Abstract:
A method, an apparatus and a recording medium are provided for display control. The display control apparatus comprises a circuitry configured to set a display hold state, change a display state from a first state displaying a first screen, to the other state, in a case that the display control apparatus is not operated in a predetermined period, and return to the first state, in response to an operation, displaying the first screen in an orientation determined based on an attitude of the display control apparatus and the display hold state. The recording medium comprises instructions to configure the apparatus to perform a display control method.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application P2005-110134 filed with the Japanese Patent Office on Apr. 6, 2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method of changing a setting of a data reproducing device that operates on a battery, and a setting changing device that operates on a battery. 
         [0003]    Of portable type reproducing devices such as portable telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), for example, there is a reproducing device that detects the attitude of the reproducing device and automatically changes the orientation of an image displayed on a display according to the detected attitude. 
         [0004]    The orientation of the image displayed on the display is changed by rewriting image data of the image displayed on the display which data is stored in a display memory. 
         [0005]    The above-described portable type reproducing device changes the orientation of the image displayed on the display at all times. 
         [0006]    However, since the above-described conventional portable type reproducing device changes the orientation of the image according to change in the attitude of the device at all times, display memory rewriting operation involved in changing the orientation of the image can occur frequently, thus increasing power consumption. 
         [0007]    In order to solve the problem of the above-described conventional art, it is desirable to provide a reproducing device, a screen controlling method, a program, and a recording medium that can change the orientation of an image according to the attitude of the reproducing device, and reduce power consumption as compared with the conventional device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A reproducing device that can reproduce data and operates on a battery includes: displaying means; attitude detecting means for detecting an attitude of the reproducing device; determining means for determining whether the reproducing device satisfies a predetermined condition; and controlling means for changing a setting of the reproducing device on a basis of a result of detection of the attitude detecting means when the determining means determines that the reproducing device satisfies the predetermined condition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of general configuration of a portable type audio player according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic bird&#39;s-eye view of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing relative coordinates with reference to the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  and an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis of the relative coordinates; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a configuration on a front side of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5S  is a diagram showing absolute coordinates with reference to a direction of gravitational acceleration and an X 0  axis and a Z 0  axis of the absolute coordinates; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing STATE  1  as a state in which the X axis of the relative coordinates of the portable type audio player  1  shown in  FIG. 1  intersects the X 0  axis of the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at an angle of −60° to +60°; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing STATE  2  as a state in which the X axis of the relative coordinates of the portable type audio player  1  shown in  FIG. 1  intersects the X 0  axis of the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at an angle of +60° to +180°; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5C  is a diagram showing STATE  3  as a state in which the X axis of the relative coordinates of the portable type audio player  1  shown in  FIG. 1  intersects the X 0  axis of the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at an angle of +180° to +300°; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6S  is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display  23  of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1 , as viewed from the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing the orientation of the screen displayed on the display when the attitude of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  is STATE  1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing the orientation of the screen displayed on the display when the attitude of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  is STATE  2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6C  is a diagram showing the orientation of the screen displayed on the display when the attitude of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  is STATE  3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a diagram of assistance in explaining definitions assigned to a cross key when the attitude of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  is STATE  1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a diagram of assistance in explaining the definitions assigned to the cross key when the attitude of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  is STATE  2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7C  is a diagram of assistance in explaining the definitions assigned to the cross key when the attitude of the portable type audio player shown in  FIG. 1  is STATE  3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of a first embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of the first embodiment according to the present invention at a time of a fall; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of a second embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of a third embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Portable type audio players according to embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0031]    Correspondences between constituent elements of a first embodiment and constituent elements of the present invention will first be described. 
         [0032]    A display  23  shown in  FIG. 1  is a display of the present invention. 
         [0033]    A processing circuit  33  shown in  FIG. 1  is attitude detecting means of the present invention. 
         [0034]    A control circuit  47  shown in  FIG. 1  is control means of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Operating keys  41  shown in  FIG. 1  is operating means of the present invention. 
         [0036]    A program RPG shown in  FIG. 1  is a program of the present invention. 
         [0037]    A memory  45  shown in  FIG. 1  is a recording medium of the present invention. A recording medium of the present invention is a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk or the like. 
         [0038]    Step ST 11  shown in  FIG. 8  is a first step or a first process of the present invention. 
         [0039]    Step ST 14  shown in  FIG. 8  is a second step or a second process of the present invention. 
         [0040]    Steps ST 15  and ST 17  shown in  FIG. 8  are a third step or a third process of the present invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of general configuration of a portable type audio player  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the portable type audio player  1  includes for example a recording disk drive  11 , a reproduction processing circuit  16 , an audio output unit  17 , a headphone terminal  18 , a display memory  21 , a display  23 , an acceleration sensor and a gravitational acceleration sensor  31 , a processing circuit  33 , operating keys  41 , a power supply circuit  48 , a memory  45 , and a control circuit  47 . 
         [0043]    Each component shown in  FIG. 1  is housed in a casing  51  in the shape of a thin board, as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example. 
       [Recording Disk Drive  11 ] 
       [0044]    The recording disk drive  11  is for example a hard disk drive (HDD), and includes a recording disk  13 , a head  14 , and a head retracting part  15 . 
         [0045]    The recording disk  13  is for example a magnetic disk. Recorded on the recording disk  13  are musical piece data, accompanying data such as artist names, album names and the like accompanying the musical piece data, musical piece managing data such as a play list or the like for managing the musical piece data, recording managing data for managing the recorded data, and the like. 
         [0046]    The head  14  reads musical piece data from the recording disk  13 , and outputs the musical piece data to the reproduction processing circuit  16 . 
         [0047]    The head  14  is retained in the head retracting part  15  when the head  14  is not making access to the recording disk  13 . Since the head  14  is retained so as to be fixed in the head retracting part  15 , the head  14  does not damage the recording area of the recording disk  13  even when a shock is given to the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0048]    When making access to the recording disk  13 , the head  14  is released from the fixed state, and moves from the head retracting part  15  to the recording disk  13 . 
         [0049]    Under control of the control circuit  47 , the head  14  reads musical piece data, accompanying data, musical piece managing data, recording managing data or the like from a specified address within the recording disk  13 , and outputs the data to the reproduction processing circuit  16 . 
       [Reproduction Processing Circuit  16 ] 
       [0050]    The reproduction processing circuit  16  writes musical piece data read from the recording disk  13  by the head  14  to a buffer memory BUF, reads the musical piece data from the buffer memory BUF, performs reproduction processing on the musical piece data, and then outputs a reproduced signal to the audio output unit  17 . 
         [0051]    In addition, the reproduction processing circuit  16  outputs information necessary to reproduce a musical piece, such as accompanying data, musical piece managing data, recording managing data and the like, other than the musical piece data to be output as audio, to the control circuit  47 . 
       [Audio Output Unit  17 ] 
       [0052]    The audio output unit  17  amplifies the reproduced signal output from the reproduction processing circuit  16 , and outputs the amplified reproduced signal to headphones via the headphone terminal  18  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       [Display Memory  21 ] 
       [0053]    The display memory  21  stores image data corresponding to a screen to be displayed on the display  23 . The control circuit  47  writes the image data to the display memory  21 . The data written in the display memory  21  is output to the display  23 . 
       [Display  23 ] 
       [0054]    The display  23  is a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence display or the like. The display  23  displays the image data written in the display memory  21 . 
       [Display Unit  24 ] 
       [0055]    A display unit  24  is a module having the functions of the display memory  21  and the display  23 . 
       [Operating Keys  41 ] 
       [0056]    The operating keys  41  are for example a cross key K 1 , a SEARCH/MENU key K 2 , a stop key K 3 , a sound volume increasing key K 4 , a sound volume decreasing key K 5 , a HOLD key K 20 , a power supply key K 21  and the like, as shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and the like. 
         [0057]    The cross key K 1  includes operating keys K 10 , K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , relative coordinates X, Y, and Z with reference to the portable type audio player  1  are defined for the portable type audio player  1 . When consideration is given from the relative coordinates X, Y, and Z with reference to the portable type audio player  1 , the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the cross key K 1  with respect to the operating key K 10  of the cross key K 1  are positioned in a +Z direction, a −X direction, a −Z direction, and a +X direction, respectively. 
         [0059]    Similarly, when consideration is given from the relative coordinates X, Y, and Z with reference to the portable type audio player  1 , the operating keys  41  are provided in the −Z direction with respect to the display  23 . 
       [Acceleration Sensor and Gravitational Acceleration Sensor  31 ] 
       [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , for the portable type audio player  1 , an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are defined as coordinate axes of the relative coordinates X, Y, and Z with reference to the portable type audio player  1 . Incidentally, an origin of the relative coordinates and a center of a display surface of the display  23  are defined so as to coincide with each other when viewed from the Y axis. The acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  detect acceleration in an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction on the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  output an acceleration signal A_X indicating acceleration in the X direction, an acceleration signal A_Y indicating acceleration in the Y direction, and an acceleration signal A_Z indicating acceleration in the Z direction to the processing circuit  33 . In a state free from acceleration by factors other than gravity, in particular, an addition of the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction is a gravitational acceleration signal A_G of gravitational acceleration. 
         [0061]    The direction of gravitational acceleration is changed at any time depending on an inclination of the portable type audio player  1  in the relative coordinates X, Y, and Z of the portable type audio player  1  shown in  FIG. 3 . However, when absolute coordinate axes X 0  and Z 0  with reference to the direction of gravity are defined as shown in  FIG. 5S , the direction of gravitational acceleration is always a −Z 0  direction on the Z 0  axis as a coordinate axis of absolute coordinates. 
       [Processing Circuit  33 ] 
       [0062]    The processing circuit  33  performs a fall detecting process of detecting a fall of the portable type audio player  1  and an attitude detecting process of detecting the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  on the basis of the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z output from the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31 . When the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z input from the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  satisfy a set condition, the processing circuit  33  determines that the portable type audio player  1  is falling, and outputs a fall detection signal S 33   a  to the control circuit  47 . 
         [0063]    Various fall determining methods using the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z are conceivable. For example, in a case where the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  are situated at a center of gravity of the portable type audio player  1 , there is a method of determining that the portable type audio player  1  is falling when a combined signal of the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z indicates “0”. In the present application, this is used as an embodiment. 
         [0064]    In addition, on the basis of the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z, the processing circuit  33  detects which of attitudes STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  is the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0065]    As described earlier, an addition of the acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z is the gravitational acceleration signal A_G of gravitational acceleration in a state free from acceleration by factors other than gravity. Because the direction of gravitational acceleration coincides with the −Z 0  direction, it is possible to determine a degree of inclination of the relative coordinate axes of the portable type audio player  1  with respect to the absolute coordinate axes with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration. On the basis of this inclination, the control means detects which of the attitudes STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  is the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , the attitude STATE  1  is the attitude of the portable audio player  1  when the X axis as a relative coordinate axis of the portable type audio player  1  intersects the X axis as the absolute coordinate axis with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at an angle of 60° to 180°. That is, the attitude STATE  1  is a state in which the display  23  is situated in the +Z 0  direction with respect to the operating keys K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 , and K 5 . 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 5B , the attitude STATE  2  is the attitude of the portable audio player  1  when the X axis as the relative coordinate axis of the portable type audio player  1  intersects the X 0  axis as the absolute coordinate axis with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at an angle of 60° to 180°. That is, the attitude STATE  2  is a state in which the display  23  is situated in the +X 0  direction with respect to the operating keys K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 , and K 5 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 5C , the attitude STATE  3  is the attitude of the portable audio player  1  when the X axis as the relative coordinate axis of the portable type audio player  1  intersects the X 0  axis as the absolute coordinate axis with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at an angle of 180° to 300°. That is, the attitude STATE  3  is a state in which the display  23  is situated in the −X 0  direction with respect to the operating keys K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 , and K 5 . 
         [0069]    When detecting which of STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  is the positional relation between the display  23  and the operating keys K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 , and K 5  of the portable type audio player  1 , a component in the Y axis direction of the portable type audio player  1  is not needed. That is, the positional relation between the display  23  and the operating keys K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 , and K 5  of the portable type audio player  1  on the X 0  axis and the Z 0  axis as absolute coordinate axes depends only on the X axis and the Z axis as relative coordinate axes set to the portable type audio player  1 . The processing circuit  33  therefore detects the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  using only the acceleration signals A_X and A_Z. 
         [0070]    Hence, when control as described above is performed, a two-axis acceleration sensor, rather than a three-axis acceleration sensor, may be used as the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31 . 
         [0071]    On the basis of the attitude thus detected, the processing circuit  33  outputs an attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicating which of STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  corresponds to the detected attitude to the control circuit  47 . For example, a number such as one for STATE  1 , two for STATE  2 , or the like is output from the processing circuit  33  to the control circuit  47 . 
       [Attitude Detecting Unit  34 ] 
       [0072]    An attitude detecting unit  34  is a module having attitude detecting functions in the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  and the processing circuit  33 . 
       [Fall Detecting Unit  35 ] 
       [0073]    A fall detecting unit  35  is a module having fall detecting functions in the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  and the processing circuit  33 . 
       [Battery  43 ] 
       [0074]    A battery  43  supplies power to the portable audio player  1 . 
       [Power Supply Circuit  48 ] 
       [0075]    When an instruction to turn on power is input from the control circuit  47  to the power supply circuit  48 , the power supply circuit  48  is supplied with power from the battery  43 , performs voltage conversion necessary for the portable type audio player  1 , and then supplies power to each component of the portable type audio player  1 . When an instruction to turn off power is input from the control circuit  47  to the power supply circuit  48 , the power supply circuit  48  stops the supply of the power. 
       [Memory  45 ] 
       [0076]    The memory  45  includes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores a program PRG that cannot be rewritten as well as fixed data. The RAM stores data temporarily stored for work. 
       [Control Circuit  47 ] 
       [0077]    The control circuit  47  executes the program PRG read from the ROM of the memory  45 , and controls the operation of the portable type audio player  1  defined in the first embodiment. 
         [0078]    When a fall detection signal S 33   a  is input from the processing circuit  33 , the control circuit  47  controls the recording disk drive  11  so as to retract the head  14  to the head retracting part  15 . 
         [0079]    In addition, when power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state, the control circuit  47  rewrites image data stored in the display memory  21  so that an image is displayed on the display  23  in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by an attitude detection signal S 33   b  from the processing circuit  33 . 
         [0080]    Relations between the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  and image data displayed on the display  23  are shown in  FIG. 6S ,  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C .  FIG. 6S  shows a state in which a letter A is displayed in an area of −X 0  and +Z 0  of the display  23  and a letter B is displayed in an area of +X 0  and −Z 0  of the display  23  in the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration. The letters A and B are controlled by the control circuit  47  so as to be displayed in the same areas on the display  23  at all times irrespective of the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  when viewed from the absolute coordinates with reference to gravitational acceleration. 
         [0081]    On the other hand,  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C  show where the letters A and B are displayed in the relative coordinates of the portable type audio player  1  when the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3 , respectively. Incidentally, the X axis and Y axis of the relative coordinates with reference to the portable type audio player  1  are the same as the X axis and Y axis shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C . The letter A displayed in the −X 0  and +Z 0  direction of the display  23  and the letter B displayed in the +X 0  and −Z 0  direction of the display  23  in the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration are displayed in the following coordinate areas in the relative coordinates of the portable audio player  1 . 
         [0082]    In the case of STATE  1 , the letter A is displayed in a −X and +Z area, and the letter B is displayed in a +X and −Z area. 
         [0083]    In the case of STATE  2 , the letter A is displayed in a −X and −Z area, and the letter B is displayed in a +X and +Z area. 
         [0084]    In the case of STATE  3 , the letter A is displayed in the +X and +Z area, and the letter B is displayed in the −X and −Z area. 
         [0085]    Thus, the image data displayed on the portable audio player  1  is processed by the control circuit  47  such that the coordinate areas of the absolute coordinates are not changed when viewed from the absolute coordinates. The image data displayed on the display  23  is displayed by a set of numerous dots. The control circuit  47  subjects coordinates representing a position of a dot in the relative coordinates with reference to the portable type audio player  1  to coordinate transformation. Incidentally, at this time, the image data is processed in such a manner as not to change the orientation of letters or an image as viewed from the absolute coordinates with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration. Such a dot coordinate transformation requires CPU power, and thus consumes very much power. Thus, the control circuit  47  processes the image data such that the image is in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b.    
         [0086]    In the first embodiment, the control circuit  47  processes the image data such that the image is in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  when the image data to be displayed by the display  23  is stored in the display memory  21 . The image displayed on the display  23  can thereby be changed to the orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b.    
         [0087]    In addition to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the display memory  21  with an image data processing capability, for example. In such a case, the display memory  21  processes the image data such that the image is displayed on the display  23  in the orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b . The display memory  21  processes the image data, whereby the image displayed on the display  23  can thereby be changed to the orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b . When the display memory  21  processes the image data, the display memory  21  may process in advance and store the image data in the orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b , and output the processed image data to the display  23 , or the display memory  21  may output the image data to the display  23  while processing the image data. 
         [0088]    Further, the control circuit  47  changes the functions of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the cross key K 1  by changing definitions assigned to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  according to the attitude indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b.    
         [0089]    When the attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicates the attitude STATE  1 , the control circuit  47  assigns definitions to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the cross key K 1  as shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0090]    When the attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicates the attitude STATE  2 , the control circuit  47  assigns definitions to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the cross key K 1  as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
         [0091]    When the attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicates the attitude STATE  3 , the control circuit  47  assigns definitions to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the cross key K 1  as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0092]    The control circuit  47  changes the functions of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  by changing definitions assigned to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  according to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  as shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C . Thus, the operating keys disposed in the +X 0  direction, the −X 0  direction, the +Z 0  direction, and the −Z 0  direction with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration have the same functions at all times even when the orientation of the screen is changed. The user can therefore operate the portable type audio player  1  without being confused when the orientation of the screen is changed. 
         [0093]    Incidentally, for example, the definition lists shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C  may be stored in the ROM of the memory  45  in advance. Alternatively, the definition lists shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C  may be generated by the control circuit  47  on the basis of the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  when changing the definitions of the operating keys, and stored in the RAM of the memory  45 . 
         [0094]    All or a part of the functions of the processing circuit  33  and the control circuit  47  in the portable type audio player  1  may be implemented as an electronic circuit, or may be implemented by executing the program PRG read from the memory  45  by a central processing unit (CPU). 
         [0095]    Examples of operation of the portable type audio player  1  will be described below. 
       [First Example of Operation] 
       [0096]    Description will be made below of an example of operation when power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state. 
         [0097]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining the example of operation. 
         [0098]    Step ST 11 : 
         [0099]    The control circuit  47  determines whether an instruction to change the power supply circuit  48  of the portable type audio player  1  from an off state to an on state is input on the basis of an operating signal from the operating keys  41 . When the control circuit  47  determines that the instruction is input, the process proceeds to step ST 12 . 
         [0100]    Step ST 12 : 
         [0101]    The control circuit  47  changes the power supply circuit  48  from the off state to the on state. 
         [0102]    In addition, the control circuit  47  writes initial animation image data in a predetermined orientation at the time of turning on power to the display memory  21 . Thus, an animation image is displayed on the display  23  when the process of steps ST 12 , ST 13 , ST 14 , ST 15 , and ST 16  is performed. 
         [0103]    Step ST 13 : 
         [0104]    Power supply from the power supply circuit  48  to the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  is thereby started. The acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  start an initial setting operation. 
         [0105]    Step ST 14 : 
         [0106]    After ending the initial setting operation, the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  detect acceleration in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, and output an acceleration signal A_X indicating the acceleration in the X direction, an acceleration signal A_Y indicating the acceleration in the Y direction, and an acceleration signal A_Z indicating the acceleration in the Z direction to the processing circuit  33 . 
         [0107]    On the basis of the acceleration signals A_X and A_Z, the processing circuit  33  detects which of the attitudes STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C  is the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0108]    The processing circuit  33  outputs an attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicating the detected attitude to the control circuit  47 . 
         [0109]    Step ST 15 : 
         [0110]    The control circuit  47  repeats the detection of the attitude in step ST 14  a few times to determine whether the attitude detected in step ST 14  is retained for a predetermined period of time. When the control circuit  47  determines that the attitude detected in step ST 14  is retained for the predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step ST 16 . When the control circuit  47  determines that the attitude is changed, the process returns to step ST 14  to continue the detection of the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0111]    Incidentally, in the first embodiment, the control circuit  47  determines whether the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is retained by repeating the detection of the attitude a few times. For example, however, after a first detection of the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 , the control circuit  47  may detect the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  again after a predetermined period from the first detection, and determine that the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is retained when results of the two detections are the same. 
         [0112]    Step ST 16 : 
         [0113]    As shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C , the control circuit  47  determines an orientation of display corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input from the processing circuit  33  in step ST 14 . 
         [0114]    Step ST 17 : 
         [0115]    The control circuit  47  erases the animation image data written in the display memory  21 , and thereby ends the display of the animation image displayed on the display  23 . 
         [0116]    Step ST 18 : 
         [0117]    The control circuit  47  writes the image data of a menu screen to the display memory  21  so as to display the menu screen in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input in step ST 14 , as shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C . 
         [0118]    Thus, the menu screen is displayed on the display  23  following the animation image. 
         [0119]    Step ST 19 : 
         [0120]    The control circuit  47  changes the functions of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  by assigning definitions to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  as shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , or  FIG. 7C  according to the attitude STATE  1 , STATE  2 , or STATE  3  of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input from the processing circuit  33 . 
         [0121]    The processing circuit  33  thereafter detects only a fall of the portable type audio player  1  until the power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state next time. 
         [0122]    Various methods of performing control so as to stop the attitude detection of the portable type audio player  1  are conceivable. The methods include for example a method of performing control by the control circuit  47  so as to stop the processing circuit  33  from detecting the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 , a method in which the processing circuit  33  detects the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  but does not output the attitude detection signal S 33   b  as a result of the detection to the control circuit  47 , and a method in which the processing circuit  33  detects the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  and outputs the attitude detection signal S 33   b  as a result of the detection to the control circuit  47 , but the control circuit  47  does not receive the attitude detection signal S 33   b . For a purpose of reducing power consumption, it is most desirable that the control circuit  47  perform control so as to stop the processing circuit  33  from detecting the attitude. 
         [0123]    Generally, the portable type audio player  1  or the like always rewrites a part of the display memory  21  for horizontal scrolling of an index at which a cursor is placed, for example. However, the present invention can greatly reduce power consumption by performing a process of rotating an image displayed on the display  23 , in particular, which process requires extensive rewriting of the display memory  21 , only at a time of turning on power. The portable type audio player  1  operates on power supplied from the battery  43 , and therefore needs to minimize power consumption in order to perform operation for a longer time. Considering user benefits, it is necessary to minimize the number of times that a process requiring much CPU power is performed. The present invention is effective also in players and the like operating on such a battery. 
       [Second Example of Operation] 
       [0124]    Description will be made in the following of an example of operation when the portable type audio player  1  falls. 
         [0125]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining the example of operation. 
         [0126]    Step ST 21 : 
         [0127]    The processing circuit  33  determines whether the portable type audio player  1  is falling on the basis of acceleration signals A_X, A_Y, and A_Z input from the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31 . When the processing circuit  33  determines that the portable type audio player  1  is falling, the process proceeds to step ST 22 . 
         [0128]    Step ST 22 : 
         [0129]    The processing circuit  33  outputs a fall detection signal S 33   a  to the control circuit  47  on the basis of the determination in step ST 21 . 
         [0130]    Step ST 23 : 
         [0131]    When the fall detection signal S 33   a  is input from the processing circuit  33 , the control circuit  47  controls the recording disk drive  11  so as to retract the head  14  to the head retracting part  15 . 
         [0132]    As described above, the portable type audio player  1  according to the first embodiment detects the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  on condition that the power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state, displays a menu screen in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  on the display  23 , and does not detect the attitude of the portable audio player  1  on other conditions than the condition that the power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state. 
         [0133]    Thus, as compared with the conventional device, the portable type audio player  1  greatly reduces the number of times that the orientation of the screen displayed on the display  23  is changed, and can thereby save power. 
         [0134]    The portable type audio player  1  can save power as compared with the conventional device especially when a user is using the portable type audio player  1  while walking with the portable type audio player  1  carried in a bag or the like, for example. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0135]    A second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in only processing by the control circuit  47  when the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is detected.  FIG. 10  is a diagram of assistance in explaining the second embodiment. In step ST 34  in  FIG. 10 , the control circuit  47  determines whether the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is detected by attitude detection. When the attitude is detected, the process proceeds to step ST 35 . When the attitude is not detected, for example when the portable type audio player  1  is rotated at all times, the process proceeds to step ST 39 . In step ST 39 , the control circuit  47  displays a menu screen in an orientation of a screen displayed at a time of previous ending. Other parts have been described in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0136]    In the foregoing embodiments, a case is illustrated in which a screen is displayed in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  on condition that the power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state as in step ST 11  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0137]    On the other hand, a third embodiment displays a screen in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of a portable type audio player  1  on condition that a display on a display  23  in the portable type audio player  1  is changed from a screen-saver screen to a normal menu screen. 
         [0138]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a screen orientation changing process in the portable type audio player  1  according to the third embodiment. 
         [0139]    Step ST 41 : 
         [0140]    A control circuit  47  of the portable type audio player  1  performs control so as to display a menu screen on the display  23  using the image data of the menu screen which data is stored in a display memory  21 . 
         [0141]    Step ST 42 : 
         [0142]    The control circuit  47  of the portable type audio player  1  determines whether the portable type audio player  1  is operated during a predetermined period. When the portable type audio player  1  is not operated during the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step ST 43 . 
         [0143]    Step ST 43 : 
         [0144]    When the portable type audio player  1  is not operated during the predetermined period, the control circuit  47  of the portable type audio player  1  changes the screen displayed on the display  23  from the normal menu screen or the like to a screen-saver screen. 
         [0145]    Step ST 44 : 
         [0146]    The control circuit  47  of the portable type audio player  1  monitors whether the portable type audio player  1  is operated. When the portable type audio player  1  is operated, the process proceeds to step ST 45 . 
         [0147]    Step ST 45 : 
         [0148]    The control circuit  47  of the portable type audio player  1  controls an acceleration sensor and a gravitational acceleration sensor  31  so that an initial setting operation of the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  is started. 
         [0149]    Step ST 46 : 
         [0150]    After ending the initial setting operation, the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  detect acceleration in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, and output an acceleration signal A_X indicating the acceleration in the X direction, an acceleration signal A_Y indicating the acceleration in the Y direction, and an acceleration signal A_Z indicating the acceleration in the Z direction to a processing circuit  33 . 
         [0151]    On the basis of the acceleration signals A_X and A_Z, the processing circuit  33  detects which of the attitudes STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C  is the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0152]    The processing circuit  33  outputs an attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicating the detected attitude to the control circuit  47 . 
         [0153]    Step ST 47 : 
         [0154]    The control circuit  47  determines whether the attitude detected in step ST 46  is retained for a predetermined period of time. When the control circuit  47  determines that the attitude detected in step ST 46  is retained for the predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step ST 48 . When the control circuit  47  determines that the attitude is changed, the process returns to step ST 46  to detect the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  again. 
         [0155]    Step ST 48 : 
         [0156]    As shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C , the control circuit  47  determines an orientation of display corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input from the processing circuit  33  in step ST 46 . 
         [0157]    Step ST 49 : 
         [0158]    The control circuit  47  erases screen saver data written in the display memory  21 , and thereby ends display of the screen-saver screen displayed on the display  23 . 
         [0159]    Step ST 410 : 
         [0160]    The control circuit  47  writes the image data of a menu screen to the display memory  21  so as to display the menu screen in an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input to the control circuit  47  in step ST 46 , as shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C . 
         [0161]    Thus, the menu screen is displayed on the display  23  following the screen-saver screen. 
         [0162]    Step ST 411 : 
         [0163]    The control circuit  47  changes the functions of operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  by assigning definitions to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  as shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , or  FIG. 7C  according to the attitude STATE  1 , STATE  2 , or STATE  3  of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input from the processing circuit  33 . 
         [0164]    Thereafter, the processing circuit  33  detects only a fall of the portable type audio player  1 , and does not detect the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  until the power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state next time. 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0165]    A fourth embodiment changes a screen display to an orientation corresponding to the attitude of a portable type audio player  1   a  on condition that a HOLD key K 20  of the portable type audio player  1   a  is released. 
         [0166]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a screen orientation changing process in the portable type audio player  1   a  according to the fourth embodiment. 
         [0167]    Step ST 51 : 
         [0168]    A control circuit  47   a  of the portable type audio player  1   a  determines whether the HOLD key K 20  shown in  FIG. 2  is released. When the control circuit  47   a  determines whether the HOLD key K 20  is released, the process proceeds to step ST 52 . 
         [0169]    Step ST 52 : 
         [0170]    The control circuit  47   a  determines on the basis of an attitude detection signal S 33   b  from a processing circuit  33  whether the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is changed between attitudes STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C . When the control circuit  47   a  determines that the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  is changed, the process proceeds to step ST 53 . Otherwise, the process returns to step ST 51 . 
         [0171]    Step ST 53 : 
         [0172]    The control circuit  47   a  changes a screen being displayed on a display  23  so as to display a screen in an orientation corresponding to the attitude changed in step ST 52 . 
         [0173]    The portable type audio player  1   a  may have the functions described with reference to  FIG. 8  in the first embodiment together with the functions described with reference to  FIG. 11 , or may be without the functions described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0174]    A portable type audio player  1  according to a fifth embodiment changes a screen display to an orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 , and changes the functions of operating keys on condition that one of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the portable type audio player  1  is operated. 
         [0175]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of assistance in explaining a process of changing the orientation of a screen and the functions of the operating keys in the portable type audio player  1  according to the fifth embodiment. 
         [0176]    Step ST 61 : 
         [0177]    A control circuit  47  determines whether an input is made by the operating key K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , or K 14  of the portable type audio player  1 . When an input is made by the operating key K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , or K 14 , the process proceeds to step ST 62 . 
         [0178]    Step ST 62 : 
         [0179]    The control circuit  47  retains information indicating which operating key is operated in a RAM of a memory  45 , for example. 
         [0180]    Step ST 63 : 
         [0181]    The control circuit  47  determines whether the input made in step ST 61  is an input made after passage of a predetermined time from a last input. When the predetermined time has passed, it can be determined that connected input operations by a user are ended. Hence, when the input in step ST 61  is made after the passage of the predetermined time from the last input, the input made in step ST 61  is considered to be a start of new input operations. In this case, the control circuit  47  determines that it is better to change display in such a manner as to correspond to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . The process proceeds to step ST 64 . 
         [0182]    Step ST 64 : 
         [0183]    The control circuit  47  makes the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  of the portable type audio player  1  start an initial setting operation. 
         [0184]    Step ST 65 : 
         [0185]    After ending the initial setting operation, the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  detect acceleration in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, and output an acceleration signal A_X indicating the acceleration in the X direction, an acceleration signal A_Y indicating the acceleration in the Y direction, and an acceleration signal A_Z indicating the acceleration in the Z direction to a processing circuit  33 . 
         [0186]    On the basis of the acceleration signals A_X and A_Z, the processing circuit  33  detects which of the attitudes STATE  1 , STATE  2 , and STATE  3  shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C  is the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0187]    The processing circuit  33  outputs an attitude detection signal S 33   b  indicating the detected attitude to the control circuit  47 . 
         [0188]    Step ST 66 : 
         [0189]    The control circuit  47  determines whether the attitude detected in step ST 65  is retained for a predetermined period of time. When the control circuit  47  determines that the attitude detected in step ST 65  is retained for the predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step ST 67 . When the control circuit  47  determines that the attitude is changed, the process returns to step ST 65  to detect the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  again. 
         [0190]    Step ST 67 : 
         [0191]    As shown in  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C , the control circuit  47  determines an orientation of a display on a display unit which orientation corresponds to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input from the processing circuit  33  in step ST 65 . 
         [0192]    Step ST 68 : 
         [0193]    The control circuit  47  writes the image data of a menu screen to a display memory  21  so as to display the menu screen in the determined orientation. 
         [0194]    Thereby, the menu screen is displayed on a display  23  in the orientation corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0195]    Step ST 69 : 
         [0196]    The control circuit  47  changes the functions of operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  by generating and assigning one of  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C  as lists of definitions of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  according to the attitude STATE  1 , STATE  2 , or STATE  3  of the portable type audio player  1  which attitude is indicated by the attitude detection signal S 33   b  input from the processing circuit  33 . 
         [0197]    Step S 610 : 
         [0198]    The control circuit  47  retains, in step ST 62 , information indicating which of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  was used to make the input in step ST 61 . In step ST 610 , the control circuit  47  performs a function assigned to the operating key indicated by the information retained in step ST 62 . The function of the operating key K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , or K 14  which function is performed in step ST 610  is a function after definitions are assigned and thereby the functions of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  are changed in step ST 69 . 
         [0199]    For example, when the operating key by which the input is made in step ST 61  is the operating key K 11 , the control circuit  47  in step ST 610  performs the function of the operating key K 11  after definitions are assigned to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  according to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0200]    Incidentally, when a plurality of inputs are made in step ST 61 , for example when the operating keys K 11  and K 12  are operated to make the inputs, the control circuit  47  in step ST 610  performs the functions of the operating keys K 11  and K 12  after the definitions are assigned. 
         [0201]    Thereafter, the processing circuit  33  detects only a fall of the portable type audio player  1 , and does not detect the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  until the power supply to the portable type audio player  1  is changed from an off state to an on state next time. 
         [0202]    The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. 
         [0203]    That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and replacements of the components of the foregoing embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or the scope of the equivalents thereof. 
         [0204]    For example, while in the foregoing embodiments, a case is illustrated in which the present invention is applied to a portable type audio player, the present invention may be applied to other reproducing devices such as portable telephones, PDAs, game consoles, radio sets and the like, and reproduced data may be content data such as musical piece data, image data, moving image data and the like. The present invention is also applicable to devices that can reproduce data, have at least displaying means and operating means, and is convenient if changing a setting when the orientation of the device proper is varied. 
         [0205]    While in the foregoing embodiments, a case is illustrated in which the acceleration sensor and the gravitational acceleration sensor  31  are used as attitude detecting means of the present invention, another constitution may be used in which a metallic ball comes in contact with a piezoelectric element corresponding to the attitude of the portable type audio player  1  among a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and the contact is detected electrically to detect the attitude of the portable type audio player  1 . 
         [0206]    While in the foregoing embodiments, a case is illustrated in which the functions of the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  are changed by assigning definitions to the operating keys K 11 , K 12 , K 13 , and K 14  of the cross key K 1  as shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C  according to a change of a screen displayed on the display  23 , the functions of the SEARCH/MENU key K 2 , the stop key K 3 , the sound volume increasing key K 4 , and the sound volume decreasing key K 5  may be changed. 
         [0207]    According to the present invention, it is possible to control the orientation of an image according to the attitude of a reproducing device, and reduce power consumption as compared with the conventional device. 
         [0208]    In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the functions of operating keys by changing the definitions of the operating keys according to the attitude of a reproducing device. Therefore, when a user operates the operating keys in fixed directions with reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration at all times, the same functions can be performed at all times. 
         [0209]    Further, according to the present invention, the attitude of a reproducing device is detected only under a predetermined condition, and then a setting of the reproducing device is changed according to the detected attitude of the reproducing device. Thus, since unnecessary changing of the setting is not performed, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the conventional device. 
         [0210]    It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.