JP2003037664A - Foldable electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the thickness of foldable electronic equipment equipped with a drum jog dial device 15, such as a foldable cellular phone and to prevent a dead space from generated by the jog dial device 15. SOLUTION: In the foldable electronic equipment provided with at least the jog dial device 15, such as a foldable cellular phone, in which a main body part 1 and a lid part 2 can be folded or opened by linking them to be freely turned through a hinge part 16 and a rotation quantity of a drum-shaped rotator can be detected by the jog dial device 15 disposed on the axis for linking and turning the main body part 1 and the lid part 2 by the hinge part 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable electronic device, and more particularly to a foldable electronic device in which two parts are openably and closably connected via a hinge part.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a folding type cellular phone having a drum type (cylindrical type) jog dial, there has been a folding type cellular phone shown in FIGS. 13 (A) to 13 (C). FIG.
(A) shows the front side of the opened state, (B) shows the back side of the opened state, and (C) shows the folded state. In the drawings, 1 is a main body portion, 2 is a lid portion, 3 is a hinge portion that connects the main body portion 1 and the lid portion 2 in an openable and closable manner, and a plurality of key switches 4 and An operation unit 6 including a drum type jog dial device 5 and a microphone 7 are provided.

On the surface of the lid portion 2 (the surface facing the surface of the main body portion 1 when folded between itself and the main body portion 1), there are provided a jog dial escape recess 5a, an inner display device 8 including a liquid crystal display element, and a speaker 9. It is arranged. When the lid portion 2 is folded into the main body portion 1, the jog dial escape recess 5a escapes the top portion of the jog dial device 5 of the main body portion 1 and the lid portion 2
This is to allow the main body 1 and the main body 1 to come into close contact with each other.

A circuit board arranging portion 10 is provided on the back side of the main body portion 1.
A battery storage unit 11 is provided, and an outer display device (a display device that is the front when the cellular phone is folded) 12 including, for example, a liquid crystal display element is disposed on the back side of the lid 2. The outer display device 12 is not provided in all the models of the folding folding type cellular phone, but the number of models in which the outer display device 12 is provided is increasing. Then, on the outer display device 12, a warning from the cellular phone to the user, such as a clock display, battery level, notification of the incoming number, etc.,
Information such as contact information is displayed. Reference numeral 13 denotes an antenna formed on the upper end portion of the lid portion 2 so as to be capable of expanding and contracting upward.

The drum-type (cylindrical-type) jog dial device 5 has a rotatable drum-type rotating body 5b, and a portion of the rotating body 5b protruding from the surface of the main body 1 by the user is moved up or down. By rotating, the cursor can be moved on the option appearing on the screen of the display device 8, one option can be selected by the cursor, and the selection can be made by pressing the rotating body 5b from above. It can be confirmed.

Such a jog dial device 5 includes a rotating body 5
The cursor can be moved relatively large by slightly rotating b with a finger, the input operation and the cursor movement are synchronized, it is easy to input as intended by the user, and it has an advantage that it can be operated intuitively. It can be called an input device.

[0007]

However, the conventional folding type cellular phone having the drum type jog dial also has a problem. One of them is that the jog dial device 5 has a drum-shaped rotating body 5b, and its diameter needs to have a certain size in order to ensure operability. The problem is that thinning is restricted.

That is, various portable electronic devices such as mobile communication terminals are generally required to be thin, and naturally, cellular phones are also required to be thin. However, folding with a drum type jog dial is required. Since the cellular phone has the drum-shaped rotating body 5b in the jog dial device 5 and there is a restriction in reducing the diameter due to its operability, the cellular phone is restricted in thinning.

The second problem is that in the drum type jog dial device 5, a part of the rotating body 5b has to be protruded from the surface of the main body part 1 to some extent in order to ensure operability, and therefore, It is necessary to provide the lid portion 2 with a jog dial escape recess 5a for escaping the jog dial device 5 when folded into the main body portion 1, and the space becomes a dead space, which is a factor that restricts widening the area occupied by the display device 8. There was also the problem of becoming.

That is, miniaturization of various portable electronic devices such as mobile communication terminals is generally demanded, and cellular phones are not an exception, but it is not allowed to narrow the display screen accordingly. Therefore, it is required to increase the ratio of the area of the display device 8 in the lid portion 1 of the foldable cellular phone. However, the jog dial escape recess 5 that escapes the jog dial device 5 described above.
The existence of the dead space, which is inevitably caused by providing "a", has been a factor that prevents the demand from being met.

A third problem is that, in a foldable cellular phone of a type having an outer display device, even if there is an outer display device, a display such as a clock display, remaining battery level, notification of a called number, etc. Only the information such as warning and contact from the cellular phone to the user, the display necessary for the operation for the user to select and decide the information he wants to see while looking at the display, or to change the environment settings etc. I was dissatisfied that I was not allowed to do it. There is also a problem that there is no means for performing such an operation in the folded state. Further, in order to be able to input even in a folded state, there is a problem that it is necessary to further increase another input means, for example, a switch in addition to the conventional one, and the number of switches increases.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and makes it possible to reduce the thickness of a folding electronic device equipped with a drum type jog dial device and to prevent a dead space from being generated by the jog dial device. In the case of a type having an outer display device, the display on the outer display device is operated even when folded,
The purpose is to enable selection and determination of desired information or change of environment settings and the like.

[0013]

A foldable electronic device according to claim 1 is a foldable electronic device provided with a drum-type jog dial device, wherein the jog dial device is provided with a hinge for connecting two parts by a hinge portion. It is characterized in that it is arranged on the axis.

Therefore, according to the folding type electronic device of the first aspect, since the jog dial device is arranged on the axis of the connecting and rotating shaft by the hinge portion, the diameter of the drum-shaped rotating body is necessary for ensuring the operability. Since the size of the foldable electronic device does not become a factor that makes the foldable electronic device thicker, the foldable electronic device can be made thinner.

According to the folding electronic device of the first aspect, it is necessary to form a recess for escaping the jog dial device in the other, which occurs when the jog dial device is provided in one of the two parts as in the conventional case. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the problem that a dead space is generated due to the concave portion that escapes the jog dial device and, for example, the area for the display device is reduced.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention is basically a drum-shaped device in which two parts are rotatably connected via a hinge part and can be folded or opened. In a foldable electronic device equipped with a jog dial device capable of detecting at least the amount of rotation when a rotating body is rotated, the jog dial device is arranged on the axis of a connecting rotary shaft of the two parts by the hinge part. The typical example is a main body having input means such as keys and a microphone, and a lid having a display device such as a liquid crystal display element and a speaker and an antenna via a hinge. It is a foldable cellular phone in which a jog dial is arranged on the axis of a connecting and rotating shaft by a hinge portion thereof.

It is necessary for the jog dial device to have a function of detecting the amount of rotation of a drum-shaped rotating body when it is rotated, but it is preferable that the direction of rotation can also be detected. Further, when the drum-shaped rotating body is pushed, it is preferable that the push can be detected. A jog dial device for a foldable cellular phone, which is shown as an embodiment of the foldable electronic device of the present invention described later, can detect not only the amount of rotation but also the direction of rotation, and can also detect that when pushed. It is made possible. This is because the jog dial device enables various inputs.

The present invention is a display device which is viewed as an open display device (first display device in the claims).
The present invention can be applied to a foldable electronic device, such as a foldable cellular phone, which has a display device (second display device in the claims) that can be viewed in a folded state, although it can be applied to a device having only You can In the case of a foldable electronic device that also has a display device that can be viewed in the folded state, for example, a foldable cellular phone, it is advisable to provide detection means for detecting whether or not the foldable state is present. This is because when the detection means brings the display device into a folded state, the operation of the display device to be viewed in the opened state is stopped, and the display device to be viewed in the folded state is switched to another display device. Because it can be surely done.

When the detecting means detects the folded state, a predetermined initial screen is displayed on the display device (second display device) which is viewed in the folded state, and the jog dial is also displayed. The display content changes according to the operation of the device, and while operating the jog dial device while observing the display on the display device, the folding electronic device, for example, the jog dial device of the folding cellular phone can be operated to perform various operations. It is good to be able to let it. This is because, for example, even when the foldable cellular phone is folded, the foldable cellular phone can be made to exhibit various functions, and it is possible to select and determine the information to be obtained or change the environment settings etc. Because you can

[0020]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. 1 (A) to 1 (C) show the appearance of one embodiment in which the foldable electronic device of the present invention is applied to a foldable cellular phone. (A) shows the front surface side in an open state, B) shows the back side in the opened state, and (C) shows the folded state.

In the drawings, 1 is a main body, 2 is a lid, and 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a hinge portion that connects the main body portion 1 and the lid portion 2 in an openable and closable manner. A jog dial device 15 is provided on the axis line of the rotation axis of the hinge portion 16, as shown in FIG. As shown, the jog dial device 15 can be operated even in the folded state. As described above, the fact that the hinge portion 16 is provided with the drum-type jog dial device 15 is the greatest feature of the present folding cellular phone.

A plurality of key switches 4 are provided on the surface of the main body 1.
The operation unit 6 consisting of, a microphone 7, and a closing detection switch 1z are arranged. On the surface of the lid portion 2 (the surface facing the surface of the main body portion 1 when folded between itself and the main body portion 1), for example, an inner display device 8 including a liquid crystal display element, a speaker 9, and a closing detection protrusion 2z are provided. Has been done. The closing detection protrusion 2z and the closing detection switch 1z connect the lid 2 to the main body 1
The closing detection projection 2z is provided in such a positional relationship that the closing detection switch 1z can be pushed to be turned on when folded.

On the back side of the main body portion 1, a circuit board arrangement portion 10 is provided.
A battery storage unit 11 is provided, and an outer display device (a display device that is the front when the cellular phone is folded) 12 including, for example, a liquid crystal display element is disposed on the back side of the lid 2. The outer display device 12 displays information such as a clock display, battery level, incoming call number notification, warning from the cellular phone to the user, contact, etc., and further selects or determines the information to be obtained or the environment. One of the features of the present foldable cellular phone is that the necessary display can be made so that the jog dial device 15 can be operated so that the settings and the like can be changed.

That is, in the foldable cellular phone, the outside display device 12 displays the function selection screen in response to the designation from the circuit board housed in the circuit board housing part 10 by operating the jog dial device 15 at the time of folding. By switching and the user selecting / confirming the jog dial device 15 while looking at the display of the outer display device 12, the folded cellular phone can be driven and various functions can be realized. .

The functions that can be realized are listed below. 1. Play music, stop, fast forward, rewind, select songs, adjust volume. 2. Voice recorder function (recording, stopping, playing, stopping, fast-forwarding, rewinding, volume adjustment when recording an external sound source) 3. Radio (channel selection, AM / FM / short wave switching, volume adjustment) 4. Manner mode settings (Ring volume adjustment, vibe on /
(OFF, ring tone ON / OFF, message memo ON / OFF, manner mode switching, answering machine ON / OFF) 5. Key operation invalid 6. E-mail (reception of e-mail, display of e-mail content, selection / decision operation of e-mail, etc.) These functions will be described in detail later. These are merely examples of the functions that can be realized, and are not limited to these. is not.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the hinge portion 16 mounted so that the jog dial device 15 is located on the axis of the rotary shaft. Reference numeral 21 denotes a main body side housing, which includes a back half 21a and a front half 21b. Reference numeral 22 denotes a lid-side housing, which includes a back half 22a and a front half 22b. Reference numerals 23 and 23 denote bottomed engagement cylinders provided at the main body side housing 21 and closed at one end, and 24 and 24 denote lid side housing 22.
Of the engaging cylinders 23, 23 having open ends and the open inner ends of the engaging cylinders 24, 24. By rotatably engaging with each other, a pair of hinge portions 16 and 16 are configured, and the main body portion 1 and the lid portion 2 are openably and closably coupled.

The jog dial storage portion 25 for storing the jog dial device 15 is located between the pair of hinge portions 16 and 16, and the jog dial device 15 is connected to the hinge portions 16 and 16 by the connecting rotary shaft. It is arranged on the axis. 3 (A), (B)
3A shows a portion where the body 1 and the lid 2 are joined together and the rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15, and FIG. 6A shows a portion where the body 1 and the lid 2 are joined together and the jog dial device 15 rotates. A plan view showing the body 15a separated from above,
(B) is an enlarged perspective view of the engagement cylinder 23 and the jog dial storage portion 25 shown in (B) of FIG.

The engaging cylinders 23, 2 of the hinge portion 16
Flexible wiring (26) for electrically connecting the main body 1 side and the lid 2 side is passed through 3, 24, 24. 4A to 4D show the flexible wiring (2
6) is for explaining a state in which the engagement cylinders 23 and 24 of the hinge portion 16 are passed through, and FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a state in which the engagement cylinders 23 and 24 are rotatably coupled. (B) is a perspective view showing the flexible wiring (26), (C) is the engagement tube 2
3 is a perspective view showing the front half 23b, 24b of 24,
(D) is a perspective view showing the front halves 23a, 24a of the engagement cylinders 23, 24.

In the figure, 26 is a flexible wiring and 2 is
7 is a wiring board in the main body 1, 28 is a socket to which the wiring board 27 is connected, 29 is a wiring board in the lid 2, 30 is a socket to which the wiring board 29 is connected, and the flexible wiring 26 is Connect between sockets 28 and 30,
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the main body portion 1 and the lid portion 2 are connected to each other by being twisted and passed through the insides of the cylindrical engaging cylinders 23 and 24 which communicate with each other. . Incidentally, 23
Reference numerals c and 24c are coupling portions of the engagement cylinders 23 and 24 which are engaged with each other and coupled.

Basically, the main body 1 and the lid 2 can be connected to each other as described above.
In both cases, the casings 21 and 22 are made up of front halves 21b and 22b and rear halves 21a and 22a, and a tubular engagement tube 23 is shown in FIG.
The front half 23b shown in FIG. 4C and the back half 23a shown in FIG.
Is composed of a front half 24b shown in FIG. 4 (C) and a back half 24a shown in FIG. 4 (D), and is provided between the back half 21a and the front half 21 of the housing 21 of the main body side housing 1 and the lid. Back half 22a and front half 22b of the part-side housing 22
This is because a space through which the flexible wiring 26 can pass can be formed between the and.

Next, the jog dial device 15 attached to the jog dial storage portion 25 inside the hinge portion 16 is provided.
Will be described. FIGS. 5A and 5B are for explaining a support mode of one end portion of the drum-shaped rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are the other ends of the drum-shaped rotating body 15a. A description will be given of the manner in which the hinge portion is rotatable with respect to the hinge portion. First, with reference to FIG. 5, the manner in which one end portion of the drum rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15 is supported will be described.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a state in which one end of the drum rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15 is about to be supported by the supporting portion, and FIG. 5B is a structure on the side supporting the one end. It is an exploded perspective view showing. Reference numeral 32 denotes a receiving portion provided in the jog dial storage portion 25, which non-rotatably receives a receiving member (34) described later. 33e is an earth brush provided in the receiving portion 32, which is connected to an electronic circuit formed on the wiring board. Conductive film (50) described later of the drum-shaped rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15
Touch. The role of the earth brush 33e will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the reference numeral 34 designates a substantially tubular receiving member which is fitted into the receiving portion 32 from above so as to be non-rotatably and vertically movable. It has a groove 35 communicating with the central hole. The receiving member 34 is adapted to be fitted into the receiving portion 32 in the groove 35, and the earth brush 33e enters into the center hole of the substantially cylindrical receiving member 35 through the groove 35 and extends. The rotating body 15a can be brought into contact with the conductive film (50) described later.

The center hole of the substantially cylindrical receiving member 34 is the rotating body 1.
The diameter of the end portion of 5a is such that it can be rotatably fitted, and the cylindrical portion 3 is provided at the peripheral portion of the center hole of the surface on the side of the rotating body 15a.
6 is integrally formed in a protruding manner, and wavy concavities and convexities for a click feeling are formed on the tip end surface thereof. Reference numeral 37 is a guided projection provided on the surface of the receiving member 34 on the side opposite to the jog dial, which is fitted in a guide concave portion 38 formed in the back half 23a of the main body 1 side engaging cylinder 23 so as to be vertically movable, Therefore, it is guided in the vertical direction.

Next, the manner of supporting the other end of the drum rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a state where the other end portion of the drum rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15 is about to be supported by the support portion, and FIG. 6B shows the structure on the side supporting the one end portion. It is an exploded perspective view. Reference numeral 41 denotes a receiving portion provided in the jog dial storage portion 25, which is paired with the receiving portion 32 and non-rotatably receives a receiving member (43) described later. Reference numerals 33a and 33b are rotation detecting brushes provided in the receiving portion 41, which are connected to an electronic circuit formed on the wiring board, and have exposed stripes (50s) of a conductive film (50) described later of the rotating body 15a. Touch. The roles of the brushes 3a and 33b will be described later in detail together with the role of the ground brush 33e.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a tact switch provided on the outer side of the receiving portion 41, which is pushed and turned on when the receiving member (43) described below is lowered. This is operated when confirming the selection by the operation of the jog dial device 15. Reference numeral 43 denotes the receiving portion 41 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving member is a substantially tubular member that is fitted from above and is held so that it cannot rotate and can move up and down, and has a groove 44 that communicates with the central hole in the middle portion. The receiving member 43 has the groove 4
4, the brushes 33a and 33b are fitted into the central hole of the substantially cylindrical receiving member 43 through the groove 44, and the conductive film of the rotating body 15a ( It is possible to touch the exposed stripes (50s) of 50).

Reference numeral 45 denotes a guided projection provided on the surface of the receiving member 43 on the side opposite to the jog dial, which is a guide recess 46 formed in the back half 23b of the main body 1 side engaging cylinder 23.
(Not shown in FIG. 6; see FIG. 7) is fitted so as to be vertically movable, and is guided in the vertical direction. Reference numeral 47 denotes a push projection formed on the back surface of the receiving member 43, which is provided at a position corresponding to the tact switch 42, and when the rotating body 15a of the jog dial device 15 is pushed, the push projection 47 causes the tact switch 42. You can push it to turn it on.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the jog dial device 15 is housed in the jog dial housing portion 25. Here, the structure of the drum-shaped rotating body 15a forming the jog dial device 15 will be described. The rotating body 15a
Is a rotating shaft 51 having a conductive film 50 formed on substantially the entire circumference.
Is the core. By selectively forming an insulating film on the surface of the conductive film 50 of the rotating shaft 51, an exposed portion 50e for grounding that is in contact with the ground brush 33e is formed at one end.
Striped exposed portions 50s, 50s, ... In contact with the brushes a, b are formed at the other end.

The striped exposed portions 50s, 50s, ...
.. are formed so as to extend in the axial direction and are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of the stripe-shaped exposed portions 50s is set to be the same as the number of concave portions of the uneven portion on the end surface of the tubular portion 36. This is because the rotating body 15a can be rotated by one arrangement pitch of the striped exposed portion 50s by rotating one click.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a slightly large-diameter click-engaging engagement cylinder portion provided inside the end portion of the rotary shaft 51 on the receiving portion 34 side, and its tip 52a is the end surface of the tubular portion 36. There is a click feeling when the rotary body 15a of the jog dial device 15 is rotated by engaging with the wavy unevenness for click feeling, and the rotation angle is determined by the rotation angle determined by the formation pitch of the unevenness. .

Reference numeral 53 denotes a cylindrical operation portion externally fitted to the rotary shaft 51 including the click feeling engagement cylindrical portion 52, which has a large outer diameter as the rotating body 15a and further has a stripe-shaped concave portion on the outer peripheral surface. It is formed and plays a role of improving operability. The tubular operation portion 53 is exposed and operated outside.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are explanatory views of the principle of the jog dial device 15, and FIG. 8A is a rotary shaft 51 and a brush 33.
a and 33b are schematically shown, and (B) and (C) are rotation detection pulse diagrams when the rotation directions are different from each other. When the rotary shaft 51 is rotated by the rotating operation of the jog dial device 15, the exposed stripes 50s of the conductive film 50 and the brush 33a or 33 existing on the peripheral surface thereof.
The connection state with b changes and the brush 33a or 33b
And the electrical connection state between the ground brush 33e and the ground brush 33e change.

That is, the grounding exposed portion 50e, which is in contact with the grounding brush 33e, is exposed on the rotary shaft 51 over the entire circumference (over a rotation angle of 360 °), and the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 51 is determined. Regardless, the earth brush 33e and the earth exposed portion 50e are always in contact with each other. On the other hand,
Depending on the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 51, the brushes 33a and 33b may be in contact with the exposed stripes 50s, or may not be in contact with each other (contact with a portion of the rotating shaft 51 without the exposed stripes 50s).

The exposed stripes 5 of the brushes 33a and 33b
When in contact with 0s, the brushes 33a, 33b
Is electrically connected to the ground brush 33e, and when the exposed stripes 50s are not in contact with each other, there is no electrical connection between the brushes 33a and 33b and the ground brush 33e. For example, when there is electrical conduction, it becomes "high", when there is no electrical conduction, it becomes "low" (of course, on the contrary, when there is electrical conduction, it becomes "low", and when it does not exist, it becomes "high". If a pulse is obtained, the rotation of the rotary shaft 51 causes the rotation of the rotation shaft 51, for example, as shown in FIG.
Pulses Pa and Pb as shown in (B) and (C) are obtained.

Then, every time the rotary shaft 51 rotates by one arrangement pitch of the exposed stripes 50s, pulses Pa and Pb are generated.
Since one pulse is generated, the rotation amount of the rotary shaft 51 can be detected by counting the number of pulses Pa and Pb.

By the way, when the number of the brushes 33 which come into contact with the exposed stripes 50s or come into contact with the exposed stripes 50d by the rotation of the rotary shaft 51 is set to only one, the rotation amount of the rotary shaft 51 can be detected, but the rotation direction. Cannot be detected. Therefore, two brushes 33a and 33b are provided as such brushes, and the rotating shaft 51 of the brushes 33a and 33b is provided.
The interval of the contact position with is appropriately shifted. The amount of shift is appropriately smaller than the arrangement pitch of the exposed stripes 50s or slightly smaller than an integral multiple of the arrangement pitch.

If this is not the case, that is, if such a shift is not provided at the contact position, or if the shift amount is an integral multiple of the arrangement pitch even if it is provided, then the brush 3
The output pulse Pa depends on whether the 3a and the ground brush 32e are conductive or non-conductive (hereinafter referred to as “related to the brush 33a”), and whether the brush 33b and the ground brush 33e are conductive or non-conductive ( Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, "brush 32
b) ”. ) The output pulse becomes exactly the same (that is, rises at the same timing and falls at the same timing).

However, by appropriately shifting as described above, the output pulse Pa related to the brush 33a and the brush 32a.
The rising timing and the falling timing of the output pulse Pb relating to b are deviated. Then, the timing deviation differs depending on the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 51. Therefore, the rotation method can be detected by detecting the deviation of the timing.

The point will be described with reference to FIG.
In the case of FIG. 8A showing the case of one rotation direction, the output pulse Pb relating to the brush 3a falls after the output pulse Pb relating to the brush 33b falls, and there is a timing difference between them. That is the brush 3 mentioned above.
This is due to the above-described positional deviation provided between 3a and 33b.

By the way, when it is rotated in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned rotation direction, it becomes as shown in FIG. That is, since the rotation direction is opposite, the output pulse Pa falls after the output pulse Pa falls, contrary to the case shown in FIG. 8B.

Therefore, the rotation direction can be detected by detecting which of the output pulses Pa and Pb falls first in time. Therefore, by rotating the jog dial device 15, it is possible to input the rotation direction and the rotation amount.

Therefore, for example, it is possible to input the scroll direction of the cursor or the like by the rotation direction and the scroll amount by the rotation amount.
A device that detects the amount of rotation or the amount and direction of rotation is called a rotary encoder, and the jog dial device 15 includes a rotary encoder.

Further, (the cylindrical operation portion 53 of the rotary body 15a)
When pushing, the force is applied from the rotary shaft 51 to the receiving member 3.
4 and 43, the receiving members 34 and 43 descend,
Pushing protrusion 4 formed on the bottom surface of the receiving member 43
At 6, the tact switch 42 is pushed and turned on.
Then, by turning on the tact switch 42, the state already selected by the rotation direction and the rotation amount can be confirmed.

When the pushing force applied to the tubular operation portion 53 is removed, the original state is restored by, for example, the restoring spring force of the tact switch 42 itself. However,
If a spring is provided separately and the tubular operation portion 53 is pushed against the spring force of the spring, the tact switch 42
When the switch is turned on and the pushing force is removed, the spring force of the spring may restore the original state.

FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the foldable cellular phone. In the figure, 1
3 is an antenna, 62 is a transmission / reception circuit, 9 is a speaker, 7 is a microphone, 1z is a closing detection switch that detects when the lid 2 is folded into the main body 1, and 8 is the lid 2.
An inner display device provided on the front side of, for example, a liquid crystal display element, 12 an outer display device provided on the back side of the lid portion 2, for example, made of a liquid crystal display element, 67 indicates the display device 8, 1
2 is a display device drive circuit, 63 is a CPU (Centra)
l Processing Unit), 64 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs executed by the CPU 63,
Reference numeral 65 denotes a RAM (Random Acces Memory) that stores data necessary for the CPU 63 to execute programs and the like.
Is.

Reference numeral 15 is the above-mentioned jog dial device, and 66 is an input circuit for processing signals from each key switch, etc.
The signal of the tact switch 42 which constitutes the jog dial device 15 is also received and processed. 69 is a counter for counting (counting up, counting down) the output pulses of the jog dial device 15, 70 is a timer circuit, 7
A buffer 1 receives the output of the counter 69 and sends it to the CPU 63.

Next, the operation of the present folding cellular phone will be described. 1. When a signal is received by the antenna 13, the received signal is sent from the antenna 13 to the transmission / reception circuit 62, converted into an audio signal by the transmission / reception circuit 62, and converted by the speaker 9 into an audio signal. The voice received by the microphone 7 is converted into a voice signal by the microphone 7, converted into a transmission signal by the transmission / reception circuit 62, and transmitted from the antenna 13 to the outside of the foldable cellular phone.

The CPU 63 executes the program stored in the ROM 64 based on the data stored in the RAM 65 to perform processing such as making a call to the transmission / reception circuit 62.
Controls the entire foldable cellular phone. Therefore, when an input is made by operating the key switch 4 or the jog dial device 15 or the like, the input signal is processed and the corresponding process is performed, and the liquid crystal display is performed on the internal and external display devices 8 and 12. Of course, the CPU 63 also performs various displays via the device drive circuit 67.

In this case, the CPU 63 fetches the detection result by the close detection switch 1z, and based on the fetched detection result, when the foldable cellular phone is open, the display device 8 displays and when it is closed. Are displayed on the display device 12. The display by the display device 12 will be described in detail later.

2. As described above regarding the processing of the output (of the rotary encoder) of the jog dial device 15, the jog dial device 15 is provided with the rotary encoder and the tact switch 42, and when the jog dial device 15 is rotationally operated, the operation of the rotary encoder is performed. This sends a direction signal indicating the direction of rotation (up / down) and a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation to the counter 69, and when the jog dial device 15 is pushed, the tact switch 42 causes the input circuit to operate. A click signal is sent to 66.

When receiving the pulse signal, the counter 69 counts up or counts down the pulse signal according to the rotation direction, and sends a positive / negative signed count value to the buffer 71. Further, the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder is also sent to the timer circuit 70, and the timer circuit 70 starts its operation upon receiving the pulse signal, and after the start, measures a predetermined time, for example, 20 msec, and after that time elapses. A timer output is generated from the timer circuit 70. This timer output is C
It is input to PU 63 as an interrupt signal. Upon receiving this timer output as an interrupt signal, the CPU 63 immediately outputs a control signal for clearing it to the buffer 71, and outputs a control signal for shifting the count value of the counter 69 from the counter 69 to the buffer 71, Further, a control signal for resetting the count value is output to the counter 69.

By a series of operations when the CPU 63 is interrupted, the count value with a positive / negative sign output from the counter 69 is held in the buffer 71, and a predetermined process using the count value as data is performed by the CPU 63. Done in. Further, when the count value of the counter 69 is reset and all the bits become "0", the operation of the timer circuit 70 is stopped. Further, the click signal generated when the tact switch 42 is turned on is sent to the CP via the input circuit 66.
It is sent to U63 and processed there.

That is, the input of the rotation operation of the jog dial device 15 is performed every time the timer circuit 70 measures time, for example, every 20 msec.
It is possible to perform the input processing by the rotation operation of the jog dial device 15 without interfering with other processing by the above.

3. Display by Liquid Crystal Display Device 12 When Folded In the present folding type cellular phone, the operation portion of the jog dial device 15 is exposed to the back side even when the lid portion 2 is folded on the main body portion 1, and FIGS. It can be operated with the thumb as shown in. Then, in the folded state, the closing detection switch 1z is turned on to indicate that the folded state is present, and a signal indicating the folded state is sent to the CPU 63.

When the CPU 63 receives such a signal, the display operation by the inner liquid crystal display device 8 is stopped and the liquid crystal display by the outer liquid crystal display device 12 is performed. Screen A in FIG. 11 is an initial screen displayed by the liquid crystal display. In this initial screen A, the radio wave condition that serves as a material for determining whether communication is possible,
The current time and the remaining battery level are displayed.

With the initial screen A being displayed, the jog dial device 15 is pushed (see FIGS. 11 and 12).
Then, push operation is expressed by and rotation operation is expressed by. ) Then, the menu screen of screen B appears. In this example, the menu screen has six options [manner, e-mail, music, voice recorder, radio, clock (this clock corresponds to the back button in this menu, and when this is selected and confirmed, the initial screen B is returned). ] Appears, and one of the choices can be selected by the rotation operation, and the selection of the choice can be confirmed by the push operation.

The screen C in FIG. 11 is a screen that appears when the manners are selected and confirmed.
Select one of the options (adjust ringtone volume, turn on / off vibration, turn on / off memo, turn on / off voice mail) by rotating operation, and confirm the selection by pushing operation, and , Any control can be performed by rotation operation and push operation under the menu of the options.

In FIG. 12, when a voice recorder is selected in the state of screen B (screen D), a radio is selected (screen E), a clock (back button) is selected (screen A), an electronic mail is selected. The screens for each option are shown in the case of doing (screen F) and the case of selecting music (screen G).

As described above, in the present folding cellular phone, the jog dial device 15 can be operated even when folded, so that when the jog dial device 15 is operated in the folded state, the corresponding display is displayed on the outer liquid crystal display device 12. The foldable cellular phone is controlled while observing the display of the liquid crystal display device 12 outside the foldable cellular phone, so that the foldable cellular phone can be effectively used even in the folded state.

As shown in FIG. 10 (A), the jog dial device 15 faces upward, and the display by the outer display device 12 can be viewed vertically (that is, the display is on the side of the jog dial device 15 and the antenna 13 is up. The side may face downward), or conversely, as shown in FIG. 10B, the antenna 13 faces upward, and the display on the outer display device 12 can be viewed vertically. That is, the display may be oriented such that the antenna 13 side is up and the jog dial device 15 side is down. Furthermore, the up and down direction of the display may be switched by input.

[0071]

According to the folding type electronic device of the first aspect of the invention, since the jog dial device is arranged on the axis of the connecting rotary shaft of the two parts by the hinge part, the diameter of the drum-shaped rotating body can be controlled. The size of the foldable electronic device does not become a factor even if the size is required to secure the property, and therefore the foldable electronic device can be made thin.

According to the folding electronic device of the first aspect, it is necessary to form a concave portion for escaping the jog dial device in the other, which occurs when the jog dial device is provided in one of the two parts as in the conventional case. Disappears. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the problem that a dead space is generated due to the concave portion that escapes the jog dial device, and for example, the area for the display device is reduced.

According to the folding electronic device of claim 2,
Since the jog dial device can detect the rotation direction of the drum-shaped rotating body, the input value can be increased or decreased depending on the rotation direction, and the input can be diversified.

According to the folding electronic device of claim 3,
Since the jog dial device has the push detection means for detecting when the rotating body is pushed, the input can be made even in the mode of pushing the rotating body, and the input can be diversified. Therefore, for example, when one option is selected from a plurality of options by operating the rotating body of the rotating body, it becomes possible to confirm the selection by pushing the rotating body.

According to the folding electronic device of claim 4,
When in the folded state, the second display device is caused to display a predetermined display and the display can be switched according to the operation of the jog dial device. Therefore, the jog dial device can be operated while watching the display of the display device. Even when the folding electronic device is operated and folded, the jog dial device of the folding electronic device can be operated to cause the folding electronic device to perform various operations. Therefore, even when the foldable electronic device is folded, the foldable electronic device can exert various functions.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A to 1C are external views of one embodiment in which a folding electronic device of the present invention is applied to a folding cellular phone, and FIG. 1A shows a front surface side in an open state. , (B) show the back side in the opened state, and (C) show the folded state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a hinge portion on which the jog dial of the above embodiment is mounted.

3 (A) and 3 (B) show a portion where a main body portion and a lid portion are coupled to each other and a rotating body of a jog dial device.
(A) is a plan view showing a part where the main body part and the lid part are joined and the rotating body of the jog dial device, which are separated from each other, and (B).
[Fig. 6] is an enlarged perspective view of the engagement cylinder and the jog dial accommodating portion shown in B of (A), which is obliquely shown from above.

4A to 4D are views for explaining a state in which the flexible wiring of the above-described embodiment is passed through an engagement cylinder of a hinge portion, and FIG. 4A is a state in which the engagement cylinders are coupled to each other. Is a perspective view showing a flexible wiring, (C) is a perspective view showing a front half of the engagement cylinder, and (D) is a perspective view showing a front half of the engagement cylinder.

5 (A) and 5 (B) are for explaining the support of one end of the drum-shaped rotating body of the above-described embodiment, and FIG. 5 (A) shows that one end of the drum-shaped rotating body is attached to the supporting portion. It is a perspective view showing a state where it is going to be supported, and (B) is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the side which supports the above-mentioned one end.

6 (A) and 6 (B) are for explaining the support of the other end of the drum-shaped rotating body of the above-described embodiment, and FIG. It is a perspective view showing a state in which an end part is about to be supported, and (B) is an exploded perspective view showing a structure on a side supporting the other end part.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the jog dial device of the above embodiment is housed in a jog dial housing portion.

8A to 8C are explanatory views of the principle of the jog dial device of the above embodiment, FIG. 8A schematically shows a rotating shaft and a brush, and FIGS. It is a rotation detection pulse diagram in a different case.

FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of the folding cellular phone according to the embodiment.

10 (A) and 10 (B) are views showing different states of operating the jog dial device in a state where the folding cellular phone of the above embodiment is folded.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display of a part of a menu example by the second display device of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display of the remaining menu examples by the second display device of the above-mentioned embodiment.

13A to 13C show the appearance of a conventional example of a foldable cellular phone, where FIG. 13A shows the front side in an open state, and FIG. 13B shows the back side in an open state. Indicates
(C) shows a folded state.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body part, 1z ... Closure detection means, 2 ... Lid part, 8 ... 1st display device (inside display device seen at the time of an open state), 12 ... 2nd Display device (outside display device viewed when folded), 15 ... Jog dial device, 15a ... Rotating body, 16 ... Hinge part,
42 ... Push detection means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G09F 9/40 302 G09F 9/40 302 5K067 H01H 25/00 H01H 25/00 E H04M 1/247 H04M 1 / 247 H04Q 7/32 H04B 7/26 V (72) Inventor Shun Kayama 6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Higashi-Shioji Koji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture Higashiirinami Fudodou Town 801 Omron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobe Takka, Shiokyo-dori Horikawa, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Hiryu Minami Fudodocho Omron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Uchida Kaishi Kyoto 801 Furukawa Higashiiri Minami Fudodocho, Shiomoji-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan F-Term (reference) within OMRON Corporation (reference) 5B020 DD05 DD51 5C094 AA15 BA43 DA08 HA08 5G435 AA18 EE16 EE17 LL07 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 GG12 KK01 LL06 5K027 AA11 BB02 EE01 5K067 BB04 FF23 KK17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. The two parts can be rotatably connected to each other via a hinge part to be in a folded state or an open state. When a drum-shaped rotating body is rotated, at least the amount of rotation thereof is increased. A foldable electronic device equipped with a detectable jog dial device, characterized in that the jog dial device is arranged on the axis of a connecting pivot shaft of the two parts by the hinge part. machine. 2. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the jog dial device is configured to detect the rotation direction of the drum-shaped rotating body. 3. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the jog dial device has push detection means for detecting the push of the rotating body when the rotary body is pushed. 4. A first for viewing the two parts in an open state.
Display device, a second display device that is viewed in a folded state, and a detection unit that detects whether the two parts are in the open state or the folded state. When the detection means detects that there is a predetermined display on the second display device,
The display can be switched according to the operation of the jog dial device.
The foldable electronic device according to 2 or 3.