GB2319667A - Indicating the function of operating elements - Google Patents
Indicating the function of operating elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2319667A GB2319667A GB9725035A GB9725035A GB2319667A GB 2319667 A GB2319667 A GB 2319667A GB 9725035 A GB9725035 A GB 9725035A GB 9725035 A GB9725035 A GB 9725035A GB 2319667 A GB2319667 A GB 2319667A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- light
- operation element
- accumulating means
- function
- light accumulating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/22—Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
- G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
- G09F13/22—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
- H01H2219/052—Phosphorescence
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2231/00—Applications
- H01H2231/022—Telephone handset
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
Abstract
In an apparatus, eg a cellular telephone, with an operation element illuminating function for use in low ambient light conditions, at least one operation element 2 is provided on an outer surface of the apparatus. A light accumulating portion 3 is provided on the apparatus outer surface spaced apart from the operation element 2. The light accumulating portion 3 accumulates an incident light Ls and emits light to indicate information of the operation element 2 in a dark place.
Description
APPARATUS WITH ILLUMINATION FUNCTION
OF OPERATION ELEMENTS
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus such as cellular phone or the like with an illumination function of operation elements.
More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus with an illumination function of operation elements to provide excellent visibility such that the apparatus can be used even at night or at a dark place.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an apparatus such as a cellular phone or the like, the technique has been proposed in which illuminating means is provided to illuminate operation buttons such that the apparatus can be used at night or at a dark place.
One of such conventional apparatuses with an illumination function of operation elements is disclosed in, for instance, Japanese Laid Open
Utility model Application Disclosure (JU-A-Heisei 3-57831). Another conventional apparatus with an illumination function of operation elements is disclosed in, for instance, Japanese Laid Open
Patent Application Disclosure (JP-A-Heisei 5314855).
Fig. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating the structure a main section of a switch apparatus with a light accumulating illumination shown in Japanese Laid-open Utility model Application Disclosure (JU-A-Heisei 357831). Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit built in the switcheapparatus shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a schematic front view showing the whole of the switch apparatus shown in Fig. 1.
As shown in Fig. 1, a switch 11 has contacts made of rubber and is provided in a casing 15 to construct an apparatus such as a telephone or the like. The switch 11 is operated when an operation button 12 is depressed. A vertex portion of the operation button 12 projects from the surface of the casing 15. A light source 13 is provided in the casing 15 to illuminate the operation button 12. Light L1 is emitted from the light source 13 and is guided to the operation button 12 through an optical guide lens 14.
The operation button 12 is formed of an optical guide portion 21. The optical guide portion 21 is transmissive. A light accumulating portion 22 is made of light accumulating pigment and is adhered to the convex portion of the optical guide portion 21. The optical guide portion 21 is covered by a light shielding portion 23. A part of the light shielding portion 23 touched by a user is transmissive. The side surface of the optical guide portion 21 is shielded against external light by a light shielding portion 23.
Further, a reflecting surface 24 is provided on a lower edge surface of the optical guide portion 21. The reflecting surface 24 reflects the light L1 emitted from the light source 13 towards the light accumulating portion 22. The light which is irradiated to the light accumulating portion 22 is shown as L2 in Fig. 1.
According to the switch apparatus with the light accumulating illumination function having the above structure, when peripheral illumination of the apparatus is bright, the light source 13 is turned off by an illumination sensor 17, as shown in Fig. 2. When the peripheral illumination of the apparatus becomes dark, the light source 13 is turned on .with a small duty ratio by an oscillation of an intermittent driving circuit 16.
When the light source 13 is turned on, the light L2 is irradiated to the light accumulating portion 22, and the light accumulating portion 22 is accumulates the light L2 therein. By light emitted from the light accumulating portion 22, numerical values and characters on the vertex portion of the operation button 12 are illuminated and displayed, as shown in Fig. 3. As a result, the numerical values and characters can be visually confirmed even at night or at a dark place. In this instance, the light source 13 continues to emit the light while gradually decreasing. According to the switch apparatus with the light accumulating illumination function, the operation button 12 is illuminated by the light emitted from the light accumulating portion 22, to thereby enable the telephone to be used even at a dark place or at night.
Since the light source 13 is intermittently lit on for only a short time by the intermittent driving circuit 16, a power consumption of a built-in battery 18 is small.
In place of the illuminant sensor 17, the intermittent driving circuit may be operated through a manual switching operation by the user.
Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a main section of a push button illuminating structure with a back light disclosed in Japanese Laid Open
Patent Application Disclosure (JP-A-Heisei 5314855). As shown in Fig. 4, according to the push button illuminating structure with the back light, a transmissive operation button 32 and a light emitting portion 33 such as an LED or the like are provided on a board 31. A cover 34 and an optical guide portion 36 are laminated on the board 31. The cover 34 has attachment holes 34a and 36a through which the operation button 32 penetrates and a concave portion provided around the attachment hole '34a. A light accumulating portion 35 is made of a light accumulating pigment and is provided on a peripheral portion of the concave portion near to the attachment hole 34a in the cover 34.
According to the push button illuminating structure with the back light, the light accumulating portion 35 can be irradiated by the light Ld emitted from the light emitting portion 33 or external light Ls such as solar light or the like passing through the operation button 32.
The light is accumulated in the light accumulating portion 35. By the light La which is emitted from the accumulating light portion 35, the operation button 32 can be irradiated from the peripheral side of the operation button 32 not only when the operation button 32 is depressed but also when the operation button 32 is not depressed.
The conventional technical examples, however, have the following problems. That is, first, in the switch apparatus with the light accumulating illumination function shown in Fig.
1, since the light accumulating portion 22 is arranged on the upper edge surface of the optical guide portion 21, there is a limitation to obtain a large light accumulating area. Further, the outer peripheral portion of the operation button 12 is shielded against the light by the light shielding portion 23. Therefore, there is a problem in that the portion to be illuminated is limited to only a small area of the vertex portion of the operation button 12.
Therefore, particularly, even in the case where one operation button has a plurality of functions or where there are a large number of characters, symbols, and the like to display the functions of the operation button, as shown in
Fig. 3, all of the functions must be displayed on only the button vertex portion. Consequently, a problem in that each character must be sufficiently small or the characters excessively must be made close to each other. Therefore, the visibility is deteriorated. In such a case, a method in which a plurality of characters and the like are classified with colors every function or the like is also considered. However, this results in a factor of an increase in costs.
Therefore, such a method is not actually put into practical use.
On the other hand, according to the push button illuminating structure with back light shown in Fig. 4, the light accumulating portion 35 is arranged at the peripheral portion of the concave portion around the operation button 32.
Therefore, a relatively wide area can be assured for the light accumulating portion. However, in case of illuminating the operation button 32 by only the light La emitted from the light accumulating portion 35, the position of the operation button 32 can be visually confirmed.
However, it is difficult to clearly read the characters 32a displayed on the vertex portion of the operation button 32. Therefore, in order to make it easy to read the characters 32a with only the light La, it is necessary to form the concave portion 34b in the cover 34 around the push button 32 and the accumulating light portion 35 in the concave portion 34b, as shown in Fig. 4.
That is, by forming the concave portion 34b, it is possible to prevent that the light La progresses in directions other than the operation button 32. Also, by forming the concave portion 34b, the light La is incident into the operation button 32 and an enough light amount to illuminate the characters 32a can be assured. The light emitting structure shown in Fig. 4, therefore, has a problem in that the formation of the concave portion 34b on the cover 34 makes costs increase.
Also in the push button illuminating structure shown in rig. 4, the area for the characters 32a to display the function of the operation button 32 is limited to only the vertex portion of the operation button 32. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to visually recognize the function of the operation button, in a manner similar to the switch apparatus with the light accumulating illumination function of Fig. 1 mentioned above.
Further, in the push button illuminating structure shown in Fig. 4, it is necessary to provide the back light (light emitting portion 33) and the optical guide portion 36 made of a transmissive material for guiding the light Ld to the operation button 32. Therefore, the realization of the miniaturization and light weight of the apparatus is obstructed, resulting in the increase in cost.
Summary of the Invention
The invention in its preferred embodiments solves the problems in the conventional technique as mentioned above.
An object of the preferred embodiments is to provide an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, in which operation elements (operation buttons) can be operated at a dark place even in the non-current supplied state without a back light or the like.
Another such object is to provide an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, in which large display characters or the like can be used to indicate functions of operation elements, resulting in improvement of visibility of the function indication portion.
Still another such object is to provide an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, in which a plurality of functions of the apparatus can be indicated on one operation element without reducing the legibility thereof.
In one aspect the invention provides an apparatus with an operation element indicating function for use in low ambient light comprising:
at least one operation element provided on an outer surface of said apparatus;
light accumulating means on said surface and spaced apart from said operation element, said lighting accumulating means accumulating and emitting light to provide visible information relating to the operating element.
In a preferred form of the present invention, an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, includes at least one operation element provided in a portion on an outer surface of the apparatus, a first light accumulating portion provided in a peripheral portion around said operation element on said outer surface of said apparatus, for accumulating an incident light and emitting light, and a second light accumulating portion provided in a portion on said apparatus outer surface other than a portion where said first light accumulating portion and said operation element are provided, for accumulating the incident light and emitting light.
In this case, the first light accumulating portion provides information of the operation element at a dark place. Also, the first light accumulating portion has a plane shape indicating either one of a character pattern and a symbol pattern. Either one of a light shielding character pattern and a light shielding symbol pattern indicating a function of the operation element may be written on the first light accumulating portion.
Alternatively, at least one of the first light accumulating portion and the second light accumulating portion may be provided to indicate a position of the operation element at a dark place. Information of the operation element is written on an outer surface of the operation element, and at least one of the first light accumulating portion and the second light accumulating portion is provided to indicate the information written on the outer surface of the operation element at a dark place.
In another preferred form of the present invention, an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, includes at least one operation element provided in a portion on an outer surface of the apparatus, and a light accumulating portionfprovided in a portion on the apparatus outer surface other than a portion where the operation element is provided. The light accumulating portion accumulates an incident light and emits light at a dark place to indicate information of the operation element.
In still another preferred form of the present invention, an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, includes at least operation element provided in a portion on an outer surface of the apparatus, a light accumulating portion provided in a portion on the apparatus outer surface other than a portion where the operation element is provided, and a light transmitting portion provided on the light accumulating portion to have a color different from a color of the light accumulating portion.
In yet still another preferred form of the present invention, an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, includes at least one operation element provided in a portion on atn outer surface of the apparatus, a light accumulating portion provided on a portion on the apparatus outer surface other than a portion where the operation element is provided, and a light shielding portion provided on the light accumulating portion.
An apparatus With an operation element illuminating function achieves another aspect of the present invention, which includes a board, a switch portion provided on the board, at least one operation element for operating the switch portion, a cover portion, provided on the board, for covering an upper surface of the board such that at least a part of the operation element is exposed, and a light accumulating portion provided on an outer peripheral side of the operation element on an outer surface of the cover portion. In this case, the light accumulating portion indicates information of the operation element.
Brief Description of the Drawings.
Now the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating the structure of a main section showing a
conventional switch apparatus with a light accumulating function;
Fig. 2. is a circuit diagram of a circuit built in the switch apparatus shown in Fig.
1;
Fig. 3. is a schematic front view showing the whole of an electronic apparatus
including the switch apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4. is a side sectional view illustrating the structure of a main section showing
a conventional push button illuminating structure with back light;
Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of an apparatus with an operation element
illuminating function according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of a main section of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the structure of the internal circuit of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a schematic front view of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of a main section of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a schematic front view of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according tXo the third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a dide sectional view of a main section of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and
Figs. 12A to 12E are diagrams illustrating the shapes of operation elements used in the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to a modification of the above described embodiments of the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is an apparatus with an operation illuminating function.
Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of the apparatus with an operation element illuminating function according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of a main section of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the structure of the internal circuit of the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function according to the first embodiment of the invention.
As shown in Fkgs. 5 and 6, the apparatus with the operation element illuminating function in the first embodiment is an apparatus 1 such as a cellular phone having operation buttons 2 corresponding to operation elements.
As shown in Fig. 7, the cellular phone 1 is composed of an input unit 41 including the operation buttons 2, a display unit 42 such as an
LCD or the like, a control unit 43, a storing unit 44, a wireless unit 45, an audio amplifying unit 46, a receiver 47, a microphone 48, and an antenna 49.
In case of reception, audio data received by the antenna 49 is properly processed by the audio amplifying unit 46 via the wireless unit 45 to be generated as an audio signal from the receiver 47. An audio signal inputted from the microphone 48 is properly processed by the audio amplifying unit 46 and the wireless unit 45 to be transmitted as audio data from the antenna 49.
In case of transmission, when the signal corresponding to a destination telephone number is inputted to the input unit 41, the signal is properly processed by the control unit 43 to be transmitted from the antenna 49 through the wireless unit 45. The signal from the antenna 49 is transmitted to the phone of the destination via a base station.
As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a vertex portion of the operation button 2 projects from the surface of a front cover 5 of the phone 1. The other portion of the operation button 2 is located in a button hole 6 formed in the front cover 5. By pressing the vertex portion of the operation button 2, a switch portion (not shown) on a board 7 in the casing (not shown) of the phone 1 is operated.
A light accumulating portion 4 is annually arranged in the peripheral edge portion around the button hole 6 on the surface of the front cover 5 in the first embodiment. The light accumulating portion 4 is made of light accumulating pigment (to be explained later).
Further, a function display portion 3 is provided near the button hole 6 on the surface of the front cover 5 to display each function of the operation button 2. The function display portion 3 is formed by use of light accumulating pigment.
As shown in Fig. 5, characters, symbols, and the like themselves such as n n, "ABC", etc. are displayed by the light accumulating pigment.
In the first embodiment, as light accumulating pigment which is used for the function display portion 3 and the light accumulating portion 4, the pigment "LUMINOBAW (registered trademark) made by Nemoto & Co., Ltd.
is used.
The light accumulating pigment "LUMINOBA" has the following excellent features as compared with the conventional light accumulating pigment:
it can light for a long time without including a radioactive substance;
an afterglow luminance is bright ten times and an afterglow time is also long ten times;
it lights brighter with stronger exciting light;
A wavelength range of the usable exciting light is wide;
it is excellent in light resistance and can be also used in the outdoor;
it doesn't include any harmful material; and
it is excellent in earth environment.
In the first embodiment, by using the new light accumulating pigment for the function display portion 3 and the light accumulating portion 4, an excellent button illuminating button function can be achieved with regard to the afterglow luminance and the afterglow time, compared with the foregoing conventional apparatus.
The operation'of the cellular phone 1 with the button illuminating function in the first embodiment will now be described.
As shown in Fig. 6, the function display portion 3 and the light accumulating portion 4 are provided on the surface of the front cover 5.
Therefore, when external light Ls is irradiated to the surface of the cellular phone 1, it is accumulated in the function display portion 3 and the light accumulating portion 4. Thus, the operation button 2 is illuminated by light La emitted from the light accumulating portion 4 which is provided in the peripheral side of the operation button 2. As a result, the position of the operation button 2 can be seen by the user even at a dark place. Since the function display portion 3 near each operation button 2 also similarly emits light, the function of the operation button 2 can be confirmed to allow the operation button 2 to be operated.
Hitherto, as shown in Fig. 3, since a plurality of button functions are displayed in the vertex portion of one operation button, the characters must be small and the space between the characters must be also small, so that the visibility of the characters is deteriorated.
On the other hand, according to the present invention, as shown fin Fig. 5, the display position of the function display portion 3 is set on not each operation button 2 but the upper surface of the front cover 5 near the operation button 2. Therefore, the display area is not limited, so that characters and the like can be large, an interval between the characters and the like can be widened, resulting in improvement of the visibility.
In the first embodiment, the light accumulating portion 4 has been provided in the peripheral side of the operation button 2. In place of this structure, the light accumulating portion 4 may be also omitted, in the case where the periphery of the operation button 2 is illuminated by the function display portion 3. In this case, the position of the operation button 2 and numerals, symbols, and the like such as "1", "2", n #", and the like written on the upper surface of the operation button 2 can be visually recognized.
According to the cellular phone 1 with the button illuminating function in the first embodiment as mentioned above, when the button is operated at a dark place, the position of the operation button 2 and the numerals, symbols, and the like written on the upper surface of the operation button 2 can be visually confirmed without using a back' light. The function display portion 3 itself emits the light and can be visually confirmed. For the above mentioned reasons, the cellular phone 1 can achieve an excellent operability at a dark place.
Since the back light is unnecessary, a current consumption of the cellular phone 1 can be reduced and an internal light source, an optical guide means and the like for guiding the light to the operation button are also unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization and thin shape of the apparatus and parts costs can be also reduced.
Further, a light source may be also provided in the cellular phone 1 in a manner similar to the conventional apparatus. In such a case, a light accumulation amount increases and the visibility can be further improved.
The apparatus with the button illuminating function according to the second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.
Fig. 8 is a schematic front view showing the apparatus with the button illuminating function in the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a side sectional view joy a main section showing the apparatus with the button illuminating function in the second embodiment.
In the first embodiment, as mentioned above, the character itself (for example, " n ) H) showing each function of the operation button 2 is formed of the light accumulating pigment. According to the second embodiment, however, the following construction is used in place of the above construction. That is, a light accumulating portion 40 is provided near the operation button 2 and is formed by coating light accumulating pigment to a predetermined area on the surface of the front cover 5. Also, on the light accumulating portion 40, a display character 80 such as character, symbol, or the like indicative of each function of the operation buttons 2 is formed of light shielding pigment such as black or the like.
According to the apparatus with the button illuminating function in the second embodiment, the portion of the light accumulating portion 40 other than the display character 80 accumulates external light Ls and emits the light La. On the other hand, the display character 80 shields the light La. Consequently, the display character 80 can be visually confirmed depending on its contrast.
Next, the apparatus with the button illuminating function in the third embodiment will now be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a schematic front view showing the apparatus with the button illuminating function in the third embodiment. Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of a main section showing the apparatus with the button illuminating function in the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the push button may be formed to be recessed from the outer surface of the apparatus. Also, the light accumulating portion may be formed in a projecting portion from the outer surface of the apparatus.
According to the second embodiment, the display character 80 is formed of the light shielding pigment such as black or the like on the light accumulating portion 40. In the third embodiment, however, as material for forming a display character 800, a transmissive pigment which has color different from the color of the light accumulating portion 40 is used, in place of the light shielding pigment.
According to the third embodiment, the portion of the light accumulating portion 40 around the display character 800 accumulates the external light Ls anod emits the light La. On the other hand, the light Ls transmits the portion of the display character 800 and lights in color different from the color of the light accumulating portion 40. Consequently, the display character 800 can be visually recognized.
Since the display character 800 lights in color different from that of the light accumulating portion 40 as mentioned above, the visibility at night and at a dark place is further improved.
In the first to third embodiments, a plane shape of the operation button 2 is set to a circular shape. However, the invention is not limited to such a shape For example, as shown in
Figs. 12A to 12E, it is also possible to use any one of an oval, an ellipse, a quadrangle, a quadrangle with round corners, and a triangle or another shape.
In the first to third embodiments, the operation elements are supposed to be the operation buttons 2 of the push button type.
However, the operation elements of the invention are not limited to those of the push button type.
For instance, it is also possible to use operation elements such as keys, rotary type dials, inverted type levers, and the like.
As described above, according to the apparatus with an oeration element illuminating function of the present invention, the function display portion itself is made of the light accumulating pigment to emit the light. Therefore, even when the operation elements are operated at a dark place in a non-current supplying state, the positions and functions of the operation elements can be visually confirmed without needing the back light or the like.
By setting the display position of the function display portion to the outer surface of the apparatus main body near the operation element instead of a part (outer surface) of the operation element, the display area is not limited. Therefore, since the characters and the like of the function display portion can be largely displayed, the visibility can be further improved. In particular, even in case of displaying a plurality of functions to one operation element, the visibility doesn't deteriorate.
Further, since means such as a back light or the like is unnecessary, the current consumption of the apparatus can be decreased, and the internal light source, the optical guide means for guiding the light from the light source to the operation button, and the like are all unnecessary. Thus, the present invention can contribute to the miniaturisation and thin shape of the apparatus and the reduction in parts costs can be realised.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (which term includes the claims) and/or shown in the drawings may be incorporated in the invention independently of other disclosed and/or illustrated features. The claims shall be interpreted as if the reference numerals were omitted.
The text of the abstract filed herewith is repeated here as part of the specification:
In an apparatus with an operation element illuminating function, at least one operation element is provided in a portion on an outer surface of the apparatus. A light accumulating portion is provided in a portion on the apparatus outer surface other than a portion where the operation element is provided. The light accumulating portion accumulates an incident light and emits light at a dark place to indicate information of the operation element.
Claims (10)
1. An apparatus with an operation element indicating function for use in low ambient light comprising:
at least one operation element provided on an outer surface of said apparatus;
light accumulating means on said surface and spaced apart from said operation element, said lighting accumulating means accumulating and emitting light to provide visible information relating to the operating element.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein additional light accumulating means are located peripherally around said operation element spaced apart the first-mentioned light accumulating means, the additional light accumulating means accumulating and emitting light to indicate the location of the operating element.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a light accumulating means provides information on the function of said operation element.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said light accumulating means bears a readable character or symbol.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the character or symbol is provided by light shielding material on said light accumulating means.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the character or symbol is provided also on the operation element.
7. An apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein said readable symbol is provided by a portion of the light accumulating means which emits light of a different colour to the light emitted by the remainder of the light accumulating means.
8. An apparatus according to any previous claim, wherein said light accumulating means is substantially coplanar with the apparatus outer surface.
9. An apparatus, according to any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus is a cellular telephone or other portable communication device.
10. An apparatus with an operation element indicating function, comprising;
a board;
a switch portion provided on said board;
at least one operation element for operating said switch portion;
a cover portion, provided on said board for covering an upper surface of said board such that at least a part of said operation element is exposed; and
a light accumulating means provided on an outer surface of said cover portion;
wherein said light accumulating means emits light and provides information on said operation element in low ambient light conditions.
II. An apparatus with an operation element indicating function, substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to and/or as illustrated in any of figures 5 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP31527696A JPH10162681A (en) | 1996-11-26 | 1996-11-26 | Electronic apparatus with button illumination |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9725035D0 GB9725035D0 (en) | 1998-01-28 |
| GB2319667A true GB2319667A (en) | 1998-05-27 |
Family
ID=18063471
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9725035A Withdrawn GB2319667A (en) | 1996-11-26 | 1997-11-26 | Indicating the function of operating elements |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH10162681A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4537797A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2319667A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2388489A (en) * | 2002-05-07 | 2003-11-12 | Nec Corp | Mobile phone with sliding units and illuminated lock release button |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP5725871B2 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2015-05-27 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Remote control device |
| JP2015131366A (en) * | 2014-01-14 | 2015-07-23 | 株式会社ディスコ | Screwdriver |
| JP3194486U (en) * | 2014-07-07 | 2014-11-27 | 滋之 小野 | Pushlight with phosphorescent material for pedestal exterior |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1030141A (en) * | 1964-03-04 | 1966-05-18 | Ericsson Telephones Ltd | Illuminated telephone dial |
| GB1298990A (en) * | 1970-06-26 | 1972-12-06 | Amerace Esna Corp | Optical annunciator |
| GB2177856A (en) * | 1985-07-15 | 1987-01-28 | Liou Jiann Shyang | Face plate for an electrical fitting |
| JPH05314855A (en) * | 1992-05-13 | 1993-11-26 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Structure for making backlight-equipped push button luminous in absence of electric power |
-
1996
- 1996-11-26 JP JP31527696A patent/JPH10162681A/en active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-11-25 AU AU45377/97A patent/AU4537797A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-11-26 GB GB9725035A patent/GB2319667A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1030141A (en) * | 1964-03-04 | 1966-05-18 | Ericsson Telephones Ltd | Illuminated telephone dial |
| GB1298990A (en) * | 1970-06-26 | 1972-12-06 | Amerace Esna Corp | Optical annunciator |
| GB2177856A (en) * | 1985-07-15 | 1987-01-28 | Liou Jiann Shyang | Face plate for an electrical fitting |
| JPH05314855A (en) * | 1992-05-13 | 1993-11-26 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Structure for making backlight-equipped push button luminous in absence of electric power |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2388489A (en) * | 2002-05-07 | 2003-11-12 | Nec Corp | Mobile phone with sliding units and illuminated lock release button |
| GB2388489B (en) * | 2002-05-07 | 2005-08-31 | Nec Corp | Portable telephone set |
| US8014835B2 (en) | 2002-05-07 | 2011-09-06 | Nec Corporation | Portable telephone set |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH10162681A (en) | 1998-06-19 |
| AU4537797A (en) | 1998-05-28 |
| GB9725035D0 (en) | 1998-01-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |