JP2002354097A - Cellular phone terminal apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a cellular phone terminal apparatus which need not be carried directly with a human body and realizes a newly intended operation without a special key operation. SOLUTION: The cellular phone 11 is provided with an acceleration sensor 18. When an operator swings the apparatus body a specified number of times, a control part 21 detects it, and when a wireless part 22 is in a receiving condition, it stops sound generation by switching from receiving sound ringing from a speaker 16 to vibration of a vibrator 27. When the apparatus body is opened, not folded, an open/close detecting circuit 26 detects it, and lights a back light 25 to light a display part 13 or the like. Therefore in the former case noise nuisance is prevented, while in the latter case operating the cellular terminal apparatus of the cellular phone 11 or the like becomes easier even in the dark place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal device such as a portable telephone or a small information terminal, and more particularly to a portable terminal device with improved operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Portable terminals typified by portable telephones tend to be smaller in size if they have the same function in terms of portability. However, the smaller the size, the smaller the operation unit (hereinafter referred to as a key switch) such as an operation unit or an operation key switch or a button switch, and the number of key switches is reduced. There is a problem that sex does not always improve.

FIG. 7 shows a proposal for solving such a problem. In this proposal disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-200610, the hand 101 or the finger 10
2 is detected by an acceleration detector 103 attached to the wrist, and a trigger signal 104 corresponding to the detected motion is generated from a trigger signal generator 105. Then, the trigger signal 104 is input to the command generation circuit 106, a command 107 corresponding to the mode of the trigger signal 104 is output, and the command 107 is input to the telephone transmission / reception circuit 108 to perform the operation of telephone transmission / reception. I have to.

In this Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-200610, an acceleration detector is similarly attached to the ear of the operator, which is generated when the teeth are engaged, and transmitted along the jaw bone and skin surface. There is also disclosed a technique of detecting acceleration in the same manner, generating a command based on the same principle, and performing a transmission / reception operation of a telephone. In this case, a telephone transmission / reception operation is performed by a time-series tooth engagement operation by the operator.

[0005]

However, according to the proposed technique, it is necessary for an operator to attach an acceleration detector to a part where movement of a hand or a tooth, such as an arm or an ear, is detected. Therefore, as shown in this proposal, this is an effective proposal when the portable terminal device itself is reduced to a size such as a wristwatch or a hearing aid.
In the case of a device sized to be held and operated by hand, such as (personal digitalassistants), a detector such as a bracelet or an ear cover is required. For this reason, there is a problem in that the system is complicated and two systems of power sources are required due to the necessity of wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals between the devices, which makes it difficult to manage. In addition, when such a device to be worn on the body is forgotten, there is a problem that the function as an auxiliary input device cannot be fulfilled.

[0006] Further, in the case of a portable terminal device sized to be worn by an operator, there is a risk that the transmission / reception operation of the device may be performed arbitrarily due to movement of the wrist or teeth.
In order to prevent this, it is necessary to require the operator to perform a special operation that cannot occur every day during operation. For this reason,
Not only is the number of commands to be operated limited, but also because it is a special operation, there is a problem that it is not suitable for urgently needed operations or operations that are needed at a stretch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal device capable of realizing a newly defined operation without having to directly wear it on the body and without performing a special key operation.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided (a) an operating section, (b) an illuminating means for illuminating the operating section, (c) an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration,
(D) The portable terminal device is provided with lighting means driving means for driving the lighting means when the acceleration sensor outputs a predetermined output.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration outputs a predetermined output by detecting the acceleration, the illuminating means is driven, and the apparatus is vibrated when illumination is required. The illumination means is driven by causing the acceleration sensor to detect this.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) a ring tone generating means for generating a ring tone when an incoming call arrives, (b) an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration, and (c) the acceleration sensor performs a predetermined output. The portable terminal device is provided with a ring tone stopping means for stopping the output of the ring tone generating means.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the output of the ring tone generating means is stopped when the acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration outputs a predetermined output by detecting the acceleration, so that the ring tone needs to be stopped. In such a case, the device is vibrated and the acceleration sensor detects the vibration, so that the ringtone stopping means is operated.

According to the third aspect of the invention, (a) vibration generating means for generating vibration, (b) ringtone generating means for generating a ringtone upon receiving an incoming call, and (c) a specific mode setting. An incoming notification switching means for generating vibration by the vibration generating means instead of generating a ringing sound by the ringtone generating means at the time of an incoming call; (d) an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration;
(E) The portable terminal device is provided with a specific mode forcible shifting means for forcibly shifting to a specific mode when the acceleration sensor outputs a predetermined output.

That is, in the invention according to claim 3, when the acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration performs a predetermined output by detecting the acceleration, when a specific mode is set, the incoming call notification switching means switches the incoming call sound to an incoming call. Vibration is generated by the vibration generating means instead of generating the ringtone by the generating means. Here, the specific mode setting is
A mode setting for outputting a ringtone, that is, a mode state in which a so-called silent mode is not set. As a result, active output of the ring tone is stopped. In addition, since the mode shifts to the mode in which the vibration is generated by the vibration generating means, the notification of the incoming call itself is continued.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable terminal device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the acceleration sensor detects accelerations in all three directions.

That is, in the invention according to claim 4, since the acceleration sensor is a sensor for detecting acceleration in all three directions, it is added to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone in any state. Vibration can reliably and quickly turn on the illumination of the device and stop the ringtone. Of course, by knowing the direction in which acceleration is applied even if the sensor is not a sensor that detects acceleration in all three axes, or by devising in which direction of the device the sensor is arranged, sufficient The effect can be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable terminal device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the predetermined output of the acceleration sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined level for a specified number of times within a predetermined time. It is characterized by the case.

That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the output of the acceleration sensor at a predetermined level or more continues for a specified number of times within a certain period of time, the illumination is turned on and the ringtone is stopped, so that malfunction is less likely to occur. ing. Of course, if the level of the detected acceleration is set to a value that is not normally detected, it is enough to turn on the illumination and stop the ringtone when an output of a predetermined level or more occurs once. Yes, and this will allow us to achieve our objectives more quickly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the portable terminal device according to the first aspect includes an opening / closing detection sensor for detecting opening / closing of the device, and the illuminating means driving means accelerates when the opening / closing detection sensor is opened. The illumination device is driven when the sensor outputs a predetermined output.

That is, the invention according to claim 6 deals with the case of a foldable portable terminal device, and the opening / closing detection sensor drives the illuminating means under the condition of detecting the use state in which the device is opened. I have. For this reason, even if the reliability of the output of the acceleration sensor is reduced, highly accurate control can be performed. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the lighting is turned on when the device is closed and not used, which contributes to power saving.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the portable terminal device according to the first aspect includes an optical sensor for detecting the brightness around the operation unit, and the illumination unit driving unit is configured such that the optical sensor has a predetermined brightness. The illumination unit is driven when the acceleration sensor outputs a predetermined output in a state of being equal to or less than the value.

That is, in the invention according to claim 7, the illumination means is driven under the condition that the optical sensor for detecting the brightness around the operation section detects that the brightness around the operation portion is dark. Therefore, highly accurate control can be performed even if the reliability of the output of the acceleration sensor is reduced, and illumination is not turned on when the surroundings of the device are bright, which contributes to power saving.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a portable telephone as an example of a portable terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 11 has a display unit 13 composed of a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 14, a microphone 15, and a speaker 16 arranged on the surface of a device main body 12, as in a normal mobile phone. An acceleration sensor 18 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 12. The acceleration sensor 18 is a commercially available three-axis acceleration sensor, and is a package having a height of about 7 mm, a width and a depth of less than 1 cm when mounted on a substrate (not shown).
The acceleration sensor 18 can detect acceleration in three X, Y, and Z directions. Some devices may detect acceleration in two axes. Such an acceleration sensor is used, for example, for detecting acceleration at the time of a collision with an airbag device. In the present embodiment, the acceleration is detected when the mobile phone 11 is directly shaken or when a container (not shown) such as a bag containing the mobile phone 11 is shaken. In the vicinity of the display unit 13, a light receiving sensor 19 for detecting the brightness around the mobile phone 11 is arranged.

FIG. 2 shows a main part of a circuit configuration of the portable telephone. The mobile phone 11 includes a control unit 21 for performing various controls. The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing various data. The control unit 21 includes a wireless unit 22 that performs wireless transmission and reception, the operation unit 14, and the acceleration sensor 1.
Display unit 1 via an A / D converter 23 for performing analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion of the detection output of the display unit 8 and a predetermined driving circuit or interface circuit (not shown).
3, microphone 15, speaker 16, light receiving sensor 1
9, the backlight 25, the open / close detection circuit 26, and the vibrator 27.

Here, the backlight 25 is a light source for illuminating the liquid crystal display constituting the display section 13 from the back. In this embodiment, the illumination of the key switch constituting the operation section 14 is also performed by the light emission of a diode (not shown). It has become. The open / close detection circuit 26 includes a sensor for detecting the open / close state of the apparatus main body 12, and detects whether the apparatus is open or closed. Such sensors include, for example, magnetic sensors, optical sensors, or microswitches. The vibrator 27 is a vibration generating unit that vibrates instead of ringing the ringtone when the mobile phone 11 is set in a so-called manner mode and notifies the user of the ringing. Further, the A / D converter 23 is a circuit that inputs the three-axis analog output detected by the acceleration sensor 18 and converts the analog output into a digital signal corresponding to the detected output. The control unit 21 detects that the mobile phone 11 has been intentionally shaken when a “shake” stronger than the vibration normally occurring in daily life is detected. In this embodiment, the backlight 25 is turned on when a predetermined shake is detected.

FIG. 3 shows control of the backlight and the like of the portable telephone according to the first embodiment. When the operator opens the apparatus main body 12 from the folded state to use the mobile phone 11 as shown in FIG. 1, the opening / closing detection circuit 26 detects that the opening / closing detection circuit 26 has been opened (step S31:
Y). The control unit 21 turns on the backlight 25 (step S32). At the same time, the operation of a software timer for counting time by counting a clock signal (not shown) is started, and a predetermined time t _{1 is set.}
Is started (step S33).

If a key input is performed by the operation unit 14 before the end of the time t ₁ (step S34:
Y), a process based on the depression of the key switch is executed (step S35). Such an operation is normally performed.

If the state in which the operator does not perform any operation for some reason continues (step S34: N), the control unit 14 reduces the power consumption when the time t ₁ has been measured (step S36: Y). The backlight 25 is turned off to save money (step S37). However, if the backlight 25 is turned off in this way, it is difficult for the operator to start key input thereafter, especially in a place where the surroundings are dark.

In such a case, the backlight 25 is turned on again by the operator shaking the apparatus main body 12 several times in such a case. That is, when the operator performs such an operation, the control unit 21 determines that the number of times that the intensity of the detection output of the acceleration sensor 18 exceeds a predetermined value is equal to or more than a predetermined number of times (for example, two times) within a predetermined time. The presence is detected (step S38: Y). At this time, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the detection output of the light receiving sensor 19 is lower than a predetermined threshold (step S39). If it is determined that the surroundings are darker than a certain level (Y), the process returns to step S32 to turn on the backlight 25. Therefore, the operator can easily perform key input.

In the first embodiment, the light receiving sensor 1
9 is disposed to prevent unnecessary lighting of the backlight 25, but the operator does not prepare the light receiving sensor 19 and the operator
Backlight 2 even in bright places every time you shake 2 several times
5 may be turned on. Also, the light receiving sensor 1
9, the open / close detection circuit 2 in a bright place
It is also free to turn off the backlight 25 when the device 6 detects that the apparatus main body 12 is opened.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows an operation when a portable telephone as an example of the portable terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention receives a call. The circuit configuration of the mobile phone of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for a slight difference in the built-in control program. Therefore, a description will be given by appropriately using FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment. Mobile phone 11 of second embodiment
Is a portable terminal device that can cope with a case where a ringtone is generated in a place where the output of the ringtone is restricted (including prohibited), such as a train or a hospital.

When the portable telephone 11 receives a call (step S)
51: Y), the control unit 21 starts ringing using the speaker 16 (step S52). The control unit determines whether the number of times that the intensity of the detection output of the acceleration sensor 18 exceeds the predetermined value is equal to or more than a predetermined number (for example, two) within a predetermined time (step S53: Y), Alternatively, when the off-hook is performed (step S54:
Y), the ring tone is stopped (step S55). Therefore, if the operator has the mobile phone 11 at hand and can easily perform off-hook, the ringing tone stops if the off-hook operation is performed. This is the usual method.

On the other hand, when the mobile phone 11 is in a container such as a handbag and cannot be taken out immediately,
If the user has the mobile phone 11 at hand and forgets how to operate it, he or she may shake the container or shake the device body 12 several times.
Thereby, the acceleration sensor 1 described in step S53
8, the control unit 21 stops the ringtone. After this, it is in a state of waiting for off-hook. It is also possible to turn off the power of the mobile phone 11 together with the operation of stopping the ringing tone by the operator in advance.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows an operation when a portable telephone as an example of the portable terminal device according to the third embodiment of the present invention receives a call. The circuit configuration of the mobile phone of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for a slight difference in the built-in control program. Therefore, a description will be given by appropriately using FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment. Mobile phone 11 of third embodiment
Is a portable terminal device capable of coping with a case where a ring tone is generated in a place where the output of the ring tone is restricted, such as a train or a hospital, as in the case of the second embodiment.
The difference from the second embodiment is that the manner mode can be set.

When the portable telephone 11 receives a call (step S)
71: Y), the control unit 21 checks whether or not the mobile phone 11 is set to a so-called manner mode in which the vibrator 27 is vibrated instead of ringing a ring tone (step S72). If the manner mode is not set (N), ringing of the ring tone is started using the speaker 16 (step S73). On the other hand, when the manner mode is set (step S72:
Y) The vibrator 27 is vibrated instead of ringing the ringtone (step S74). in this case,
When the operator goes off-hook (step S75: Y),
The vibration of the vibrator 27 stops (step S76).

On the other hand, when the manner mode is not set, the ring tone continues to ring if nothing is done. In the situation where the ringing tone is disturbing the surroundings as in the previous embodiment, if the mobile phone 11 cannot be immediately removed from the container, or if the mobile phone 11 is at hand, forget the operation method. There is a place where it has been lost. In such a case, the container may be vigorously shaken or the device main body 12 may be vigorously shaken several times. Thereby, detection by the acceleration sensor 18 is performed (step S77:
Y), without waiting for off-hook (step S78), the control unit 21 stops the ringtone (step S78).
79). In this case, the manner mode is set at the same time (step S80). This is to prevent the surrounding area from being disturbed when an incoming call is received.
The control unit 21 starts the vibration of the vibrator 27 at the same time (step S74). The subsequent control has already been described.

If the operator performs an off-hook operation when the ring tone starts to ring in step S73 (step S78: Y), the ring tone stops ringing (step S81). This is a normal operation.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows a main part of control of a portable telephone as an example of a portable terminal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The circuit configuration of the mobile phone of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first and third embodiments except for a slight difference in the built-in control program. Therefore, a description will be given by appropriately using FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment. The mobile phone 11 according to the fourth embodiment performs control in which the first and third embodiments are appropriately combined.

That is, when the control section 21 shown in FIG. 2 detects a predetermined shake by the acceleration sensor 18 (step S91: Y), the control section 21 determines whether or not the ring tone from the speaker 16 is being output. (Step S92),
If the output is being performed (Y), the output of the ringtone is stopped (step S93). Then, the mobile phone 11 is set to the manner mode at the time of an incoming call (step S94). Then, control up to the start of vibration of the vibrator 27 is performed (step S95), and subsequent control is executed by another routine. This has been described with reference to FIG.

After starting the vibration of the vibrator 27,
Alternatively, if the ringing tone is not being output in step S92 (N), the process proceeds to step S96 and the open / close detection circuit 2
It is checked whether or not 6 has detected the open state of the apparatus main body 12. If it is open (Y), it is checked whether the backlight 25 is off (step S97). If it is off (Y), the backlight 25 is turned on (step S98). Subsequent control relating to the lighting time of the backlight 25 is executed by another routine. This has been described with reference to FIG.

In the embodiment, the foldable portable telephone 11 is used.
However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a non-foldable mobile phone. Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to the lighting relations and the output of ring tones of other portable terminal devices.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the illumination means is driven when the acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration outputs a predetermined output by detecting the acceleration. Even if the device falls off the stairs away from the hand, it can be quickly detected even in the dark. Also, since the operation unit is illuminated,
Even if it is dark, it is hard to make mistakes in the operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the portable terminal device is put in a container such as a handbag or the like, the holder recognizes the ringing tone and moves the container from the net rack of the train or the like. At that point, the ringtone can be stopped automatically. Therefore, there is an advantage that the ringtone can be stopped by a very natural operation as the holder. Also, if you are in a jacket or pants pocket, you can simply jump up or shake your body, so even if you are wearing clothes in winter, especially if you are wearing clothes The ringtone can be stopped quickly. Further, when the operator holds the portable terminal device in his or her hand, the operator only has to wave his hand, so that the operation of changing the device is not necessary, and the desired purpose can be achieved quickly. In addition, when wearing gloves, it is not necessary to remove the gloves and perform the operation.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration outputs a predetermined output by detecting the acceleration, the output of the vibration sound by the vibration generating means is replaced with the output of the ringing sound. Since it is performed, there is an advantage that the fact of the incoming call can be reliably transmitted. In particular, when the ring tone stops due to unintended vibration and the owner does not notice the ring tone due to ambient noise, etc., the ring tone can be reliably detected by the output of the vibration sound by the vibration generating means. it can.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the acceleration sensor is a sensor for detecting acceleration in all three directions, so that the mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone is placed in any state. With the added vibration, it is possible to reliably and quickly turn on the illumination of the device and stop the ringtone.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the output of the acceleration sensor at a predetermined level or more continues for a specific number of times within a predetermined time, the lighting and the ringtone are stopped, so that a malfunction occurs. Is less likely to occur, and waste of power consumption due to malfunction can be prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the case of a foldable portable terminal device, the opening / closing detection sensor drives the illuminating means under the condition that the use state in which the device is opened is detected. Therefore, even if the reliability of the output of the acceleration sensor is reduced, not only can highly accurate control be performed, but also it is possible to prevent a situation in which the device is closed and the illumination is not used when not in use, thereby contributing to power saving.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the illumination means is driven under the condition that the optical sensor for detecting the brightness of the surroundings of the operation unit detects that the brightness of the surroundings is low. Even if the reliability of the sensor output is reduced, highly accurate control can be performed. In addition, when the surroundings of the device are bright, no illumination is turned on, which contributes to power saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a mobile phone as an example of a mobile terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a circuit configuration of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control of the backlight of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a mobile phone as an example of a mobile terminal device receives a call according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a mobile phone as an example of a mobile terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention receives a call;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main part of control of a mobile phone as an example of a mobile terminal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventionally proposed telephone.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Cellular phone 12 Device main body 13 Display part 16 Speaker 18 Acceleration sensor 19 Light receiving sensor 21 Control part 22 Wireless part 25 Backlight 26 Open / close detection circuit 27 Vibrator

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/02 H04M 1/02 C H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109L F-term (Reference) 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 HH06 MM07 5K027 AA11 BB02 EE11 EE15 FF21 FF22 HH30 5K067 AA34 BB04 DD23 EE02 FF24 FF27 FF28 FF31 GG11 HH21 KK00

Claims (7)

[Claims] An operating unit, an illuminating unit that illuminates the operating unit, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration, and an illuminating unit driving unit that drives the illuminating unit when the acceleration sensor outputs a predetermined output. A portable terminal device comprising: 2. A ring tone generating means for generating a ring tone when an incoming call arrives; an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration; and a ring tone stop for stopping the output of the ring tone generating means when the acceleration sensor outputs a predetermined output. And a portable terminal device. 3. A vibration generating means for generating vibration, a ring tone generating means for generating a ring tone upon receiving an incoming call, and a ring tone generated by the ring tone generating means upon receiving an incoming call when a specific mode is set. Incoming call notification switching means for generating vibration by the vibration generating means, an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration, and a specific mode forcible transition means forcibly transitioning to the specific mode when the acceleration sensor performs a predetermined output. A portable terminal device comprising: 4. The acceleration sensor according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration sensor detects acceleration in all three directions.
The mobile terminal device according to any one of the above. 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined output of the acceleration sensor is a case where an output of a predetermined level or more is repeated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. apparatus. 6. An opening / closing detection sensor for detecting opening / closing of the apparatus, wherein the lighting means driving means drives the lighting means when the acceleration sensor outputs the predetermined output while the opening / closing detection sensor is open. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein 7. An optical sensor for detecting the brightness around the operation unit, wherein the illumination unit driving means performs the predetermined output by the acceleration sensor when the brightness of the optical sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting unit is driven when the portable terminal device is turned on.