JP2013074535A - Portable electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic apparatus which is excellent in operability.SOLUTION: A portable telephone 1 includes: a housing 2; and a hard key group 11 disposed on a surface 2A at the housing 2, the hard key group 11 including a hard key 11a, a hard key 11b, a hard key 11c, a hard key 11d which are disposed along a straight line L and serve as multiple first hard keys and a hard key 11e that is disposed along with the hard key 11a, the hard key 11b, the hard key 11c, the hard key 11d, which serve as the multiple first hard keys, so as to be offset from the straight line L and serves as a second hard key.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a type having a plurality of hard keys to which an operation of a predetermined function is assigned in a mobile phone as a portable electronic device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In such a mobile phone, there is a case where a hard key for operating a desired function is hard to understand which of the plurality of hard keys.

  However, in the mobile phone of Patent Document 1, for example, when it is necessary to instantaneously (unintentionally) execute an operation in a main function (for example, reception or termination of a call function), the user operates in the main function. In some cases, assigned hard keys could not be operated reliably.

JP 2010-244305 A

  An object of this invention is to provide the portable electronic device excellent in operativity.

  The present invention is a housing, a group of hard keys arranged on a predetermined surface of the housing, and a plurality of first hard keys arranged along a straight line or a curve, and the plurality of first hard keys Or a hard key group having a second hard key disposed between the plurality of first hard keys and disposed at a position off the straight line or the curve. It relates to electronic equipment.

  In the portable electronic device, it is preferable that the hard key group is disposed along an outer edge of the housing.

  Further, in the portable electronic device, the hard key group is arranged to extend in a short direction of the casing along an outer edge on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the casing, and the second hard key It is preferable that the hard key group is disposed at an end portion and is disposed away from the straight line on the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

  The portable electronic device has a plurality of functions including a main function, a predetermined operation of a predetermined function is assigned to each of the plurality of first hard keys, and the second hard key includes It is preferable that a predetermined operation in the main function is assigned.

  In the portable electronic device, it is preferable that the main function is a call function, and a predetermined operation in the call function is assigned to the second hard key.

  The portable electronic device includes a microphone for calling and a microphone hole formed on a predetermined surface of the casing and arranged to face the calling microphone, wherein the microphone hole is in the longitudinal direction. It is preferable that the second hard key is arranged side by side with the second hard key on the one end side of the second hard key.

  Further, in the portable electronic device, each of the plurality of first hard keys is partially exposed to the outside of the casing, and is arranged to be movable in the thickness direction of the casing. And a plurality of first switch portions arranged so as to be able to be pressed against each of the plurality of first key members, wherein the second hard key is partially outside the casing. A second key member that is exposed to be movable in the thickness direction of the housing, and a second switch portion that is disposed inside the housing so as to be pressed against the second key member. It is preferable that at least a part of the call microphone is disposed at a position overlapping the plurality of first switch portions in the short direction.

  Further, in the portable electronic device, the call microphone has a center at the center of the second switch unit in the short-side direction, and the second switch unit side of the plurality of first switch units closest to the second switch unit side. It is preferable that the switch is disposed between the center of one switch part.

  The present invention is also a housing, a touch screen display disposed on a predetermined surface of the housing, and a hard key group disposed around the touch screen display, which are disposed along a straight line or a curve. Arranged between the plurality of first hard keys and the plurality of first hard keys, or arranged alongside the plurality of first hard keys and arranged at a position deviating from the straight line or the curve. The present invention relates to a portable electronic device including a hard key group having a second hard key.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable electronic device excellent in operativity can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a back view of the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment. 4A is a diagram showing a region A in FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the internal structure in the region A. FIG. 5 is a front view of the mobile phone 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a region A1 in FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the internal structure in the region A1.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The basic structure of the mobile phone 1 (portable electronic device) in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a back view of the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mobile phone 1 has a housing 2.
The housing 2 has a front surface 2A (predetermined surface) and a back surface 2B. In the present embodiment, the surface 2A is a surface that faces the user and receives a pressing operation from the user. The front surface 2A is a surface on the front side and is a surface that makes a pair with the back surface 2B. The back surface 2B is a surface that is disposed (placed) facing the user's finger and palm.

On the surface 2A side of the housing 2, the hard key group 11, the touch screen display 21, the sound input unit 24 (microphone hole 24a), and the sound output unit 25 (receiver hole 25a) are arranged. Is done.
An interface 17 (IF cover 17 a), a side key 16, and a slide key 19 are disposed on the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2.

The hard key group 11 is disposed on the front surface 2A side of the housing 2. The hard key group 11 is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The hard key group 11 is arranged substantially linearly along the short direction of the housing 2.
The hard key group 11 includes a plurality of hard keys 11a, hard keys 11b, and hard keys 11c as first hard keys, a hard key 11d, and a hard key 11e as second hard keys. Each hard key includes a key member and a switch unit. The arrangement and structure of the hard key group 11 will be described in detail later.

  The touch screen display 21 is configured to be able to display characters and graphics. The touch screen display 21 is configured to be able to display characters and graphics corresponding to a predetermined function. Here, the figure is a concept including an icon, a screen set for each application, and the like.

The touch screen display 21 includes a display 21A and a touch screen 21B.
The display 21A includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL panel (Organic Electro-Luminescence panel), or an inorganic EL panel (Inorganic Electro-Luminescence panel). The display 21A displays characters and graphics.

The touch screen 21 </ b> B detects contact of a finger or a stylus pen with the touch screen display 21. The touch screen 21 </ b> B can detect a position where a plurality of fingers, a stylus pen, or the like contacts the touch screen display 23.
The detection method of the touch screen 21B may be any method such as a capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method (or an ultrasonic method), an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a load detection method.

The interface 17 is covered with an IF cover 17a when not in use.
The side key 16 is assigned an operation in a predetermined function. When the side key 16 is selected (pressed), an operation assigned to the side key 16 in a predetermined function is executed. In the present embodiment, for example, the side key 16 is assigned an execution operation of a key lock function.

  The slide key 19 is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 along the side surface. Depending on the position, the slide key 19 is assigned a start operation of a predetermined function or a predetermined operation of a function being started.

The sound input unit 24 is disposed on one end side of the casing 2 in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. The sound input unit 24 is arranged on the same end side as the hard key group 11 in the longitudinal direction. The sound input unit 24 is disposed outside the hard key group 11 in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the sound input unit 24 is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction with the hard key 11c arranged at the center in the short direction.
The sound input unit 24 includes a microphone hole 24 a formed on the surface 2 </ b> A and a call microphone 24 b accommodated in the housing 2. The microphone hole 24a is disposed to face the call microphone 24b.

The sound output unit 25 is disposed on one end side of the casing 2 in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. The sound output unit 25 is disposed on the end side opposite to the sound input unit 24 in the longitudinal direction.
The sound output unit 25 includes a receiver hole 25 a formed on the surface 2 </ b> A and a receiver 25 b (speaker) disposed inside the housing 2.

Next, the internal structure of the mobile phone 1 will be described.
Inside the housing 2 are a microphone 24b for calling, a receiver 25b, a touch screen display 21 (display 21A), a key structure 50 (see FIG. 4B), a circuit board (not shown), an antenna (not shown). (Shown) is accommodated.

  The call microphone 24 b is arranged at the end portion on the hard key group 11 side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The call microphone 24b is arranged outside the hard key group 11 in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the call microphone 24b is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction with the switch portion 110c corresponding to the hard key 11c (see FIG. 4B).

  The receiver 25b is disposed at the end of the casing 2 opposite to the call microphone 24b in the longitudinal direction. The receiver 25 b is disposed at an end portion on the opposite side to the hard key group 11 side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2.

  The display 21A includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal panel, and a light source unit such as a backlight that emits light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel.

  The key structure unit 50 includes a key member that configures each hard key, a key sheet 50A, and a key substrate 50B on which a switch unit that configures each hard key is mounted (see FIG. 4B). The structure and the like in the key structure unit 50 will be described in detail later.

The circuit board includes a flat board part, electronic components and various circuit blocks mounted on the surface of the board part, and a reference potential pattern layer mounted on the surface of the board part.
The electronic component mounted on the substrate unit is, for example, an electronic component including a signal processing unit that processes a signal transmitted and received by an antenna. The circuit block is, for example, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit or a power supply circuit.

The antenna includes a base and an antenna element having a predetermined shape disposed on the base.
The antenna element is formed of a strip-shaped sheet metal. The antenna element is supplied with power from the circuit board via a power supply terminal (not shown). As a result, the antenna element is fed from the circuit board via the feeding terminal and is connected to the RF module on the circuit board.

  Next, the arrangement and structure of the hard key group 11 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. 4A is a diagram showing a region A in FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the internal structure in the region A.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the hard key group 11 is disposed on the front surface 2A side of the housing 2. The hard key group 11 is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2.
The hard key group 11 is arranged substantially linearly along the short direction of the housing 2. The hard key group 11 is disposed along an outer edge of the housing 2 that extends in the short direction.
The hard key group 11 is arranged around the touch screen display 21.

  The hard key group 11 includes a plurality of hard keys 11a, hard keys 11b, hard keys 11c, and hard keys 11d as first hard keys, and a hard key 11e as second hard keys.

  A plurality of hard keys 11a, hard keys 11b, hard keys 11c, and hard keys 11d as first hard keys are arranged along a straight line L. Here, being arranged along the straight line L means, for example, that the centers or centers of gravity of the key members constituting each first hard key are arranged along the straight line L, or each first hard key is constituted. This means that the centers of the switch portions to be aligned are aligned along the straight line L. In the present embodiment, the phrase “arranged along the straight line L” means that the centers of the switch portions constituting the first hard keys are arranged along the straight line L. The center in the switch part is illustrated as a point (center point) in each figure.

The hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged at the end of the hard key group 11.
The hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged side by side with the plurality of first hard keys. The hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged on one end side in the short direction of the housing 2. The hard key 11 e as the second hard key is disposed at a corner (corner) in the housing 2.
The hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged at a position deviating from the straight line L along which the plurality of first hard keys are along. Here, “disposed from the straight line L” means, for example, that the center or center of gravity of the key member constituting the second hard key is displaced from the straight line L, or constitutes the second hard key. It means that the center of the switch part is arranged off the straight line L. In the present embodiment, being arranged off the straight line L means that the center of the switch part constituting the second hard key is arranged off the straight line L. The center in the switch part is illustrated as a point (center point) in each figure.
In this embodiment, the hard key 11e as the second hard key is shifted from the straight line L to the center side of the casing 2 in the longitudinal direction (the upper side in FIGS. 4A and 4B and the side away from the lower end of the casing 2). Is done. The hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged so as to be shifted from the straight line L to the other end side in the longitudinal direction (end side on the sound output unit 25 side).

Each of the plurality of hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e includes a key member 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, and 100e and a switch unit 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e.
Specifically, each of the plurality of first hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d is a plurality of first keys that are partly exposed to the outside of the housing 2 and arranged to be movable in the thickness direction of the housing 2. A plurality of first members 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d as members, and a plurality of first members disposed inside the housing 2 so as to be pressed by each of the key members 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d as first key members. And switch units 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d as switch units.
Further, a hard key 11e as a second hard key is partially exposed to the outside of the housing 2 and is arranged so as to be movable in the thickness direction of the housing 2, and a key member 100e as a second key member and a housing. The body 2 includes a switch portion 110e that is disposed so as to be pressed by a key member 100e as a second key member.

The key members 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d as the first key members constituting the hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d as the first hard keys are arranged along the straight line L.
The switch portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d as the first switch portions constituting the hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d as the first hard keys are arranged along the straight line L.

The key member 100e as the second key member constituting the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged away from the straight line L. The key member 100e as the second key member is arranged so as to be shifted from the straight line L to the other end side (end side on the sound output unit 25 side).
The switch part 110e as the second switch part constituting the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged away from the straight line L. The switch unit 110e as the second switch unit is arranged so as to be shifted from the straight line L to the other end side (end side on the sound output unit 25 side).

  Here, the mobile phone 1 has a plurality of functions including a main function. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 has a call function as a main function, a mail function as another function, a screen transition function, a menu screen display function, an Internet connection function, a camera function, a text editing function, and the like.

  A predetermined operation of a predetermined function is assigned to each of the hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d as the plurality of first hard keys and the hard key 11e as the second hard key constituting the hard key group 11. ing.

In the present embodiment, an operation for starting the mail function is assigned to the hard key 11a as the first hard key.
Also, an operation for returning to the previous screen in the screen transition function is assigned to the hard key 11b as the first hard key.
In addition, an operation for transitioning to the home screen in the screen transition function is assigned to the hard key 11c as the first hard key.
In addition, an operation for starting the menu screen display function is assigned to the hard key 11d as the first hard key.

  In the present embodiment, the hard key 11e as the second hard key is assigned a predetermined operation in the call function as the main function. The hard key 11e as the second hard key is assigned with a reception operation and a call end operation in the call function.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the key members 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, and 100e constituting the hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e are shaped to make the function or operation assigned to each hard key image. (Eg, icon shape).

In the present embodiment, the call microphone 24b is disposed at the end portion on the hard key group 11 side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 as described above. The call microphone 24b is arranged outside the hard key group 11 in the longitudinal direction.
In the present embodiment, the microphone hole 24a is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction with the key member 100c corresponding to the hard key 11c (see FIG. 4B).
In the present embodiment, the call microphone 24b is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction with the switch portion 110c corresponding to the hard key 11c (see FIG. 4B). The call microphone 24b is arranged side by side so as not to overlap the switch unit 110c.

  According to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1, the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged away from the straight line L along which the hard keys 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d as the first hard key. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 can improve the operability of the user with respect to the hard key 11e as the second hard key. The mobile phone 1 can reduce user's erroneous operation on the hard key 11e as the second hard key.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1, the hard key group 11 is arranged along the outer edge of the housing 2. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the position of the hard key group 11. Therefore, the mobile phone 1 can improve user operability.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1, the hard key group 11 is arranged so as to extend in the lateral direction of the casing 2 along the outer edge on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the casing 2. . In the mobile phone 1, the hard key 11 e as the second hard key is disposed at the end of the hard key group 11 and extends from the straight line L to the other end side in the longitudinal direction (end side on the sound output unit 25 side). It is arranged off. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the position of the hard key 11e as the second hard key in the hard key group 11. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 can improve the operability of the user with respect to the hard key 11e as the second hard key.
Further, the position of the hard key 11e in this case is a position that is easier for the user to perform the pressing operation than the position when the hard key 11e is arranged along the straight line L. Also from this point, the mobile phone 1 is excellent in operability.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1, the hard key 11 e as the second hard key is arranged on one end side in the short direction of the housing 2. The hard key 11 e as the second hard key is disposed at a corner (corner) in the housing 2. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 is configured so that the operability is good and the influence (deflection or the like) due to the pressing operation from the user can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1, a predetermined operation in the main function is assigned to the hard key 11e as the second hard key. Thereby, the mobile telephone 1 can improve the operativity regarding a main function.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1, a predetermined operation in the call function is assigned to the hard key 11e as the second hard key. Thereby, the mobile telephone 1 can improve the operativity regarding a telephone call function. According to the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 is configured so that erroneous operations can be reduced when the user performs an operation related to the call function.

Next, a second embodiment in the present invention will be described.
A mobile phone 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6B. FIG. 5 is a front view of the mobile phone 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a region A1 in FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the internal structure in the region A1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the parts different from the first embodiment, and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the mobile phone 1A according to the present embodiment is different from the mobile phone 1 according to the first embodiment in that the position of the sound input unit 24 (the microphone hole 24a and the call microphone 24b) is different. Is different.

  Specifically, in the cellular phone 1 </ b> A, the sound input unit 24 (the microphone hole 24 a and the call microphone 24 b) is not on the outside of the hard key 11 c in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 but in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. 2 arranged outside the hard key 11e as a hard key.

  More specifically, in the cellular phone 1A, the sound input unit 24 (the microphone hole 24a and the call microphone 24b) includes a hard key 11d as a first hard key in the short direction and a second key in the housing 2. It is arranged between the hard key 11e as a hard key and arranged outside the hard key 11e as a second hard key in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2.

  In other words, in the mobile phone 1A, the sound input unit 24 (microphone hole 24a, call microphone 24b) is based on the state in which the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged along the straight line L. In this case, the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged in a (vacant) area formed by shifting from the straight line L.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the microphone hole 24 a is formed outside the hard key 11 e (key member 100 e, switch portion 110 e) as the second hard key in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. On the side opposite to the output unit 25 side, the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged side by side.

  6A and 6B, the call microphone 24b is located at a position where at least a part of the call microphone 24b overlaps the switch units 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d as the plurality of first switch units in the lateral direction of the housing 2. Be placed.

  In addition, the call microphone 24b is centered at the center of the switch unit 110e as the second switch unit and the switch units 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d as the first switch units in the short direction. It arrange | positions so that it may be located between the center of the switch part 110d by the part 110e side.

  In the present embodiment, the elongated key member 100e constituting the second hard key 11e is disposed so as to be inclined such that the longitudinal direction thereof intersects the straight line L. Further, the elongated key member 100e constituting the second hard key 11e has a region between the hard key 11d on the side where the sound input unit 24 (the microphone hole 24a and the call microphone 24b) is disposed. In order to enlarge, it is inclined and arranged so that its longitudinal direction intersects the straight line L.

In the present embodiment, the key sheet 500A has a notch 501A corresponding to the shape of the call microphone 20b.
Further, the key board 500B has a notch 501B corresponding to the shape of the call microphone 20b.
Then, the call microphone 24b is disposed so as to be inserted into the notch 501A in the key sheet 500A and the notch 501B in the key substrate 500B.

According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. Moreover, according to this embodiment, there exist the following effects further.
According to the present embodiment, in the mobile phone 1A, the sound input unit 24 (the microphone hole 24a and the call microphone 24b) has a state in which the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged along the straight line L. In the case of the reference, the hard key 11e as the second hard key is arranged in an area (vacant) formed by shifting from the straight line L.
Thereby, space saving is possible in the mobile phone 1A. Thereby, the mobile phone 1A is made smaller than the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the mobile phone 1A is downsized so that the length in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the microphone hole 24a is formed on the outside (one end side, sound output) of the hard key 11e (key member 100e, switch portion 110e) as the second hard key in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. And the hard key 11e as the second hard key.
Thus, in the mobile phone 1A, the call microphone 14b is arranged in the vicinity of the hard key 11e to which the operation in the call function is assigned. Accordingly, the cellular phone 1A is configured such that the user can also press the hard key 11e at the same time by placing a finger so as to close the microphone hole 24a. Thereby, the operability in the call function of the mobile phone 1A is improved.

In the present embodiment, the call microphone 24b is arranged at a position where at least a part thereof overlaps the plurality of switch units 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d as the first switch units in the short direction of the housing 2. The
Thereby, space saving is possible in the mobile phone 1A. Thereby, the mobile phone 1A is made smaller than the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the mobile phone 1A is downsized so that the length in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the call microphone 24b has a center in the short direction, the center of the switch unit 110e as the second switch unit, and the switch units 110a, 110b, 110c as the plurality of first switch units. 110d is arranged so as to be located between the center of the switch part 110d closest to the switch part 110e.
Thereby, space saving is possible in the mobile phone 1A. Thereby, the mobile phone 1A is made smaller than the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the mobile phone 1A is downsized so that the length in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the elongated key member 100e constituting the second hard key 11e is disposed so as to be inclined such that the longitudinal direction intersects the straight line L. Further, the elongated key member 100e constituting the second hard key 11e has a region between the hard key 11d on the side where the sound input unit 24 (the microphone hole 24a and the call microphone 24b) is disposed. It is arranged to be inclined so that the longitudinal direction intersects the straight line L so as to increase.
Thereby, further space saving can be achieved in the cellular phone 1A. Thereby, the cellular phone 1A is further reduced in size. Accordingly, the mobile phone 1A is miniaturized so that the length in the longitudinal direction is further shortened.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the mobile phone 1 is described as a mobile electronic device. However, the mobile phone 1 is not limited to this, and the mobile electronic device may be a PHS (registered trademark; Personal Handy phone System), PDA. (Personal Digital Assistant), portable navigation device, notebook personal computer or the like may be used.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a straight type mobile phone having a single housing is described, but the mobile electronic device is not limited to such a mobile phone. The portable electronic device of the present invention includes a type having a plurality of cases. For example, a portable electronic device is configured to be foldable so that two casings can be folded via a connecting portion, or configured so that one casing can be slid in one direction from a state in which the two casings are overlapped. A slide type, a rotation type in which one casing can be rotated around an axis along the overlapping direction from a state in which two casings are overlapped, and a so-called two-axis hinge type. May be.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, although several 1st hard keys are arrange | positioned along a straight line, it is not limited to this. The plurality of first hard keys may be arranged along a curve.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the second hard key is arranged side by side at the ends of the plurality of first hard keys, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second hard key may be arranged between the plurality of first hard keys.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the hard key group is arranged along the outer edge of the housing 2 on the sound input unit 24 side, but is not limited thereto. For example, the hard key group may be disposed along the outer edge of the housing 2 on the sound output unit 25 side, or may be disposed along the outer edge extending in the longitudinal direction.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, although the key member which comprises each of several 1st hard keys and 2nd hard keys is formed in the shape which makes the image of a related function, it is not limited to this. . The key members constituting each of the plurality of first hard keys and second hard keys may have the same shape. Moreover, the key member which comprises each of several 1st hard keys and 2nd hard keys may be attached | subjected with the character and picture which image a related function. Here, only the second hard key may have a different color.

1 Cellular phone 2 Housing 2A Surface (predetermined surface)
11 Hard key group 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Hard key (first hard key)
11e hard key (second hard key)
21 Touch screen display 24 Sound input unit 24a Microphone hole 24b Microphone for call 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d Key member (first key member)
100e Key member (second key member)
110a, 110b, 110c, 1100d Switch part (first switch part)
110e Switch part (second switch part)
L straight line

Claims (9)

A housing,
A hard key group disposed on a predetermined surface of the housing,
A plurality of first hard keys arranged along a straight line or a curve;
A second hard key arranged between the plurality of first hard keys, or arranged side by side with the plurality of first hard keys, and arranged at a position deviating from the straight line or the curve. A portable electronic device comprising a hard key group. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the hard key group is disposed along an outer edge of the housing. The hard key group is arranged so as to extend in the short direction of the casing along the outer edge on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the casing.
3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second hard key is disposed at an end portion of the hard key group, and is disposed off the other end side in the longitudinal direction from the straight line or the curved line. It has multiple functions including the main function,
A predetermined operation in a predetermined function is assigned to each of the plurality of first hard keys,
The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined operation in the main function is assigned to the second hard key. The main function is a call function,
The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein a predetermined operation in the call function is assigned to the second hard key. A microphone for calls,
A microphone hole formed on a predetermined surface of the housing and disposed opposite to the call microphone;
The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the microphone hole is arranged alongside the second hard key on the one end side of the second hard key in the longitudinal direction. Each of the plurality of first hard keys is
A plurality of first key members that are partly exposed to the outside of the housing and arranged to be movable in the thickness direction of the housing;
A plurality of first switch portions disposed inside the casing so as to be pressed by the plurality of first key members,
The second hard key is
A second key member, a part of which is exposed to the outside of the housing and arranged to be movable in the thickness direction of the housing;
A second switch portion disposed inside the housing so as to be able to be pressed against the second key member;
The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the call microphone is arranged at a position where at least a part of the call microphone overlaps the plurality of first switch portions in the short direction. The call microphone has a center between the center of the second switch unit and the center of the first switch unit closest to the second switch unit among the plurality of first switch units in the short direction. The portable electronic device of Claim 7 arrange | positioned so that it may be located in between. A housing,
A touch screen display disposed on a predetermined surface of the housing;
A group of hard keys arranged around the touch screen display,
A plurality of first hard keys arranged along a straight line or a curve;
A second hard key arranged between the plurality of first hard keys, or arranged side by side with the plurality of first hard keys, and arranged at a position deviating from the straight line or the curve. A portable electronic device comprising a hard key group.

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