JP2015106734A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability of a telephone application of an electronic apparatus during a telephone conversation.SOLUTION: An electronic device 1 comprises: touch sensors arranged on a surface and a back face; and a control part 14 for performing processing relevant to a telephone application such as cutoff of a telephone conversation, recording of a telephone conversation, turn up of a volume and turn down of a volume when an operation of a touch sensor 13 on the back face is detected during a telephone conversation. The electronic device 1 further comprises a pressing force detection part for detecting a pressing force on the touch sensor 13 on the back face, in which the control part detects an operation when data based on the pressing force detected by the pressing force detection part meets a predetermined standard.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a touch sensor on a back surface.

  In recent years, an electronic device such as a mobile phone provided with a touch sensor that detects contact by a user has increased. Various detection methods, such as a resistive film method and a capacitance method, are known as contact detection methods, and any method detects contact of a contact object with a user's finger or stylus pen.

  In addition to the front surface, an electronic device having a touch sensor on the back surface is also known. For example, in Patent Document 1, two touch sensors are provided on the front surface and the back surface, respectively, and input to the first back surface or the second back surface is performed based on a predetermined correspondence relationship associated with the use state. A portable terminal capable of improving convenience by receiving input as input to the second surface is described.

JP 2012-230567 A

  In order to make a call using a mobile terminal, it is generally necessary to bring the mobile terminal close to the ear, and the touch sensor cannot be operated while simultaneously viewing the display unit of the mobile terminal while bringing the mobile terminal close to the ear. For this reason, it has been difficult to execute processing related to a call application during a call.

  In order to execute processing related to the calling application during a call, the mobile terminal is once removed from the ear in order to operate the touch sensor, and the backlight is turned on when the backlight of the screen is turned off. An operation of displaying an icon related to the process and operating the icon is necessary, and the call is interrupted during that time. Moreover, in order to display the icon which concerns on a predetermined process on a display part, several operation may be needed and it was inconvenient.

  An object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is to provide an electronic apparatus capable of improving the operability of a call application during a call.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device having touch sensors on the front and back surfaces, and performs processing related to a call application when an operation of the back touch sensor is detected during a call. A control unit is provided.

  Furthermore, in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit disconnects the call when detecting an operation of the touch sensor on the back during the call.

  Furthermore, in the electronic device according to the present invention, the control unit records a call when detecting an operation of a touch sensor on the back during the call.

  Furthermore, in the electronic device according to the present invention, when the control unit detects the first operation of the back touch sensor during a call, the control unit increases the volume and detects the second operation of the back touch sensor during the call. , Characterized by lowering the volume.

  Furthermore, the electronic device according to the present invention further includes a pressure detection unit that detects a pressure applied to the touch sensor on the back surface, and the control unit has data based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit satisfying a predetermined standard. And detecting the operation.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of a call application during a call.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mounting structure of the electronic device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state in which the user hold | maintained the electronic device with the left hand. It is a flowchart which shows the telephone call process of the electronic device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the telephone call is carried out using the electronic device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mounting structure of the electronic device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the telephone call process of the electronic device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 includes a display unit 11, a front surface touch sensor 12, a back surface touch sensor 13, a control unit 14, a storage unit 15, a communication unit 16, a microphone 17, and a speaker 18. With.

  The display unit 11 displays images such as characters, photos, icons (operation objects). The display unit 11 is configured using a liquid crystal panel (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL panel (OELD: Organic Electroluminescence Display), or the like. For example, on the home screen, the display unit 11 displays icons for performing various operations such as telephone, mail, Internet communication, and camera shooting.

  The surface touch sensor 12 detects finger contact or contact release on the input surface of the surface touch sensor 12. Then, the surface touch sensor 12 detects a contact position with respect to the input surface, and outputs a signal indicating the detected contact position to the control unit 14. The front surface touch sensor 12 is made of a transparent member, and is superposed on the front surface of the display unit 11. The user visually recognizes the image on the display unit 11 via the transparent surface touch sensor 12 and operates the surface touch sensor 12 at the display position of the icon displayed on the display unit 11 to execute predetermined processing on the electronic device 1. Let Here, the operation of the touch sensor refers to all operations such as touch, tap, double tap, slide, flick, and swipe that bring a finger into contact with the touch sensor.

  The back touch sensor 13 is disposed on the back surface of the electronic device 1 in order to improve operability when operating the electronic device 1 with one hand, and detects contact or release of a finger on the input surface of the back touch sensor 13. The detection result is output to the control unit 14. The front surface touch sensor 12 and the rear surface touch sensor 13 are realized by a known method such as a resistive film method or a capacitance method, for example.

  When the control unit 14 detects an operation of the surface touch sensor 12 based on a signal input from the surface touch sensor 12, the control unit 14 executes processing corresponding to the icon displayed at the contact position.

  Further, when the operation of the back touch sensor 13 is detected by a signal input from the back touch sensor 13 during a call, the control unit 14 executes a predetermined process related to the call application. A specific example of the predetermined processing relating to the calling application will be described later.

  The storage unit 15 can be configured by a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various information, a program for operating the electronic device 1, and the like, and also functions as a work memory.

  The communication unit 16 communicates with a base station or another communication device by radio, and enables Internet connection, telephone line connection, transmission / reception of electronic mail, and the like.

  The microphone 17 collects ambient sounds such as a user's utterance. The sound collected by the microphone 17 is converted into an electrical signal and sent to the control unit 14.

  The speaker 18 outputs sounds such as voice, music, and ringtone.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting structure of the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a rear view.

  In FIG. 2, illustration of elements other than the housing 10, the display unit 11, the front surface touch sensor 12, the rear surface touch sensor 13, and the bonding member 40 is omitted. In addition to the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 2, for example, the electronic device 1 can include elements such as a control unit 14, a substrate, and various components. Typically, the microphone 17 is disposed below the surface touch sensor 12, and the speaker 18 is disposed above the surface touch sensor 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the surface touch sensor 12 is disposed on the surface 10 a of the housing 10 (for example, a metal or resin case) and supported by the housing 10.

  The display unit 11 is disposed inside the housing 10. For example, the display unit 11 may be bonded to the back surface of the front surface touch sensor 12, or directly fixed inside the housing 10, or fixed to a substrate or a display unit holder disposed inside the housing 10. May be. In FIG. 2, the display unit 11 is bonded to the surface touch sensor 12 via the bonding member 40. As shown in FIG. 2B, if the display unit 11 is arranged on the back surface side of the front surface touch sensor 12, the user can freely access the display unit 11 when configuring the touch panel with the front surface touch sensor 12 and the display unit 11. The interface can be displayed, and the user's operation can be detected by the surface touch sensor 12. Note that the bonding member 40 is a thermosetting or ultraviolet curable adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like, and may be an optical elastic resin that is a colorless and transparent acrylic ultraviolet curable adhesive, for example.

  The back surface touch sensor 13 is disposed on the back surface 10b of the housing 10 and supported by the housing 10 so as to include a range that can be contacted with an index finger when the electronic device 1 is held with one hand. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the back surface touch sensor 13 is disposed on the top of the back surface 10 b of the housing 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user holds the electronic device 1 with the left hand. 3A is a view seen from the front side, and FIG. 3B is a view seen from the back side. When the electronic device 1 is held with the left hand as shown in FIG. 3B, the index finger is positioned on the back touch sensor 13. Therefore, the user can easily operate the back touch sensor 13 (touch, tap, double tap, flick, etc.) by bending the index finger without moving other fingers. In the present embodiment, the back touch sensor 13 is limited to a position where the index finger can contact, but may be disposed over a wider range.

  Next, call processing by the electronic apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a call process of the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  When the display unit 11 displays a telephone icon for starting a call and the control unit 14 detects an operation at the display position of the telephone icon by the surface touch sensor 12 (step S101—Yes), the call application When the telephone number is input from the user, the communication unit 16 starts the telephone line connection. When the telephone line connection is established, the user can talk with the other party and executes the call process (step S102).

  When the control unit 14 detects a predetermined operation of the back touch sensor 13 by a signal input from the back touch sensor 13 during a call (step S103-Yes), the control unit 14 executes a predetermined process related to the call application (step S104). ). When the control unit 14 detects an operation at the display position of the call end icon for ending the call (step S105-Yes), the control unit 14 disconnects the call and ends the call process. For example, the control unit 14 displays the home screen ( Display the standby screen). A specific example of the predetermined process in step S104 will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a call is made using the electronic device 1. In a state where the electronic device 1 is making a call close to the ear, the front touch sensor 12 cannot be operated by looking at the display unit 11, and it is difficult to execute processing related to the call application during the call. On the other hand, as can be seen from FIG. 5, it is easy to operate the back touch sensor 13 with the index finger in consideration of the arrangement of the finger holding the electronic device 1. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to execute a predetermined process related to the call application by operating the back touch sensor 13.

  For example, in order to adjust the volume of the speaker 18 during a call, generally, the electronic device 1 is moved away from the ear, the backlight is turned on when the backlight of the screen is turned off, and then the volume is displayed on the display unit 11. After displaying an icon for adjustment, an operation of touching the icon is required, and the call (conversation) is interrupted during this time. Therefore, in the electronic apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the volume of the speaker 18 can be adjusted also by operating the back touch sensor 13 during a call. That is, when the control unit 14 detects the first operation of the back touch sensor 13 (for example, sliding from the bottom to the top) during a call, the control unit 14 increases the volume of the speaker 18 and the second operation of the back touch sensor 13. When (for example, sliding from top to bottom) is detected, the volume of the speaker 18 is decreased. Thereby, the volume of the speaker 18 can be adjusted easily while preventing the call (conversation) from being interrupted.

  When the volume button of the speaker 18 is arranged on the side surface of the electronic device 1, it is possible to press the volume button while talking. However, when the electronic device 1 is held with the right hand and when the electronic device 1 is held with the left hand, the finger operating the volume button is different, and the operability is not good. For example, when holding with the right hand, the volume button is operated with the index finger, and when holding with the left hand, it is operated with the thumb. In addition, when a plurality of buttons are arranged on the side surface portion of the electronic device 1, there is a risk of erroneous operation such as pressing a button different from the volume button. Therefore, the operability can be improved by adjusting the volume by operating the back touch sensor 13.

  In order to record a call, generally, the electronic device 1 is removed from the ear, the backlight is turned on when the backlight of the screen is turned off, and then an icon for starting a recording operation on the display unit 11 is displayed. After the display, an operation of touching the icon is required, and the call (conversation) is interrupted during this time. Therefore, the electronic device 1 according to the present invention can record the content of the call by operating the back touch sensor 13 during the call. That is, when the control unit 14 detects a predetermined operation (for example, a double tap) of the back touch sensor 13 during a call, the control unit 14 records the content of the call. Thereby, it is possible to easily record the content of the call while preventing the call (conversation) from being interrupted.

  When the call is disconnected (terminated), the electronic device 1 is generally removed from the ear, the backlight is turned on when the backlight of the screen is turned off, and then the call is disconnected on the display unit 11. Therefore, it is necessary to perform an operation of touching the icon after displaying the icon for the operation. Therefore, in the electronic device 1 according to the present invention, the call can be disconnected also by operating the back touch sensor 13 during the call. That is, when detecting a predetermined operation (for example, tapping) of the back touch sensor 13 during a call, the control unit 14 disconnects the call. Thereby, the call can be disconnected easily. 4 shows a case where the call is disconnected by operating the call end icon. However, when the call is disconnected by operating the back touch sensor 13, the call is disconnected in step S104. To finish the call processing.

  As described above, when the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment detects an operation of the back touch sensor 13 during a call by the control unit 14, the electronic apparatus 1 executes a process related to the call application. For this reason, according to the electronic device 1, the operability of the calling application can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment further includes a press detection unit 20 as compared with the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The press detection unit 20 detects a press when the user performs an operation on the back surface touch sensor 13 and outputs data based on the press to the control unit 14. The press detection unit 20 is configured using, for example, a strain gauge sensor or a piezoelectric element whose physical or electrical characteristics (strain, resistance, voltage, etc.) change according to the press. When the pressure detection unit 20 is configured using, for example, a piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element of the pressure detection unit 20 has a load (force) magnitude (or a load magnitude) due to the pressure applied to the back touch sensor 13 changed. Depending on the speed (acceleration), the voltage value (data based on the pressure), which is an electrical characteristic, changes. Note that the data based on the pressure may be the magnitude of the load due to the pressure, the power value, the resistance value, or the like instead of the voltage value.

  Further, the pressure detection unit 20 may detect the pressure when the user performs an operation on the surface touch sensor 12 in the same manner. In the present embodiment, the pressure detection unit 20 detects the pressure on the surface touch sensor 12. The following description will be made on the assumption that a pressure when the user performs an operation is also detected.

  The control unit 14 acquires data based on the pressure applied to the back surface touch sensor 13 (and the front surface touch sensor 12) from the pressure detection unit 20. The control unit 14 determines that a predetermined operation has been performed when the data based on the pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and performs a predetermined process according to the operation content, for example, based on an application. To control.

  Moreover, the press detection part 20 can be comprised according to a contact detection system. For example, when the contact detection method is a resistance film method, a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, or the like can be obtained by associating the magnitude of the resistance according to the size of the contact area with the load of pressing against the touch surface of the touch sensor. The press detection unit 20 can be configured without using it. Alternatively, in the case where the touch sensor is a capacitive type, the capacitance can be configured without using a strain gauge sensor, a piezoelectric element, or the like by associating the magnitude of the capacitance with a load applied to the touch sensor.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting structure of the electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment. Fig.7 (a) is a front view, FIG.7 (b) is sectional drawing along the AA in FIG.7 (a), FIG.7 (c) is a rear view. FIG. 7 further illustrates piezoelectric elements 21 to 24 that constitute the pressure detection unit 20 with respect to the mounting structure of the electronic device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2. Note that the number and arrangement position of the piezoelectric elements are not limited to the illustrated example.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the press detection unit 20 includes a first piezoelectric element 21, a second piezoelectric element 22, a third piezoelectric element 23, and a fourth piezoelectric element 24, and the first piezoelectric element 21 and the second piezoelectric element 24. The element 22 detects a pressure when the user performs an operation on the back surface touch sensor 13, and the third piezoelectric element 23 and the fourth piezoelectric element 24 detect when the user performs an operation on the surface touch sensor 12. Detects pressing.

  In FIG. 7A, the area on the surface touch sensor 12 that does not need to transmit the display by the display unit 11, that is, the area where the surface touch sensor 12 and the display unit 11 do not overlap each other is an area of the surface touch sensor 12. It is preferred to paint or cover the area near the edge with a bezel. In this way, it is possible to prevent the third piezoelectric element 23, the fourth piezoelectric element 24, and the like from being visible from the outside of the electronic device 2.

  Next, processing by the electronic apparatus 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a call process of the electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment.

  When the display unit 11 displays a telephone icon for starting a telephone call, when the operation at the display position of the telephone icon is detected by the front surface touch sensor 12 (step S201-Yes), the front surface touch sensor is detected from the press detection unit 20. Data based on the pressure on 12 is acquired (step S202). And the control part 14 determines whether the data based on the acquired press satisfy | filled the predetermined threshold value (reference | standard) (step S203), and when the data based on a press satisfy | fill the predetermined threshold value (step S203- Yes), it is determined that the pressing operation of the telephone icon of the surface touch sensor 12 has been performed, and the telephone call process is executed (step S204). Here, the time when the data based on the pressure satisfies the predetermined threshold may be the time when the data based on the pressure reaches the predetermined reference value, or the data based on the pressure exceeds the predetermined reference value. It may be when the data based on the pressure equal to the predetermined reference value is detected.

  When the control unit 14 detects a predetermined operation of the back surface touch sensor 13 based on a signal input from the back surface touch sensor 13 during a call (step S205—Yes), the control unit 14 is based on the pressure applied to the back surface touch sensor 13 from the pressure detection unit 20. Data is acquired (step S206). And the control part 14 determines whether the data based on the acquired press satisfy | filled the predetermined threshold value (reference | standard) (step S207), and when the data based on a press satisfy | fill the predetermined threshold value (step S207- Yes), it is determined that the pressing operation of the back touch sensor 13 has been performed, and a predetermined process related to the call application is executed (step S208). The predetermined process is as described in the first embodiment.

  And the control part 14 will acquire the data based on the press with respect to the back surface touch sensor 13 from the press detection part 20, if operation in the display position of the call end icon for cutting a call is detected (step S209-Yes) (step S209). S210). And the control part 14 determines whether the data based on the acquired press satisfy | filled the predetermined threshold value (reference | standard) (step S211), and when the data based on a press satisfy | fill the predetermined threshold value (step S211- Yes), the call is disconnected and the call process is terminated. For example, a home screen (standby screen) is displayed on the display unit 11. The flowchart in FIG. 8 shows a case where the call is disconnected by operating the call end icon. However, when the call is disconnected by operating the back touch sensor 13, the call is disconnected in step S208. To finish the call processing.

  As described above, the electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment further includes the press detection unit 20, and the control unit 14 is configured to display the back surface when the data based on the press against the back touch sensor 13 satisfies a predetermined standard. It is determined that the touch sensor 13 has been operated. Therefore, it is possible for the electronic device 2 to prevent the user from determining that an operation has been performed simply by lightly touching another object. In particular, when the electronic device is held, a finger comes in contact with the back surface, but by detecting the pressure by the pressure detection unit 20, it is erroneously determined that the user has operated it even though the user does not intend the operation. Can be prevented.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 3 according to the third embodiment further includes a tactile sensation providing unit 30 as compared with the electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The tactile sensation providing unit 30 generates a predetermined vibration based on the drive signal supplied from the control unit 14. The drive signal may be any drive signal that expresses the vibration of the realistic button to be expressed at the position where the finger touches.

  The tactile sensation providing unit 30 is configured using a piezoelectric element, an ultrasonic vibrator, a vibration motor (eccentric motor), or the like, and a user who presses the back touch sensor 13 by generating vibration according to a predetermined vibration pattern. The tactile sensation is presented to the user's finger, and the user is sensibly notified that the rear touch sensor 13 has been operated. The tactile sensation providing unit 30 presents a tactile sensation to the user's finger pressing the back touch sensor 13 by controlling the charge of the film pasted on the back touch sensor 13 without using mechanical vibration. May be.

  Further, the tactile sensation providing unit 30 may generate vibrations in the same manner for the surface touch sensor 12 so as to present a tactile sensation to the user's finger pressing the surface touch sensor 12. .

  It should be noted that the tactile sensation providing unit 30 can be configured integrally with the press detection unit 20. In particular, when the press detection unit 20 and the tactile sensation providing unit 30 are configured using piezoelectric elements, the piezoelectric elements can be shared. This is because the piezoelectric element generates a voltage when pressure is applied and deforms when the voltage is applied. An example of the mounting structure in this case is as shown in FIG.

  When the press detection unit 20 and the tactile sensation providing unit 30 are configured using a piezoelectric element, the control unit 14 performs a predetermined process when the voltage value of the piezoelectric element satisfies a predetermined threshold, You may make it generate a vibration by driving. Here, the time when the voltage value of the piezoelectric element satisfies a predetermined threshold value may be when the voltage value reaches a predetermined reference value or when the voltage value exceeds a predetermined reference value. However, it may be when a voltage value equal to a predetermined reference value is detected.

  As described above, the electronic device 3 according to the third embodiment further includes the tactile sensation providing unit 30 and generates a predetermined vibration based on the drive signal supplied from the control unit 14. Therefore, when the user operates the back surface touch sensor 13 (and the front surface touch sensor 12), the electronic device 3 can sensibly notify the user that the intended operation has been performed.

  Although the above embodiment has been described as a representative example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, a plurality of constituent blocks described in the embodiments can be combined into one, or one constituent block can be divided.

1, 2, 3 Electronic equipment 11 Display unit 12 Front touch sensor 13 Rear touch sensor 14 Control unit 15 Storage unit 16 Communication unit 17 Microphone 18 Speaker 20 Press detection unit 21 First piezoelectric element 22 Second piezoelectric element 23 Third piezoelectric element 24 4th piezoelectric element 30 Tactile sense presentation part 40 Joining member

Claims (5)

An electronic device having touch sensors on the front and back surfaces,
An electronic apparatus comprising: a control unit that executes processing related to a call application when an operation of a touch sensor on a back surface is detected during a call.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit disconnects the call when detecting an operation of a touch sensor on a back surface during the call.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit records a call when an operation of a touch sensor on a back surface is detected during the call.   The controller increases the volume of the speaker when detecting the first operation of the back touch sensor during a call, and decreases the volume of the speaker when detecting the second operation of the back touch sensor during the call. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is characterized. A pressure detection unit for detecting pressure on the touch sensor on the back surface;
5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects the operation when data based on a pressure detected by the pressure detection unit satisfies a predetermined criterion. 6. .

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