JP2006020272A - Portable communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable communication terminal with which various operations are inputted in a folded state with its display panel facing an outside without reducing a screen size of the display panel or enlarging a display housing. <P>SOLUTION: A portable telephone set includes a display housing 2, an operation housing 4 and a connection section 5 for foldably connecting both the housings, and is eiither in a normally open state where both the housings are extended with a display panel and an operation panel facing the same direction, or in a reversely closed state where the display panel is folded outward. The portable telephone set has: a main multi-function key 10 which is provided in the operation panel and enables two or more different operation inputs depending on a portion pressed; a side multi-function key 17 which is provided in the display panel and enables the same operation inputs as the main multi-function key by the same operation; a terminal state identification section 63 for identifying a terminal state; and an input control section 64 for switching whether an operation input due to each multi-functional key is valid or invalid on the basis of a result of the terminal state identification. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to improvement of a mobile communication terminal having a display casing provided with a display panel and an operation casing provided with an operation panel, for example, a foldable mobile phone. . In particular, the present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal with improved operability in a reverse closed state in which a display panel is folded outward.

  Mobile phones are required to be smaller and lighter from the viewpoint of improving portability. However, considering the operability, there is a limit to downsizing the operation keys. In addition, the screen size of the main display screen is required to be increased. In order to satisfy such conflicting demands, in recent mobile phones, a display case provided with a main display screen and an operation case provided with operation keys are connected by a hinge to include a main display screen. A display panel and an operation panel including operation keys that face each other and can be folded are mainly used.

  Furthermore, not only the first rotating shaft for folding but also a two-axis hinge having a second rotating shaft orthogonal to the first rotating shaft, the operation housing and the display housing are relatively moved around the second rotating shaft. Conventionally, mobile phones that can be rotated have been proposed. In such a foldable mobile phone, the main display screen can be viewed in a compact state by folding the display panel facing outward and the operation panel facing inward.

  However, when the display panel is folded outward, the operation panel is on the inside, so that key operations on the operation panel cannot be performed. In view of this, there has been proposed a mobile phone that can be operated and input even when the display panel is folded with the operation key provided on the display panel (for example, Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, in recent mobile phones, multifunction keys capable of two or more different operation inputs are arranged on the operation panel according to the pressed part. This type of multi-function key is often capable of four types of operation input, up, down, left, and right, and is called a direction key, a cross key, etc., and contributes to miniaturization of the operation panel and improvement in operability. Conventionally, a cellular phone provided with two such multi-function keys has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-251406 A JP 2002-118644 A JP 2003-316896 A

  In the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, each operation key provided on the display panel is a key for performing a single operation input by pressing. For this reason, in order to enable various operation inputs when the display panel is folded outward, the number of operation keys provided on the display panel must be increased. In this case, since the operation key arrangement area on the display panel is widened, there is a problem that the screen area on the display panel has to be reduced or the display housing has to be enlarged.

  In addition, in the case of a mobile phone provided with operation keys on the display panel, there is a problem that erroneous operation is likely to occur. That is, a call receiver is generally provided on a display panel, and a call is normally performed in a terminal state (normally open state) in which both housings are expanded with the display panel and the operation panel directed in the same direction. If the user's ear or the like touches the operation key on the display panel during a call in such a normally open state, an erroneous operation may occur.

  On the other hand, in the mobile phone described in Patent Document 2, one multifunction key is provided on the operation panel, and the other multifunction key is provided on the display casing opposite to the main display screen. Yes. For this reason, there has been a problem that a user who is browsing the main display screen by folding the casing with the operation casing facing inward and the display panel facing outward cannot use any of the multifunction keys.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, in a state where both housings are expanded with the display panel and the operation panel facing in the same direction, and a state where both housings are folded with the display panel facing outward. It is an object to improve the operability of a mobile communication terminal capable of transitioning between the two. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal capable of performing various operation inputs in a state where the display panel is folded outward while suppressing an increase in the size of the display panel.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal that can suppress an erroneous operation in a normally open state, particularly an erroneous operation during a call in a normally open state. It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal that can suppress erroneous operations in a normal open state and a reverse close state.

  A cellular phone according to a first aspect of the present invention is a display case provided with a display panel including a display screen, an operation case having an operation panel including operation keys, and the display case and the operation case can be folded. A normally open state in which both housings are deployed with the display panel and the operation panel facing in the same direction, and both housings with the operation panel facing inward and the display panel facing outward. In the portable communication terminal capable of transitioning between the folded reverse closed state, a first multifunction key provided on the operation panel and capable of two or more different operation inputs according to a pressed portion, and the display panel And a second multi-function key that is capable of two or more different operation inputs according to the pressed part.

  With such a configuration, the user can operate the multifunction key while browsing the display screen in either the normal open state or the reverse open state. That is, the first operation key on the operation panel can be used in the normal open state, and the second multifunction key on the display panel can be used in the reverse close state. Therefore, the operability in the reverse closed state can be improved without increasing the number of operation keys provided on the display panel.

  In the mobile phone according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the second multi-function key can perform the same operation input by performing the same operation as the first multi-function key. Configured. With such a configuration, the operation methods in the normal open state and the reverse close state are unified, and the user does not need to learn the operation method for each terminal state, and can easily understand and learn the operation method.

  In addition to the above configuration, the mobile phone according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a terminal state identifying unit for identifying a normally open state and a reverse closed state, and the first or second based on the identification result of the terminal state identifying unit. And an input control means for controlling the validity and invalidity of the operation input by the multifunction key. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress erroneous operation of the multifunction key by controlling the validity and invalidity of the operation input by the first or second multifunction key according to the terminal state. Note that the valid and invalid control targets may be either one of the first and second multifunction keys, or both of them.

  A mobile phone according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes, in addition to the above configuration, a receiver for outputting sound during a call on the display panel, and the input control means includes a first multifunction key in a normally open state. The operation input by is enabled, and the operation input by the second multifunction key is disabled. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the second multifunction key from being erroneously operated in the normally open state. In particular, since the second multifunction key is on the display panel provided with the call receiver, an erroneous operation is likely to occur during a call. For this reason, by invalidating the operation input by the second multifunction key in the normally open state, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of the second multifunction key from occurring during a call in the normally open state.

  In addition to the above configuration, the mobile phone according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the input control means invalidates the operation input by the second multifunction key during a call in a normally open state. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the second operation key during a call in a normally open state.

  In the mobile phone according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the second multi-function key is provided on the outer side of the display screen and on the side opposite to the connecting portion. With such a configuration, in the reverse closed state, the second multifunction key is in front of the display screen with respect to the user. Therefore, the user can display the display screen in both the normally open state and the reverse closed state. The operation input can be performed by the multi-function keys arranged on the front side. Therefore, in any terminal state, good operability can be obtained for the multi-function key, and browsing of the display screen is not hindered by the operation of the multi-function key.

  In addition to the above configuration, a mobile phone according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes two or more first guide keys provided on the operation panel and displaying function assignments on the display screen, and on the display panel. And a second guide key associated with the first guide key, the input control means based on the identification result of the terminal state identification means, the first and second guide keys It is comprised so that the validity and invalidity of the operation input by may be controlled. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform an operation input with the guide key in either the normal open state or the reverse close state.

  A mobile phone according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is based on the two backlights that illuminate the first and second multifunction keys from the back side, respectively, and the identification result of the terminal state identification means, in addition to the above configuration. Key illumination control means for turning on the backlight. With such a configuration, the backlight is turned on based on the terminal state, and the multifunctional key corresponding to the terminal state is illuminated to notify the user of the multifunctional key capable of operation input via vision. Can do.

  In the mobile phone according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the key illumination control unit turns on a backlight corresponding to the multi-function key that enables the operation input, and the multi-function key that disables the operation input. The backlight corresponding to is configured to be turned off. With such a configuration, key illumination is performed in association with switching of the multi-function key, so that the user can easily recognize an effective multi-function key.

  A mobile phone according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, switches between a backlight that illuminates the second multi-function key from the back side, and an illumination color based on a terminal state identification result. Key illumination control means for lighting. With such a configuration, since the illumination color of the backlight is switched based on the terminal state, the illumination color for the second multifunction key can be varied for each terminal state. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the multifunction key that is effective depending on the illumination color.

  The portable communication terminal according to the present invention is provided with a first multifunction key on the operation panel and a second multifunction key on the display panel. For this reason, the user can use the multifunction key while browsing the display screen on the display panel in any of the normal open state and the reverse open state. That is, various operation inputs can be performed in the reverse open state while suppressing the increase in the number of operation keys on the display panel and the accompanying increase in the size of the display panel.

  The portable communication terminal according to the present invention can perform the same operation input by performing the same operation as the first multi-function key on the second multi-function key. For this reason, the operation method in the normal open state and the reverse close state can be unified, and the user does not need to learn the operation method for each terminal state, and can easily understand and learn the operation method.

  The portable communication terminal according to the present invention controls the validity and invalidity of the operation input by the first and second multifunction keys based on the terminal state. For this reason, by switching two multifunction keys according to the terminal state, it is possible to improve the operability in the normal open state and the reverse open state and to prevent erroneous operations. In particular, by invalidating the operation input by the second multifunction key during a call in the normally open state, an erroneous operation during the call in the normally open state can be prevented.

  In the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, the backlight is turned on based on the terminal state, and the multifunction key corresponding to the terminal state is illuminated. For this reason, it is possible to notify the user of multifunction keys that can be operated and input visually, and the user can easily recognize which multifunction keys are effective.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and shows an external appearance of a foldable mobile phone 1 in a “normally open state”. The normal open state is the most basic terminal state when the mobile phone 1 is used, and FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile phone 1 in the normal open state as viewed from the user side.

  The mobile phone 1 includes a display housing 2, an operation housing 4, and a connecting portion 5. Each of the display housing 2 and the operation housing 4 is a thin housing having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has two main surfaces and end surfaces facing each other. Each of the display casing 2 and the operation casing 4 has one short side connected by a connecting portion 5, and the two casings 1 and 2 are centered on the first rotation axis A1 and the second rotation axis A2. It can be rotated relatively.

  In other words, if the display housing 2 is rotated with respect to the operation housing 4 about the first rotation axis A1, the main surfaces of both housings can be opposed to each other and can be folded or unfolded. In addition, when the display housing 2 is rotated 180 ° with respect to the operation housing 4 about the second rotation axis A2, the display housing 2 can be shifted to an inverted state.

  On one main surface of the operation casing 4, there are various operation keys (main operation keys) such as a main multifunction key 10, main guide keys 11 to 13, an on-hook key 14, an off-hook key 15, a main clear key 16, and a numeric keypad. The main surface is used as an operation panel for a user to input an operation. Further, a microphone 8 for calling is arranged on the operation panel and in the vicinity of the front end of the casing on the opposite side to the connecting portion 5.

  A main display screen 3 composed of a liquid crystal display device is disposed on one main surface of the display housing 2, and the main surface is mainly used as a display panel for performing display output to a user. Call receivers 6 and 7, sub multifunction key 17, sub guide keys 18 to 20, sub clear key 21, sub camera 9 and the like are also arranged on the display panel. The normal open state shown in FIG. 1 is a terminal state in which both housings are developed with the display panel and the operation panel directed in the same direction.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a main part of the internal structure of the mobile phone of FIG. 1, in which a main part of the connecting part 5 and a terminal state detection sensor are shown. The connecting portion 5 includes bearing members 30 and 31 fixed to the operation housing 4, a rotating member 32 that is rotatably held by the bearing members 30 and 31, and a frame member 33 fixed to the display housing 2. And a rotating connecting member 34 that rotatably connects the rotating member 32 and the frame member 33.

  That is, the connecting portion 5 is composed of a biaxial hinge that relatively rotates the display housing 2 and the operation housing 4 around the first rotation axis A1 and the second rotation axis A2. If the display housing 2 is rotated about the first rotation axis A1 by the bearing members 30, 31 and the rotation member 32, the terminal (the mobile phone 1) can be opened and closed. Therefore, if the display housing 2 is folded forward and folded from the normally open state, the length in the longitudinal direction is substantially halved and can be stored compactly.

  In addition, the display housing 2 can be rotated about the second rotation axis A2 by the rotation connecting member 34. The second rotation axis A2 is orthogonal to the first rotation axis A1, and the display casing 2 and the operation casing 4 are oriented when the display casing 2 is rotated by 180 ° about the second rotation axis A2. Can be different.

  The terminal state detection sensor includes magnetic sensors 41 and 43 and magnets 40 and 42, and is provided to detect the connection state of the connecting portion 5 (referred to herein as the terminal state). Will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in the “normally closed state”, and shows a front view seen from the user side. The normally closed state is the most basic terminal state when the cellular phone 1 is stored. From the normally open state, the display housing 2 is rotated around the first rotation axis A1, and the display panel and the operation panel are both inside. It is the state folded so that it may become.

  A sub display screen 51 smaller than the main display screen 3 is provided on the main surface of the display housing 2 opposite to the display panel.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in the “reverse open state”. The reverse open state is mainly a terminal state when the user takes a picture of himself / herself, and from the normal open state, the display housing 2 is rotated by 180 ° around the second rotation axis A2, and the display panel and the operation panel are reversed. It is the unfolded state toward the direction. In the reverse open state, the mobile phone 1 is rotated 90 ° and used in a horizontally long state. FIG. 4 is a front view of the mobile phone 1 in the reverse open state as viewed from the user side, with the display panel facing forward.

  A main camera 52 and a mobile light 53 are provided on the main surface of the operation casing 4 opposite to the operation panel.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in the “reverse closed state”. The reverse closed state is a terminal state when viewing received e-mail or photographing using the main camera 52, and the display housing 2 is rotated around the first rotation axis A1 from the reverse open state. The display panel is folded with the display panel facing outward and the operation panel facing inward. FIG. 5 is a front view of the mobile phone 1 in the reverse closed state as viewed from the user side, with the display panel facing forward.

  Next, each component of the mobile phone 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described. The main guide keys (first guide keys) 11 to 13 have different functions assigned according to the usage situation, and the function assignments are operation keys displayed on the main display screen 3, and are called soft keys or function keys. It is.

  The off-hook key 15 is an operation key operated at the start of a call, and the on-hook key 14 is an operation key operated at the end of the call. The main clear key 16 is an operation key to which a different function is assigned depending on the use situation, but is different from the main guide keys 11 to 13 in that the function assignment is not displayed on the main display screen 3. The numeric keypad is an operation key used for inputting a telephone number or character of an e-mail.

  The main multi-function key (first multi-function key) 10 is an independent operation key that can perform four types of operation inputs using the upper, lower, left, and right pressing parts. The main multifunction key 10 is generally called a direction key because it is suitable for cursor movement, but is not dedicated to cursor movement, and a different function can be assigned to each pressed part. For example, an incoming call history can be assigned to the left operation, a redial to the right operation, a message memo to the upper operation, and a shortcut menu display to the lower operation.

  The main multifunction key 10 has a ring shape, and a main guide key 11 which is a separate operation key is arranged at the center thereof. In general, among the operation keys on the operation panel, the main multifunction key 10 has the highest usage frequency, and the main guide keys 11 to 13 have the highest usage frequency. Of the main guide keys 11 to 13, the main guide key 10 used as the determination key is the most frequently used. For this reason, the main guide key 11 is arranged in the center of the main multifunction key 10 in consideration of operability.

  The sub multifunction key 17, the sub guide keys 18 to 20 and the sub clear key 21 provided on the display panel of the display housing 2 correspond to the main multifunction key 10, the main guide keys 11 to 13 and the main clear key 16, respectively. This is an operation key.

  That is, the sub multifunction key (second multifunction key) 17 is a multifunction key associated with the main multifunction key 10. The sub multi-function key 17 is an independent operation key that can perform four types of operation inputs by pressing the upper, lower, left, and right pressing parts. Therefore, if the user performs the same operation on the sub multi-function key 17 as in the case of the main multi-function key 10, the same operation input can be performed.

  The sub guide keys (second guide keys) 18 to 20 are guide keys associated with the main guide keys 11 to 13, respectively. In particular, the sub guide key 18 is a guide key (so-called determination key) associated with the main guide key 11, and can perform the same operation input as the main guide key 11. The sub-clear key 21 is a clear key associated with the main clear key 16 and can perform the same operation input as the main clear key 16.

  These sub operation keys 17 to 21 are used in the reverse close state and the reverse open state. In these terminal states, since the top and bottom of the main display screen 3 are used in the reverse direction compared to the normal open state, on the lower side of the main display screen 3 in the display state, that is, outside the main display screen 3. In addition, sub operation keys 17 to 21 are arranged on the side opposite to the connecting portion 5 (on the front end side of the housing with respect to the main display screen 3). The operation input by these sub operation keys 17 to 21 is normally invalid in the open state, and prevents an operation input not intended by the user from being performed. In particular, an erroneous operation due to the user's ears coming into contact with these sub operation keys 17 to 21 during a call is prevented.

  Here, the main guide key 11 is arranged at the center of the main multifunction key 10, whereas the sub guide key 18 is arranged around the sub multifunction key 17. With such a configuration, the sub-multifunction key 17 is reduced in size, and an increase in the size of the display panel is suppressed. It goes without saying that the sub guide key 18 may be arranged at the center of the sub multi-function key 17 in the same manner as in the case of the main guide key 11.

  The sub multifunction key 17 is arranged at the center in the short direction of the display panel. In general, the short side of the display housing 2 on the front end side (the side opposite to the connecting portion 5) has a convex, gently curved shape, and is rounded at both ends. For this reason, the longitudinal direction of the display panel is the longest at the center, and the sub-multi-function key 17 is arranged at the center in the short direction of the display panel, so that an increase in the size of the display panel can be suppressed.

  Moreover, if the main multifunction key 10 is arranged in the center of the operation panel in the short direction, the main multifunction key 10 in the normally open state and the sub multifunction key 17 in the reverse open state are viewed from the user. Both can be positioned at the lower center of the main display screen 3, and in both terminal states, the user can perform almost the same operation. That is, by providing the main multifunction key 10 and the sub multifunction key 17 at the corresponding positions in the short direction of the casings 2 and 4, the operability in the normal open state and the reverse open state can be unified.

  From this point of view, it is more desirable that the main multifunction key 10 in the normally open state and the sub multifunction key 17 in the reverse open state have the same distance from the main display screen 3. For this reason, it is desirable that the main display screen 3 is arranged closer to the connecting portion 5 than the center in the longitudinal direction of the display panel.

  The call receiver 6 is a speaker that outputs sound during a call, and is used during a call in a normally open state. The call receiver 6 is disposed in the display panel on the side opposite to the connecting portion 5 (on the front end side of the housing with respect to the main display screen 3). On the other hand, the call receiver 7 is a receiver used during a call in the reverse closed state, and is disposed in the display panel and closer to the connecting portion 5 than the main display screen 3.

  The main camera 52 is an image pickup means including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and a subject is displayed on the main display screen 3 as a finder at the time of shooting. The mobile light 53 is a flash light composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that is turned on when exposure is insufficient.

  The sub-camera 9 is an imaging unit that is made of CCD or CMOS and simplified more than the main camera 52. The sub-camera 9 is used as a camera for a TV phone in a normal open state and a reverse close state. That is, the user himself / herself is photographed by the sub camera 9 and a photographed image is transmitted to the terminal of the other party of the call, and at the same time, image data from the other party is displayed on the main display screen 3.

  One of the magnetic sensor 41 and the magnet 40 is provided in the display housing 2 and the other is provided in the operation housing 4. The magnetic sensor 41 and the magnet 40 are disposed at positions facing each other in the normal close state and the reverse close state. That is, each of the magnetic sensor 41 and the magnet 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the distal end portion in the longitudinal direction of the casing and in the center in the lateral direction. For this reason, if the magnetic sensor 41 detects the line of magnetic force of the magnet 40, it can be determined that it is in the folded state, that is, the normal closed state or the reverse closed state.

  One of the magnetic sensor 43 and the magnet 42 is provided on the frame member 33 in the display housing 2, and the other is provided on the rotating member 32 in the connecting portion 5, so that the display panel and the operation panel are in the same direction. They are arranged at positions facing each other in a state of facing. The magnetic sensor 43 and the magnet 42 are arranged to be offset with respect to the second rotation axis A2, and if the magnetic sensor 43 detects a line of magnetic force of the magnet 42, it can be determined that it is in a normally open state or a normally closed state. If it cannot be detected, it can be determined that the state is the reverse open state or the reverse close state. For the magnetic sensors 41 and 43, a Hall element, a magnetoresistance (MR) element, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration in the mobile phone of FIG. The main control unit 60 includes a processor that performs main control of the mobile phone 1. The radio unit 61 is a transmitting / receiving unit that performs radio communication with a cellular radio base station (not shown) via an antenna. The communication control unit 62 controls the wireless communication based on an instruction from the main control unit 60.

  The terminal state identification unit 63 performs terminal state identification processing based on the detection signals of the magnetic sensors 41 and 43. By using the detection results of the magnetic sensors 41 and 43, it is possible to determine each terminal state, that is, a normal close state, a normal open state, a reverse open state, and a reverse close state. The main control unit 60 varies the operations in the input control unit 64, the voice control unit 65, and the display control unit 66 based on the identification result of the terminal state. In this specification, the difference between the operation in the reverse close state and the operation in the normal open state will be mainly described.

  The input control unit 64 monitors operation inputs from the main operation keys 10 to 16 on the operation panel and the sub operation keys 17 to 21 on the display panel, and outputs a key operation signal to the main control unit 60. At that time, based on the identification result of the terminal state, control is performed to switch between valid and invalid operation inputs by the operation keys 10 to 21.

  The main operation keys 10 to 16 cannot be used in the normal close state and the reverse close state folded with the operation panel inside. Further, in the reverse open state in which the display panel and the operation panel are directed in the opposite directions, the main operation keys 10 to 16 cannot be operated while browsing the main display screen 3, and the operability is extremely poor. For this reason, in the reverse close state and the reverse open state, the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are used instead of the main operation keys 10 to 16.

  That is, in the normal open state, the operation input by the main multifunction key 10, the main guide keys 11 to 13 and the main clear key 16 is validated, and the sub multifunction key 17, the sub guide keys 18 to 20 and the sub clear key 21 are used. Control to invalidate the operation input is performed. On the other hand, in the reverse open state and the reverse close state, the operation input by the main multifunction key 10, the main guide keys 11-13 and the main clear key 16 is invalidated, and the sub multifunction key 17, sub guide keys 18-20, and Control to validate the operation input by the sub-clear key 21 is performed. In the normal close state, any operation input by any of the operation keys is invalidated.

  The main operation keys 10 to 13 and 16 are associated with the sub operation keys 17 to 21, and the same operation input is performed by performing the same operation as that of the main operation keys 10 to 13 and 16. It can be carried out. That is, the same function as the corresponding key in the operation panel is assigned. Further, when different functions are assigned to the main operation keys 10 to 13 and 16 depending on the operation time, that is, when the functions differ depending on the short press and the long press, the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are also short. The same function as that of the corresponding operation key is assigned to each of pressing and long pressing.

  Such sub operation keys 17 to 21 may be operated unintentionally by the user in the normally open state, so that the operation input by the sub operation keys 17 to 21 in the normally open state is invalidated. Yes. In particular, since there is a high possibility that the sub-multifunction key 17 is erroneously operated during a call in the normal open state, the operation input by the sub multi-function key 17 may be invalidated at least during the call in the normal open state. desirable.

  The voice control unit 65 outputs the reception sound input via the main control unit 60 to the call receiver 6 or 7 and outputs the transmission sound input via the microphone 8 to the main control unit 60. Performs signal input / output control. The call receiver 6 is used when a call is being made in a normally open state, and the call receiver 7 is used when the call is being made in a reverse closed state. The microphone 8 is commonly used in these terminal states.

  The display control unit 66 performs display control of the main display screen 3 and the sub display screen 51. For example, control for rotating the display image of the main display screen 3 by 180 ° is performed based on the identification result of the terminal state. When viewed from the user who holds the operation casing 4 without changing, when the transition is made between the normal open state and the reverse close state, the main display screen 3 is rotated by 180 ° and the vertical direction is reversed. For this reason, in the reverse closed state, the display image in the normally open state is rotated by 180 ° and displayed.

  Further, the display control unit 66 displays the function assignment to each guide key at the lower end of the main display screen 3. For this reason, in the normal open state, the positions of the main guide keys 11 to 13 coincide with the display positions of the assigned functions in the main display screen 3. On the other hand, even in the reverse closed state in which the sub guide keys 18 to 20 are used, the display image is displayed by being rotated 180 °, so that the position of the sub guide keys 19 and 20 and the display position of the assigned function in the display screen Match.

  The imaging control unit 67 performs imaging control of the main camera 52 and the sub camera 9. That is, at the time of a videophone call in the reverse closed state, shooting is performed using the sub camera 9, and shooting is performed using the main camera 52 in other cases.

  Next, a usage example of the mobile phone 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of standby in the normally open state. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in standby in the reverse close state. Since the display image of the main display screen 3 is rotated by 180 ° in accordance with the terminal state, the same screen display is performed from the user's perspective in any terminal state. In addition, the same function is assigned to the operation keys that can be used according to each terminal state.

  That is, when the standby screen is displayed on the main display screen 3, if it is in a normally open state, determination, mail, and camera functions are assigned to the main guide keys 11-13, respectively. In addition, incoming call history, redial, message memo, and shortcut functions are assigned to the left, right, up, and down operations of the main multifunction key 10, respectively.

  On the other hand, in the reverse close state, the decision, mail, camera, and clear functions are assigned to the sub guide keys 18 to 20 and the sub clear key 21, respectively. Similarly to the main multi-function key 10, incoming call history, redial, message memo, and shortcut functions are assigned to the left, right, up, and down operations of the sub multi-function key 17, respectively. That is, operations performed using the main guide keys 11 to 13 and the main multifunction key 10 in the normally open state can be performed using the sub guide keys 18 to 20 and the sub multifunction key 17 even in the reverse close state. it can. The display and function assignment in the reverse open state are the same as in the reverse close state.

  Steps S101 to S108 in FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an example of input control related to the main operation keys 10 to 16 and the sub operation keys 17 to 21 in the mobile phone of FIG. First, the terminal state identification unit 63 determines the terminal state (step S101).

  At this time, if the terminal is in the normally open state, the operation input by the sub operation keys 17 to 21 is invalidated, and the operation input by the main operation keys 10 to 16 is validated (steps S102 to S104). That is, the input control unit 64 does not output the key operation signals of the sub operation keys 17 to 21 to the main control unit 60 based on the detection result of the terminal state. For this reason, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the sub operation keys 17 to 21 in the normally open state.

  If the terminal is in the reverse open state or the reverse close state, the operation input by the sub operation keys 17 to 21 is validated, and the operation input by the main operation keys 10 to 16 is invalidated (steps S105 to S107). That is, based on the detection result of the terminal state, the input control unit 64 does not output the key operation signals of the main operation keys 10 to 16 to the main control unit 60. For this reason, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the main operation keys 10 to 16 in the reverse open state and the reverse close state.

  If the terminal is in the normally closed state, a closing process for ending the display on the main display screen 3 and the like is performed (step S108). This close process includes a process of invalidating the operation input by the main operation keys 10 to 16 and the sub operation keys 17 to 21.

  According to the present embodiment, since the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are provided on the display panel, an operation input is performed while browsing the main display screen 3 in a reverse closed state in which the mobile phone is compactly folded. Can do. In particular, by providing the sub multi-function key 17 on the display panel, the increase in the number of operation keys on the display panel, the narrowing of the main display screen 3, or the enlargement of the display housing 2 is suppressed, while the reverse. Various operation inputs are possible in the closed state.

  Further, these sub operation keys 17 to 21 have good operability because the same operation input is possible by the same operation as the main multifunction key 10, the main guide keys 11 to 13 and the main clear key 16. The user can easily understand the operation.

  Further, the terminal state identification unit 63 detects the terminal state, and the input control unit 64 controls the validity and invalidity of the main operation keys 10 to 16 and the sub operation keys 17 to 21 based on the detection result. For this reason, according to the normal open state and the reverse close state, it is possible to switch and control the validity and invalidity of these operation keys, thereby improving the operability and preventing an erroneous operation.

  In particular, in the normally open state, by invalidating the operation input by the sub operation keys 17 to 21, it is possible to effectively prevent an erroneous operation by the sub multi-function keys 17 to 21. Further, by invalidating the operation input by the sub-multifunction key 17 during a call in the normal open state, it is possible to make a call without causing an erroneous operation in the normal open state.

  Further, in the reverse closed state, the sub multi-function key 17 is positioned at the center in front of the main display screen 3 with respect to the user, and the main display screen 3 displays the terminal state in either the normal open state or the reverse close state. Also, operation input can be performed by a multi-function key provided at the center on the front side. Accordingly, the user can obtain a unified operability in each terminal state, and can operate the multifunction key without disturbing the browsing of the main display screen 3 in any terminal state.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which both valid and invalid are controlled for the operation inputs of the main operation keys 10 to 16 and the sub-multifunction key 17 has been described. However, the present invention is limited to such a case. Not. For example, it may be possible to control validity and invalidity only for an erroneous operation by the sub-multifunction operation key 17.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the example in which the validity / invalidity of the operation input by the operation key is switched according to the terminal state has been described. In the present embodiment, the case where the illumination of the operation keys is further controlled according to the terminal state will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The cellular phone 70 according to the present embodiment is different from the cellular phone (Embodiment 1) shown in FIG. 6 in that a key illumination control unit 71, a main key backlight 72, and a sub key backlight 73 are provided.

  The main key backlight 72 and the sub key backlight 73 are key illumination means for illuminating the operation keys from the back side, and are composed of LEDs. The main key backlight 72 illuminates each operation key on the operation panel including the main multifunction key 10, and the sub key backlight 73 illuminates each operation key on the display panel including the sub multifunction key 17.

  The key illumination control unit 71 controls the lighting of the backlights 72 and 73 based on the terminal state identification result. Here, it is assumed that control is performed to turn on the backlight corresponding to the multifunction key for which the operation input is valid, and to turn off the backlight corresponding to the multifunction key for which the operation input is invalid. That is, in the normally open state, the main multifunction key 10 and the main guide keys 11 to 13 are turned on, and the sub multifunction key 17 and the sub guide keys 18 to 20 are turned off. In the reverse closed state, the sub multifunction key 17 and the sub guide keys 18 to 20 are turned on, and the main multifunction key 10 and the main guide keys 11 to 13 are turned off.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation at the time of standby in the mobile phone of FIG. 10, FIG. 11 (a) shows a state of key illumination in a normally open state, and FIG. The state of key illumination in the reverse closed state is shown. In the normal open state, each operation key on the operation panel such as the main multi-function key 10 is lit, and in the reverse close state, each operation key on the display panel such as the sub multi-function key 17 is lit.

  Steps S201 to S211 in FIG. 12 are flowcharts showing an example of lighting control of the backlights 72 and 73 in the mobile phone 70 in FIG. First, the terminal state identification unit 63 determines the terminal state (step S201). As a result, when it is determined that the terminal state has not changed, and there is no key operation within a predetermined period, the key illumination control unit 71 turns the main key backlight 72 and the sub key backlight 73 on. The light is turned off to reduce current consumption (steps S202 to S205).

  On the other hand, when the terminal state changes to the normal open state, the key illumination control unit 71 turns off the sub key backlight 73 and turns on the main key backlight 72 (steps S206 to S208). For this reason, the user knows that the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are invalid and the main operation keys 10 to 14 are valid.

  When the terminal state changes to the reverse open state or the reverse close state, the key illumination control unit 71 turns on the sub key backlight 73 and turns off the main key backlight 72 (steps S209 to S211). For this reason, the user knows that the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are valid and the main operation keys 10 to 14 are invalid.

  When the terminal state changes to the normally closed state, the key illumination control unit 71 turns off both the main key backlight 72 and the sub key backlight 73 (step S209).

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to turn on the backlights 72 and 73 based on the identification result of the terminal state, and to perform key illumination according to the terminal state for each of the multifunction keys 10 and 17. Therefore, the user's attention can be alerted by the visual effect, and the user can be notified of the validity and invalidity of the multifunction keys 10 and 17 for each terminal state. In particular, the key backlight corresponding to the multifunction key for which the operation input is enabled is turned on, and the key backlight corresponding to the multifunction key for which the operation input is disabled is turned off. Key illumination.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the second embodiment, the example in which the operation key is illuminated by switching the key backlight to be turned on according to the terminal state has been described. On the other hand, this Embodiment demonstrates the case where the illumination color of a key backlight is varied according to a terminal state.

  FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are diagrams showing an example of standby operation in the mobile phone according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 13 (a) shows a state of key illumination in a normally open state. FIG. 13B shows a state of key illumination in the reverse closed state. In the mobile phone according to the present embodiment, control is performed to switch the illumination color by the key backlight that illuminates the operation keys 17 to 21 on the display panel such as the sub multi-function key 17. The switching of the illumination color by the key backlight is performed based on the terminal state identification result. For example, it is illuminated in red in the normally open state, and illuminated in green in the reverse closed state.

  Steps S301 to S308 in FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing an example of lighting control of the sub key backlight 73 in the mobile phone in FIG. First, the terminal state identification unit 63 determines the terminal state (step S301). As a result, when it is determined that the terminal state has not changed and there is no key operation within a predetermined period, the key illumination control unit 71 turns off the sub key backlight 73 (steps S302 to S304). .

  On the other hand, when the terminal state changes and the normal open state is established, the key illumination control unit 71 lights the sub key backlight 73 in red (steps S305 and S306). For this reason, the user knows that the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are invalid.

  Further, when the terminal state is changed to be in the reverse open state or the reverse close state, the key illumination control unit 71 lights the sub key backlight 73 in green (steps S307 and 308). For this reason, the user understands that the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are effective.

  Further, when the terminal state is changed and the normally closed state is entered, the key illumination control unit 71 turns off the sub key backlight 73 (step S307).

  According to the present embodiment, the key illumination control unit 71 changes the illumination color of the sub key backlight 73 based on the terminal state. Therefore, the user can identify whether the sub operation keys 17 to 21 are valid or invalid based on the illumination color of the key.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the illumination color of the operation key is switched according to the terminal state has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the illumination color may be different depending on the assigned function. Moreover, you may vary illumination color according to use frequency.

It is the figure which showed an example of the mobile communication terminal by Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the external appearance in the "normally open state" of the foldable mobile telephone 1 is shown. It is the figure which showed an example of the principal part about the internal structure of the mobile telephone of FIG. 1, and the principal part of the connection part 5 and the detection sensor of a terminal state are shown. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in a “normally closed state”. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in a “reverse open state”. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in “reverse closed state”. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example in the mobile phone of FIG. 1. It is the figure which showed the mode at the time of standby in a normal open state. It is the figure which showed the mode at the time of a standby in a reverse closed state. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the input control regarding the main operation keys 10-16 and the sub operation keys 17-21 in the mobile telephone of FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the structural example in the mobile telephone by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the operation example at the time of standby in the mobile telephone of FIG. It is the flowchart which showed an example of lighting control of the key backlights 72 and 73 in the mobile telephone of FIG. It is the figure which showed the operation example at the time of standby in the mobile telephone by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed an example of lighting control of the sub key backlight 73 in the mobile telephone of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,70 Cellular phone 2 Display housing | casing 3 Main display 4 Operation housing | casing 5 Connection part 6,7 Receiver 8 Microphone 9 Sub camera 10 Main multifunction key 11-13 Main guide key 14 On-hook key 15 Off-hook key 16 Main clear key 17 Sub multi-function keys 18 to 20 Sub guide key 21 Sub clear key 51 Sub display 52 Main camera 53 Mobile light 60 Main control unit 61 Wireless unit 62 Communication control unit 63 Terminal state identification unit 64 Input control unit 65 Voice control unit 66 Display control unit 67 Imaging control unit 71 Key illumination control unit 72 Main key backlight 73 Sub key backlight

Claims (10)

A display case provided with a display panel including a display screen, an operation case having an operation panel made up of operation keys, and a connecting portion for connecting the display case and the operation case in a foldable manner; Transition is possible between a normally open state in which both housings are expanded with the display panel and operation panel facing in the same direction, and a reverse closed state in which both housings are folded with the operation panel facing inward and the display panel facing outward. In mobile communication terminals,
A first multi-function key provided on the operation panel and capable of two or more different operation inputs according to a pressed portion;
A portable communication terminal, comprising: a second multifunction key provided on the display panel and capable of two or more different operation inputs according to a pressed part.   2. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second multi-function key can perform the same operation input by performing the same operation as the first multi-function key. A terminal state identifying means for identifying a normally open state and a reverse closed state;
The input control means for controlling validity and invalidity of the operation input by the first or second multifunction key based on the identification result of the terminal state identification means. Mobile communication terminal. A receiver that outputs audio during a call is provided on the display panel.
The said input control means validates the operation input by a 1st multifunction key, and invalidates the operation input by a 2nd multifunction key in the case of a normal open state. Mobile communication terminal.   5. The portable communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein the input control means invalidates an operation input by the second multifunction key during a call in a normally open state.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein the second multifunction key is provided on the outer side of the display screen and on the side opposite to the connecting portion. Two or more first guide keys provided on the operation panel and displaying function assignments on the display screen;
A second guide key provided on the display panel and associated with the first guide key;
4. The mobile communication according to claim 3, wherein the input control unit controls the validity and invalidity of the operation input by the first and second guide keys based on the identification result of the terminal state identification unit. Terminal. Two backlights that respectively illuminate the first and second multifunction keys from the back side;
4. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 3, further comprising key illumination control means for turning on the backlight based on an identification result of the terminal state identification means.   9. The key illumination control means turns on a backlight corresponding to a multifunction key for which an operation input is valid, and turns off a backlight corresponding to the multifunction key for which the operation input is invalid. The mobile communication terminal described in 1. A backlight for illuminating the second multifunction key from the back side;
4. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 3, further comprising key illumination control means for switching illumination colors based on a terminal state identification result and lighting the backlight.

Images