JP2007329616A - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal device which can provide a means which does not break characteristics of a radio wave without increasing a size of a case, does not damage the case, can be operated simply by one hand, enhances a man-machine interface, and extends a function of the communication terminal device such as a cellphone, PHS and PDA. <P>SOLUTION: In the communication terminal device, a first case 11 provided with a liquid crystal display screen 10 (display part) for displaying various pieces of information on a display screen is connected to a second case 12 provided with an input 9 in which a user operates to press a button 9a, thereby enabling a desired input to be operated. Aside from the input 9, the communication terminal device comprises a pressing button 4 which is actuated to the longitudinal one side of the second case (any one of the cases) 12 by the user's pressing operation, to extend a function of the input 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone system), and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

  Mobile phones have been introduced with various functions in recent years, and many attempts have been made to provide more functions even under such circumstances.

  In this type of trial, there are those that increase the number of buttons to be installed by enlarging the housing itself, and those that are accompanied by a device such as a jog dial in order to improve the consistency of the man-machine interface.

  However, increasing the size of the housing as described above makes it difficult to achieve a size that satisfies the user's requirements, and also has an existing function and mechanism for improving the man-machine interface. However, there was a problem that the function was generally lowered.

  Conventionally, mainly folding mobile phones have an antenna part at the top of the main body, so this part cannot be effectively used. On the other hand, there has been proposed a foldable mobile phone in which the antenna part itself has a function so as to effectively use a part of the antenna as an input means for increasing the function. This conventional example is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-354382 (Patent Document 1), which describes a technique of using an antenna as a push button.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-16635 (Patent Document 2) discloses a manumachine for a screen cursor by disposing a trackball on the back of a telephone and thereby moving a cursor displayed on the screen. A technique for improving the convenience of an interface is disclosed.
JP 2005-354382 A JP 2001-16635 A

  However, in the case of a device using the antenna unit itself of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-354382) as a push button, when the operation is actually performed while looking at the screen, the protruding portion of the antenna is large, and one hand is used. It was difficult to hold, input a button, and press it with your index finger while looking at the screen. Further, when the antenna is touched during a call, the radio wave characteristics may change and hinder communication and communication.

  In recent years, the antenna itself has been housed inside the main body due to the improvement in size and accuracy, and has no longer protruded from the main body. In order to hold, the index finger is often used at the top of the main body.

  Further, as in the above-described Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-16635), in a technique for arranging a trackball and improving convenience, the trackball itself takes an area for mounting on a housing, Since the trackball itself protrudes in a considerable range from the housing, the trackball itself may damage the housing, such as when the phone is placed with the back side down.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the antenna is eliminated and a space is created, and the index finger that has not been used in the operation until now is naturally positioned at one end in the longitudinal direction of the casing. By placing few easy-to-press push buttons, you can easily operate with one hand, without damaging the case, without damaging the case, without increasing the size of the case, and improving the man-machine interface Thus, the present invention provides a communication terminal device that can provide means for extending the functions of a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, PHS, and PDA.

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal device.

  The present invention provides a first casing provided with a display unit for displaying various information on a display screen, and a second casing provided with an input unit that enables a user to perform a desired input operation by pressing a button. In a communication terminal device connected to a housing, apart from the input unit, a push button that is activated by a user's pressing operation on one longitudinal end portion of any one housing to expand the function of the input unit A communication terminal device characterized by comprising a unit.

  In the present invention, the communication terminal device has a structure in which the first casing and the second casing are connected so as to be relatively movable so that the display section and the input section are close to and separated from each other. Detecting means for detecting an open state in which the communication terminal terminal device is opened so that the display unit and the input unit are exposed by separating the two housings, and input of the push button unit when the open state is detected by the detecting means Input permission means for enabling the function, and when the input function of the push button portion is enabled by the input permission means, the input function of the input portion when the push button portion is depressed or not depressed It is preferable to have an input function switching means that makes the two different from each other.

  In the present invention, the communication terminal device has a structure in which the first casing and the second casing are connected so as to be relatively movable so that the display section and the input section are close to and separated from each other. Detecting means for detecting an open state in which the communication terminal terminal device is opened so that the display unit and the input unit are exposed by separating the two housings, and input of the push button unit when the open state is detected by the detecting means When the input permission means for enabling the function and the input function of the push button part is enabled by the input permission means, when the push button part is continuously pushed down a plurality of times, It is preferable to have input function switching means for giving another input function to the input unit.

  In the present invention, the communication terminal device has a foldable structure in which the first housing and the second housing are connected via a hinge to be foldable.

  In addition, the communication terminal device has a telescopic structure in which the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other through a slider structure such as a sliding member without using a hinge so that the communication terminal device can expand and contract. Is preferred.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the push button unit switches the function of the input unit in a plurality of steps in accordance with a plurality of steps of the push depth when the push operation is performed.

  In the present invention, the push button unit is in the open state in which the communication terminal end device is opened so that the display unit and the input unit are exposed by separating the first housing and the second housing. It is preferable that the first housing side end of the body has a structure that can be pushed with the index finger when the user operates the input unit.

  According to the communication terminal device of the present invention, the first casing and the second casing are connected, and an input unit that allows a user to perform a desired input operation by pressing a button. Separately, a user can communicate with a mobile phone or the like by providing a push button unit that is operated by a user's pressing operation on one side in the longitudinal direction of any one of the casings to expand the function of the input unit. One end in the longitudinal direction, such as the upper end of the main body when using the terminal device, is a position where the user can easily operate when holding the housing, so the user can easily operate the push button. Thus, the input unit can be operated while selecting a desired extended function.

  Open a mobile phone by placing a push button in a position that can be operated with the index finger, which has not been used in the operation of conventional folding mobile phones, in a specific mobile phone among communication terminal devices. When you press the button on the top of the main unit with your index finger, the screen display changes and you can use other functions in conjunction with it. Further, the use of the function is effective only while the button is pressed, and the extended function can be easily switched and used.

  Further, in the present invention, the detection means detects the open state of the communication terminal end device, and when the open state is detected, the input permission means enables the input function of the push button portion, and the input function of the push button portion is When enabled, if the input function of the input unit is made different by the input function switching means depending on whether the push button unit is pressed or not pressed, the push button in the closed state of the communication terminal device It is possible to reliably prevent malfunction of the part.

  Further, in the present invention, when the input function of the push button portion is enabled by the input permission means, when the push button portion is continuously pushed down a plurality of times, an input different from that before the continuous push down is made by the input function switching means. A function can be given to the input unit. By making the operation of the push button portion a plurality of times continuously, the function of the input switching means cannot be exhibited even when the push button portion is pushed by an unexpected impact or the like, so that unintended function switching does not occur.

  In the present invention, the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other via a hinge so as to be foldable (a structure in which the first and second housings are folded around the hinge, By using a structure in which the first and second housings rotate relative to each other about the hinge, the communication terminal device can be downsized with a simple configuration. It should be noted that the first and second housings can be expanded and contracted by a slider so that they can be easily expanded and contracted without a tilting operation.

  Further, in the present invention, the function of the input unit can be switched if the push button unit is configured to switch the function of the input unit in a plurality of steps according to the plurality of steps of the push depth when the push operation is performed. It becomes possible to carry out many kinds.

  Thus, a new function expansion can be performed by inserting different expansion functions into a plurality of states such as two states of pressing the push button portion shallowly and pressing deeply.

  It should be noted that the extended function can be fixed while being switched by pressing the push button part twice. By pressing the push button part twice again, the function screen can be expanded by returning to the original function screen.

  In the present invention, when the communication terminal end device is in the open state, the first casing side end of the second casing has a structure that can be pushed with the index finger when the user operates the input unit. If the user uses the mobile phone with one hand, etc., the user can hold the second housing with one hand regardless of whether he is right-handed or left-handed, and use the thumb to operate the buttons on the input unit. Since the push button portion can be operated with the surplus index finger, the function of the input portion can be easily switched by one-hand operation.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments that are examples of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An example of an embodiment of a communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as a foldable mobile phone. 1 is a system diagram of a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the mobile phone in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram in which the screen of the mobile phone in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 2, the communication terminal device according to the embodiment includes a first casing 11 provided with a liquid crystal display screen unit 10 (display unit) that displays various types of information on a display screen, and a user In a communication terminal device connected to a second casing 12 provided with an input unit 9 that enables a desired input operation by pressing the button 9a, a second casing is provided separately from the input unit 9. A body (one of any one of the housings: which may be referred to as a main body) 12 is provided with a push button unit 4 that is activated by a user's pressing operation and extends the function of the input unit 9 on one side in the longitudinal direction. It is.

  The communication terminal device has a structure in which the first casing 11 and the second casing 12 are connected by a hinge 13 so as to be relatively movable so that the liquid crystal display screen section (display section) 10 and the input section 9 are close to and separated from each other. is there.

  Detection means 16 for detecting an open state in which the communication terminal device is opened such that the liquid crystal display screen unit (display unit) 10 and the input unit 9 are exposed by separating the first casing 11 and the second casing 12. A function control unit (equivalent to “input permission unit”) 8 that validates the input function of the push button unit 4 when the open state is detected by the detection unit 16, and the push button unit 4 by the function control unit 8. When the input function is activated, a function control unit ("input function switching means") that makes the input function of the input unit 9 different depending on whether the push button unit 4 is depressed or not. Equivalent) 8

  The communication terminal apparatus has a foldable structure in which the first casing 11 and the second casing 12 are connected via a hinge 13 to be foldable.

  The push button unit 4 switches the function of the input unit 9 in two steps (an example of “multiple steps”) according to a plurality of steps such as two steps of the pressing depth when the push operation is performed.

  The push button unit 4 is an opening that opens the communication terminal end device so that the liquid crystal display screen unit (display unit) 10 and the input unit 9 are exposed by separating the first casing 11 and the second casing 12. In this state, the second housing 12 has an end portion on the first housing 11 side that can be pushed by the user with the index finger when the user operates the input unit 9.

  An example of an embodiment of a communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described as a foldable mobile phone, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  An example of the configuration of the foldable mobile phone according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The mobile phone can be broadly realized by three configurations.

  That is, the second casing 12 serving as the main body of the mobile phone, and the upper portion of the second casing 12 during normal use that the user inputs while looking at the display screen unit 10 (one side in the second casing longitudinal direction) 3) and a function control unit 8 having a determination function that makes it possible to detect whether or not the push button unit 4 has been pressed when the cellular phone is opened. is there.

  The function control unit 8 can detect whether or not the mobile phone is opened by providing a detection means such as a sensor adjacent to the hinge. In addition, it is possible to provide detection means such as a sensor that detects the open / closed state from the presence / absence of the closed state depending on whether one of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 is in contact with the other.

  Further, the button press detection unit 7 has a detection function of two continuous presses in which the user presses the push button unit 4 shallowly or deeply. This determination result is output to the function control unit 8.

  Note that the first antenna unit 1 and the second antenna unit 2 are provided in the second housing 12. The first and second antenna units 1 and 2 form a diversity antenna structure, and appropriately exhibit the function of the transmitting / receiving antenna of the mobile phone. Note that a well-known structure can be adopted as a functional component for cellular phone calls and image processing.

  1A shows a state where the push button portion 4 at the top of the main body is not pushed, FIG. 1B shows a state where the push button portion 4 is pushed shallowly, and FIG. 1C shows a state where the push button portion 4 is pushed deeply. It shows the state that was done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the push button portion 4 is supported and disposed in the housing 12 so as to be able to appear and retract in a second housing 12 having a substantially thick plate rectangular shape. In the push button unit 4, for example, a sensor 3 including a proximity sensor is arranged, and a first detected body 5 serving as a striker detected by the sensor is disposed at a substantially central portion in the moving direction of the push button unit 4.

  An inclined surface portion 4 a having an angle with respect to the traveling direction is formed on the innermost side portion of the push button portion 4.

  A guide portion 15 that guides the push button portion 4 into and out of the second housing 12 inside the second housing 12 and around the side of the push button portion 4, and a push button A laterally moving member 14 extending in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is installed ahead of the traveling direction of the portion 4. A slope member 14a corresponding to the slope portion 4a is fixed to one side of the lateral movement member 14, and a second detected body 6 serving as another striker detected by the sensor 3 is arranged on the other side. Established. On the side of the slope member 14a of the laterally moving member 14, a resilient member 14b such as a spring that repels and urges against pressing is provided.

  In the vicinity of the push button portion 4, what was initially in the state of FIG. 1A is pushed into the second housing 12 of the push button portion 4 as shown in FIG. First sensor 5 is detected by sensor 3. When the sensor 3 detects the first object 5 to be detected, it is detected that the button is detected to be shallow, and the button press detection unit 7 detects the state where the sensor is pressed by the signal from the sensor 3. .

  When the push button portion 4 is further pushed in, the push button portion 4 pushes the slope member 14a in the lateral direction against the elastic member 14b, whereby the lateral movement member 14 is moved as shown in FIG. It moves laterally from the original position with the second object 6 to be detected. At this time, the second detected object 6 is detected by the sensor 3 in the vicinity of the sensor 3, and the button press detection unit 7 thus detects the signal from the sensor 3 as shown in FIG. When the second detected body 6 is detected by the sensor 3 from the state of (2), it is detected that the second detected body 6 is pressed deeply.

  On the other hand, when the push-in is released, the push button unit 4 returns to the outside of the second housing 12 as shown in FIG. 1A, and the lateral movement member 14 is brought into the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 14b. Return. Secondly, the detected object 6 is not detected by the sensor 3.

  Whether the folding mobile phone of the embodiment is in an open state or a closed state is detected by the open / close detection means 16 or other sensors in the first casing or the second casing 11 or 12. The detection result is notified to the function control unit 8 and managed.

  The function control unit 8 determines whether the operation of the button press detection unit (button press detection determination function unit) 7 is enabled or disabled.

  Further, the terminal function control unit 8 determines whether the push button unit 4 is in a state of detecting a shallow press state, a state of detecting a deep press state, or a state of detecting two consecutive presses. State management is performed, and the button press detection unit 7 operates to suppress detection according to the state of the mobile phone.

  Further, the function control unit 8 can realize display transition (change) of the display screen unit 10 according to the notified operation of the push button unit 4. This screen change can be performed by a known control circuit.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an external configuration of the foldable mobile phone according to the embodiment.

  2A is a front view of the mobile phone in a closed state, FIG. 2B is a side view of the mobile phone in the same state, and FIG. 2C is a state in which the mobile phone is opened. FIG. 2D shows a side view in the same state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the push button unit 4 is located at the upper part of the second housing 12 (on the folding hinge 13 side), where the index finger is placed when the user operates e-mail or Internet communication. To position.

  In the embodiment, the push button unit 4 functions in the state of FIG. 2 (C) or FIG. 2 (D).

  Next, FIG. 3 is used to show the operation of the function screen when the push button of the present invention is used. 3A shows a character input screen, FIG. 3B shows a pictogram symbol input selection screen, and FIG. 3C shows a multitask activation selection screen.

  For example, when characters are input on the screen shown in (A), the terminal function is set so that the input selection screen for pictogram symbols shown in (B) operates when the push button unit 4 is pressed. It is assumed that it is registered in the control unit 8.

  Then, when the user wants to use the pictogram symbol input selection screen shown in (B) at the same time as the character input screen shown in (A), the user pushes down the push button unit 4 with the index finger, and once in the same (B). It is possible to expand the function of switching to the pictogram symbol input selection screen shown and inputting with the thumb or the like, and releasing the push button unit 4 to return to the character input screen shown in FIG.

  When the push button unit 4 is pressed lightly, the state of the symbol input selection screen shown in (B) is displayed. When the button is pressed further deeply, the state of the selection screen for multitask activation shown in (C) is shown. If it is registered in the function control unit 8, it is possible to expand the function of transitioning to the screens (B) and (C) by pressing the button shallowly and pressing it deeply.

  It is also possible to expand a function that operates so that the screen changes to the same screen (B) when the push button unit 4 is pressed twice and is fixed to the same screen state. It is also possible to fix the screen state to the same (B) for three or more consecutive times.

  Note that the communication terminal apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(A)-(C) is a system explanatory view of a foldable cellular phone concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(D) is explanatory drawing of the external appearance structure of the mobile telephone of FIG. (A)-(C) is explanatory drawing of each screen which switched the screen of the mobile telephone of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st internal antenna 2 2nd internal antenna 3 Sensor 4 Push button part 4a Inclined surface part 5 1st to-be-detected body 6 2nd to-be-detected body 7 Button press detection part 8 Function control part (input switching means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Input part 9a Button 10 Liquid crystal display screen part 11 1st housing | casing 12 2nd housing | casing 13 Hinge 14 Lateral movement member 14a Slope member 14b Elasticity member 15 Guide part 16 Detection means of a mobile telephone open / closed state

Claims (6)

A first casing provided with a display unit for displaying various information on a display screen, and a second casing provided with an input unit enabling a user to perform a desired input operation by pressing a button. In the connected communication terminal device,
In addition to the input unit, a communication terminal device is provided with a push button unit that is activated by a user's pressing operation at one end in the longitudinal direction of any one of the casings to expand the function of the input unit. . The communication terminal device has a structure in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled so as to be relatively movable so that the display unit and the input unit are close to and separated from each other.
Detecting means for detecting an open state in which the communication terminal device is opened such that the first housing and the second housing are separated and the display unit and the input unit are exposed;
An input permission means for activating the input function of the push button when the open state is detected by the detection means;
When the input function of the push button unit is enabled by the input permission unit, the input function switching unit that makes the input function of the input unit different depending on whether the push button unit is depressed or not The communication terminal device according to claim 1, comprising: The communication terminal device has a structure in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled so as to be relatively movable so that the display unit and the input unit are close to and separated from each other.
Detecting means for detecting an open state in which the communication terminal device is opened such that the first housing and the second housing are separated and the display unit and the input unit are exposed;
An input permission means for activating the input function of the push button when the open state is detected by the detection means;
When the input function of the push button portion is enabled by the input permission means, when the push button portion is continuously pushed down a plurality of times, an input function different from that before the continuous push down is given to the input portion. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input function switching unit that performs the function.   4. The communication according to claim 2, wherein the communication terminal device has a foldable structure in which the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other via a hinge to be foldable. Terminal device.   The said push button part switches the function of an input part in several steps according to the several steps of the push depth when pushing-in operation is carried out, The one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Communication terminal device.   The push button unit is in an open state in which the communication terminal end device is opened so that the display unit and the input unit are exposed by separating the first housing and the second housing, and the first button of the second housing 6. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device has a structure that can be pushed with an index finger when a user operates the input unit. .

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