JP2008180857A - Portable terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable terminal equipment which can detect, with the use of two detection sensors, whether the portable terminal equipment is used now with the right hand or the left hand and whether the portable terminal equipment is used now in a lateral direction or in a longitudinal direction, and which therefore can be used with any of the right hand and the left hand and in any of a lateral direction and a longitudinal directions. <P>SOLUTION: The portable terminal equipment 100 is equipped with: a first detection sensor 4 and a second detection sensor 5 which are provided to an equipment main body part 1 and which detect that the operator's hand touches the portable terminal equipment; a judgment means which detects in which of the lateral or the longitudinal direction the portable terminal equipment 100 is used based on the detection results by the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5, and judges the left and right direction of the portable terminal equipment 100 when judging the portable terminal equipment is used in either of the longitudinal or the lateral direction; and a display control means which displays an image on a display panel in conformity with the direction judged by the judgment means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device.

Conventionally, portable terminal devices that can be operated with either the left hand or the right hand are known.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a portable terminal device that sets the display direction of the display unit and the coordinate coordinates of the input unit in accordance with the dominant hand of the operator determined by the dominant hand determination switch.
Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, an operation switch is symmetrically arranged on the left and right or left and right side surfaces, and can be easily operated with one hand by arranging the upper and lower or upper and lower side surfaces. An information device is disclosed in which the same operation feeling can be obtained by using either the left hand or the right hand by individually setting the first operated side as valid and setting the other as invalid.
JP 2000-322386 A JP-A-11-224155

  However, in the left-handed / right-handed portable terminal devices including the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, the portable terminal device further includes two sensors that detect whether the left hand or the right hand is used. None was able to detect whether it was used in landscape or portrait orientation.

  An object of the present invention is to detect whether the left hand or the right hand is used and to detect whether the left hand or the right hand is used by using two detection sensors. It is to provide a portable terminal device that can be used in both portrait and landscape orientations at low cost.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a portable terminal device provided with a display panel for displaying an image in a device main body formed in a substantially rectangular shape.
The display panel and an operation unit for performing a predetermined operation are provided side by side in the long side direction of the device main body,
The device body is disposed at each of two corners on the operation unit side and includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, and reflected light of light emitted by the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element. A first detection sensor and a second detection sensor for detecting that the operator's hand has been touched,
When it is detected by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor that the operator's hand has been touched, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used in a portrait orientation, and the first detection When it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the sensor and the second detection sensor, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is used in the landscape orientation, and is further used in the landscape orientation. Determining means for determining the left-right direction of the mobile terminal device when it is determined that
Display control means for displaying an image on the display panel in accordance with the orientation determined by the determination means.

The invention according to claim 2 is a portable terminal device including a display panel for displaying an image in the device main body.
A first detection sensor and a second detection sensor which are provided in the device main body and detect that the operator's hand has touched;
Based on the detection results of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, it is determined whether the mobile terminal device is used in portrait orientation or landscape orientation, and is used in either portrait orientation or landscape orientation. A determination means for determining a left-right direction of the mobile terminal device when it is determined that
Display control means for displaying an image on the display panel in accordance with the orientation determined by the determination means;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the mobile terminal device according to the second aspect, the determination means detects that an operator's hand has been touched by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. The mobile terminal device is determined to be used in a vertical orientation, and it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. In this case, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is used in a landscape orientation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable terminal device according to the second aspect, the determination means detects that the operator's hand has been touched by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. When it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used sideways, and it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. Furthermore, it is determined that the portable terminal device is used in a portrait orientation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile terminal device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, each of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Consisting of
When the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element, the first detection sensor or the second detection sensor is operated by the operator's hand. It is characterized by detecting touching.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the mobile terminal device, the display panel and the operation unit for performing a predetermined operation are provided side by side in the long side direction of the device main body formed in a substantially rectangular shape, The light is emitted from the light emitting element by the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, each of which is disposed at each of the two corners on the operation unit side of the apparatus main body, and each includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When the reflected light is received by the light receiving element, it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched, and the determination means detects that the operator's hand has been touched by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. When it is determined that the portable terminal device is being used in the vertical orientation and it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor In addition, carrying When it is determined that the terminal device is used sideways, and further when the terminal device is determined to be used sideways, the left-right direction of the mobile terminal device is determined, and the direction determined by the determination unit by the display control unit An image is displayed on the display panel at the same time.
Therefore, based on the detection of the touch of the operator's hand by the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, the vertical / horizontal direction and the horizontal direction are specified, and it is used with the left hand or the right hand. Detection and whether it is used in landscape or portrait orientation can be performed by two detection sensors, which can be used with either the left hand / right hand and in either portrait / landscape A portable terminal device can be provided at low cost. In addition, since the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor are provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element, it is possible to reliably detect that the operator's hand has touched, and it is possible to detect even in a dark place. It becomes.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the mobile terminal device, the display panel for displaying an image is provided in the device main body, and the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor provided in the device main body allow the operator's It is detected that the hand has been touched, and the determination means determines whether the mobile terminal device is used in the portrait orientation or the landscape orientation based on the detection results of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. When it is determined that the mobile terminal device is used in either the portrait orientation or the landscape orientation, the left-right direction of the mobile terminal device is further determined, and the display control means matches the orientation determined by the determination means on the display panel. An image is displayed.
Therefore, based on the detection of the touch of the operator's hand by the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, the vertical / horizontal direction and the horizontal direction are specified, and it is used with the left hand or the right hand. Detection and whether it is used in landscape or portrait orientation can be performed by two detection sensors, which can be used with either the left hand / right hand and in either portrait / landscape A portable terminal device can be provided at low cost.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the effect of the second aspect of the invention can of course be obtained, and the determination means allows the operator's hand to be operated by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. When touching is detected, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used in a vertical orientation, and the operator's hand is touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. Is detected, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used sideways.
Accordingly, the horizontal / vertical orientation is determined according to detection of the touch of the operator's hand by either or both of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. A portable terminal device that can be used and can be used either vertically or horizontally can be provided with a simple configuration.

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is needless to say that the effect of the invention described in claim 2 can be obtained. The determination means allows the operator's hand to be operated by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. When it is detected that the touch is detected, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used sideways, and the operator's hand is touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. When it is detected, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used in the portrait orientation.
Accordingly, the horizontal / vertical orientation is determined according to detection of the touch of the operator's hand by either or both of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor. A portable terminal device that can be used and can be used either vertically or horizontally can be provided with a simple configuration.

According to the invention described in claim 5, it is needless to say that the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 2 to 4 is obtained, and each of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor emits light. It is provided with an element and a light receiving element, and when the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element, it is detected that the operator's hand touches the first detection sensor or the second detection sensor. Is done.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect that the operator's hand has been touched by the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, and it is possible to detect even in a dark place.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main configuration of the mobile terminal device 100 according to this embodiment.

The mobile terminal device 100 in the present embodiment is a game device, for example, and includes a device main body 1 formed in a substantially rectangular shape, for example, as shown in FIG.
A display panel 2 for displaying a game image and an operation unit 3 for a user to perform an operation for playing the game are provided side by side in the long side direction of the device main body unit 1, and further, the operation unit 3 side. The first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 are respectively provided at the two corners. In addition, a control unit 6 is provided inside the device main body 1, and the overall operation of the mobile terminal device 100 is controlled by the control unit 6.

  The display panel 2 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, or the like.

  The operation unit 3 includes, for example, a plurality of operation keys SW1 to SW5 that are arranged vertically and horizontally symmetrically. The operation keys are, for example, the cross keys SW1 to SW4 for instructing the movement of the image on the display panel 2 in the vertical and horizontal directions, the power key SW5 provided at the center of the cross key, and the like. Then, an input operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation key is output to the control unit 6.

The first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 detect that the operator's hand is touched, for example, by placing the operator's hand at the position of the detection sensors 4 and 5.
Each of the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 includes, for example, light emitting elements 41 and 51 that emit light such as infrared rays, and a light receiving element 42 that detects reflected light of the light emitted by the light emitting elements 41 and 51. , 52 are opposed to each other, and are reflection type light detection sensors. LEDs and the like are used as the light emitting elements 41 and 51, and photodiodes, phototransistors, CdS, and the like are applied to the light receiving elements 42 and 52. The light emitted from the light emitting elements 41 and 51 is reflected by the operator's hand and received by the light receiving elements 42 and 52 only when the operator's hand covers the upper side of these detection sensors. It is configured.

The light received by the light receiving elements 42 and 52 is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion circuit (not shown), and when light of a predetermined threshold value or more is detected, the light receiving elements 42 and 52 pass through the photoelectric conversion circuit and pass through the photoelectric conversion circuit. This detection signal is output to the control unit 6.
Specifically, for example, when light exceeding a predetermined threshold is not detected in the light receiving elements 42 and 52, a signal of “L (Low)” level is output to the control unit 6, and light exceeding the predetermined threshold is detected. In this case, a detection signal of “H (High)” level is output to the control unit 6.

  The control unit 6 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a memory unit 62, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 63, and the like.

  The CPU 61 executes various programs stored in the ROM 63 in accordance with input signals input from each unit of the device main unit 1, input operation signals input by pressing various keys in the operation unit 3, and the like. The overall operation of the mobile terminal device 100 is comprehensively controlled by outputting an output signal to each unit of the device main body 1 based on the program for execution.

  The memory unit 62 includes, for example, a work area 621 made of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Processing results generated when various programs are executed by the CPU 61, input data, and the like are stored in the memory area 62. The work area 621 is stored.

The memory unit 62 includes a data area 622 made of a nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM). The data area 622 stores, for example, an operation setting table 622a.
The operation setting table 622a is associated with each mode when the mobile terminal device 100 is used in any one of the following modes: vertical mode / horizontal (right hand) mode / horizontal (left hand) mode. The operation contents of the operation keys SW1 to SW5 are stored. The operation setting table 622a will be described in detail in the description of the operation key setting program 63c described later.

  The ROM 63 has a program storage area composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and specifically stores a determination program 63a, a display control program 63b, an operation key setting program 63c, and the like.

For example, when the CPU 61 detects that the operator's hand has been touched by both the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5, the determination program 63 a indicates that the mobile terminal device 100 is used in the vertical orientation. And when it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5, the mobile terminal device 100 is being used sideways. This is a program for realizing a function of determining the left and right direction of the mobile terminal device 100 when it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is used sideways.
Specifically, the CPU 61 monitors signals output from the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5. Then, both the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 simultaneously detect “H” level detection signals indicating that the operator's hand has touched over a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) or more. If it is determined, the CPU 61 determines that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used in the portrait orientation and sets the portrait mode.
On the other hand, the CPU 61 receives an “H” level detection signal indicating that the operator's hand has touched from either one of the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) or more. If it is detected, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used in landscape orientation.

If the CPU 61 determines that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used in landscape orientation, whether the detection signal when the portrait / landscape orientation is further output is output from either the first detection sensor 4 or the second detection sensor 5. Thus, the left-right direction of the mobile terminal device 100 is determined. That is, for example, when the detection signal is output from the first detection sensor 4, the CPU 61 has the right side of the corner of the device main body 1 where the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 are provided. When it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is used with the right hand and the horizontal (right hand) mode is set, and the detection signal is output from the second detection sensor 5, the device main body unit 1 performs the first operation. The corner side on which the detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 are provided is determined to be in the left direction, and the mobile terminal device 100 is set in the horizontal (left hand) mode assuming that it is used with the left hand.
Note that the CPU 61 keeps the already set mode as long as no detection signal is output from any of the detection sensors.
The CPU 61 functions as a determination unit by executing the determination program 63a.

The display control program 63b is, for example, a program for causing the CPU 61 to realize a function for realizing a function for displaying an image on the display panel 2 in accordance with the direction determined by the execution of the determination program 63a.
Specifically, in the execution of the determination program 63a, the CPU 61 determines the direction in which the mobile terminal device 100 is used, and sets one of vertical mode / horizontal (right hand) mode / horizontal (left hand) mode. Then, the display direction of the image on the display panel 2 is set in accordance with the set mode.
The CPU 61 functions as a display control unit by executing the display control program 63b.

Here, an image display method in the execution of the display control program 63b will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, when it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used in the vertical orientation by executing the determination program 63a and the vertical mode is set, the CPU 61 detects the first detection sensor as shown in FIG. The image is displayed in a direction in which both the fourth detection sensor 5 and the second detection sensor 5 are on the lower side. Thereby, the operator can use the portable terminal device 100 in the portrait orientation.
In addition, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used sideways by the execution of the determination program 63a, and the corner side where the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 are provided in the device main body 1 is in the right direction. When the horizontal (right hand) mode is set and the CPU 61 detects that the hand is touched as shown in FIG. 3B, the first detection sensor 4 is on the lower side. Then, an image is displayed in a direction in which one second detection sensor 5 is on the upper side. Thereby, the operator can use the mobile terminal device 100 sideways and with the right hand.
Further, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is used in the horizontal direction by the execution of the determination program 63a, and the corner portion side where the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 are provided in the device main body 1 is leftward. When the horizontal (left hand) mode is set and the CPU 61 detects that the hand is touched as shown in FIG. 3C, the second detection sensor 5 is on the lower side. Then, an image is displayed in a direction in which one of the first detection sensors 4 is on the upper side. Thereby, the operator can use the mobile terminal device 100 sideways and with his left hand.

The operation key setting program 63c is, for example, a program for causing the CPU 61 to realize a function of setting the operation contents of the operation keys SW1 to SW5 in the operation unit 3 in accordance with the direction determined by the execution of the determination program 63a. .
Specifically, in the execution of the determination program 63a, the CPU 61 determines the direction in which the mobile terminal device 100 is used, and sets one of vertical mode / horizontal (right hand) mode / horizontal (left hand) mode. By referring to the operation setting table 622a, the operation contents of the operation keys SW1 to SW5 in the operation unit 3 are set according to the set mode.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation setting table 622 a stored in the data area 622 of the memory unit 62. As shown in FIG. 4, in the operation setting table 622a, the operation content in each mode of the vertical mode / horizontal (right hand) mode / horizontal (left hand) mode is shown for each of the operation keys SW1 to SW5 provided in the operation unit 3. Assigned. For example, the operation key SW1 constituting the cross key is an operation key for instructing “right” operation in the vertical mode, an operation key for instructing “upward” operation in the horizontal (right hand) mode, and the horizontal (left hand) mode. Then, it becomes an operation key for instructing a “downward” operation. When any mode is set and the user performs a key operation, the CPU 61 refers to the operation setting table 622a and controls the operation content associated with the operated key in the set mode. .

According to the mobile terminal device 100 in the present embodiment described above, the display panel 2 and the operation unit 3 for performing a predetermined operation are provided side by side in the long side direction of the device main body 1 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor are respectively disposed at two corners on the operation unit 3 side of the device main body 1 and are provided with light emitting elements 41 and 51 and light receiving elements 42 and 52, respectively. When the reflected light of the light emitted by the light emitting elements 41 and 51 is received by the light receiving elements 42 and 52, the sensor 5 detects that the operator's hand has touched, and the CPU 61 executes the determination program 63a. When it is determined by both the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 that the operator's hand has been touched, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used in the portrait orientation. When it is detected that only one of the first detection sensor 4 or the second detection sensor 5 is touched by the operator's hand, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used sideways, When it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 is being used in the horizontal direction, the left-right direction of the mobile terminal device 100 is determined, and an image is displayed on the display panel 2 in accordance with the direction determined by the determination program 63a by executing the display control program 63b. Is displayed.
Therefore, based on the detection by the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 that the operator's hand has touched, the vertical and horizontal directions and the left and right directions are specified, and it is used with either the left hand or the right hand. Can be detected by two detection sensors, and can be used with either the left or right hand and with either vertical or horizontal orientation. It is possible to provide the portable terminal device 100 that can perform the operation at a low cost. Moreover, since the 1st detection sensor 4 and the 2nd detection sensor 5 are provided with the light emitting elements 41 and 51 and the light receiving elements 42 and 52, it will detect reliably that the operator's hand touched. At the same time, detection is possible even in a dark place.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the mobile terminal device 100 according to the present invention may be a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like.
Further, the first detection sensor 4 and the second detection sensor 5 are not limited to the reflection type optical sensor exemplified in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, a mechanical sensor.
Moreover, the operation key provided in the operation part 3 is not restricted to what was illustrated by the said embodiment.
Further, for example, the device main body 1 may be provided with a plurality of color LEDs, and when each mode is set, the color LED corresponding to the mode emits light to notify the set mode.

It is a perspective view of the portable terminal device in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the principal part structure of the portable terminal device in this embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the image displayed on the display panel of a portable terminal device in each mode. It is a figure which illustrates the operation setting table.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Portable terminal device 1 Apparatus main-body part 2 Display panel 3 Operation part 4 1st detection sensor 5 2nd detection sensor 41, 51 Light emitting element 42, 52 Light receiving element 61 CPU (determination means, display control means)
63a Determination program (determination means)
63b Display control program (display control means)

Claims (5)

In a mobile terminal device provided with a display panel for displaying an image in a device main body formed in a substantially rectangular shape,
The display panel and an operation unit for performing a predetermined operation are provided side by side in the long side direction of the device main body,
The device body is disposed at each of two corners on the operation unit side and includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, and reflected light of light emitted by the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element. A first detection sensor and a second detection sensor for detecting that the operator's hand has been touched,
When it is detected by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor that the operator's hand has been touched, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used in a portrait orientation, and the first detection When it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the sensor and the second detection sensor, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is used in the landscape orientation, and is further used in the landscape orientation. Determining means for determining the left-right direction of the mobile terminal device when it is determined that
Display control means for displaying an image on the display panel in accordance with the orientation determined by the determination means. In a mobile terminal device having a display panel for displaying an image in the device main body,
A first detection sensor and a second detection sensor which are provided in the device main body and detect that the operator's hand has touched;
Based on the detection results of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, it is determined whether the mobile terminal device is used in portrait orientation or landscape orientation, and is used in either portrait orientation or landscape orientation. A determination means for determining a left-right direction of the mobile terminal device when it is determined that
Display control means for displaying an image on the display panel in accordance with the orientation determined by the determination means;
A portable terminal device comprising:   The determination means determines that the portable terminal device is being used in a vertical orientation when it is detected by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor that the operator's hand has been touched. When it is detected that the operator's hand has been touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used sideways. The portable terminal device according to claim 2.   The determination means determines that the mobile terminal device is being used sideways when it is detected that an operator's hand has been touched by both the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, When it is detected that an operator's hand has been touched by only one of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor, it is determined that the mobile terminal device is being used in a portrait orientation. The portable terminal device according to claim 2. Each of the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element,
When the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element, the first detection sensor or the second detection sensor is operated by the operator's hand. The mobile terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal device detects that the mobile terminal is touched.

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