JP5684357B2 - Mobile device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal including an image display unit and a key operation unit.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the key operation unit of the portable terminal according to the technology related to the present invention.

  The key operation unit illustrated in FIG. 10 includes an operation key 101, a key operation unit housing panel 102, a keypad 103, a substrate 104, and an illumination LED 105.

  On the key operation unit housing panel 102, operation keys 101 including a numeric keypad, a cursor key, an enter key, a start key, an end key, a clear key, and a menu key are arranged. On the substrate 104, illumination LEDs 105 are arranged at positions corresponding to the operation keys 101. The key operation unit housing panel 102 and the substrate 104 are joined by sandwiching the keypad 103 therebetween.

  The operation key 101 can be used for various purposes such as dialing a telephone number, creating, deleting, sending or reading a message, writing an address to an address book, reading or removing from an address book, or switching between various menus. Used to perform various tasks.

  However, the configuration having operation keys has the following problems.

  The first problem is that it can be installed only with one type of design in which operation keys are determined, so dial operation, character input operation, application operation, etc. can only be used with the same key pattern, which is inconvenient in operability. . This was one of the reasons why elderly people could not use e-mail in addition to poor appearance changes.

  The second problem is inferior in illumination effect because light from the illumination LED arranged in the key operation unit is emitted only from the key button unit.

  The third problem is that it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the mobile terminal because there are many components.

  The fourth problem is that in order to prevent uneven illumination of the key operation unit, illumination LEDs corresponding to the respective operation keys must be installed, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost and power consumption of the illumination LEDs. It was.

  On the other hand, the above problem can be solved by using a touch panel as a portable terminal installed on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) of the image display unit.

  This configuration can solve the first problem because the operation is facilitated by displaying an optimum pattern for dial operation, character input operation, and application operation on the touch panel.

  In addition, this configuration enables a screen saver or the like having an illumination effect to be displayed on the image display unit, so that the appearance can be varied and the second problem can be solved.

  In addition, this configuration eliminates the need for operation keys and a large number of illumination LEDs, and thus can solve the third and fourth problems. Patent Document 1 discloses a screen input type display device that includes a touch panel on the front surface side of a scattering type liquid crystal display panel having a light source on the back surface, and the scattering type liquid crystal display panel and the light source are turned on when the liquid crystal display panel is turned off. Has been.

JP 2004-348204 A

  However, the configuration in which the touch panel is installed on the LCD of the image display unit is accompanied by display characteristic deterioration (luminance reduction, chromaticity deterioration, etc.) when passing through the touch panel even though an expensive LCD is used. The characteristic specifications of the LCD cannot be fully utilized.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal that is excellent in operability and illumination effect, can be thinned, can be reduced in cost and power consumption, and can fully utilize the characteristics of an image display unit. .

In order to achieve the above object, the portable terminal of the present invention
An image display unit for displaying an image;
A key operation unit that displays a display pattern according to the function and that can be input using the display pattern as an input key;
The key operation unit includes a transmission / diffusion variable film that transmits or diffuses light from a light source.

  The key operation part of the portable terminal of the present invention may have a touch panel provided by being laminated on a transmission / diffusion variable film.

  The portable terminal of the present invention may have a plurality of transmission / diffusion variable films, and each transmission / diffusion variable film may display a different display pattern.

The mobile terminal of the present invention is a mobile phone,
As a display pattern,
When the function for making a call is selected, a dial screen for making a call is displayed.
When the email creation function is selected, a screen with characters for email creation is displayed.
When an application function is selected, an operation key for an application may be displayed.

  The portable terminal of the present invention may be one in which light from the key operation unit is used as illumination.

  Moreover, the portable terminal of this invention may have a transparent window on the side surface of the casing of the portable terminal. In this case, light from the light source is emitted from the window, and the illumination effect is excellent.

  According to the present invention, the operability and the illumination effect are excellent, the thickness can be reduced, the cost and power consumption are suppressed, and the characteristics of the image display unit can be fully utilized.

It is a perspective view showing the external appearance perspective view of the portable terminal which is one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the basic composition of the key operation part of the portable terminal which is one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the basic composition of the key operation part which used the line light source as a light source. It is a perspective view showing the basic composition of the key operation part using a surface light source as a light source. It is a figure which shows typically the state of the transmission / diffusion of the light from a line light source or a surface light source in the transmission / diffusion film of this invention. It is a sectional side view of the key operation part which has the permeation | transmission / diffusion variable film which consists of a some permeation | transmission / diffusion variable layer. It is a figure which shows the example of the display pattern displayed on the screen of a key operation part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the key operation part of the portable terminal of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the portable terminal of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure in the case of utilizing the light which leaks from the side surface of a permeation | transmission / diffusion variable film as illumination. It is an external appearance perspective view of the mobile telephone by which the window was provided in the side surface. It is a disassembled perspective view of the key operation part of the portable terminal of the technique relevant to this invention.

  FIG. 1 a is an external perspective view of the portable terminal of this embodiment. 1b, 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the basic configuration of the key operation unit of the portable terminal of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the key operation unit for explaining transmission and diffusion of light from the light source.

  The mobile terminal 20 includes a housing 10, an image display unit 7, a key operation unit 8, and a memory 9. In addition, the light source 3, the control unit 8, and the memory 9 (see FIG. 8) are housed in the housing 10. The control unit 8 controls each function of the mobile terminal 20, displays the input key 4 a on the key operation unit 8, displays an image on the image display unit 7 according to the input from the input key 4 a, and controls the light source 3. Performs ON-OFF control. The memory 9 stores various setting values and the like.

  The image display unit 7 is configured by an LCD, an EL (Electro Luminescent) display, or the like, and displays, for example, a function selection key, a phone book, mail text, an image related to an application, and the like. As an image related to the application, for example, when the mobile terminal 20 has a camera function, an image recognized by the camera is displayed.

  The key operation unit 8 is configured by laminating the touch panel 1 on the transmission / diffusion variable film 2. The key operation unit 8 displays the display pattern 4 corresponding to the function, and the display pattern 4 can be input as the input key 4a. As the input key 4a, as will be described later, dial numbers, mail creation characters, application operation keys, and the like are displayed.

  The transmission / diffusion variable film 2 is encapsulated in a transparent film such as acrylic, for example, a liquid crystal material that changes the slope according to the voltage and a polymer material that randomly places the liquid crystal when no voltage is applied. ing. For example, PNLC (Polymer Network Liquid Crystal) can be applied to the transmission / diffusion variable film 2. PNLC diffuses light when voltage is applied and does not apply voltage, or diffuses light when voltage is applied and transmits light without voltage There is.

  The light source 3 may be arranged as a line light source on the side surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, or the transmission / diffusion as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B. You may arrange | position as a surface light source on the back surface of the diffusion variable film 2. FIG. When the light source 3 is provided on the back surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2, the thickness of the light source 3 is added to the thickness of the key operation unit 8. However, as long as the thickness of the portable terminal is not increased, the configuration in which the light source 3 is provided on the back surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 has an advantage that the entire screen can be irradiated uniformly. The light source 3 may be an LED or the like, and may be a line light source, or may be a point light source arranged at several locations (one or more locations) according to an image to be expressed.

  A display pattern 4 is formed on the transmission / diffusion variable film 2. When a voltage is applied, the light from the light source 3 is transmitted and the display pattern 4 cannot be visually recognized. In the state where no voltage is applied, the light is diffused in the display pattern 4 so that the display pattern 4 can be visually recognized.

  If the display pattern 4 is complicated and has several types, and only one type of transmission / diffusion variable film 2 cannot handle all the display patterns 4, the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 may be composed of a plurality of layers. Good. By using the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 composed of a plurality of layers, the key operation unit 8 can be expressed by several display patterns 4 according to applications. FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of the key operation unit 8 having a transmission / diffusion variable film composed of a plurality of transmission / diffusion variable layers. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 includes a first transmission / diffusion variable layer 2a and a second transmission / diffusion variable layer 2b. The first transmission / diffusion variable layer 2a and the second transmission / diffusion variable layer 2b form different display patterns 4, respectively. For example, the dial screen display pattern 4 shown in FIG. 6A is formed in the first transmission / diffusion variable layer 2a, and the second transmission / diffusion variable layer 2b is formed in FIG. 6B. A mail screen display pattern 4 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6B, Japanese characters are exemplified as the display pattern 4 on the mail screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and needless to say, may be alphabets or the like.

  Next, the operation of the key operation unit of the portable terminal according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the control block diagram shown in FIG.

  When the portable terminal 20 is not operated, the light source 3 is turned off (step S1). At this time, the control unit 8 may display a screen on the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 that can sufficiently exhibit the illumination effect like a screen saver. Further, although the light source 3 is OFF when not operated, a setting that turns on the light source 3 when the operation is started may be stored in the memory 9.

  When the mobile terminal 20, the image display unit 7 or the key operation unit 8 is touched, the display of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 is switched from the state in which the illumination effect is exhibited to the function selection screen (steps S2 and S7).

  Here, when the surroundings are bright (step S3), the control unit 8 turns off the light source 3 (step S4). On the other hand, when the surrounding is dark (step S5), the control unit 8 turns on the light source 3 (step S6). The light source 3 is turned ON / OFF by detecting ambient light using an illuminance sensor or the like mounted on the portable terminal, and storing a control pattern in the memory 9 such that the light is turned off when the surroundings are bright and turned on when the surroundings are dark. The control unit 8 may perform the control based on this control pattern. Further, the brightness of the light source 3 may be adjusted by the user himself / herself according to the surrounding illuminance environment. The ON / OFF switching of the light source 3 in accordance with the brightness of the surroundings effectively utilizes the good reflection characteristics of the display pattern 4 of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2, and a power saving effect can be expected.

  When the display of the key operation unit 8 is switched to the function selection screen, the time / battery remaining amount and the like are displayed on the screen of the key operation unit 8 in addition to the function selection key as the input key 4a (step S7). As the function selection keys, for example, selection keys for telephone call, mail creation, application use, and the like are displayed.

  A function to be displayed is touched and selected from the displayed function selection keys (step S8).

  When the user selects a function, the control unit 8 displays a key dedicated to the selected function on the key operation unit 8. For example, when the telephone call is selected, the control unit 8 causes the key operation unit 8 to display a dial screen on which numbers as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when mail creation is selected, the control unit 8 causes the key operation unit 8 to display a mail screen on which characters are arranged as shown in FIG. When an application included in the mobile terminal 20 is selected, the control unit 8 displays an operation key suitable for operating the application on the key operation unit 8.

  The key operation unit of the related technology shown in FIG. 10 has to input characters using a dial screen on which numbers are arranged even in the case of creating a document for mail. . In contrast, the mobile terminal 20 according to the present embodiment makes it easy to create a mail because a character input screen is displayed on the key operation unit 8 when a mail is created (step S10).

  In addition to the configuration described above, the present invention can be configured to use light leaking from the side surface portion of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2.

  FIG. 9a shows a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the key operation unit of the portable terminal when leaking light is used as illumination light. FIG. 9b shows a perspective view of the portable terminal of the present embodiment in which a window is formed on the side surface. In addition, in FIG. 9a, the housing | casing 10 of a portable terminal is shown with the broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 9 b, a transparent window 10 b is provided on the side surface 10 a of the mobile terminal 20. A key operation unit 8 having a touch panel and a transmission / diffusion variable film 2 is accommodated in the housing 10. Light enters the arrow A direction from the side surface (left side in the figure) of the key operation unit. Then, the light is guided through the transmission / diffusion variable film 2, and part of the light is diffused by the display pattern 4 of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2. A part of the light is transmitted to the front and back of the screen, but a part of the light leaks from the side surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 (arrow B in the figure). Therefore, the side surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 is positioned on the side surface part of the housing 10 or a transparent window 10b is provided on the side surface 10a of the housing 10 so that the direction of the arrow B from the side surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 Light that leaks into the housing 10 can be used as illumination light on the side surface of the housing 10.

  As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

  The first effect of the present invention is that the key pattern to be displayed can be changed according to the function, so that it is excellent in operability and rich in changes in appearance.

  The second effect of the present invention is that an illumination effect can be exhibited by combining the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 with a light source 3 such as a colorful LED.

  Since the 3rd effect of this invention becomes a device structure which mainly has a thin film, the portable terminal 20 can be reduced in thickness.

  Since the 4th effect of this invention utilizes the light guide property of the permeation | transmission / diffusion variable film 2, the number of LED lamps used as the light source 3 can be decreased, and cost and power consumption can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the present invention obtains the first to fourth effects by using the touch panel 1 and the transmission / diffusion variable film 2 provided in the key operation unit 8. That is, since the touch panel 1 is not provided in the image display unit 7, the image display unit 7 is not accompanied by display characteristic deterioration such as luminance reduction and chromaticity deterioration when passing through the touch panel 1. Therefore, the present invention can make full use of the characteristic specifications of the LCD in the image display unit 7.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Touch panel 2 Diffusion variable film 2a Diffusion variable layer 2b Diffusion variable layer 3 Light source 4 Display pattern 7 Image display part 8 Key operation part 9 Memory 10 Case 10a Side face 10b Window 20 Mobile terminal

Claims (7)

A key operation unit that displays a display pattern according to the function and is capable of input operation using the display pattern as an input key;
An image display unit for displaying an image according to an input from the key operation unit;
A light source,
The key operation unit includes a plurality of transmission / diffusion variable films stacked on each other to display the display pattern by transmitting or diffusing light from the light source according to the orientation of liquid crystal that changes according to voltage, and the transmission / diffusion film. A touch panel laminated on the diffusion variable film,
Each of the transmission / diffusion variable films displays the display pattern different from each other,
The light source is commonly used for the plurality of transmission / diffusion variable films ,
The light source is a linear light source;
The line light source is a mobile terminal disposed on a side surface of the transmission / diffusion variable film . The mobile terminal is a mobile phone;
As the display pattern,
When the function for making a call is selected, a dial screen for making a call is displayed.
When the email creation function is selected, a screen with characters for email creation is displayed.
The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein an operation key for the application is displayed when an application function is selected.   The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein light from the key operation unit is used as illumination.   The transparent window which emits some light from the said light source outside is provided in the side surface adjacent to the surface where the said display pattern is displayed of the said portable terminal, The any one of Claim 1 to 3 The portable terminal according to item.   The transmission / diffusion variable film includes a liquid crystal material whose orientation is changed by voltage and a polymer material which randomly aligns the liquid crystal material when no voltage is applied. The portable terminal as described in. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an illuminance sensor which detects illuminance around the portable terminal. The mobile terminal according to claim 6 , further comprising a control unit that controls ON / OFF of the light source according to the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor.