Portable terminal device

Abstract

A portable terminal device is provided which can improve the interest, functionality and additional value by display even when the two display modules are in the state of being overlapped. The portable terminal device includes a first unit which has a first display module, and is configured such that a user is allowed to see a side of the first unit opposite to a user's side through the first display module, a second unit which has a second display module, and a switching module and which is operable to switch the portable terminal device between a first configuration that the first unit covers the second display module, and a second configuration that the first unit is moved from the first configuration with respect to the second display module so that at least a part of the second display module is exposed to an outside.

1 . A portable terminal device, comprising:
 a first unit comprising a first display module;   a second unit comprising a second display module;   a processor configured to control the first display module and the second display module; and   a switching module configured to move the first unit in such a direction as to increase or decrease an amount of overlapping between the first unit and the second display module, wherein   a display area on apart of the second display module is exposed to an outside in a state that the amount of overlapping is largest.   
     
     
         2 . The portable terminal device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the processor causes the first display module to display an operation screen and causes the second display module to display an information display screen, on which information is displayed based on an input on the operation screen, in the display area on the part of the second display module.   
     
     
         3 . The portable terminal device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first unit is configured such that a user is allowed to see a side of the first unit opposite to a user's side through the first display module.   
     
     
         4 . The portable terminal device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the first display module comprises a transparent liquid crystal display.   
     
     
         5 . The portable terminal device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the first unit and the second unit are coupled such that the amount of overlapping is smaller when the first unit is moved in a downward direction from the second display module, and   the processor,
 in the state that the amount of overlapping is largest, causes the second display module to display a screen of an application and controls the first display module such that a user is allowed to see the screen through the first display module, and 
 in response to the move of the first unit in such a direction as to decrease the amount of overlapping, causes the first display module to display a screen which follows the screen displayed by the second displayed module. 
   
     
     
         6 . The portable terminal device according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the processor, in the state that the amount of overlapping is largest,
 causes the second display module to display a menu screen to activate an application and controls the first display module such that a user is allowed to see the menu screen through the first display module, and 
 in response to the activation of the application by an operation on the menu screen, causes the first display module to display a screen of the application. 
   
     
     
         7 . The portable terminal device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a size of the portable terminal device which is parallel to the move direction of the first unit is smallest when the amount of overlapping is largest.