JP2001345912A - Portable terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating button capable of displaying with improved visibility regardless of the illuminating state of a button key. SOLUTION: A first display part 13 colored with a material in dark color such as black is stuck on the upper surface of a button key 12 of an operating button 10 and a second display part 14 colored with a material in light color such as white is stuck at a position a little deviated on the upper surface of this first display part 13 while being overlapped, and thereby a display part can be configured. In a non-illuminating state, display contents on the second display part 14 is light color can be clearly watched and the first display part 13 in dark color is recognized like a shadow. In the illuminating state, display contents on the first display part 13 is dark color can be clearly watched. A user can clearly and visually recognize display contents in the respective states.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable telephone and the like.
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device provided with an operation button having illumination for improving visibility.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable terminal devices, for example, portable telephones, are provided with various designs, not only in shades of color, but also in depth of colors and glossiness of the surface, in accordance with various demands of users. , Has been put to practical use. Similarly, various designs are used for operation buttons for inputting telephone numbers and characters, inputting various settings and instructions, and the like.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of operation buttons in a conventional portable telephone. The operation button 51 of this conventional example has a background portion 53 made of a translucent (light) colored material adhered to the upper surface of a button key 52 made of a transparent or translucent material. And a display unit 54 indicating the function of the operation button is attached to the display unit 54. The display unit 54 is formed of a coloring material having a light-shielding property (a dark color), and displays numbers, characters, symbols, and the like. Note that a transparent protective layer may be further provided on the display unit 54 in some cases.

The button keys 52 are disposed on a flexible and translucent silicon base 55. Below the silicon base 55, a circuit board 57 on which a light emitting diode 56 for button illumination is mounted is provided. I have. Although not shown, the circuit board 57 is provided with a switch that is turned on and off by the button key 52, a power supply circuit for the light emitting diode 56, and the like.

[0005] When the light emitting diode 56 does not emit light, the operation button 51 can identify the display unit 54 based on a color difference or a shade difference between the display unit 54 and the background unit 53.
The display contents of the button keys 52 can be recognized. When the light emitting diode 56 emits light, the illumination light 58 from the light emitting diode 56 diffuses in the silicon base 55 and passes through the button key 52 from below, and the display unit 5
4, the light is transmitted to the outside (upward) from a portion of the background portion 53 other than the display portion 54. The display unit 54 is identified by the difference in light transmittance between the display unit 54 and the background unit 53 and the brightness of the illuminated color.
Can be recognized.

[0006]

In the conventional operation buttons as described above, there is a possibility that the display section may be difficult to visually recognize depending on the color design, that is, the setting of the background portion, the button keys, the color of the illumination light, and the like. is there. For example, consider a case in which the button keys themselves are colored instead of providing a colored background portion. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the case of the operation button 61 in which the display unit 63 is provided on the colored button key 62, the button key 6 is not illuminated.
The second color and the color of the display unit 63 need to be of a color tone that is easy to identify, avoiding similar colors, and ensure the visibility of the displayed content. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, it is necessary that the color of the button key 62 and the color of the display unit 63 irradiated with the illumination light do not become similar colors even in the illumination state. In particular, when the colored button key 62 is illuminated, the color of the button key 62 and the color of the display unit 63 are mixed with each other, so that the display unit 63 may be difficult to visually recognize.

[0007] For this reason, there is a problem that the design related to the colors of the operation buttons, such as the button keys and the display unit, is limited. In addition, when a plurality of functions can be executed by one operation button by mode switching or the like, it is difficult in terms of design to set a color of a display unit having a plurality of display contents so as to ensure the respective visibility. Was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and there are few restrictions on the design of the colors of the button keys and the display portion thereof, and the visibility is excellent even in any use environment such as when illuminating the button keys. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal device provided with an operation button capable of displaying button keys.

[0009]

A portable terminal device according to the present invention is a portable terminal device provided with an operation button and an illuminating means for illuminating the operation button. A translucent button key for transmitting the illumination light from the means, and the button key has a display portion representing the display content of the operation button as a display portion illuminated by the illumination light and a non-illumination state. And a display unit having a plurality of different colors including a display unit of a color which can be identified. Secondly, the display section is formed such that a plurality of display sections having different colors overlap in the thickness direction of the button keys. Such a display unit is formed of characters, numerals, symbols, and the like representing the function of the operation button as display content.

[0010] With the above-described configuration, the display units having different colors can be clearly recognized in each state according to the presence or absence of the illumination light, so that the visibility of the display unit can be ensured regardless of the illumination state. It is. In addition, there are few restrictions on the color design, and it is possible to cope with various designs. By setting appropriate colors, the visibility of the display unit can be improved.

Third, the button key is made of a light-transmitting member having a light color, and the display section is provided with a lighter color and a color distinguishable from the button key on the dark first display section. It is assumed that the second display portions having the same display content are stacked and formed at positions shifted from each other. With this configuration, a shaded display can be performed on the display unit.

Fourthly, the button key is made of a light-colored light-transmitting member, and the display portion is provided on the dark first display portion with a lighter color and a color distinguishable from the button key. It is assumed that the second display portions having the same display content are formed in a stacked manner.

As described above, by providing a plurality of display units having the same contents in different colors, it is possible to clearly recognize the display contents of the display units in each of the lighting on and off states. In addition, it is possible to change the color of the display unit depending on the presence or absence of the illumination light and use it properly.

Fifth, the button key is made of a light-colored light-transmitting member, and the display portion is provided on the dark first display portion in a lighter color and a color distinguishable from the button key. It is assumed that the second display units having different display contents are stacked and formed.

As described above, by providing a plurality of display units having different colors and display contents, the display contents of the display unit can be clearly recognized in each of the lighting on / off states. In addition, the display content of the display unit can be switched and used together with the function of the operation button depending on the presence or absence of illumination light in one operation button.

Sixth, the illuminating means can emit illuminating lights of different colors, and the display section is formed by laminating a plurality of display sections of the same color with a plurality of illuminating lights by the illuminating means. It shall be. Seventh, the illumination means is capable of emitting first illumination light and second illumination light having different colors, and the display section has a first display section having a similar color to the first illumination light. And a second display portion having a similar color to the second illumination light and a color distinguishable from the first illumination light.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to clearly recognize the display content of the display unit according to each lighting state such as the lighting state and color of the illumination light. Further, various operation buttons can be displayed, such as switching the display content of the display unit according to the color of the illumination light, switching the color of the display unit together with the illumination light, and the like.

Eighth, the plurality of display units are formed by lamination on or near the upper surface of the button key. Alternatively, ninth, the plurality of display units are formed on an upper surface of the button key and a bottom surface opposed thereto or in the vicinity of those surfaces. In this way, various arrangements of the display unit can be applied,
Either way, visibility can be ensured.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a portable terminal device, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on the portable terminal device, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of the operation button.

In the following embodiment, an example of the configuration of operation buttons in a portable terminal device such as a portable telephone will be described. The present invention is applied to, for example, a mobile phone 1 as shown in FIG. The mobile phone 1 includes a button unit 3 inside a housing covered by an upper case 2 and a lower case (not shown).
The circuit board 15 and the like are housed therein. The button unit 3 includes a plurality of operation buttons 10 arranged side by side, and is arranged and assembled on a circuit board 15 on which the switches 4 and the like are mounted. Operation button 1 when assembled
The upper surface of the button key 0 is exposed outside the upper case 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation button 10 is provided with a button key 12 made of a translucent material colored in a light color on a silicon base 11 made of a flexible and translucent silicone rubber material. It is provided and configured. A first display unit 13 colored with a dark material such as black is attached to the upper surface of the button key 12, and a light color material such as white is placed on the upper surface of the first display unit 13 at a slightly shifted position. The colored second display unit 14 is attached in an overlapping manner.

The first display unit 13 and the second display unit 14
Is the button key 12 by silk printing or adhesion of coloring material.
Is attached to the surface of the substrate. In this example, the first display unit 13 and the second display unit 14 have the same shape and are slightly displaced from each other, and the first display unit 13 shields the illumination light for illuminating the button key 12 and does not transmit it to the outside. As described above.

Silicon base 1 for operation button 10
A circuit board 15 is provided below the device 1, and the circuit board 15 is provided with a light-emitting diode 16 corresponding to an illumination unit that generates illumination light. Although not shown, the circuit board 15 is provided with a switch that is turned on and off by pressing the button key 12, a power supply circuit for the light emitting diode 16, a control circuit for performing various controls, and the like.

Next, the operation button 10 having the above configuration is
Will be described. Button key 12
2 is not illuminated (non-illuminated state).
As shown in (A), the user is given the first colored deep color.
It looks as if the second display unit 14 is colored lightly on the display unit 13, and the display content of the second display unit 14 can be clearly recognized based on the difference in shading or color between them.
Further, at this time, the first display unit 13 appears to form a shadow character at a position slightly shifted from the second display unit 14, so that very excellent visibility can be obtained.

The illumination light is emitted from the light emitting diode 16 and the button key 12 is illuminated (illumination state).
Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the illumination light passes through the button key 12 through the translucent silicon base 11, and the button key 12 emits light. At this time, the illumination light is blocked by the first display unit 13 while the second display unit 1 is blocked.
At 4, the light is transmitted. For this reason, the color of the button key 12 emitted by the illumination light and the color of the second display unit 14 through which the illumination light has passed may be similar colors, and the display content of the second display unit 14 may be difficult to recognize. However, the portion of the first display unit 13 which is shaded due to the blocking of the illumination light is clearly different in shading from the portion of the button key 12 which emits light.
Can be clearly recognized.

As described above, by disposing the light-colored display and the dark-colored display in a superposed manner, the white display content of the second display unit 14 in the non-illuminated state and the first display content in the illuminated state. The black display contents of the unit 13 can be clearly recognized. Therefore, visibility can be improved in each use state regardless of the presence or absence of illumination light. In this case, since the display colors of the respective display portions are different, the display colors can be changed according to the presence or absence of the illumination light. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the color of the button keys and the display unit can be set more flexibly while maintaining good visibility, and it is possible to cope with various designs.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on the portable terminal device. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a main configuration of the operation buttons. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation button 20 of the second embodiment is a flexible and light-transmitting silicon base 21.
A button key 22 made of a translucent material colored in a light color is disposed on the display. A first display unit 23 colored with a dark material such as black is attached to the bottom surface of the button key 22, and a second display unit 24 colored with a light material such as white is attached to the top surface of the button key 22. ing.
The configuration of the part other than the arrangement of the display unit is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted below.

Next, the display state of the display unit on the operation button 20 having such a configuration will be described. In a state where the button key 22 is not illuminated (non-illuminated state), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the user can see the second display portion 24 on the upper surface of the button key 22 which is colored lightly, and
The display content of the second display unit 24 can be clearly recognized based on the color difference between the display and the second display unit 24.

When the button key 22 is illuminated (illuminated state), the illumination light from the light emitting diode 16 passes through the button key 22 through the silicon base 21 as shown in FIG. The button key 22 emits light. At this time, the color of the button key 22 emitted by the illuminating light and the color of the second display unit 24 through which the illuminating light is transmitted may be similar colors, and the display contents of the second display unit 24 may be difficult to recognize. Since the illumination light is blocked by the first display unit 23, the display contents of the dark first display unit 23 can be clearly recognized even in the illumination state.

As described above, by disposing the light-colored display and the dark-colored display on the upper and lower surfaces of the button keys, the white display content of the second display 24 can be displayed in the non-illuminated state. In the illumination state, the black display content of the first display unit 23 can be clearly recognized. Therefore, visibility can be improved in each use state regardless of the presence or absence of illumination light. In this case, by changing the shape and the like of the first display unit 23 and the second display unit 24, the display colors and display contents of the display unit can be changed and used depending on the presence or absence of illumination light. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the color and display content of the button keys and the display unit can be set more flexibly while maintaining good visibility.
It can correspond to various designs.

It should be noted that instead of providing a display section on both sides of the button key, a display section may be provided on the top or bottom surface,
Depending on the structure of the button key, a display portion may be provided inside to form a multi-layered display portion, or three or more display portions may be provided by multi-layering the button keys and the display portion.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on a portable terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The operation button 30 of the third embodiment has a first display portion 33 colored with a dark material such as black adhered to the upper surface of the button key 32, and is colored with a light material such as white thereon. The second display unit 34 is attached in an overlapping manner. In this example, the first display unit 3 having different display contents (the direction of the arrow shape) is different.
This is an example in which the third display unit 34 and the second display unit 34 are stacked in two layers. The configuration of the part other than the arrangement of the display unit is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted below.

It is to be noted that, instead of providing the display unit on the top surface of the button key, the display unit may be provided on the bottom surface or inside,
A plurality of display units can be provided in a layered manner in a state where they are separated from each other, or three or more display units can be provided by multiplying button keys and display units.

Next, the display state of the display unit on the operation button 30 having such a configuration will be described. In a state where the button key 32 is not illuminated (non-illuminated state), FIG.
As shown in the figure, the user can see the second display portion 34 on the top surface of the button key 32 which is colored lightly, and
The second display unit 34 is determined by the color difference between the second display unit 34 and the second display unit 34.
Can be clearly recognized. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the first display unit 33 is
4 is provided within the range where the light-emitting element 4 exists, and in a non-illuminated state, the lower first display section 33 in the lower side is hidden under the lower second display section 34 in the upper side. Become invisible and look good.

When the button key 32 is illuminated (illuminated state), as shown in FIG. 6B, illumination light passes through the button key 32 and the button key 32 emits light. At this time, the color of the button key 32 emitted by the illumination light and the color of the second display unit 34 through which the illumination light is transmitted become similar colors, so that the display content of the second display unit 34 becomes invisible. 1 is interrupted by the display unit 33 and the second
It is possible to clearly recognize the display content of the first display unit 33 of a dark color different from the display unit 34. In the example of the present embodiment, arrows having different directions in the first display unit 33 and the second display unit 34 can be recognized according to the lighting state. In this case, the function of the operation buttons (for example, up scrolling and down scrolling) may be switched in conjunction with turning on / off of the lighting by the control circuit, so that operation control is also easy.

As described above, the display portion having different display contents is laminated and provided, so that the white display content of the second display portion 34 in the non-illuminated state and the black display content of the first display portion 33 in the illuminated state. Are clearly recognizable. Therefore, while maintaining good visibility regardless of the lighting condition, the function display of the operation buttons can be switched and used depending on the use condition depending on the presence or absence of the illumination light, so that the user can clearly identify a plurality of functions. Can be operated. Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to more flexibly set the colors and display contents of the button keys and the display unit while maintaining good visibility. As described above, the present embodiment is extremely useful in practical use in a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone which requires a limited number of operation buttons and requires multiple functions.

7 and 8 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a display state of operation buttons provided on the portable terminal device, and FIG. 8 is a cross-section showing a main part configuration of the operation buttons. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the operation button 40 of the fourth embodiment is a flexible and light-transmitting silicon base 41.
A button key 42 made of a translucent material colored in a light color is arranged on the above. On the upper surface of the button key 42, for example, the first display unit 4 colored in green
3, a white background display portion 45 is attached thereon so as to cover the entire upper surface of the button key 42, and a second display portion 44 colored, for example, red is attached thereon. The layers are formed in layers.

Silicon base 4 for operation button 40
1, a circuit board 15 is provided, and the circuit board 15 has a green light emitting diode 4 for generating green illumination light.
6 and a red light emitting diode 47 for generating red illumination light. In this example, when two colors of illumination light, red and green, are used, a green first display section 43 having a downward arrow shape and a red second display section 44 having an upward arrow shape are provided, and between them. This is an example in which a white background display section 45 is provided, and display sections having different display contents (in the direction of the arrow shape) are stacked. The configuration of the other parts is the first
This is the same as the embodiment, and the description is omitted below.

It should be noted that instead of providing the display unit on the top surface of the button key, the display unit may be provided on the bottom surface or inside the unit,
A plurality of display units can be provided in a layered manner in a state where they are separated from each other, or three or more display units can be provided by further increasing the number of button keys and display units.

Next, the display state of the display unit on the operation buttons 40 having such a configuration will be described. When the button key 42 is not illuminated (non-illuminated state), FIG.
As shown in the figure, the user can see the red second display section 44 on the white background display section 45 of the button key 42, and the green first display section 43 is hidden below the white background display section 45. And the button key 42 and the second display 44
The display content (red upward arrow) on the second display unit 44 can be clearly recognized by the color difference from the above.

When the button key 42 is illuminated by the illumination light from the green light emitting diode 46 (green illumination state), the button key 42 emits light by the green illumination light as shown in FIG. 7B. It will be in the state of having done. At this time, the green illumination light passes through the white background display unit 45,
Since the button key 42 appears to be greenish, the green first display unit 43 becomes a similar color and cannot be recognized, and only the red second display unit 44 can be recognized. This makes it possible to clearly recognize the display content (upward arrow of red (blackish color) mixed with green color) by the second display unit 44.

When the button key 42 is illuminated by the illumination light from the red light emitting diode 47 (red illumination state), the button key 42 emits light by the red illumination light as shown in FIG. It will be in the state of having done. At this time, the red illumination light passes through the white background display section 45,
Since the button key 42 appears to be reddish, the red second display portion 44 becomes a similar color and cannot be recognized, and only the green first display portion 43 in which illumination light is blocked can be recognized. This makes it possible to clearly recognize the display content (dark green (almost black) downward arrow mixed with reddish color) displayed by the first display unit 43. In the example of the present embodiment, the first
Arrows having different colors and directions between the display unit 43 and the second display unit 44 can be recognized according to the presence or absence of illumination and the color. In this case, the control circuit switches on / off the illumination and selects the color of the illumination light, and switches the function of the operation button (for example, up scroll and down scroll) in conjunction with this. Also, operation control is easy.

As described above, the display section having different colors and display contents is formed by lamination, and the color of the illuminating light is selectively switched, so that the red second display in the non-illuminated state and the green illuminated state. The display content of the unit 44 can be clearly recognized in the red illumination state, and the display content of the green first display unit 43 can be clearly recognized. Therefore, while maintaining good visibility irrespective of the lighting state, the function display of the operation button can be switched and used depending on the use state of the illumination light depending on the color and presence of the illumination light, so that the user can clearly identify the plurality of functions. Can be identified and operated. In the present embodiment, by switching the color of the illumination light, the display contents of the button keys and the display unit can be more clearly identified, and it is possible to cope with various color designs.
Similar to the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment is extremely practical in a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone that requires a variety of designs in addition to a limited number of operation buttons and requires multiple functions. It is informative.

In the above-described embodiment, a configuration is shown in which display portions of different colors are provided in an overlapping manner in the thickness direction (height direction) of the button keys, but when viewed from the outside (operation side) of the button keys. A configuration in which display units of different colors are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) is also possible, and the same operation and effect can be obtained. Further, the display unit can be similarly applied to a configuration in which characters, numerals, and the like representing display contents and its background are formed in an inverted state.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is little restriction on the design of the colors of the button keys and the display portion thereof, and the visibility is excellent even in any use environment such as when illuminating the button keys. There is an effect that a mobile terminal device provided with an operation button capable of displaying button keys can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a portable terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
(A) shows a non-lighting state, and (B) shows a lighting state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of an operation button according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on a mobile terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
(A) shows a non-lighting state, and (B) shows a lighting state.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of an operation button according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on a mobile terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
(A) shows a non-lighting state, and (B) shows a lighting state.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons provided on a mobile terminal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
(A) shows a non-illumination state, (B) shows a green illumination state, and (C) shows a red illumination state.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of an operation button according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of operation buttons in a conventional mobile phone.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of operation buttons in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20, 30, 40 Operation buttons 11, 21, 41 Silicon base 12, 22, 32, 42 Button keys 13, 23, 33, 43 First display unit 14, 24, 34, 44 Second display unit 15 Circuit board 16 light emitting diode 45 background display part 46 green light emitting diode 47 red light emitting diode

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A portable terminal device comprising: an operation button; and illumination means for illuminating the operation button, wherein the operation button has a translucent button key for transmitting illumination light from the illumination means. The button key has a plurality of different colors including a display unit of a color that can be distinguished between a state illuminated by the illumination light and a non-illumination state, as a display unit representing display contents related to the operation button. A mobile terminal device provided with a display unit. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is formed such that a plurality of display units having different colors overlap in a thickness direction of the button key. 3. The button key is made of a light-transmitting member having a light color, and the display portion is displayed on the dark first display portion in the same color as a lighter color and a color distinguishable from the button key. 2. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the second display portion of the content is formed by being stacked at a shifted position. 4. The button key is made of a light-transmitting member having a light color, and the display portion is displayed on the dark first display portion in the same color as a lighter color and a color distinguishable from the button key. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the second display portions having the contents are stacked and formed. 5. The button key is made of a light-colored member having a light-transmitting property, and the display portion is displayed on a dark color first display portion in a lighter color and a color distinguishable from the button key. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the second display units are formed by stacking different second display units. 6. The illumination unit is capable of emitting illumination light of different colors, and the display unit is formed by laminating a plurality of display units of the same color with a plurality of illumination lights by the illumination unit. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The illumination unit is capable of emitting first illumination light and second illumination light having different colors, and the display unit is configured to perform a first display of a similar color to the first illumination light. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a second display unit having a color similar to the second illumination light and a color that is distinguishable from the first illumination light is laminated. . 8. The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of display units are formed on the upper surface of the button key or in the vicinity thereof. 9. The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of display units are formed on an upper surface of the button key and a bottom surface facing the button key or near the surface.