JP2010016711A - Mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication terminal which provide a user with a sense of feeling as if the mobile communication terminal is alive or a sense of familiarity. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile communication terminal includes: a light transparent case; a communication circuit part for modulating/demodulating a radio signal; a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in the vicinity of an inner wall of the case; a plurality of display elements arranged in the vicinity of the inner wall of the case, and a control part. The control part controls the display elements by selecting and turning on a predetermined display element based on detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors. Consequently, the mobile communication terminal emits light in response to user's ordinary action such as gripping the mobile communication terminal and a display pattern of light is changed according to how to grip the mobile communication terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly to a mobile communication terminal having a function of making the terminal shine.

  Conventionally, various sensors have been developed and their size has been reduced. Along with this, various sensors have been mounted on mobile communication terminals in recent years. For example, various portable communication terminals equipped with a temperature sensor have been proposed. Many of these portable communication terminals are mainly intended for health management (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 proposes a mobile phone device equipped with a temperature sensor, a pulse wave sensor, and a vein sensor. In this cellular phone device, the user's pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature are measured by these sensors to measure health.

  Conventionally, in addition to the above-described sensors, various portable communication terminals equipped with an optical element for making the casing of the portable communication terminal shine have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Patent Document 2 proposes a portable terminal device equipped with a laser light emitting element. In this portable terminal device, the direction of the emitted light from the laser light emitting element is controlled to cause the multi-direction of the portable terminal device to emit light over a wide range, thereby causing an illumination effect.

JP 2007-325842 A JP 2005-51397 A

  As described above, conventionally, mobile communication terminals equipped with various sensors and optical elements have been proposed. These terminals are not suitable for daily operations such as when a user holds the mobile communication terminal. It is not a mobile communication terminal that shows a reaction. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain an emotional feeling that the mobile communication terminal feels alive or feels familiar with the mobile communication terminal.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is to provide a mobile communication terminal in which a user can obtain the emotional feeling as described above with respect to the mobile communication terminal.

  In order to solve the above problems, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes a light-transmitting casing and a communication circuit unit that is provided inside the casing and modulates and demodulates a radio signal. Moreover, this invention set it as the structure provided with the several temperature sensor arrange | positioned near the inner wall of a housing | casing, the several display element arrange | positioned near the inner wall of a housing | casing, and a control part. In the control unit, control for modulating / demodulating the radio signal in the communication circuit unit and control for selecting and lighting a predetermined display element based on the detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors are performed.

  In the mobile communication terminal of the present invention, when the user holds (holds) the mobile communication terminal, the temperature sensor detects the position touched by the user. And a control part selects the display element to light based on the combination of the position which the detected user touched. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal of the present invention shines in a predetermined pattern in response to a user touching mobile terminal communication.

  According to the present invention, since the mobile communication terminal shines in response to a daily operation such as a user holding the mobile communication terminal, the mobile communication terminal feels alive, or the mobile communication terminal feels familiar. A feeling can be given to the user.

  An example of an embodiment of the mobile communication terminal of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a mobile communication terminal referred to as a so-called mobile phone terminal is used as a mobile communication terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the mobile communication terminal of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication terminal 10 includes an antenna 11, a control unit 12, a communication circuit 13 connected to the antenna 11, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a storage unit 16. In addition, the mobile communication terminal 10 includes a speaker 18 for outputting a voice during a call, a microphone 19 for absorbing a voice during a call, and a voice processing unit 20 for converting the voice data during the call into a digital analog signal. Prepare. The mobile communication terminal 10 includes a wireless LAN communication circuit 21 and a wireless LAN antenna 22. The mobile communication terminal 10 further includes a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 23 and a plurality of IC temperature sensors 24. Note that each of the above-described units is housed in a case described later of the mobile communication terminal 10.

  The mobile communication terminal 10 includes a control line 25 and a data line 26 as shown in FIG. The control line 25 is a signal line for flowing a signal for controlling each part connected to the control line 25. As shown in FIG. 1, each unit in the mobile communication terminal 10 is connected to the control unit 12 through a control line 25, and processing in each unit is performed under the control of the control unit 12. The data line 26 is a signal line for performing data transfer between the units connected thereto. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication terminal 10 includes a power supply unit, and power is supplied to each unit from the power supply unit.

  The control unit 12 includes an arithmetic control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit constituting the mobile communication terminal 10. Further, as will be described later, the control unit 12 reads a program that associates the detection result of the IC temperature sensor 24 with the LED 23 to be selected (that is, the light display pattern) from the storage unit 16, and transmits the light through the program. Control the display pattern.

  The communication circuit 13 transmits and receives a transmission signal to and from a mobile phone base station (not shown) via the antenna 11 under the control of the control unit 12. The communication circuit 13 also modulates and demodulates radio waves exchanged with the mobile phone base station. Further, the wireless LAN communication circuit 21 performs predetermined modulation and demodulation based on the control of the control unit 12, and transmits wireless signals to and from an external access point device (not shown) via the wireless LAN antenna 22. Send and receive.

  The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD). The operation unit 15 includes a jog dial, a keypad, and the like. The operation unit 15 can input an input operation signal such as an input operation such as a telephone number or an e-mail text, or a setting operation of various modes.

  The storage unit 16 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory (semiconductor memory). The storage unit 16 stores various data and computer programs such as a phone book, a schedule, a mail message, a moving image, a still image, music, application software, a bookmark, and a web page. Further, in the present embodiment, a program for determining which LED 23 is lit based on the detection result of the IC temperature sensor 24, that is, the detection result of the IC temperature sensor 24 and the light display pattern are associated with each other. A program (hereinafter also referred to as LED selection software) is stored in the storage unit 16.

  The LED 23 (display element) is a semiconductor element that emits light when an electric current flows. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the plurality of LEDs 23 are arranged near the inner wall of the housing of the mobile communication terminal 10. In the present embodiment, the example in which the LED 23 is used as the display element has been described. However, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like may be used. Any display element can be used as long as it can be mounted on the mobile communication terminal 10.

  The IC temperature sensor 24 is a sensor that utilizes the property that the resistance value changes depending on the temperature change of the semiconductor. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the plurality of IC temperature sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the inner wall of the casing of the mobile communication terminal 10. Note that the IC temperature sensor 24 of this embodiment does not measure the specific value of the temperature, but only needs to be able to determine whether or not the user is touching the mobile communication terminal 10, so the measurement accuracy may be low. . Further, at present, it is preferable to use an IC temperature sensor as the temperature sensor as in the present embodiment in consideration of dimensions and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any temperature can be used as long as the temperature sensor can be mounted on the mobile communication terminal 10 and has an accuracy sufficient to determine whether or not the user is touching the mobile communication terminal 10. A sensor can be used.

[Example of arrangement of display element and temperature sensor]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the plurality of LEDs 23 and the plurality of IC temperature sensors 24 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an internal structure in the vicinity of the key operation unit (operation unit 15) of the mobile communication terminal 10 with the outer casing (not shown) of the mobile communication terminal 10 removed.

  In general, mobile communication terminals include a foldable type, a straight type (non-foldable type), and a slide type, and the structure near the key operation unit is the same for all types. Therefore, here, the arrangement of the LED 23 and the IC temperature sensor 24 in the vicinity of the key operation unit having a structure common to both types will be described. In the mobile communication terminal 10 of the present embodiment, the LED 23 and the IC temperature sensor 24 are arranged not only in the vicinity of the key operation unit but also in the vicinity of the inner wall of the entire mobile communication terminal 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the internal configuration near the key operation unit includes an inner housing 1, a plurality of keypads 1 (circles and ellipses), a key flex 3, and a plurality of LEDs 23 (hatched square marks). ) And a plurality of IC temperature sensors 24 (outlined square marks). These units are connected to the control unit 12.

  The inner casing 1 and the outer casing (not shown) are made of a material having a certain degree of translucency, such as plastic or acrylic. Note that any material can be used for these cases as long as the light emitted from the LED 23 is transmitted to some extent. Moreover, since it is necessary to detect that the user has the mobile communication terminal 10 with the IC temperature sensor 24, it is preferable to make the thickness of the housing as thin as possible.

  The key flex 3 detects that the keypad 2 has been pressed by the user, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 12 as an electrical signal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the plurality of LEDs 23 are arranged between the keypads 2 at substantially equal intervals. Further, the plurality of IC temperature sensors 24 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the vicinity of the inner wall of the inner housing 1 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). FIG. 2 shows an example in which ten LEDs 23 and six IC temperature sensors 24 are provided in the area near the key operation unit, but the number of LEDs 23 and IC temperature sensors 24 can be changed as appropriate. is there.

[Lighting process of display element]
Next, the operation | movement of the lighting process of several LED23 in the mobile communication terminal 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the lighting process of the LED 23.

  First, the user turns on the mobile communication terminal 10 (step S1). As a result, the IC temperature sensor 24 is activated and temperature detection is possible.

  Next, the control unit 12 reads and activates the LED selection software stored in the storage unit 16 (step S2). Next, temperature detection is performed by the plurality of IC temperature sensors 24 (step S3). This process is controlled by the control unit 12.

  At this time, the temperature change is detected by the IC temperature sensor 24 (the output voltage changes) in the part that is touched by the user, but the temperature change is not detected in the part that is not touched by the user. Therefore, depending on how the user holds the mobile communication terminal 10, a combination of positions where a temperature change is detected changes. That is, the combination (detection result) of voltage values output from the plurality of IC temperature sensors 24 differs depending on how the user holds the mobile communication terminal 10.

  Next, the control unit 12 acquires the detection results detected by the plurality of IC temperature sensors 24, and uses the LED selection software to select the LED 23 to be lit according to the combination of the plurality of input output voltages ( Step S4).

  Next, the control unit 12 outputs a signal to the LED 23 selected by the LED selection software, and turns on the LED 23 (step S5). At this time, not only the light display pattern may be changed by changing the number of LEDs 23 to be selected, but the light emission intensity pattern of the LED 23 may be adjusted by changing the signal intensity input to the LED 23. In this case, the mobile communication terminal 10 can be slightly shined or strongly shined.

  The display pattern such as the number of LEDs 23 to be lit and the signal intensity can be changed by the user appropriately changing the program of the LED selection software. This change can be made, for example, by reading the setting menu of the LED selection software on the display unit 14 and following the menu.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 10 is illuminated with a light display pattern corresponding to the detection result of the IC temperature sensor 24.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the user touches the mobile communication terminal 10, the mobile communication terminal 10 shines in a predetermined pattern in response thereto. At this time, the light display pattern and / or the light intensity pattern can be changed only by changing the way the mobile communication terminal 10 is held. This is shown in FIG. By changing how the mobile communication terminal 10 is held, for example, one of the areas 41 to 47 in FIG. 4 shines or all the areas 41 to 47 shine. Moreover, the light emission intensity of the areas 41 to 47 can be changed by changing how the mobile communication terminal 10 is held.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, for example, when the user who has received the mail takes out the mobile communication terminal 10 from the bag, the mobile communication terminal 10 shines lightly or while the user is making a call. In addition, the light display pattern may be changed by slightly shifting the holding position. Therefore, regardless of the age group and proficiency level of the user who uses the mobile communication terminal 10, the mobile communication terminal 10 shines in various ways in response to daily operations such as the user holding the mobile communication terminal 10. A feeling that the mobile communication terminal 10 feels alive or feels familiar with the mobile communication terminal 10 can be obtained.

It is a schematic block diagram of the mobile communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the internal structure of the key operation part vicinity of a mobile communication terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the lighting process of the display element of the mobile communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed a mode that the mobile communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention shines.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case, 2 ... Keypad, 3 ... Key flexible, 10 ... Mobile communication terminal, 11 ... Antenna, 12 ... Control part, 13 ... Communication circuit, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Operation part, 16 ... Memory | storage part, 18 ... Speaker, 19 ... Microphone, 20 ... Audio processing unit, 21 ... Wireless LAN communication circuit, 22 ... Wireless LAN antenna, 23 ... LED, 24 ... IC temperature sensor

Claims (5)

A translucent housing;
A communication circuit unit that is provided inside the housing and modulates and demodulates a radio signal;
A plurality of temperature sensors arranged in the vicinity of the inner wall of the housing;
A plurality of display elements arranged in the vicinity of the inner wall of the housing;
A control unit that is provided inside the housing and performs control for modulating / demodulating a radio signal by the communication circuit unit, and control for selecting and lighting a predetermined display element based on detection results of the plurality of temperature sensors. When,
A mobile communication terminal comprising: The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects and turns on the plurality of display elements. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors are provided in the vicinity of a side wall surface along a longitudinal direction of the mobile communication terminal inside the housing. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is an IC temperature sensor. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the display element is a light emitting diode.

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