JP2013232731A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently transmit vibrations to a user.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes: a housing having multiple surfaces; a display part provided on a first surface of the housing; and an operation part having a detection part which detects the presence or absence of the contact to a predetermined region on a second surface of the housing, which is different from the first surface, and a contact position and sets the predetermined region so as to correspond to a region where the display part is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device.

  For example, Patent Document 1 is known as an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a portable information terminal. In an electronic device as shown in Patent Document 1, a configuration that allows a user to detect vibration may be used. As a vibration generator for generating such vibration, for example, a vibration motor is known.

JP 2010-86089 A

  In an electronic apparatus provided with the vibration generator as described above, a configuration for efficiently transmitting vibration to a user is required.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can efficiently transmit vibration to a user.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a housing having a plurality of surfaces, a vibrating portion provided to contact two or more adjacent surfaces among the plurality of surfaces, and the vibration housed in the housing An electronic device is provided that includes a control unit that controls vibration of the unit.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the user.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the portable information terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of a part of portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of a part of portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows one form of operation | movement of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows one form of operation | movement of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the other form of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the other form of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the other form of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a portable information terminal EQP according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal (electronic device) EQP includes a control device CONT, a display unit DP, a substrate BP, a camera module CM, a rechargeable battery BT, an operation unit SD, and a connection unit MT. The microphone MC, the speaker SP, the vibration part AT, and the first connection part MS are housed in a housing FL. The housing FL is formed in a rectangular plate shape, for example.

  Control device CONT, display unit DP, substrate BP, camera module CM, rechargeable battery BT, operation unit SD, connection unit MT, microphone MC, speaker SP, a plurality of vibration units AT, The one connection part MS is electrically connected. In addition, these circuits can be electrically connected to an external device via the electrical contact portion of the second connection portion MT.

  The display unit DP is formed in a rectangular shape and is provided on the plate surface of the housing FL. A surface of the housing FL on which the display unit DP is provided is hereinafter referred to as a display surface Fe. The display unit DP includes a display panel having, for example, a liquid crystal device or an organic EL device. A touch panel is provided in the display area of the display panel. This display area is rectangular. The touch panel detects the presence / absence of contact with the display area and the contact position. As shown in the figure, the display area Fe is substantially equal to the display area of the display panel. Further, only the display portion DP is provided on the display surface Fe.

  The operation unit SD is provided on four side surfaces Fa to Fd corresponding to the four sides surrounding the display surface Fe in the housing FL. The operation part SD includes a side part detection part SD1 provided on the side face Fa, a side part detection part SD2 provided on the side face Fb, a side part detection part SD3 provided on the side face Fc, and a side part detection provided on the side face Fd. Part SD4. The operation unit SD detects the presence / absence of contact from the outside (for example, a user) and the contact position in the side detection units SD1 to SD4.

  For example, when the user's finger or the like touches a part of the detection area of the side detection unit SD2, the capacitance of the side detection unit SD2 changes. Further, when the contact state of the user's finger or the like that has been in contact with a part is released, the side part detection unit SD2 capacitance returns to the original state.

  Thus, the side detection unit SD2 is configured such that the capacitance of the contact portion changes locally. Such a change in capacitance is transmitted to the control device CONT. In the control device CONT, it is possible to calculate the presence / absence of contact from outside and the contact position by detecting the change in the capacitance. For example, when the user moves the contact portion along the detection area, the position where the capacitance changes moves with the movement of the contact portion. The control device CONT can also detect the movement of the position where the capacitance changes (movement direction, movement distance, and movement speed). The same applies to the other side detection units SD1, SD3, and SD4.

  The substrate BP is provided in the housing FL. The substrate BP is provided with a control device CONT, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication using, for example, WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), and various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a gyro (angular velocity sensor), and a GPS (Global Positioning System). ing. The control device CONT includes a memory and a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the portable information terminal EQP.

  The rechargeable battery BT supplies power to each unit. The rechargeable battery BT is provided in the housing FL and can be removed from the housing FL if necessary. The camera module CM includes a lens and an image sensor, images a subject, and generates image data. The camera module CM here has its lens provided on the back surface Ff of the display surface Fe in the housing FL, but the number and installation location can be changed as necessary.

  The second connection part MT is provided at substantially the center part of the back surface Ff and mechanically or electrically connects an external device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram when the portable information terminal EQP is viewed from the display surface Fe side, and the side detection units SD1 to SD4 are shown in cross section.
As shown in FIG. 2, each of the side detection parts SD1 to SD4 is arranged at a position of each side of the display part DP formed in a rectangular shape, and is formed in a dimension corresponding to the dimension of the display part DP. .

  Specifically, the detection regions 20 of the side detection units SD1 to SD4 are arranged at positions corresponding to one side of the display unit DP. Further, the longitudinal dimension of the detection region 20 of each of the side detection parts SD1 to SD4 is equal to the dimension of one side of the display part DP.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the portable information terminal EQP. A second connection portion MT, a camera module CM, and a first connection portion MS are provided on the back surface Ff of the portable information terminal EQP. In addition, a microphone MC and a speaker SP are provided on the back surface Ff of the portable information terminal EQP.

  The second connection portion MT is a bayonet mount having an electrical contact portion, and fastens the housing FL and an external device. The external device is, for example, a camera module including a lens and an image sensor, an easel including a memory, a speaker unit, a hard disk, a musical instrument, or the like. When the external device is attached to the second connection portion MT, the electrical contact portion of the external device comes into contact with the electrical contact portion of the second connection portion MT, and the external device is electrically connected to each part of the portable information terminal EQP. . The first connection unit MS is an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal for electrically connecting a memory card (external memory) or the like.

  The vibration part AT is a vibration source that transmits vibration to the housing FL. The vibration part AT has a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of vibration elements AT1 to AT4. One vibration element AT1 to AT4 is provided at each of the four corners of the housing FL. Each of the vibration elements AT1 to AT4 is a linear vibration actuator having a specified frequency (resonance frequency). The operation of the vibration part AT is controlled by the control part CONT.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the vibration elements AT1 to AT4. In FIG. 4, one vibration element (for example, vibration element AT1) is shown as a representative. Further, the following description of FIG. 4 relates to the vibration element AT1, but the same description can be applied to the vibration elements AT2 to AT4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vibration element AT <b> 1 is held by a plate-like member (holding portion) 60. The plate-like member 60 is formed in a plate shape and has a holding surface 60a that holds the vibration element AT1. The holding surface 60a is directed to the central portion of the housing FL in plan view. A surface 60d opposite to the holding surface 60a is directed to a corner portion of the housing FL. A gap is formed between the surface 60d and the corner of the housing FL.

  A first end 60b of the plate-like member 60 in a direction parallel to the holding surface 60a in plan view is connected to the surface Fa of the housing FL. Further, the second end portion 60c in the same direction of the plate member 60 is connected to the surface Fd of the housing FL. Therefore, the vibration element AT1 is in contact with the surface Fa and the surface Fd of the housing FL via the plate-like member 60. The vibration element AT1 is disposed so as to vibrate in a direction intersecting the holding surface 60a. In the present embodiment, the vibration element AT1 vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface 60a.

Next, the operation of the portable information terminal EQP configured as described above will be described.
The portable information terminal EQP outputs the image data stored in the memory of the control device CONT, the external memory or the like or the image data communicated via the wireless communication unit to the display unit DP and displays it as an image. Similarly, the portable information terminal EQP outputs audio data stored in a memory of the control device CONT, an external memory, or the like from the speaker SP. Furthermore, the portable information terminal EQP communicates data including these image data and audio data with the outside. In addition, when an external device is connected to the second connection unit MT, the portable information terminal EQP operates according to the connected external device. The portable information terminal EQP vibrates the vibration part AT when an event such as reception of communication data or an alarm occurs.

[User operation]
The control device CONT outputs and communicates image data and audio data based on a user operation. When the orientation of the housing FL of the portable information terminal EQP is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the direction from the side face Fa to the side face Fb is the direction of gravity, the control device CONT displays the display areas 31 to 40 of the display unit DP. In, for example, the identification display corresponding to the processing 1 to the processing 10 is displayed.

  For example, the control device CONT sets four unit areas in an area along the upper side in the figure among the four sides of the display unit DP, and sets these unit areas as display areas 31 to 34, respectively. In addition, the control device CONT sets four unit areas in the detection area 20 of the side detection unit SD1 so as to correspond to the display areas 31 to 34, and these unit areas are set as contact areas (A1) to (D1), respectively. ).

  Further, the control device CONT sets two unit areas in an area along the lower side in the figure among the four sides of the display unit DP, and sets these unit areas as display areas 39 and 40, respectively. Further, the control device CONT sets four unit areas in the detection area 20 of the side part detection unit SD1 so as to correspond to the two display areas 39 and 40, and each of these unit areas is a contact area (M1). And (N1).

  Similarly, the control device CONT sets display areas in the areas along the left side in the drawing and the right side in the drawing among the four sides of the display unit DP. The display area 31 is provided in the upper left corner of the display part DP, the display area 39 is provided in the lower left corner of the display part DP, and the display area 34 is provided in the upper right corner of the figure. Since the display area 40 is provided at the lower right corner in the figure, the display areas 31, 34, 39 and 40 are set as a common display area for the two contact areas.

  Accordingly, display areas 31, 35, 37 and 39 are set on the left side in the figure, and display areas 34, 36, 38 and 40 are set on the right side in the figure. Further, the control device CONT sets four unit areas corresponding to the display areas 31, 35, 37 and 39 for the detection area 20 of the side part detection unit SD3, and sets these unit areas as contact areas ( Let E1), (G1), (I1) and (K1). Further, the control device CONT sets four unit areas corresponding to the display areas 34, 36, 38 and 40 for the detection area 20 of the side part detection unit SD4, and sets these unit areas as contact areas ( F1), (H1), (J1), and (L1).

  In this state, the control device CONT waits for the user to touch any one of the display areas 31 to 40. In addition, the control device CONT waits for the user to contact the side detection units SD1 to SD4.

  When the user touches an area of the touch panel that overlaps any of the display areas 31 to 40, the control device CONT detects a contact position on the touch panel and executes a process corresponding to the identification display displayed at the touch position. . For example, when the user touches a portion of the touch panel that overlaps the display area 31, the control device CONT performs a process (Process 1) displayed on the display area 31.

  When the user touches any one of the side detection units SD1 to SD4, the control device CONT detects the contact position on the side detection unit SD1 to SD4. For example, when the contact position is a position in the contact area (A1) of the side detection unit SD1, the process 1 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (A1) in the display unit DP is performed. Further, when the contact position is in the contact area (B1) of the side detection unit SD1, the process 2 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (B1) in the display unit DP is performed. Similarly, when a contact position is detected in the contact area (C1) of the side detection part SD1, the process 3 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (C1) in the display part DP is performed. When contact is detected in the contact area (D1), the process 4 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (D1) in the display unit DP is performed.

  Further, when there is a contact with the side detection unit SD2, if the contact position is within the contact area (M1), the process 9 is performed, and if the contact position is within the contact area (N1), the process 10 Is done. Similarly, in the case of the side detection unit SD3, when the contact position is in the contact area (E1), the process 1 is performed, and when the contact position is in the contact area (G1). If the contact position is in the contact area (I1), the process 7 is performed. If the contact position is in the contact area (K1), the process 9 is performed. Is called.

  Similarly, for the side detection unit SD4, the process 4 is performed when the contact position is in the contact area (F1), and the contact position is in the contact area (H1). If the contact position is in the contact area (J1), the process 8 is performed. If the contact position is in the contact area (L1), the process 10 is performed. Is done.

  As described above, the control device CONT performs processing so as to support both the input by the touch panel and the inputs by the side detection units SD1 to SD4. In this case, the control device CONT displays the identification displays of the processing 1 to the processing 10 at positions along the four sides of the display unit DP. When the control device CONT detects contact at the side detection units SD1 to SD4 corresponding to the four sides of the display unit DP, the control device CONT performs each of the processing 1 to processing 10. With such an operation, the user can intuitively perform input using the side detection units SD1 to SD4.

  Further, when the orientation of the housing FL of the portable information terminal EQP is switched so that the direction from the side surface Fd to the side surface Fc becomes the direction of gravity as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the control device CONT displays the display unit DP. The display is switched so that the identification display is displayed in the display areas 41 to 50. In this state, the control device CONT is in a state of waiting for the user to contact any one of the display areas 41 to 50 and in a state of waiting for the user to contact the side detection units SD1 to SD4. And

  In this case, similarly to the state shown in FIG. 5, when the user touches an area of the touch panel that overlaps any of the display areas 41 to 50, the control device CONT detects the contact position on the touch panel by the display unit detection unit 52b. Then, a process corresponding to the identification display displayed at the contact position is executed. For example, when the user touches a portion of the touch panel that overlaps the display area 41, the control device CONT performs the process displayed on the display area 41 (Process 1).

  When the user touches any one of the side detection units SD1 to SD4, the control device CONT detects the contact position on the side detection unit SD1 to SD4. For example, when the contact position is a position in the contact area (A2) of the side part detection unit SD4, the process 1 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (A2) in the display unit DP is performed. Further, when the contact position is in the contact region (B2) of the side detection unit SD4, the process 2 displayed on the portion corresponding to the contact region (B2) in the display unit DP is performed. Similarly, when the contact position is detected in the contact area (C2) of the side detection unit SD4, the process 3 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (C2) in the display unit DP is performed. If contact is detected in the contact area (D2), the process 4 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (D2) in the display unit DP is performed.

  Further, when there is a contact with the side detection unit SD3, the process 9 is performed if the contact position is in the contact area (M2), and the process 10 is performed if the contact position is in the contact area (N2). Is done. Similarly, in the case of the side part detection unit SD1, when the contact position is in the contact area (E2), the process 1 is performed, and when the contact position is in the contact area (G2). If the contact position is in the contact area (I2), the process 7 is performed. If the contact position is in the contact area (K2), the process 9 is performed. Is called.

  Similarly, for the side detection unit SD2, if the contact position is in the contact area (F2), the process 4 is performed, and the contact position is in the contact area (H2). If the contact position is in the contact area (J2), the process 8 is performed. If the contact position is in the contact area (L2), the process 10 is performed. Is done.

  Thus, for example, when the posture of the housing FL is different, such as the posture of the housing FL shown in FIG. 5 and the posture of the housing FL shown in FIG. 6, the contact position for performing the same processing is displayed. Moreover, since it can switch suitably, a user can make the input by side part detection part SD1-SD4 intuitively.

  In addition, since the display area in which the display panel is provided is rectangular, it is not necessary to change the aspect ratio of the image data to be displayed when switching the display direction of the image data when the attitude of the housing FL is changed. . As a result, the time required for switching the display can be shortened.

  Further, by providing the second connection portion MT on the back surface Ff, only the display portion DP can be provided on the display surface, and only the operation portion SD can be provided on the side surface. Thereby, the display area in which the display panel is provided and the detection area 20 can be made relatively wide.

[Vibration]
Next, the vibration generated by the portable information terminal EQP when an event occurs will be described. The control device CONT stores in advance a correspondence table in which events and vibration patterns are associated with each other. Then, when an event occurs, the control device CONT reads a vibration pattern corresponding to the generated event from the correspondence table, and vibrates the vibration part AT with the read vibration pattern. For example, when the event “normal data reception” occurs, the control device CONT vibrates any one of the plurality of vibration units AT. Further, when the event “important data reception” occurs, the control device CONT vibrates all of the plurality of vibration units AT.

  Further, when the event “alarm” occurs, the control device CONT vibrates the vibration part AT1 at 148 Hz and vibrates the vibration part AT3 at 152 Hz. As a result, a beat vibration of 4 Hz is generated. Further, as an example of the vibration pattern, in addition to simultaneously vibrating the plurality of vibrating portions AT at different frequencies, it is also conceivable to simultaneously vibrate a plurality of vibrating elements with different strengths. In this case, you may change the intensity ratio of each vibration element according to time. Thereby, the portable information terminal EQP can generate vibrations of a plurality of types of frequencies that can be recognized by the user according to the event.

  When vibrating the vibration part AT, vibrations by the vibration elements AT1 to AT4 are transmitted to the housing FL via the plate-like member 60 that holds the vibration elements AT1 to AT4. For example, for the vibration element AT1, a part of the vibration transmitted to the plate-like member 60 is transmitted to the surface Fa of the housing FL through the first end 60b. The vibration direction of this vibration is a direction that intersects the face Fa (here, for example, perpendicular). Further, a part of the vibration transmitted to the plate-like member 60 is transmitted to the surface Fd of the housing FL via the second end 60c. The vibration direction of this vibration is a direction intersecting the surface Fd (here, for example, perpendicular).

  Therefore, the vibration generated in the vibration element AT1 is transmitted to the surface Fa and the surface Fd of the housing FL via the plate-like member 60. For this reason, it is possible to give the user who holds the surface Fa and the surface Fd a feeling that vibration is directly transmitted. The same applies to the vibration element AT2 to the vibration element AT4.

  As described above, the portable information terminal (electronic device) EQP according to the present embodiment is provided with the housing FL having a plurality of surfaces and the vibration provided to contact two or more adjacent surfaces among the plurality of surfaces. Since the part AT and the control part CONT that is housed in the housing FL and controls the vibration of the vibration part AT are provided, the vibration generated in the vibration part AT is the vibration part AT among the plurality of surfaces of the housing FL. Since it is transmitted directly to the contact target surface, it is possible to give a sense that vibration is directly transmitted to the user holding the housing FL. Thereby, vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the user.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is possible to

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vibration elements AT1 to AT4 are held by the plate-like member 60, and the plate-like member 60 is connected to the adjacent surface of the housing FL as an example. It is not limited to this.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a configuration in which an embedded member 160 is provided between the vibration element AT1 and the housing FL may be employed. The embedded member 160 is disposed so as to fill the space between the vibration element AT1 and the surface Fa, the surface Fd, and the corners of the housing FL. The vibration element AT1 is connected to the surface Fa and the surface Fd of the housing FL via the side surface 160b and the side surface 160c of the embedded member 160, respectively. The vibration element AT1 is held on the holding surface 160a of the embedded member 160. The vibration element AT1 has a vibration direction in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface 160a, for example.

  The vibration by the vibration element AT1 is transmitted to the housing FL through the embedded member 160. A part of the vibration transmitted to the embedded member 160 is transmitted to the surface Fa through the side surface 160b. The vibration direction of this vibration is a direction perpendicular to the surface Fa. Further, part of the vibration transmitted to the embedded member 160 is transmitted to the surface Fd via the side surface 160c. The vibration direction of this vibration is a direction perpendicular to the surface Fd.

  Even in such a configuration, the vibration generated in the vibration part AT is directly transmitted to the contact target surface of the vibration part AT among a plurality of surfaces of the case FL. A feeling that vibration is directly transmitted to a person can be given. Thereby, the portable information terminal EQP excellent in operability can be provided. In FIG. 7, one vibration element (for example, the vibration element AT1) is shown as a representative, and the vibration element AT1 has been described. However, the same description can be applied to the vibration elements AT2 to AT4.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the corner portion Fg of the housing FL may be chamfered, and the vibration element AT1 may be directly held on the holding surface Fh of the corner portion Fg. The vibration element AT1 has a vibration direction in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface Fh, for example.

  Vibration by the vibration element AT1 is transmitted to the face Fa and the face Fd of the housing FL through the corner portion Fg. The vibration direction of the vibration transmitted to the surface Fa is a direction perpendicular to the surface Fa. Further, the vibration direction of the vibration transmitted to the surface Fd is a direction perpendicular to the surface Fd.

  Even in such a configuration, the vibration generated in the vibration part AT is directly transmitted to the contact target surface of the vibration part AT among a plurality of surfaces of the case FL. A feeling that vibration is directly transmitted to a person can be given. Thereby, the portable information terminal EQP excellent in operability can be provided. In FIG. 8, one vibration element (for example, vibration element AT1) is shown as a representative, and the vibration element AT1 has been described. However, the same description can be applied to the vibration elements AT2 to AT4.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated taking the example of the structure which the vibration part AT contacts two adjacent surfaces among the housing | casing FL, it is not restricted to this.
For example, the vibration unit AT may be in contact with three adjacent surfaces. As shown in FIG. 9, the vibration element AT1 is disposed at a corner formed by the surface Fa, the surface Fd, and the surface (bottom surface) Fi of the housing FL, and these three surfaces (surface Fa, surface Fd, and It is in contact with the surface Fi).

  The vibration element AT1 can be formed, for example, so as to vibrate in a direction from the corner portion P of the housing FL toward the vertex Q of the vibration element AT1. In this case, the vibration by the vibration element AT1 is transmitted to the surface Fa in a direction perpendicular to the surface Fa, to the surface Fd, transmitted in a direction perpendicular to the surface Fd, and to the surface Fi. It is transmitted in a direction perpendicular to the surface Fi.

  Even in such a configuration, the vibration generated in the vibration part AT is directly transmitted to the contact target surface of the vibration part AT among a plurality of surfaces of the case FL. A feeling that vibration is directly transmitted to a person can be given. Thereby, the portable information terminal EQP excellent in operability can be provided. In FIG. 9, one vibration element (for example, vibration element AT1) is shown as a representative, and the vibration element AT1 has been described. However, the same description can be applied to the vibration elements AT2 to AT4.

  In addition to the above configuration, for example, the vibration elements AT1 to AT4 are in contact with a part of the surfaces Fa to Fd which are side surfaces of the housing FL and a part of the bottom surface Fi (see FIG. 9) of the housing FL. You may be the structure which has. Since the vibration generated in the vibration part AT is directly transmitted to the contact target surface of the vibration part AT among the plurality of surfaces of the case FL, the vibration is directly applied to the user holding the case FL. It can give a sense of being transmitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as a structure of side part detection part SD1-SD4, although demonstrated taking the example of the structure which detects that an electrostatic capacitance changes by contact, it is not restricted to this, For example, A configuration for detecting a change in voltage due to contact (for example, a resistive touch sensor or the like) may be employed. Moreover, as a structure of side part detection part SD1-SD4 other than the structure which provides an electrode, the structure which does not provide an electrode, such as a surface acoustic wave system and an infrared system, for example, may be sufficient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the side part detection part SD1-SD4 was mentioned as an example and demonstrated the structure arrange | positioned at each of the side surface Fa-Fd of the housing | casing FL, it is not restricted to this. For example, the side part detection part may be configured to be provided on one or more faces of the side faces Fa to Fd.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated taking the example of the structure by which the touchscreen was provided in the surface of display part DP, it is not restricted to this, The structure by which a touchscreen is not provided may be sufficient. In this case, it becomes the structure operated using side part detection part SD1-SD4 provided in the operation part SD. With this configuration, since high operability can be obtained without providing a touch panel, the cost of the portable information terminal can be reduced.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the aspect which controls so that each of side part detection part SD1-SD4 was divided | segmented into a some contact area was mentioned as an example, it was not restricted to this. For example, it may be set so that one process is performed when one side detection unit is touched without being divided into a plurality of contact areas of the side detection units SD1 to SD4.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the attitude | position which detects the attitude | position of the housing | casing FL with a sensor and controlled to switch the display in the display part DP based on the detection result was mentioned as an example, it demonstrated as an example, It is restricted to this. There is no. For example, it may be controlled to perform a constant display regardless of the detection result of the sensor. Further, a mode in which the user can set a mode for switching display based on the detection result of the sensor and a mode for performing constant display regardless of the detection result may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the surface side electrode 10a among the electrodes 10 demonstrated and demonstrated as an example the structure which is the same state with the other part among side surface Fa-Fd, it is limited to this. No. For example, a configuration in which the surface-side electrode 10a is disposed on the inner side of the housing FL than the other portions of the side surfaces Fa to Fd (a configuration in which the surface-side electrode 10a is disposed in a recessed position) may be employed. The surface side electrode 10a may be configured to be disposed on the outer side of the housing FL with respect to the other portions of the side surfaces Fa to Fd (configuration in which the surface side electrode 10a is disposed at a protruding position). .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated taking the case of the plate-shaped structure in which housing | casing FL was formed in the rectangle, it is not restricted to this. For example, the housing FL may have a plate-like configuration formed in another shape such as a rectangle, a circle, a triangle, or a polygon. Further, the housing FL may be formed in other shapes such as a spherical shape, a polygonal column shape, a cylindrical shape, etc. without being limited to a plate shape.

  EQP ... portable information terminal FL ... casing DP ... display unit SD ... operation unit CONT ... control device EL ... organic PN ... display panel TP ... touch panel Fe ... display surface Fa-Fd ... side surface SD1-SD4 ... side detection unit 10 ... Electrode 10a ... Front side electrode 10b ... Internal side electrode 10c ... Dielectric 20 ... Detection region 31-40, 41-50 ... Display region 51 ... Control unit 52 ... Input unit 52b ... Display unit detection unit 52c ... Attitude detection unit 53 ... Output unit 53b ... Audio output unit 60 ... Plate-like member 160 ... Embedded member

Claims (8)

A housing having a plurality of surfaces;
A vibrating portion provided to contact two or more adjacent surfaces among the plurality of surfaces;
An electronic device comprising: a control unit that is housed in the housing and controls vibration of the vibration unit. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of surfaces are arranged such that the housing has a rectangular plate shape. The vibrating part is
A vibrating element that vibrates in response to a control signal from the control unit;
The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a holding unit that is supported on each of the contact target surfaces of the vibration unit and has a holding surface that holds the vibration element. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the vibration element is provided to vibrate in a direction intersecting the holding surface. The holding part has a plate-like member on which the holding surface is formed,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein both end portions of the plate-like member in a direction parallel to the holding surface are connected to the adjacent contact target surfaces. The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the holding unit includes an embedded member that is provided so as to fill a space between the vibration element and each of the contact target surfaces. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit is disposed at a corner of the housing. The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a display unit provided on one surface of the housing.

Images