JP2006139975A - Portable terminal and operation support component for portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal, wherein sufficient mounting force can be obtained between a thin multifunctional key for the portable terminal and an external operation support component (joy stick) and which is detachable, and to provide an operation support parts for the portable terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The joy stick 20 has a nearly cylindrical mounting guide 23, projected from a central bottom surface part of a body part 21. An absorption tape 24 is affixed to the central bottom surface part of the body part 21, and a peripheral tape 25 is affixed to a peripheral bottom surface part. The multifunctional key 7 for a mobile phone 1, where an enter key 8 is arranged in the central part and arrow keys 9 are arranged at the periphery, has a groove 10 between the enter key 8 and the arrow key 9. When a user puts the joy stick 20 on an upper part of the multifunctional key 7, the mounting guide 23 for the joy stick 20 is fitted in the groove 10 of the multifunctional key 7 to be positioned. If it is pushed in, intact, the absorption tape 24 of the joy stick 20 and the keytop 81 of the enter key 8 are adsorbed by proper adsorption power, and mounting is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal such as a mobile communication terminal, and an operation auxiliary component that can be attached to and detached from the portable terminal.

There is an operation auxiliary component that is mounted on a multifunction key (multifunction button) of a portable terminal and used as an external joystick (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the portable terminal and the operation assisting component for the portable terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1, the fitting portion of the operation assisting component has a hollow portion, and the confirmation key (central key) of the multifunction key of the portable terminal is provided in the hollow portion. The top is fitted. Further, the four convex portions of the operation assisting parts are fitted into the four concave portions of the direction keys (ring-shaped keys) around the multifunction key of the portable terminal. Then, when the user presses the operation auxiliary component in the vertical direction, the confirmation key of the multifunction key is pressed, and when the operation auxiliary component is pushed down in the peripheral direction, the direction key around the multifunction key is pressed, and the joystick Can work as. Further, when the operation assisting component is not used, it can be detached from the portable terminal.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-31078 (pages 2 and 3, FIGS. 1 to 4)

As mobile terminals become smaller and especially thinner, the multifunction key of the mobile terminal becomes thin and flat. In such a case, there is a problem that the fixed key top of the thin and flat multifunction key and the hollow portion of the fitting portion of the operation assisting part of Patent Document 1 cannot be sufficiently fitted and are easily detached. In addition, since there is no gap between the four convex portions of the operation assisting parts of Patent Document 1 and the four concave portions of the direction keys around the multifunction key of the portable terminal, the user presses the enter key. There is a problem that peripheral direction keys are pressed even when the operation assisting component is pressed in the vertical direction for the purpose.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and even with a thin multi-function key of a mobile terminal, a sufficient mounting force can be obtained between the mobile terminal and a removable operation auxiliary component. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal and an operation assisting component for the portable terminal that can be reliably distinguished and pressed between a confirmation key and a direction key.

  In order to achieve the above object, the portable terminal of the present invention includes a multi-function key having a center determination key and a peripheral direction key, and operating the determination key and the key top of the direction key. A stick-shaped main body, and an operation support component having a resilient suction tape at the center bottom of the main body, the suction tape being detachably mounted on the key top of the confirmation key by suction, The confirmation key is operated by pressing the top of the operation assisting component in the mounted state toward the center bottom, and the direction key is pressed by pressing the top toward the direction key. Is operated.

  The operation assisting component for a portable terminal according to the present invention is a portable terminal that includes a multi-function key having a center determination key and a peripheral direction key, and the key top of the determination key and the direction key is operated. It is optionally attached, and comprises a stick-shaped main body and a resilient suction tape at the center bottom of the main body, and the suction tape is detachably attached by suction with the key top of the confirmation key, When the top of the stick-shaped main body is pressed toward the center bottom, the confirmation key is operated, and the top is pressed toward the direction key. The key is operated.

  According to the present invention, even with a thin multi-function key of a mobile terminal, a sufficient mounting force can be obtained between the mobile terminal and the detachable operation auxiliary component, and the confirmation key and the direction key can be securely connected. It becomes possible to press it in distinction.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile phone and a joystick according to each embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 1 includes an upper housing 2, a display 3, a hinge 4, a lower housing 5, a large number of keys 6, a multi-function key 7, and the like. The multi-function key 7 is provided with a confirmation key 8 at the center and a direction key 9 having four keys at the peripheral arrows. When the user operates the multi-function key 7, the user moves his / her finger to one of the four arrow portions of the confirmation key 8 and the direction key 9 and presses and uses these keys.

The mobile phone 1 further includes a joystick 20 that is separate from the mobile phone body, and is used as an operation assisting part. The joystick 20 has a stick shape and a substantially columnar shape, and a main body portion 21 of the joystick 20 has a strap attachment piece 22. The joystick 20 is arbitrarily mounted on the multifunction key 7 and used. The user places a finger on the top of the joystick 20 with the joystick 20 mounted, and presses the lower key 5 in the vertical direction, thereby pressing the enter key 8. In addition, any of the four direction keys 9 is pressed by tilting the joystick 20 while keeping the finger on the top. This is particularly effective when an agile operation such as a game function is required because the finger movement is unnecessary and the operation is simple.
The joystick 20 can be removed from the multifunction key 7 when not in use. When it is removed, a strap (not shown) connected to the mobile phone body can be connected to the strap attachment piece 22 to prevent loss.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction key and joystick of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the joystick, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction key of the mobile phone, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view when the joystick is attached to the multi-function key of the mobile phone. .
The structure of the joystick will be described with reference to FIG. The main body 21 of the joystick 20 is formed of a resin material, and has a strap mounting piece 22 and a mounting guide 23. The mounting guide 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape protruding from the bottom surface of the main body 21, and serves as a guide when the joystick 20 is mounted on the multifunction key 7.
The suction tape 24 is fixed to the central bottom surface portion of the main body portion 21. The suction tape 24 is used for the purpose of sucking the joystick 20 onto the multifunction key 7. The adsorbing tape 24 is a relatively soft sponge-like tape that has adsorbability and can be removed and removed several times, such as an adsorbent tape 555A manufactured by C-I-Matex. When the adsorptive power decreases due to dust or the like, the adsorptive power is restored by simply washing with water. The peripheral tape 25 is fixed to the peripheral bottom surface portion of the main body portion 21. The peripheral tape 25 is similarly a relatively soft material, but may not be adsorbable. The through hole 26 is a hole that penetrates the central shaft portion of the main body 21 and is used as a countermeasure when an infant accidentally swallows it.

The structure of the multifunction key of the mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG. The multifunction key 7 has a confirmation key 8 disposed in the center and a direction key 9 disposed in the periphery. The direction keys 9 are illustrated for two of the four. The multifunction key 7 is attached to the lower housing 5.
The confirmation key 8 and the direction key 9 are each provided with a key top 81 and a key top 91 at the top. A groove 10 is provided between the key top 81 and the key top 91. A keypad 12 having a pusher 11 is provided under the key tops 81 and 91. Further below that, a key sheet 14 having a metallic metal dome 13 is provided. The metal dome 13 is a dome-shaped metal. When the metal dome 13 is pressed, the metal dome 13 is retracted downward. Further below that, a printed circuit board 15 having two metal contacts (not shown) for each metal dome is provided.

When the key top is pressed, the corresponding pusher 11 and the metal dome 13 under the key top are pressed and retracted, and the corresponding two metal contacts of the printed board 15 under the metal dome 13 are short-circuited. Thus, a key press is detected.
Note that the keypad 12, the key sheet 14, and the printed circuit board 15 are used in portions not shown for the large number of keys 6.

With reference to FIG. 2C, joystick mounting on the multi-function key will be described. FIG. 2 (c) shows a state where the joystick 20 of FIG. 2 (a) is mounted on the upper part of the multi-function key 7 of FIG. 2 (b). Since the name display of each part becomes complicated, most of the same parts as those in FIGS. 2A and 2C are omitted.
When the user attaches the joystick 20, the user places the joystick 20 on the upper part of the multifunction key 7, and the attachment guide 23 of the joystick 20 fits into the groove 10 of the multifunction key 7 and is positioned. The mounting guide 23 is not intended to be fitted by itself, but functions as a guide for positioning. Then, when it is pushed in as it is, the suction tape 24 of the joystick 20 and the key top 81 of the confirmation key 8 are attracted with an appropriate suction force to complete the mounting, and the state shown in FIG. In this mounted state, the shape of the joystick 20 is determined such that a gap 30 exists between the peripheral tape 25 of the joystick 20 and the key top 91 of the direction key 9.

  When the mounting is completed, the user can operate the multi-function key 7 by operating the joystick 20. First, the user places a finger on the top of the joystick 20 and presses it in the vertical direction with respect to the lower housing 5, whereby the confirmation key 8 is pressed and detected. At this time, since there is a gap 30, the direction key 9 is not pressed, and only the confirmation key 8 can be pressed.

In addition, by tilting downward with the finger placed on the top of the joystick 20, the peripheral tape 25 is pushed down to come into contact with the key top 91 of the direction key 9. Any one is pressed.
If the surface of the key top 91 is made of a material that is not easily damaged, the thickness of the peripheral tape 25 may be further reduced, or the peripheral tape 25 itself may be omitted. In that case, when the top of the joystick 20 is tilted downward, the bottom surface portion of the resin material between the peripheral tape 25 and the mounting guide 23 contacts the key top 91 of the direction key 9 and the direction key 9 is pressed. It becomes like this.

  Further, when the joystick 20 is tilted downward and the direction key 9 is pressed, the lateral tape 25 and the key top 91 having no adsorptivity are slightly displaced in the lateral direction. Therefore, by using the peripheral tape 25 as an adsorbent material, this lateral movement is absorbed by the adsorbent peripheral tape 25 and can be eliminated, and the key top 91 is made of a material whose surface is easily damaged. Even so, there is no risk of hurting.

  When the joystick 20 is tilted downward and the direction key 9 is pressed, on the other hand, the suction tape 24 and a part of the suction part of the key top 81 are subjected to a force in the lifting direction. Therefore, the suction tape 24 and the suction tape 24 are designed by considering the deformation distance of the gap 30 and the metal dome 13 which are strokes for pressing the direction key 9 and the distance between the central axis of the joystick 20 and the peripheral tape 30. The key top 81 does not easily come off.

  When the user does not use the joystick 20, the suction tape 24 and the key top 81 can be detached and removed by pulling the joystick 20 upward. Further, since the suction tape 24 and the peripheral tape 25 are relatively soft materials, there is no possibility that the key tops 81 and 91 are damaged.

  According to the first embodiment, even with a thin multi-function key of the mobile phone, a sufficient mounting force can be obtained between the mobile phone and the removable joystick, and the confirmation key and the direction key are reliably separated. It can be pressed separately. In addition, the joystick can be easily attached to and detached from the multifunction key of the mobile phone.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction key and joystick of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the joystick, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the multi-function key of the mobile phone, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view when the joystick is attached to the multi-function key of the mobile phone. .
Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. In FIG. 3A, a magnet S pole (or N pole) 241 is fixed to the central bottom surface portion of the main body 21 of the joystick 20. In FIG. 3B, the key top 811 of the confirmation key 8 of the multi-function key 7 is composed of a magnet N pole (or S pole). In FIG. 3C, the magnet S pole 241 of the joystick 20 and the key top 811 (magnet N pole) of the enter key 8 are attracted to each other by the attractive magnetic force, and the mounting is completed.

  Note that a thin tape or the like that does not affect the magnetic force may be attached to the attracting surface side of the magnet S pole 241 so that the surface of the key top 811 is not damaged. Further, a thin decorative plate that does not affect the magnetic force may be provided on the surface of the key top 811.

  Further, since the magnet S pole 241 and the key top 811 (magnet N pole) are attracted to each other by a magnetic force, the mounting guide 23 for the joystick 20 is not necessary.

  Further, the magnet S pole 241 and the key top 811 may not be magnets, but the magnet S pole 241 may be a sucker and the key top 811 may be a member having a smooth surface. In that case, the joystick 20 can be attached to the key top 811 with a suction cup and can be removed.

  According to the second embodiment, even with a thin multi-function key of the mobile phone, a sufficient mounting force can be obtained between the mobile phone and the detachable joystick, and the confirmation key and the direction key are reliably separated. It can be pressed separately. In addition, the joystick can be easily attached to and detached from the multifunction key of the mobile phone. Moreover, since it is a magnet, adsorption force does not fall semipermanently. Further, since the suction cup, the suction force does not decrease semipermanently.

  Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to a mobile phone, it can also be applied to PHS, PDA, and other mobile terminals.

The external view of the mobile telephone and joystick which concern on each Example of this invention. Sectional drawing of the multifunction key and joystick of the mobile telephone which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the multifunction key and joystick of the mobile telephone which concerns on Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2 Upper housing | casing 3 Indicator 4 Hinge 5 Lower housing 6 Key 7 Multi-function key 8 Confirmation key 81 Key top 811 Key top 9 Direction key 91 Key top 10 Groove 11 Pusher 12 Keypad 13 Metal dome 14 Key Sheet 15 Printed circuit board 20 Joystick 21 Main body 22 Strap mounting piece 23 Mounting guide 24 Adsorption tape 241 Magnet S pole 25 Peripheral tape 26 Through hole 30 Gap

Claims (12)

A multi-function key having a center determination key and a peripheral direction key, and the key top of the determination key and the direction key is operated;
A stick-shaped main body, and an operation auxiliary component that has a resilient suction tape at the center bottom of the main body, and the suction tape is detachably attached to the key top of the confirmation key by suction,
The confirmation key is operated by pressing the top of the operation assisting component in the mounted state toward the center bottom, and the direction is pressed by pressing the top toward the direction key. A portable terminal in which a key is operated. A multi-function key having a center determination key and a peripheral direction key, the key top of the determination key being a magnet, and the key top of the determination key and the direction key being operated;
Operation assistance that has a stick-shaped main body and a magnet of the opposite polarity to the key top magnet at the center bottom of the main body, and the magnet is detachably attached to the key top magnet of the confirmation key by magnetic force With parts,
The confirmation key is operated by pressing the top of the operation auxiliary component toward the center bottom in the mounted state, and the direction is pressed by pressing the top toward the direction key. A portable terminal in which a key is operated. A multi-function key having a center determination key and a peripheral direction key, the key top of the determination key is smooth, and the key top of the determination key and the direction key is operated;
A stick-shaped main body, and a suction cup at the center bottom of the main body, and the suction cup is provided with an operation auxiliary part that is detachably attached to the key top of the confirmation key by suction,
The confirmation key is operated by pressing the top of the operation assisting component in the mounted state toward the center bottom, and the direction is pressed by pressing the top toward the direction key. A portable terminal in which a key is operated. Having a gap between the key top of the confirmation key and the key top of the direction key;
A mounting guide piece is provided at the center bottom of the operation auxiliary component,
The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting is performed following the insertion of the mounting guide into the gap during the mounting. A peripheral tape is provided at the peripheral bottom of the stick-shaped main body of the operation auxiliary component,
4. A gap is formed between the peripheral tape and the key top of the direction key when the operation auxiliary component is mounted on the key top of the confirmation key. The mobile terminal according to any one of the above.   6. The portable terminal according to claim 5, wherein the peripheral tape is an elastic tape or an elastic suction tape. A multi-function key having a center confirmation key and a peripheral direction key is optionally attached to a portable terminal on which the confirmation key and the key top of the direction key are operated,
It has a stick-shaped body and an elastic suction tape at the center bottom of the body,
The suction tape is detachably attached to the key top of the confirmation key by adsorption, and the confirmation key is operated by pressing the top of the stick-shaped main body toward the center bottom in the attached state. An operation auxiliary component for a portable terminal, wherein the direction key is operated by pressing the top portion in the direction of the direction key. A multi-function key having a center confirmation key and a peripheral direction key is provided, and the key top of the confirmation key is a magnet, and is optionally attached to a portable terminal on which the confirmation key and the direction key top are operated. And
A stick-shaped body, and a magnet having a polarity opposite to that of the key top magnet at the center bottom of the body;
The center bottom magnet is detachably attached to the key top magnet of the confirmation key by magnetic force, and the top of the stick-shaped main body is pressed toward the center bottom in the attached state. An operation auxiliary component for a portable terminal, wherein a key is operated and the direction key is operated by pressing the top toward the direction key. A multi-function key having a center determination key and a peripheral direction key is provided, and the key top of the determination key is smooth, and is arbitrarily attached to a portable terminal on which the determination key and the direction key key top are operated. And
A stick-shaped body and a suction cup at the center bottom of the body,
The suction cup is detachably mounted by suction with the key top of the confirmation key, and the confirmation key is operated by pressing the top of the stick-shaped main body toward the center bottom in the attached state, The operation assisting component for a portable terminal, wherein the direction key is operated by pressing the top portion toward the direction of the direction key. Having a gap between the key top of the confirmation key and the key top of the direction key;
A mounting guide piece is provided at the center bottom of the operation auxiliary component,
The operation assisting component for a mobile terminal according to claim 7, wherein the mounting is performed following the insertion of the mounting guide into the gap during the mounting. A peripheral tape is provided at the peripheral bottom of the stick-shaped main body of the operation auxiliary component,
10. A gap is formed between the peripheral tape and the key top of the direction key when the operation auxiliary component is mounted on the key top of the confirmation key. The operation auxiliary part for a portable terminal according to any one of the above.   The operation support component for a mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral tape is an elastic tape or an elastic suction tape.

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