JP2012080430A - Electronic device and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal which is easy for a user to operate by easily turning on a power supply even at a dark place or in a bag.SOLUTION: An electronic device is provided with: a one-operation opening and closing button (or a slide button) which is provided on an outer lateral surface of the mobile terminal and when pressed, opens a first casing and a second casing which are in a closed state; and a control unit which while the main power supply of the mobile terminal is off, turns on the main power supply of the mobile terminal in synchronization with the pressing of the button. Accordingly, the power supply of the mobile terminal can be turned on by operation of the button which the user is used to operate when opening and closing the casing, so that the power source can be turned on easily even at a dark place or in a bag.

Description

  The present invention relates to a deformable electronic device, particularly a mobile terminal.

  In recent portable terminals, a device that illuminates a key with a backlight or the like in preparation for an operation in a dark place is known. However, light emission from the backlight or the like is limited to the case where the main power source of the mobile terminal is turned on, and the key cannot be recognized when the main power source itself is turned off.

  In view of this, a technique has been devised in which the main power source of a mobile phone is operated with a key other than the power key. Examples of such techniques include Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. Patent Document 1 provides a portable terminal device that has buttons on the outer surface and improves operability when the power is turned off with a simple configuration. Further, Patent Document 2 has a function of switching an on / off state when one or a plurality of operation keys arranged on a terminal case is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more even when the cellular phone is folded.

JP 2005-109713 A JP 2002-152346 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-41328

  However, both Patent Documents 1 and 2 require the operation of keys that are not familiar to users and keys that are not so much related to the start of use of mobile phones. Therefore, in situations where it is difficult to see the keys, such as in a dark place or in a bag, it is difficult to determine which key can be used to turn on the main power, which is inconvenient.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, an electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device in which a first casing and a second housing are connected to each other so as to be openable and closable. When the electronic device is turned off, the button for switching the first housing and the second housing in the closed state to the open state and when the main power of the electronic device is off are interlocked with the pressing of the button. And a control unit that turns on a main power supply of the electronic device.

  According to this configuration, since the button used to turn on the main power supply is a button for shifting the electronic device to the open state, the main power supply can be turned on by operating a button used to open and close. Therefore, the main power supply of the electronic device can be easily turned on even in a situation where it is difficult to visually recognize the key.

  In the electronic device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit may turn on the main power when the button is pressed a plurality of times or when the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. Features.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the main power source from being accidentally turned on even in a situation where the button can be accidentally pressed, such as in a crowd or a bag.

  The electronic device according to the third aspect of the present invention further includes an open / close detection unit that detects whether or not the electronic device is in an open state, and the control unit detects that the electronic device is in an open state. The main power supply is turned on when the button is pressed.

  According to this configuration, since the main power is turned on when the electronic device is opened and the button is pressed, the main power is turned on even when the button is accidentally pressed by something in the bag, for example, in the bag. It is possible to prevent malfunctions such as turning on the power.

  The electronic device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention further includes a main power supply when the button is pressed when the button is pressed after it is detected that the electronic device is in the open state. It is characterized by being turned on.

  According to this configuration, after pressing the button to open the electronic device, the power-on operation can be performed as it is using the finger remaining around the button, so that the main power supply can be easily operated. Can be turned on.

  In the electronic device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the open / close detection unit can detect whether or not the first housing and the second housing are fully opened, and the control unit includes a button When the first casing and the second casing are completely opened after the button is pressed, the main power supply is turned on.

  According to this configuration, since the main power supply is not turned on unless the electronic device is fully opened, it is possible to more reliably prevent a malfunction in which the main power supply is erroneously turned on in a narrow place such as a bag.

  Further, in the electronic device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the button is pressed at the first depth, the first housing and the second housing are moved to the open state, and the switch is When it is detected that the button is pressed at a depth shallower than the first depth, the main power supply is turned on.

  According to this configuration, the main power supply can be turned on without opening the electronic device.

  In addition, in the electronic device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the controller turns off the main power even if the button is pressed after a certain period of time has elapsed after the electronic device has transitioned from the closed state to the open state. This state is maintained.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the main power source from being accidentally turned on, for example, when the electronic device is opened and placed in a bag.

  Moreover, the electronic device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned fixed time can be set to any time by the user.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to set a time during which the main power can be turned on with a button for opening the electronic device in accordance with the actual usage environment of the user.

  In addition, the electronic device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention further includes a contact at one end of the button, and the control unit conducts with the battery through the contact when the button is pressed, and current from the battery is caused by conduction. Is received, the main power is turned on.

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to always activate a configuration for monitoring whether or not the button has been pressed, so that it is possible to save power when the main power is off.

  A control method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a control method for an electronic device in which a first casing and a second housing are connected so as to be openable and closable, and is provided on an outer surface of the electronic device. When the predetermined button is pressed, the step of transitioning the first casing and the second casing in the closed state to the open state, and when the main power source of the electronic device is off, are linked to the pressing of the button. And turning on the main power supply of the electronic device.

External view of the portable terminal in Embodiment 1 of this invention Functional block diagram of the portable terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The flowchart which shows the process sequence of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment, a foldable portable terminal will be described as an example. As a foldable portable terminal, in recent years, a state in which the portable terminal is opened from a folded state (closed state) by pressing a button provided on the outer surface of the portable terminal as described in Patent Document 3 above. A mechanism that enables transition to (open state) is known. With such a mechanism, the folded portable terminal can be easily opened with one hand. Hereinafter, such a button having a function of opening a portable terminal is referred to as a “one-push opening / closing button”.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment. In the mobile terminal 1, an upper housing 2 and a lower housing 3 are connected by a hinge mechanism 5. A main display unit 6 composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display is provided on the inner side surface of the upper casing 2. Various operation keys 7 such as a numeric keypad are provided inside the lower casing 3.

  A one-push opening / closing button 4 is provided on one side of the hinge mechanism 5, and when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed, the hinge mechanism 5 is unlocked and the mobile terminal is opened by a spring built in the hinge mechanism 5. It becomes a state. In FIG. 1, the hinge mechanism 5 is not an external view of the mobile terminal 1 but is a view observed through the outer surface covering the hinge mechanism 5.

  Here, it demonstrates in detail about the hinge mechanism 5 which concerns on the portable terminal 1 which concerns on this Embodiment. The figure shown on the right side of FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of the internal structure of the hinge mechanism 5. As shown in this figure, the hinge mechanism 5 is provided with a hinge switch 8 that is depressed when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is depressed. The hinge part switch 8 is connected to a control circuit provided in the upper housing 2. When the hinge part switch 8 is pressed, the control circuit controls the power key included in the operation key 7 without being pressed. As a result, the portable terminal 1 is powered on.

  A magnet 9 is provided inside the upper housing 2, and a magnetic sensor 10 is provided inside the lower housing 3. Since the magnet 9 and the magnetic sensor 10 come close to each other when the mobile terminal 1 is in the closed state, the magnetic sensor 10 detects the magnetic lines of force of the magnet 9. The mobile terminal 1 detects whether the mobile terminal 1 is in an open state or a closed state based on a change in the lines of magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensor 10.

  Next, functions of the mobile terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 1. In FIG. 2, descriptions of the functions of the mobile terminal 1 are omitted except for portions related to the essence of the present invention. For example, since the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment is assumed to be a mobile phone, the mobile terminal 1 includes at least a configuration that realizes a telephone function, but these are not shown in FIG.

  As described above, the hinge switch 8 is pressed in conjunction with the one-push opening / closing button 4 being pressed. When the hinge unit switch 8 is pressed, a signal indicating that is sent to the control circuit unit 101.

  The control circuit unit 101 is a control unit that controls the main power supply of the mobile terminal 1 and each function of the mobile terminal 1, and is specifically composed of a CPU and the like. When receiving a signal indicating that the hinge unit switch 8 has been pressed, the control circuit unit 101 performs control to turn on the main power supply of the mobile terminal.

  Since the one-push open / close button 4 is exposed to the outside of the housing, there is a high possibility that the one-push open / close button 4 will accidentally collide with another object and be pressed in a crowd or a bag. In order to prevent the main power from being accidentally turned on in such a case, the one-push open / close button 4 is not turned on within a predetermined period of time instead of turning on the power only by pressing the hinge switch 8. The main power is turned on when the button is pressed twice (also referred to as double-clicking or double-clicking) or when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (long pressing). And so on. This determination is realized by the control circuit unit 101 determining whether the signal transmitted when the hinge unit switch 8 is pressed is received twice or continuously received for a predetermined time or more. be able to. If the one-push opening / closing button 4 is not accidentally pressed, it is not considered when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed once (that is, the control circuit unit 101 receives a signal once). You may turn on the main power. Instead of pressing twice, it may be controlled so that the main power is turned on only when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed three times or more, or it is pressed twice unless pressed twice within a predetermined time. You may make it not judge.

  The open / close detection unit 104 is provided with a magnet and a magnetic sensor in each of the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3. When the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic field line of the magnet, the open / close detection unit 104 determines that the magnet is closed. Otherwise, an open signal is output to the control circuit unit 101.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 1. In the following, an example in which the main power source of the mobile terminal 1 is turned on when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed twice or for a long time will be described. Since only the contents of the determination in the control circuit unit 101 are changed, an example in which the main power supply is turned on under other conditions is omitted.

  First, when the one-push opening / closing button 4 of the portable terminal 1 is pressed (step S001), the hinge switch 8 is pressed in conjunction therewith. Subsequently, the control circuit unit 101 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the hinge unit switch 8 has been pressed has been received twice or more. If the signal is received twice or more, it is determined that the one-push open / close button 4 has been pressed twice (Yes in step S002). If the signal is received less than once, it is determined that the button is pressed long. (No in step S002). In the long press determination, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the hinge switch 8 has been pressed has been received continuously for a predetermined time or more. If the signal is interrupted before the predetermined time elapses, it is determined that neither pressing nor long pressing has been performed, and the process waits until the next signal is received (No in step S003). Further, it is determined that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed for a predetermined time or longer (Yes in step S003). Subsequently, when the control circuit unit 101 determines that the second press or the long press has been made, it turns on the main power supply of the terminal (step S004).

  Thus, in the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the main power supply can be turned on by pressing the one-push open / close button 4. The one-push open / close button 4 is a button that is frequently used by the user on a daily basis when opening the mobile terminal 1. Therefore, even in situations where it is difficult to see the keys in a dark place or in a bag, the one-push open / close button 4 The power can be turned on.

  The one-push opening / closing button 4 has a function of “opening the mobile terminal 1” unlike other buttons on the outer side as described in the prior art. Therefore, the user can use the portable terminal 1 immediately after turning on the main power. The operation of pressing the one-push opening / closing button 4 is a natural operation that is taken when the user tries to start using the mobile terminal 1 (except for an erroneous operation). Therefore, the portable terminal 1 according to the present embodiment forgets the button for turning on the main power, unlike the conventional technology which makes it difficult to associate with which button the main power is turned on. Even if it gets stuck, it is easy to operate.

  In the present embodiment, the main power supply can be turned on by pressing the one-push opening / closing button twice (double-clicking) or long-pressing. As a result, for example, when an article hits the open / close button in a bag, the power of the terminal is turned on against the user's intention, or the button is casually operated, and the power is turned on unintentionally. Can be prevented. In addition, it is operation which can be performed only by the one push opening / closing button 4 without using another key for both pressing twice and long pressing. Immediately after the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed, the user's finger usually remains on the one-push opening / closing button 4, so that the main power supply can be turned on by an operation that can be performed only with the one-push opening / closing button 4. By making it possible, there is no need to search for another button after the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed. Therefore, even when it is difficult to visually recognize the mobile terminal 1, the main power source of the mobile terminal can be easily turned on.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The portable terminal according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it determines whether or not the main power supply should be turned on in consideration of the open / closed state of the housing. More specifically, the main power supply is turned on when the one-push open / close button is pressed while the housing is open.

  Since the appearance and functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. The contents of control by the control circuit unit 101 are different between the first embodiment and the present embodiment. In other words, the control circuit unit 101 determines whether or not the one-push open / close button has been pressed in a state where the housing is open, in place of the condition for turning on the main power supply described in the first embodiment (ie, “housing” Whether or not the two conditions of “one-push open / close button has been pressed” are satisfied ”is determined. If these two conditions are satisfied, the main power supply of the portable terminal 1 is turned on, and if either of these conditions is not satisfied, the process of turning on the main power supply is not performed.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 1.

  First, the open / close detection unit 104 of the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not the casing of the mobile terminal 1 is in an open state (step S007). When it is determined that the housing is in the open state (Yes in step S007), the open / close detection unit 104 outputs a signal indicating the open state to the control circuit unit 101 (step S008). When it is not determined that the open / close detection unit 104 is in the open state (No in step S007), the process of determining whether or not the open / close detection unit 104 is in the open state is continued. When the signal indicating the open state is output from the open / close detection unit 104, the control circuit unit 101 further determines whether or not the one-push open / close button 4 has been pressed (step S009). Whether or not the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed is determined by whether or not a signal indicating that the hinge switch 8 has been pressed has been received. If it is determined that the one-push open / close button 4 has been pressed (Yes in step S009), the control circuit unit 101 turns on the main power supply of the mobile terminal 1 (step S010). If it is determined that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has not been pressed (No in step S009), the control circuit unit 101 continues to determine whether the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed.

  In step S009, if the signal indicating that the casing of the mobile terminal 1 is closed is received from the open / close detection unit 104 without pressing the one-push open / close button 4, the control circuit unit 101 The processing is restarted from the detection operation (step S007).

  As described above, in the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the main power supply is turned on when the one-push open / close button is pressed while the housing is open. Specifically, the main power is turned on when the one-push opening / closing button is further pressed after the housing is opened.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the power from being accidentally turned on when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is accidentally pressed by an object or the like in a bag in a narrow place such as a bag. That is, since the housing cannot be fully opened in a narrow place, the condition that “the housing is opened” is not satisfied among the two conditions described above. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent malfunction in a narrow place as compared with the case where it is determined whether or not the main power supply should be turned on only by operating the one-push opening / closing button 4.

  Even in the present embodiment, since the opening / closing detection unit 104 automatically determines whether the portable terminal 1 is opened or closed, the operation itself that the user must perform to turn on the main power is a one-push opening / closing button. Only operation 4 is performed. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the power can be easily turned on even in a situation where it is difficult to visually recognize the key of the mobile terminal 1.

  In the present embodiment, it is necessary to press the one-push open / close button 4 after the portable terminal 1 is opened. However, since this button is a button that is pressed when the casing is opened, a finger remains in that place. It is highly possible and can be easily operated.

  Note that the opening / closing detection of the housing while the main power is off can be performed by always turning on the power of the housing opening / closing detection unit 104 or the like regardless of whether the main power is on or off. .

(Embodiment 3)
Subsequently, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The mobile terminal according to the third embodiment is different from the mobile terminals according to the previous embodiments in that the main power is not turned on unless the one-push open / close button is pressed and fully opened. ing.

  Since the appearance and functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. The contents of control by the control circuit unit 101 are different between the first embodiment and the present embodiment. In other words, the control circuit unit 101 replaces the conditions for turning on the main power supply shown in the first embodiment with 2 “one-push opening / closing button is pressed” and “the housing is then fully opened”. Determine whether the condition is met. If these two conditions are satisfied, the main power supply of the portable terminal 1 is turned on, and if either of these conditions is not satisfied, the process of turning on the main power supply is not performed. Further, the signals that can be transmitted by the open / close detection unit 104 are different between the first embodiment and the present embodiment. The open / close detection unit 104 of the present embodiment detects whether or not the casing of the mobile terminal 1 is in a fully open state, and when the mobile terminal 1 is in a complete open state, a signal indicating that is given to the control circuit unit 101. Send to. Here, the “completely open state” means a state in which the casing of the mobile terminal 1 is opened to a state where it can no longer be opened. Note that the notification of whether or not the open state has been achieved is realized by causing the open / close detection unit 104 to transmit the determination result more finely than in the first embodiment. For example, when the open / close detection unit 104 determines opening / closing based on a change in the magnetic force lines detected by the magnetic sensor, a signal indicating “completely opened” is transmitted to the control circuit unit 101 if almost no magnetic force lines can be detected. That's fine. Note that the open / close detection unit 104 of the present embodiment may also detect a normal open state similar to that described in the first and second embodiments.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 1.

  First, the control circuit unit 101 determines whether or not the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed (step S013). This determination is made by confirming whether or not a signal indicating that the hinge switch 8 has been pressed has arrived, as in the first and second embodiments. When the control circuit unit 101 determines that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has not been pressed (No in step S013), the control circuit unit 101 continues to detect the pressing of the one-push opening / closing button 4. If it is determined that the one-push open / close button 4 has been pressed (Yes in step S013), it is determined whether or not the casing of the mobile terminal 1 has been completely opened (step S014). Judgment as to whether or not the housing is in a fully open state is made based on whether or not a signal indicating the complete open state has arrived from the open / close detection unit 104. If it is not determined that the housing has been completely opened (No in step S015), the determination of whether the housing has been completely opened is continued. If it is determined that the housing is completely opened (Yes in step S015), it is further determined whether or not the one-push open / close button 4 has been pressed (step S016). The determination as to whether or not the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed is the same as described above. If it is determined that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed (Yes in step S016), the control circuit unit 101 turns on the main power supply of the mobile terminal 1 (step S017). If it is determined that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has not been pressed (No in step S016), the control circuit unit 101 continues to determine whether the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed.

  As described above, in the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the main power supply is not turned on unless the one-push open / close button is pressed and the mobile terminal 1 is not fully opened.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the power from being accidentally turned on when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is accidentally pressed by an object or the like in a bag in a narrow place such as a bag. That is, since the housing cannot be fully opened in a narrow place, the condition “the housing is fully opened” among the two conditions described above is not satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent malfunction in a narrow place as compared with the case where it is determined whether or not the main power supply should be turned on only by operating the one-push opening / closing button 4.

  In the present embodiment, when a complete open state is detected, the main power supply is turned on when the one-push open / close button 4 is further pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed, the main power source of the mobile terminal 1 may be turned on when a complete open state is detected. That is, steps S015 and S016 may be omitted. By doing in this way, the user can turn on the main power supply of the portable terminal 1 only by pressing the one-push open / close button once to open the housing.

  In the present embodiment, the main power supply is turned on only when it is completely opened, but the present invention is not limited to this. Actually, since it is difficult to accurately detect the complete open state, the judgment criterion may be relaxed. For example, if it is detected that the terminal is in the normal open state, or if it is detected that the terminal is further opened than in the normal open state, the same processing as that in the case of the complete open state may be performed.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The mobile terminal according to the fourth embodiment has been implemented so far in that the functions of the first to third embodiments described above work only when the mobile terminal is operated from a state in which the mobile terminal is closed within a predetermined time. This is different from the portable terminal according to the embodiment.

  Since the external appearance and functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 1 according to the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first to third embodiments, a description thereof will be omitted. As described above, it is different from each embodiment in that it is determined whether or not an operation has been performed from a state in which the terminal is closed within a certain time.

  Then, with reference to FIG. 6, operation | movement of the portable terminal 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 1. FIG. 6 shows an operation based on the operation in the case of pressing twice in the first embodiment. In other operation | movement and embodiment, the operation | movement after step S23 mentioned later changes to the thing according to each.

  First, the control circuit unit 101 of the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not the one-push open / close button 4 has been pressed (step S021). If it is determined that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has not been pressed (No in step S021), the control circuit unit 101 continues to determine whether the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed. If it is determined that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed (Yes in step S021), the control circuit unit 101 starts measuring the passage of time since the one-push opening / closing button 4 was pressed (step S022). Note that the passage of time can be measured by using a timer realized in software or hardware. Further, the configuration for realizing the timer is such that the power is turned on at least when the time measurement starts even when the main power is off. Subsequently, the control circuit unit 101 determines whether or not the one-push opening / closing button 4 is further pressed within a predetermined time (scheduled time) after the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed (step S023). If it is determined that the one-push open / close button 4 has not been pressed within a predetermined time (No in step S023), the control circuit unit 101 deletes the determination result so far and maintains the power-off state (step S019). ). When the one-push open / close button 4 is pressed within a predetermined time, the control circuit unit 101 turns on the main power supply of the mobile terminal 1.

  Thereby, the main power source of the portable terminal can be easily turned on even in a situation where it is difficult to recognize a key such as a dark place or a bag. In addition, when the user does not intend to operate the mobile terminal 1 for a long time, it is possible to prevent the main power source from being accidentally turned on. For example, it is possible to prevent the power from being accidentally turned on when the one-push open / close button is pressed while the mobile terminal is left open for a long time.

(Other variations)
In the first to fourth embodiments, the main power source of the mobile terminal 1 is turned on when the one-push opening / closing button is pressed (and other conditions are satisfied). is not. The hinge switch 8 may be pressed in a state where the one-push opening / closing button is pressed but not pressed deep enough to open the casing of the mobile terminal 1 (half-pressed). Specifically, the one-push opening / closing button 4 is configured to be pressed in two steps, and the power-on function is set when half-pressed, and the casing is opened when pressed fully. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to turn on the main power supply of the portable terminal 1 without opening the housing. Therefore, the main power supply can be turned on by pressing the one-push opening / closing button even when the portable terminal 1 such as a bag is in the way when it is opened.

  Even if the portable terminal 1 is configured in this way, when the one-push open / close button is completely pressed, a half-pressed state is always generated in the process. Therefore, the same effect as in the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

  Further, the operations of the first to fourth embodiments may be performed only when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is half-pressed. That is, when the one-push open / close button 4 is pressed down to the extent that the housing is opened, the main power supply may be left off. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the main power source from being turned on even when the user opens and closes the portable terminal 1 without any particular meaning.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment and modification, although the foldable thing is mentioned as a portable terminal, what kind of structure is possible if it changes a shape by pressing the button exposed to the outer surface of a portable terminal? It may be a structure. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a slide-type mobile terminal in which a display housing in which a liquid crystal display panel is disposed is linearly reciprocated in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to an operation housing in which keys are disposed. As such a slide-type portable terminal, a portable terminal is known that expands when a button provided on the outer surface is pressed. Therefore, by using a button for extending the mobile terminal in the slide type mobile terminal instead of the one-push opening / closing button 4 in each of the above-described embodiments, the slide type mobile terminal is similar to the above-described embodiments. The effect of can be obtained.

    In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the magnet and the magnetic sensor are used as the opening / closing detection means, but a mechanical detection means may be used. For example, a protrusion that can be expanded and contracted is formed on the opposite surface of one housing. When the housing is closed, the protrusion is pushed by the other housing, and when the housing is opened, the protrusion protrudes. A mechanical switch that detects the open state of the housing may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the main power source of the portable terminal is turned on when the one-push open / close button is operated. However, the user may be able to select whether or not to perform such an operation. This can be selected using the software user interface of the mobile terminal, and can be selected by providing a mechanical switch on the housing.

  In each of the above embodiments, when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed (and an operation that matches other conditions), the control circuit unit 101 turns on the main power supply of the mobile terminal 1. With this configuration, complicated conditions can be determined by the control circuit unit 101, but power consumption is large because at least the control circuit unit 101 needs to be activated even when the main power is off.

  Thus, for example, a contact is provided on the hinge button 8, and when the hinge button 8 is pressed, the battery and a terminal that receives a signal for starting the control circuit unit 101 are conducted through the contact. It can be considered to be a structure. In this case, since the control circuit unit 101 can be activated by the current received from the battery via the contact, the control circuit unit 101 can be turned off until the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed. In this case, the activation of the control circuit unit 101 itself means that the one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed. Therefore, the determination as to whether or not the first one-push opening / closing button 4 has been pressed in each embodiment and modification may be omitted.

  In addition, the structure can be further simplified when performing simple control such as turning on the main power supply of the mobile terminal 1 when the one-push opening / closing button 4 is pressed even once. For example, a contact is provided on the hinge part button 8, and when the hinge part button 8 is pressed, a battery and a terminal for receiving a signal (in this case, a current) for starting the portable terminal 1 via the contact are provided. May be configured so as to be conductive. According to this configuration, the process of starting the control circuit unit 101 can be omitted, and while the main power supply is turned off, almost no current is consumed as in the conventional portable terminal.

  In each of the above embodiments, a one-push opening / closing button (that is, a button for opening a device) has been described as an example, and an example of opening a housing has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the case can be closed by pressing the one-push opening / closing button, the main power of the portable terminal is turned off when the one-push opening / closing button is pressed while the portable terminal is open. It is good. Thereby, the main power supply can be turned off while the portable terminal is closed, and the main power supply can be turned on when the portable terminal is opened, so that power consumption when the portable terminal is not used can be suppressed. As an example of a configuration in which the portable terminal is closed by pressing the one-push open / close button, for example, a motor is provided in the hinge portion, and the motor is driven by pressing the one-push open / close button. That's fine.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the state which folded the portable terminal is called the closed state and the open state is called an open state, it is not restricted to this. For example, a state where a part or all of the operation keys 7 provided in one casing is covered by the other casing is called a closed state, and a state where all the operation keys 7 are exposed is called an open state. But you can. In particular, each of the embodiments described above is useful when the power key of the operation keys 7 is covered with another casing and cannot be touched. However, this does not exclude a configuration in which the power key itself is provided on the outer surface of the casing, or some operation keys are exposed in the closed state. Further, the operation key 7 may not be provided in a portion that is covered with another casing in the closed state and exposed in the open state. For example, there may be a configuration in which the operation key 7 is not provided, and only the microphone or the receiver of the mobile terminal is covered with another casing in the closed state or exposed in the open state.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the portable terminal as an example, it is not restricted to this. For example, even if the device is not portable, the present invention can be applied as long as at least a button for opening the casing (corresponding to a one-push opening / closing button) is provided.

  In addition, each functional block used in the description of each of the above embodiments is typically realized as an LSI that is an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

  Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

  Moreover, you may comprise, without integrating some or all of each functional block used for description of each said embodiment.

  Each functional block or operation used in each of the above embodiments may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by using a program that realizes these or a program storage medium that stores the program.

  Moreover, you may combine a part or all of said each embodiment and modification.

  According to the present invention, the main power supply can be turned on very easily even in a situation where it is difficult to visually recognize the key, such as in a dark place or in a bag. Therefore, the present invention is preferably used for, for example, a folding portable terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable terminal 2 Upper housing 3 Lower housing 4 One push opening / closing button 5 Hinge mechanism 6 Main display part 7 Various operation keys 8 Hinge part switch 9 Magnet 10 Magnetic sensor 101 Control circuit part 104 Opening / closing detection part

Claims (10)

An electronic device in which a first housing and a second housing are connected so as to be freely opened and closed,
A button that is provided on the outer surface of the electronic device and that, when pressed, causes the first casing and the second casing in a closed state to transition to an open state;
An electronic device comprising: a control unit that turns on the main power supply of the electronic device in conjunction with pressing of the button when the main power supply of the electronic device is off. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns on the main power when the button is pressed a plurality of times or when the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. machine. The electronic device further includes:
An open / close detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is in an open state;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns on the main power when it is detected that the electronic device is in an open state and the button is pressed. The controller is
The main power is turned on when the button is pressed when the button is pressed after it is detected that the electronic device is in an open state. Electronic equipment. The open / close detection unit is capable of detecting whether or not the first housing and the second housing are completely opened,
The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit turns on the main power when the first casing and the second casing are completely opened after the button is pressed. Electronics. When the button is pressed at a first depth, the first casing and the second casing are shifted to the open state,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the switch turns on the main power when it is detected that the button is pressed at a depth shallower than the first depth. The control unit is characterized in that the main power source remains off even when the button is pressed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the electronic device has transitioned from the closed state to the open state. The electronic device of any one of Claims 1-6. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined time can be set to an arbitrary time by a user. The electronic device further includes a contact at one end of the button,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the button is pressed, the control unit conducts with the battery via the contact, and turns on the main power when receiving current from the battery through the conduction. A method for controlling an electronic device in which a first casing and the second casing are connected to each other so as to be freely opened and closed.
When a predetermined button provided on the outer surface of the electronic device is pressed, the first housing and the second housing in a closed state are changed to an open state;
And a step of turning on the main power supply of the electronic device in conjunction with the pressing of the button when the main power supply of the electronic device is off.

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