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 . A portable electronic apparatus comprising:
 a display unit configured to display an image associated with an application;   a tilt sensor configured to determine a direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted; and   a processor configured to:
 run the application, 
 receive, from the tilt sensor, an indication of the determined direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted, 
 determine an orientation for the display of the image associated with the application, wherein the orientation is determined based on the determined direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted, 
 enable an enlarged display mode, wherein the enlarged display mode is configured to enlarge a portion of the image associated with the application to a predetermined magnification, and 
 display, via the display unit, the enlarged portion of the image associated with the application at the predetermined magnification and in the determined orientation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation is a first orientation and wherein the processor is configured to:
 determine a change in the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted; and   determine, based on the change in the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted, a second orientation for the display of the image associated with the application.   
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 determine a position for the display of the image in the first orientation; and   maintain the position for the display of the image M the second orientation.   
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determined orientation corresponds to the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to adjust the image associated with the application based on the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted. 
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the image is adjusted by 90 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the image is adjusted by 180 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein processor is configured to enable the enlarged display mode based on an indication of a user selection to enable the enlarged display mode. 
     
     
         9 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive an indication of a user selection of the portion of the image, and   enlarge the portion of the image to the predetermined magnification based on the indication of the user selection of the portion of the image.   
     
     
         10 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 determine a direction and a speed to move the portion of the image on the display based on a user selection on the display, and   move the portion of the image on the display in the determined direction and at the determined speed.   
     
     
         11 . The portable electronic apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a distance of a user selection from a center of the display, wherein the speed to move the portion of the image is based on the distance of the user selection from the center of the display, and wherein the speed increases as the distance of the user selection from the center of the display increases. 
     
     
         12 . A method for orienting a display of an image associated with an application on a portable electronic apparatus, the method comprising:
 running the application on the portable electronic apparatus;   determining, based on an indication from a tilt sensor, a direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted;   determining an orientation for the display of the image associated with the application, wherein the orientation is determined based on the determined direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted;   enable an enlarged display mode to enlarge a portion of the image associated with the application to a predetermined magnification; and   displaying the enlarged portion of the image associated with the application at the predetermined magnification and in the determined orientation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the orientation is a first orientation, and wherein the method further comprises:
 determining a change in the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted; and   determining, based on the change in the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted, a second orientation for the display of the image associated with the application.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 determining a position for the display of the image in the first orientation; and   maintaining the position for the display of the image in the second orientation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determined orientation corresponds to the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting the image associated with the application based on the direction the portable electronic apparatus is tilted. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the image is adjusted by 90 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the image is adjusted by 180 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the enlarged display mode is enabled based on an indication of a user selection to enable the enlarged display mode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the portion of the image is enlarged to the predetermined magnification based on an indication of a user selection of the portion of the image. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining a direction and a speed to move the portion of the image on the display based on a user selection on the display; and   moving the portion of the image on the display in the determined direction and at the determined speed.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising determining a distance of a user selection from a center of the display, wherein the speed to move the portion of the image is based on the distance of the user selection from the center of the display, and wherein the speed increases as the distance of the user selection from the center of the display increases.