JP2001268195A - Mobile communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems of a conventional mobile communication unit that has had difficulties of separately recycling cases 10a, 10b because the resin materials of them are of different kinds from the standpoint of colors and grades and of unease of confirmation of the arrival of an incoming call only with a light from a light emitting element. SOLUTION: The mobile communication unit employs a case that is integrally formed with a display window made of the same transparent or translucent resin material and provided with a concaved and convexed inner surface except for the display window and employs a light emitting means having a light emitting element lighted in interlocking at least with the arrival of an incoming call, that illuminates the entire case by diffusing the light from the light emitting element through the concaved and convexed inner surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable communication device having a housing made of a resin material, and more particularly to a case where the housing is made of the same resin material provided with a structure having a good light diffusing property, thereby improving recyclability. The present invention relates to a mobile communication device with improved visibility and design of an incoming call.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable communication devices having various housing colors have become widespread in order to broaden a user's selection conditions. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional mobile phone as such a mobile communication device. In the drawing, reference numerals 10a and 10b denote casings mainly containing plural colors and plural kinds of resin materials for accommodating components for providing a function as a mobile phone such as a communication circuit, and 12 denotes a front casing 1.
Reference numeral 13 denotes an electronic circuit board on which components of the components are mounted, the display windows being provided in Oa and corresponding in position to the display for displaying information to the user. Reference numeral 14 denotes a light-emitting element that emits light in response to an incoming call, and is composed of an LED or the like.
Reference numeral 14a denotes a light-emitting window portion provided on the front housing 10a, which corresponds to the position of the light-emitting element 14, and 14b denotes a light-emitting accessory portion which emits light in response to an incoming call.

Next, the outline will be described. Conventional mobile phones generally use opaque colored casings 10a and 10b so that the internal electronic circuit board 13 and the like are not visible from the outside. In this case, the housings 10a and 10b are made of different colors of synthetic resin, or the different colors of synthetic resin are used at a plurality of positions of the housings 10a and 10b, thereby giving design variations. . In addition, the housing 10
By using partially different types and grades of resin materials for a and 10b, cost, weight, strength, and the like are maintained at a constant quality.

[0004] In addition, the user visually recognizes information to be displayed,
In order to guide the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 to the outside of the housing 10a, the display window 12 and the light emitting window 14a
It is mainly made of a transparent resin material different from the casings 10a and 10b, and is attached after forming the casings 10a and 10b as a separate part, or is molded using an expensive complex molding die for many resins.

Further, at the time of an incoming call, the light emitting element 14, the light emitting accessory 14b, or the backlight of the liquid crystal display device constituting the display unit emits light, and the user emits light from the light emitting window 14a, the light emitting accessory 14b, or the display unit. Can be detected by light by looking at one of the display windows 12 that guides the outside.

[0006]

Since the conventional portable communication device is configured as described above, the housings 10a, 10b
However, it is difficult to separate and recycle the resin materials, including the colors and grades of the resin materials, including the grades, and thus there is a problem that the environment may be adversely affected in the future.

In a conventional portable communication device, the housing 10
It is very difficult to change the color of the housing after manufacturing because of the colors of a and 10b. Especially, in recent years, portable communication devices are few in design novelty, and are differentiated from the design aspect. However, there was a problem that it was difficult to achieve.

Further, a light emitting window 14a and a light emitting accessory 14 are provided.
b, since the user has visually recognized whether there is an incoming call due to light emission limited to a narrow area such as the display window section 12, for example, the light emitting window section 14a, the display window section 12 is placed down, or the light emitting attachment section In the case where 14b is covered so as to hide, if an incoming call occurs in a place where a ringtone cannot be sounded or in a dark place, it becomes difficult to notice the incoming call,
There was a problem that it was difficult to find the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the use of the same resin material greatly improves the recyclability of the housing. By changing the body color, a novel design can be provided, and furthermore, it is possible to obtain a portable communication device with improved convenience by allowing the user to easily detect an incoming call by emitting light from the housing. Aim.

[0010]

A portable communication device according to the present invention is formed integrally with a display window of a transparent or translucent resin material, and has an uneven surface on an inner surface excluding the display window. And a light-emitting element which emits light at least in response to an incoming call, and which emits light emitted from the light-emitting element through unevenness to emit light to the entire housing.

[0011] The portable communication device according to the present invention includes a partition formed integrally with the inside of the housing and adjusting the amount of transmission of light emitted from the light emitting element.

A portable communication device according to the present invention includes a light emitting element control means for selecting a desired light emitting element based on a setting from outside the housing and controlling the light emitting operation thereof.

In the portable communication device according to the present invention, the light emitting means has red, blue, and green light emitting elements arranged close to each other.

In the portable communication device according to the present invention, the light-emitting means includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, and the light-emitting elements are arranged at a distance from each other so as to emit light of a composite color between the light-emitting elements. .

In the portable communication device according to the present invention, a hole is provided in an electronic circuit board on which a light emitting element is mounted, so that light emitted from the light emitting element reaches the back surface of the electronic circuit board.

In the portable communication device according to the present invention, the housing is made of a colored translucent resin material.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a mobile communication device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the illustrated example, a mobile phone is shown as the mobile communication device. In the figure,
Reference numerals 1a and 1b denote transparent or translucent resin materials (for example, PP (polypropylene)) which are integrally formed together with the display window 2 and have a fine inner surface except for a portion corresponding to the display window 2. The unevenness 6 is provided. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display window, which is provided on the housing 1a in a position corresponding to a display unit (not shown) for providing information to a user. Reference numeral 3 denotes an electronic circuit board on which components constituting an electronic circuit for performing a communication function of the mobile phone and lighting of the light emitting element 4 at the time of an incoming call are mounted. Reference numeral 4 denotes a light-emitting element (light-emitting means) which is set to emit light in response to an incoming call, and is arranged in the housings 1a and 1b in plural numbers, and is composed of, for example, an LED. Reference numeral 5 denotes a partition formed integrally with the inside of the housing 1a and shielding light emitted from the light emitting element 4 in the housings 1a and 1b to adjust the amount of light transmitted therethrough. Reference numeral 6 denotes unevenness for diffusing the light emitted from the light emitting element 4 and causing the entire housing 1a, 1b to emit light.

Next, the outline will be described. Housing 1a, 1
b is the display window 2 made of the same transparent or translucent resin material.
And integrally formed with it. At this time, the display window 2 is made transparent so that a user can visually recognize information displayed on a display unit (not shown) inside. Here, the same resin material in the present invention refers to a synthetic resin material of the same color, the same type, and the same grade.

Although not shown, buttons of an operation unit for operating the portable communication device of the first embodiment from the outside in addition to the housings 1a and 1b are also formed of the same resin material as the housings 1a and 1b. Thereby, the recyclability can be further improved.

Next, the operation will be described. When an incoming call occurs, the light emitting elements 4,..., 4 emit light in conjunction with the incoming call. At this time, the light emitted from the light emitting elements 4,..., 4 is diffusely reflected by the minute unevenness 6 provided on the inner surface including the partition part 5 of the housings 1a, 1b, and diffuses in the housings 1a, 1b. , Housing 1
The entirety of a and 1b emit light.

Here, the partition 5 provided on the housings 1a, 1b
The effect that is achieved will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining the effect of the partition of the portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross section along the thickness direction of the partition. As shown in the figure, the light emitted from the light emitting element 4 in the space partitioned by the partition 5 is blocked to some extent by the partition 5, so that the thickness of the partition 5 is adjusted so that The amount of light transmitted through the space changes.
For example, when red and blue light emitting elements 4 and 4 are used and the thickness of the partition 5 is reduced, red and blue colors become strong around the light emitting elements 4 and 4, respectively. ,
In the vicinity of the partition 5, red and blue are slightly mixed to give a purple color. At this time, if the user operates the operation unit 7 as desired to stop the light emission of one of the light emitting elements, the color of the light emitting element that continues to emit light can be the color of the housings 1a and 1b. . Conversely, if the thickness of the partition portion 5 is increased, half of the casings 1a and 1b are red (translucent with red) and the other half is blue (translucent with blue). Become.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the display window 2 is made of the same transparent or translucent resin material.
And light emitting elements 4,..., 4 which emit light at least in response to an incoming call. , 4 are provided with light emitting means for diffusing the light emitted by the unevenness 6 to emit light to the entire housing 1a, 1b.
Unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to separate each resin material constituting the housing in order to recycle, and the recyclability can be dramatically improved.

Further, since there is no need for a component for connecting the housings 1a and 1b and the display window section 2, it can be manufactured easily and at low cost. Furthermore, since it is formed integrally, the strength of the portable communication device can be improved.

Furthermore, since the entire casing 1a, 1b emits light in response to an incoming call, even when a ring tone cannot be emitted, when a user with low visual acuity is used, or when placed in a dark place, It becomes easier to see the light emission related to the incoming call,
Convenience can be improved. In addition, by selecting a light emitting element of a color that matches the user's preference, the entire casing 1a, 1b can emit light in a color that matches the user's preference. Therefore, a portable communication device with a novel design is provided. It can also be differentiated in terms of design.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the light emitting elements 4,...
Since the partition 5 for adjusting the amount of light transmitted from the light source 4 is provided, by adjusting the thickness of the partition 5, it is possible to provide the casings 1 a and 1 b having a plurality of apparent colors. . Also, as shown in FIG. 1, by providing a partition 5 surrounding the display window 2 (thickness is set so that light does not transmit), light (not shown) is generated by light emitted from the light emitting elements 4 and 4. It is possible to prevent the information displayed on the display unit from being difficult to recognize.

In the first embodiment, the light emitting elements 4 and
Although an example in which the light emitting operation of the light emitting element 4 is linked to the incoming call has been described, the user may be able to appropriately turn on and off the light emitting element 4 independently of the incoming call.

Embodiment 2 FIG. In the second embodiment, the user can select a desired light emitting element from outside the housing,
Furthermore, the selected light emitting elements can be set so that the light emitting elements 4 are turned on and off in a desired order.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the portable communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes an operation unit for the user to operate the mobile communication device according to the second embodiment from outside, and in addition to the operation of the communication function, a plurality of light emitting elements 4,.
It is possible to select a desired light emitting element from among..., 4 and set these to turn on and off the light emitting element 4 in a desired order. Further, in order to facilitate the setting by the operation unit 7, the setting may be displayed on a display unit (not shown). Reference numeral 8 denotes a light-emission control circuit (light-emission means, which controls the light-emission operation of the light-emitting elements 4,..., 4 based on the contents set by the user on the operation unit 7, the settings previously stored in a memory (not shown), and the incoming call. (Light emitting element control means). Reference numeral 9 denotes a communication control circuit for controlling a communication function. The communication control circuit 9 transmits an incoming call notification to the light emission control circuit 8 when there is an incoming call. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Next, the operation at the time of an incoming call will be described. First, when an incoming call occurs, a signal related to an incoming call notification is transmitted from the communication control circuit 9 to the light emission control circuit 8. Light emission control circuit 8
When a signal relating to the incoming call notification is received, the light emitting elements 4,..., 4 that are selected in advance emit light in a preset order (the user sets the content from the operation unit 7, and the content is emitted. It is stored in a memory (not shown) in the control circuit 8).

Here, a specific light emitting operation will be described. FIG. 4 is a top view showing a light emitting device according to the second embodiment and an electronic circuit board on which the light emitting device is mounted. In the figure, 3
Is a light emitting element 4 and an electronic circuit board on which the above-described circuit for controlling the light emitting operation is mounted. Reference numeral 4 denotes red, blue, and green light emitting elements (light emitting means) which are three primary colors of light so that respective colors are easily mixed. They are located close together. These light emission operations are controlled by the light emission control circuit 8 described above.

When light emitting elements of the three primary colors of light are used, the casings 1a and 1b can emit light of a plurality of colors by a combination of the lighting. More specifically, when any one of the three color light emitting elements 4 emits light, the casings 1a and 1b emit red, blue, or green light. When the three color light emitting elements 4 emit light simultaneously, the casing 1
a and 1b emit white light. Furthermore, light emitting elements 4 of three colors
When any two of them emit light, the casings 1a and 1b are yellow in red and blue, the casings 1a and 1b are cyan in green and blue, and the casings 1a and 1b are magenta in red and green. Emit colors. Of course, when all the light emitting elements 4 are turned off, they become transparent (colorless) or translucent color which is the original color of the housings 1a and 1b.

When the light emitting element 4 emits light in the above-described combination, a total of eight emission colors of the casings 1a and 1b are obtained. Thus, for example, by setting the light emission order of the above combination in accordance with the preference of the user, a novel design which has not existed in the past can be provided.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing another example of the light emitting device according to the second embodiment and an electronic circuit board on which the light emitting device is mounted. In the figure, reference numeral 4a denotes a plurality of light-emitting elements (light-emitting means) of different colors, and the light-emitting elements 4a, 4a are arranged apart from each other so as to emit light of a combined color between the light-emitting elements 4a, 4a. . In the illustrated example, the light emitting elements 4a are arranged near the opposing sides of the electronic circuit board 3 with a distance therebetween. Further, as in the case of FIG. 4, the light emitting elements 4a, 4a
The light emission operation is controlled by the light emission control circuit 8 described above.

With this arrangement, each light emitting element 4
Cases 1a and 1b corresponding to intermediate positions of a and 4a
However, the light-emitting elements 4a, 4a emit light in a composite color, and the portions of the housings 1a, 1b corresponding to the arrangement positions of the light-emitting elements 4a emit light in the color of the light-emitting elements 4a themselves. 4a without increasing the number of colors
a, 1b can be realized.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing another example of the light emitting device according to the second embodiment and an electronic circuit board on which the light emitting device is mounted. In the figure, reference numeral 3a denotes an electronic circuit board in which a light guide hole 3b is formed, and a light emitting element 4b is arranged in the light guide hole 3b. Three
b is a light guide hole (hole) formed in the electronic circuit board 3a;
Is a light emitting element (light emitting means) disposed in the light guide hole 3b, and light can be introduced into the back surface of the electronic circuit board 3a by the light guide hole 3b. 4 and 5, the light emitting operation of the light emitting element 4b is controlled by the light emitting control circuit 8 described above.

As shown in FIG. 6, a light guide hole 3b is formed in an electronic circuit board 3a, and a light emitting element 4b is arranged in the light guide hole 3b, so that light is also introduced to the back surface of the electronic circuit board 3a. Thus, the entire housings 1a and 1b can emit light even with a small number of light emitting elements. Thereby, the number of light emitting elements 4b to be used can be reduced. Also, since there is no need to install light emitting elements on the front and back of the electronic circuit board,
The manufacturing process can be simplified.

Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which only one light guide hole 3b is formed in the electronic circuit board 3a, the present invention is not limited to this.
It may be formed at a plurality of places on the electronic circuit board according to the number of light emitting elements.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the light emitting element control for selecting a desired light emitting element 4, 4a, 4b based on a setting from outside the housings 1a, 1b and controlling the light emitting operation thereof. Since means are provided, it is possible to obtain the emission colors of the housings 1a and 1b according to the user's preference, and thus it is possible to provide a novel design which has not been provided in the past.

According to the second embodiment, the red,
Since the blue and green light emitting elements 4 are arranged close to each other,
Since the three colors of light emitting elements 4 can emit light of up to eight colors of the casings 1a and 1b, the required number of light emitting elements can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since the light emitting elements 4a, 4a are spaced apart from each other so as to emit light of a composite color between the light emitting elements 4a, 4a, the plurality of light emitting elements 4a, 4a, 4a, the housing 1a,
It is possible to increase the variation of the emission color of 1b, and to provide a novel design that has never been seen before.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the light guide hole 3b is provided in the electronic circuit board 3a on which the light emitting element 4b is mounted so that the light emitted from the light emitting element 4b reaches the back surface of the electronic circuit board 3a. Therefore, the number of necessary light emitting elements 4b can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to install light emitting elements on the front and back surfaces of the electronic circuit board, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

In the first and second embodiments, the housing 1
Although the example in which a and 1b are formed from the same transparent or translucent resin material has been described, the housing may be formed from a colored translucent resin material. Thereby, the variation of the emission color of the housing can be increased as compared with the configurations of the first and second embodiments, and a novel design that has never been provided can be provided.

Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the light emitting element is made to emit light is shown in conjunction with the incoming call. However, it is set so that the light is always emitted and the color changes when there is an incoming call. Is also good. Further, in the case where the light is always emitted, the brightness may be changed according to the remaining power of the battery in order to save power.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone as a mobile communication device has been described.
The same effect as described above can be obtained even when applied to HS or other portable information terminals.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a housing which is integrally formed with a display window with the same transparent or translucent resin material, and which has irregularities on the inner surface excluding the display window. It is composed of at least a light emitting element that emits light in response to an incoming call, and light emitting means that diffuses the light emitted by this light emitting element with unevenness and emits light from the entire housing is provided. There is no need to separate for each constituent resin material, and there is an effect that recyclability can be dramatically improved.

Further, since there is no need for a component for connecting the housing and the display window, there is an effect that the manufacturing is easy and the manufacturing can be performed at low cost.

Furthermore, since it is formed integrally, there is an effect that the strength of the portable communication device can be improved.

Further, since the entire housing emits light in response to an incoming call, the incoming call is not affected even when a ring tone cannot be sounded, used by a user with low visual acuity, or placed in a dark place. There is an effect that light emission can be easily recognized and convenience can be improved.

Further, by selecting a light emitting element of a color that matches the user's preference, the entire housing can be made to emit light in a color that matches the user's preference. Therefore, a novel design portable communication device is provided. Therefore, there is an effect that differentiation can be achieved in terms of design.

According to the present invention, since the partition is formed integrally with the inside of the housing and adjusts the amount of light transmitted from the light emitting element, the apparent thickness of the partition is adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the partition. There is an effect that a housing with the color of (2) can be provided.

Further, by providing the partition portion so as to surround the display window portion, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the information displayed on the display portion from being difficult to see due to the light emitted from the light emitting element.

According to the present invention, the light emitting element control means for selecting a desired light emitting element based on a setting from outside the housing and controlling the light emitting operation thereof is provided, so that the light emission color of the housing according to the preference of the user is provided. Since it can be obtained, there is an effect that an unprecedented novel design can be provided.

According to the present invention, since the light emitting means arranges the red, blue and green light emitting elements close to each other, it is possible to obtain a maximum of eight colors of light emitted from the housing. There is an effect that the number can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the light emitting means comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, and the light emitting elements are arranged at a distance from each other so as to emit light of a composite color between the light emitting elements. This has the effect of increasing the number of color variations and providing a novel design that has never been seen before.

According to the present invention, the hole is formed in the electronic circuit board on which the light emitting element is mounted, and the light emitted from the light emitting element reaches the back surface of the electronic circuit board. There is an effect that can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to install light emitting elements on the front and back surfaces of the electronic circuit board, there is an effect that the manufacturing process can be simplified.

According to the present invention, since the casing is made of a colored and translucent resin material, it is possible to increase the variation of the luminescent color of the casing and to provide an unprecedented novel design. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a mobile communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an effect of a partition of the mobile communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a mobile communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a light emitting device according to a second embodiment and an electronic circuit board on which the light emitting device is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing another example of the light emitting device according to the second embodiment and an electronic circuit board on which the light emitting device is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing another example of the light emitting device according to the second embodiment and an electronic circuit board on which the light emitting device is mounted.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b housing, 2 display window, 3, 3a electronic circuit board, 3b light guide hole (hole), 4, 4a, 4b light emitting element (light emitting means), 5 partition, 6 irregularities, 7 operating section, 8
Light emission control circuit (light emitting means, light emitting element control means), 9
Communication control circuit.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A housing formed integrally with a display window of the same transparent or translucent resin material and having an uneven surface on an inner surface excluding the display window, and a light emitting element which emits light at least in response to an incoming call Consisting of
A portable communication device comprising: a light emitting unit that diffuses light emitted from the light emitting element through the unevenness and emits light from the entire housing. 2. The portable communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a partition formed integrally with the inside of the housing and adjusting a transmission amount of light emitted from the light emitting element. 3. The portable device according to claim 1, further comprising a light emitting element control means for selecting a desired light emitting element based on a setting from outside the housing and controlling a light emitting operation thereof. Communication device. 4. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting means includes red, blue, and green light-emitting elements arranged close to each other. 5. The light emitting means comprises a plurality of light emitting elements,
The portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a distance between the light emitting elements is arranged so as to emit a combined color between the light emitting elements. 6. An electronic circuit board on which a light emitting element is mounted, wherein a hole is provided, and light emitted from the light emitting element reaches a back surface of the electronic circuit board. The mobile communication device according to claim 1. 7. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a colored translucent resin material.