Tilt direction detector for orienting display information

Abstract

An electronic apparatus having a display function is able to alter the orientation of an image displayed on a display means for displaying images between a first orientation and a second orientation different from the first orientation. A plurality of operating means are provided at positions symmetrical between disposal positions which take the first orientation as a standard orientation and disposal positions which take the second orientation as a standard orientation.

1 . An electronic apparatus, comprising:
 a touch screen;   a tilt sensor configured to detect a tilt direction of the electronic apparatus;   a memory configured to store a plurality of software applications; and   a processor configured to
 display, on the touch screen, a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of software applications, 
 display, on the touch screen, an image generated by one of the plurality of software applications in response to a user selection of a corresponding one of the plurality of images to run the one of the plurality of software applications, and 
 alter the orientation of a display on the touch screen based on whether a tilt direction is detected by the tilt sensor and whether the one of the plurality of software applications is running. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of images are a plurality of icons. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to enlarge the image generated by the one of the plurality of software applications based on a user input on the touch screen. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to change a display position on the touch screen of the image generated by the one of the plurality of software applications based on a user input on the touch screen. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to alter the orientation of the display on the touch screen only after a software application is run. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to run one of a schedule application and an address list application in response to the user selection of the one of the plurality of images. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to display the plurality of images in a grid pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to alter the orientation of the display of the touch screen in real time. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is not configured to alter the orientation of the display of the plurality of images based on the tilt direction detected by the tilt sensor. 
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of an electronic apparatus, the method comprising:
 displaying, on a touch screen of the electronic apparatus, a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of software applications;   displaying, on the touch screen, an image generated by one of the plurality of software applications in response to a user selection of a corresponding one of the plurality of images to run the one of the plurality of software applications; and   altering an orientation of a display on the touch screen based on whether a tilt direction is detected by a tilt sensor and whether the one of the plurality of software applications is running.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of images are a plurality of icons. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 enlarging the image generated by the one of the plurality of software applications based on a user input on the touch screen.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 changing a display position on the touch screen of the image generated by the one of the plurality of software applications based on a user input on the touch screen.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of altering comprises:
 altering the orientation of the display on the touch screen only after a software application is run.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 running one of a schedule application and an address list application in response to the user selection of the one of the plurality of images.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of displaying the plurality of images comprises:
 displaying the plurality of images in a grid pattern.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of altering comprises:
 altering the orientation of the display of the touch screen in real time.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of altering does not alter the orientation of the display of the plurality of images based on the tilt direction detected by the tilt sensor.