JP2001285434A - Portable electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable electronic equipment which has its power consumption reduced by automatically turning back lights on when the equipment is opened and turning it off when the equipment becomes a half-opened state. SOLUTION: This foldable portable electronic equipment is constituted by coupling an upper enclosure 1 and a lower enclosure 2 with each other through a hinge 3 in an openable and closable state where the enclosures 1 and 2 are abutted against each other in the opened state. Opened state detecting sections 11 which are activated when the enclosures 1 and 2 are opened are respectively installed to the end sections 12 and 14 of the enclosures 1 and 2, and when the detecting sections 11 are activated, the back lights of a display section 5 provided on the upper enclosure 1 and of an operating section 8 provided on the lower enclosure 2 are turned on. When the detecting sections 11 enters into a nonoperating state, the back lights are turned off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable electronic device capable of reducing power consumption based on a backlight.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, there are conflicting performance requirements for portable electronic devices, such as miniaturization and lightening, and as much as possible continuous use time. Therefore, there is a strong demand for compatibility. Particularly in the case of mobile phones, notebook computers, electronic organizers, and the like, in recent years, miniaturization and weight reduction have been competitively promoted according to market needs. On the other hand, the services provided by these portable electronic devices are diversifying, and services other than the call function, such as text mail services and the Internet connection, have been started. Trying to generalize. However, when performing operations such as sending and receiving e-mails and browsing the Internet homepage in portable electronic devices, the backlight lighting time for illuminating the liquid crystal screen and operation buttons becomes longer than when using only calls. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption is increased and continuous use time of the device is shortened. In particular, in the case of a color liquid crystal, it is necessary to increase the brightness of the backlight as compared with the case of a black and white liquid crystal, so such a problem becomes more remarkable.

[0003]

Accordingly, there has been a demand for a portable electronic device capable of reducing power consumption based on a backlight. Conventionally, proposals satisfying such a demand have been proposed. There was a problem that it was not done at all. On the other hand, in a foldable mobile phone, by providing a light emitting unit and a light detection unit, the device itself can detect that it is in a folded state, and when an incoming call is detected in a folded state, Even if the user does not particularly perform the call start operation, by simply opening the telephone, it is possible to automatically shift to the call mode, thereby simplifying the operation and the light emitting unit operates only during an incoming call, A device that reduces power consumption when not in use based on a light emitting unit is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 29444582). However, it is possible to reduce power consumption based on a backlight as described above. There is no disclosure of such a technique.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a portable electronic device capable of reducing power consumption due to a backlight.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device in which an upper housing and a lower housing are openably and closably connected via a hinge. In the foldable portable electronic device, the two housings are brought into abutment with each other in an opened state. A state detecting means, and when the open state detecting means is in an operating state, respective backlights of the display means provided on the upper housing and the operating means provided on the lower housing are turned on. In addition, each of the backlights is turned off when the open state detecting means is in an inoperative state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable electronic device according to the first aspect, wherein the open state detecting means includes a convex portion provided at the end of the one housing and the other. And a push switch which is provided at the end of the housing and is brought into the operating state by being pressed by the projection when the housings are in the open state. The invention according to claim 3 is the same as the claim 1.
Or, according to the portable electronic device according to 2, on each surface of the two housings that come into contact with each other in a closed state, having a closed state detection means that is in an operating state by closing both housings, When the closed state detecting means is in the operating state, when the backlight is disabled based on the occurrence of an arbitrary key operation in the operating means, and when the closed state detecting means is in the inactive state, The backlight is turned on for a predetermined time. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable electronic device according to the third aspect, wherein the closed state detecting means is provided on the magnet provided on the one housing and the other housing.
When the two housings are in the closed state, the operating state is set based on the approach of the magnet, and when the two housings are opened, the inoperative state is set based on the separation of the magnets. And a reed switch. The invention described in claim 5 is the same as the invention described in claim 3.
According to the portable electronic device described in the above, when the closed state detecting means is provided on the one housing and the projection provided on the other housing, the two housings are in the closed state. A push switch that is brought into the operating state by being pressed by the protrusion, and is brought into the inoperative state by being depressed by the protrusion when the two housings are opened. It is characterized by.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device, comprising an operation means and a display means, wherein each of the operation means and the display means is operated by operating an arbitrary key on the operation means. In the portable electronic device configured to turn on the backlight, the backlight can be switched off so as to disable the lighting of each of the backlights by operating a specific button on the operation means.

[0008]

According to the structure of the present invention, in a foldable portable electronic device in which an upper housing and a lower housing are openably and closably connected via a hinge, the two housings are mutually opened in a completely opened state. At the respective ends of the two housings to be abutted, each of the housings has an open state detecting unit that is in an operating state when both housings are open, and when the open state detecting unit is in an operating state. When the respective backlights of the display means provided in the upper housing and the operating means provided in the lower housing are turned on, and when the open state detecting means is in an inactive state, The backlight turns off. Therefore, the backlight can be turned on by detecting the open state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device, and can be controlled to turn off the backlight by detecting the half-open state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device. Therefore, power consumption of the portable electronic device can be reduced. further,
On each surface of the two housings that come into contact with each other in a closed state, there is provided a closed state detecting unit that is in an operating state when the two housings are closed, and the closed state detecting unit is in an operating state. In this case, the backlight is not lit based on the occurrence of an arbitrary key operation in the operation means, and the backlight is lit for a predetermined time when the closed state detection means becomes inactive. Therefore,
In a state where the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is closed, the backlight is not turned on even if a key of the operation unit is accidentally pressed, so that the power consumption of the portable electronic device can be reduced, When the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is opened, control for turning on the backlight for a predetermined time can be performed. Therefore, when an incoming call is received, the display unit and the operation unit can be quickly recognized. become able to.

Further, in the configuration of the present invention, an operation means and a display means are provided, and the backlight of each of the operation means and the display means is turned on by operation of an arbitrary key in the operation means. In the portable electronic device thus configured, it is possible to switch the backlight so as not to be turned on by operating a specific button on the operation means. Therefore, by switching between the control of turning on the backlight and the control of turning off the backlight by operating a specific button of the operation unit of the non-foldable portable electronic device, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of this type of portable electronic device. become.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The description will be specifically made using an embodiment. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a foldable portable telephone as an example of a foldable portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a foldable portable electronic device of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing an open state detection unit in the portable electronic device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a half-open state detection operation in the foldable portable electronic device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a half-open use state of the foldable portable electronic device of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a foldable portable telephone, which is an example of the foldable portable electronic device of this embodiment, is roughly composed of an upper casing 1, a lower casing 2, and a hinge 3. In addition, the upper housing 1 is provided with a receiver 4, a display unit 5 including a liquid crystal display, and an antenna 6.
The lower housing 2 is provided with a transmission unit 7, an operation unit 8 including ten keys, and a battery unit 9. Further, although not specifically shown, inside the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2, a wireless transmitter / receiver provided on a printed circuit board, respectively,
It has an electronic circuit comprising a control unit and a hinge 3
, The electrical connection between each part of the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 is performed, thereby realizing the function of the mobile phone.

The foldable portable electronic device of this embodiment is not limited to a foldable portable telephone but includes a portable electronic device having a foldable structure, such as a notebook personal computer or a kind of electronic organizer. For example, in the case of a notebook personal computer, the configuration including the upper housing 1, the lower housing 2 and the hinge 3 is the same as that of the foldable mobile phone shown in FIG. In addition, the receiving unit 4, the antenna 6, etc. are not provided, and the display unit 5 has a large screen,
The difference is that the lower housing 2 does not have the transmission unit 7 and the operation unit 8 has a keyboard format including character keys.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration and function of the open state detection unit in the foldable portable electronic device of this embodiment will be described. The open state detection unit 11 is provided at an end 12 on the hinge 3 side of the upper housing 1, the protrusion 13 being a structure protruding from the end 12, and an end on the hinge 3 side of the lower housing 2. A push switch 16 is provided on the printed circuit board 15 in the portion 14 at a position facing the convex portion 13. In a state where the housing of the portable electronic device is not sufficiently opened, the projection 13 does not press the push switch 15, so that the push switch 16 is in an inactive state (for example, off). When the switch is opened, the protrusion 13 presses the push switch 16 so that the push switch 16 is activated (ON) and generates a signal indicating that the housing is open.

Next, a first backlight control operation in the portable electronic device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the housing of the portable electronic device is completely opened, FIG.
In the open state detection unit 11 shown in FIG. 1, the push switch 16 is activated by the projection 13 pushing the push switch 16, and a control unit in an electronic circuit (not shown) receives a signal from the push switch 16. The state is detected, and each unit is controlled so as to be in the first backlight control state.

In the first backlight control state, the display unit 5 is operated for a predetermined time from the time when the push switch 16 is activated, or for a predetermined time from the time when an arbitrary key on the operation unit 8 is pressed. Backlight and
After the backlight of each button in the operation unit 8 is turned on, it is turned off. The predetermined time in this case is, for example, 10 seconds.

In this case, a backlight control method in which the backlight is turned on for a predetermined time by pressing an arbitrary key on the operation unit 8 is conventionally used. On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the foldable portable electronic device, the first backlight control state is realized by using the detection result of the open state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device by the open state detection unit 11. are doing. In particular, when a foldable mobile phone is used mainly for using the call function, the receiver 4 fits into the user's ear in a state in which the angle of the housing is completely opened, and the transmitter 7 is generally used. Is configured to fit into the mouth, and there is little opportunity for key operation on the operation unit 8 during a call. Therefore, the configuration as in this example realizes the first backlight control state. It is suitable for performing.

Next, the operation of detecting the half-open state in the foldable portable electronic device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is moved from the fully opened state as shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 shows a state of being closed at about 0 ° to 40 ° and half-opened.
Are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this state, the convex portion 13 is separated from the push switch 16 and does not press the push switch 16, so that the push switch 16 is in an inactive state. This state is detected by a signal from the push switch 16 so that the foldable portable electronic device enters the second backlight control state.

In the second backlight control state, even when the control unit detects that a key is pressed on the operation unit 8, the control unit 5
And the backlight of each key in the operation unit 8 are controlled not to light up. However,
It is needless to say that the backlight can be turned on by a separate control when the AC power supply is connected and the battery is being charged, or in a special case such as at the time of an incoming call.

Next, a second backlight control operation in the foldable portable electronic device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, the foldable portable electronic device 100 of this example (shown by a solid line) is formed by an angle θ = 120 ° between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 as illustrated.
The use state when the display unit 5 is viewed from the illustrated direction while placed on a table 200 or the like in a half-open state where it is opened to about 130 ° is shown. In this state, the push switch 16 (not shown) is not pressed,
Since the foldable portable electronic device is in the second backlight control state, even if a key operation is performed on the operation unit 8, the backlight on the display unit 5 and the operation unit 8 does not turn on.

In the second backlight control method, the surrounding lighting is ensured to some extent, such as at the time of writing a mail or browsing the Internet in a portable electronic device.
This is effective when backlighting is not required. In particular, when the foldable portable electronic device is half-opened, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 4, the display unit 5 is set to an easy-to-view angle, so that the second backlight control state is set as described above. The backlight control method is adapted to the usage state.

When the backlight is to be turned on temporarily while the second backlight control state is selected, the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is moved from the half open state shown by a solid line in FIG. The backlight can be easily turned on by opening the first backlight control state as described with reference to FIG. 1
When it is desired to turn off the backlight when the backlight control state is selected, the opening angle of the housing is changed from the fully open state shown by the broken line to the half open state shown by the solid line, so that a desired light-off state can be easily achieved. be able to.

As described above, in the portable electronic device of this embodiment, the first detection unit 11 uses the detection result of the open state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device in the open state detection unit 11 to detect the first state. When the backlight control state is realized and the case of the foldable portable electronic device is opened, the backlight of the display unit 5 and the operation unit 8 is turned on for a predetermined time, and when the open state is not detected, Since the second backlight control state is realized and the backlight on the display unit 5 and the operation unit 8 is not turned on by the key operation on the operation unit 8, the power consumption of the portable electronic device is reduced. be able to.

Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view showing a closed state detecting unit in a foldable portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the difference is that a closed state detection unit is provided, so that only the closed state detection unit will be described in detail below.
The description of the same parts as in the first embodiment is omitted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the configuration and function of the closed state detection unit in the foldable portable electronic device of this example will be described. FIG. 5A shows a first example of the closed state detection unit of this example. Closed state detector 2 in this case
1 is a magnet 2 provided at an end 22 of the lower housing 2.
3 and a printed circuit board 25 at the end 24 of the upper housing 1
A reed switch 26 is provided at a position facing the magnet 23.

When the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is closed, the magnet 23 and the reed switch 26 are close to each other, and the reed switch 26 is in an operating state (for example, off). When opened, the magnet 23 and the reed switch 26 are separated, so that the reed switch 26 is in an inactive state (ON), and a signal indicating that the operation of opening the casing of the foldable portable electronic device is performed. appear.

FIG. 5 (b) shows a second example of the closed state detecting section of this example. In this case, the closed state detection unit 31 includes a projection 3 provided on an end 32 of the lower housing 2.
3 and a push switch 36 provided on the printed circuit board 35 at the end 34 of the upper housing at a position facing the projection 33. When the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is closed, the projection 33 presses the push switch 36, so that the push switch 36 is in an operating state (for example, off), but when the housing is opened, Since the protrusion 33 does not press the push switch 36, the push switch 36 becomes inactive (ON) and generates a signal indicating that the operation of opening the housing of the foldable portable electronic device has been performed.

Hereinafter, a backlight control operation in the foldable portable electronic device of this example will be described with reference to FIG. When the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is closed, the closed state detection unit 21 or 31 is in the operating state. Therefore, the control unit of the electronic circuit operates even if any key on the operation unit 8 is pressed. , A third backlight control state in which the display unit 5 and the operation unit 8 are not turned on. Further, when the housing is opened, the closed state detection unit 21 or 31 is in an inactive state,
The control unit of the electronic circuit immediately shifts to the fourth control state in which the display unit 5 and the backlight of the operation unit 8 are turned on for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, irrespective of the key press on the operation unit 8. By the fourth backlight control, the backlight in the display unit 5 and the operation unit 8 is turned on for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time elapses, the closed state detection unit 21 or 31 becomes irrelevant to the control of the backlight. Thereafter, only the first backlight control and the second backlight control based on the operation or non-operation of the open state detection unit 11 are performed.

As described above, according to the portable electronic device of this embodiment, the function of the first embodiment is provided and the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is in standby mode by providing the closed state detecting unit. In the folded state, the backlight lighting control based on the pressing of the key on the operation unit is not performed, so that the operation unit is accidentally inadvertently pressed, for example, when the housing is pressed by a strong force from the outside. Even if a key is pressed, it is possible to prevent the backlight from being turned on, thereby preventing an increase in power consumption. Since the backlight is turned on for a predetermined period of time, the display on the display unit 5 can be immediately checked and the state of the keys on the operation unit 8 can be known even when the housing is half open.

Third Embodiment FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A mobile phone, which is an example of the mobile electronic device of this example, has a housing 41 as shown in FIG.
, A display unit 42 composed of a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 43 composed of numeric keys and the like, a reception unit 44, and a transmission unit 45.
, An antenna 46, and a battery unit 47. Although not particularly shown, the housing 41 has an electronic circuit provided on a printed circuit board and including a wireless transmission / reception unit and a control unit. It can be realized.

The portable electronic device of this example is not limited to a portable telephone but includes a portable electronic device having a non-foldable structure, such as a kind of electronic organizer or electronic dictionary. For example, in the case of an electronic dictionary, the case 41, the display unit 42, and the operation unit 43 are different from those of the mobile phone shown in FIG.
And the battery unit 47 are the same, but the receiver 4
4, a transmission unit 45 and an antenna 46 are not provided, the display unit 42 has a large screen, and the operation unit 43 has a keyboard format including character keys.

Next, the configuration and functions of the operation unit in the portable electronic device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the portable electronic device of this example, a first backlight control is performed in which a backlight on the display unit 42 and the operation unit 43 is turned on for a predetermined time by pressing an arbitrary key on the operation unit 43. On the other hand, by pressing a specific backlight control button 48 on the operation unit 43, a second backlight control state is set, and by pressing any key on the operation unit 43, the display unit 42 is pressed.
The backlight of the operation unit 43 is controlled so as not to be turned on. However, it is needless to say that the backlight can be turned on by another control when the AC power supply is connected and the battery is being charged, or in a special case such as at the time of an incoming call.

As described above, according to the portable electronic device of this embodiment, in the portable electronic device having no folding type structure, the first backlight control state in which the backlight is turned on by operating any key, In the first backlight control state, a second backlight control state in which the backlight is not turned on by operating a specific button can be selected and realized. Even with conventional mobile phones, it is possible to keep the backlight off at all times by setting the function, but the operation is cumbersome and difficult to use because it is buried in a deep function menu. , In this example of a portable electronic device,
Since the number of button presses on the operation unit is small until the second backlight control state is realized, the operation is facilitated.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Even this is included in the present invention. For example, in the first or second embodiment, the light amount of the backlight may be changed according to the opening angle of the housing, or the backlight may be always turned off at a predetermined angle. Further, the push switch 16 in the first embodiment,
The ON / OFF relationship between the operation state and the non-operation state of the reed switch 26 and the push switch 36 in the second embodiment may be reversed. The positional relationship between the protrusion 13 and the push switch 16 according to the first embodiment, the magnet 23 and the reed switch 26, and the protrusion 33 and the push switch 36 according to the second embodiment in the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2. May be opposite to the case of each embodiment. Further, the positions of the magnet 23 and the reed switch 26, and the positions of the protrusions 33 and the push switch 36 are not limited to the illustrated end portions, but may be other locations. In the third embodiment,
In the second backlight control state, the specific button 48 may be pressed again to release the second backlight control state and return to the first backlight control state.

[0034]

As described above, according to the portable electronic device of the present invention, the backlight is detected by detecting the open state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device in addition to the operation of any key on the operation unit. A control for turning on the backlight can be performed by detecting the half-open state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device or by operating a specific button of the operation unit in the non-foldable portable electronic device. Further, by detecting the closed state of the housing of the foldable portable electronic device, the backlight of the foldable portable electronic device can be backlighted even if a key of the operation unit is accidentally pressed while the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is closed. , So that the power consumption of the portable electronic device can be reduced, thereby extending the usable time of the portable electronic device. By reducing the amount, it is possible to realize small-sized portable electronic equipment, and weight. In addition, since the backlight can be turned on for a predetermined time when the housing of the foldable portable electronic device is opened, the display unit and the operation unit can be quickly recognized when an incoming call is received. Will be able to do it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a foldable mobile phone as an example of a foldable mobile electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view showing an open state detection unit in the foldable portable electronic device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view for explaining a detection operation of a half-open state in the foldable portable electronic device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a half-open use state of the foldable portable electronic device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view showing a closed state detection unit in the foldable portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a mobile phone as an example of a mobile electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper case 2 Lower case 3 Hinge 4 Receiver 5 Display part (display means) 6 Antenna 7 Transmitter part 8 Operation part (operation means) 9 Battery 11 Open state detection part (open state detection means) 13 Convex part 14 Push Switch 21 Closed State Detector (Closed State Detector) 23 Magnet 26 Reed Switch 31 Closed State Detector (Closed State Detector) 33 Projection 34 Push Switch 42 Display (Display) 43 Operating Part (Operation) 44 Specific Button

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a foldable portable electronic device in which an upper housing and a lower housing are openably and closably connected via a hinge, the two housings abut each other in an open state. At the respective ends of the two housings, there is open state detection means that is in an operating state when the two housings are open, and when the open state detection means is in an operating state, When the respective backlights of the provided display means and the operation means provided in the lower housing are turned on, and the open state detection means is in an inactive state,
The portable electronic device, wherein each of the backlights is turned off. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said open state detecting means includes a protrusion provided at said end of said one housing and said housing provided at said end of said other housing. 2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a push switch that is brought into the operation state by being pressed by the projection when the state is reached. 3. A closed state detecting means which is in an operating state when the two cases are closed, on each surface of the two cases which come into contact with each other in a closed state, wherein the closed state detecting means is provided. Disables the backlight based on the occurrence of an arbitrary key operation on the operation means when the operation state is activated, and sets the backlight to a predetermined state when the closed state detection means is inactive. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is lit for an hour. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said closed state detecting means includes a magnet provided on said one housing and a magnet provided on said other housing, wherein said two housings are in said closed state. 4. The reed switch which is brought into the operating state based on the approach and which is inactivated when the two housings are opened, based on a separation between the magnets. Mobile electronic devices. 5. The device according to claim 5, wherein the closed state detecting means is provided on a projection provided on the one housing and on the other housing.
When the two housings are in the closed state, they are put into the operating state by being pressed by the projections, and when the two housings are in the open state, they are not pressed down by the projections. 4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising a push switch that is turned off. 6. A portable electronic device comprising an operation unit and a display unit, wherein a backlight of each of the operation unit and the display unit is turned on by an operation of an arbitrary key in the operation unit. The portable electronic device, wherein the device can be switched to disable the lighting of each of the backlights by operating a specific button on the operation means.