JP5635902B2 - Portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device.

  In order to secure a large display area while maintaining good portability, a portable electronic device that uses a plurality of display units as one display area is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a portable electronic device in which two display panels are combined so as to partially overlap and a display unit included in each display panel is used as one display area.

JP 2006-10811 A

  However, when the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, a step is generated in two display units used as one display region. For this reason, the display position of the display content of each display part shifts depending on the viewing direction, or the interval between the display parts becomes large and it becomes difficult to function as one display area.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device capable of arranging a plurality of display units close to each other on the same plane while maintaining good portability. To do.

To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a first housing having a first surface in which the first display portion is arranged, the second display unit distribution A second housing having a second surface, a connecting portion for relatively rotatingly connecting the first housing and the second housing, and a surface opposite to the first surface. comprising a first cover covering the at pre Symbol open state in which the first surface and the second surface is coplanar, by a portion of the first cover is brought into contact with the second housing, wherein Further rotation of the connecting portion in the direction from the first surface to the surface opposite to the first surface is restricted.

Here, in the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover abuts on the connection portion side end of the second casing, thereby It is preferable that the further rotation of the part in the direction from the first surface to the surface opposite to the first surface is restricted .

Further, in an open state where the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, one end of the first cover comes into contact with the second housing, so that the first surface of the connecting portion is removed from the first surface. It is preferable to restrict further rotation in the direction to the surface opposite to the first surface .

In addition, a second cover that covers a surface opposite to the second surface is further provided, and in the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover is It is preferable to restrict rotation of the first casing and the second casing in the direction of transition to the closed state by engaging with the second cover .

Further, in the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover enters between the second cover and the first housing, whereby the first It is preferable to restrict the rotation of the housing and the second housing in the direction of transition to the closed state .
Further, the connecting portion is disposed at both ends of the first housing and the second housing in the rotation axis direction, and the display portion of the first housing is disposed between the connecting portions. It is preferable.

The first housing may further include a third display unit and an operation unit that receives an operation related to information displayed on the third display unit on a surface opposite to the first surface. preferable.

The third display unit is preferably a display that does not have a light emission source.

Said first table radical 113, the up position of the rotation axis is disposed on the first surface, said second housing, said second surface to a position short of said rotary shaft is preferably provided.
In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a first housing having a first surface on which one display unit is arranged, and another display unit. A second housing having a second surface, a connecting portion for relatively rotatingly connecting the first housing and the second housing, and a surface opposite to the first surface. A first cover for covering and a second cover for covering a surface opposite to the second surface; and in the open state where the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, Part of the cover engages with the second cover, thereby restricting rotation of the first casing and the second casing in the direction of transition to the closed state.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention has an effect that a plurality of display units can be arranged close to each other on the same plane while maintaining good portability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable electronic device in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the portable electronic device in the open state. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portable electronic device. FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable electronic device in the closed state. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the portable electronic device in the closed state. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the portable electronic device in the closed state. FIG. 7 is a side view of the portable electronic device in the closed state. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the portable electronic device in the open state. FIG. 9 is a side view of the portable electronic device in the open state. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the A-A ′ cross section of the portable electronic device in the closed state. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of a B-B ′ cross section of the portable electronic device in the open state. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a cross-section C-C ′ of the mobile electronic device in the closed state. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the portable electronic device. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure for changing the display content of the display unit in conjunction with a change in the form of the portable electronic device. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flexible substrate.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following description. In addition, constituent elements in the following description include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those in a so-called equivalent range. The portable electronic device according to the present invention includes various devices such as an electronic book display device, a mobile phone terminal, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a personal computer, a portable information terminal, and a game machine.

(Embodiment)
First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an appearance of a portable electronic device 1 that is an embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable electronic device 1 in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the portable electronic device 1 in the open state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable electronic device 1 includes a first housing 1 </ b> A, a second housing 1 </ b> B, and a hinge mechanism 8. The hinge mechanism 8 connects the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B so as to be relatively rotatable. That is, the portable electronic device 1 has a foldable housing.

  1 A of 1st housing | casings have the 1st display part 32, button 13a and 13b, and the cover 14 in one of the surfaces with the largest surface area. The first display unit 32 includes a display panel that does not have a light emission source, such as electronic paper, and has a memory property. Here, having a memory property means that display contents can be held even when power supply is cut off. The buttons 13a and 13b are used for operations such as page switching of information displayed on the first display unit 32. The cover 14 is a transparent or translucent member made of resin or the like.

  In addition, the first housing 1 </ b> A has a second display unit 34 on a surface opposite to the surface having the first display unit 32. The second display unit 34 includes a display panel (for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL panel) that displays information in a different manner from the display panel included in the first display unit 32. The display panel included in the second display unit 34 is superior to the display panel included in the first display unit 32 in at least one of response speed, number of colors, and color sharpness.

  The second housing 1B has a third display unit 36, buttons 13c to 13i, and a cover 16 on one of the surfaces with the largest surface area. The third display unit 36 includes a display panel of the same type as the second display unit 34. The buttons 13c to 13f are used for operations such as page switching of information displayed on the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36. The buttons 13g to 13i are used for calling various functions provided by an operating system mounted on the portable electronic device 1. The cover 16 is a transparent member made of the same material as the cover 14.

  In the closed state shown in FIG. 1, the portable electronic device 1 is folded so that a surface having the second display unit 34 of the first housing 1 </ b> A and a surface having the third display unit 36 of the second housing 1 </ b> B. It becomes an opposing shape. This shape is a shape that minimizes the surface area of the exposed portion of the portable electronic device 1 and is suitable for carrying the portable electronic device 1. In the closed state, the first display portion 32 and the buttons 13a and 13b are exposed to the outside. For this reason, the user browses the information displayed on the first display unit 32 in the closed state, or operates the button 13a or 13b to switch the information displayed on the first display unit 32. can do.

  In the open state shown in FIG. 2, in the portable electronic device 1, the surface having the second display unit 34 of the first housing 1 </ b> A and the surface having the third display unit 36 of the second housing 1 </ b> B are exposed to the outside. , They are arranged on the same plane. The second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 have substantially the same width in a direction parallel to the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the open state, and one of the end portions is the boundary. It is arranged to be close to. In the open state, the mobile electronic device 1 controls the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 as a single display unit, and displays information across the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36. .

  As described above, the portable electronic device 1 is configured to be usable in both the closed state and the open state. In the closed state, the user can view information displayed on the first display unit 32. Since the display panel included in the first display unit 32 has a memory property, even when the portable electronic device 1 is used in the closed state, power consumption is small.

  In the open state, the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 are arranged on the same plane with almost no space therebetween, so that the portable electronic device 1 includes the second display unit 34 and the third display unit. Information can be browsed in a wide display area spanning 36. Furthermore, since the display panels included in the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 are superior to the display panel included in the first display unit 32 in points other than power consumption, the portable electronic device 1 in the open state is It can be used for more various applications than the portable electronic device 1 in the closed state.

  Thus, the portable electronic device 1 can realize power saving and diversification of applications.

  Next, the configuration of the portable electronic device 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portable electronic device 1. 4 to 7 are a front view, a plan view, a bottom view, and a side view of the portable electronic device 1 in the closed state, respectively. 8 and 9 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of the portable electronic device 1 in the open state. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the A-A ′ cross section of the mobile electronic device 1 in the closed state. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of a B-B ′ cross section of the mobile electronic device 1 in the open state. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a C-C ′ cross section of the mobile electronic device 1 in the closed state. 10 to 12, the internal configuration of the apparatus is simplified.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, etc., the hinge mechanism 8 has convex structures 8a and 8b provided in the first housing 1A and convex structures 8c and 8d provided in the second housing 1B. The convex structure 8a and the convex structure 8c are combined in the vicinity of one end of the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the open state, and the convex structure 8b and the convex structure 8d are connected to the other end of the boundary. Combined near the club.

  Thus, the hinge mechanism 8 is configured to connect the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the vicinity of both ends of the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the open state. For this reason, there is no structure for connecting the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B at the center of the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B, and the second display unit 34 and the third display It is possible to place the part 36 close to the boundary.

  The hinge mechanism 8 is also used as a path for transmitting signals and power between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B. Specifically, a member for transmitting signals and electric power is accommodated in at least one of a structure combining the convex structure 8a and the convex structure 8c, or a structure combining the convex structure 8b and the convex structure 8d. . In order to transmit signals and power between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B, for example, a flexible substrate 90 as shown in FIG. 15 is used. The flexible substrate 90 includes rigid portions 92 and 93 at both ends provided with connection terminals, and a flexible portion 91 provided with wiring for electrically connecting the connection terminals. The flexible substrate 90 has a rigid portion 92 fixed to a substrate (not shown) in the first housing 1A, a rigid portion 93 fixed to a substrate (not shown) in the second housing 1B, and the flexible portion 91. Is used in a state of being housed inside the hinge mechanism 8.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the portable electronic device 1 has a surface SA having the second display unit 34 of the first housing 1A and a surface having the third display unit 36 of the second housing 1B in the open state. The SB and the SB are arranged on the same plane. For this reason, in the open state, the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 can be arranged without a step.

  In order to realize such a configuration, the hinge mechanism 8 is disposed so that the rotation axis P is located on the intersection line between the surface obtained by expanding the surface SA and the surface obtained by expanding the surface SB in the middle of rotation. The rotation axis P is a rotation axis when the first casing 1A and the second casing 1B are relatively rotated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, in the open state, the surface SA and the surface SB are located on the same plane that passes through the rotation axis P.

The portable electronic device 1 has the following configuration so that the surface SA and the surface SB can be maintained on the same plane in the open state. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the portable electronic device 1 has the surface SA because the surface of the first housing 1 </ b> A and the cover 14 and the surface of the second housing 1 </ b> B abut in the open state. The surface SB is regulated so as not to rotate more than 180 degrees relative to the surface SB. As another example, as shown in FIG. 9, the portable electronic device 1 is brought into a closed state unless the cover 14 and the cover 16 are engaged in an open state and a force exceeding a predetermined level is applied. It is regulated not to.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the first housing 1 </ b> A has a shape in which the surface SA enters the second housing 1 </ b> B side with respect to the rotation axis P in the open state. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the second display unit 34 arranged so as to be close to the boundary between the first housing 1 </ b> A and the second housing 1 </ b> B in the open state is partially outside in the closed state. Exposed. The portable electronic device 1 displays characters and symbols on the exposed portion of the second display unit 34, thereby notifying the user of incoming mails, registered schedules, and various information. It can be carried out.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the first housing 1A is covered with a cover 14 on the surface opposite to the surface SA, and the second housing 1B is covered with a cover 16 on the surface opposite to the surface SB. Is called. The cover 14 is made of a transparent or translucent material, and protects the surface opposite to the surface SA and the first display unit 32 while transmitting the content displayed on the first display unit 32. The cover 16 is made of the same material as the cover 14 and protects the surface opposite to the surface SB. Note that the cover 14 and the cover 16 may be colored in an arbitrary color.

  Further, the cover 14 and the cover 16 are provided with fine unevenness for preventing slippage on the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the first housing 1A or the second housing 1B, and at least the end surface (first surface side) The surface substantially perpendicular to the surface in contact with the housing 1A or the second housing 1B) is a smooth flat surface. For this reason, the cover 14 and the cover 16 cause incident light to leak out from the end face, and bring a characteristic aesthetic appearance to the portable electronic device 1.

  The cover 14 and the cover 16 provide still another functional effect. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the cover 14 is provided with a notch 14a at a portion in contact with the cover 16 on the side opposite to the hinge mechanism 8 in the closed state. Further, the cover 16 is provided with a notch 16a at a portion that contacts the cover 14 on the opposite side to the hinge mechanism 8 in the closed state. In the closed state, the portable electronic device 1 has a level difference corresponding to the thickness of the cover 14 and the cover 16 on the side opposite to the hinge mechanism 8. This level | step difference functions as a place where a user puts a fingertip when changing the shape of the portable electronic device 1 from the closed state to the open state. Note that the notch 14a and the notch 16a can function as a place where the fingertip is applied even if only one of them is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 and the like, the cover 16 is on the opposite side of the notch 16a, that is, in the vicinity of the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the open state (near the rotation axis P). ) Is provided with a rectangular cutout 16b with rounded ends. For this reason, the cover 16 generates a step (convex portion) corresponding to the thickness of the cover 16 at both ends of the notch 16b in a direction perpendicular to the boundary. These steps are useful for the user to stably hold the portable electronic device 1 in both the closed state and the open state.

  Specifically, in the closed state, the user places one hand on the side of the first housing 1A with the center of the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the open state. It is assumed that the portable electronic device 1 is used. In this case, the finger of the hand holding the portable electronic device 1 is prevented from shifting in the vertical direction due to the step in the direction perpendicular to the boundary. The buttons 13a and 13b are arranged in the vicinity of the boundary so that the buttons 13a and 13b can be easily operated with a finger of a hand that holds the portable electronic device 1 in the closed state.

  In the open state, the user faces the first casing 1A side up, and near the lower side (second casing 1B side) of the end of the boundary between the first casing 1A and the second casing 1B. It is assumed that the portable electronic device 1 is used with one hand or both hands. In this case, the finger of the hand holding the portable electronic device 1 is prevented from shifting in the lateral direction due to the step in the direction perpendicular to the boundary. The buttons 13c and 13d are arranged in the vicinity of the left side surface of the second housing 1B so that the buttons 13c and 13d can be easily operated with the finger of the left hand that holds the portable electronic device 1 in the open state. The buttons 13e and 13f are arranged in the vicinity of the right side surface of the second housing 1B so that the buttons 13e and 13f can be easily operated with the finger of the right hand that holds the portable electronic device 1 in the open state.

  The effect of stably holding the portable electronic device 1 arises not only from the cover 16 but also from the structure of the second housing 1B. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second housing 1 </ b> B is included in the portable electronic device 1 in the vicinity of the boundary between the first housing 1 </ b> A and the second housing 1 </ b> B in the open state (near the rotation axis P). The rechargeable battery 11 which is one of the heaviest components among the components is accommodated. As described above, the portable electronic device 1 can be used by holding the vicinity of the boundary between the first housing 1A and the second housing 1B in the open state with a hand in both the closed state and the open state. Assumed. For this reason, the portable electronic device 1 is stably held by gripping the vicinity of the center of gravity in both the closed state and the open state during use.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second housing 1 </ b> B has the first housing 1 </ b> A in the open state in order to accommodate the rechargeable battery 11 that is relatively large in order to ensure the power capacity. In addition, the vicinity of the boundary of the second housing 1B (the vicinity of the rotation axis P) is thicker than the other portions. This thickness functions as a grip and makes the portable electronic device 1 easy to grip. In addition, this thickness has a three-dimensional shape on the side opposite to the surface SB of the second housing 1B, and increases the mechanical strength of the second housing 1B.

  Next, a functional configuration of the portable electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mobile electronic device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the mobile electronic device 1 includes a control unit 22, a storage unit 24, a communication unit 26, an open / close detection unit 28, an operation unit 13, a first display unit 32, and a second display unit. 34 and a third display unit 36.

  The storage unit 24 is a storage device that stores various types of information. The storage unit 24 may store information in a storage medium such as a flash memory that is fixedly provided in the portable electronic device 1, or may be a removable storage medium such as a memory card, It may be configured as a combination with a read / write device.

  The storage unit 24 stores data and programs used for processing in the control unit 22. The program stored in the storage unit 24 includes, for example, a program that provides a browsing function for electronic books, a program that provides a browsing function for WEB pages, and a change in the form of the portable electronic device 1. The program which provides the function to change the display contents, such as is included. The data stored in the storage unit 24 includes, for example, book data displayed on the first display unit 32 and the like, and a database storing various information.

  The communication unit 26 includes an antenna 26a, establishes a radio signal line by a CDMA system or the like with a base station via a channel assigned by the base station, and performs telephone communication and information communication with the base station. . The operation unit 13 includes buttons 13a to 13i. When these buttons are operated by the user, the operation unit 13 generates a signal corresponding to the operation content. The generated signal is input to the control unit 22 as a user instruction.

  The open / close detection unit 28 detects a change in the form of the mobile electronic device 1, that is, the mobile electronic device 1 is changed from the closed state to the open state, or the open state is changed to the closed state. The signal shown is input to the control unit 22.

  As described above, the first display unit 32 includes a display panel that retains display contents even when the power supply is cut off, and is exposed to the outside in both the closed state and the open state. As described above, the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 are configured to display information as connected display units in the open state. In the closed state, the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 are configured to display the information. It is not visible from outside except for a part.

  In addition, the 1st display part 32, the 2nd display part 34, and the 3rd display part 36 may be a touch panel provided with the function to detect the contact of a finger etc. with respect to a display surface. In this case, the method for detecting contact of a finger or the like with the display surface may be any method such as a pressure-sensitive method or a capacitance method. By using the first display unit 32 and the like as a touch panel, the user can perform page switching, character string selection, and the like through intuitive operations, and convenience is improved. In addition, since the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 are located on the same plane in the open state, operations such as dragging and sweeping can be performed across the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36. Easy.

  The control unit 22 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the mobile electronic device 1. That is, the control unit 22 performs the communication unit 26, the first process so that various processes of the mobile electronic device 1 are executed in an appropriate procedure according to the signal input from the operation unit 13 or the open / close detection unit 28. The operation of the display unit 32, the second display unit 34, the third display unit 36, and the like is controlled.

  The control unit 22 executes processing based on a computer program (for example, an operating system program, application program, etc.) stored in the storage unit 24. The control unit 22 is configured by, for example, a microprocessor unit (MPU: Micro Processing Unit), and executes various processes of the portable electronic device 1 in accordance with procedures defined in the computer program. In other words, the control unit 22 sequentially reads instruction sequences from the computer program stored in the storage unit 24 and executes processing.

  As part of the control of the mobile electronic device 1, the control unit 22 changes the display content of the first display unit 32 and the like in conjunction with the change in the form of the mobile electronic device 1. This control is realized by the control unit 22 reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 24.

  Next, a control processing procedure for changing the display content of the first display unit 32 and the like in conjunction with a change in the form of the portable electronic device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure for changing the display content of the first display unit 32 and the like in conjunction with the change in the form of the portable electronic device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the open / close detection unit 28 detects a change in the form of the portable electronic device 1 in step S11, the control unit 22 changes the change from the closed state to the open state in step S12. Determine whether. When the detected change is a change from the closed state to the open state (step S12, Yes), the control unit 22 determines whether there is a character string selected on the first display unit 32 as step S13. .

  As already described, the first display unit 32 is visible from the outside even in the closed state. For this reason, the user can browse the information displayed on the first display unit 32 even in the closed state. And the user can select the character string which is a part of information currently displayed on the 1st display part 32 by operating the button 13a or the button 13b, for example. When the first display unit 32 is configured as a touch panel, the user can select a desired character string by tracing the surface of the first display unit 32 with a finger. When a part of the text displayed on the first display unit 32 is selected, the control unit 22 changes the display mode of the selected part, for example, by highlighting so that it can be identified from the other part.

  When there is a character string selected on the first display unit 32 (step S13, Yes), the control unit 22 performs a search using the selected character string as a search key in step S14. The search here may be a process of extracting information corresponding to the search key from dictionary data or a database stored in advance in the storage unit 24, or search to a server on the network that provides the search service. It may be a process of sending a key to request a search and receiving a search result.

  And control part 22 displays a search result across the 2nd display part 34 and the 3rd display part 36 as Step S15. The place where the search result is displayed may be either the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36.

  The electronic paper or the like provided in the first display unit 32 is characterized in that the burden on the eyes is small even when the user looks at the camera for a long time and the power consumption is low. Therefore, the portable electronic device 1 in the closed state is useful as an electronic book browsing device, for example. As described above, the mobile electronic device 1 selects the selected character when the shape transitions from the closed state to the open state while the character string displayed on the first display unit 32 is selected. A result of searching using the column as a search key is displayed on the second display unit 34 or the like.

  For this reason, when a user finds an unknown word while reading using the portable electronic device 1 in the closed state as a display device for an electronic book, the user selects the word and selects the portable electronic device. By opening 1, the search result for the word can be displayed on the second display unit 34 or the like.

  Here, by displaying the search results across the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36, a wide area for displaying information can be secured, and the information listing property is improved. Further, since the search result only needs to be displayed for a short time, the display panel included in the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 has a relatively high power consumption but is suitable for high-speed display and color display or an organic EL display. A panel etc. can be used and the visibility of a search result improves. Further, since the search is executed and the search result is displayed in conjunction with the operation of deforming the mobile electronic device 1 to expose the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36, the user can execute the search. There is no need to perform operations such as pressing a button to display search results.

  In step S13, when there is no character string selected on the first display unit 32 (No in step S13), the control unit 22 relates to the content displayed on the first display unit 32 as step S16. Information is displayed across the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36. The place where the related information is displayed may be either the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36.

  Here, the information related to the content displayed on the first display unit 32 is, for example, when the electronic book is displayed on the first display unit 32, the profile of the author of the electronic book, or the electronic book FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a correlation between persons included in the image, and an illustration and a photograph of a scene displayed on the first display unit 32. Information related to the content displayed on the first display unit 32 may be included in advance in an electronic book or the like displayed on the first display unit 32, or may be acquired sequentially by wireless communication.

  In Step S12, when the detected change is a change from the open state to the closed state (Step S12, No), the control unit 22 performs the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36 as Step S17. Determine whether there is a character string selected in.

  The user can select a character string that is a part of the information displayed on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36 by operating one of the buttons 13c to 13i, for example. When the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 are configured as touch panels, the user can trace a desired character string by tracing the surface of the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36 with a finger. You can choose. When a part of the text displayed on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36 is selected, the control unit 22 highlights the selected part so that it can be distinguished from other parts. The display mode is changed.

  When there is a character string selected in the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36 (step S17, Yes), the control unit 22 displays the selected character string in the first display unit 32 as step S18. Display. When there is no character string selected on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36 (step S17, No), the control unit 22 does not particularly perform a display content update process associated with a change in form.

  In addition, when an image or the like is selected on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36, the selected image or the like may be displayed on the first display unit 32. When nothing is selected on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36, the information displayed on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36, or the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36. All of the information displayed across the display unit 36 may be displayed on the first display unit 32.

  As already described, in the open state, the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 can be treated as a connected display unit to ensure a wide display area, and the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 can be secured. The display unit 36 is suitable for high-speed display, color display, and the like. Therefore, the portable electronic device 1 in the open state is useful as an apparatus for browsing a moving image or a WEB page or editing various data, for example.

  However, if information is displayed on the second display unit 34 or the third display unit 36, power consumption increases. Therefore, when the user finds information that he / she wants to read over time or information he / she wants to check later while using the mobile electronic device 1 in the open state, the user selects the information and selects the form of the mobile electronic device 1 The selected information is displayed on the first display unit 32 by shifting to the closed state. By doing so, it is possible to maintain a state where information is displayed on the first display unit 32 while suppressing power consumption. Further, the user does not need to perform an operation such as pressing a button in order to transfer the information to the first display unit 32.

  In addition, the structure of the portable electronic device 1 mentioned above can be arbitrarily changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the number, arrangement, and role of buttons such as the button 13a are not limited to the above embodiment.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the first display unit 32 includes a display panel having a memory property, and the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 include a display panel having no memory property. The display panel included in the unit may not be this street. For example, the first display unit 32 may include a display panel having no memory property, and display and non-display of information may be switched according to a button press or the like. Further, the second display unit 34 and the third display unit 36 may include a display panel having a memory property.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device 1A 1st housing | casing 1B 2nd housing | casing 8 Hinge mechanism 11 Rechargeable battery 13 Operation part 14 Cover 14a Notch 16 Cover 16a, 16b Notch 22 Control part 24 Memory | storage part 26 Communication part 28 Opening / closing detection part 32 1st 1 display unit 34 second display unit 36 third display unit

Claims (10)

A first housing having a first surface on which a first display unit is disposed;
A second housing having a second surface on which a second display unit is disposed;
A connecting portion for connecting the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively rotatable ;
A first cover that covers a surface opposite to the first surface ;
In the opened state where the first surface and the second surface before SL becomes coplanar, by a portion of the first cover is brought into contact with the second housing, wherein from said first surface of said connecting portion first A portable electronic device that restricts further rotation in a direction toward a surface opposite to the first surface . In the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover comes into contact with the end of the second casing on the side of the connecting portion, thereby 2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein further rotation in a direction from a first surface to a surface opposite to the first surface is restricted . In the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, one end of the first cover abuts on the second housing, so that the first surface of the connecting portion is separated from the first surface. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein further rotation in a direction toward the opposite surface is restricted. A second cover that covers a surface opposite to the second surface;
In the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover is engaged with the second cover, whereby the first housing and the second housing are brought together. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein rotation in a direction of transition to the closed state is restricted . In the open state where the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover enters between the second cover and the first housing, and the first housing and The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein rotation of the second casing in a direction in which the second casing transitions to a closed state is restricted . The connecting portions are respectively disposed at both ends of the first housing and the second housing in the rotation axis direction,
Wherein the display unit of the first housing, a portable electronic device according to claim 1, any one of 5, characterized in that disposed to between the connecting portions. The first housing further includes a third display unit and an operation unit that receives an operation related to information displayed on the third display unit on a surface opposite to the first surface. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The portable electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein the third display unit is a display that does not include a light emitting source. Said first table radical 113, the up position of the rotation axis is disposed on the first surface, the second housing, and wherein the second surface to a position short of said rotary shaft is disposed The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . A first housing having a first surface on which one display unit is disposed;
A second housing having a second surface on which another display unit is arranged;
A connecting portion for connecting the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively rotatable;
A first cover that covers a surface opposite to the first surface;
A second cover covering a surface opposite to the second surface,
In the open state in which the first surface and the second surface are on the same plane, a part of the first cover is engaged with the second cover, whereby the first housing and the second housing are brought together. A portable electronic device characterized by restricting rotation in a direction of transition to a closed state.

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