the first position to the second position.  FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the essential portions of the mobile phone  3 . It should be noted that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are assigned to the same portions and the descriptions thereof are omitted. 
         [0172]    The mobile phone  3  is mainly composed of the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70 .  FIG. 15  illustrates the first position of the mobile phone  3  in a storage state in which only the monitor  21 , the power button  53 , and the speaker  145  are exposed.  FIG. 16  illustrates the second position of the mobile phone  3  in a use state in which not only the monitor  21 , the power button  53 , and the speaker  145 , but also the operation unit  35  including a numeric keypad  62  and a call button  63 , and a microphone  144  are exposed, and communication and mailing are enabled. 
         [0173]    The first enclosure  50  is made of a substantially rectangular member, and the monitor  21  and the power button  53  are mainly provided on the front thereof. Recessed portions  51  and  52  fitted into the front end portion of a stick switch  61  fixed to the second enclosure  60 , and a recessed portion  54  having a substantially rectangular shape are provided on the rear side of the first enclosure  10 . 
         [0174]    The second enclosure  60  is made of a substantially rectangular plate shaped member having almost the same size as the first enclosure  10 ; and the boss  22 , the elongated hole  23 , the push switch  24 , the stick switch  61 , the numeric keypad  62 , the call button  63 , the elongated hole  64  and the like are mainly provided on the front thereof. It should be noted that the elongated hole  64  is formed with a width capable of detecting the left and right movement of the stick switch  61 . 
         [0175]    The third enclosure  70  is made of a substantially rectangular member smaller than the first enclosure  50  and the second enclosure  60 . Push switches  73  and  74  are mainly provided on the front thereof, and the boss  32  and the elongated hole  33  are mainly provided on the rear surface. Substantially rectangular holes  71  and  72  through which a stick  61   a  of the stick switch  61  can pass are provided. 
         [0176]    The stick switch  61  is composed of a stick-shaped stick  61   a,  and a switch unit  61   b  for detecting the movement of the stick  61   a.  The stick  61   a  can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. The front end of the stick  61   a  is formed into substantially I-shape to prevent rotation. The switch unit  61   b  can detect the rotation amount and the rotating direction of the stick  61   a.  It should be noted that the front end of the stick  61   a  may be of substantially D-shape as well as substantially I-shape. 
         [0177]    The first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are electrically connected to each other by a flexible printed wiring board (not shown). Moreover, the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  are jointed at four points by four springs  43  urging a pulling force. It should be noted that a restriction mechanism (not shown) is provided between the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  so as to be jointed and prevent the first enclosure  50  from rotating more than a predetermined angle with respect to the third enclosure  70 . 
       (About the Movement Between the First Position and the Second Position) 
       [0178]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are located at the first position.  FIG. 19  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  10 , the second enclosure  20 , and the third enclosure  30  are being moved from the first position to the second position.  FIG. 20  is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are located at the second position. It should be noted that the joint mechanism for movably connecting the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  to the second enclosure  60  is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. 
         [0179]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , at the first position, the stick  61   a  passing through the hole  71  is fitted into the recessed portion  51 . Thereby, the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are fixed at the first position. 
         [0180]    When the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  are moved left from the first position against the urging force of the spring  41 , the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  are integrally moved in parallel to the second enclosure  60 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , when the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  are further moved, the stick  61   a  collapses inside the elongated hole  64  so that the second enclosure  60  can move in parallel to the rear surface of the third enclosure  70 . 
         [0181]    As shown in  FIG. 20 , when the first enclosure  50 , the second enclosure  60 , and the third enclosure  70  are moved to the second position, the stick  61   a  is returned to the center position and at the same time is passed through the hole  72 , so that the stick  61   a  is fitted into the recessed portion  52 . Thereby, the first enclosure  50  and the third enclosure  70  are fixed at the second position. 
         [0000]    (About the Operation of the first Enclosure  50 ) 
         [0182]    The first enclosure  50  can be subjected to a swing operation at the first position and at the second position. Hereinafter, the method of operating the first enclosure  50  at the second position will be described.  FIGS. 21 and 22  are perspective views, each illustrating a state in which the first enclosure  50  is in swing operation, in which  FIG. 21A and 22A  illustrate a state in which the first enclosure  50  is rotated clockwise;  FIG. 21B and 22B  illustrate a state in which the first enclosure  50  is in the normal state; and  FIGS. 21C and 22C  illustrate a state in which the first enclosure  50  is rotated counterclockwise. It should be noted that  FIGS. 21A ,  21 B, and  21 C illustrate a state in which the first enclosure  50  is located at the first position; and  FIGS. 22A ,  22 B, and  22 C illustrate a state in which the first enclosure  50  is located at the second position. 
         [0183]    First, the swing operation at the first position will be described. In the normal state shown in  FIG. 21B , the push switches  73  and  74  are located under the recessed portion  54 . Both the push switches  73  and  74  are turned off. 
         [0184]    In the normal state shown in  FIG. 21B , when a clockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  50 , the first enclosure  50  is rotated clockwise until the rotation is restricted by a restriction device (not shown) as shown in  FIG. 21A . As the first enclosure  50  is rotated, the recessed portion  54  is rotated, and the push switch  74  is turned on from the off state. Subsequently, when the clockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  50  is removed, the urging force of the spring  43  causes the first enclosure  50  to be returned to the normal state shown in  FIG. 21B . 
         [0185]    In the normal state shown in  FIG. 21B , when a counterclockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  50 , the first enclosure  50  is rotated counterclockwise until the rotation is restricted by a restriction device (not shown) as shown in  FIG. 21C . As the first enclosure  50  is rotated, the recessed portion  54  is rotated, and the push switch  73  is turned on from the off state. Subsequently, when the counterclockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  50  is removed, the urging force of the spring  43  causes the first enclosure  50  to be returned to the normal state shown in  FIG. 21B . 
         [0186]    Next, the swing operation at the second position will be described. In the normal state shown in  FIG. 22B , the push switches  73  and  74  are located under the recessed portion  54 . Both the push switches  73  and  74  are turned off. 
         [0187]    In the normal state shown in  FIG. 22B , when a clockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  50 , the first enclosure  50  is rotated clockwise until the rotation is restricted by a restriction device (not shown) as shown in  FIG. 22A . As the first enclosure  50  is rotated, the recessed portion  54  is rotated, and the push switch  74  is turned on from the off state. Subsequently, when the clockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  50  is removed, the urging force of the spring  43  causes the first enclosure  50  to be returned to the normal state shown in  FIG. 22B . 
         [0188]    In the normal state shown in  FIG. 22B , when a counterclockwise external force is applied to the first enclosure  50 , the first enclosure  50  is rotated counterclockwise until the rotation is restricted by a restriction device (not shown) as shown in  FIG. 22C . As the first enclosure  50  is rotated, the recessed portion  54  is rotated, and the push switch  73  is turned on from the off state. Subsequently, when the counterclockwise external force applied to the first enclosure  50  is removed, the urging force of the spring  43  causes the first enclosure  50  to be returned to the normal state shown in  FIG. 22B . 
         [0189]    Next, the operation of the mobile phone  3  of the present embodiment will be described. 
         [0190]      FIG. 30  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an internal configuration of the mobile phone  3 . It should be noted that the same reference numerals as in  FIG. 25  are assigned to the same portions and the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The block diagram is different from the block diagram of the digital camera  1  shown in  FIG. 25  in that the phone function unit  141 , and the push switches  73  and  74  are further provided. 
         [0191]    The phone function unit  141  is composed of an antenna  142  for sending and receiving a phone signal, a wireless communication processing unit  143  for controlling phone communication, a microphone  144  serving as a voice inputting device, a speaker  145  serving as a voice outputting device, and a numeric keypad  62  for allowing the user to perform various operations. 
         [0192]    As described above, the push switches  73  and  74  detect the swing operation of the first enclosure  50 . When the push switch  73  or  74  outputs an on or off signal, the CPU  111  detects the output signal and detects the swing operation of the first enclosure  50 . 
         [0193]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 31 , the operation of the mobile phone  3  will be described.  FIG. 31  is a flowchart showing an operation related to the swing operation of the mobile phone  3 . 
         [0194]    The mobile phone  3  displays a standby screen in the initial state. Here, the state of the push switch  24  is detected to determine whether the mobile phone  3  is located at the first position or at the second position (step S 21 ). If a determination is made that the push switch  24  is turned off, namely, that the mobile phone  3  is located at the first position, the swing operation is detected by the push switches  73  and  74 . 
         [0195]    At the first position, if the push switch  73  is turned off and the push switch  74  is turned on, namely, a clockwise swing operation is performed (step S 22 ), the menu is switched to the infrared communication mode. In the state where the standby screen is displayed, when a clockwise swing operation is performed, the screen is switched to the infrared transmission mode. When a clockwise swing operation is performed in the infrared transmission mode, the screen is switched to the infrared receiving mode. Further, when a clockwise swing operation is performed in the infrared receiving mode, the screen is switched to the standby screen. 
         [0196]    At the first position, if the push switch  73  is turned on and the push switch  74  is turned off, namely, a counterclockwise swing operation is performed (step S 23 ), the process of sending or receiving by infrared communication is performed (step S 25 ). For example, image data or the like on the standby screen is sent or received in the infrared communication mode. 
         [0197]    If a determination is made that the push switch  24  is turned on, namely, the mobile phone is located at the second position, further, the push switches  73  and  74  are used to detect the swing operation. 
         [0198]    At the second position, if the push switch  73  is turned off and the push switch  74  is turned on, namely, a clockwise swing operation is performed (step S 26 ), the screen is switched to the history display mode. In the state where the standby screen is displayed, when a clockwise swing operation is performed, the screen is switched to the incoming call history display mode. When a clockwise swing operation is performed in the incoming call history display mode, the screen is switched to the outgoing call history display mode. Further, when a clockwise swing operation is performed in the outgoing call history display mode, the screen is switched to the standby screen. 
         [0199]    At the second position, if the push switch  73  is turned on and the push switch  74  is turned off, namely, a counterclockwise swing operation is performed (step S 27 ), cursor movement is performed in the displayed call history (step S 29 ). In the incoming call history display mode and in the outgoing call history display mode, only a limited number of items can be simultaneously displayed on the monitor  21 , but the cursor movement allows other history items to be displayed thereon.