JP2002077355A - Portable mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable mobile terminal for which use environment at night is improved. SOLUTION: This portable mobile terminal is equipped with a display unit 3 for displaying character or image information, a first illuminating means for illuminating a key operation unit 4 and a second illuminating means for illuminating the display unit 3. The first and second illuminating means are driven by operating any key of the key operation unit 4. In this portable mobile terminal, an illuminating button 1, which drives only the second illuminating means, when this button is pressed during non-talking is provided, independently of the keys of the key operation unit 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a portable mobile terminal capable of selectively illuminating only a display unit for displaying characters or image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional portable mobile terminal such as a mobile phone is provided with an illuminating means for illuminating a key operation unit and a display unit for displaying characters or image information. When either of them is pressed, the display unit and the key operation unit are both illuminated brightly. If no key operation is performed for about 10 to 30 seconds, the illumination is automatically turned off.

[0003] Such a configuration is adopted because, when a portable mobile terminal is operated, for example, when making a telephone call, any key must be depressed. This is because if it is illuminated, no inconvenience is felt even at night. In conventional mobile mobile terminals,
In rare cases, some devices have illumination buttons independent of the keys of the key operation unit. However, the illumination range illuminates the key operation unit and the display unit simultaneously as described above.

[0004] In recent years, portable mobile terminals having a function of transmitting and receiving text mail and the like in addition to a call function have been increasing. In addition, the display LCD of the display unit has been changed to a color LCD, and it has become possible to display the Internet and the like with color images. In addition, it has a display unit that can set wallpaper like a computer and display in color. In such a portable mobile terminal, unlike a conventional portable mobile terminal, a user frequently views the display unit for a long time to display character information and images.

[0005]

In such a recent portable mobile terminal, particularly when it is desired to display an image on a display unit for a long time at night, a conventional lighting method requires a predetermined time as described above. After that, the light will be turned off automatically, and if you want to see more screen, you have to press some key to turn on the light. At this time, if a key is pressed with the key operation unit, the display may change,
For this reason, there has been an inconvenience that the same image cannot be continuously viewed for a long time at night. Further, even in a device provided with an independent lighting button, when this lighting button is pressed, not only the display unit but also the key operation unit is illuminated at the same time, so that there is a disadvantage that the battery is wasted. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable mobile terminal in which a use environment is improved particularly at night without wasting a battery.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a display unit for displaying character or image information, a first illumination unit for illuminating a key operation unit, and a second illumination unit for illuminating the display unit are provided. A portable mobile terminal that drives the first and second lighting means by operating one of the keys of the key operation unit, and drives only the second lighting means by depressing it during a non-call. An illumination button is provided independently of the keys of the key operation unit. In the portable mobile terminal, the illumination button may be provided on a back side facing the key operation unit. In the portable mobile terminal, the second lighting means is turned on while the lighting button is being pressed, and is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the pressing of the lighting button.

[0007] In the portable mobile terminal, the lighting button may have a function required only during a call during a call. In the portable mobile terminal, the illumination button can be pressed during a call to change the call sound quality. Further, in the portable mobile terminal, the illumination button is depressed during a call,
Calls can be put on hold. Also, in the portable mobile terminal, "at the time of a call" refers to a state in which communication for the purpose of conversation using voice is being performed, and "at the time of non-call" refers to any state other than during a call.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a portable mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the portable mobile terminal according to the present invention. In the present invention, the illumination button 1 for illuminating only the display unit when pressed during a non-call is provided on the back surface 2 facing the key operation unit 4 of the portable mobile terminal. When the illumination button 1 provided on the back surface 2 is pressed when the portable mobile terminal is not in a call, only the LCD of the display unit 3 is illuminated and the key operation unit 4 is not illuminated as shown in FIG. The illumination button 1 is configured so that the illumination is turned on when the button is pressed, and is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the button is released.

As shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-31676, there is a current portable telephone having a best voice function for changing the sound quality when the voice of the other party is difficult to hear when talking. . When changing the sound quality, the key to be operated is a best voice button, and can be provided independently of the key operation unit 4. The lighting button 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured to also serve as the best voice button. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the function of the illumination button 1 is switched according to the condition of the portable mobile terminal.

That is, it functions as a best voice button during a call, and when pressed during a call, the sound quality of the call changes each time the button is pressed. In addition, it functions as the above-mentioned lighting button during a non-call, and when pressed, only the display unit 3 is illuminated. That is, the best voice button is enabled only during a call, and the light button is enabled only during a non-call, and is used to view a web page in an e-mail or Internet connection.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the function switching of the illumination button according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, when the illumination button 1 is pressed (step 1
00), it is determined whether or not the portable mobile terminal is talking (step 101). If a call is in progress, the sound quality is changed, that is, a transition is made to the best voice mode (step 10).
2). The display button 3 becomes the illumination button function when not in a call.
Is driven to illuminate only the display unit (step 103).

In the above-described embodiment, the function of the lighting button during a call is switched to the best voice button function.
It is not limited to this, and if the function is used only during a call, for example, by pressing during a call,
It can also function as a hold button for holding a call. At present, there are two types of communication modes of a mobile phone: a communication mode for voice communication and a communication mode for non-voice communication such as data communication. Mobile phones are used for line connection with base stations when performing communication.
Sending and receiving signals. Among these signals, "line connection in a communication mode for voice communication" (hereinafter referred to as communication for communication) and "line connection in a communication mode for non-voice communication" (hereinafter referred to as non-communication communication). ) Parameters are included. Based on this parameter, the mobile phone determines which communication mode the user is currently in.

[0013] Note that the communication for call purpose is a communication form for the purpose of conversation using ordinary voice. The non-call purpose communication includes Internet connection by a mobile phone, transmission and reception of various information such as characters and images typified by mail after connecting to a communication center of each telephone carrier, and connection of a personal computer or the like to the mobile phone. Data communication after connection and the like.

Since the best voice function and the hold function are functions relating to voice, they are effective only at the time of the above-mentioned communication for communication. Further, the lighting function is a function required at times other than the communication for call purpose. Therefore, FIG.
It is desirable to switch the function as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining function switching of a lighting button according to another embodiment of the present invention. Step 101 of determining whether or not a call is in progress in the flowchart shown in FIG.
Other steps are the same as those shown in FIG. 4 except that the steps are changed to 01a.

Note that the portable mobile terminal of the present invention also has a function of simultaneously illuminating the display unit 3 and the key operation unit 4 when any key of the key operation unit 4 is pressed. In addition, the installation location of the illumination button 1 can be provided not only on the back side facing the key operation unit 4 but also on the side face 5, for example. Further, the illumination button 1 is illuminated while being pressed, and is extinguished after a predetermined time elapses after the depression is released. However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0016]

As described above, in the present invention, since the illumination button for driving only the illumination means for illuminating the display unit is provided independently, the illumination can be performed while viewing the image displayed on the display unit. By pressing the illumination button again even if it disappears, illumination can be turned on without changing the image. In addition, since the illumination button is provided at a position independent of the key operation unit, it is possible to easily groan and press the button even in darkness. Since the illumination button provided according to the present invention is for illuminating the display unit, it is not necessary to illuminate the key operation unit. This can reduce the consumption of the battery by almost half, so that it can be used for a long time. Become.

Further, since the illumination button is provided independently of the key operation unit and can be easily pressed by groping, it is not necessary to illuminate this part. If the user keeps pressing the illumination button while looking at the display, the display is illuminated all the time, so even if you want to see the image for a long time at night, the illumination will not go out halfway. Absent. Furthermore, since the best voice button that is used only when talking for the purpose of talking using voice and the lighting button function are also used for the hold button, the necessary functions according to the call form are added without increasing the number of buttons. It is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable mobile terminal in a state where an illumination button is pressed.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a function of switching an illumination button according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting button switching function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a function of switching an illumination button according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a function of switching an illumination button according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light button 2 Back 3 Display part 4 Key operation part 5 Side

Claims (7)

[Claims] A display unit for displaying character or image information; a first illuminating unit for illuminating a key operation unit; and a second illuminating unit for illuminating the display unit. In a portable mobile terminal that drives the first and second lighting means by operating one of the keys, a lighting button that drives only the second lighting means when pressed during a non-call is used by the key operation unit. A portable mobile terminal provided independently of a key. 2. The portable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the illumination button is provided on a back side facing the key operation unit. 3. The portable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second lighting means is turned on while the lighting button is pressed, and is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the pressing of the lighting button. Portable mobile terminal. 4. The portable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the illumination button has a function required only during a call during a call. 5. The portable mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the lighting button changes the sound quality of the call by being pressed during a call. 6. The portable mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the light button is depressed during a call to hold the call. 7. The portable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the time of a call means a state in which communication for the purpose of conversation using voice is performed, and the time of a non-call means other than the time of a call. A portable mobile terminal, which indicates all states.