JP2002163063A - Portable communication terminal machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cellular phone preventing erroneous unnecessary operation caused by pressing an ineffective key for improving usability by assisting proper operation of a menu key or a ten-key in an operation part in access to a function during operation of the cellular phone. SOLUTION: A portable communication terminal machine such as the cellular phone is provided with a key clearly indicating means illuminating and clearly indicating only a key available for pressing operation in the following step during a waiting time for predetermined function selecting/executing instruction operated by sequential input of keys. For example, a group of light emitting diodes LED for individually illuminating and clearly indicating respective keys is arranged on the back face side of a key sheet including the ten-key and the menu key, which can be clearly indicated individually by illuminating light, and only the light emitting diode matching a key available for pressing is turned on for indicating the key available for pressing to a user and for guiding key operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone (including a simplified portable telephone system) and other portable communication terminals having a numeric keypad and a menu key (function selection start key), and more particularly, to a function selection operation by a user. The present invention relates to a portable communication terminal capable of appropriately selecting and executing a target function without performing an invalid key operation by guiding a key to be operated when performing the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many portable telephones and other portable communication terminals have various functions in addition to the call function. Therefore, limited operation keys (buttons)
Since many functions must be instructed to perform such operations, the operations have to be hierarchized and become complicated.

In order to cope with this, various methods have been proposed in conventional mobile phones and the like to assist the operability of the user. For example, a method of reducing the number of key presses by assigning a number to each function and a method of displaying pressable keys on a display unit have been adopted.

The above-mentioned method of assigning a number to each function is shortened by first pressing a function key or a menu key (function selection start key) and then pressing and inputting an arbitrary number from 0 to 99. This is a method of designating and calling each function. This method has the advantage that only two or three key presses are required to call each function, but it is necessary to remember many correlations between functions and numbers.

[0005] Further, since there is no unified standard for correlation (association), the same function is assigned to a different number for each communication carrier, and in many cases, to a different number for each model. Every time you change, you need to get used to the operation method.

[0006] Next, the method of displaying the keys that can be pressed on the display unit is to display the keys (mainly menu keys and the like) that can be pressed at all times on the display screen of a mobile phone or the like. Although this method is effective as an aid for key selection, it may be difficult to determine which key the displayed key corresponds to.

As described above, in a conventional mobile phone or the like, in order to select and use available functions, it is necessary to familiarize the user with the operation method and understand the contents of the display screen. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes a considerable amount of trouble and time to learn the operation unique to the portable communication terminal.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and its object is to follow the conventional method of operating a function, and furthermore, the user can intuitively operate the function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable communication terminal with an invalid key operation prevention function, which guides the operation in an easy-to-understand manner, facilitates key operation, and allows a user to use a target function even at a low level of skill.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the portable communication terminal is activated by pressing a key when the portable communication terminal waits for an operation to select and execute a predetermined function by continuous key input. A configuration is provided that includes a key specifying unit that causes only the key to emit light to specify the key.

A light emitting diode (LE) for individually illuminating and displaying each key individually on the back side of a key sheet including a numeric keypad and a menu key which can be individually displayed by illumination light.
D) A group is arranged, and a light emitting diode corresponding to a key that is depressed is turned on, and a light emitting diode corresponding to a key that is depressed is turned off. Furthermore, a display may be provided on the display screen so that a key whose key press is valid can be recognized when waiting for a selection / execution instruction operation of a predetermined function by key input.

In particular, when a function selection start key is pressed and only predetermined keys among numeric keys of 0 to 9 are successively specified as valid keys for pressing the keys, and this key is pressed when a predetermined number is pressed and input. The function corresponding to the number may be selected and executed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A portable communication terminal according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking a mobile phone as an example and embodiments. First, a schematic configuration of a mobile phone according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic circuit unit in a mobile phone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a key operation unit and a key (operating body) as a key specifying unit of the mobile phone. ) And a perspective view for explaining a schematic structure and arrangement relationship of light emitting diodes and the like, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram for explaining connection between U) and key designation means.

As shown in FIG. 1, a portable telephone 100 according to the present embodiment has a transmission / reception unit 1, a display unit 2, an antenna 3, a radio unit 4, a control unit 5, an LED control IC 6, a key press detection unit 7,
It includes a key operation unit 8 and a power supply unit (not shown).

In this portable telephone 100, telephone communication is performed with a communication partner station using a radio wave signal transmitted and received by the antenna 3. The wireless radio signal for communication received by the antenna 3 is received by the radio unit 4 and supplied to the control unit 5.
The control unit 5 converts the signal subjected to the reception processing into an audio signal and sends it to the transmitter / receiver unit 1. The transmitter / receiver unit 1 loudspeaks the audio signal and transmits it to the user. On the other hand, the voice uttered by the user during a call is converted into a voice signal by the handset 1 and is transmitted to the control unit 5.
Sent to The control unit 5 sends a signal corresponding to the audio signal to the radio unit 4, and the radio unit 4 processes this signal and transmits it from the antenna 3 to the communication partner station as a radio wave signal.

A key operation unit (keyboard) 8 is operated by pressing a plurality of keys to control signals for controlling calls, such as calling (dialing) for communication (call), and to set the state of the portable telephone device. Input a control signal. Control signals generated by pressing these keys are detected by the key press detection unit 7 and supplied to the control unit 5. Control unit 5
Performs a call control and a state setting control by decoding the supplied control signal. . The display unit 2 displays the key contents operated by the user, displays the setting state of the mobile phone,
Various information such as a telephone directory specified by the user is displayed.

As shown in the circuit block diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 3, the control section 5 is connected to an LED control IC 6. The cathodes of the light emitting diodes LED1 to LEDn are individually connected to the output terminals Led1 to Ledn of the LED control IC 6 via current setting resistors.
The anode of each light emitting diode is connected to a power supply.
Taking LED1 as an example, when the output terminal pin Led1 of the LED control IC has the same potential as the power supply, the LED1 does not light because no current flows in the forward direction. Also, when the output terminal pin Led1 of the LED control IC is at a potential substantially equal to the ground, LE
D1 is lit because a forward current flows. Output terminal Led1
To n are individually controlled by the control unit 5.

The control unit 5 includes a CPU 5a (microprocessor), a read-only memory (ROM) for storing a control program of the CPU 5a, a temporary storage memory (RAM) for calculation, and the like. (See FIG. 3).

Next, the structure of the key operation unit 8 in the mobile phone of the above embodiment will be described. As schematically shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, in the key operation unit 8, a plurality of keys (operating bodies) 10 such as numeric keys and control keys are fitted into a case 9 and provided so as to be slightly protruded and depressable. I have.
On the printed circuit board 11 located inside the case, key press detection switches 12, which will be described later, corresponding to the respective keys 10, are individually provided. The control unit 5 reads which key is pressed by scanning the state of the key press detection switch groups 12, 12,....

Each of the keys can be individually illuminated, and when illuminated, the keys are clearly visible by transmitted light directed outward from the top of the keys (hereinafter, simply described as the keys emitting light). In the present embodiment, a plurality of light emitting diodes 13 are arranged one by one for each key, so that the key
Only can be specified for. This will be described in more detail later.

The printed circuit board 11 is disposed inside the key operation section 8 with a slight gap. A predetermined wiring is formed on the printed circuit board 11 and predetermined components are mounted thereon (not shown in the figure).
A key press detection switch 12 is formed at a position corresponding to. As the key press detection switch 12, an appropriate known configuration such as a structure in which a conductive rubber piece contacts a densely opposing electrode formed on the surface of the printed circuit board 11 by pressing a key can be employed.

In the vicinity of each key press detection switch 12 on the printed circuit board 11, LEDs (light emitting diodes; LED1 to LEDn) are arranged as key backlights for turning on (illuminating) the keys 10. . The key backlights LED1 to LEDn inform the user that a specific key is valid for pressing. For example, if the key A in FIG. 2 (the key indicated by A) is depressed (if pressed, the corresponding process is prepared), the key backlight LED1 is turned on. Then the key:
A emits light (lights up) to visually indicate to the user, and the user knows that the key of A is effective to press.

As the LED in this case, a colored LED is preferable (although an LED close to white light can be used,
With discomfort). The term “colored” as used herein means that the emitted light is not white light but has a sufficient hue, and if a light emitting diode emitting red or green light is used, the key emits light even in a bright place with little power. You can let them know that

Here, the above-mentioned keys (operating bodies) will be supplementarily described. In the present embodiment, the key 10 is made of a synthetic resin, and is optically formed of a transparent or nearly transparent material. In addition, these keys have at least a side surface facing the LED as the key backlight as an LED.
Light is allowed to enter, and an opaque display layer is formed on the back surface. This display layer has an upper surface (outside).
Prescribed characters, symbols, and the like are drawn so that they can be viewed from above.

Therefore, when the LED emits light, this light beam enters the key operation body from the side of the corresponding key, illuminates the display layer, and as a result, the light flux (transmitted light) transmitted to the outside of the key causes the user to use the light. Can visually recognize that the key is emitting light. Further, even when the surroundings are dark, characters, symbols, and the like written on the key can be visually recognized. In addition,
In a sufficiently bright place such as outdoors in the daytime, the notation on the display layer can be confirmed by reflecting light incident on the key from the outside.

Key illuminated by LED (lighting key)
There are various types of structures that make it easy to identify a non-illuminated key (light-out key). In order to minimize the incidence of illumination light on keys other than those to be illuminated, the side of the key has a high transparency only at the portion facing the LED, and the other side has a rough surface for irregular reflection, or the other side An opaque layer may be provided (for example, painted). Alternatively, a cylindrical guide may be integrally extended from the outer case so as to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the key (excluding the portion facing the LED) to shield the side surface of the key. In addition, it is also conceivable to form a recess on the inner surface side of the outer case in contact with the through hole of the key, and to position the light emitting portion of the LED in this recess. In this structure, light from the LED enters the corresponding key, but is blocked by the outer case and does not enter other keys.

In the foregoing, the configuration of the portable telephone according to the present embodiment has been described which is relevant to the present invention. The configuration of the other parts is not related to the present invention and will not be described.

Next, a description will be given of a method of controlling the turning on and off of the LED for lighting the key in the above-mentioned portable telephone (see FIG. 3).

The CPU (arithmetic IC) 5a transmits, to the parallel data bus 21, valid / invalid data for each key, which is determined according to the current state of the control process when controlling the function selection / execution. From the memory (storage IC) 5b via the. Next, the CPU 5a sends the data for turning on / off each LED corresponding to the data for valid / invalid pressing to the LED control IC 6 via the serial data line 22. The LED control IC 6 controls the potentials of the output terminals (pins) led1 to ledn based on the LED lighting / extinguishing data from the CPU 5a, thereby turning on or off each LED individually.

Next, the function selection / execution control including the operation of turning on and off the LED in the mobile phone will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

After the power is turned on, a certain time elapses (for example, 15
Second) is set as the start state of the key backlight on / off control. When 15 seconds have passed after the power is turned on (step; S1), all key backlights are turned off (S2). Then, a key input from an arbitrary key is waited (S3). If there is a key input (S3, YES), the CPU first determines whether or not the input key is a power key (S4). If the input is a key input other than the power key, the CPU responds to the key input. Processing (S
After performing 5), data for knowing a key that is valid / invalid for pressing is read from the memory corresponding to the current progress of the processing process (processing state), and the corresponding content is written to the LED control IC (S6).

The LED control IC turns on the key backlight LEDs of all the keys that are depressed and turns off the key backlight LEDs corresponding to all the keys that are not depressed (S7). Then, it is monitored within 15 seconds whether there is an input of a valid key (S8). If there is no key input during this time (S8; NO), the process returns to (Step; S2) to turn off all the key backlights.

If (step; S8), 15
If a valid key is pressed within seconds (S8, YE
S), it is determined whether or not the input key is a power key (S)
9) In the case of a key input other than the power key (S9, N
Return to (O) (step; S5). Then, after performing the processing corresponding to the key input, all the keys that are depressed next and which are determined according to the current control state are turned on again (S5 to S7).

However, if the power key is pressed in (Step; S8) (S9; YES), it is determined whether the power key is kept pressed for more than one second (S10), and the power key is pressed for one second or less (S10). , NO) (step; S6)
And the same process is repeated, but if the button is pressed for one second or longer (S10, YES), the power is turned off and the control ends (S11). When the power key is pressed in (Step; S3) (S4; YES), the determination in (Step; S10) is similarly performed.

In the above (step; S5), when the necessary processing is completed, none of the keys are turned on.
Finally, the process returns to the state of waiting for key input in (Step; S3).

According to the above-described configuration and control, for example, if a mobile phone having a function assignment in which only a menu-specific key other than the numeric keypad is pressed after a function key is pressed is used, Pressing of the numeric keys 0 to 9 becomes invalid, and the key backlight LED is turned off. Therefore, the user only has to select a key from a limited number of keys, such as menu-only keys, depending on whether or not the keys are illuminated, and the speed of operation at the time of calling a function is increased.

A description will be given of a case of a portable telephone of a specification in which a numeric keypad is arbitrarily selected from 0 to 9 after a function key and pressed to call a function, taking the 30's as an example. In this example, the functions set in the thirties are 30, 31, 37,
Assume that it was 39. After pressing the function key, the user first presses the numeric keypad 3 to call a function in the thirties to which a desired function is assigned. Only four keys 0, 1, 7, and 9 are valid to be pressed according to the control state according to this operation (the functions set in the thirties are 30, 3).
1, 37, 39).

In response to this, of the numeric keys,
Since the key backlight is turned on only for 0, 1, 7, and 9, the user easily understands that only 0, 1, 7, and 9 can be operated, and causes an erroneous operation of pressing another number. You don't have to.

By the way, in order to facilitate use in a dark place, a portable telephone is often configured to illuminate operation keys in combination with illumination of a display unit. On the premise that the keys are illuminated for this purpose, a configuration in which the key illuminating operation for the key operation guide of the present invention effectively functions may be considered.

As a simple countermeasure for this, control can be performed with the apparatus configuration of the above-described embodiment unchanged. In the above-described embodiment, all the LEDs are
Is turned off, and when a key operation is performed, only the next key that is valid to be pressed is illuminated. For example, this is changed as follows.

That is, similarly, all the LEDs are turned off and a key input is waited. When there is a key operation, this is processed as an illumination request, all the LEDs are turned on, and the next operation is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds). Wait for key input. When a key input is made within a certain period of time, the control required as an input for designating an original function is performed.

Subsequent processing may be exactly the same as the processing described above, including the processing for specifying the next valid input key. The user
For use in a dark place, it is only necessary to press any key once, and all the keys are turned on so that the first key to be pressed for calling a function can be easily found.

The above control may be performed at all times. However, it is also conceivable that the portable telephone is provided with a means for detecting ambient illuminance, and the above-described control is selectively used according to the output of the illuminance detecting means.

In the above description, L is used as the light source for key illumination.
Although an example using the ED has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and another illumination light source can be used. In short, since a plurality of keys are individually used, it is sufficient that the corresponding keys can be visually specified by lighting up with small size and power saving. For example, an EL element (Elec
Toroluminescence Element) is provided separately on the back side of the almost transparent key operation body as a light source, and by illuminating any key operation body from the back side based on the control described above, only the effective keys to be pressed when calling functions It is also conceivable to illuminate and specify.

The lighting of each light source does not necessarily have to be continuous, and the lighting may be repeated at a predetermined cycle during the specified period. In the illustrated apparatus configuration, it is possible to cope with only the control method. When the mobile phone is used in a sufficiently bright environment, the effect of specifying a predetermined key is generally enhanced, which is preferable.

[0045]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a function is selected in a portable communication terminal, only the key which is to be pressed next is turned on and specified according to the current control state. By turning off the invalid keys, the user can easily visually identify the valid keys and press them, thereby preventing erroneous useless operations caused by pressing invalid keys. Usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic circuit unit of a mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a schematic structure and a positional relationship of a key operation unit, a key (operating body) as a key indicating unit, a light emitting diode, and the like of the mobile phone of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a connection between a control unit (CPU) of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 and key designation means.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining LED lighting on / off control of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission / reception part 2 ... Display part 3 ... Antenna 4 ... Wireless part 5 ... Control part 5a ... CPU (microprocessor) 5b ... Memory 6 ... LED control IC 7 ... Key press detection part 8 ... Key operation part (keyboard) 9 … Case 10… Key (operating body) 11… Printed circuit board 12… Key press detection switch 13… Light emitting diode 100… Mobile phone (portable communication terminal) LED1 to LEDn… Key backlight (light emitting diode; LE)
D) Led1 to Ledn ... output terminals

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A portable communication system comprising: a key designation unit that, when waiting for a selection / execution instruction operation of a predetermined function by continuous key input, waits for an operation of a key whose key is depressed next to emit light to indicate the key. Terminal. 2. A light emitting diode (L) for individually illuminating and indicating each key individually on the back side of a key sheet including a numeric keypad and a menu key which can be individually indicated by illumination light.
2. The portable communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting diode corresponding to a key that is depressed is turned on, and a light emitting diode corresponding to a key that is depressed is turned off. 3. The portable communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein a display is provided on the display screen to inform the user of a key whose key is depressed when waiting for a selection / execution instruction operation of a predetermined function by key input. Machine. 4. The portable communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein a function selection start key is pressed and the key press is followed by one of numeric keys 0 to 9 as valid keys. A mobile communication terminal characterized in that only predetermined keys are sequentially specified, and when a predetermined number is pressed and input, a function corresponding to the number is selected and executed.