JP2002247160A - Electronic device with display section - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device with a display section in which the visibility of a prescribed operation button in enhanced. SOLUTION: The display section 3 capable of an elevating/declining operation is provided with a display means 15 and a prescribed operation button 2b1 placed at the side of the display means 15 and a light emitting means is placed in the inside of the display section 3. Then the prescribed operation button 2b1 is made of a transparent member and placing the light emitting means at a position opposed to the prescribed operation button 2b1 can transmit the light of the light emitting means through the prescribed operation button 2b1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a display unit, and more particularly to an electronic device having an undulating display unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional electronic devices, such as facsimile machines, telephone devices such as key phones and mobile phones, and information devices such as small computers such as notebook personal computers, are provided with an undulating display unit. There are many electronic devices with a display unit that are raised and used as needed.

On the other hand, with the development of information technology (IT), the diversification of the contents displayed on the display unit is progressing,
(Liquid Crystal Display Device) With the progress of manufacturing technology, the size of a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD panel) has been increased, and a device using an LCD panel as a display unit has been adopted.

[0004] As such an LCD panel,
For example, by providing a display unit using an LCD panel of about 4 inches in a facsimile apparatus, a caller ID notification service and Internet-related information display can be performed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an operation unit of a conventional facsimile apparatus having such a display unit.
As shown in FIG.
And a display unit 102 as a display unit.

The plurality of operation buttons 101 each include a key top 103, a rubber key 104, and a circuit board 105. When the key top 103 is pressed, printing is performed on the back surface of the rubber key 104 and the top surface of the circuit board 105. The carbon pattern is short-circuited and the switch is turned ON.

On the other hand, the display unit 102 includes a clear cover 106, an LCD module 107 constituting an LCD panel for displaying information, and an LCD holder 108.
, A diffusion sheet 109, and a backlight LED 110.
With a display size of about 6 × 10 lines, it is possible to display time, date, telephone number, and character information for e-mail transmission / reception.

[0008] By the way, the user who operates the information equipment,
The display may be viewed while standing or sitting, or may be viewed from a distance from the device.
For this reason, the display unit is required to be able to be surely viewed from any direction.

For this reason, the display unit 102 having the structure shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a tilt mechanism 115 shown in FIG. By supporting the display unit 102 up and down with respect to the housing 120 of the operation unit by the tilt mechanism 115, the angle of the display unit 102 can be changed according to the user's posture at the time of visual recognition. I have.

Note that the tilt mechanism 115 can rotate the display unit 102 continuously to stop at an arbitrary tilt angle.
Good visibility can be ensured even if the direction of the line of sight of the user U (dashed line) differs as shown in the figure depending on the posture of the user U.

Further, as shown in FIG.
By illuminating the entire surface of the LCD module 107 from the back side with the backlight LED 110 arranged on the bottom surface of the LCD 02, the visibility of the display of the LCD module 107 in a dark place is improved.

[0012]

By the way, in an electronic device with a display unit having a conventional display unit (display unit) having such a tilt mechanism, a backlight light source is irradiated from the back side even in a dark place. Although the visibility of the display unit is increased, when LEDs of a plurality of colors are used as a backlight light source, the LEDs 110 of a plurality of colors are used as shown in FIG.
Are not arranged on the back side of the LCD module 107, but are arranged side by side on the LCD module 107.

It is also desired to improve the operability by arranging operation buttons for performing various operations while using the display unit, for example, an e-mail transmission / reception mode, near the display unit. For this reason, conventionally, as shown in the figure, a predetermined operation button for using the LCD module 109, for example, an e-mail key 101a is arranged on the front side of the display unit 102.

Here, when an e-mail is received, for example, "one e-mail has been received" is displayed on the LCD module 109, or the backlight LED 1
In some cases, the user may be notified of the e-mail reception by turning on or blinking the number 10. However, when the reception of the e-mail is notified by the display on the LCD module 109 or the light emission of the backlight LED 110, the LCD module 109 is in the meantime.
The user cannot perform other operations using.

For this reason, there is a case where the E-mail key 101a is turned on or off by turning on or off the light source of the operation unit to notify the user of the reception of the e-mail as another means. However, when the reception of the e-mail is notified by lighting the e-mail key 101a as described above, the e-mail key 101a may be difficult to see depending on the viewing angle and the viewing distance of the user because the e-mail key 101a is arranged on the operation unit. Was.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with a display unit in which the visibility of predetermined operation buttons is improved.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus with a display unit having an undulating display unit, the display unit provided on the display unit, and a side of the display unit, the display unit being located on a side of the display unit. And a light emitting means provided inside the display unit, wherein the predetermined operation button is formed of a light transmitting member, and the light emitting means is operated by the predetermined operation. It is characterized by being arranged at a position facing the button.

The present invention is characterized in that the display means is a liquid crystal display panel.

Further, as in the present invention, a display means is provided on the undulating display part, predetermined operation buttons are provided on the side of the display means, and a light emitting means is provided inside the display part. Then, the predetermined operation button is formed of a translucent member, and the light emitting means is arranged at a position facing the predetermined operation button, so that the light of the light emitting means is transmitted from the predetermined operation button.

[0020]

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

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an operation unit of a facsimile apparatus which is an example of an electronic apparatus with a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an operation unit.
The operation unit 1 has first to first user interfaces.
A third button group 2a, 2b, 2c and a display unit 3 as a display unit which is attached to the housing 7 of the operation unit 1 so as to be able to undulate.
And a handset 8.

Here, the first to third button groups 2a, 2b,
Each operation button 2c 2c functions as a key top 4, a rubber key 5 which functions as a contact point of a switch and has a function of giving a button operation feeling, and a key ON / OFF in a contact / non-contact state with a carbon printing portion of the rubber key 5. And a circuit board 6 for switching between the two.

The operation buttons 2 of the button groups 2a, 2b, and 2c are used to perform other functions such as input of a telephone number, facsimile transmission and reception, and transmission and reception of an E-mail. Phone number or E
The electronic information of the mail and the state of the apparatus, for example, “transmitting facsimile” are displayed to inform the user of the state of the apparatus.

In the present embodiment, the first operation button group 2a is disposed below the display unit 3 (on the near side), and the first operation button group 2a is, for example, a numeric keypad for telephone numbers. And keys for inputting characters at the time of e-mail and registration, and keys for moving a cursor, which are relatively frequently used after entering a certain mode.

The second operation button group 2b is arranged on one side of the LCD module 15 provided in the display unit 3, in this embodiment, on the right side. For example, the group 2b switches to an e-mail mode when using e-mail, switches to a mode for making a telephone call by voice, further switches to a mode for setting telephone directory registration, etc. It is composed of keys that are relatively infrequently used, such as switching to enter a certain mode or initial setting, such as a key for setting a backlight color to be set.

By arranging the second operation button group 2b composed of relatively infrequently used keys at such a position, when the display unit 3 is raised and used, the button operation may be performed depending on the angle of the display unit 3. Even if it is difficult to remove, the effect can be minimized.

By arranging the second operation button group 2b at such a position, an L (described later) is formed in a region opposite to the second operation button group 2b across the LCD module 15.
An LED substrate 14 having an LED for irradiating the CD module 15 from the back can be arranged.

As a result, a degree of freedom for moving the LED substrate 14 closer to or away from the LCD module 15 is created.
As a result, even when color unevenness occurs in the vicinity of the LED at the time of light emission of the three-color LED described later (when light emission of a plurality of different colors is performed), the color unevenness is not affected by the LCD module 15.
It can be prevented from appearing on the top.

The third operation button group 2c is arranged on one side of the display unit 3 and the first operation button group 2a. The third operation button group 2c is, for example, a facsimile original. Keys for functions such as transmission and reception printing, copying, image quality selection keys, and the like when recording paper is involved in operation are arranged. By arranging the keys related to the operation at such positions, a clear distinction can be made in the operation, and the operability can be improved.

On the other hand, the display unit 3 has an LC near the center.
The D module 15 is arranged, and the operation unit is pivoted (up and down) substantially above the center of the housing 7 by the tilt mechanism.
When the operation is performed in a state where the user stands up, for example, the display section 3 is laid down as shown in FIG.

For example, when an operation is performed while sitting on a chair, the display unit 3 is raised as shown in FIG. Then, by raising the display unit 3 in this manner, the display contents of the display unit 3 can be confirmed even from a remote position.
For example, when you receive a caller ID call,
You can check without going to the facsimile machine.

The handset 8 is provided with a third
It is arranged on the side opposite to the operation button group 2c. And
By arranging the handset 8 at such a position, when the facsimile transmission or reception operation is performed, for example, when the handset 8 is turned off-hook and then the transmission button or the reception button is operated, the handset 8 is disposed on one side (for example, the left side). Handset 8 with the same hand (in this case, the left hand)
And go off-hook with the send button or receive button located on the other side (in this case, right side) on the same hand (in this case, right hand)
Can be used for key operation. Thereby, even when the display unit 3 is in the raised state, the operation can be performed without being disturbed by the display unit 3.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the display unit 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 3 functions as an exterior and has lower and upper LCDs that hold internal components. LEDs on which covers 11, 12 and LEDs 13 functioning as a light source of a backlight are mounted.
A light guide plate 16 formed of a transparent resin such as acrylic for guiding the light of the substrate 14 and the LED 13 to the back surface of the LCD module 15 and emitting light, the light guide plate 16 is disposed on the upper surface of the light guide plate 16, and emits light emitted from the light guide plate 16. A diffusion sheet 17 for diffusing and emitting light uniformly, an LCD module 1 which is a display means for displaying information based on control of a driving IC (not shown).
5. Ground sheet 1 for discharging static electricity from outside
8, a transparent resin clear cover 19 covering the surface of the LCD module 15 and the like.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a heat seal connecting the LCD module 15 and the circuit board 6c;
Is a bundle connecting the LED board 14 and the circuit board 6c, and the bundle 21 is composed of five conductors.
One of the books (21a) is for connecting the ground sheet 18 to the circuit board 6c and discharging static electricity dropped on the ground sheet 18 to the ground pattern of the circuit board 6c.

Here, the heat seal 20, the bundle 2
1 and the flexible cable 30 are arranged so as to pass through the opening 11b of the LCD lower cover 11 and pass in the cross-sectional direction near the pivot 22 of the display unit 3 (see FIG. 1). Thus, when the display unit 3 is rotated, the movement of the heat seal 20, the bundle 21 and the flexible cable 30 is minimized.
0, the bundled wire 21 and the flexible cable 30 can be prevented from being forced or damaged.

The LCD lower and upper covers 11, 12 function as a display unit 3 and a cabinet for the third operation button group 2c. The LCD lower cover 11 is provided with an arm 11a for a tilt operation to be described later, and an opening 11b for passing wiring in an intermediate portion thereof.

In the same figure, reference numeral 34 denotes a disk member, which is used to stop the display unit 3 at an arbitrary tilt position. In addition,
The structure around the disk member 34 will be described later.

By the way, the second operation button group 2b is
The second operation button group 2b functions as a contact point between the key top 4 and the switch as shown in FIG. 4 and provides an operational feeling of the button as shown in FIG. And a circuit board 6c for switching ON / OFF of the key in a contact / non-contact state with a carbon printing portion of the rubber key 5.

Here, in the present embodiment, predetermined operation buttons of the second operation button group 2c, for example, an LCD
Email key 2b1 associated with module 15 (FIG. 2)
The key top 4c, which is the main body of the key top 4c, is formed of a transparent resin material that is a light transmitting member.
A part of the rubber key 5c arranged under the key is cut out. Further, an LED as a light emitting means mounted on the circuit board 6c below the hollowed portion of the rubber key 5c.
7c (chip type LED in this embodiment) is arranged.

Thus, when the e-mail is received, the LE
When the D7c emits light or blinks, the light of the LED 7c passes through the rubber key 5c and the key top 4c, and as a result, the e-mail key 2b1 emits or blinks. Can be recognized by the user.

When the display unit 3 is provided with the e-mail key 2b1 and the e-mail is received,
By emitting or blinking the email key 2b1,
Even when the display unit 3 is set at an optimal arrangement angle that is easy for the user to see, the visibility of the e-mail key 2b1 is improved, and the user can more easily and reliably recognize the reception of the e-mail.

Further, as described above, the LCD module 15
The related operation button (e-mail key 2b1) that emits light is disposed in the vicinity of, so that the user can easily know what the user is emitting light for and press the operation button after recognition. Thus, it is possible to easily switch to the mode in which the operation is performed using the LCD module 15. As a result, not only the visibility of the operation button (E-mail key 2b1) but also the operability of the display unit 3 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, as the backlight of the LCD module 15, three colors having different wavelengths, that is, three primary colors of red, blue, and green LEDs 13 are arranged on the LED substrate 14 at predetermined intervals. The one that is mounted is used. This makes it possible to obtain backlight light of any color by emitting light from one or a plurality of LEDs 13 and adjusting the distribution of the light amount.

Here, the LED 1 used for the backlight
As 3, it is preferable to use one having a wide directivity in one direction. In the present embodiment, L 3 having a light emission angle of 150 ° is used.
The ED 13 is used so that the light emitting surface 23 of the light guide plate 16 is parallel to the directivity direction. In the present embodiment, the LED board 14 on which the LEDs 13 are mounted is connected to the second operation button group 2 with the LCD module 15 and the light guide plate 16 interposed therebetween.
It is arranged on the opposite side to b.

Further, as described above, LEDs of three colors
In order to reduce color unevenness in the vicinity of the LEDs when two or three LEDs 13 emit light at the same time, the LEDs 13 can be arranged at positions distant from the LCD module 15 and the light guide plate 16. ing. Further, a U-shaped groove 24 for escaping the LED 13 is provided on an end surface of the light guide plate 16 facing the LED substrate 14, and the light incident loss of light due to total reflection is minimized by receiving the U-shaped groove 24 on the cylindrical surface. To be able to.

On the other hand, the bottom surface 25 of the light guide plate 16 is formed so as to be inclined so as to become thinner as the distance from the LED substrate 14 increases, and the light enters the light guide plate 1 from the LED 13.
In order to reflect the light diffused and propagated in the light guide plate 6 to the upper surface of the light guide plate, it is formed on a surface such as a sawtooth.

The U-shaped groove 24 formed in the light guide plate 16
A U-shaped wall 27 having a predetermined height is provided on the bottom surface of the LCD lower cover 11 so as to face the LCD. The U-shaped wall 27 blocks light that is emitted by the LED 13 and then enters the light guide plate 16 via the U-shaped groove 24, and does not directly enter the bottom surface of the light guide plate 16. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the LED 13 from becoming bright, and it is possible to uniformly emit backlight through the light guide plate 16.

As described above, the light guide plate 16 is formed by the U-shaped wall 27.
The structure that shields the light directly entering the bottom surface of the LED can reduce color unevenness near the LED when a plurality of LEDs emit light at the same time.

Next, the tilt mechanism of the display unit 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the display unit 3 when viewed from the back of the housing 7. As shown in FIG.
1a, the rotation shaft 31 functioning as the rotation fulcrum 22 shown in FIG. 1 is held by a U-shaped wall 32 and a holding member 33 formed integrally with the housing 7 of the operation unit, thereby rotating the rotation shaft 31. It is supported as much as possible.

The disk member 34 integrally formed on the lower surface of the LCD lower cover 11 has a curved arm shape as shown in FIG.
Is sandwiched between frictional elastic members 35 shown in FIG. It should be noted that in FIG.
4. Insertion groove 38 provided in circuit board 6 for driving frictional elastic member 35, wall member 36, rib 37, and operation unit
Although FIG. 4 shows only one place, as can be seen from FIG. 4, these members and the like are also arranged at positions facing each other across the opening 11b.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, a notch 35a for holding the disk member 34 when the display unit 3 is raised is provided at the center of the friction elastic member 35. At the same time, the horizontal position is fixed by being fitted into a wall member 36 formed on the rear surface of the housing 7 and shown in FIGS. It is fixed by being sandwiched between the substrates 6.

The friction elastic member 35 is formed by a wall member 36.
The outer dimension in a state where the wall member 36 is not accommodated inside is formed so as to be larger than the inner dimension of the wall member 36. For this reason, when the friction elastic member 35 is housed inside the wall member 36, the interval between the notches 35a is reduced, and as a result,
A clamping force for clamping the disk member 34 is generated. This makes it possible to hold the display unit 3 in a state where the display unit 3 is raised at an angle which is easy for the user to operate and easy to see.

In the present embodiment, the display unit 3 has the LCD module 15 and the second operation button group 2b arranged in the left and right direction, and the LED 13 is arranged at a position away from the LCD module 15, so that It is longer.

If the display unit 3 is lengthened in the left-right direction, the display unit 3 may be twisted when the display unit 3 is raised or turned down. Therefore, the disk member 34 and the friction elastic member 35 are provided to prevent this. Are provided at portions near the ends in the left-right direction (two places) (see FIG. 4).

Further, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the display unit 3 from being damaged due to twisting or the like due to rotation durability and to increase the strength, and to stably operate regardless of the position of the operation force point at the time of rotation. Rotation can be obtained.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the predetermined operation button provided on the undulating display portion is formed of a translucent member, and the light emitting means is positioned at a position facing the predetermined operation button. And the light of the light emitting means is transmitted from the predetermined operation button, whereby the visibility of the predetermined operation button can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an operation unit of a facsimile apparatus as an example of an electronic device with a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state when the display unit of the operation unit is raised.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the display unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the display unit when viewed from the back surface of the housing of the operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a friction elastic member and a wall member constituting a mounting portion of the display unit.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a conventional operation unit.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilt mechanism of a display unit provided in a conventional operation unit.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a conventional operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2a 1st operation button group 2b 2nd operation button group 2b1 E-mail key 2c 3rd operation button group 3 Display unit 4, 4c Key top 5, 5c Rubber key 7 Operation part housing 7c LED 15 LCD module

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device with a display unit having an undulating display unit, a display unit provided on the display unit, and a predetermined operation button provided on the display unit on a side of the display unit. And a light emitting means provided inside the display unit, wherein the predetermined operation button is formed of a translucent member, and the light emitting means is arranged at a position facing the predetermined operation button. An electronic device with a display unit, characterized in that: 2. The electronic device with a display unit according to claim 1, wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display panel.