Source: http://patents.com/us-6466202.html
Timestamp: 2018-01-17 09:27:02
Document Index: 182620919

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5', 'art 6', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 18', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 5', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 10', 'art 11']

US Patent # 6,466,202. Information terminal unit - Patents.com
United States Patent 6,466,202
Suso , et al. October 15, 2002
Inventors: Suso; Koji (Kokubunji, JP), Maruyama; Yukinobu (Kokubunji, JP), Hoshino; Takeshi (Kodaira, JP), Minemoto; Takeshi (Sagamihara, JP), Kashima; Taisuke (Urawa, JP)
Appl. No.: 09/511,155
Feb 26, 1999 [JP] 11-051122
Current U.S. Class: 345/169 ; 345/158; 345/173; 348/E7.079; 348/E7.081; 455/566; 455/575.3
Current International Class: G06F 1/32 (20060101); G06F 1/16 (20060101); H04N 7/14 (20060101); H04M 1/725 (20060101); H04M 1/72 (20060101); H04M 1/02 (20060101); G06F 3/147 (20060101); G06F 3/14 (20060101); G09G 3/36 (20060101); H04M 1/73 (20060101); G09G 005/00 (); G09G 005/08 (); H04M 001/00 ()
Field of Search: 345/1.1,1.3,2.3,3.1,4,5,87,88,901,156,168,169,158,173,864,902,903 348/14.02,14.03 379/433.02-433.04 455/556,566,557,575
5262763 November 1993 Okuyama et al.
5696529 December 1997 Evanicky et al.
5710576 January 1998 Nishiyama et al.
5896575 April 1999 Higginbotham et al.
5933783 August 1999 Kawakami et al.
5956656 September 1999 Yamazaki
6141358 November 2000 Narayanaswamy et al.
6223233 April 2001 Kavanaugh et al.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 11-69214. .
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 6-84334. .
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 6-141306. .
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 10-65780..
FIGS. 1a to 1d are views illustrating a portable information communication terminal unit in the form of a preferable embodiment of the present invention, among those, FIG. 1a is a rear view, FIG. 1b is a side view , FIG. 1c is a front view and FIG. 1d is a side view in which the portable information communication terminal unit is opened at an arbitrary angle;
FIGS. 2a to 2c are front views illustrating the portable information communication terminal unit shown in FIG. 1a, in different display conditions;
FIGS. 3a and 3b are front views illustrating the portable information communication terminal unit shown in FIG. 1a, in such a condition that it is used in different operation modes;
FIGS. 5a to 5c are views illustrating the portable information communication terminal unit shown in FIG. 1a, in such a condition that it is used as camera in different operation modes;
FIGS. 6a and 6b are a side and a front view for explaining a finder function of a see-through liquid crystal display part in the portable information communication terminal unit shown in FIG. 1a, in the camera mode shown in FIG. 5a;
FIG. 7a to 7c are front views illustrating the portable information communication terminal unit shown in FIG. 1a, in such a condition that it is used as a smart phone in different operation modes; and
FIGS. 8a to 8c are front views illustrating the portable information communication terminal unit shown in FIG. 1a, which is used as a navigation device in such a condition that it is used in different operation modes.
Referring to FIGS. 1a to 1d which show an embodiment of a portable information and communication terminal unit according to the present invention, there are shown outer casings 1, 2, inner casings 3, 4, a coupling part 5, a rotary shaft support part 6, a rotary shaft 7, an accommodation member 8, a camera lens 9, a see-through liquid crystal display part 10, a multicolored liquid crystal display part 11, manipulation keys 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, a speaker 15, a microphone 16, a power source switch 17, a battery accommodation part 18 and an opening and closing detecting switch 21.
At first, specifically referring to FIGS. 1a to 1d, the rotary shaft 7 provided to the outer casing 1 and the rotary support part 6 provided to the outer casing 2 constitute a hinge structure, and accordingly, the outer casings 1, 2 can be opened and closed as a notebook, as indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 1d. Further, the rotary shaft support part 6 is rotatably attached on the side remote from the rotary shaft 7, with the accommodation member 8 in which a thin video camera and a circuit board mounted thereon with a circuit for processing output signals from the video camera are accommodated. Further, the accommodation member 8 is formed in a part thereof with a hole in which the camera lens 9 is fitted. AS clearly understood from FIGS. 1a to 1d, there are presented no parts projecting from the accommodation member 8.
The manipulation keys 12a, 13a, 14a are provided on the front surface of the inner casing 3, for example, at positions below the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, and the manipulation keys 12b, 13b, 14b respectively having the same functions as those of the manipulation keys 12a, 13a, 14a are provided on the outer surface of the outer casing 1 at positions above the see-through liquid crystal display part 10. These manipulation keys 12b, 13b, 14b are adapted to be manipulated so as to perform the same functions as those of the manipulation keys 12a, 13a, 14a when the outer casings 1, 2 are closed. AS shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, when the outer casings 1, 2 are closed, the manipulation keys 12b, 13b, 14b respectively corresponding to the manipulation keys 12a, 13a, 14a are located with respect to the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 in a relationship similar to that of the manipulation keys 12a, 13a, 14a with respect to the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 when the outer casings 1, 2 are opened, as shown in FIG. 1c.
It is noted that operating functions of the manipulation keys 12a, 13a, 14a are displayed on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 in the vicinity of the keys 12a, 13a, 14a, respectively, and accordingly, these keys 12a, 13a, 14a can be used as multifunctional keys for various purposes.
Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, which show the casings 1, 2 in this embodiment, in such a condition that they are closed, the see-through liquid crystal display part is superposed in its entirely with a part of the multi-colored liquid crystal display part 10 shown in FIG. 1c. That is, with this arrangement in which the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 is fitted on the outer casing side, the part of the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 can be observed through the see-through liquid crystal display part 10.
Referring to FIG. 2c, a simple content of a mail, that is, "Taro's birthday" is displayed on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 while a photographic image is displayed on the multi-colored liquid crystal display part 11, which is preferably prevented from being superposed with the content of the mail indicated by a string of characters. Further, as shown in FIG. 2b, a simple content of a mail, that is, "Msg from Taro pm 20:10" is displayed on the see-through while a mail mark is displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11. In this case, the image can be easily recognized even though it is overlapped with the content of the mail.
In this embodiment, in the above-mentioned used conditions (functions), the used conditions can be further changed into any of a camera mode, a portable telephone mode or a smart phone. If the used conditions are changed from one to another, the manipulation keys 14a, 14b are used as change-over means. That is, they serve as function keys.
Referring to FIG. 3a, a telephone manipulation part in the form of a touch key board such as a ten key board is displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 in this mode. When the keys on this key board are successively touched so as to enter a telephone number of the other party, the entered telephone number such as "090123456789" of the other party, and as well, the name "James Stewart" of the third party corresponding to the telephone number are displayed on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 together with the present time or a time length of a telephone call. In this arrangement, after confirmation on the entry of the proper telephone number, a "sending" key displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 is touched, calling for the other party can be carried.
It is noted that the manipulation key 12a serves as a call key which is used when an already registered telephone number is read out. After a response is received from the other party, if the third party uses a television telephone, the portable information communication terminal unit is automatically set in a television telephone mode as shown in FIG. 3b, but if the third part does not use the television telephone, the mode shown in FIG. 3a is held so as to enable telephone conversation. This telephone conversation is carried out through the microphone 16 and the speaker 15. When a "completion" key displayed on this multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 is touched, the telephone conversation is completed.
Further, when a mode key 13a is manipulated so as to shift the operation mode into a television telephone mode, an image from the other party is displayed on the multi-colored liquid crystal display part 11, as shown in FIG. 3b. Further, an image picked up by the video camera is displayed thereon, and accordingly, the direction of the vide cameral, that is, the direction of the cameral lens 9 is turned to the user himself, an image picked up from the user can be displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11, and it is simultaneously send to the other party.
In this television telephone mode, when the "completion" key displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 is touched, the operation mode is returned into the telephone sending mode shown in FIG. 3a, and accordingly, the telephone conversion is completed. Further, each time when a "display change-over" key displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 is touched, the display of images picked up from the other party and the user himself, the display of an image picked up from the other party, the display of an image picked from the user himself, the display of images from the other party and the user himself as mentioned at first are successively selected in the mentioned order. It is noted that the display on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 is the same as that in the case of the telephone sensing mode as shown in FIG. 3a.
It is noted, that when a signal is received from the third party in the telephone sending mode shown in FIG. 3a, the display explained with reference to FIGS. 1a to 2b is effected.
In this arrangement, each time when the manipulation key 14a which serves as a menu key is manipulated, the camera mode, the smart phone mode and the telephone sending mode and the camera mode first mentioned are successively selected in the mentioned order.
When the menu key 14a is manipulated in the portable telephone sending mode as shown in FIG. 3a, the operation mode is shifted into the camera mode. It is noted that the operation mode cannot be shifted during telephone conversation, and accordingly, even though the menu key 14a is manipulated in the television telephone mode as shown in FIG. 3b, the television telephone mode is still maintained.
FIGS. 5a to 5c show operation modes in such a used condition that the portable information communication terminal unit is used as a camera.
When this image pick-up mode is set, as shown in FIG. 6a, the casings 1, 2 are latched at a predetermined angle, for example, 160 deg. by means of a latch mechanism 22 provided in the coupling part 5, and an image is picked up in this condition. Further, there may be provided a filter (for example, an electronic filter or a sheet type filter) for limiting the viewing field on the outer surface of the see-through liquid crystal display part 10. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6a, the extent with which the object 20 can be seen through the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, is set, that is, for example, angles of +/- deg. with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the center of the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, as shown in FIG. 6a, and angles of +/- 15 deg. with respect to a vertical plane passing through the center of the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, as shown in FIG. 6b. Thus, if the eye 23 is deviated from this extent, the object 20 cannot be seen through this see-through liquid crystal display part 10. With this limitation to the viewing field, the condition in which the object 20 is observed through the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 becomes always uniform, and accordingly, the see-through liquid crystal display part 10 can serve as a finder. That is, an image displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 is in extend substantially corresponding to that within which the object can be observed through the see-through liquid crystal display part 10.
Referring to FIG. 5a, the manipulation key 12a serves as a recording key in this case.
Then this recording key 12a is manipulated, an picked-up image frame at this time is stored in the memory. Accordingly, each time when the recording key 12a is manipulated, images in respective frames are successively stored in the memory. In this case, the memory should have a large capacity. Thus, in this embodiment, the portable information communication terminal unit is connected to a server incorporating memory of a large capacity through radio communication, and accordingly, when the recording key 12a is manipulated, an image in a single frame is transmitted into the server and is stored in the memory at a predetermined address within the server. In this case, together with this image, data as to a number of the image and recording data are also recorded. For example, as shown in FIG. 5a, the number of the image is displayed with a number "No. 0005".
The manipulation key 13a also serves as a mode key for changing over the cameral mode. That is, each time when the manipulation key 13a is manipulated, a confirmation/search mode, a setting mode, an image pick-up mode and the confirmation/search mode mentioned at first are successively selected in the mentioned mode. In the image pick-up mode shown in FIG. 5a, when this mode key 13a is manipulated, the operation mode is shifted into the confirmation/search mode shown in FIG. 5b. In this confirmation/search mode, the images recorded as mentioned can be confirmed or searched for. When the change-over is made from FIG. 5a, at first as shown, the images stored up to the present time are displayed (in a thumb-nail list-up display). In this case, a designated image is displayed in a half-tone dot meshing, and simultaneously, by touching either one of a ".tangle-solidup." touch key and a ".tangle-soliddn." touch key which are also displayed, the image to be designated can be changed. In such a case that all images cannot be displayed in this list-up display, either the ".tangle-solidup." touch key or the ".tangle-soliddn." touch key is continuously touched so that the half-tone dot meshing is squeezed against the upper or lower edge of the list-up display in order to scroll the list-up display. Further, a number and a recording date of a designated image can be displayed on the see-though liquid crystal display part 10. Further, in this mode, the manipulation key 12a serves as a display change-over key.
As mentioned above, a desired image is designated by the half-tone dot meshing, and then the display change-over key 12 is manipulated, the above-mentioned designated image alone is displayed over the entire area in which the list-up display has been made on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11. In such a image display, when the display change-over key 12 is manipulated, the original list-up display is again exhibited. Further, if a "delete" touch key displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 10 in this list-up display exhibition is touched, a designated image in the list-up display is deleted. Thus, it is possible to an image which has been unnecessary can be deleted.
Thus, the confirmation of recorded images and the search therefor can be made. In this confirmation/search mode, if the mode key 13a is manipulated, the operation mode is shifted into the setting mode shown in FIG. 5c. This setting mode is adapted to set a pick-up condition of the camera or the like, and accordingly, all set-up conditions are displayed, being listed up while the selected set-up condition is displayed by the half-tone dot meshing. Further, similar to the confirmation/search mode, the selected condition can be changed or the list-up display can be scrolled up by manipulating the ".tangle-solidup." touch key or the ".tangle-soliddn." touch key.
Further, the content of a selected set condition and an additional information thereto are displayed on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10. In the condition as shown, the image quality is set to "standard", and in addition to this, an additional information indicating a number of images which can be stored in the memory, that is, for example, "Fifteen images can be still picked up" is displayed thereon.
In this setting mode, if the mode key 13a is manipulated, the operation mode is shifted into the image pick-up mode shown in FIG. 5a. Accordingly, before an image is picked up, the setting mode shown in FIG. 5c is effected by manipulating the mode key 13a, and a predetermined pickup condition is set up. Accordingly, an image can be picked up in a predetermined condition. Further, by setting the setting mode shown in FIG. 5c, the number of images which can be stored in the memory can be known. Further, after the confirmation/search mode is set, an necessary stored image can be deleted by manipulating the ".tangle-solidup." touch key or the ".tangle-soliddn." touch key and the "delete" touch key. Further, a stored image can be edited after the images are stored.
In a camera using condition shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c, when the menu key 14a is manipulated, the operation mode is shifted into a smart phone using mode as shown in FIGS. 7a to 8c. At this time, the operation mode is at first shifted into a mail preparing mode shown in FIG. 7a. In this mail preparing mode, a manipulation part composed of character keys and touch keys, for preparing a mail is displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11, and accordingly, a mail can be prepared by touching the character keys. During this mail preparation, Kana characters, alphanumeric characters or symbolic marks can be selected. The content of the prepared mail is displayed on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, and accordingly, the content of the mail can be confirmed.
At this stage, the manipulation key 12a serves as a memory key, and accordingly, after a desired mail content is obtained, the content is stored in the memory by manipulating the memory key 12a. Further, the content of the mail can be stored in a memory area in the server which is designated to the portable information communication terminal unit. Another portable information communication terminal unit can access this memory area. Thus, the mail can be sent to an operator for this another portable information communication terminal unit.
When the mode key 13a is manipulated in the mail preparing mode shown in FIG. 7a, the operation mode is shifted into a mail receiving mode shown in FIG. 7b. In this mode, by this information communication terminal unit, a mail stored in a memory area designated to another portable information communication terminal unit in the server, as mentioned above, is read, and the reading is carried out by voice through the intermediary of a speaker 15, and the content of the mail is displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11. During reading of the mail, adjustment for increasing and decreasing the speed of reading can be made by using the ".tangle-solidup." touch key or the ".tangle-soliddn." touch key, and further, a pause in reading, and retuning or advancing of reading can be made by using a "crosswise triangular mark/two vertical bar mark" key, "two rightward triangular mark" key or "two leftward triangular mark" key.
When the reading of the mail stored in the server is completed, the reading of the mail is repeated again. Further, if the mode key 13a is manipulated in this mail receiving mode, the operation mode is shifted into a schedule managing mode shown in FIG. 7c. In this mode, a schedule for the operator himself is prepared, and the thus prepared schedule is displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11. In this case, the manipulation key 12a serves as an update key. By manipulating this update key 12a, a part of the schedule which have bee already prepared can be updated, and further, by touching a "new entry" key, a new schedule can be added. The thus updated schedule and a newly entered schedule are sent into a memory area in the server, which is designated for the portable information communication terminal unit, and this memory area can be informed to an operator having a portable information communication terminal unit which can access this memory area.
In this schedule managing mode, when the mode key 13a is manipulated, the operation mode is shifted into an information acquiring mode shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c. In this mode, a desired information can be obtained through an internet from service companies for which the operator has entry. When this mode is effected, a list-up of information genres is displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 as shown in FIG. 8a. In the display of this list-up, a selected information is highlighted by a half-tone dot meshing, and accordingly, by manipulating a scroll touch key displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11, a selection of a desired information and the scroll of the list-up display can be made, in a manner similar to that explained with reference to FIG. 5b.
At this time, the manipulation key 12a serves as an access key, and accordingly, if, for example, an item "2. Traffic Information" is selected, as shown, the names of service companies for this traffic information is displayed on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, and accordingly, by manipulating the access key 12a, one of the service companies can be selected. At this time, by touching "sending" key displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11, it can access the service company, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8b, a traffic information provided by the service company can be displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11.
In the information acquiring mode shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, when the mode key 13a is manipulated, the operation mode is shifted into a navigation mode shown in FIG. 8c. In this mode, a navigation information can be obtained from a GPS, and a navigation screen can be displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11. In this case, for example, a navigation information can be selected in accordance with a kind such as "Recommendation", "Nearness", "NEW" or the like. Further, on the see-through liquid crystal display part 10, an azimuth compass for indicating an azimuth at the present position, and a required time up to a shop or a facility in accordance with the above-mentioned kind in a map displayed on the multicolored liquid crystal display part 11 are also displayed.
In each of the modes shown in FIGS. 8a to 8c, if the menu key 14a is manipulated, the operation mode is returned into a portable telephone sending mode.
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been explained, the present invention should not be limited to this embodiment, but may be applied in any other configuration. Further, the kinds of modes and the setting order which can be effected by manipulating the mode key 13a, and the kinds of modes and the setting order which can be effected by manipulating the menu key 14a should not be limited to those in the above-mentioned embodiment.
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