JP2002111816A - Foldable portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foldable portable telephone having excellent operability and compactness. SOLUTION: An audio key 115 operable even when a telephone is folded is provided in addition to a conventional LCD 111, and a small LCD 113 is provided at a part serving as the cover of the telephone.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable portable telephone, and more particularly, to a foldable portable telephone capable of performing a predetermined operation even in a folded state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional portable telephones, there are many foldable portable telephones (hereinafter referred to as telephones) employing a folding technique. These telephones cannot be operated in a folded state, but can only be operated in an open state. The folding technique will be described in the following <Conventional folding mobile phone>. Also,
In recent years, there has been proposed an idea of reproducing music data stored in a telephone built-in memory or an external memory. The reproduction of the music data will be described in the following <Audio operation plan>.

<Conventional Folding Mobile Phone> A conventional folding mobile phone will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. In FIG. 5, a signal indicating that the user has pressed the key 517 is sent to the CPU 501 via the I / O port 523. According to the program recorded on the ROM 503, processing corresponding to the input is started, and display and transmission processing are performed. The display is displayed on the LCD 511 screen via the I / O port 523. In the transmission process, a control signal indicating transmission is transmitted to the radio unit 507, and the radio unit 507 performs a transmission operation.

[0004] In addition, there is a memory 505 for storing information for the CPU 501 to manage whether the wireless unit 507 is being activated or stopped. When the folding detector 521 detects that the telephone is folded, the I / O port 523
A signal is transmitted to the CPU 501 via the. The CPU 501 recognizes that it is folded by this signal, and performs processing such as turning off the power of the LCD 511.

When the signal from the folding detector 521 is no longer input, the telephone recognizes that the telephone is open, and
Processing such as turning on the power of the 511 is performed. CPU 50
1 performs the same processing performed on the LCD 511 for speakers and microphones. Various methods can be considered for the folding detection method of the telephone.
This will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, when the foldable mobile phone is folded, the convex portion 601 enters the concave portion 603 and pushes the button in the concave portion 603. A signal from the button is sent to the CPU 501, and the CPU 501 detects that the telephone is folded.

<Audio Operation Proposal> The operation of reproducing music data in a portable telephone will be described below with reference to FIG. Music data is stored in the memory 705 or the external memory 707. There are various methods for storing music data. Here, a process of downloading music data from a network such as the Internet and storing it in an external memory will be briefly described.

[0007] The user designates an access destination by inputting a key 709, and the CPU 701 connects to a base station via a radio unit 711 and an antenna 713. The base station connects a line between the access destination and the user terminal via an exchange network. Subsequently, a desired music is designated and downloaded by inputting the key 709. The mobile phone receives music data from an access destination via an antenna 713 and a wireless unit 711 via a base station. The CPU 701 stores the received music data in the external memory 707 (or the built-in memory 705). The reproduction of the music data stored in the external memory 707 is instructed to the telephone by inputting the key 709. When a reproduction instruction is issued from the user, the CPU 701 extracts music data from the external memory 707, converts the music data into audible data, and outputs the audible data from a speaker or an earphone.

[0008]

However, in the foldable portable telephone capable of reproducing music data, the following problems occur. 1. Since the operation cannot be performed unless the telephone is opened, audio operations such as playing and stopping music cannot be performed in the folded state. Therefore, the user must perform a series of operations such as opening the telephone, performing an operation of playing music, and folding the telephone. Also, when the music being played is paused or fast-forwarded, the telephone must be opened for operation. 2. With the phone folded, the LCD 715 cannot be seen. Therefore, the user must open the telephone to check the title of the music being played, the artist name, and the elapsed time. 3. If the music is played with the telephone open to solve the above problems 1 and 2, the storage capacity will be impaired. 4. Carrying the telephone with the telephone open may damage the joint between the receiver-side case (lid) and the transmitter-side case (bottom), which is unique to a foldable mobile telephone. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a foldable mobile phone excellent in operability and storage.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a foldable portable telephone according to the present invention has a receiver side case and a transmitter side case connected to each other at their respective ends so as to be swingable with each other. Operation keys and a display are provided on the surface of the receiver-side case that is outside when both cases are closed and / or on the surface of the transmitter-side case that is outside when both cases are closed. It is characterized by having. In the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention, it is preferable that any one of the operation keys is an audio operation means for operating music data stored inside the phone. In the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention, it is preferable that any one of the operation keys is an operation means for browsing the web.
In the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention,
It is preferable that any one of the operation keys is an operation means for searching and editing telephone directory data stored in the telephone. In the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention, information on music data during audio operation, caller information, date information,
And / or time information is preferably displayed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a foldable portable telephone according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are external views of the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an external view of a foldable mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a telephone according to the present invention. In the figure, a signal of the user pressing the key 117 is sent to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 123. Subsequently, a process corresponding to the input is started in accordance with the program recorded on the ROM 103, and a display operation and a transmission operation are performed. The display contents are displayed on the LCD1 via the I / O port 123.
11 are displayed on the screen. In the transmission process, a control signal indicating transmission is transmitted to the radio unit 107, and the radio unit 107 performs a transmission operation.

In addition, there is a memory 105 for storing information for the CPU 101 to manage whether the radio unit 107 is being started or stopped. When the folding detector 121 detects that the telephone is folded, the folding detector 121 detects that the telephone is folded.
To the CPU 101 via the. The CPU 101 recognizes that it is folded by this signal, and performs processing such as turning off the power of the LCD 111. Folding detector 121
When no signal is received from the telephone, it is recognized that the telephone is open, and processing such as turning on the power of the LCD 111 is performed. The CPU 101 also performs the same processing performed on the LCD 111 for speakers and microphones.

In this embodiment, the audio key 115 operable even when the telephone is folded is provided on the transmitter side case which is the bottom in the folded state. Further, in addition to the conventional LCD 111, a small LCD 113 is provided on the receiver side case which becomes a lid portion in a folded state. The audio key 115 is used to perform an audio operation in a state where the telephone is folded, for example, the external memory 119 (or the memory 10).
These are operation keys used when reproducing the music data stored in 5). When the telephone is folded, the title of the song being played, the name of the artist, the elapsed time, and the like are displayed on the small LCD 113.

Audio key 115 and small LCD 11
As an operation of the telephone due to the installation of the telephone 3, when the telephone is folded, the CPU 101 detects that the telephone is folded by a signal from the folding detector 121, and shifts to the “audio mode”. When the phone is opened, CPU1
01 detects that the telephone has been opened and shifts to the "TEL mode". Table 1 shows the operation of each device when the telephone is folded (in the “audio mode”) and when the telephone is opened (in the “TEL mode”).

[0015]

[Table 1]

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a foldable portable telephone according to a second embodiment of the present invention when it is folded. The external memory 119 is a card-shaped semiconductor chip, and can store music data and the like downloaded from a network such as the Internet. Various storage methods such as storing the music data in the memory 105 are conceivable, but here, the external memory 119 is used.
The following describes an example in which the information is stored in the file.

The user designates an access destination by inputting the key 117, and the CPU 101 connects to the base station via the wireless unit 107 and the antenna 125. The base station connects a line between the access destination and the user terminal via an exchange network. The user designates favorite music by inputting the key 117 and downloads it. The telephone is connected to the antenna 1 via the base station from the access destination.
25. The music data is received by the wireless unit 107. The CPU 101 stores the received music data in the external memory 1
19 is stored.

The reproduction of the music data stored in the external memory 119 is instructed by a key 117 input by the user. When the user instructs music reproduction, the CPU 10
1 retrieves music data from the external memory 119, converts it into audible data, and outputs it as audible sound using a speaker (not shown), earphone 201, or the like.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is an external view when the telephone according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened.
FIG. 3B is an external view when the telephone is folded. Referring to FIG. 3A, the receiver case 301 and the transmitter case 303 are connected at their respective ends. An LCD 111 as a display unit is provided on the surface of the receiver side case 301 which is inside when the telephone is folded as in the related art. 115a ~
The audio key 115 constituted by 115d is provided at the end of the transmitter side case 303 on the opposite side of the connection part 305 with the receiver side case 301.

An audio key 115 composed of a rewind key 115a to a play / pause key 115d will be described below.
Will be described in detail. (A) Rewind key 115a Pressing this key during playback plays back the previous music (starts playback). Also, by keeping the button pressed for a long time, the music being reproduced can be rewound. (B) Fast forward key 115b When pressed during playback, the next music is played (searching out). Also, by keeping the button pressed for a long time, the song being reproduced can be fast-forwarded. (C) Stop key 115c Pressing this key during playback can stop the music being played. (D) Play / Pause key 115d By pressing this key when music is stopped, music data stored in the memory 105 (external memory 119) can be played. By pressing this button during music playback, the music being played can be paused. At the time of the pause, the pause is released by pressing the key again, and the reproduction of the music is started again.

FIG. 3B is an external view of the receiver case 301 which is outside when the telephone is folded up, with the surface of the receiver case 301 facing upward. As described above, when the telephone is folded, the CPU 101 shifts to the “audio mode” according to a signal from the folding detector 121. Referring to Table 1, when in the “audio mode”, the small LCD 113
Set to N, and if music data is being played, the title of the song being played, the name of the artist, the elapsed time, and the like are displayed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is an external view of the receiver case 401, which is outside when the telephone is folded, with the front surface facing upward and viewed from above the telephone. FIG. 4B is an external perspective view of the telephone, and FIG. 4C is a receiver-side case 4 which becomes the outside when the telephone is folded.
FIG. 1 is an external view of the telephone set with its front surface facing upward, as viewed from the side of the telephone.

The telephone according to the second embodiment of the present invention has an audio key 115 composed of four keys 115e to 115i in four directions (up, down, left, right) centering on a center key 115e. Hereinafter, details of the audio key 115 including the play / pause key 115e to the fast forward key 115i will be described.

(E) Play / Pause key 115e By pressing this key when music is stopped, music data stored in the memory 105 (external memory 119) can be played. By pressing this button during music playback, the music being played can be paused. At the time of the pause, the pause is released by pressing the key again, and the reproduction of the music is started again. (F) Stop key 115f (or 115g) When pressed during playback, the music being played can be stopped. (H) Rewind key 115h Pressing this key during playback plays back the previous music (starts playback). Also, by keeping the button pressed for a long time, the music being reproduced can be rewound. (I) Fast forward key 115i By pressing this key during playback, the next music is played (cueing). Also, by keeping the button pressed for a long time, the song being reproduced can be fast-forwarded. In this embodiment, the size is small.
Although the LCD 113 is not provided, it can be provided on the outside surface of the receiver side case 401 as in the first embodiment.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above description. For example, the audio key 115 in the open state is used not only for music reproduction but also for other operations of the telephone ( For example, it can be assigned to Web browsing and address book editing. Also, when an incoming call is received in a folded state, the information of the caller is displayed on the small LCD 113 regardless of whether music is being played.
(Name, phone number) can also be displayed. In addition, a clock (date information and time information) can be displayed on the small LCD 113.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the telephone is folded, the memory 105 (external memory 11) can be used.
Audio operations such as reproduction and stop of music data stored in 9) can be performed. Also, by installing the small LCD 113, the title of the song being played even in the folded state,
You can check the artist name, elapsed time, etc. In addition, since the audio operation can be performed in the folded state, the trouble of opening and operating the telephone as in the related art can be reduced. In addition, since music can be played back in a folded state, it is possible to always carry the phone in a folded state. As a result, the phone is excellent in storability, and it is possible to reduce anxiety about strength of the telephone which is concerned about carrying the phone in an open state.

[0027]

As described in detail above, according to the foldable portable telephone of the present invention, it is possible to provide a foldable portable telephone excellent in operability and storage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a foldable mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a conventional foldable mobile phone.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a conventional foldable mobile phone.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a foldable mobile phone that can store an external memory.

[Explanation of symbols]

 301, 401 Receiver side case 303, 403 Transmitter side case 113 Small LCD 115 Audio key

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5K011 AA03 AA10 KA12 5K023 AA07 DD06 DD08 EE02 EE09 GG09 HH01 HH02 HH07 LL06 LL07 MM14 5K067 AA34 BB04 KK17

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A foldable portable telephone comprising a receiver side case and a transmitter side case which are connected to each other at their respective ends so as to be capable of swinging with each other. An operation key and a display are provided on a surface of the receiver-side case and / or on a surface of the transmitter-side case that is outside when the two cases are closed. 2. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein one of the operation keys is an audio operation unit for operating music data stored in the phone. Foldable mobile phone. 3. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein one of the operation keys is an operation unit for browsing a web. 4. The foldable portable telephone according to claim 1, wherein one of the operation keys is an operation unit for searching and editing telephone directory data stored in the telephone. Foldable mobile phone. 5. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein information related to music data during audio operation, caller information, date information, and / or time information is displayed on the display. Mobile phone.