Portable terminal, response message transmitting method and server

#This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-119361 filed Apr. 14, 2004.

#The present invention relates to a portable terminal such as a cellular phone and a method of transmitting a call response message applied to the portable terminal, and more particularly, to a portable terminal which sends a message to a calling terminal when receiving a call, a method of transmitting a call response message, and a server for sending a message to a calling terminal when the portable terminal receives a call.

#Almost all cellular phones have a silent (manner) mode for replacing a ring tone or melody with a vibration, etc. in public areas such as in a train. When receiving an incoming call in silent mode, a cellular phone generally activates a vibrator including a vibrating motor or the like to inform the user of the incoming call. Such environment as where a cellular phone is set in silent mode often requires the user to refrain from talking on the phone. Therefore, when receiving a call on a cellular phone in silent mode, the user will answer the call in a low voice, ignore the call or place the call on hold. With the cellular phone in auto-answer mode, a recorded or fixed voice message is sent to a calling terminal.

#The objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1(A) is a front view of an example of a cellular phone according to the present invention;

#FIG. 1(B) is a back view of the cellular phone;

#Referring now to the drawings, a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given in detail.

#FIG. 1 shows a cellular phone as an example of a portable terminal to which the present invention is applied: FIG. 1(A) is a front view of the cellular phone; and FIG. 1(B) is a back view of the cellular phone. Incidentally, the cellular phone is cited merely by way of example and without limitation. The present invention is applicable to any other portable terminals such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) provided with a camera function and a radio communication function.

#Referring to FIG. 1(A), a folding cellular phone 100 comprises an upper housing 100A, a lower hosing 100B and a hinge 100C. The upper housing 100A is foldably or hingedly connected to the lower hosing 100B to flip open or close. The upper housing 100A of the folding cellular phone 100 is provided on its inner surface with a stereo camera section 102 including two cameras for shooting a three-dimensional image, a first speaker 107 for outputting the voice of the other party during a conversation on the phone and a main display 110 for displaying an image or a text message. The lower hosing 100B is provided on its inner surface with a setting key section 104A including a scroll or enter key and function keys used for determining various settings and displaying stored information on the main display 110, a ten-key section 104B including ten keys and a microphone 108 for inputting the voice of the user during a conversation on the phone.