JP2010178188A - Information communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication terminal for enlarging and displaying an image display surface of a display means when used while downsizing the terminal when carried. <P>SOLUTION: A second case 30 of the information communication terminal 10 has an image display opening 30a and a case end part 31 adjacent to the image display opening is movable from a case body so that an area of the image display opening changes. The information communication terminal 10 includes: a sheet display member 17 having flexibility which is stored in the case so that at least a part of the image display surface is exposed through the image display opening 30a; and a display member support means for supporting a display member 17 stored in the second case 30 so that an area of an exposed part on the image display surface exposed through the image display opening 30a as the case end part 31 moves in the state that the display member 17 is folded in a position of the case end part 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication terminal capable of displaying an image.

  In recent years, mobile phones and mobile personal computers have become widespread as information communication terminals. In addition to a telephone call function, a mobile phone has been added with an Internet browsing function and a one-segment TV viewing function, and a larger display unit such as a liquid crystal is easier for the user to use. Also, a mobile personal computer is easier to use if the screen size of the display unit is larger in order to browse the Internet or create a document.

  However, since the mobile phone is manufactured on the assumption that it is carried and carried, the display unit such as a liquid crystal cannot be made larger than the main body, and there is a limit to increasing the size of the display unit. Further, in order to reduce the size and weight of the mobile personal computer, the display unit must be reduced in size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information communication terminal capable of displaying an image display surface of a display unit with a larger display size when used while reducing the size when being carried. Is to provide.

  The information communication terminal according to the present invention has an image display opening and is configured such that the end of the housing adjacent to the image display opening is movable with respect to the housing main body so that the area of the image display opening changes. A flexible sheet-like display member housed in the housing so that at least a part of the image display surface is exposed from the image display opening, and the display at the position of the end of the housing. The display member housed in the housing so that the area of the exposed portion of the image display surface exposed from the image display opening changes with the movement of the end portion of the housing with the member bent. Display member support means for supporting

In the information communication terminal, the display member support means includes a movable support member provided movably with respect to the housing body so as to change an area of the image display opening while supporting the display member, Display member bending means for bending the display member at the position of the end portion of the housing.
Further, in the information communication terminal, the display member bending means is configured such that the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the back surface opposite to the image display surface of the display member, and the movable support member is rotatable as the movable support member moves. A bending member provided so as to face or be close to a portion of the image display surface of the display member supported by the outer peripheral surface of the roller member. You may provide a guide part.
Further, in the information communication terminal, a detection unit that detects a change in the size of an exposed portion exposed from the image display opening of the display member, and a detection result of the display member based on a detection result of the detection unit. Control means for controlling the display of an image on the image display surface.
The information communication terminal may further include a deflection preventing unit that prevents the display member from bending.
Moreover, the said information communication terminal WHEREIN: The said deflection | deviation prevention means may have a biasing means which biases in the direction which pulls the edge part of the said display member.

  According to the present invention, the area of the exposed portion exposed from the image display opening on the image display surface of the display member is reduced to reduce the size when being carried, and the area of the exposed portion of the display member is increased during use. The image can be displayed with a larger image display surface.

(A) is an external view showing one example of composition of a user terminal concerning one embodiment of the present invention. (B) is an external view showing a state in which the display screen of the user terminal device is enlarged. The block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of. (A) is a disassembled perspective view of the 2nd housing (display screen part) of a user terminal device. (B) is A-A 'sectional drawing. (A) And (b) is the front view and A-A 'cross section figure of the 2nd housing of a user terminal device, respectively. (A) And (b) is the front view and A-A 'sectional drawing of the state which respectively expanded the display screen of the 2nd housing of the same user terminal device. The expanded sectional view of the B section in Drawing 5 (a). The block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the control system of a user terminal device. The flowchart explaining an example of operation | movement of a display driver. (A) And (b) is the front view and A-A 'cross section figure of the 2nd housing of the user terminal device which concern on other embodiment, respectively. (A) And (b) is the front view and A-A 'sectional drawing of the state which respectively expanded the display screen of the 2nd housing of the same user terminal device. The block diagram which shows one structural example of the control system of the user terminal device. (A) is a perspective view of the user terminal device concerning other embodiments. (B) is a perspective view of the state which expanded the display screen of the user terminal device. (A) is C-C 'sectional drawing of the 2nd housing | casing of Fig.12 (a). (B) is C-C 'sectional drawing of the 2nd housing | casing of FIG.12 (b). (A) is a perspective view of the user terminal device concerning other embodiments. (B) is a perspective view of the state which expanded the display screen of the user terminal device. (A) And (b) is the side view and top view of a 2nd housing provided with the roller rotation assistance means in the user terminal device which concerns on other embodiment, respectively. (C) is the elements on larger scale of the gear mechanism which comprises the roller rotation assistance means.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1A and 1B are user terminal devices (UE: mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones as information communication terminals that can change the size of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view showing a configuration example of (User Equipment) 10. FIG. 1A shows a state of a display screen having a normal size, and FIG. 1B shows an enlarged state of the display screen. The user terminal device 10 includes a first housing 20 and a second housing 30 configured to be slidable in the vertical direction in the figure. When these are slid and stored, the first housing 20 is covered with the second housing 30. It becomes a broken state. Further, when the side cover 31 that is the end portion of the second casing 30 is pulled rightward in the state shown in FIG. 1A, the side cover 31 slides rightward. Along with this sliding operation, the display screen of the portion housed inside the casing of the flexible display 17 which is a substantially rectangular sheet-like display member having flexibility that can be bent is exposed from the image display opening 30a. As shown in FIG. 1B, the display screen can be enlarged. This change in the size of the display screen will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 includes a system bus 100, a CPU 101 as a processor constituting a processing control unit, a storage device such as a RAM 102 and a ROM 103, an input device 104, an output device 105, and a wireless communication device 106 that performs wireless communication with the mobile communication network side. A tuner device 107 is provided for selecting and receiving a radio broadcast transmitted from a broadcasting station such as one-segment broadcasting. Components such as the CPU 101 and the RAM 102 exchange various data and program instructions with each other via the system bus 100.

  The CPU 101 reads and executes a predetermined program from the storage device, thereby performing a voice call function, a TV viewing function, and application software (hereinafter referred to as “application”) on the basic software OS of the native telephone platform. Various functions can be realized. The functions of this application include a WEB browser, mailer, music playback, moving image display, data transmission / reception with an external device, address book management, scheduler, memo pad, and the like. Start up applications such as this WEB browser, mailer, music playback, video display, etc., send and receive various messages (mail) on the application, text and image (still image, video) content included in the received message, Audio contents such as voice and music can be output and distribution information can be output.

  The input device 104 includes a data input key (ten key, * key, # key) 11, a call start key 12, an end key 13, a scroll key 14, a multi-function key 15, a microphone 16, a WEB access key 19, and the like. (See FIG. 1A). The numeric keypad 11, the call start key 12, the call end key 13, and the like of the input device 104 constitute an operation unit that can be operated by the user. By operating this operation unit, users can send and receive various messages, expand and display image files attached to messages, expand and play music files, and output distribution information And watching TV broadcasts and selecting and executing application programs. In addition, by operating the operation unit, the user inputs data such as an information acquisition destination URL, starts and ends a call when receiving a call, and selects, starts, and stops application programs. Can go. Further, the user can download and register contents such as image files, music files, and application programs from a server on the mobile communication network by operating the operation unit.

  The output device 105 includes a flexible display 17, a speaker 18, a vibration device (not shown), and the like. The flexible display 17 is a substantially rectangular sheet-like display member that can be bent, and details will be described later. An output unit composed of an output device including a flexible display 17 and a speaker 18 informs the user that various messages, distribution information, and incoming notifications have been received from the mobile communication network side, and provides various texts and televisions. It is used when displaying images (moving images, still images) such as broadcasts on the flexible display 17 and outputting various sounds and music from the speaker 18. When notifying the user of the reception of the received distribution information, messages, and their incoming notifications, an incoming notification image is displayed on the flexible display 17 of the output unit or a ringing tone is output from the speaker 18.

Further, the output device 105 displays the distribution information received via the mobile communication network and the contents of the WEB page on the flexible display 17 or informs the user that the distribution information has been received from the mobile communication network. It is also used when The output device 105 is also used to display an image and sound related to the execution of the application program such as the game, or to display information received from a WEB server. It is done.
Note that the speaker 18 may be configured by separately providing a receiver speaker (receiver) for listening to voice during a call and an external output speaker for outputting a ring tone, music, or the like. A single speaker may be used so as to serve as both a speaker for external use and a speaker for external output.

  The vibrating device constituting the output device 105 vibrates the entire user terminal device 10 when receiving a voice call or receiving a message or various distribution information when the manner mode (silent mode) is set. It can be controlled to notify the user of an incoming call or the like.

  The wireless communication device 106 includes a modem, a synthesizer, a frequency converter, a high frequency amplifier, and the like, performs wireless communication with a base station at a predetermined frequency and communication method, and other user terminal devices and the like via a mobile communication network. Used when communicating with various servers. The wireless communication device 106 exchanges various messages with other user terminal devices via the mobile communication network, or connects to an external mobile communication network such as the Internet via the gateway server from the mobile communication network. It is also used as a communication means for exchanging various messages with a communication terminal on the Internet. Further, the wireless communication device 106 is also used as information receiving means for downloading an application program provided by the download server or receiving distribution information including position information of the current position via a mobile communication network. .

  Further, the user terminal device 10 may be configured such that the user can download and register an application program from a server on the mobile communication network, and the user can arbitrarily select and execute the registered application. . As an application that can be selected and executed by the user, an application for receiving a TV broadcast for receiving and displaying a TV one-segment broadcast program may be registered.

  Note that the user terminal device 10 is not limited to a mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone, and may be an information communication terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a notebook personal computer.

  3A is an exploded perspective view of the second casing 30, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A 'of FIG. The second housing 30 is a body-side support housing 32 as a housing body, a slider 33 as a movable support member, a flexible display 17 as a display member, and a housing end that is movable with respect to the body-side support housing 32. Side cover 31. The main body side support housing 32 is a base that supports the slider 33, the flexible display 17, and the side cover 31, and is formed of, for example, a molded product of high-strength resin or an aluminum die-casting product. An image display opening 30 a through which a part of the display screen of the flexible display 17 is exposed is formed by the outer frame of the main body side support housing 32 and the side cover 31.

  The slider 33 has a pair of slide arms 331 and 332 having a substantially square cross section, a roller member 333 made of a hollow roller, a positioning stopper 335 provided on the pair of slide arms 331 and 332, and a positioning stopper 335 on the outside. And a coil spring (see FIG. 6 to be described later). One slide arm 331 is slidably fitted to a slide guide hole 32a provided in the main body side support housing 32, and the other slide arm 332 is slidably fitted to the slide guide hole 32b. The roller member 333 is made of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel, and a roller shaft 334 that is a rotating shaft thereof is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown). The radius of the outer periphery of the roller member 333 is equal to or greater than the minimum bending radius of the flexible display 17. The outer peripheral surface of the roller member 333 may be prevented from slipping with urethane rubber or the like.

  The flexible display 17 is a sheet-like display member that can be bent freely. For example, an electrophoretic display (EPD) can be used. This electrophoretic display can also be used as electronic paper for monochrome display and has a minimum bending radius of about 5 mm. Further, as the flexible display 17, an organic EL (Organic Electro Luminescence) display whose minimum bending radius is slightly larger than that of the electrophoretic display can be used. In the illustrated example, a plurality of electrodes 171 are provided at the left end of the flexible display 17 in the longitudinal direction, and are electrically connected to electrodes (not shown) of the main body side support housing 32, and in the row direction (lateral direction) and A display control signal in the column direction (vertical direction) is supplied. In addition, a movable end portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible display 17 is provided with a reinforcing member 172 that reinforces the end portion. Note that a base layer such as an aramid film may be provided on the back surface of the flexible display 17 to prevent bending and improve a bending durability while realizing a flat display screen.

The side cover 31 is assembled to the slider 33 so as to cover the roller member 333. The side cover 31 and the slider 33 are used to constitute a display member bending means. The flexible display 17 can be bent between the roller member 333 and the bending guide portion 31 a formed on the side cover 31. In addition, a back cover guide portion 31b that guides the flexible display 17 while covering the flexible display 17 from the back side is formed at the lower end of the side cover 31, and the display screen of the display is enlarged by the back cover guide portion 31b. Sometimes the flexible display 17 is guided and the flexible display 17 can be prevented from being exposed to the back side. Further, when the flexible display 17 is housed inside the main body side support housing 32 by the back cover guide portion 31b, the reinforcing member 172 at the movable end portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible display 17 is the main body side support housing 32. Can be prevented from interfering with the inner wall or the like.
In the configuration example of FIG. 3, the back cover guide portion 31 b is provided so as to cover only the central portion of the second casing 30 in the vertical longitudinal direction (direction orthogonal to the display enlargement direction) from the back side. The back cover guide portion 31b may be provided so as to cover the entire opening that is opened when the display screen of the display is enlarged from the back side.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are a front view and a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of the second casing 30 showing a state of a normal display screen, respectively. FIGS. 5A and 5B are a front view and a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of the second casing 30 showing an enlarged display screen, respectively. The state shown in FIG. 4 is a display screen of a normal size, and the enlarged screen portion that is not exposed from the image display opening 30a of the flexible display 17 is bent to form the side cover 31 and the main body side support casing 32. It is stored inside. When the side cover 31 is pulled to the right in this state, the side cover 31 and the slider 33 slide to the right. With this sliding operation, the enlarged screen portion of the flexible display 17 housed in the side cover 31 and the main body side support housing 32 is exposed on the surface, and the display screen is enlarged as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion B in FIG. As described above, in the slide arm 332, the positioning stopper 335 is stored in the stopper storage hole 332a in a state of being biased downward in the drawing by the coil spring 336. In addition, a positioning hole 32d is provided inside the slide guide hole 32b of the main body side support housing 32 at a position facing the positioning stopper 335 when the slide arm 332 is pulled out. The head of the positioning stopper 335 is engaged with the positioning hole 32d by the biasing force of the coil spring 336, and the slide arm 332 is positioned at a predetermined position. Although not shown, the positioning mechanism is also provided in the slide arm 331 and the slide guide hole 32 a of the main body side support housing 32.

  The main body side support housing 32 is provided with an arm end detector 34 that detects the end of the slide arm 332. The arm end detector 34 is composed of a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element used in combination with a magnet 34a as a detected portion provided at an end of the slide arm 332. When the display screen is enlarged and the slide arm 332 reaches the right end and is positioned, the magnet 34a provided at the end of the slide arm 332 and the arm end detector 34 face each other, and the arm end detector 34 The end of the slide arm 332 is detected, and a predetermined end detection signal is output from the arm end detector 34 to the control unit. With this edge detection signal, the control unit can recognize that the screen has been enlarged and can switch to display control for the enlarged screen. As the arm end detector 34, a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that optically detects the end of the slide arm 332, a lever that abuts the end of the slide arm 332, and the like mechanically move. A contact-type microswitch that switches on / off of the contact can also be used.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control system of the user terminal device 10. This control system includes a main body control unit 310, a wireless control unit 320, a display output control unit 350, and a voice input / output control unit 340.

The main body control unit 310 includes a main control unit 311, an internal memory 312, an enlarged display open / close detection unit 313, and a key operation unit 314. The main control unit 311 has a function of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the wireless control unit 320, the display output control unit 350, the voice input / output control unit 340, and the like, and controls each unit, and is configured by the CPU 101 and the like (see FIG. 2). The internal memory 312 has a function of storing programs and data, and corresponds to the RAM 102 and the ROM 103 (see FIG. 2). The enlarged display open / close detection unit 313 is in a “closed” state, which is a normal display state in which the second display 17b, which is a part of the flexible display 17, is not folded and displayed, or on the front side when the second display 17b is pulled out. This is a sensor that detects whether it is in an “open” state, in which the display screen of the display is enlarged, and corresponds to the aforementioned arm end detector 34 (see FIG. 6). The enlarged display open / close detection unit 313 functions as a detection unit that detects a change in the size of an exposed portion (exposed image display surface) exposed from the image display opening 30 a in the screen display surface of the flexible display 17.
The key operation unit 314 has functions for switching a television broadcast channel, browsing the Internet, and performing a call operation. The data input key 11, the call start key 12, the call end key 13, the scroll key 14, This corresponds to the function key 15, the WEB access key 19 and the like (see FIG. 1).

  The wireless control unit 320 has a function of performing wireless communication with the base station, performing communication of calls and mails, browsing the Internet, etc., and receiving digital TV broadcast waves such as one-segment broadcasting, and the wireless communication device 106 and the tuner. It corresponds to the device 107 (see FIG. 2).

  The display output control unit 350 includes a display control unit 351, a first column electrode drive unit 352, a second column electrode drive unit 353, and a row electrode drive unit 354. The display control unit 351 generates a video signal to be output to the flexible display 17 based on the image signal input from the main control unit 311. The first column electrode driving unit 352 displays characters and images on the first display 17a on the left side which is a part of the flexible display 17 in cooperation with the row electrode driving unit 354 based on a control signal from the display control unit 351. The flexible display 17 is driven as described above. The second column electrode driving unit 353 displays characters and images on the second display 17 b on the right side that is a part of the flexible display 17 in cooperation with the row electrode driving unit 354 based on a control signal from the display control unit 351. The flexible display 17 is driven as described above. The first display 17a is in a state where the display surface is always directed to the front side and an image can be displayed. On the other hand, the second display 17b can be folded and accommodated on the back side and does not display an image in the accommodated closed state, but can display an image when it is expanded and opened with the display surface facing the front side. it can.

  The audio input / output control unit 340 includes an audio signal processing unit 341, a speaker 342, a headset 343, and a microphone 344. The audio signal processing unit 341 generates and outputs an audio signal to be output to the speaker 342 or the headset 343 based on the audio signal input from the main control unit 311 and controls to process the audio signal input from the microphone 344. Part. The speaker 342 has a function of outputting sound corresponding to the image displayed on the flexible display 17 or outputting music, and corresponds to the speaker 18 (see FIG. 1). The headset 343 is a stereo headphone. By connecting a stereo mini jack (not shown) to a stereo mini terminal (not shown), the output of the speaker 342 is switched between the right output 343R and the left output 343L and output. The microphone 344 collects the voice spoken by the user during a call and inputs it to the voice signal processing unit 341.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image display operation in the user terminal device 10 including the control system having the above-described configuration. In the initial state of FIG. 8, the enlarged display open / close detection unit 313 detects the “closed” state in which the second display 17b as the enlarged display is housed, displays an image only on the first display 17a, and displays the image on the second display 17b. Is a state in which control for not displaying an image is performed (S101). In addition, as an initial setting of output content and audio output to the second display 17b, an image of content A is output to the second display 17b, and audio output from the headset 343 is set so that it can be output from both the left and right sides. (S101). From this initial state, when the user operates to enlarge the display screen of the flexible display 17 and pulls out the second display 17b to the “open” state, the enlarged display open / close detection unit 313 detects the “open” state. (S102) In addition to the first display 17a, the second display 17b is exposed from the image display opening 30a, and an image display in which the display screen is enlarged is enabled. Then, a pop-up “Do you want to enlarge the display?” Is displayed on the second display 17a (S103). If “Yes” is selected here, the enlarged display screen combining the first display 17a and the second display 17b is enlarged and displayed as one screen (S104). In this state, when the user operates the display screen of the flexible display 17 to the original normal size to place the second display 17b in the “closed” state, the enlarged display opening / closing detection unit 313 displays the “ The “closed” state is detected (S105), the image display on the second display 17b is stopped, and the image is reduced and displayed only on the first display 17a (S106).

  Further, in the state where an image is displayed on the enlarged display screen including the first display 17a and the second display 17b, when “two-screen simultaneous viewing” is selected by a menu operation (S107), the display screen of the first display 17a The image display is continuously displayed as it is, and another image, for example, the image of the content A in this example is displayed on the display screen of the second display 17b (S108). The same display screen is displayed when “No” is selected in the pop-up display “Would you like to enlarge the display?” In step S103. Then, when “output both sounds from the headset” is selected by the menu operation (S109), the sound of the first display 17a is output to the left output 343L of the headset, and the sound of the second display 17b is output to the right output 343R. Audio is output (S110). On the other hand, if “output both sounds from the headset” is not selected in the menu operation (No in S109), the headset output is the same content, for example, the first display 17a is output to the left output 343L and the right output. Stereo output is performed from 343R (S111). When “swap image display on the first and second displays” is selected by the menu operation (S112), the display on the first display 17a and the second display 17b is swapped (S113). That is, the display is reversed left and right. Along with this, the audio output is also output in the opposite direction (S113). Further, when “one screen enlarged browsing” is selected by the menu operation (S114), the entire enlarged display screen including the first display 17a and the second display 17b is displayed as one display screen, for example, on the first display 17a. The displayed image is enlarged and displayed (S104).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the size of the display screen can be changed using the flexible display 17, so that the screen can be enlarged and enlarged, or separate images can be displayed on the enlarged screen. can do. Further, when the second display 17b which is a part of the flexible display 17 is not used, the second display 17b can be stored compactly in the housing, and it is convenient to carry when carrying.

  In this embodiment, the configuration in which the flexible display 17 is expanded to the right side to expand the screen has been described. However, the display screen can be configured to be expanded to the left side, upper side, or lower side, or the display screen can be expanded to the left and right sides. You may comprise as follows.

  9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams of a configuration example of the second casing 30 configured to be able to expand the flexible display 17 in the left and right sides in another embodiment. FIGS. 9A and 9B are a front view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ showing a state in which the enlarged portion is closed, and FIGS. 10A and 10B are respectively left and right. It is the front view and AA 'sectional view of the 2nd housing 30 which shows the state expanded. As shown in FIG. 9, the second casing 30 includes a main body side supporting casing 35 as a main body side supporting member, and a right side cover 36 and a left side cover 37 as two movable supporting members that are slidable on both left and right sides thereof. The left and right side portions of the flexible display 17 are folded and housed inside the main body side support housing 35. Then, when the right side cover 36 and the left side cover 37 are moved in the left-right direction and spread from this state, the portion housed in the flexible display 17 is exposed to the front side, as shown in FIG. The size of the display screen is enlarged about twice. Note that the display screen of the flexible display 17 may be divided into three.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the user terminal device 10 that can display a screen divided into three. The flexible display 17 is divided into three, a first display 17a, a second display 17b, and a third display 17c. The illustrated control system can switch the display 17a to 17c to display these three, and the first column electrode drive unit 352 and the second column electrode drive respectively corresponding to each display 17a to 17c. Part 353 and a third column electrode driver 356. These column electrode driving units 352, 353, and 356 display characters and images on the displays 17a to 17c of the flexible display 17 in cooperation with the row electrode driving unit 354 based on a control signal from the display control unit 351. Different contents may be displayed on each of the three displays 17a to 17c, or one content may be enlarged and displayed. Further, for example, the same content may be displayed on the first display 17a and the second display 17b, different content may be displayed on the third display 17c, and two content may be displayed simultaneously.

  The audio input / output control unit 340 outputs audio corresponding to the display screen. For example, the audio of the first display 17a is output from the speaker 342, and the audio of the second display 17b is output from the right output 343R of the headset 343. The sound of the third display 17c may be output from the left output 343L. Voice output can be selected by menu operation.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the structure using the flexible display which has the minimum bending radius below the thickness of the 2nd housing 30 of the user terminal device 10, you may use a flexible display with a larger minimum bending radius than this. it can.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a configuration of a user terminal device 10 according to still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the thickness of the side cover 31 is set to be approximately the same as the main body thickness of the user terminal device 10 (the combined thickness of the first casing 20 and the second casing 30). FIG. 12A shows a normal display state where the display screen is not enlarged, and FIG. 12B shows a state where the display screen is enlarged. FIG. 13A is a C-C ′ cross-sectional view in a normal display state, and FIG. 13B is a C-C ′ cross-sectional view in an enlarged display screen.

  According to the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13, the thickness of the side cover 31 is set to be approximately the same as the thickness of the main body of the user terminal device 10 in which the first casing 20 and the second casing 30 are combined. Can be made larger than the embodiment of FIGS. Thereby, the minimum bending radius of the flexible display 17 can be increased as compared with the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, 9, and 10, and the selection range of the flexible display 17 is widened and the degree of freedom in design is improved. be able to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, a means for preventing deflection of the flexible display 17 may be provided. In the illustrated example, a coil spring 39 is provided as an urging means for urging the end of the flexible display 17 in the direction of pulling as the deflection preventing means. The coil spring 39 is provided between the inner wall portion of the main body side support housing 32 of the second housing 30 and the reinforcing member 172 at the end portion movable in the longitudinal direction of the flexible display 17. The coil spring 39 is covered with a cylindrical cover member made of a deformable material, or expanded and contracted inside a predetermined guide groove, guide pipe, or the like in order to prevent damage due to contact with surrounding members. Or may be arranged. The coil spring 39 urges the movable end of the flexible display 17 to be pulled to the left in the drawing, so that the image display surface of the flexible display 17 is prevented from being bent and a flat screen display is realized. be able to. Further, when the flexible display 17 is stored, the flexible display 17 can be smoothly stored inside the housing by the biasing force of the coil spring.

  In the example of FIG. 13, the back cover guide portion 31b described above is formed of a plate-like member, and is configured to be movable in a slit-like guide groove 32a formed in the back side inner wall portion of the main body side support housing 32. Has been. The back cover guide portion 31b can prevent the flexible display 17 and the coil spring 39 from being exposed to the back side when the display screen of the display is enlarged.

In the example of FIGS. 12 and 13, the configuration in which the flexible display 17 is operated from the front and enlarged to the right side has been described.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a configuration using a flexible display 17 that has a minimum bending radius equal to or smaller than the thickness of the user terminal device 10 according to another embodiment and can be expanded on both the left and right sides. FIG. 14A shows a case of a small screen configuration in a closed state, and FIG. 14B shows a case of a large screen configuration in an open state. According to this example, it is possible to display a screen divided into three and provide a screen that is easy for the user to see.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B are a side view and a plan view, respectively, of a second housing 30 provided with roller rotation assisting means in a user terminal device according to still another embodiment. FIG.15 (c) is the elements on larger scale of the gear mechanism which comprises the roller rotation assistance means. In this example, the gear mechanism and the auxiliary drive belt constitute roller rotation assisting means for assisting rotation of the roller member 333 in contact with the bent portion of the flexible display 17.

In the configuration example of FIG. 15, a gear mechanism is provided on each of the slide arms 331 and 332 that move inside the upper and lower end portions 32U and 32D of the main body side support housing 32 that constitutes a part of the second housing 30. Each gear mechanism includes a roller-shaped gear member 40 having convex teeth 40a formed on the outer peripheral surface at a predetermined pitch. Each gear member 40 is rotatably supported in the hollow structure of the slide arms 331 and 332 so as to move together with the slide arms 331 and 332 of the slider 33. The lower end portions of the gear members 40 are exposed to the back side of the main body side support housing 32 through the long hole-shaped openings formed in the slide arms 331 and 332, respectively. The movement direction of the gear member 40 that moves together with the slide arms 331 and 332 on the rear-side inner wall portions 32U-IS and 32D-IS that are part of the upper and lower end portions 32U and 32D of the main body side support housing 32. A plurality of engaging grooves 42 that are concave notches with which the teeth 40a of the gear member 40 engage and engage with each other are formed at a predetermined pitch. A gear-side pulley is formed on the shaft 41 of each gear member 40, and a roller-side pulley is formed at the end of the roller shaft 334 of the roller member 333. An auxiliary drive belt 44 is crossed between the gear side pulley and the roller side pulley. As the auxiliary drive belt 44, for example, a rubber belt can be used. The rotational force of each gear member 40 is transmitted to the roller member 333 through the gear side pulley, the roller side pulley, and the auxiliary drive belt 44.
In the example of FIG. 15, gear mechanisms are provided on both slide arms 331 and 332, but a gear mechanism may be provided on either one of the slide arms 331 and 332.
As the gear mechanism, a general rack and pinion structure gear mechanism in which a rack gear and a pinion gear meshing with the rack gear may be used.

  When the slider 33 is moved rightward in the figure with the main body side support housing 32 fixed by the gear mechanism, the engagement grooves 42 on the rear side inner walls of the upper and lower end portions 32U and 32D of the main body side support housing 32 are provided. The gear member 40 meshing with the gear moves in the right direction while rotating clockwise (see FIG. 15). Since the rotational driving force of the gear member 40 is transmitted to the roller-side pulley at the end of the roller shaft 334 of the roller member 333 via the auxiliary driving belt 44, the roller member 333 is rotated counterclockwise. The rotation of the roller member 333 can assist the bending operation when the flexible display 17 is exposed to the front side. On the other hand, when the slider 33 is moved in the left direction in the figure, the gear member 40 that meshes with the engagement groove 42 on the rear side inner wall portion of the upper and lower end portions 32U, 32D of the main body side support housing 32 rotates counterclockwise. Move to the left. The rotational driving force of the gear member 40 is transmitted to the roller pulley at the end of the roller shaft 334 of the roller member 333 via the auxiliary driving belt 44, so that the roller member 333 rotates clockwise and the flexible display 17 can be guided and stored inside the main body side support housing 32. In this way, the flexible display 17 can be smoothly put in and out, and good operability can be obtained when the flexible display 17 is pulled out to the front side to enlarge the display screen or housed inside.

  Also in the configuration example of FIG. 15, the coil spring 39 as the deflection preventing means (biasing means) can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the flexible wall 17 and the inner wall portion of the main body side support housing 32 of the second housing 30. It is provided between the reinforcing member 172 at the end. The coil spring 39 in FIG. 15 is also covered with a cylindrical cover member made of a deformable material to prevent damage due to contact with surrounding members, or inside a predetermined guide groove, guide pipe, or the like. It may be arranged so as to expand and contract. Since the end of the flexible display 17 is urged by the coil spring 39 so as to be pulled to the left side in the drawing, the deflection of the image display surface of the flexible display 17 can be prevented and a flat screen display can be realized. . Further, when the flexible display 17 is stored, the flexible display 17 can be smoothly stored inside the housing by the biasing force of the coil spring.

  Also in the configuration example of FIG. 15, when the image display surface of the flexible display 17 is enlarged by pulling the side cover 31 to the right side, the slide arms 331 and 332 are positioned at predetermined positions, and the flexible display 17. You may comprise so that image display control to can be performed appropriately. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 described above, magnets 34a, stopper storage holes 332a, and stopper storage holes 332a are housed in the end portions of the slide arms 331 and 332, and are energized by coil springs 336. The positioning stopper 335 is provided. The upper and lower end portions 32U and 32D of the main body side support housing 32 have arm ends at positions facing the magnet 34a when moved to the right side of the slide arms 331 and 332 in order to enlarge the image display surface of the flexible display 17. The part detector 34 is provided, and a positioning hole 32d is provided at a position facing the positioning stopper 335.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 User terminal device 17 Flexible display 20 1st housing 30 2nd housing 31 Side cover 31a Bending guide part 31b Back cover guide part 32, 35 Main body side support housing 33 Slider 34 Arm edge part detector 36 Right side cover 37 Left side cover 39 Coil Spring 310 Main Body Control Unit 320 Wireless Control Unit 333 Roller Member 340 Audio Input / Output Control Unit 350 Display Output Control Unit

Claims (6)

An information communication terminal capable of displaying an image,
A housing having an image display opening, and configured to be movable with respect to the housing body at an end of the housing adjacent to the image display opening so that the area of the image display opening is changed;
A flexible sheet-like display member housed in the housing such that at least a part of the image display surface is exposed from the image display opening;
In a state where the display member is bent at the position of the case end, the area of the exposed portion of the image display surface exposed from the image display opening is changed as the case end moves. Display member support means for supporting the display member housed in the housing;
An information communication terminal comprising: In the information communication terminal according to claim 1,
The display member support means includes
A movable support member provided to be movable with respect to the housing body so as to change the area of the image display opening while supporting the display member;
An information communication terminal comprising: a display member bending means for bending the display member at a position of the housing end. In the information communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
The display member bending means includes
An outer peripheral surface is in contact with the back surface opposite to the image display surface of the display member, and includes a roller member pivotally supported by the movable support member so as to be rotatable with the movement of the movable support member;
The movable support member includes a bending guide portion provided so as to be in contact with or close to a portion of the image display surface of the display member that is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the roller member. Communication terminal. In the information communication terminal according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
Detecting means for detecting a change in the size of an exposed portion exposed from the image display opening of the display member;
Control means for controlling display of an image on the image display surface of the display member based on a detection result of the detection means;
An information communication terminal further comprising: In the information communication terminal according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
An information communication terminal further comprising deflection preventing means for preventing deflection of the display member. In the information communication terminal according to claim 5,
The information communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the deflection preventing unit includes a biasing unit that biases the end of the display member in a pulling direction.

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