JP2006197093A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a portable information terminal, e.g. a portable telephone, in which a function being used frequently among a variety of functions mounted therein can be called preferentially and executed easily. <P>SOLUTION: In a portable telephone 1 where an operating section 2 arranged with various function keys and a display section 3 having a display section can be folded in the opening/closing direction through a hinge portion 4, a function call switch 5 is provided on the side face of the operating section 2. When the function call switch 5 is depressed and turned on at the time of operation from closed state to open state or from open state to closed state of the operating section 2 and the display section 3, a series of procedures of a previously registered function being used frequently, e.g. an e-mail function, is executed preferentially and easily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal such as a cellular phone, and more particularly to a technique for opening / closing and calling a function in a foldable portable information terminal.

  As for the shape of the main body of a mobile phone or the like, a foldable terminal is becoming the mainstream in place of the conventional straight type terminal, and a terminal equipped with a rotating mechanism has begun to be marketed further. In terms of functionality, mobile phones have become multifunctional, such as e-mail, web browsing, cameras, and videophones. In recent years, electronic money functions and IC reader functions are also being incorporated, and information rather than just mobile phones. It is changing to a usage form as a terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-158758 A

  By the way, in the case of such a multifunctional mobile phone, especially in the case of a foldable type, the terminal body in a folded state must be opened each time it is used. For example, for users who frequently use the email function, it is necessary to follow the operation procedure after opening the terminal body each time to call and operate the mail creation screen or mail browsing screen, It has become troublesome. This problem is common not only to mobile phones but also to all foldable mobile terminals.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal that can be easily executed by preferentially calling a frequently used function among various functions installed in a cellular phone or the like.

  The portable information terminal of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be openable and closable, and the first housing. A transition operation detection unit that detects either the operation from the closed state to the open state or the operation from the open state to the closed state of the body and the second casing; the first casing; the second casing; A function call switch that is provided in at least one of a housing and the hinge part and that calls at least one function of the portable information terminal by the operation; and the operation by the transition action detection unit during the operation of the function call switch And a control unit that calls the function when the detection is performed.

  With this configuration, it is registered in advance by operating the function call switch in a closed state, for example, by omitting the conventional trouble of performing the desired function according to the procedure with the operation unit and the display unit opened each time. Perform procedures for frequently used functions.

  The portable information terminal may further include a storage unit that stores a procedure for executing the function during the operation. Under this configuration, the control unit detects an ON signal by the operation of the function call switch and a state transition signal corresponding to the detection of the operation by the transition operation detection unit, and the ON signal is maintained. When the state transition signal is detected, the control unit reads out the procedure from the storage unit and performs control to execute the function.

  With this configuration, frequently used functions can be identified and stored in the storage unit in advance.

  Further, the function call switch can be constituted by a push button type switch. In this case, the function is called in a state where the function call switch is depressed. The function call switch may be provided on either side of the first casing and the second casing.

  With this configuration, the opening / closing operation and the function call can be easily performed simultaneously. The first casing corresponds to one of the upper casing and the lower casing, and the second casing corresponds to the other.

  According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, a desired function can be started and executed simply and quickly by operating the function call switch.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a portable information terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a cellular phone 1 which is a typical embodiment of a portable information terminal. This mobile phone 1 is a so-called foldable mobile phone in which an upper housing 1A having a display unit 3 and a lower housing 1B having an operation unit 2 are connected to each other by a hinge unit 4 so as to be capable of opening and closing. Both housings are connected via a hinge part 4 so as to be openable and closable in a relative direction, and are electrically connected by a communication cable inserted through the hinge part. Further, the hinge unit 4 includes a transition operation detection circuit (transition operation detection unit) 10 shown in FIG. 2 for detecting a transition state from the open state to the closed state and vice versa. Has been.

  The operation unit 2 of the lower housing 1B is provided with an input unit in which keys for performing various functions such as numeric keys and cursor keys are arranged. A function call switch 5 is provided on the side surface of the lower housing 1B. This function call switch 5 is an on / off switch system that is pressed down by the user. The function call switch 5 is turned on when depressed and is turned off when not depressed.

  In the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2, the input device 11 includes a key for executing each function such as the numeric keys and cursor keys of the operation unit described above and a sensor (pressure sensor or the like) that detects an operation on the key. Yes. The display device 12 provided in the display unit 3 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel. In addition, a control circuit (control unit) 13 which is a control unit including a storage unit such as a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM that controls the entire apparatus is provided. The control circuit 13 includes, for example, a wireless unit 14, a camera unit 15, and a non-contact type. A circuit for executing each function such as the IC unit 16 and the vibrator unit 17 is connected. Of course, these functions are examples, other functions can be provided, and predetermined functions can be omitted.

  As shown in the table of FIG. 3, the transition operation detection circuit 10 incorporated in the hinge unit 4 is configured to output a pulse signal that rises with flags (flg) a and b indicating two state transitions. In addition, digital detection signals “0” and “1” are output in the steady state, the transition from the closed state to the open state, and the transition from the open state to the closed state, respectively. The flag corresponds to the state transition signal.

  Various configurations can be employed for the transition operation detection circuit 10 to detect the open state or the closed state of the mobile phone 1. For example, a metal conductor is arranged in each of the upper housing 1A and the lower housing 1B, and the mobile phone 1 is designed in advance so that it is open when both conductors are connected and closed when both conductors are separated. can do. In addition, instead of the two conductors to be connected, a conductor to be connected at a high frequency under a communication frequency is embedded in both housings, and an open state or a closed state can be detected based on the presence or absence of capacitive coupling between the two conductors. it can.

  A memory circuit A18 and a memory circuit B19 are connected to the control circuit 13, and a function calling procedure for calling a desired function when the memory circuit A18 transitions from the closed state to the open state is registered in advance. In the memory circuit B19, a function calling procedure for calling a desired function when transitioning from the open state to the closed state is registered in advance. The procedure stored in the memory circuit A18 is read when the flag a rises, and the procedure stored in the memory circuit B19 is read when the flag b rises. The memory circuit can be constituted by a normal memory or the like.

  The closed state here refers to a state where the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 are overlapped and folded so that the numeric keys and cursor keys provided in the operation unit 2 cannot be operated. It is assumed that a numeric key or a cursor key provided in the operation unit 2 can be operated.

  The procedure for calling each function registered in the storage circuits 18 and 19 can be executed when the function call switch 5 is turned on at the time of the state transition. That is, when the function call switch 5 is depressed at the time of transition from the closed state to the open state, or vice versa, the control circuit 13 is called to execute a desired function. Yes.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the flow of operation processing at the time of calling the memory circuit A18, FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the flow of operation processing at the time of calling the memory circuit B19, and FIG. Timing charts are shown respectively.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the mobile phone 1 according to the embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS.

  For example, it is assumed that a series of procedures for camera functions are registered in advance in the memory circuit A18. When calling the camera function, from the closed state in which the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 are folded, the user performs an operation of opening the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 while pressing the function call switch 5 and sets the opened state. . In such an open state, as shown in FIG. 4, the flag (flg) a of the transition operation detection circuit 10 rises, and the memory circuit A call flag that calls the procedure of the memory circuit A18 rises. With this flag, the camera function calling procedure registered in the memory circuit A18 is called by the control circuit 13. The control circuit 13 activates the camera unit 15 and the display device 12 to execute the camera function.

  On the other hand, for example, it is assumed that a series of procedures of the vibrator function is registered in advance in the memory circuit B19. When calling the vibrator function, the user performs the operation of closing the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 while pressing the function call switch 5 from the open state in which the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 are opened, and sets the closed state. In such a closed state, as shown in FIG. 5, the flag (flg) b of the transition operation detection circuit 10 rises, and the memory circuit B call flag that calls the procedure of the memory circuit B19 rises. By the flag, the vibrator function call procedure registered in the storage circuit B19 is called by the control circuit 13. The control circuit 13 activates the vibrator unit 17 to execute the vibrator function.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 are opened and closed, if the function call switch 5 is not depressed, the function call procedure is not executed. Similarly, the function call procedure registered in the memory circuits 18 and 19 is not executed only by depressing the function call switch 5. In other words, the user can search and select a desired function as in the past by simply performing either the operation of opening or closing the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3 and the pressing operation of the function call switch 5 at the same time. The troublesomeness to do is eliminated.

  According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, when it is desired to quickly execute a function that is frequently used, such as e-mail transmission / reception and camera shooting, conventionally, the folded operation unit and the display unit are opened each time and then executed according to the operation procedure. However, simply by operating the function call switch, a desired function can be started and executed easily.

  In the above-described embodiment, the function call switch 5 is configured by a push button switch and provided on the side surface of the lower housing 1B. However, the shape, operation method, arrangement position, and the like of the function call switch 5 are not particularly limited. For example, it can be configured by a slide type switch. Further, a push button type function call switch can be provided at either one end of the hinge portion 4 separately from the opening / closing button or also as the opening / closing button.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is not always necessary to keep pressing the switch 5 from the start to the end of the operation. To the last, at the moment when the transition operation detection circuit 10 detects the switching of the two housings from the closed state to the closed state or from the open state to the closed state, that is, at the moment when the flag (flg) a or the flag (flg) b rises. If the switch 5 is pressed, the memory circuit A18 or the memory circuit B19 is called.

  From another point of view, the portable information terminal of the present invention can also be understood as having means for calling at least one function at the same time as opening and closing operations of two housings. In the above-described embodiment, such means is realized by a transition operation detection circuit, a function call switch, and a control circuit. However, the present invention may include other configurations that realize such means.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above embodiment, Other embodiment and those combinations are also possible if it is in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

  The present invention realizes that a portable information terminal can easily and quickly start and execute a desired function simply by operating a function call switch when it is desired to quickly execute a frequently used function.

The perspective view which shows the mobile telephone of embodiment of the portable information terminal by this invention. The functional block diagram of the mobile telephone by embodiment. The table | surface which shows the output flag of the transition operation | movement detection circuit by embodiment. 6 is a timing chart at the time of calling operation of the memory circuit A of the embodiment. 6 is a timing chart at the time of calling operation of the memory circuit B of the embodiment. The timing chart in the other scene of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile telephone 2 Operation part 3 Display part 4 Hinge part 5 Function call switch 10 Transition operation detection circuit 11 Input device 12 Display apparatus 13 Control circuit 14 Wireless part 15 Camera part 16 Non-contact IC part 17 Vibrator part

Claims (5)

A portable information terminal,
A first housing;
A second housing;
A hinge portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be openable and closable;
A transition operation detector that detects either the operation from the closed state to the open state or the operation from the open state to the closed state of the first housing and the second housing;
A function call switch that is provided in at least one of the first casing, the second casing, and the hinge portion, and that calls at least one function of the portable information terminal by its operation;
A portable information terminal comprising: a control unit that calls the function when the operation is detected by the transition operation detection unit during operation of the function call switch. The portable information terminal according to claim 1,
A storage unit storing a procedure for executing the function during the operation;
The control unit detects an ON signal by operation of the function call switch and a state transition signal corresponding to the detection of the operation by the transition operation detection unit,
When the state transition signal is detected while the ON signal is maintained, the control unit reads out the procedure from the storage unit and performs control to execute the function. The portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
The portable information terminal, wherein the function call switch is constituted by a push button type switch, and the function is called in a state where the function call switch is depressed. The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The portable information terminal, wherein the function call switch is provided on a side surface of either the first casing or the second casing. A portable information terminal,
A first housing;
A second housing;
A hinge portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be openable and closable;
Calling at least one function of the portable information terminal by operating the first housing and the second housing simultaneously with the operation from the closed state to the open state or the operation from the open state to the closed state. And a portable information terminal.

Images