Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119  to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-070994, filed on Mar. 25, 2010, entitled “Mobile Terminal Apparatus” and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-034076, filed on Feb. 21, 2011, entitled “Mobile Terminal Apparatus”. The content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is an invention related to a mobile terminal apparatus that includes devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is not possible to change the arrangement of devices provided in a mobile terminal apparatus in accordance with the direction in which it is held. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a risk that the devices may not be used in an appropriate position. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In a first embodiment, a mobile display device comprises a display part, a speaker, a microphone, an incoming call-detecting part, a state-detecting part, and a display control part. The display part displays information. The speaker outputs voice. The microphone picks up voice. The incoming call-detecting part detects an incoming call. The state-detecting part detects a positional relationship of the speaker and the microphone. The display control part displays, on the display part, information suggesting the correction of the inclination of the apparatus itself, when the incoming call-detecting part detects an incoming call and the state-detecting part detects that the positional relationship of the speaker and the microphone is in a prescribed positional relationship. 
         [0006]    In a second embodiment, a mobile display device comprises a display part, a speaker, a microphone, an operating part, a state-detecting part, and a display control part. The display part displays information. The speaker outputs voice. The microphone picks up voice. The operating part receives operations. The state-detecting part detects a positional relationship of the speaker and the microphone. The display control part displays, on the display part, information suggesting the correction of the inclination of the apparatus itself, when an operation related to an outgoing call is received at the operating part and the state-detecting part detects that the speaker and the microphone are in a prescribed positional relationship. 
         [0007]    In a third embodiment, a mobile display device comprises a case, a device, an angle-detecting part, a notifying part, and a controlling part. The device is arranged at the case. The angle-detecting part detects an angle of the case with respect to the ground. The notifying part delivers a notice. The controlling part varies notices by the notifying part in accordance with the angle detected by the angle-detecting part while the device is being operated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are hereinafter described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. The figures are provided for illustration and depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The figures are provided to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the breadth, scope, scale, or applicability of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily made to scale. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of the appearance of a mobile terminal apparatus. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the mobile terminal apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  A is a state in which the speaker of the mobile terminal apparatus is in a position higher than the microphone. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  B is a state in which the speaker of the mobile terminal apparatus is in a lower position than the microphone. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an oblique view of the appearance of a mobile terminal apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  A-E are side views of the mobile terminal apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a diagram describing an arrangement of information stored in the RAM. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a diagram describing a configuration provided in the controlling part. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagram describing the incoming/outgoing call program. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  A-B are describing an image to be displayed on the display part. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart diagram describing the incoming/outgoing call program. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  A-B are diagrams describing an image to be displayed on the display part. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  A-B are diagrams describing an image to be displayed on the display part. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  A-B are diagrams describing an image to be displayed on the display part. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiments of the disclosure. The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the embodiments of the disclosure. Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, and applications are provided only as examples. Modifications to the examples described herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding field, background, summary or the following detailed description. The present disclosure should be accorded scope consistent with the claims, and not limited to the examples described and shown herein. 
         [0024]    Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in the context of one practical non-limiting application, namely, an information device. Embodiments of the disclosure, however, are not limited to such mobile information devices, and the techniques described herein may also be utilized in other applications. For example, embodiments may be applicable to mobile phones, digital books, digital cameras, electronic game machines, digital music players, personal digital assistance (PDA), personal handy phone system (PHS), lap top computers, and the like. 
         [0025]    As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description, these are merely examples and the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to operating in accordance with these examples. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0026]    When a user engages in an operation related to a call, the mobile terminal apparatus related to the embodiments of the present invention detects the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus and informs the user, if it is determined to be an incorrect orientation. 
         [0027]    The embodiments of the present invention are described, referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 13 . 
         [0028]    First, the configuration of the mobile terminal apparatus is described, referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of the appearance of a mobile terminal apparatus. 
         [0030]    The case of the mobile terminal apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , comprises a touch panel  105 , an operating part  120 , a light-emitting part  130 , a speaker  140 , a microphone  150 , etc. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . The mobile terminal apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 2  comprises a touch panel  105 , operating part  120 , light-emitting part  130 , speaker  140 , D/A converter  145 , microphone  150 , A/D converter  155 , oscillating part  160 , angle-detecting part  165 , controlling part  170 , ROM  180  (Read Only Memory), RAM  190  (Random Access Memory), I/F (input/output interface)  200 , external memory  210 , wireless circuit  240 , antenna  250 , imaging part  260 , recording part  270 , and proximity sensor  280 . 
         [0032]    The touch panel  105  comprises a display control part  106 , display part  110 , and touch panel input part  115 . 
         [0033]    The display control part  106  causes the display part  110  to display image data stored in any one of ROM  180 , RAM  190 , or external memory  210 , based on control signals output from the controlling part  170 . Furthermore, the display control part  106  causes the display part  110  to display image data after inverting the same based on the operation of the user. 
         [0034]    Herein, the control of inverting the orientation of the image data to be displayed on the display part  110  is described using  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  A is a state in which the speaker  140  of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is in a position higher than the microphone  150 . In such a state, the display control part  106  causes the display part  110  to display the image data as in the orientation of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3  B is a state in which the speaker  140  of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is in a lower position than the microphone  150 . In such a state, the display control part  106  causes the display part  110  to display the image data after inverting the same. That is, as in  FIG. 3  B, even if the user is operating the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in an incorrect orientation, because the image to be displayed in the display part has been inverted, the user may operate the mobile terminal apparatus  100  without correcting the orientation. 
         [0035]    The display part  110  displays various kinds of information required for executing functions provided with the mobile terminal apparatus  100  based on the output from the display control part  106 . The various kinds of information are, for example, function menus, emails, address book, incoming history or outgoing history of calls, sent history or received history of emails, and text data as well as image data, etc., stored in a data folder. The display part  110  is, for example, a liquid crystal display, organic EL (ELECTROLUMINESCENCE) display, plasma display, electronic paper, etc. The display part  110  in the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display. 
         [0036]    The touch panel input part  115  is a pointing device that detects a position touched by a user using a finger or a pen etc., and outputs coordinates to the controlling part  170 , according to the position. The touch panel input part  115  is arranged on the upper surface of the display part  110 . The user touches the touch panel input part  115  using a means such as a finger or a pen; for example, pushing, stroking, drawing on the surface of the touch panel input part  115  using a finger or a pen, etc. That is, the touch panel input part  115  outputs, to the controlling part  170 , the coordinates of the pushed position, the direction of the stroke, and the graphic drawn by the user. The touch panel input part  115  is, for example, a capacitance binding system which detects electric signals by static electricity, a resistance film system, an optical system, etc. 
         [0037]    The operating part  120  receives operations from a user as inputs. The inputs received at the operating part  120  are output to the controlling part  170  as signals. The operating part  120  is arranged on the side surface of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in the present embodiment. 
         [0038]    The light-emitting part  130  emits light to the outside, in accordance with control signals output from the controlling part  170 . The light-emitting part  130  is a light-emitting element, etc., for example, an LED. The light-emitting part  130  informs a user of incoming calls, outgoing calls, received emails, sent emails, replay of music data, advent of an alarm date/time, etc., by emitting light toward the outside. 
         [0039]    The speaker  140  has the function of outputting sound toward the outside in accordance with control signals output from the controlling part  170 . The speaker  140  is connected to the controlling part  170  via the D/A converter  145 . 
         [0040]    The D/A converter  145  converts digital signals output from the controlling part  170  to analog signals. The D/A converter  145  outputs the converted analog signals to the speaker  140 . 
         [0041]    The microphone  150  has a function to input sound from outside such as voice etc. The microphone  150  outputs the input sound to the A/D converter  155  as analog signals. The microphone  150  is connected to the controlling part  170  via the A/D converter  155 . The A/D converter  155  converts analog voice signals input from the microphone  150  to digital signals so as to be output to the controlling part  170 . 
         [0042]    The oscillating part  160  generates mechanical oscillations by control signals output from the controlling part  170 . The oscillating part  160  is, for example, a motor etc. The oscillating part  160  informs a user of incoming calls, received emails, advent of alarm date/time, etc., via mechanical oscillations. 
         [0043]    The angle-detecting part  165  detects the angle of inclination of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  from a preliminarily prescribed normal state. The preliminarily prescribed normal state means, for example, a state in which the surface where the display part  110  is arranged becomes horizontal with respect to the ground. The angle-detecting part  165  outputs information regarding the detected angle to the controlling part  170 . The angle-detecting part  165  is, for example, an angle sensor or an acceleration sensor, etc. 
         [0044]    Next, the angle of inclination detected by the angle-detecting part  165  is described using  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . The rotary axis  410  shown in  FIG. 4  is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  and is a line passing through the center of the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a simplified drawing of a side view of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  seen from the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  A shows a normal state of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the normal state of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is defined as a state in which the surface that comprises the display part  110  becomes horizontal with respect to the ground  515 , as in  FIG. 5A . That is, a surface that becomes horizontal to the ground and comprises the display part  110  is defined as a normal surface  510 . The angle-detecting part  165  detects an angle of inclination when the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is inclined from the normal state when a center axis is a rotary axis  410 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5C ,  FIG. 5D , and  FIG. 5  E show examples in which the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is inclined. As shown in  FIG. 5  B,  FIG. 5  C,  FIG. 5  D, and  FIG. 5  E, a surface that is the same as the display part  110  at the time when the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is inclined is defined as an inclining surface  520 .  FIGS. 5  B and C are drawings showing a state in which the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is inclined so that the speaker  140  is in a position higher than the normal surface  510 . In such a case, the angle-detecting part  165  detects an angle formed by the normal surface  510  and the inclining surface  520  as shown in  FIGS. 5  B and C.  FIG. 5  D and  FIG. 5  E are drawings showing a state in which the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is inclined so that the speaker  140  is in a state lower than the normal surface  510 . In such a case, the angle-detecting part  165  detects an angle formed by the normal surface  510  and the inclining surface  520  as shown in  FIG. 5  D and  FIG. 5  E. 
         [0047]    The controlling part  170  controls software and hardware provided for the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . For example, the controlling part  170  executes various kinds of functions provided for the mobile terminal apparatus  100  based on inputs received from the user at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 . Furthermore, the controlling part  170  executes programs stored in the ROM  180 , RAM  190 , and external memory  210 . Configurations provided for the controlling part  170  to execute the programs are described using  FIG. 6 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows an arrangement of information stored in the RAM  190  (hereinafter referred to as a memory map). The memorymap comprises a program storage region  610  and data storage region  630 . 
         [0049]    The program storage region  610  comprises an incoming/outgoing call program  620  etc. The data storage region  630  comprises an address book  640 , angle detection buffer  650 , phone number selection buffer  660 , phone number input buffer  670 , and notification data  680  etc. 
         [0050]    Programs stored in the program storage region  610  are described. 
         [0051]    The incoming/outgoing call program  620  determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is held in a correct orientation by the user while a call is being made and, when it is determined that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an incorrect orientation that may cause a problem for the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in making a call, the user is informed and the process starting the call is carried out when the orientation is corrected. The incoming/outgoing call program  620  is described in detail later, referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 10 . 
         [0052]    An email text display program executes a process of displaying an email text on the display part  110  when an operation to display the email text is executed at the time of receiving an email. 
         [0053]    Data stored in the data storage region  630  is described. The data storage region  630  comprises an address book  640 , angle detection buffer  650 , phone number selection buffer  660 , phone number input buffer  670 , and notification data  680 . 
         [0054]    The address book  640  stores information regarding addresses input by a user and required for outgoing calls, and for sending emails to other communication terminal devices. The information regarding addresses is information that comprises phone numbers and email addresses etc. Furthermore, for example, name, memory number, residential address, date of birth and group (for example, information related to affiliations such as school or work) are linked to a phone number and an email address, and stored in the information regarding addresses. 
         [0055]    The angle detection buffer  650  temporarily stores an angle of inclination that is detected by the angle-detecting part  165  from the normal state of the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . 
         [0056]    The phone number selection buffer  660  temporarily stores a phone number that is selected from the address book  640  via the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  when an outgoing call is made by a user. 
         [0057]    The phone number input buffer  670  is a buffer for temporarily storing a phone number that is input via the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  by a user. 
         [0058]    The proximity buffer  675  is a buffer for temporarily storing results detected by the proximity sensor  280 . 
         [0059]    The notification data  680  stores data to inform a user that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is not being held in a correct orientation. 
         [0060]    In addition to those cited above, the program storage region  610  and the data storage region  630  store programs and data required for executing various kinds of functions provided with the mobile terminal apparatus. 
         [0061]    Return to the description of  FIG. 2 . The ROM  180  stores programs and data for executing functions provided with the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . 
         [0062]    The RAM  190  is accessible from the controlling part  170 , and is used as a temporary storage region for the controlling part  170  to execute various kinds of processes. 
         [0063]    The I/F  200  is equipped with an external memory  210  that is attachable/detachable. The controlling part  170  is capable of accessing the external memory  210  via the I/F  200  and, for example, reads out and executes programs as well as data etc. that have been stored in the external memory  210 . The external memory  210  is a medium for storing programs or data and, for example, there are memory card, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module card) etc. Furthermore, the above programs and the data are not limited to programs that may directly be read out from the external memory  210  and executed, but may also be coded programs, compression-processed programs, image data, voice data, and text data etc. 
         [0064]    The wireless circuit  240  converts a prescribed high frequency signal input from the antenna  250  to a digital voice signal via demodulation processing and decoding processing. Furthermore, the wireless circuit  240  converts digital voice signals input from the controlling part  170  to high frequency signals via encoding processing and modulation processing. Subsequently, the wireless circuit  240  outputs the high frequency signals to the antenna  250 . 
         [0065]    The antenna  250  receives magnetic waves of a prescribed frequency and outputs the same to the wireless circuit  240  as high frequency signals. Furthermore, the high frequency signals output from the wireless circuit  240  are output as magnetic waves of a prescribed frequency. 
         [0066]    The imaging part  260  comprises camera functions as well as video functions. Images or video acquired by the imaging part  260  are stored in the ROM  180 , RAM  190 , and external memory  210 . The imaging part  260  is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera etc. The imaging part  260  is arranged in the rear surface of the case of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , and thus, is not illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0067]    The recording part  270  comprises a function to record sound from outside such as sound input from the microphone  150 . Furthermore, if a user does not respond to an incoming call from another terminal, the recording part  270  records sound from the other terminal input from the wireless circuit  240 . Sound recorded by the recording part  270  is output via the speaker  140  by an input from the touch panel input part  115  and the operating part  120  by a user. 
         [0068]    The proximity sensor  280  detects that a subject to be detected is in proximity to the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . Furthermore, the proximity sensor  280  outputs the detected results to the controlling part  170  as an electric signal. Moreover, the results detected by the proximity sensor  280  are stored in the proximity buffer  675 . For example, when a user talks and brings an ear close to the terminal, the proximity sensor  280  detects as in proximity. On the other hand, when a user moves the terminal away from an ear, the proximity sensor  280  detects as not in proximity. The proximity sensor  280  is, for example, an infrared sensor and an ultrasound sensor etc. 
         [0069]      FIG. 7  is a drawing showing a configuration provided in the controlling part  170  for executing the programs stored in the RAM  190 . The controlling part  170  comprises an incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710 , determining part  720 , state-detecting part  730 , and notifying part  740 . 
         [0070]    The incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  executes incoming/outgoing call program  620  stored in the RAM  190 . 
         [0071]    The determining part  720  determines what is to be executed by an input received from a user at the operating part  120  or at the touch panel input part  115 . For example, the determining part  720  determines an input received at the operating part  120  or at the touch panel input part  115  from a user is whether or not an input to open the address book  640 , whether or not an input to start talking, whether or not an input to start an incoming call. Furthermore, the determining part  720  determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held by a user. The determination is made based on whether or not the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  has received an input from the user. 
         [0072]    The state-detecting part  730  determines whether the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is correct or not based on the angle of inclination detected by the angle-detecting part  165 . The correct orientation means an orientation that does not cause a problem for a user to talk using the mobile terminal apparatus  100  while the speaker  140  is in a position higher than the microphone  150 . The incorrect orientation means an orientation that causes a problem for a user to talk using the mobile terminal apparatus  100  while the speaker  140  is in a position lower than the microphone  150 . 
         [0073]    Next, a method of determining the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  conducted by the state-detecting part  730  is described. A state in which the microphone  150  is on the upper side from the normal surface  510  is defined as an inclining direction of +, and in a case of an angle detected by the angle-detecting part  165  is 1 degree to +180 degrees, the determining part  720  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is held in a correct orientation. And a state in which the microphone  150  is on the lower side from the normal surface  510  is defined as an inclining direction of −, and in a case of an angle detected by the angle-detecting part  165  is 0 degree to −179 degrees, the determining part  720  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is held in an incorrect orientation. 
         [0074]    That is, in a state illustrated in  FIG. 5  B and  FIG. 5  C, because the state of the microphone  150  is in a position lower than the speaker  140 , the determining part  720  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is held in an orientation that does not cause a problem for a user to talk. 
         [0075]    On the other hand, in a state illustrated in  FIG. 5  D and  FIG. 5  E, because the state of the microphone  150  is in a position higher than the speaker  140 , the determining part  720  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is held in an orientation that causes a problem for a user to talk. 
         [0076]    The notifying part  740  notifies a user when the state-detecting part  730  determines that the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is incorrect. As a notifying method, for example, the notification data  680  stored in the RAM  190  is displayed on the display part  110  via the display control part  106 . Furthermore, when the state-detecting part  730  determines that the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is incorrect, the notifying part  740  notifies the user that the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is incorrect by controlling the speaker  140  as well as the light-emitting part  130  via the controlling part  170 . 
         [0077]    Here, one example of the notification data  680  to be displayed on the display part  110  is shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 9  is notification data  680  for a notification when the mobile terminal apparatus  100  had an incoming call. In the image shown in  FIG. 9  A, a user is urged to hold the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in a correct orientation by being informed of the position of the microphone  150  and the speaker  140 . In the image shown in  FIG. 9  B, the user is urged to hold the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in a correct orientation by being informed of the position of the microphone  150  and the speaker  140 , with a warning to the user that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an inverse orientation. While such an image as in  FIG. 9 ) is being displayed, if the user holds the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in a correct orientation, a phone call can be started either by selecting “answer”, which is displayed on the screen or inputting to start a call on the operating part  120 . 
         [0078]    The image shown in  FIG. 11  is an image to be displayed on the display part  110  when the user makes an outgoing call while the user is holding the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in an incorrect orientation. In the image shown in  FIG. 11  A, the user is urged to hold the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in a correct orientation by being informed of the position of the microphone  150  and the speaker  140 . In the image shown in  FIG. 11  B, the user is urged to hold the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in a correct orientation by being notified that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an inverse orientation. 
         [0079]    While the notifying part  740  is in the middle of notifying, if there is an input from a user to respond to an incoming call or start an outgoing call at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 , the operation control part  750  controls to cancel these inputs as invalid. The risk that the user will start talking while in an orientation that could cause a problem for the call may be reduced by controlling the inputs as invalid. 
         [0080]    [Operation Process] 
         [0081]    Next, the incoming/outgoing call program  620  processed by the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  is described using  FIG. 8 . 
         [0082]    In the incoming/outgoing call program  620 , first, the determining part  720  determines whether there is an incoming call or not at the mobile terminal apparatus  100  (S 150 ). If the determining part  720  determines that there is no incoming call at the mobile terminal apparatus  100 , the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  moves to a process in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0083]    On the other hand, when the controlling part  170  determines that there is an incoming call via the antenna  250 , next, the angle-detecting part  165  detects the angle of inclination of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  (S 160 ). 
         [0084]    Next, the state-detecting part  730  determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held by the user in a correct orientation based on the angle detected by the angle-detecting part  165  (S 170 ). 
         [0085]    In S 150 , if the state-detecting part  730  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in a correct orientation by the user, subsequently, the determining part  720  determines whether there was an input or not by the user to start a call at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  (S 180 ). 
         [0086]    If the determining part  720  determines that there was an input to start a call, next, a talking part starts a call by controlling the wireless circuit  240  (S 190 ). 
         [0087]    On the other hand, if the determining part  720  determines that there was no input to start a call, the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  again executes a process S 160 . 
         [0088]    In the process S 170 , if the state-detecting part  730  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held by the user in an incorrect orientation, the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  executes the process S 175 . 
         [0089]    In the process S 175 , the notifying part  740  displays an image as shown in  FIG. 9  on the display part  110  via the display control part  106 . Displaying such an image as shown in  FIG. 9  notifies the user that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an incorrect orientation and reduces the risk of starting to talk while the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an incorrect orientation. 
         [0090]    After executing the process S 175 , the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  again executes the process S 160 . 
         [0091]    Next, a process related to an outgoing call when determined by the controlling part  170  that there is no incoming call in the process S 150  is described using  FIG. 10 . 
         [0092]    In S 150 , when the controlling part  170  determines that there is no incoming call with respect to the mobile terminal apparatus  100  via the antenna  250 , next, the determining part  720  determines whether there was an input or not by the user at the operating part  120  or at the touch panel input part  115  to open the address book  640  (S 210 ). 
         [0093]    If the determining part  720  determines that there was an input by the user to open the address book  640  using the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 , the display control part  106  causes the display part  110  to display information regarding address that has been stored in the address book  640  (S 220 ). 
         [0094]    Next, based on an input by the user using the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  to select a phone number that is included in the information regarding address, the controlling part  170  temporarily stores the selected phone number in the phone number selection buffer  660  (S 230 ). 
         [0095]    On the other hand, if the determining part  720  determines that the input by the user to open the address book  640  using the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  has not been received, subsequently, it is determined whether an input of a phone number was received or not (S 212 ). 
         [0096]    If the determining part  720  determines that there was an input of a phone number by the user, the display control part  106  displays a phone number display image on the display part  110  (S 214 ). 
         [0097]    Next, the controlling part  170  temporarily stores, in the phone number input buffer  670 , the phone number that has been input by the user at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  (S 216 ). 
         [0098]    On the other hand, if the determining part  720  determines that there was no input of a phone number, the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  again executes the process S 110  in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0099]    After receiving the input to select a phone number by the user using the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  in the process of either S 230  or S 216 , next, the angle-detecting part  165  detects the angle of inclination of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  (S 240 ). 
         [0100]    Next, the state-detecting part  730  determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held by the user in a correct orientation based on the detected angle of inclination (S 250 ). 
         [0101]    If the state-detecting part  730  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in a correct orientation by the user, next, the determining part  720  determines whether or not there was an input at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  by the user to start a call (S 260 ). 
         [0102]    If the determining part  720  determines that there was an input at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  to start a call by the user, the controlling part  170  controls the wireless circuit  240  and start the call (S 270 ). 
         [0103]    On the other hand, if the determining part  720  determines that the operation to start a call was not input by the user at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 , the incoming/outgoing call-processing part  710  again executes the process S 240 . 
         [0104]    In the process S 250 , if the state-detecting part  730  determines that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held by the user in an incorrect orientation, the notifying part  740  displays an image as shown in  FIG. 11  on the display part  110  via the display control part  106 . 
         [0105]    By displaying such an image shown in  FIG. 11  on the display part  110 , the user is notified that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an incorrect orientation, thus, it reduces the risk of starting a call while the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an incorrect orientation. 
         [0106]    The embodiment above is one example of the embodiments related to the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in the present invention and may be changed appropriately within the scope according to the aspect of the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0107]    For example, the timing for the notifying part  740  to notify may also be a time when a user enters an input at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  to open the address book  640 . The other timing for the notification may also be a time when a numerical key pad is displayed on the display part  110  that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  comprises and when the user starts entering a phone number at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 . The other timing for the notification may also be a time when the user completes the input of the phone number at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 . 
         [0108]    For example, the method of notification conducted by the notifying part  740  may also be conducted by the display control part  106  as a result of inverting an image to be displayed on the display part  110 . 
         [0109]    For example, the notifying part  740  notifies the user that the orientation of the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is incorrect by controlling the speaker  140  as well as the light-emitting part  130  via the controlling part  170 , but the notification may also be conducted by the controlling part  170  by controlling the speaker  140  and the light-emitting part  130  without intervention by the notifying part  740 . 
         [0110]    For example, the notification method conducted by the notifying part  740  may also be conducted by the display control part  106 , by not displaying a button on the display part  110  to start a call. Specifically, it is also possible to not display the “answer” on the display part  110  in the images shown in  FIGS. 9  A and B. Furthermore, it is also possible not to display a “call” button on the display part  110  in the images shown in  FIGS. 11  A and B. As described above, the risk of the user being in a situation where a call becomes difficult is reduced by not displaying the “answer” for a response to an incoming call and the “call” to start an outgoing call. 
         [0111]    For example, the operating part may also be provided on the same plane as the display part  110  that is provided with the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . 
         [0112]    For example, as for the incoming/outgoing call program  620 , if there is an input by a user to interrupt the incoming/outgoing call program  620  either at the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115 , the incoming/outgoing call program  620  may be interrupted even in a case when any of processes is being executed. 
         [0113]    For example, in the present embodiment, while the notifying part  740  is notifying, if the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  receives an input from the user to respond to an incoming call or receives an input to start an outgoing call, the operation control part  750  controls to cancel these inputs as invalid. However, as another example, it is also possible to start a call, regarding an input from the user to start a call as valid without controlling, by the operation control part  750 , the input operation from the user as invalid. 
         [0114]    For example, if a user is holding the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in an inverse orientation, images or video acquired by the imaging part  260  are stored in the ROM  180 , RAM  190 , or the external memory  210  after inverting the orientation. In such a case, in the event of displaying the stored images and the video on the display part  110 , the notifying part  740  may also notify that the orientation has been inverted for the display. 
         [0115]    For example, if the user is holding the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in an inverse orientation, operations related to functions that could cause a problem for the use are cancelled as invalid by the operation control part  750 . Specifically, if the user is holding the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in an inverse orientation, operations related to the imaging part  260  are cancelled as invalid by the operation control part  750 . And the notifying part  740  may also display such an image as shown in  FIG. 9  B on the display part  110 . In the above embodiment, if the user corrects the way of holding the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in a correct orientation, it is also possible to regard input operations from the user with respect to the imaging part  260  as valid. 
         [0116]    For example, the present invention may also be implemented when an input is received from the user using the operating part  120  or the touch panel input part  115  to replay sound recorded in the recording part  260 , or when an input is received to start recording sound in the recording part  260 . That is, if the mobile terminal apparatus  100  detects the orientation in a case of replaying the recorded sound by an operation from the user and in a case of recording sound by the user, and if it is determined that the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held by the user in an incorrect orientation, a notification may also be provided. Such a process executed by the mobile terminal apparatus  100  reduces the risk of generating a problem in the event when the recording function is used by the user. 
         [0117]    For example, while a user is holding the mobile terminal apparatus  100  in an incorrect orientation and if an incoming call is received at the mobile terminal apparatus  100 , it is also possible not to display a button for responding to the incoming call on the display part  110  as shown in  FIG. 12  A. Furthermore, as shown in the dotted line in  FIG. 12  B, a button related to a response to be displayed on the display part  110  may also be displayed with a lower luminance. Such a display on the display part  110  by the mobile terminal apparatus  100  reduces the risk of creating a state in which a phone call becomes difficult when a user responds to the incoming call. 
         [0118]    Furthermore, also when a user makes an outgoing call, screens as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B  may be displayed on the display part  110  by the mobile terminal apparatus  100 . Such a display on the display part  110  by the mobile terminal apparatus  100  reduces the risk of creating a state in which a phone call becomes difficult when a user talks. 
         [0119]    For example, when the proximity sensor  280  detects a subject to be detected is in proximity during a call, the mobile terminal apparatus  100  switches off the display of the display part  110 . Furthermore, the mobile terminal apparatus  100  may also switch off a back-light arranged at a liquid crystal display constituting the display part  110 . That is, while a user is using the mobile terminal apparatus  100  against an ear, it is also possible for the mobile terminal apparatus  100  to not display an image on the display part  110  for the purpose of saving power. 
         [0120]    Moreover, after the proximity is detected by the proximity sensor  280  during a call, when the proximity is no longer detected, such processes in S 160  to  5175  shown in  FIG. 8  or S 240  to S 255  shown in  FIG. 10  may also be executed again. That is, while a user is on the phone with an ear against the mobile terminal apparatus  100 , after placing the mobile terminal apparatus  100  on the desk etc. when the same is held in a hand again, the mobile terminal apparatus  100  detects the orientation of being held. And if the mobile terminal apparatus  100  is being held in an incorrect orientation and such is detected, the matter of the incorrect orientation may also be notified to the user. Such a process executed by the mobile terminal apparatus  100  reduces the risk of the user causing a problem in talking. 
         [0121]    While at least one exemplary embodiment is presented in the foregoing detailed description, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment or embodiments. Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. In carrying out the present disclosure, various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur in regard to the elements of the above-described embodiment insofar as they are within the technical scope of the present disclosure or the equivalents thereof. The exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a template for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that changes and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being comprised within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. 
         [0122]    Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations hereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The term “about” when referring to a numerical value or range is intended to encompass values resulting from experimental error that can occur when taking measurements.

Technology Category: 5