JP2006203646A - Pocket device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user-friendly pocket device with improved button operation for a user. <P>SOLUTION: The pocket device comprises a manual operation button 22 having identical functions arranged at both side (left and right) of a lower cabinet, and a button change means for selecting and enabling a manual operation button 22 installed at either side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device, and more particularly, to a portable device that allows a user to easily perform a button operation regardless of whether the user is a dominant hand.

  Recently, portable portable devices such as mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), electronic notebooks, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “portable devices”) are widely used. In addition to the original functions, equipment with many additional functions has been developed.

  By the way, in such a portable device, an operation button necessary for operating this portable device is allocated for each function, and depending on the operation button to be used, a plurality of types of functions given to the button are provided. Some functions can be selected and switched. However, the assignment of the function of the operation buttons is not usually customized according to each user's preference. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a cellular phone has been developed in which a button 103 is provided on the lower casing 102 among the upper casing 101 and the lower casing 102. However, this button 103 is normally arranged only on one side of the lower casing 102, that is, on one side (the right side 102A in FIGS. 10 and 11), and is arranged on both sides that are symmetrical. Absent.

  Therefore, even if the design of the portable device is good, it may be necessary to select another convenient portable device that suits your style because it does not suit the user's handedness. On the other hand, it may be possible to purchase with priority on design and endure use even if it is not convenient. For example, in the mobile phone shown in FIG. 11, when a right-handed user tries to press the function button 103 while holding it with the right hand, an operation with the thumb of the right hand is generally considered, but the palm of the right hand is obstructive. It is difficult to press.

As described above, in the conventional terminal device described above, the button arrangement cannot be customized according to the user's preference, and there are cases where buttons that are frequently used are arranged on the side corresponding to the dominant hand side.
JP 2003-169116 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly portable device with improved button operation for the user.

The portable device of the present invention includes operation buttons having the same function on a plurality of surfaces of the housing,
Among the operation buttons, there is provided a button switching means that makes it possible to select and use one installed on any one of the surfaces.

  The portable device of the present invention is connected to the first housing having the display unit, the second housing having the operation unit, and the first and second housings so as to be openable and closable. In the portable device provided with the hinge portion to be operated, an operation button having the same function is disposed on both side surfaces of the first housing or the second housing, and only one of the operation buttons disposed on the both side surfaces is disposed. The button switching means that can be used is provided.

  In addition, the portable device of the present invention includes a first housing having a display unit on both the inside and outside surfaces, a second housing having an operation unit, and a hinge unit that connects the first and second housings so as to be openable and closable. The operation buttons having the same function are arranged on both side surfaces of the first housing or the second housing, and only one of the operation buttons arranged on the both side surfaces can be used. Provided with a button switching means, comprising a turning detection sensor for detecting a turning state when the first case is turned with respect to the second case, and when the turning detection sensor detects the turning operation, Screen switching means for displaying only one of the screens of the display units installed on each of the outer surfaces is provided.

  According to the present invention, the operation buttons having the same function are provided on a plurality of surfaces of the housing, and the button switching means for selecting and using the operation buttons installed on any one surface of the operation buttons is provided. A portable device can be provided that allows any user to operate the portable device in accordance with the user's effectiveness. Further, for example, if the operation buttons having the same function are provided on both side surfaces of the housing, there is no sense of incongruity about operability. Therefore, for example, left-handed users want to use left-handed mobile devices, but there is no dedicated device, so they do not force them to use right-handed mobile devices. You can use whatever you like

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a cellular phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This cellular phone includes an upper casing 1 (constituting a first casing) and a lower casing 2 (second casing). The side buttons 22 having the same function are arranged on the left and right sides of the lower casing 2 at symmetrical positions. is doing.

  The upper housing 1 is provided with a large main display portion 11 and a receiver (not shown) on the inner surface 1A that faces the lower housing 2 when the upper and lower housings 1 and 2 are closed. . Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a small auxiliary display unit 12 and a camera photographing window 13 (imaging lens) are installed on the outer surface 1B located on the back side of the inner surface of the upper housing 1. . This camera is constituted by an imaging element such as a CCD (not shown) provided in the upper housing 1 and the above-described imaging lens.

  On the other hand, the lower casing 2 has an operation section 21 and a transmission section (not shown) formed of various buttons on an inner surface 2A that faces the upper casing 1 when the upper and lower casings 1 and 2 are closed. ) And the like, and the above-described side buttons 22 (consisting of the right side button 22R and the left side button 22L) are installed on the left and right side surfaces 2C and 2D of the lower housing 2.

  The side buttons 22 can be provided with various functions. For example, in the present embodiment, the side buttons 22 function as switches for camera operation. Moreover, since this side button 22 selects and uses either the right or left according to the dominant hand of the operator, the side button 22 to be used in advance by setting one of the buttons of the operation unit 21 is set. It is supposed to keep.

  For example, FIG. 3 shows a state when the upper and lower housings 1 and 2 are opened, but when the lower housing 2 is gripped with the right hand, the right side button 22R is difficult to press. Therefore, for a right-handed operator who holds the casing with the right hand, the left side button 22L that is easy to operate with the index finger or middle finger of the right hand to be gripped is selected and set. The right side button 22R is set not to operate. On the contrary, when holding with the left hand, the finger can reach the right side button 22R with the index finger or middle finger of the left hand, and the pressing operation can be facilitated. Accordingly, the right side button 22R is set to be usable. For this reason, when the side button 22 of this embodiment performs the left / right selection setting of the side button by any button of the operation unit 21, an operation signal by the button operation is provided in the control unit 23 provided in the lower housing 2. (It is constituted by a CPU or the like and constitutes “button switching means”. See FIG. 4). On the other hand, the control unit 23 sets the CPU so that one of the left and right side buttons 22 can be used by software control. The left or right side button 22 after being set to be usable is operated in order to prevent malfunction when the upper and lower casings 1 and 2 are closed (described later). It is preferable to automatically set a “lock state” that does not operate even if it is performed. The side buttons 22 are provided with two on the left and right sides, but may be configured with a single button or three or more buttons.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the hinge portion 3 has a rotation shaft 31 in one direction (X direction) in order to rotate the upper and lower casings 1 and 2 only in one direction (with the X direction as the rotation center). The upper and lower casings 1 and 2 can be in either a “closed state” (see FIG. 2) or an “opened state” (see FIG. 3). It is like that.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment, particularly the setting operation of the side button 22 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, considering that right-handed is common and more numerous than left-handed, the initial state is a state (effective state) in which the left side button 22L among the left and right side buttons 22 can be used. The right side button 22R is set to an unusable state (invalid state) (first step S11). Here, the purchaser of the mobile phone determines whether the function setting is OK or not (right-handed or left-handed) (second step S12). If the purchaser is right-handed, all the buttons except the right side button 22R are set to be usable as they are, so the function settings are OK in the initial state, and the settings are changed. There is no need to do. Thereby, the initial setting operation ends (fourth step S14).
On the other hand, if the purchaser is left-handed, the process proceeds to the third step S13. That is, the purchaser operates a button designated in advance among the buttons of the operation unit 21. That is, when the previously designated button is pressed, the control unit 23 provided inside the second housing 2 changes the determination target of the button press by software control. In other words, the left side button 22L is disabled and the right side button 22R is switched and enabled so as to be a normally used button. As a result, the initial setting operation is completed, and even the left-handed user can improve the usability, and the same mobile phone can be used without a sense of incongruity (fourth step S14).

  In the present embodiment, the key press determination by the side button 22 is mainly controlled by software, and if the control is not complicated, the function of using both the side buttons 22 arranged on the left and right sides is used. It is also possible to use it by reversing its role. That is, of the side buttons 22 arranged on the left and right sides, the side button provided on the side opposite to the dominant hand is not an alternative configuration in which one is enabled and the other is disabled. You may set so that a high function may be provided, and may set so that the function with the lower operation frequency may be provided to the side button on the dominant hand side.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by providing the left and right side buttons 22 that are not provided in the conventional mobile phone, the side buttons 22 can be easily and reliably operated by either the right or left hand. It becomes like this. Further, since the side buttons 22 are increased, it is possible to avoid an erroneous operation due to an invalid button operation, and thus it is possible to prevent a user's operation from being confused.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
FIG. 6 shows a mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this mobile phone, a case composed of an upper case 1 and a lower case 2 can be opened and closed via a hinge portion 3. In particular, the lower housing 2 is provided with side buttons 22 having the same function on both the left and right sides, while the upper housing 1 has an acceleration sensor 24 (see FIG. 7). ). In the present embodiment, an open detection sensor 4 that detects the opening operation of the upper and lower cases is provided.

  As in the first embodiment, the upper housing 1 is provided with a large main display portion 11 and a receiving portion (not shown) on the inner surface 1A, and a small auxiliary display portion 12 on the outer surface 1B. In addition, the above-described acceleration sensor 24 (see FIG. 7) is provided in the upper housing 1. The acceleration sensor 24 constitutes a turning detection sensor that can detect a turning motion when the upper case 1 turns and can also detect the posture of the case from the gravitational acceleration (g). When the sensor 24 detects the turning motion, the screen switching operation (configured by the control unit 23) shown in FIG. Is called.

  On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, the lower housing 2 is provided with an operation portion 21 composed of various buttons and a transmission portion (not shown) on the inner surface 2A, and both the left and right side surfaces 2C. , 2D are provided with a side button 22 (consisting of a right side button 22R and a left side button 22L) and the like, and a control unit 23 that also serves as a button switching means and a screen switching means inside the lower housing 2 (FIG. 7). See).

  In the case of the present embodiment, the hinge unit 3 includes pivot shafts 31 and 32 for pivoting the upper and lower casings 1 and 2 in two directions (with the X and Y directions as pivot centers). It is composed of a biaxial structure, and the upper and lower casings 1 and 2 are in a “closed state” (see FIG. 6B), an “opened state” (see FIG. 6A), and swivel after being opened. Any of the states (referred to as “standby state”, see FIGS. 8A to 8D) can be taken.

  The opening detection sensor 4 detects the opening operation of the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2, and is provided on the inner surface 1 </ b> A of the upper housing 1 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The magnetic body 41 and a magnetic sensor 42 provided at a position facing the magnetic body 41 on the inner surface 2A of the lower housing 2 are configured. The output of the magnetic sensor 42 is connected to the input of the control unit 23 (see FIG. 7), and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 23 when an opening operation is performed.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, in the initial state before first use, when the housing portion is in the closed state, the left side button 22L of the left and right side buttons 22 is used as described in the first embodiment. This is a possible state (valid state). After that, even if the use is started, the left side button 22 is set to be in a locked state in the closed state, and is in an unusable state. (First Step S21). Here, when the upper and lower housings 1 and 2 are opened, the control unit 23 detects this based on the detection signal from the open state detection sensor 4 (second step S22). And if it detects that the control part 23 performed opening operation | movement, it will transfer to 3rd step S23. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is still closed, the process returns to the second step S22. Next, in the third step S23, the lock operation of the side button 22 is released under the control of the control unit 23, and the left and right side buttons 22 in the valid state can be used.

When the upper and lower housings 1 and 2 are opened, whether the upper and lower housings 1 and 2 are in the standby state (any state in FIG. 8) in the fourth step S24. Judge whether or not. In other words, the acceleration sensor 24 determines whether or not the upper casing 1 has performed a turning operation, thereby inverting the inner surface 1A and the outer surface 1B of the upper casing 1 so that the inner surface 1A is exposed to the outside. It is determined whether it is in a standby state. For example, if the upper casing 1 is turned to the standby state (after performing the opening operation of the upper and lower casings 1 and 2), inertia force due to gravity acceleration (g) is generated in the upper casing 1. The inertial force is detected by the acceleration sensor 24 and a detection signal is output to the control unit 23. Thereby, the control part 23 can judge that it is a standby state (any state of FIG. 8). If it is determined that this is the standby state, the process proceeds to the fifth step S25. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not in the standby state, the process returns to the fourth step S24.
In a fifth step S25, desired information is displayed on the main display portion 11 on the inner surface side exposed to the outside among the display portions on both the inner and outer surfaces of the upper housing 1. The image display on the main display unit 11 is normally displayed in the normal state of FIG. 8A, but in the next sixth step S26, it is adjusted to the orientation of the upper and lower casings 1 and 2. Adjust the orientation. That is, the acceleration sensor 24 detects the direction of gravitational acceleration (g) toward the center of the earth, and determines an appropriate direction to be displayed on the main display unit 11 from this direction. Display in either direction. In addition, the control unit 23 detects and activates one of the side surfaces 22 according to the orientation of the lower housings 1 and 2, determining which of the two side surfaces should be effective, The side button 22 on the opposite side is set to be invalid (sixth step S26).
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the user can easily use the side button 22 by automatically switching the side button 22 even when the camera is photographed with the casing turned sideways. A mobile phone can be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The portable device of the present invention includes an operation button having the same function on both side surfaces of the housing, and further includes a button switching unit that can be used by selecting one of the operation buttons to be installed. So, by adding operation buttons on both sides of the housing, it can be used for any user without choosing a hand, so there are various types of devices that can be used without feeling uncomfortable during operation. A portable device can be provided.

1 is a plan view showing a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Plan view showing the closed state of the mobile phone Plan view showing the open state of the mobile phone Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the mobile phone Flow chart showing the operation of the mobile phone (A) is a plan view showing the open state of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a plan view showing the closed state of the mobile phone Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the mobile phone (A) to (D) is an explanatory view showing a usage mode in the standby state in the mobile phone Flow chart showing the operation of the mobile phone A plan view showing a closed state of a conventional mobile phone A plan view showing an open state of a conventional mobile phone

Explanation of symbols

1 Upper casing (composing the first casing)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Main display part 12 Auxiliary display part 13 Image | photographing window for cameras 2 Lower housing | casing (composing 2nd housing | casing)
21 Operation part 22 Side button 22R Right side button 22L Left side button 23 Control part (button switching means and screen switching means)
24 Acceleration sensor 3 Hinge part 31, 32 Rotating shaft 4 Opening detection sensor 41 Magnetic body 42 Magnetic sensor

Claims (3)

With operation buttons having the same function on multiple surfaces of the housing,
A portable device provided with a button switching means for selecting and using one of the operation buttons installed on any of the surfaces. In a portable device including a first housing having a display unit, a second housing having an operation unit, and a hinge unit that connects the first and second housings so as to be openable and closable,
While arranging operation buttons having the same function on both side surfaces of the first housing or the second housing,
A portable device provided with the button switching means that enables only one of the operation buttons arranged on both side surfaces. A first housing having display portions on both the inside and outside surfaces; a second housing having an operation portion; and a hinge portion for connecting the first and second housings so that they can be opened and closed and pivoted. Mobile devices
Arranging operation buttons having the same function on both side surfaces of the first housing or the second housing;
The button switching means that enables use of only one of the operation buttons arranged on both side surfaces,
A turning detection sensor for detecting a turning state when the first case turns with respect to the second case;
When the turning detection sensor detects the turning operation, a portable device provided with a screen switching means for displaying only one of the screens of the display unit installed on each of the inner and outer surfaces.

Images