To provide an opening and closing detection mechanism and opening and closing detecting method of a foldable mobile terminal device which can not only open and close the upper housing 2 but also detect the direction of the upper housing 2.
Two of MR sensors which respond to both an N pole and an S pole of a magnet are utilized. The two MR sensors are arranged at a position line symmetrical to oppose to the vertical axis of two-axis hinge of a lower housing, and one magnet is arranged at a position opposed to the MR sensor in the upper housing. Thus, when the display unit of the upper housing is exposed on a front side, one MR sensor reacts. When the display unit is contained in the inside, the other MR sensor reacts. The direction of the upper housing is detected by this reaction.
Masashi Kudo
Yasuhisa Tanizawa