JP2001251401A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively realize a back light for a multifunction key with a simple structure. SOLUTION: This portable terminal has the multifunction key which is operated in a desirable direction by having its key top pressed, a case having a 1st opening through which the key top of the multifunction key is exposed on the surface and a groove formed successively with the 1st opening, an index component having a 2nd opening into which the key top exposed on the top surface is inserted, an operation index made of a translucent member arranged at the periphery of the 2nd opening, and a projection piece which projects from the flank and engages the groove, and a lighting component which is built in the case and lights up the index component through the 1st opening.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal having a structure for illuminating a multi-function key capable of operating one key top exposed from a case in a plurality of directions such as four directions from the back side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a portable terminal such as a portable telephone, a PHS, and a cordless telephone, a plurality of different operation commands can be executed by one key operation in order to improve operability.
So-called multi-function keys are used,
Examples of conventional multifunction keys are shown in FIGS.

The multi-function key a shown in FIG.
Are designed so that six different operation commands of up, down, left, right, call, and function F can be input with one function key.

[0004] The call and function F are operated by long-time pressing.

[0005] The multi-function key b shown in FIG.
Is such that four different operation commands, up, down, left and right, can be input with one function key.

Each of the multi-function keys a and b shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can input a plurality of different operation commands with one key, so that the operability of the portable terminal can be improved. As a multi-function key, in addition to the above four directions, it is possible to perform an operation of pressing down directly below.
There is also a direction switch.

[0007]

However, it is difficult to illuminate a conventional multi-function key with a backlight. This is because a switch structure that can be operated in four directions or five directions is provided under the key top, and the area of the key top is large even if a light emitting element is arranged near the switch structure. This is because a large number of light emitting elements are required to emit light, so that it is difficult in terms of cost.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the portable terminal of the present invention provides an operation index outside the multi-function key instead of illuminating the multi-function key itself, and illuminates the index with a backlight. Things.

For this purpose, the invention according to claim 1 is a multi-function key having a structure in which a key top is pressed and operated in a desired direction, and a first function for exposing the key top of the multi-function key to the surface. Opening and
A case having a groove connected to the first opening, a second opening for further inserting a key top exposed on the surface, and a light transmitting member arranged around the second opening. An index component having the operation index obtained, a projection protruding from the side surface and fitting into the groove, and an illumination component built in the case and illuminating the index component through the first opening. It was configured.

In the invention described in claim 2, the shape of the groove and the shape of the convex piece fitted into the groove have directionality.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable terminal according to the first aspect, the portable terminal further includes a third opening through which the index component is inserted, and the index component is brought into contact with the convex piece. It had a plate part to be clamped with the case.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a lighting structure of a multifunction key according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a key indicator component of a portable terminal is incorporated. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a shape of each part of FIG. 1 as viewed from above, and FIG.
(B) is a switch body and an illumination LED, (c) is a front device case hole and an erroneous insertion prevention groove, (d) is a key indicator component,
(E) is a diagram of a case front plate. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the erroneous insertion prevention groove and the illumination LED. The multi-function key includes a key top 4a and a five-way switch 4b as a switch body.

In FIG. 1, a device case 1 shows a part of a front case of a portable terminal, and has an opening 1a through which a key top 4a of a large multi-function key is inserted from inside and exposed on the surface. The shape of the opening 1a is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 (c), erroneous insertion preventing grooves 1b
Are connected to the opening 1a as shown in FIG. The mis-insertion prevention groove 1b is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the shapes of the corners are made different in the upper and lower directions, so that the shapes have directionality. The key index component 2 is provided in the opening 1a.
However, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), on the side surface of the key indicator component 2, a falling-off preventing convex portion 2b (projecting piece) having a shape to be fitted in the erroneous insertion preventing groove 1b is provided. .

The key index component 2 is a component having an opening 2a into which the key top 4a is inserted from the inside, and four translucent windows 2ca, 2cb, which are used as indexes when operating the key top 4a.
2cc and 2cd are provided around the opening 2a. The translucent windows 2ca to 2cd are holes penetrating from the back surface, into which a light guide made of a colored or colorless acrylic resin or the like is inserted (not shown).

Assembling is performed as shown in FIG.
The key index part 2 is fitted to the
To prevent the key index component 2 from coming off. The case front plate 3 is based on a transparent plate made of acrylic or the like, and has an opening 3a for inserting the key indicator component 2 from the inside and exposing it on the surface as shown in FIG. It is colored except for the portion that covers the liquid crystal display portion to be provided, and has a falling-off function of holding the falling-off preventing convex portion 2b at the periphery of the opening 3a, a function of a protective cover, and a function of a decorative board. The method of attaching the case front plate 3 is not limited to a specific method such as attaching with a double-sided tape or screwing.

When the device case 1 to which the case front plate 3 is attached is put on the board 5 on which the multi-function keys are installed, the layout state is as shown in FIG. On the substrate 5, the illumination LEDs 5a and 5b are arranged near the five-way switch 4b as shown in FIG. LED5
a irradiates light to both indices 2ca and 2cd, and LE
D5b has an irradiation angle for irradiating both the indices 2cb and 2cc with light. Therefore, key top 4
Indices 2ca ~ without backlight illumination of a itself
Since 2 cd can be illuminated by a small number of LEDs, the multi-function key can be operated in a dark place.

As described above, by incorporating the key index component 2 as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
Of the multi-function key. In addition, by giving directionality to the fitting shape between the fall prevention protrusion 2b and the device case 1, erroneous insertion of the key index component 2 can be prevented. Further, the erroneous insertion preventing groove 1b is not a simple notch but a box-shaped groove to prevent illumination leakage. That is, since a small gap may be formed between the erroneous insertion preventing groove 1b and the convex piece 2b of the key index component 2, if the groove 1b is notched and directly communicates with the inside, the LED
The illumination light of 5a (5b) leaks out of the gap,
Since the groove is box-shaped, the illumination light does not leak out from the gap (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0018]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-function key having a structure in which a key top is pressed and operated in a desired direction, and a multi-function key having the key top exposed on the surface. A case having a first opening and a groove connected to the first opening;
A second opening for inserting a key top exposed on the surface, an operation indicator made of a light-transmitting member disposed around the second opening, and a convex piece projecting from a side surface and fitting into the groove. An indicator component having:
And a lighting component for illuminating the indicator component through the opening of the portable terminal ", so that the multifunction key can be satisfactorily operated in a dark place despite being able to be provided at a relatively low cost with a simple structure.

The invention according to claim 2 is the portable terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the groove and the convex piece fitted into the groove has a direction. When attaching the index component to the case, the direction is not mistaken.

The portable terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include a plate component that has a third opening for inserting the index component and that holds the index component in contact with the convex piece. , The plate component can also serve as a protective cover for the liquid crystal display section and the like, and also has a function as a decorative plate, so that the index component can be prevented from falling off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a lighting structure of a multi-function key according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a key indicator component is incorporated in a portable terminal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a shape of each part of FIG. 1 as viewed from above,
(A) key top, (b) switch body and lighting L
ED, (c) is front equipment case hole and misinsertion prevention groove,
(D) is a key index component, (e) is a diagram of a case front plate.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between an erroneous insertion prevention groove and an illumination LCD.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a case front plate viewed from the front in a state where components are assembled.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a conventional multifunction key a.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a conventional multifunction key b.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Device case 1a: Opening (first opening) 1b: Mis-insertion preventing groove 2: Key indicator component 2a: Opening (second opening) 2ca to 2cd: Light transmitting window 2b: Fall-off preventing convex portion (convex piece) 3: Case front plate 3a: Opening (third opening) 4a: Key top (key top of multi-function key) 4b: 5-way switch (multi-function key body) 5: Board 5a, 5b: LED for illumination

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A multi-function key having a structure in which a key top is pressed to be operated in a desired direction, a first opening for exposing the key top of the multi-function key to a surface, and a connection to the first opening. A case having a groove provided as a second part, and a second key top exposed on the surface is further inserted.
And an indicator component having an operation indicator made of a light-transmitting member disposed around the second opening, and an indicator component having a protrusion protruding from the side surface and fitting into the groove, and A lighting component for illuminating the indicator component through a first opening;
A mobile terminal comprising: 2. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the groove and the shape of the convex piece fitted into the groove have a direction. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third opening for inserting said index component, and a plate component for abutting said index component on said convex piece and holding said index component together with said case. Mobile terminal described in.