JP2010238078A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal capable of preventing operation not intended by a user, and capable of suppressing power consumption when the user does not use the mobile terminal. <P>SOLUTION: When a touch screen 12 detects contact, a timer 24 starts to start clocking. A control unit 22 acquires contact position coordinates, and lights illumination of the touch screen 12. A main control unit 20 performs range setting of an area with the acquired position coordinates as a center, as an erroneous detection area. The control unit 22 monitors presence of the contact at a prescribed period, and acquires the position coordinates every time the contact is present. When not detecting the contact or when coming off the erroneous detection area, the main control unit 20 stops the timer 24 and resets a measurement time. When keeping on detecting the contact, when the position coordinates acquired by the control unit 22 is present inside the erroneous detection area, and when the timer 24 passes a prescribed time, the touch screen control unit 22 turns off a light and annuls input operation to the touch screen 12, and the main control unit 20 makes a function of a mobile phone 1 sleep. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, and more particularly to a mobile terminal provided with a touch panel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are known that have a touch panel mounted on their display units. Such a touch panel combines a touch sensor formed by pressure change or capacitance change and a display unit, for example, by directly touching a screen on which menu items are displayed on a menu screen that requires an operation, The item corresponding to the touched position is selected. A method is also known in which a user moves an object such as a finger or a touch pen on a touch panel and scrolls in accordance with the movement of the object.

  In a portable terminal having a touch panel, while the touch sensor of the touch panel is reacted by a user's contact operation or the like, the power of the portable terminal is consumed by the touch panel itself or the LED for displaying the touch panel. If there is no input for a certain period of time, the LED for touch panel display automatically turns off and the input from the touch panel becomes invalid, and there are some portable terminals that can save power, but usually input on the touch panel continues As long as the function of the touch panel itself is effective and the LED for touch panel display is also lit, power is consumed. When the user intends to perform an input operation from the touch panel, it is unavoidable, but there is a possibility that wasteful power may be consumed by an input operation not intended by the user.

  In Patent Document 1, when there is no input to the touch panel, power is supplied only to the touch panel and the touch panel control unit, and when there is input to the touch panel, power is supplied to the entire system to save power. It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-056885

  For example, after a user operates a mobile terminal having a touch panel, the mobile terminal may be put in a pocket or bag before input from the touch panel becomes invalid, and an object may touch the touch panel of the mobile terminal. At this time, when the touch sensor reacts by mistake because the operation on the touch panel is not locked, not only does the operation not intended by the user occur, but also the touch panel display LED remains lit. , Useless power is consumed.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a portable terminal that can prevent an operation that is not intended by the user and can reduce power consumption when the user does not use the device.

  A portable terminal according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays image information, a contact input unit that performs input to the display unit by contact, a contact detection unit that detects input from the contact input unit, and the contact detection unit. When the position coordinate acquisition unit that periodically acquires the position coordinates of the display unit detected in Step 1, the time measurement unit that measures the contact time during which the input is detected by the contact detection unit, and the time measurement unit starts measuring time From the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition unit, an area setting unit that sets a predetermined area, and even if the contact time measured by the time measuring unit passes a predetermined time, the position coordinate acquisition unit When the position coordinates acquired periodically are within a predetermined region set by the region setting unit, the image information display on the display unit is terminated and the input on the contact input unit is invalidated And a power saving control unit. That.

  According to the mobile terminal of the present invention, an operation unintended by the user can be prevented, and power consumption when the user does not use can be suppressed.

(A) is a perspective view of the open state of the mobile phone according to one embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a perspective view of the closed state of the mobile phone. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram of the touchscreen of the mobile telephone in the operation | movement which sets a misdetection area | region and discriminate | determines a misdetection in embodiment same as the above. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which sets a false detection area | region and discriminate | determines a false detection in embodiment same as the above. The schematic diagram of the touch screen of the mobile telephone in the operation | movement which discriminate | determines a false detection in the fixed area of a touch screen in embodiment same as the above. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which discriminate | determines an erroneous detection in the fixed area of a touch screen in embodiment same as the above. The schematic diagram of the touch screen of a mobile telephone in the operation | movement which discriminate | determines a false detection using the area | region of the operation button currently displayed on the touch screen in embodiment same as the above. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which discriminate | determines a false detection using the area | region of the operation button currently displayed on the touch screen in embodiment same as the above.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1A and 1B are perspective views of a mobile phone 1 to which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1A shows an open state and FIG. 1B shows a closed state. In the cellular phone 1, a rectangular plate-shaped upper casing 10 and a lower casing 11 having substantially the same shape as the upper casing 10 are stacked so as to cover one surface in a closed state. It is formed by. The upper housing 10 and the lower housing 11 are coupled so as to be slidable by a predetermined length in a predetermined direction (X direction in FIG. 1). By sliding the slider, it is deformed from the closed state to the open state, or from the open state to the closed state.

  On the outer surface of the upper housing 10 (the surface not facing the lower housing 11), a touch screen 12 (display unit, contact input unit, contact detection unit) for displaying data and inputting data by contact, voice is displayed. A speaker 13 for outputting and a microphone 14 for collecting sound are provided. The touch screen 12, the speaker 13, and the microphone 14 are provided so as to be exposed to the outside regardless of whether the cellular phone 1 is closed or opened. Therefore, even when the cellular phone 1 is closed or opened, the user can visually recognize the screen of the touch screen 12 or make a call using the cellular phone 1.

  On the inner surface of the lower housing 11 (the surface facing the upper housing 10), a plurality of operation keys 15 are provided for the user to input instructions when pressed. When the cellular phone 1 is in a closed state, these operation keys 15 are covered with the upper casing 10 and are not exposed to the outside. When the upper casing 10 is slid with respect to the lower casing 11 and the cellular phone 1 is deformed to the open state, the operation key 15 is exposed to the outside, and the user inputs an instruction via the operation key 15. can do.

  The touch screen 12 has a function of displaying data and inputting data by touch. The touch screen 12 has a display function for displaying display data including characters, images, and the like, and an input function for inputting an instruction by detecting the position of the touch when the user touches the screen with a finger or a dedicated pen. It is a display with both functions.

  The touch screen 12 is formed by, for example, arranging a plurality of elements for detecting contact on the surface on a display, and further laminating a transparent screen thereon. The method for detecting contact on the touch screen 12 may be a pressure-sensitive method for detecting a change in pressure, an electrostatic method for detecting an electric signal due to static electricity, or other methods.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile phone 1. The mobile phone 1 includes a main control unit 20 (region setting unit, power saving control unit), a power supply circuit unit 21, a touch screen control unit 22 (position coordinate acquisition unit), a timer 24 (time measuring unit), a voice control unit 25, and a communication. The control unit 26, the storage unit 27, and the information storage medium 28 are configured to be communicable with each other via a bus.

  The power supply circuit unit 21 includes a power supply source (battery or the like), switches the power supply ON / OFF state of the mobile phone 1 based on an input via a predetermined operation key, and supplies the power supply source when the power supply is in the ON state. Then, power is supplied to each unit to enable the mobile phone 1 to operate.

  The touch screen control unit 22 includes an input interface and a display interface for the touch screen 12. When the touch screen 12 detects the contact of the object, the touch screen control unit 22 turns on the touch screen 12 as a “Press event”, acquires the position coordinates where the touch has occurred, and transmits the position coordinates to the main control unit 20. When the object that has been in contact with the touch screen 12 leaves, the touch screen control unit 22 deletes the position coordinates acquired at the time of the contact by performing a “Release event”. Further, for example, when the user's finger is traced in any direction while being in contact with the touch screen 12, the touch screen control unit 22 acquires the contact position coordinates of the traced start point and end point as a “trace event” and acquires the main control unit 20. Transmit to.

  Further, the touch screen control unit 22 displays document data, image data, and the like on the touch screen 12 based on the control of the main control unit 20.

  When the timer 24 detects contact with the touch screen 12, the timer 24 starts and times.

  The touch screen control unit 22 turns on the illumination of the touch screen 12 when data is displayed on the touch screen 12 or when communication is performed when an input with the operation key 15 or a touch input on the touch screen 12 is performed. Let In addition, when there is no input from the operation key 15 or the touch screen 12 and no communication is performed and the timer 24 passes for a predetermined time, the touch screen control unit 22 turns off the illumination of the touch screen 12, and the touch screen 12 The input operation is invalidated, and the function of the mobile phone 1 is set to sleep until the next input from the operation key 15 is received.

  The sound control unit 25 generates an analog sound signal from the sound collected by the microphone 14 based on the control of the main control unit 20, and converts the analog sound signal into a digital sound signal. Further, when acquiring the digital audio signal, the audio control unit 25 converts the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal based on the control of the main control unit 20 and outputs the analog audio signal as audio from the speaker 13.

  Based on the control of the main control unit 20, the communication control unit 26 performs spectrum despreading processing on the received signal received from the base station via the antenna 26a and restores the data. This data is transmitted to the voice control unit 25 and output from the speaker 13 according to an instruction from the main control unit 20, transmitted to the touch screen control unit 22, displayed on the touch screen 12, or recorded in the storage unit 27. Or In addition, the communication control unit 26 acquires sound data collected by the microphone 14, data input via the touch screen 12, and data stored in the storage unit 27 based on the control of the main control unit 20. These data are subjected to spread spectrum processing and transmitted to the base station via the antenna 26a.

  The storage unit 27 serves as a work area for the main control unit 20 and the communication control unit 26, and the function can be realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like. In addition, the touch screen 12 detects contact and temporarily stores the position coordinate data acquired by the touch screen control unit 22.

  The information storage medium 28 (a computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, and the like, and the function can be realized by a hard disk, a memory (ROM: Read Only Memory), or the like. The information storage medium 28 stores a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute processing of each unit), a plurality of applications, and the like.

  The main control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), performs overall control of the mobile phone 1, and performs various other arithmetic processing and control processing. The function of the main control unit 20 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), and programs. The main control unit 20 performs various processes of the present embodiment based on a program (data) stored in the information storage medium 28.

  When the main control unit 20 starts an arbitrary application stored in the information storage medium 28, the main control unit 20 transmits the event (described above) transmitted from the touch screen control unit 22 by touching the touch screen 12. "Press event", "Release event", and "Trace event") are converted to correspond to each application, and the application is operated to perform a predetermined processing operation. Specifically, the “Press event” when a predetermined position on the touch screen 12 is pressed corresponds to changing the button display color at the pressed position, and “Release” is separated from the pressed position on the touch screen 12. An example of “event” corresponds to starting a process for displaying a pressed button.

<Example>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an operation of detecting contact with the touch screen 12 in the mobile phone 1 having the above-described configuration, setting an erroneous detection region, and determining erroneous detection will be described.

In the schematic diagram of the touch screen 12 in FIG. 3 and the flowchart in FIG. 4, when an object such as a user's finger or a touch pen contacts the touch screen 12 and the touch screen 12 detects contact (step S101), the timer 24 starts. To start timing (step S103). Further, the touch screen control unit 22 acquires the touched position coordinates (x _a1 , y _a1 ) as a “Press event” (step S104), and turns on the illumination of the touch screen 12.

Next, as indicated by the dotted frame in FIG. 3, the main control unit 20 sets a range centered on the position coordinates (x _a1 , y _a1 ) acquired in step S104 as an “false detection region” and stores the storage unit 27. (Step S105). For example, when the size of the touch screen 12 is (vertical A pixel × horizontal B pixel), the erroneous detection region is about 10% of the screen (touch screen 12) size. (Set the range so that x _a1 ± 0.05A, y _a1 ± 0.05B).

Next, the touch screen control unit 22 monitors the presence or absence of contact with the touch screen 12 at a predetermined cycle, for example, every few seconds (step S107). When the touch screen 12 detects contact, the touch screen control unit 22 acquires position coordinates (x _a2 , y _a2 ), (x _a3 , ya ₃ ).

  In step S107, when the touch screen 12 no longer detects contact (the touched object has left the touch screen 12) (“Yes” in step S109), the main control unit 20 sets a timer as a “Release event”. 24 is stopped and the measurement time is reset (step S113).

Further, when the touch screen 12 detects contact in step S107, but the position coordinates acquired by the touch screen control unit 22 deviate from the erroneous detection region set in step S105 ("No" in step S111, FIG. 3). (X _an , y _an )), the main control unit 20 stops the timer 24 and resets the measurement time as a “trace event” (step S113).

  After the timer 24 is stopped and reset in step S113, when contact is detected at another position coordinate of the touch screen 12, the timer 24 returns to step S101 and starts timing again.

In step S107, the touch screen 12 continues to detect contact (“No” in step S109), and the position coordinates acquired by the touch screen control unit 22 in step S107 are within the false detection region set in step S105 (in step S111). “Yes”, the position coordinates in FIG. 3 are (x _am , y _am )), and when the timer 24 exceeds a predetermined time (“Yes” in step S115), the erroneous detection area of the touch screen 12 is continuously pressed. It is considered that the error detection area is being touched intermittently or in an extremely short cycle, and the operation is not intended by the user. At this time, the touch screen control unit 22 turns off the touch screen 12, invalidates the input operation by the touch screen 12 (step S117), and the main control unit 20 causes the function of the mobile phone 1 to sleep.

  If the timer 24 has not exceeded the predetermined time (“No” in step S115), the process returns to step S107, and the touch screen control unit 22 continues to monitor the presence or absence of contact with the touch screen 12.

<Application example 1>
As an application example 1 for determining erroneous detection, an operation for determining erroneous detection in a fixed area of the touch screen 12 is shown in a schematic diagram of the touch screen 12 in FIG. 5 and a flowchart in FIG. In FIG. 5, the contact detection range on the touch screen 12 is divided into several areas and stored in the storage unit 27 (step S201). In the example of FIG. 5, it is divided into 12 areas A to L. Next, when an object such as a user's finger or a touch pen comes into contact with the touch screen 12 and the touch screen 12 detects contact (step S203), the timer 24 is activated and starts counting time (step S205). Further, the touch screen control unit 22 acquires the touched position coordinates (x _b1 , y _b1 ) and the area on the touch screen 12 (area “E” in FIG. 5) as a “Press event” (step S207), and touches it. The screen control unit 22 turns on the illumination of the touch screen 12.

Next, the touch screen control unit 22 monitors the presence or absence of contact with the touch screen 12 at a predetermined cycle, for example, every few seconds (step S209). When there is a touch on the touch screen 12, the touch screen control unit 22 makes the position coordinates (x _b2 , y _b2 ), (x _b3 , y _b3 )... And the area on the touch screen 12 at each position coordinate. Is acquired and stored in the storage unit 27.

  In step S209, when the touch screen 12 no longer detects contact (the touched object has left the touch screen 12) (“Yes” in step S211), the main control unit 20 sets a timer as a “Release event”. 24 is stopped and the measurement time is reset (step S219).

Further, when the touch screen 12 detects contact in step S209, but the area at the position coordinates acquired by the touch screen control unit 22 is different from the area acquired in step S207 (“No” in step S213, FIG. 5). The position coordinates of (x _bn , y _bn ) and the area are “J”), the main control unit 20 stops the timer 24 and resets the measurement time as a “trace event” (step S219).

  After the timer 24 is stopped and reset in step S219, when contact is detected at another position coordinate of the touch screen 12, the timer 24 returns to step S203 and starts timing again.

In step S209, the touch screen 12 continues to detect contact (“No” in step S211), and the areas in the position coordinates acquired by the touch screen control unit 22 in step S209 are the same (“Yes” in step S213), FIG. (X _bm , y _bm ), the area is “E”), and when the timer 24 exceeds a predetermined time (“Yes” in step S215), among the areas on the touch screen 12 determined in advance, It is considered that the specific area is continuously pressed down or is touched intermittently in a very short cycle, and it is considered to be a false detection that is not an operation intended by the user. At this time, the touch screen control unit 22 turns off the touch screen 12, invalidates the input operation to the touch screen 12 (step S217), and the main control unit 20 causes the function of the mobile phone 1 to sleep.

  If the timer 24 has not exceeded the predetermined time (“No” in step S215), the process returns to step S209, and the touch screen control unit 22 continues to monitor the touch screen 12 for contact.

<Application example 2>
As an application example 2 for discriminating erroneous detection, an operation for discriminating erroneous detection using an operation button area displayed on the touch screen 12 is shown in a schematic diagram of the touch screen 12 in FIG. 7 and a flowchart in FIG.

  The main control unit 20 controls the information processing medium 28 in the area of the currently running application, such as operation buttons currently displayed on the touch screen 12 and position information, in the example of FIG. ”And“ WEB ”button areas and position information are requested and acquired (step S301).

Next, when an object such as a user's finger or a touch pen comes into contact with the touch screen 12 and the touch screen 12 detects contact (step S303), the timer 24 is activated and starts counting time (step S305). Further, the touch screen control unit 22 acquires the touched position coordinates (x _c1 , y _c1 ) as a “Press event” (step S 307), and turns on the illumination of the touch screen 12.

Next, the main control unit 20 uses the position coordinates (x _c1 , y _c1 ) acquired in step S307 to display the currently displayed “mail”, “menu”, and “WEB” operation buttons acquired in step S301. It is judged whether it is in any one area (step S309). When the position coordinates (x _c1 , y _c1 ) are present in the area of the “mail” operation button, for example (“Yes” in step S309), the main control unit 20 changes the area of the “mail” operation button to the “false detection area”. The range is set as “and stored in the storage unit 27 (step S311). If the position coordinates (x _c1 , y _c1 ) do not exist in any operation button area of “mail”, “menu”, and “WEB” currently displayed (“No” in step S309), step Return to S303.

Next, the touch screen control unit 22 monitors the presence or absence of contact with the touch screen 12 at a predetermined cycle, for example, every few seconds (step S313). When there is contact with the touch screen 12, the touch screen control unit 22 acquires position coordinates (x _c2 , y _c2 ), (x _c3 , y _c3 ).

  In step S313, when the touch screen 12 no longer detects contact (the touched object has left the touch screen 12) (“Yes” in step S315), the main control unit 20 sets a timer as a “Release event”. 24 is stopped and the measurement time is reset (step S319).

If the touch screen 12 detects contact in step S313, but the position coordinates acquired by the touch screen control unit 22 deviate from the erroneous detection area set in step S311 ("No" in step S317, FIG. 7). (X _cn , y _cn )), the main control unit 20 stops the timer 24 and resets the measurement time as a “trace event” (step S319).

  After the timer 24 is stopped and reset in step S319, when contact is detected at another position coordinate of the touch screen 12, the timer 24 returns to step S301 and starts timing again.

In step S313, the touch screen 12 continues to detect contact (“No” in step S315), and the position coordinates acquired by the touch screen control unit 22 in step S313 are within the erroneous detection region set in step S311 (in step S317). “Yes”, the position coordinates in FIG. 7 are (x _cm , y _cm )), and when the timer 24 exceeds the predetermined time (“Yes” in step S321), the erroneous detection area of the touch screen 12 is continuously pressed. It is considered that the error detection area is being touched intermittently or in an extremely short cycle, and the operation is not intended by the user. At this time, the touch screen control unit 22 turns off the touch screen 12, invalidates the input operation to the touch screen 12 (step S323), and the main control unit 20 causes the function of the mobile phone 1 to sleep.

  If the timer 24 has not exceeded the predetermined time (“No” in step S321), the process returns to step S313, and the touch screen control unit 22 continues to monitor whether the touch screen 12 is touched.

  As described above, when the touch screen 12 senses contact continuously in a predetermined time within a predetermined false detection area or a specific area on the touch screen 12, for example, the mobile phone 1 is in the bag and the touch is detected. Since the screen 12 is in contact with another object, it is considered an erroneous detection that is not an operation intended by the user. Therefore, the touch screen control unit 22 turns off the touch screen 12 and the main control unit 20 puts the function of the mobile phone 1 to sleep so that useless power consumption can be eliminated.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the erroneous detection area is rectangular, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the erroneous detection area may be circular. Further, the specification may be made such that the input operation of the touch screen 12 is invalidated and the function of the mobile phone 1 is made to sleep when there is no “Release event” within a predetermined time without setting a false detection area.

  Further, as the description of the present invention, the mobile phone 1 has been described, but not limited thereto, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), portable music player, portable video camera, portable game machine, LED, etc. Any mobile terminal may be used as long as the mobile terminal includes the information notification unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile phone, 12 ... Touch screen, 13 ... Speaker, 14 ... Microphone, 15 ... Operation key, 20 ... Main control part, 21 ... Power supply circuit part, 22 ... Touch screen control part, 24 ... Timer, 25 ... Voice control 26, communication control unit, 26a, antenna, 27, storage unit, 28, information storage medium.

Claims (5)

A display for displaying image information;
A contact input unit for performing input by contact with the display unit;
A contact detection unit for detecting an input in the contact input unit;
A position coordinate acquisition unit that periodically acquires the position coordinates of the display unit detected by the contact detection unit;
A timing unit that counts the contact time during which an input is detected by the contact detection unit;
An area setting unit that sets a predetermined area from the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition unit when the time measurement unit starts timing,
Even if the contact time measured by the time measuring unit passes a predetermined time, the position coordinates periodically acquired by the position coordinate acquiring unit are continuously within a predetermined region set by the region setting unit. A power saving control unit that terminates image information display on the display unit and invalidates input on the contact input unit;
A portable terminal comprising: The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the power saving control unit stops timing of the timing unit when the contact detection unit no longer detects an input. The power saving control unit, when the position coordinate acquired by the position coordinate acquisition unit is outside a predetermined region set by the region setting unit, stops the timing of the time measuring unit. 1. The mobile terminal according to 1. The contact input unit is divided into a plurality of areas,
The power saving control unit
From the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition unit when the time measurement unit starts measuring time, the area is acquired,
Even if the contact time measured by the time measuring unit passes a predetermined time, if the position coordinates periodically acquired by the position coordinate acquiring unit are continuously within the same area, the display unit 2. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the display of the image information is terminated and the input at the contact input unit is invalidated. The power saving control unit
Acquiring a plurality of operation button areas displayed on the display unit;
The position coordinate acquired by the position coordinate acquisition unit when the time measurement unit starts timing is within the area of the arbitrary operation button, and the contact time measured by the time measurement unit has passed a predetermined time. However, if the position coordinates periodically acquired by the position coordinate acquisition unit are continuously within the same operation button region, the display of the image information on the display unit is terminated, and the contact input unit 2. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the input of is invalidated.

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