JP2008186373A - Portable electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic apparatus which has a key being illuminated brightly and evenly, can be made low in current consumption, low in cost and thin in thickness, and is made into water-proof and dust-proof. <P>SOLUTION: The portable electronic apparatus 1 includes: a case body 2 having an optical transmission surface 2a which light L1 penetrates; a light emitting element 3 which emits the light; an optical guide part 5 which guides the emitted light with uniform light intensity to the optical transmission surface; a light shielding film 6 which is patterned by predetermined keyboard arrangement on the optical transmission surface to display the key; an electrostatic pad 7 which is provided opposite to the optical transmission surface and detects a position of a fingertip based on electrostatic capacitance which varies when the fingertip touches the key; a display part 8 which displays the key touched by the fingertip; and a control part 9 which controls operations of the light emitting element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable portable electronic device.

Currently, a large number of portable electronic devices such as portable information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs, electronic dictionaries and notebook personal computers are provided. This type of portable electronic device is provided with a keypad for inputting characters, numbers, and the like. In particular, electronic dictionaries and notebook personal computers are provided with a larger number of keys than other devices in order to handle a large amount of character information.
The keypad generally employs a keytop structure in which the keytop exposed from the cover case is pressed with a finger. In this structure, the switch circuit of the printed circuit board is turned on by pressing the key top. In recent years, some devices have been devised so as to fit the movement of the finger and support fast typing, and others have been devised so that they can be pressed quietly and smoothly.

In addition, the keypad is brightly illuminated so that the portable electronic device can be used even in a dark place. For example, a keypad (see Patent Document 1) in which a light emitting element such as a chip-type light emitting diode is provided under each key top, or a light emitting element is provided between adjacent key tops, and light from the light emitting element is directly keyed. A keypad (see Patent Document 2) that is incident on the top or incident on the key top via a reflection sheet or the like is known.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-309992 JP 7-273854 A

However, the following problems still remain in the conventional keypad.
That is, a light emitting element provided under each key top can illuminate each key top brightly, but it is necessary to provide as many light emitting elements as the number of key tops. However, portable electronic devices such as electronic dictionaries and notebook computers have a large number of keys as described above. Therefore, a large number of light emitting elements must be provided, and it is difficult to reduce the cost. There is also a disadvantage that the current consumption increases.

  On the other hand, a light emitting element provided between key tops can reduce the number of light emitting elements compared to the above, but a key top on which direct light is incident and a key on which light is incident through a reflective sheet. Divided into the top. For this reason, even if a reflection sheet with good reflection efficiency is used, there is a possibility that the brightness of the key top is uneven. In some cases, the key top is too dark and difficult to see. In addition, the number of light emitting elements cannot be extremely reduced with respect to the number of key tops. Therefore, although not as described above, the problem of cost reduction and the problem of increase in current consumption still remain.

Further, the following can be considered as a problem of the entire key top structure.
That is, since it is necessary to press the key top, the key top must be exposed from the cover case. For this reason, the thickness of the portable electronic device is increased, which hinders the reduction in thickness. In addition, since a gap is generated between the key top and the cover case, water droplets, dust and the like are liable to enter the inside, and waterproofing and dustproofing are difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to have keys that are brightly and evenly illuminated, and can achieve low current consumption and low cost, as well as thinning, It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device that can be waterproof and dustproof.

The present invention provides the following means in order to solve the above problems.
A portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a case main body having a light transmission surface through which light is transmitted, a light emitting element that is provided in the case main body and emits the light, and is provided in the case main body to emit light. Further, a light guide part that guides the light to the light transmission surface with an equal amount of light, a light shielding film that is patterned with a predetermined keyboard arrangement on the light transmission surface, and displays a key; An electrostatic pad that is provided facing the light transmitting surface and detects the position of the fingertip based on the capacitance that changes when the fingertip touches the key, and the case body is provided with the electrostatic pad that is touched by the fingertip. A display unit that displays keys and a control unit that controls the operation of the light emitting element are provided.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, various keys (for example, symbol keys, character keys, and special keys) are formed on the light transmission surface of the main body case by a light-shielding film patterned according to a predetermined keyboard layout (keyboard layout). Etc.) is displayed. When inputting a character or the like, the user touches various keys displayed by the light shielding film with a fingertip. Then, electrostatic induction occurs between the fingertip that is a conductor and the electrostatic pad, and the capacitance changes. The electrostatic pad detects which key is touched with the fingertip based on the change in capacitance. The display unit displays a key touched by the fingertip. As a result, the user can accurately input characters and the like.

  Here, when used in a dark place or the like, the control unit operates the light emitting element to emit light. The emitted light is guided by the light guide portion over the entire light transmission surface with an equal amount of light, and then passes through the light transmission surface and exits outside the case body. At this time, since the above-described light-shielding film is patterned on the light transmission surface to display the key, the light escapes to the outside of the case body only in a region where the light-shielding film is not provided. Thereby, the outline of a key can be displayed by the brightness of light. Therefore, the key can be visually recognized even in a dark place.

  In particular, since the light guide part guides light with an equal amount of light over the entire light transmission surface, unlike the conventional one, there is no possibility of unevenness in the brightness of the key. Therefore, the key can be clearly seen even in a dark place, and the input operation can be performed reliably. In addition, since the light guide portion reliably guides the light emitted from the light emitting element, there is no need to provide each light emitting element in the vicinity of the key as in the prior art. That is, even if the number of light emitting elements is extremely small compared to the number of keys, the light of the light emitting elements can be efficiently guided to the light transmission surface and all the keys can be illuminated uniformly. Therefore, the number of light-emitting elements can be reduced as much as possible, and a reduction in current consumption and cost can be achieved.

  Further, since the keypad uses an electrostatic pad instead of the keypad having the conventional keytop structure, the thickness of the conventional keytop can be eliminated. Therefore, the surface of the case main body can be made flat (a flat surface) and can be reduced in thickness. In addition, since there is no need to provide a conventional key top structure, there is no gap for exposing the key top to the case body. Therefore, there is no possibility that water droplets, dust or the like enter the case body. Therefore, waterproofing and dustproofing can be achieved.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention is the portable electronic device according to the present invention, wherein the light guide portion is provided between the light transmission surface and the light emitting element, and diffuses the emitted light. The diffusion plate is guided to the light transmission surface.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting element is diffused by the diffusing plate and spreads with an equal amount of light over the entire light transmitting surface, and then guided to the light transmitting surface. By using the diffusion plate in this way, light from the light emitting element can be reliably guided. In addition, since light can be efficiently guided from the light emitting element, the light amount of the light emitting element can be suppressed as much as possible to further reduce power consumption.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention is the portable electronic device according to the present invention, wherein the light guide portion is provided to face the light transmitting surface with an end surface facing the light emitting element, and emits light. The light guide plate is characterized in that it is a light guide plate that guides the light transmitted to the light transmission surface after converting the light into a surface light source.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, light emitted from the light emitting element enters the light guide plate from the end surface of the light guide plate. The light incident on the inside is converted into a surface light source inside the light guide plate, and then guided to the entire light transmitting surface with a uniform amount of light. Thus, the light from a light emitting element can be reliably guided by using a light guide plate. In addition, since light can be efficiently guided from the light emitting element, the light amount of the light emitting element can be suppressed as much as possible to further reduce power consumption.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the portable electronic device according to any one of the above-described present invention, the light shielding film displays the key in white.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, since the light shielding film provided on the light transmission surface displays the key in a white state, when the light is emitted from the light emitting element, the key itself can be emitted. it can. In addition, since the light is guided by the light guide unit, it is possible to emit light brightly with an equal amount of light. Therefore, even in a dark place, it can be touched without making a mistake in the keys, and the input operation can be performed reliably.

  Moreover, the portable electronic device according to the present invention is the portable electronic device according to any one of the above-described present invention, wherein the light shielding film is provided along the key, and the light shielding film itself displays the key. It is characterized by.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, since the light shielding film provided on the light transmission surface itself displays the key, when light is emitted from the light emitting element, the area other than the key can emit light. . In addition, since the light is guided by the light guide portion, the area other than the key can be illuminated brightly with an equal amount of light. Therefore, even in a dark place, it can be touched without making a mistake in the keys, and the input operation can be performed reliably.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention is the portable electronic device according to any one of the above-described present invention, wherein the light guide unit guides the emitted light to the display unit and the display unit It is characterized by functioning as a backlight for illuminating from.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, the light guide part not only guides the light emitted from the light emitting element to the light transmission surface but also guides it to the display part at the same time. The guided light is used as a backlight for illuminating the display unit from the back. In this way, the light from the light emitting element can be used effectively, and there is no need to prepare a separate light source for the backlight. Therefore, further cost reduction can be achieved.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention is the portable electronic device according to the present invention, wherein the case main body is a foldable case including a first case main body and a second case main body, and the light A transmission surface is provided in the first case body, and the display unit is provided in the second case body.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, the case main body is a foldable case including a first case main body and a second case main body. Therefore, when not in use, it can be folded and made compact, which makes it easier to carry. Further, when used, the angle of the second case main body can be adjusted to make the display unit easier to see. Therefore, it is easy to use and convenience can be improved.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention includes a case main body having a light transmission surface through which light is transmitted, and one end surface that is provided in the case main body so as to face the light transmission surface and faces the light transmission surface. An organic EL sheet that emits light from the light and emits the light to the light transmission surface with an equal amount of light, a light-shielding film that is patterned on the light transmission surface with a predetermined keyboard arrangement, and displays a key, and the case An electrostatic pad that is provided opposite to the light transmission surface in the body and detects the position of the fingertip based on a capacitance that changes when the fingertip touches the key, and is provided on the case body, A display unit that displays the key touched by the controller, and a control unit that controls the operation of the organic EL sheet.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, various keys (for example, symbol keys, character keys, special keys, etc.) are formed on the light transmission surface of the main body case by a light shielding film patterned according to a predetermined keyboard layout (keyboard layout). Key, etc.) are displayed. When inputting a character or the like, the user touches various keys displayed by the light shielding film with a fingertip. Then, electrostatic induction occurs between the fingertip that is a conductor and the electrostatic pad, and the capacitance changes. The electrostatic pad detects which key is touched with the fingertip based on the change in capacitance. The display unit displays a key touched by the fingertip. As a result, the user can accurately input characters and the like.

  Here, when using in a dark place or the like, the control unit operates the organic EL sheet to emit light. The emitted light is irradiated from the one end surface of the organic EL sheet to the entire light transmission surface with an equal amount of light, and then passes through the light transmission surface and escapes to the outside of the case body. At this time, since the above-described light-shielding film is patterned on the light transmission surface to display the key, the light escapes to the outside of the case body only in a region where the light-shielding film is not provided. Thereby, the outline of a key can be displayed by the brightness of light. Therefore, the key can be visually recognized even in a dark place.

  In particular, since the organic EL sheet irradiates the entire light transmission surface with a uniform amount of light, unlike the conventional one, there is no possibility of unevenness in the brightness of the key. Therefore, the key can be clearly seen even in a dark place, and the input operation can be performed reliably. In addition, since the organic EL sheet is provided, it is not necessary to provide a light emitting element in the vicinity of the key as in the prior art. Therefore, reduction in current consumption and cost can be achieved.

  In addition, since the keypad uses an electrostatic pad instead of the keypad with the conventional keytop structure, the thickness of the keytop exposed to the outside can be eliminated, and the surface of the case body is flat (flat) Can be. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the thickness. Further, since the case body is flat, there is no possibility that water droplets, dust, etc. enter the inside through the gap between the key tops as in the conventional case. Therefore, waterproofing and dustproofing can be achieved.

  The portable electronic device according to the present invention has keys that are brightly and evenly illuminated, and can reduce current consumption and cost, and can be made thinner, waterproof and dustproof. it can.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an electronic dictionary will be described as an example of a portable electronic device.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic dictionary 1 of the present embodiment includes a case body 2, LEDs (light emitting elements) 3 and 4, a diffusion plate (light guide portion) 5, a light shielding film 6, An electric pad 7, a display unit 8, and a control unit 9 are provided.
The case body 2 is formed in a thin box shape from a metal material such as plastic or aluminum. On the upper surface of the case, a light transmission surface 2a through which light emitted from the LEDs 3 and 4 is transmitted and a cover glass 2b that protects the display unit 8 are provided adjacent to each other. On the light transmission surface 2a, there is provided a light shielding film 6 that displays the key K by patterning with a predetermined keyboard arrangement (keyboard arrangement). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding film 6 is printed on the light transmission surface 2a with the key K whitened. In the present embodiment, an alphabet key is taken as an example of the key K.

Further, in the case main body 2, as shown in FIG. 2, a control unit 9, a substrate 12 on which a memory 11, LEDs 3, 4 and the like are mounted, a diffusion plate 5, an electrostatic pad 7, a display unit 8 and a dry battery 13 are provided. Built in.
The control unit 9 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, a ROM that stores various programs as the electronic dictionary 1, a RAM that is a temporary storage medium, a display control unit that controls the display unit 8, and the like. . The control unit 9 comprehensively controls each component based on a signal sent from the electrostatic pad 7 to operate various functions as the electronic dictionary 1.

The electrostatic pad 7 is disposed so as to face the light transmission surface 2a, and the position of the fingertip is determined based on a change in capacitance that changes when the fingertip touches the key K displayed by the light shielding film 6. Is detected. That is, it is detected which key K is touched with the fingertip. More specifically, the electrostatic pad 7 has an electrode (not shown) arranged along the keyboard arrangement so as to face the key K. When the fingertip touches the key K, electrostatic induction occurs between the fingertip that is a conductor and the electrode, and the capacitance changes. Thereby, the electrostatic pad 7 detects which key K is touched. The electrostatic pad 7 outputs a signal to the control unit 9 to notify the control unit 9 of the touched key K.
Moreover, the electrostatic pad 7 of this embodiment has a plurality of through holes (not shown) through which light passes.

The display unit 8 is a liquid crystal display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and is provided in a state of being located inside the cover glass 2b. The display unit 8 is controlled by the display control unit of the control unit 9 and displays the key K touched by the fingertip (alphabet display) or other various information (for example, the contents of a dictionary, the contents of a word search, a dry battery 13 or the like) is displayed.
The operation of the LEDs 3 and 4 is controlled by the control unit 9, one LED 3 is an LED that emits light from the light transmission surface 2a, and the other LED 4 is an LED that functions as a backlight that illuminates the display unit 8 from the back. It is said that. Each of the LEDs 3 and 4 is mounted on the substrate 12 two by two, and is disposed below the electrostatic pad 7 and the display unit 8.

The diffusion plate 5 is provided between the light transmission surface 2a and the LED 3, and guides the light transmission surface 2a with an equal amount of light while diffusing the light L1 emitted from the LED 3. For example, the diffusion plate 5 is a glass in which milky white light diffusing material is dispersed in glass, and after diffusing the light L1 incident from one surface side toward the light transmission surface 2a from the other surface side. The light is emitted. Further, the diffusion plate 5 of the present embodiment is provided so as to be positioned below the electrostatic pad 7. The light L1 emitted from the diffusion plate 5 passes through the through hole of the electrostatic pad 7 and then enters the light transmission surface 2a.
On the other hand, the light L <b> 2 emitted from the LED 4 directly enters the back surface of the display unit 8 and functions as a backlight of the display unit 8.

Next, the case where the electronic dictionary 1 configured in this way is used will be described below.
First, when inputting a character or the like, the user touches the alphabet key K displayed by the light shielding film 6 with a fingertip. Then, electrostatic induction occurs between the fingertip, which is a conductor, and the electrostatic pad 7, and the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode facing the touched key K changes. The electrostatic pad 7 can detect which key K is touched with the fingertip based on the change in capacitance. In addition, a signal to that effect is sent to the control unit 9. The display control unit of the control unit 9 operates the display unit 8 based on this signal. Thereby, the key K touched by the fingertip can be displayed on the display unit 10. Thus, the user can accurately input characters by touching the predetermined key K, and can use the electronic dictionary 1.

Further, when the electronic dictionary 1 is used in a dark place or the like, the user operates the LED 3 via the control unit 9 to emit light L1. As shown in FIG. 2, the emitted light L1 is incident on the diffusion plate 5 from one surface side, spreads with a uniform amount of light over the entire light transmission surface 2a while being diffused inside, and then from the other surface side. Emitted. Then, the light L1 emitted from the diffusion plate 5 passes through the through hole of the electrostatic pad 7 and then enters the light transmission surface 2a. Thus, the light L1 from the LED 4 is guided to the light transmission surface 2a by the diffusion plate 5.
Further, the light L1 guided to the light transmission surface 2a passes through the light transmission surface 2a and goes out of the case body 2. At this time, since the light shielding film 6 is patterned on the light transmission surface 2a to display the key K, the light L1 is emitted outside the case body 2 only in a region where the light shielding film 6 is not provided. To go. Thereby, the outline of the key K can be displayed by the brightness of the light L1. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the key K even in a dark place.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the light shielding film 6 displays the key K in a white state, the key K itself can emit light as shown in FIG. In addition, since the light L1 is guided by the diffusion plate 5, it is possible to emit light evenly with uniform light quantity. Therefore, the user can touch the key K without making a mistake even in a dark place, and can reliably perform the character input operation.
Further, since the diffusion plate 5 reliably guides the light L1 from the LED 3, it is not necessary to provide the LED 3 in the vicinity of the key K as in the prior art. That is, even if the number of LEDs 3 is extremely small compared to the number of keys, the light L1 of the LEDs 3 can be efficiently guided to the light transmission surface 2a and all the keys K can be illuminated uniformly. Therefore, the number of LEDs 3 can be reduced as much as possible in the present embodiment, and a reduction in current consumption and cost can be achieved. Moreover, since the diffusion plate 5 is used, the light L1 of the LED 3 can be efficiently guided without waste, and the light amount of the LED 3 can be suppressed as much as possible. In this respect as well, it is possible to reduce current consumption and cost.

  Further, since the keypad uses the electrostatic pad 7 instead of the keypad having the conventional keytop structure, the thickness of the conventional keytop can be eliminated. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the thickness. Moreover, since it is not a conventional key top structure, a gap for exposing the key top to the case body 2 does not occur. Therefore, there is no possibility that water droplets, dust or the like enter the case body 2. Therefore, waterproofing and dustproofing can be achieved. Moreover, since the case main body 2 can be made flat (flat surface), it can be designed in a neat design and the texture can be improved.

  As described above, according to the electronic dictionary 1 of the present embodiment, the key K can be illuminated brightly and evenly, and a reduction in current consumption and cost can be achieved. At the same time, thickness reduction, waterproofing, and dustproofing can be achieved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the same reference numerals in the second embodiment denote the same components as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, the light L1 from the LED 3 is guided to the light transmission surface 2a using the diffusion plate 5, but in the second embodiment, the light guide surface 2a is guided. The point is that the light L3 from the LED 22 is guided using the light plate 21.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electronic dictionary 20 of the present embodiment includes a light guide plate 21 provided facing the light transmission surface 2 a with the end surface facing the LED 22. The light guide plate 21 is formed in a plate shape with a transparent resin material, and is, for example, acrylic. Further, on one end surface facing the light transmitting surface 2a, there are formed minute irregularities (not shown) for reflecting and diffusing the light L3 incident inside from the end surface. As a result, the light guide plate 21 can appropriately reflect and diffuse the light L3 incident from the end face by using the minute unevenness, and can convert the light L3 into a surface light source inside, and from the one end face to the entire light transmitting face 2a. It is possible to guide with an even amount of light.

  Further, the light guide plate 21 is disposed so as to face not only the light transmission surface 2a but also the display unit 8. Therefore, the light L3 emitted from the LED 22 can be guided to the back surface of the display unit 8, and the light L3 from the LED 22 can function as a backlight of the display unit 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, the LED 4 dedicated to the backlight is not required as in the first embodiment.

  In the electronic dictionary 20 configured as described above, the light L3 emitted from the LED 22 enters the light guide plate 21 from the end surface of the light guide plate 21. Then, the light L3 incident on the inside is repeatedly reflected and diffused by minute unevenness and converted into a surface light source, and then guided to the entire light transmission surface 2a with a uniform amount of light. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment, the key K can be illuminated with a bright and uniform light amount. Further, since the light guide plate 21 is used, the light L3 from the LED 22 can be efficiently guided as in the diffusion plate 5 of the first embodiment, and the light amount of the LED 22 can be suppressed as much as possible. In this respect as well, it is possible to reduce current consumption and cost.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light guide plate 21 can guide the light L3 from the LED to the back surface of the display unit 8, and the light L3 can function as a backlight of the display unit 8. Therefore, the light L3 from the LED 3 can be used effectively, and there is no need to separately prepare the backlight LED 4 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, further cost reduction can be achieved.

  In addition, since the light guide plate 21 is used, the light guide plate 21 can be positioned between the electrostatic pad 7 and the light transmission surface 2a. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, it is possible to save the trouble of forming a through hole for allowing light to pass through the electrostatic pad 7. Since the light guide plate 21 does not affect the capacitance of the electrostatic pad 7, the input operation can be reliably performed even in the case of this embodiment.

Moreover, since the electronic dictionary 20 of this embodiment is also a keypad using the electrostatic pad 7 as in the first embodiment, it can be made thinner, waterproof and dustproof.
In the present embodiment, a reflective film may be provided on the other end surface of the light guide plate 21 (the surface facing the one end surface). By doing so, since light does not leak from the other end surface side, the light L3 from the LED 22 can be more efficiently converted into a surface light source, and the key K can be illuminated more brightly.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same reference numerals in the third embodiment denote the same parts as in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the light L3 from the LED 22 is converted into a surface light source using the light guide plate 21 and then guided to the light transmission surface 2a. In the third embodiment, after the light L4 is surface-emitted using the organic EL sheet 31, the light L4 is irradiated to the light transmission surface 2a with an equal amount of light.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the electronic dictionary 30 of the present embodiment is disposed so as to face the light transmission surface 2a, and irradiates the light transmission surface 2a with the light L4 from one end surface facing the light transmission surface 2a. An organic EL sheet 31 is provided.
The organic EL sheet 31 is obtained by laminating an organic EL layer that is a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrode layers on a transparent substrate. One electrode layer on the transparent substrate side is a transparent electrode layer made of ITO (indium oxide). The organic EL sheet 31 emits light from the surface of the transparent substrate by applying a voltage to the pair of electrode layers. Therefore, the organic EL sheet 31 of the present embodiment is disposed so that the surface of the transparent substrate faces the light transmission surface 2a. That is, the one end surface is a surface of the transparent substrate.
Moreover, the control part 9 of this embodiment controls the action | operation of the organic electroluminescent sheet | seat 31 by applying a voltage to a pair of electrode layer.

When the electronic dictionary 30 configured in this way is used in a dark place or the like, the control unit 9 applies a voltage to the pair of electrode layers to operate the organic EL sheet 31. When a voltage is applied, holes and electrons are respectively injected into the organic EL layer, and these are recombined in the organic EL layer. Then, the surrounding fluorescent substance is excited by the energy when the binding occurs. The substance emits light L4 when returning from the excited state to the ground state. The emitted light L4 passes through one transparent electrode layer and the transparent substrate, and is irradiated from the one end surface to the entire light transmission surface 2a with an equal amount of light. As a result, similarly to the second embodiment, the key K can be illuminated with a bright and uniform light amount. In particular, since the organic EL sheet 31 itself emits light, the entire light transmission surface 2a can be illuminated more efficiently.
Moreover, since the electronic dictionary 30 of this embodiment is also a keypad using the electrostatic pad 7 as in the second embodiment, it can be made thinner, waterproof and dustproof.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the portable electronic device has been described as an electronic dictionary. However, the present invention is not limited to the electronic dictionary, and for example, a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, or a notebook personal computer may be used. In each of the above-described embodiments, an alphabet key is taken as an example of the key K, but any type of key K may be used. For example, a kana key, a numeric key, or a symbol key may be used. The keyboard layout may be set freely.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light shielding film 6 is provided so that the key K is displayed in white, and the key K itself is illuminated. However, on the contrary, the area other than the key K may be illuminated. I do not care. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the light shielding film 6 may be provided along the key K, and the key K may be displayed by the light shielding film 6 itself. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 10, the area other than the key K can be made to emit light, and the outline of the key K can be displayed by the brightness of the light. Therefore, even in this case, the key K can be visually recognized in a dark place.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11, the case body 40 may be a foldable case including a first case body 41 and a second case body 42. Then, the light transmission surface 2 a may be provided on the first case body 41, and the display unit 8 may be provided on the second case body 42.
By comprising in this way, when not in use, the case main body 40 can be folded to be compact, and carrying can be further facilitated. Moreover, when using, the angle of the 2nd case main body 42 can be adjusted, and the display part 8 can be made into a state which is easier to see. Therefore, it is easy to use and convenience can be improved.

It is a top view which shows 1st Embodiment of the portable electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the portable electronic device shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the portable electronic device shown in FIG. 1 along the AA line. It is a figure which shows the light shielding film provided on the light transmissive surface, Comprising: It is a figure which has displayed the key by whitening. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the light shielding film shown in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the key itself emits light by light emitted from the LED. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of the portable electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which looked at the portable electronic device shown in FIG. 6 along the BB line. It is sectional drawing which shows 3rd Embodiment of the portable electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of a light shielding film, Comprising: It is a figure which displays the key with the light shielding film itself. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the light-shielding film shown in FIG. 9, showing a state in which a region around the key emits light emitted from an LED. It is a figure which shows the other example of the portable electronic device which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a figure of the portable electronic device which has a foldable case.

Explanation of symbols

K key L1, L3, L4 Light 1, 20, 30 Electronic dictionary (portable electronic device)
2, 40 Case body 2a Light transmission surface 3, 22 LED (light emitting element)
5 Diffuser (light guide)
6 Light-shielding film 7 Electrostatic pad 8 Display unit 9 Control unit 21 Light guide plate (light guide unit)
31 Organic EL sheet 41 First case body 42 Second case body

Claims (8)

A case body having a light transmission surface through which light is transmitted;
A light emitting element provided in the case body and emitting the light;
A light guide provided in the case body for guiding the emitted light to the light transmission surface with an equal amount of light;
A light-shielding film that is patterned with a predetermined keyboard arrangement on the light transmission surface and displays a key;
An electrostatic pad that is provided opposite to the light transmission surface in the case body and detects the position of the fingertip based on a capacitance that changes when the fingertip touches the key;
A display unit provided on the case body and displaying the key touched by a fingertip;
And a control unit that controls the operation of the light emitting element. The portable electronic device according to claim 1,
The portable electronic device, wherein the light guide portion is a diffusion plate that is provided between the light transmission surface and the light emitting element and guides the emitted light to the light transmission surface while diffusing the light. The portable electronic device according to claim 1,
The light guide portion is provided facing the light transmission surface with an end face facing the light emitting element, and converts the emitted light into a surface light source and guides the light to the light transmission surface. A portable electronic device characterized by the above. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The portable electronic device, wherein the light shielding film displays the key in white. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The portable electronic device, wherein the light shielding film is provided along the key, and the key is displayed by the light shielding film itself. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The portable electronic device, wherein the light guide unit functions as a backlight for guiding the emitted light to the display unit to illuminate the display unit from the back. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein
The case body is a foldable case composed of a first case body and a second case body,
The light transmission surface is provided on the first case body;
The portable electronic device, wherein the display unit is provided in the second case main body. A case body having a light transmission surface through which light is transmitted;
An organic EL sheet that is provided in the case main body so as to face the light transmission surface, emits light from one end surface facing the light transmission surface, and irradiates the light with a uniform amount on the light transmission surface; ,
A light-shielding film that is patterned with a predetermined keyboard arrangement on the light transmission surface and displays a key;
A changing electrostatic pad that is provided opposite to the light transmitting surface in the case body and detects the position of the fingertip based on a capacitance that changes when the fingertip touches the key;
A display unit provided on the case body and displaying the key touched by a fingertip;
And a control unit that controls the operation of the organic EL sheet.

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