JP2001305976A - Photodetecting assembly used also as display, and portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photodetecting assembly used also as a display which can cope with miniaturization of a portable terminal, and to provide the portable terminal. SOLUTION: The photodetecting assembly used also as the display is provided with a light emitting element 11 and a photodetecting element 12 attached on a substrate 10, a hollow light shielding member 13 which is in contact with the substrate 10 so as to integrally cover the both elements 11, 12, an infrared ray removing filter 14 which partitions the inside of the light shielding member 13 into a space A on the light emitting element 11 side and a space B on the photodetecting element 12 side and a light guiding member 15 which penetrates the light shielding member 13 from outside of the light shielding member 13 and extends to the space on the light emitting element 11 side. Display ray R emitted by the light emitting element 11 is guided to the outside of the light shielding member 13 by the light guiding member 15 and only visible ray P among the visible ray P and infrared ray Q, which are guided to the space A of the light emitting element 11 side from the outside of the light shielding member 13 through the light guiding member 15, is selectively guided to the space B on the photodetecting element 12 side by the filter 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a display / light detection assembly and a portable terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows a lighting device for a mobile radio device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-343529. The lighting device for this mobile radio device has a numeric display 1, a number key and a function key. Illumination means 3 provided in each of the key operation units 2, a key operation detection unit 4 for detecting depression of a key of the key operation unit 2, and a timer 5 started in response to detection of a key operation by the key operation detection unit 4 A switch 6 for closing the power supply circuit to the lighting means during the operation time of the timer 5; a light receiving element 7 for detecting the amount of ambient light during the operation time of the timer 5 and converting it into an electric signal; And a current control circuit 8 for controlling power supply to the lighting means 3 based on an electric signal from

In this lighting device for a mobile radio device, when the key of the key operation unit 2 is depressed, the amount of light in the surroundings is detected by the light receiving element 7 when the timer 5 is started, and the current control circuit 8 is controlled based on the amount of light. The power supply to the lighting means 3 is controlled, and the brightness of the lighting means 3 is adjusted according to the surrounding brightness.

When the surroundings are bright and the lighting means 3 does not need to be turned on, the power supply to the lighting means 3 is cut off by the current control circuit 8, whereby the battery ( (Not shown) is suppressed.

[0005]

When the lighting device for a mobile radio device shown in FIG. 5 is to be applied to a mobile phone which is a general mobile terminal, a light emitting diode or light emitted from a light emitting diode built in the case of the phone is used. In addition to the incoming call display means composed of a light guide member for display for guiding outside, the light receiving element 7
Is provided in the case, and a light guide member for receiving light for guiding light from the outside to the light receiving element 7 is provided in the case.

However, portable terminals such as portable telephones have been gradually becoming smaller in recent years. In addition to light-emitting display means, a light-receiving element 7 and a light-guiding member for receiving light are newly incorporated in the portable terminal. In such a case, there is a concern that the design of the case and the arrangement of the components becomes complicated and that the production thereof becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a display / light detection assembly and a portable terminal capable of responding to miniaturization of the portable terminal.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the display / light detecting assembly according to the present invention, a light emitting element and a light detecting element disposed inside a hollow light shielding member, and a light emitting element inside the light shielding member emit light. An optical filter that partitions the light-receiving element from an element side and a light-guiding member that extends from the outside of the light-shielding member to the space on the light-emitting element side through the light-shielding member.

In the portable terminal according to the present invention, a light emitting element, a light detecting element disposed near the light emitting element, an optical filter interposed between the two elements, and a portable terminal are provided in a case of the portable terminal. And a guide hole member extending from the window provided in the case to the light emitting element side.

In either the display / light detection assembly of the present invention or the portable terminal, the display light emitted by the operation of the light emitting element is directed to the outside of the light shielding member via the light guide member connected to the space on the light emitting element side. Lead.

The external light guided from the outside of the light guide member to the space on the light emitting element side through the light guide member is removed by a specific wavelength band component by an optical filter or transmitted through the component. It leads to the space on the detection element side.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a display / light detection assembly according to the present invention. The display / light detection assembly is provided at an upper end of a substrate 10 supported by a front case 9 of a portable telephone. A light emitting element 11 such as a light emitting diode attached thereto, a light detecting element 12 such as a photodiode or a phototransistor attached to a substrate 10 so as to be located on the side of the light emitting element 11, and these elements 11 and 12 are integrally formed. A light-blocking member 13 in contact with the substrate 10 so as to cover the light-shielding member 13, and a plate-like filter for removing infrared rays that partitions the inside of the light-shielding member 13 into a space A on the light emitting element 11 side and a space B on the light detection element 12 side. And a light guide member 15 extending from the outside of the light shielding member 13 to the space A on the light emitting element 11 side through the light shielding member 13.

The front case 9 has a liquid crystal display section and a key operation section, and the case is provided with a light emitting diode for these backlights.

As one of the control functions, the control unit of the portable telephone illuminates only the liquid crystal display unit at the time of an incoming call or key operation, etc., according to the amount of external visible light received from the photodetector 12. The lighting control of the light emitting diode for the backlight is performed such as illuminating both the liquid crystal display unit and the key operation unit, or not illuminating them.

The elements 11 and 12 are mounted on the substrate 10 such that the light emitting portion and the light detecting portion face the front of the telephone.

The light-shielding member 13 includes a box-shaped portion 13b having a hole 13a which is entirely open on the back side of the telephone and into which a light-guiding member 15 can be inserted, and a hole 1 in the box-shaped portion 13b.
A gutter-like portion 13c extending from the vicinity of 3a to the top of the telephone is integrally formed using a highly elastic polymer resin material such as silicone rubber.

The shape of the gutter portion 13c is
It is set so as to be fitted from the back side of the telephone to a holder 9a provided on the inner side of the telephone at the top and into which the light guide member 15 is inserted.

The front case 9 has a wall 9b protruding from the inner surface thereof toward the back of the telephone and abutting against the bottom surface of the box-shaped portion 13b and the left and right surfaces thereof, and protruding from the inner surface of the case to the back of the telephone. There are provided two pillars 9c which are in contact with the surface of the box-like portion 13b on the top side of the telephone and the left and right side surfaces of the gutter-like portion 13c. The close contact with the pillar 9c prevents the light-blocking member 13 from falling off the front case 9.

In addition, the substrate 1 is attached to the front case 9.
0, the relative position between the light-blocking member 13 and the substrate 10 is adjusted such that the entire periphery of the opening of the box-shaped portion 13b on the back side of the telephone is in close contact with the periphery of the mounting position of the elements 11 and 12 of the substrate 10. The settings are made.

The filter 14 transmits light waves in the visible region (visible light P), and transmits light waves in the infrared region (infrared light Q).
Has the optical property of preventing transmission of light.

The shape of the filter 14 is set to be a quadrilateral whose sides are in contact with the inner surface of the box-shaped portion 13b and the substrate 10.

The light guide member 15 is inserted into the holder 9a of the front case 9 and the hole 13a of the light shielding member 13 from the outside of the telephone.
This contributes to preventing the light shielding member 13 from falling off.

The constituent materials of the light guide member 15 ensure the transparency of the visible light P from the outside of the mobile phone toward the inside of the front case 9 and the display light R emitted from the light emitting element 11 and directed to the outside of the mobile phone. As described above, a milky or transparent polymer resin material is used.

In the display / light detection assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, when the light emitting element 11 emits the display light R at the time of an incoming call, the display light R is applied to the light emitting element 11 inside the light shielding member 13.
A predetermined portion connected to the space A on the side and a predetermined portion is guided to the outside of the mobile phone through the light guide member 15 exposed to the outside of the front case 9, so that the telephone owner can recognize the incoming call.

Of the visible light P and the infrared light Q guided from the outside of the portable telephone to the space A on the light emitting element 11 side inside the light shielding member 13 via the light guiding member 15, only the visible light P is the filter 1.
4 to the space B on the light detection element 12 side inside the light shielding member 13, whereby the light detection element 12 can determine the brightness of the surroundings of the mobile phone according to the amount of visible light P. Become.

Accordingly, the light detection element 12 can detect infrared light Q emitted from a heating bulb or the like that is lit in the vicinity of the mobile phone, even though the surroundings are perceived to be sufficiently dark by human vision. It is avoided, and the illumination means attached to the numeric display unit or the key operation unit of the mobile phone operates according to human vision.

Further, as described above, the display light R emitted from the light emitting element 11 enters the light guide member 15 without being affected by the filter 14, so that the display light R is transmitted through the light guide member 15 to the outside of the portable telephone. The light amount and color tone of the display light R guided to the direction do not change significantly.

As described above, in the display / light detecting assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the light emitting element 11 and the light detecting element 12 are provided in the same light shielding member 13, and the light emitting element 11 is connected to the outside of the light shielding member 13. Since the common light guide member 15 is used for guiding the display light R to the light detecting member 12 and for guiding the visible light P from the outside of the light shielding member 13 to the photodetector 12, the design of the front case 9 and the substrate 10 is simplified. As a result, the production is facilitated, and accordingly, it is possible to cope with the miniaturization of the mobile phone.

In the above-described embodiment, the plate-like filter 14 is used as the optical filter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If a filter is formed and the photodetecting element 12 is provided with the function of an optical filter, it is possible to further reduce the number of components and save space.

The display / light detection assembly and the portable terminal of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the display / light detection assembly of the present invention is not limited to the portable telephone, such as an infrared remote controller. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to portable terminals and household electric appliances, and that other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0032]

As described above, according to the display / light detection assembly and the portable terminal of the present invention, the following various excellent effects can be obtained.

(1) According to the first, second and sixth aspects of the present invention, the number of parts is reduced and the space is saved. That is, the light-emitting element and the light-detecting element are provided in the same light-blocking member, and the display light is guided from the light-emitting element to the outside of the light-blocking member, and the external light is guided from the outside of the light-blocking element to the light-detecting element. By using a common light guide member, the design of the case and the arrangement of parts can be simplified and the manufacture thereof can be facilitated, so that it is possible to cope with the miniaturization of the portable terminal. Furthermore, since the display light emitted from the light emitting element is incident on the light guide member without being affected by the optical filter, the quantity of light and the color tone of the display light guided to the outside of the light guide member do not change significantly. In addition, since a specific wavelength band component can be removed by an optical filter, or only a specific wavelength band component can be transmitted and received by the photodetector, various types of mobile terminals and electric devices having photodetectors for different purposes can be used. Available for products.

(2) According to the third and eighth aspects of the present invention, the incidence of infrared light from the light guide member to the light detecting element is controlled by the filter interposed between the light emitting element and the light detecting element. Since the light is blocked, the light amount can be detected in accordance with human vision.

(3) According to the invention described in claim 4,
This is effective in reducing the number of parts and saving space. In other words, by using a common light guide member for guiding display light from the light emitting element to the outside and for guiding external light from the outside to the light detecting element, the design of the case and the arrangement of parts can be simplified. Its manufacture is also facilitated, so that it is possible to cope with miniaturization of portable terminals. In addition, a specific wavelength band component can be removed by an optical filter, or only a specific wavelength band component can be transmitted and received by a photodetector, so that it can be used for various mobile terminals equipped with a photodetector for different purposes. It is possible.

(4) According to the invention described in claim 5,
Since the display light emitted from the light emitting element is incident on the light guide member without being affected by the optical filter, the quantity of light and the color tone of the display light guided to the outside of the light guide member do not change significantly.

(5) According to the invention described in claim 7,
The display unit and the operation unit are illuminated according to the amount of light received by the photodetector, so it is easy to check the display contents of the display unit and the position of the operation unit in a dark place, and operate without mistaking the operation unit. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of a display / light detection assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a front case of the mobile phone in which the display / light detection assembly shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows IV-IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a lighting device for a mobile wireless device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-343529.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 9 front case 10 substrate 11 light emitting element 12 light detecting element 13 light shielding member 14 filter 15 light guiding member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109T F-term (Reference) 5F041 AA47 CB32 EE22 EE24 EE25 5F088 BA15 BB10 EA09 JA13 JA14 LA03 5G435 DD12 EE22 EE25 EE30 FF08 FF13 GG01 GG11 GG21 GG23 LL07 5K067 AA42 EE02 EE37 FF02 FF24 FF31 KK17

Claims (8)

[Claims] A light-emitting element and a light-detecting element disposed inside a hollow light-shielding member; an optical filter for partitioning the inside of the light-shielding member into a light-emitting element side and a light-detection element side; A light guide member extending through the member to the space on the light emitting element side. 2. A light-emitting element and a light-detecting element mounted on a substrate, a hollow light-shielding member in contact with the substrate so as to integrally cover the two elements, and a light-emitting element side inside the light-shielding member and the light-detecting element. A display-side light detection assembly, comprising: an optical filter that partitions the light-shielding member on the side; and a light-guiding member that penetrates the light-shielding member from outside the light-shielding member and extends to a space on the light-emitting element side. 3. The display / light detection assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical filter is a filter for removing infrared rays. 4. A light-emitting element, a light-detecting element disposed in the vicinity of the light-emitting element, an optical filter interposed between the light-emitting elements, and a window provided in the case of the mobile terminal. And a guide hole member extending from the light emitting element side to the light emitting element side. 5. The optical filter, wherein output light of the light emitting element enters the light guide member without passing through the optical filter, and light incident on the light emitting element side through the light guide member from the window portion passes through the optical filter. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the mobile terminal is divided into a light guide member and a light emitting element side and a light detection element side so that the light detection element receives light. 6. A light-emitting element and a light-detecting element attached to a substrate housed in a case of a portable terminal, a hollow light-shielding member in contact with the substrate so as to integrally cover the two elements, An optical filter for partitioning the inside into a light emitting element side and a light detecting element side, and a light guide member extending from a window provided in the case of the portable terminal to a space on the light emitting element side through a light shielding member. Mobile terminal. 7. A display unit and / or an operation unit, an illumination light emitting element that illuminates the display unit and / or the operation unit, and the illumination light emitting element that emits light in accordance with the amount of light received by a light detection element. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit. 8. The portable terminal according to claim 4, wherein the optical filter is a filter for removing infrared rays.