JP2010068449A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waterproof portable terminal, while preventing functional part, such as, speaker from deteriorating in function. <P>SOLUTION: A cellular phone 1 includes the speaker, a waterproof part which covers or exposes the speaker, and a detection part which detects water wetting of the terminal. When the detection part detects no water wetting on a fine day etc., the cellular phone 1 outputs a sound from the speaker, in an exposure state wherein the speaker is exposed. Meanwhile, when the detection part detects water wetting on a rainy day etc., the cellular phone 1 so as to prevent the speaker from being exposed directly to water, in a closing state wherein the speaker is covered with the waterproof part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

Conventional mobile terminals such as mobile phones are generally vulnerable to water, and wet and submersion accounted for a large proportion of failure causes. Recently, however, models with a waterproof function have been developed (for example, Patent Document 1). ). Patent Documents 2 to 3 disclose portable terminals that detect water wetting. Patent Document 4 discloses a portable terminal that shuts off the power supply to the internal circuit when water wetting is detected.
JP 2003-143272 A JP 2007-184796 JP 2002-111838 A JP 2007-251830 A

In order to realize the waterproof function, it is necessary to perform waterproofing even in a function unit that exhibits a predetermined function such as a speaker portion of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.
For example, a speaker with a water-repellent finish such as a water-repellent finish on the diaphragm of the speaker (hereinafter referred to as “waterproof speaker”) is excellent in waterproofness, but it is soundproof compared to a normal speaker because it is waterproof. There is a tendency that the omission is not good. For this reason, if you are seeking sound quality, you should avoid using waterproof speakers.

However, a normal speaker is inferior in waterproofness even though the sound quality is relatively good. For this reason, when a normal speaker is employed, the possibility of water intrusion into the speaker increases.
Furthermore, for example, a camera unit having a lens as a functional unit has the same problem. That is, the camera part having a lens is usually not so waterproof. For this reason, if the camera unit is provided with waterproof performance that requires waterproofness even when the lens is exposed, expensive parts equipped with a sealing mechanism or the like are required, which increases costs and increases thickness. This makes it difficult to reduce the size.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal having waterproofness while preventing the function of the functional unit from being lowered.

The portable terminal according to the present invention can prevent intrusion of water from the outside, which can take a functional part that performs a predetermined function, a closed state that covers the functional part, and an open state that exposes the functional part. A waterproof unit; a detection unit that detects water wetting; and a control unit that controls the waterproof unit to be in the closed state while the detection unit detects water wetting.
Further, the functional unit may be a speaker.

Further, while the water wetting is detected by the detection unit, a restriction unit that restricts the sound output from the speaker may be provided.
Further, the control unit sets the waterproof unit in the open state with the start of audio output from the speaker while the detection unit does not detect water wetting, and the waterproof unit with the end of audio output from the speaker. May be controlled to be in the closed state.

Further, the functional unit may be a camera unit having a lens.
In addition, the control unit sets the waterproof unit to the open state with the activation of the function of the camera unit while the detection unit does not detect water wetting, and the waterproof unit with the end of the function of the camera unit. May be controlled to be in the closed state.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable terminal having waterproofness while preventing the function of the functional unit from being deteriorated.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described by taking a mobile phone as an example of a mobile terminal.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile phone 1.
The mobile phone 1 includes a housing 2, a display 4 disposed on the surface of the housing 2, water wetting sensors 6a to 6d disposed at the four corners of the housing 2, a speaker 8 embedded in the upper end of the housing 2, and a speaker. 8 is provided.

The housing 2 houses various electronic components. The housing 2 has a well-known slide structure, and an operation key portion (not shown) including a dial key is pulled out by sliding.
The display 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal system, and performs various displays for the user.
The wetness sensors 6a to 6d are each composed of a terminal and output a resistance value. Since the resistance value of this terminal changes when it comes into contact with water, it is possible to detect water wetting by monitoring the resistance value. As the water wet sensors 6a to 6d, for example, water wet sensors disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-184796 can be used.

The speaker 8 is a stereo speaker composed of a right channel speaker right 8R and a left channel speaker left 8L. Since the speaker 8 is not waterproofed, the speaker 8 is weak against water, but has better sound quality than a general waterproof speaker.
The cover 10 is a well-known material having waterproofness, and for example, a fluororesin excellent in water repellency can be used.

The cover 10 includes a cover left 10L and a cover right 10R that cover the speaker right 8R and the speaker left 8L, respectively. Hereinafter, when the left and right of the speaker 8 and the cover 10 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are simply described as the cover 8 and the speaker 10.
The cover 10 has a mechanism that slides in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 by an actuator.

The structure of an actuator that realizes this sliding mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of the actuator, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator includes a connecting member 14 for connecting the cover left 10L and the cover right 10R, a rack 17 connected to the connecting member, a pinion 18 engaged with a gear formed on the bottom surface of the rack 17, A motor 19 that rotationally drives the pinion 18 is provided.

The rotation of the motor 19 is directly converted into motion by the engagement of the pinion 18 and the rack 17. Thereby, the connecting member 14 reciprocates along the guide hole 16 formed on the surface of the housing 2 (the reciprocating direction is the up-down direction in FIG. 2A and the front-rear direction in FIG. 2B). Will be.
In order to prevent water from entering through the gaps between the speakers 8L and 8R and the covers 10L and 10L, packings 12L and 12R are attached to the surface of the housing 2 around the speakers 8L and 8R. It is preferable to put a packing in the guide hole 16 for waterproofing. However, it is set as the well-known structure which projects an elastic sheet from the both sides of a hole so that the movement of the connection member 14 may not be inhibited.

Returning to FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 1A, in the state where the cover 10 covers the speaker 8 (the cover is closed or in the closed state), the cover 10 can prevent water from entering the speaker 8. However, the sound output from the speaker 8 is blocked by the cover 10 and becomes unclear.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1B, in a state where the cover 10 does not cover the speaker 8 (a state where the cover is open, an open state), the speaker 8 is released from the cover of the cover 10 and has a high quality. Sound output with sound quality.

The speaker 8 is usually covered with a cover 10 except when outputting sound from the speaker.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone 1.
The mobile phone 1 includes a display control unit 20, a voice control unit 22, a music playback unit 24, a notification control unit 26, a camera unit 28, a detection unit 30, an operation unit 32, and a communication unit 34.

The display control unit 20 controls display on the display 4.
The audio control unit 22 controls the audio output of the speaker 8.
The music playback unit 24 plays back music in various formats (such as MP3).
The drive control unit 26 controls the actuator to drive the cover 10 to open and close. Specifically, the drive control unit 26 monitors an audio output start request and an end request, opens the cover 10 with the start request, and closes the cover 10 with the end request. However, if the detection unit 30 detects water wetting at the start request, the cover 10 is not opened and remains closed.

The camera unit 28 includes a lens and realizes a camera function included in a general mobile phone.
The detection unit 30 is configured to include the water wet sensors 6a to 6d, and outputs a resistance value indicating water wetness.
The operation unit 32 is an input interface that accepts a key input from a user, and includes the above-described operation key unit.

The communication unit 34 realizes a communication function provided in a general mobile phone such as a call and a mobile mail.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the audio output / cover opening / closing process performed by the mobile phone 1. FIG. 5 shows the transition of the open / closed state of the cover 10.
In the voice output / cover opening / closing process, when the voice control unit 22 receives an instruction indicating a voice output start request from a function that requires voice output, such as the music playback unit 24 (S1: Yes), the voice control unit 22 receives voice. Output (S2).

When the drive control unit 26 that monitors the audio output start request determines that the detection unit 30 has not detected water wetting (S3: No), it opens the cover 10 (S4). In addition, as a determination criterion for the detection of water wetting in step S3, for example, when any of the resistance values output from the terminals of the water wetting sensors 6a to 6d falls below a threshold value, it is determined that the water is wet.
When receiving the voice output end request (S5: Yes), the drive control unit 26 closes the cover 10 opened in step S4 (S6).

Returning to step S3, if the drive control unit 26 determines that the detection unit 30 has detected water wetting (S3: Yes), the display 10 is sent to the display control unit 20 without opening the cover 10, and a display is sent. A message indicating that wetting has been detected is displayed on the screen 4 (S7).
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific application example of the audio output / cover opening / closing process described in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the case of fine weather, the detection unit 30 does not detect water wetting, and the cover 10 is opened when the music playback function of the mobile phone 1 is used. The high-quality sound of the stereo speaker 8 can be exhibited and music can be reproduced.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the detection unit 30 detects water wetting as in rainy weather or the like, the mobile phone 1 also covers the cover 10 when using the music playback function. Remains closed without opening. Since the cover 10 remains closed, water can be prevented from entering the speaker 8. However, the sound output from the speaker 8 is blocked by the cover 10.

When the sound is output with the cover 10 closed as described above, the screen 36 on the display 4 of the cellular phone 1 is displayed on the screen 36 of the mobile phone 1 as “wet water is detected, and the speaker is limited. Is displayed to inform the user that the cover 10 is closed.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 remains closed without opening the cover 10 while detecting wetness, so that the speaker 8 is directly exposed to water. Can be prevented. Moreover, even if a normal speaker 8 with higher sound quality is used for the mobile phone 1 instead of a waterproof speaker, the cover 10 can provide waterproofness.
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the opening / closing control of the cover 10 of the speaker 8 has been described. In the second embodiment, the opening / closing control of the camera lens cover is performed.

Camera lenses also have a problem common to the above-mentioned speakers because there is a tendency to increase the cost of components and increase the thickness when waterproofing is required. Therefore, in the second embodiment, water intrusion to the module components related to the camera lens and the camera function is prevented while suppressing an increase in cost and thickness by using a normal camera lens not having waterproofness.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the mobile phone 40 according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

  The cellular phone 40 includes a camera lens 42 and a lens cover 44 that covers the camera lens 42 in a closed state. Here, the opening and closing of the lens cover 44 of the second embodiment is controlled by a mechanism similar to the actuator shown in FIG. In brief, the lens cover 44 is connected to a connecting member (not shown), and this connecting member is linked to the rack and pinion and the motor. Due to the rotation of the motor, power is transmitted from the motor → pinion → rack → connecting member → lens cover 44, and the lens cover 44 moves within the range indicated by the double arrow in FIG.

The functional blocks of the mobile phone 40 are basically the same as those described with reference to FIG. Note that the drive control unit 26 in the second embodiment drives and controls the opening and closing of the lens cover 44.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing camera function activation / cover opening / closing processing performed by the mobile phone 40.

When the drive control unit 26 receives the camera function activation request from the operation unit 32 (S11: Yes), if the detection unit 30 does not detect water wetting (S12: No), the drive control unit 26 opens the lens cover 44. (S13, open state), the camera unit 28 is activated with a camera function (S14).
The activation request for the camera function is, for example, when activation of the camera function by long press is assigned to one of the keys of the operation unit 32, and the operation unit 32 receives a long press of this key from the user. This is a request issued by the operation unit 32.

The drive control unit 26 closes the lens cover 44 (S16) when receiving a camera function termination request based on a user input from the operation unit 32 (S15: Yes).
In step S12, if the detection unit 30 detects water wetting (S12: Yes), the drive control unit 26 stops the activation of the camera function of the camera unit 28, and the lens cover 44 remains closed. Then, a display instruction is sent to the display control unit 20 to display a message on the screen of the display 4 (S17). An example of this message is shown in the right part of step S17 in FIG. 8, and a message 48 "The camera cannot be activated because water has been detected" is displayed in the screen 46.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cellular phone 40 closed the lens cover 44 without activating the camera function in spite of the activation request of the camera function while detecting wetness. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from entering the camera lens 42 as an entrance. In addition, since the lens cover 44 can achieve a certain degree of waterproofing, it is possible to avoid the mounting of expensive waterproof parts or thick parts and use normal parts.
<Supplement>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said content, It can implement also in the various forms for achieving the objective of this invention, its related or incidental object, for example, It may be the following.
(1) In the first embodiment, it has been described that voice output is performed even when water wetness is detected (FIG. 6B). However, when water wetness is detected, an instruction is sent from the drive control unit 26 to the voice control unit 22 and the speaker. The audio output from 8 may be completely prohibited, or the volume of the speaker 8 may be lowered so that the sound with poor sound quality is not output.
(2) In the first embodiment, an example in which the speaker 8 is opened and closed by sliding the cover 10 has been described. However, a mechanical configuration in which the speaker is covered with an openable / closable cover is well known. As in the technique disclosed in 10-210581, the cover may be opened and closed by rotating the shaft.
(3) Although not described in the first and second embodiments, even when the cover is opened (FIG. 4: S4, FIG. 8: S13), the control for closing the cover is performed when water wetting is detected. (FIG. 4: S6, FIG. 8: S16), the waterproof property may be improved.
(4) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the cover is automatically controlled to open and close by an actuator, but each embodiment can be applied to a cover that is manually opened and closed.

Specifically, it is assumed that the cover slide includes a lock mechanism that prevents the cover from being opened. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when water wetting is detected (S21: Yes), it can be realized by performing a control of locking the cover and preventing the cover from being opened (S22). Even if it is this structure, since a cover can be prevented from opening when there exists a danger of water getting into a speaker or a camera lens, waterproofness can be improved.
(5) In Embodiments 1 and 2, a speaker and a camera unit are employed as functional units, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to such a functional unit, and other appropriate functional units are employed. can do.

  The mobile terminal according to the present invention is useful because it can provide a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone that is both waterproof and exhibits its function.

Front view of mobile phone 1 Schematic diagram explaining the structure of the actuator Functional block diagram of mobile phone 1 The flowchart which shows the audio | voice output and cover opening / closing process which the mobile telephone 1 performs Transition diagram of the open / closed state of the cover 10 The figure which shows the specific application example of the audio | voice output and cover opening / closing process demonstrated in FIG. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone 40 The flowchart which shows the camera function starting and cover opening / closing process which the mobile telephone 40 performs The flowchart which shows the process regarding the cover which opens and closes manually

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone 2 Case 4 Display 6a-6d Wetness sensor 8 Speaker (functional part)
10 Cover (waterproof cover)
24 music playback unit 26 drive control unit (control unit)
28 Camera unit (function unit)
30 Detection Unit 32 Operation Unit 42 Camera Lens 44 Lens Cover

Claims (6)

A functional unit that performs a predetermined function;
A waterproof part capable of preventing the intrusion of water from the outside, which can take a closed state covering the functional part and an open state exposing the functional part;
A detection unit for detecting wetness;
A portable terminal comprising: a control unit that controls the waterproof unit to be in the closed state while the wetness is detected by the detection unit. The functional unit is
The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal is a speaker.   4. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, further comprising a limiting unit that limits audio output from the speaker while the water wetness is detected by the detection unit. 5.   The control unit sets the waterproof unit in the open state with the start of audio output from the speaker while water detection is not detected by the detection unit, and sets the waterproof unit with the end of audio output from the speaker. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal is controlled to be in a closed state. The functional unit is
The portable terminal according to claim 1, which is a camera unit having a lens.   The control unit sets the waterproof unit in the open state with the activation of the function of the camera unit while the water detection by the detection unit is not detected, and sets the waterproof unit with the end of the function of the camera unit. The mobile terminal according to claim 5, wherein the mobile terminal is controlled to be in a closed state.

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