JP5780575B2 - Display device and information display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device and an information display device, and more particularly to a display suitable for use in an information display device such as a mobile phone.

  In recent years, in mobile phones, the size of displays has been increased in order to display more information. In connection with this, the size of the casing of the mobile phone is also increased. However, if the display is further increased in size, the portability of the housing may be impaired. That is, from the viewpoint of portability, it is preferable that the casing is smaller and lighter, and in designing a mobile phone, there is a problem of how to balance the size of the display and the casing.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 describe a technique for solving this problem (a technique for increasing the size of the display and suppressing an increase in the housing size).

  Among these, in the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, the casing provided with one display and the lid provided with the other display on the back surface are connected so as to be openable and closable. When in the open state, both displays function as one display.

  In addition, in the mobile phone described in Patent Document 2, two or three displays are connected so as to be openable and closable or slidable so that information can be displayed in a multifaceted manner.

  Further, in the computer described in Patent Document 3, a plurality of displays are connected so as to be foldable so as to form a single large display when deployed.

  Furthermore, in the mobile phone described in Patent Document 4, a main housing provided with one display and a pair of sub-housings provided with other displays are connected so as to form a double-opening shape, Thus, when the sub-housing is in the open state, each display functions as an individual display.

  However, in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above, another problem that the user has to perform an unfolding operation on the display when displaying information (in other words, the unpacking operation is troublesome and unusable for the user). )was there.

  For example, Patent Document 5 discloses a mobile phone that addresses this problem. This mobile phone is connected to a main casing provided with a first display, one edge of the main casing so as to be openable and closable via a hinge, and the second and third displays on the front and back surfaces. And a sub-housing provided respectively. When the sub-housing is in the closed state, information is displayed on the second display, and when the sub-housing is in the open state, the information is enlarged and displayed on the first and third displays.

JP-A-9-247250 JP 2008-28969 A JP-A-7-230250 JP 2009-260593 A JP 2001-237933 A

  However, the above Patent Document 5 has a problem that usability for the user is not sufficiently improved. The first reason is that the weight is biased to the side where the hinge is provided when the display is developed. In this case, inconvenience arises in the balance when the user holds the mobile phone by hand. The second reason is that the display is extremely protruded from the casing during deployment. In this case, the display may collide with surrounding objects and be damaged.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device and an information display device that are more convenient to use.

  In order to achieve the above object, a display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pair of first display and a pair of edge portions of the first display that are connected to each other so as to be openable and closable via hinges. A second display. The second display is provided with a display surface on each of its front and back surfaces, and when in the closed state, forms a first display surface covering the display surface of the first display, When in the open state, a second display surface is formed together with the display surface of the first display.

  In addition, an information display device according to an aspect of the present invention provides the display device, a detection unit that detects an open / close state of the second display, and the first display surface according to the detection of the closed state. Display means for displaying information and displaying information on the second display surface in response to detection of the open state.

  According to the present invention, the usability for the user can be significantly improved as compared with the above-mentioned Patent Document 5. The first reason is that the weight balance when the display is developed is excellent. The second reason is that the possibility of the display colliding with surrounding objects can be reduced.

It is the perspective view which showed the structural example of the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the structural example of the sub display used for the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structural example of the information display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the detection means of the open / closed state of a sub display used for the information display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the fragmentary sectional view which showed an example of the expansion operation means of a sub display used for the information display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the example of a display process in the information display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of a display device according to the present invention and an information display device to which the display device is applied will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted as necessary for the sake of clarity.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a main display 11 and a pair of sub-displays 12L and 12L (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as reference numeral 12). As an example, the sub-displays 12L and 12L are connected to the left and right edge portions of the main display 11 (edge portions corresponding to the left and right directions of the display surface of the main display 11) via a hinge 13.

  Display surfaces are provided on the front and back surfaces of the sub display 12, respectively. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the sub-display 12 can be easily configured using a pair of liquid crystal panels 121_1 and 121_2, a pair of backlight modules 122_1 and 122_2, and a housing frame 123. Among these, the backlight modules 122_1 and 122_2 irradiate light from the back surfaces of the liquid crystal panels 121_1 and 121_2, respectively. The housing frame 123 houses the liquid crystal panels 121_1 and 121_2 and the backlight modules 122_1 and 122_2. In manufacturing the sub display 12, the backlight modules 122_1 and 122_2 are mounted on the front and back surfaces of the casing frame 123, respectively, and then the liquid crystal panels 121_1 and 121_2 are fitted. Further, when the display device 10 is manufactured, the flexible cables 124 respectively provided on the liquid crystal panels 121_1 and 121_2 are passed through the hinge 13 and connected to a base (not shown) in the main display 11. .

  Further, when the sub display 12 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 1B, the first display surface 1 is formed so as to cover the display surface of the main display 11.

  On the other hand, in the open state as shown in FIG. 1A, the sub-display 12 forms the second display surface 2 together with the display surface of the main display 11.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the sub-display 12 is developed, the left and right weight balance is equal. Therefore, taking the case where the display device 10 is applied to a mobile phone as an example, there is an advantage that the user is hard to get tired even when the user holds the mobile phone for a long time. In addition, since the sub display 12 does not protrude excessively from the casing of the mobile phone, the user can easily avoid damage to the sub display 12.

  The display device 10 is not limited to a mobile phone, and can be applied to various information display devices such as a personal computer and a television. Also in this case, since the left and right weight balance when the sub-display 12 is unfolded becomes uniform, the information display device can be prevented from being overturned or damaged due to this. Further, since the sub-display 12 does not protrude extremely from the housing of the information display device, restrictions on the installation location of the information display device (for example, the information display device must be installed extremely far away from the wall surface or the like). Etc.) will be relaxed.

  It is obvious that the present embodiment can suppress the increase in the housing size of the information display device while increasing the size of the display as in the conventional case. Further, if the size of the display surface 2 is equal to that of a conventional display, the housing size can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a mobile phone 20 to which the display device 10 is applied.

  In the mobile phone 20, an upper housing 21 and a lower housing 22 are connected via a hinge 23 so as to be openable and closable like a general folding mobile phone. Further, as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3, a magnet 24 is provided inside the lower housing 22, and a magnetic sensor 25 is provided inside the upper housing 21. That is, the magnetic sensor 25 detects an operation (hereinafter referred to as a case unfolding operation) for opening the upper casing 21 with respect to the lower casing 22 by a user using the mobile phone 20 based on the magnetism from the magnet 24. To do. More specifically, when the magnetic sensor 25 is separated from the magnet 24 and thus cannot detect the magnetism from the magnet 24 (or when the magnetism falls below a predetermined threshold value), the casing is expanded by the user. Detect that.

  The magnet 24 and the magnetic sensor 25 are not limited to the illustrated positions, and may be disposed at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the hinge 23. The lower housing 22 is provided with various operation keys such as direction keys and numeric keys.

  On the other hand, unlike a general mobile phone, the upper casing 21 includes an operation button 31 (hereinafter referred to as an unfolding operation button) for easily opening the display device 10 and the sub display 12 shown in FIG. May be called).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main display 11 is provided with a magnet 26, and the sub-display 12 is provided with a magnetic sensor 27. That is, the magnetic sensor 27 detects an operation (hereinafter referred to as a display unfolding operation) by the user to open the sub display 12 with respect to the main display 11 based on the magnetism from the magnet 26. More specifically, when the magnetic sensor 27 is separated from the magnet 26 and thus cannot detect the magnetism from the magnet 26 (or when the magnetism falls below a predetermined threshold value), the display expansion operation is performed by the user. Is detected.

  The magnet 26 and the magnetic sensor 27 are not limited to the illustrated positions, and may be disposed at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the hinge 13. Further, the magnet 26 may be provided on the sub display 12 and the magnetic sensor 27 may be provided on the main display 11. Further, the open / closed state of the sub-display 12 is not limited to the mechanism using the magnet 26 and the magnetic sensor 27, and may be detected by other various mechanisms. As another mechanism, for example, a switch is provided at the left and right ends of the upper housing 21, and projections are provided on the sub-displays 12L and 12L. Thus, when the sub-displays 12L and 12L are opened, There is a mechanism for pressing each switch. However, the mechanism using the magnet 26 and the magnetic sensor 27 has an advantage that the development of the sub-display 12 can be detected more quickly than the mechanism using the switch and the protrusion.

  Further, FIG. 5 shows an example of a deployment mechanism of the sub-display 12 using the button 31 described above. This mechanism includes a spring 32 shown in FIG. 5A and magnets 33 and 125 and a spring 34 shown in FIG. 5B.

  Specifically, the spring 32 applies an elastic force in a direction to open from the main display 11 to the sub display 12. Further, the magnet 33 provided on the unfolding operation button 31 and the magnet 125 provided on the sub-display 12 have different polarities. That is, the attractive force between the magnets 33 and 125 restricts the sub display 12 from being opened against the elastic force of the spring 32. Further, the unfolding operation button 31 is connected to the upper housing 21 via a spring 34. When the unfolding operation button 31 is pressed by the user, the spring 34 contracts, and the magnet 33 and the magnet 125 are separated from each other. When the elastic force of the spring 32 exceeds the attractive force between the magnets 33 and 125, the sub-display 12 is deployed. The unfolding operation button 31 is automatically returned to the original position by the elastic force of the spring 34.

  Although not shown, the mobile phone 20 includes a display unit that displays information according to the open / closed state of the sub-display 12. This display means corresponds to a processor, a display control driver, or the like.

  Hereinafter, an example of information display processing in the mobile phone 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when both the magnetic sensors 25 and 27 are on (when both the magnetism from the magnets 24 and 26 are detected), that is, when the casing expansion operation by the user has not yet been performed. (Step S1) The display means in the mobile phone 20 turns off the main display 11 and the sub display 12, thereby reducing power consumption (Step S2).

  Thereafter, when the casing is expanded by the user and only the magnetic sensor 25 is turned off (when the magnetism from the magnet 24 cannot be detected), that is, the sub-display 12 is still in the closed state. (Step S3), the display means displays information on the display surface 1 shown in FIG. 1B (Step S4). For example, the display unit displays a standby screen on the display surface 1. Accordingly, the user can immediately perform various operations similar to those of a general mobile phone on the mobile phone 20 only by performing a housing unfolding operation.

  When the display expansion operation is performed by the user and the magnetic sensor 27 is also turned off (when the magnetism from the magnet 26 can no longer be detected), that is, when the sub-display 12 is opened (step) S5) The display means displays information on the display surface 2 shown in FIG. 1A (step S6). At this time, if the main display 11 is used as a main operation screen and the sub display 12 is used as an auxiliary operation screen, the convenience for the user can be improved, which is preferable. For example, the display means displays a mail screen on the main display 11, displays a schedule screen on the sub display 12L, and displays a Web screen on the sub display 12R. Alternatively, the display unit enlarges and displays the screen displayed on the display surface 1 on the display surface 2. In this case, the user can perform photo browsing and operations on various applications on a larger screen.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is apparent that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the description of the scope of the claims.

  For example, the sub-displays 12L and 12L may be connected to the upper and lower edges of the main display 11 (edges corresponding to the vertical direction of the display surface of the main display 11). In this case, since the display surface formed by the main display 11 and the sub-displays 12L and 12L is a vertically long screen, it is used to display two different images side-by-side, or to perform a page break operation for a long web page or mail. Suitable for viewing without accompanying.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Display surface 10 Display apparatus 11 Main display 12, 12L, 12R Sub display 13, 23 Hinge 20 Cellular phone 21 Upper housing | casing 22 Lower housing | casing 24, 26, 33, 125 Magnet 25, 27 Magnetic sensor 31 Unfolding operation button 31
32, 34 Spring 121_1, 121_2 Liquid crystal panel 122_1, 122_2 Backlight module 123 Housing frame 124 Flexible cable

Claims (4)

A first display, the edges facing each other before Symbol first display, a display device and a pair of second display which is openably connected via a hinge,
Detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the second display;
Display means,
The second display is provided with a display surface on each of its front and back surfaces, and when in the closed state, forms a first display surface covering the display surface of the first display, Forming the second display surface together with the display surface of the first display when in the open state;
The second display is connected to an edge corresponding to the vertical direction of the display surface of the first display;
Each of said second display is seen containing a pair of liquid crystal panels, and a pair of the backlight module for illuminating each light from the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a housing frame for housing the liquid crystal panel and the backlight module ,
The display means includes
In response to detection of the closed state, information is displayed on the first display surface, in response to detection of the open state, information is displayed on the second display surface,
When a change from the closed state to the open state is detected, the information displayed on the first display surface is enlarged and displayed on the second display surface.
Information display equipment . In claim 1 ,
The detection means includes a magnetic body provided on one side of each of the first and second displays, and a magnetic sensor provided on the other side and detecting the open / closed state based on magnetism from the magnetic body. Information display equipment characterized by. In claim 1 or 2 ,
An information display device, further comprising an operation unit that opens the second display in response to a predetermined operation by a user of the device itself. In claim 3 ,
The operating means applies an elastic force to the second display in an opening direction from the first display, and the second display is in the open state against the elastic force. An information display device comprising: a restriction mechanism that restricts the occurrence of the restriction, and a release mechanism that releases the restriction in response to the operation.

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