JP2948033B2 - Information and communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform an operation for selecting any function with the operation of one side hand grasping a receiver for received voice output itself by freely turnably providing a ring-shaped dial for function selection at the outer periphery of that receiver. CONSTITUTION:At the outer periphery of a receiver 5 for received voice output, a dial 6 for adjusting the volume of a received voice or for selecting any function and adjusting the volume of the received voice is freely turnably provided in the state of surrounding the receiver 5. One part of the dial 6 on the side face is exposed to the outside by notched parts 7 formed at the right and left side edge parts of a receiver part 1. Therefore, even in the state of grasping the equipment itself with the right or left hand, the dial 6 can be easily turned with that hand. Thus, operations required for selecting the function can be easily and surely performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small portable radio information communication device having at least a radio communication function and an electronic organizer function, and more particularly to a function selection, a reception sound volume adjustment, or a function selection / reception sound volume. The present invention relates to a small portable wireless information communication device capable of easily performing an operation relating to adjustment while holding a functional body with one hand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional small portable radio information communication device, at the time of transmission / reception, the device itself is taken out of a clothes pocket or the like, and after necessary operations are performed, information is exchanged (specifically, voice communication). Call, etc.), and thereafter, when the information exchange with the other party is completed, the information is stored again in a pocket or the like. By the way, small portable wireless information communication devices in general are currently configured as multifunctional devices such as an electronic organizer device, such as a wireless communication function, and complicated functions are required to make the required functions actually function. Operations must be performed in a predetermined order. For example, assuming a case where a call is made by calling the other party, the small portable wireless information communication device is taken out of a pocket or the like, and after a series of necessary calling operations is performed, it is necessary to be able to talk. It has to be changed and then moved near the mouth and ears, as if it were a handset or handset itself. In addition, when selecting any one of a plurality of functions, or when calling and displaying a desired destination telephone number stored in advance on the display screen, necessary button operations and the like are performed on the surface display. Various button operations, such as visual confirmation, selection of a desired one, or operation of a confirmation button when displayed, need to be performed in a predetermined order. As a function related to this type of function, a function described in a magazine "DIME" (published by Shogakukan on October 17, 1991, pp. 82 and 83) (including a folding type) is known.

[0003]

As described above, in order for a certain function to function, it is necessary to perform various operations in a predetermined order. It is easy to operate with the other hand while holding the wireless information communication device.However, conventional small portable wireless information communication devices are not always easy to use in operation. It is difficult. This is because, if a call is made to the other party and the device enters a call waiting state, the small portable wireless information communication device itself is moved to the vicinity of the mouth and ears so as to be in a state in which a call can be made. The sound volume of the sound cannot be adjusted well as needed. For example, when the volume adjustment of the received voice is performed by an electronic button operation or the like, in order to reliably perform the volume adjustment while avoiding an erroneous operation, once remove the small portable wireless information communication device from the mouth or ear and perform the volume adjustment operation. It must be done. It is desirable to be able to perform various operations with one hand while holding it with one hand, if possible, such as a volume adjustment operation and a function selection operation. In addition to the above disadvantages, the conventional portable wireless information communication device has a receiver portion for receiving voice output made of the same hard material as the main body, and the receiver portion is directly in contact with the ear. In the winter season or the like, the receiver section in a low temperature state comes into contact with the ears, so that unpleasant sensation or uncomfortable feeling is inevitable. When the receiver is made of a hard material, it is not easy to keep the receiver in close contact with the ears at all times. It is disadvantageous in terms of protection. Incidentally, the situation described above is the same for those described in the above-mentioned known documents.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized portable radio information communication device in which an operation required for selecting a function can be performed only by one-handed operation of a side holding the device. . A second object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized portable wireless information communication device in which an operation required for selecting a function can be easily and reliably performed only by one-handed operation of a side holding the device itself. To serve. A third object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a small portable wireless information communication device in which an operation required for adjusting the volume of a received voice can be performed by only one-handed operation of a side holding the device itself in a talking state. A fourth object of the present invention is that the operation required for adjusting the volume of the received voice can be easily and reliably performed by only one-handed operation of the side holding the terminal itself in a call state. An object of the present invention is to provide a small portable wireless information communication device that can be performed.
A fifth object of the present invention is that an operation required for selecting a function and adjusting the volume of a received voice while in a call state can be performed only by one-handed operation on the side holding itself. To provide a small portable wireless information communication device. A sixth object of the present invention is to easily perform an operation required for selecting a function and adjusting the volume of a received voice while in a call state only by one-handed operation on the side holding itself. Another object of the present invention is to provide a small portable wireless information communication device that can be performed reliably. A seventh object of the present invention is to perform an operation required to perform at least one of a function selection and a volume adjustment of a received voice while in a call state, on the side of the side that is gripping itself. Provide a small portable wireless information communication device that not only can be easily and reliably performed with only one-handed operation, but also can prevent reception sound from leaking outside and can receive reception sound without a sense of incongruity due to a temperature difference. It is in. An eighth object of the present invention is to check the function selection display and the volume display when an operation required to perform at least one of the function selection and the adjustment of the volume of the received voice in a call state is performed. In addition to being able to perform easily and reliably with only one-handed operation on the side that is gripping itself, it is also possible to prevent the leakage of the received sound to the outside and to listen to the received sound without discomfort due to temperature differences. To provide a small portable wireless communication device.

[0005]

The first object is attained by providing a ring-shaped dial for selecting a function on the outer periphery of a receiver for outputting a received voice so as to be rotatable. The second object is to provide a ring-shaped dial for selecting a function on the outer periphery of a receiver for outputting a received voice so as to be rotatable and having both left and right ends exposed to the outside so as to be operable from outside. It is achieved by letting go. The third object is achieved by providing a ring-shaped dial for adjusting the volume of the received voice on the outer periphery of the receiver for outputting the received voice. The fourth object is to provide a state in which a ring-shaped dial for adjusting the received sound volume is rotatably provided on the outer periphery of the receiver for outputting the received sound, and both left and right ends are exposed to the outside so as to be operable from outside. This is achieved by providing A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a ring-shaped dial on the outer periphery of a receiver for outputting a received voice, which functions as a volume control for a received voice in a wireless communication state and functions as a function selection in a non-wireless communication state. Is achieved by The sixth object is that a ring-shaped dial that functions as a function for adjusting the volume of a received voice in a wireless communication state and functions as a function for selecting a function in a non-wireless communication state is rotatably provided on the outer periphery of a receiver for outputting a received voice, and This is achieved by providing the left and right side ends in a state where they are exposed to the outside so as to be operable from the outside. A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a ring-shaped dial for function selection, reception sound volume adjustment, or function selection and reception sound volume adjustment on the outer periphery of a receiver for receiving sound output from the receiver surface. This is achieved by providing a rotatable state with a ring-shaped ear pad made of a soft material attached thereto and a state in which both left and right ends are exposed to the outside so as to be operable from the outside. The eighth object is to provide a ring-shaped dial for function selection, reception sound volume adjustment, or function selection and reception sound volume adjustment on the periphery of a receiver for receiving sound output, and protruding from the receiver surface on the dial. In a state in which a ring-shaped ear pad made of a soft material is attached in a rotatable state and both left and right ends are exposed to the outside so as to be operable from the outside. This is achieved by displaying on the earpad a function selection, a reception sound volume adjustment, or a function selection / reception sound volume adjustment related display.

[0006]

When a ring-shaped dial for function selection, volume adjustment of received voice, or function selection and volume adjustment of received voice is rotatably provided on the outer periphery of the receiver for output of received voice, a small-sized portable telephone can be used. The ring-shaped dial can be operated with only one hand operation on the side holding the wireless information communication device itself. In addition, at this time, if the ring-shaped dial is provided with both left and right ends exposed to the outside so that it can be operated from the outside, it can be more easily and reliably operated. is there. When a ring-shaped ear pad made of a soft material is attached on the ring-shaped dial in a state that it protrudes from the receiver surface, it is possible to prevent the reception sound from leaking to the outside and receive the sound without discomfort due to the temperature difference. You can hear the voice. Further, when a function selection, a reception sound volume adjustment, or a display related to the function selection / reception sound volume adjustment is given on the receiver surface and the ring-shaped ear pad, the function selection display and the volume display are checked while checking the function selection display and the volume display. The ring-shaped dial can be reliably operated only by one-handed operation on the side holding itself.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, various descriptions will be given of a small portable wireless information communication device (hereinafter, referred to as a device at the end) according to the present invention. First, FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of the basic configuration. The one in this example is foldable in the stored state, and shows a non-folded state from the folded state, that is, an external perspective view in the use state, but is not limited to this and may be a non-foldable one. It is applicable. As shown in the figure, the whole is roughly divided into a part including a receiver unit 1 and a display unit 2 and a part including an operation unit 3 and a microphone 4. The receiver unit 1 and the display unit 2 have a predetermined angle via a joint 14. The display unit 2 and the operation unit 3 are foldable via the joint 15 while being engaged and fixed so as to be bent and rotatable within the range.
When the entire device is stored, it is configured to be foldable and rotatably engaged. As shown, a display screen 8 is arranged on the display unit 2, and various buttons are arranged on the operation unit 3 in relation to a display on the display screen 8. Among these buttons, a function selection button 9 is used to set a function of a device (refers to a function such as a wireless communication function or an electronic organizer function), and a plurality of buttons on the numeric keypad 10 are used for storing / calling an electronic number or the like. A call button 11, a redial button 12, and an end button 13 for a call / input operation are arranged for input / output operations centered on the terminal, so that not only a wireless call function but also an electronic organizer function can be provided. It is configured as such. For example, when the radio communication function is selected and set by the function selection button 9, the microphone 4 is arranged at the tip of the operation unit 3, and the receiver (for receiving voice output) 5 is arranged at the center of the receiver unit 1. Therefore, in a wireless communication state with the other party, the device is used like a handset in a telephone while holding the device in one hand.

A portion directly related to the present invention will now be described. A ring-shaped dial 6 is arranged around the outer periphery of the receiver 5 so as to surround the receiver 5 and to be rotatable. Due to the notch 7 formed at the side end, the dial 6 is partially exposed to the outside, so that the device itself can be held with only one of the right and left hands even when the device itself is gripped with only one hand. It can be easily and surely rotated.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the receiver unit 1. As shown in the drawing, the dial 6 is shown separated from the receiver unit 1, but the dial 6 is configured such that a ring-shaped soft pad 18 is fixed on an operation ring 17, and the receiver 6 It is rotatably engaged with a dial groove 27 formed in the portion 1. At this time, the claws 19 protruding from a part of the inner peripheral surface of the operation ring 17 are sequentially contacted with a plurality of function selection switches 20 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the receiver 5. A desired function can be easily selected by being rotated. Further, a rack 21 is formed on the outer periphery of the operation ring 17, and the rack 21 is engaged with a pinion 22 for adjusting the volume, so that the volume of the sound received from the receiver 1 can be adjusted by turning the dial 6. It is. Incidentally, in this example, the dial 6 automatically functions for adjusting the received voice volume in the wireless communication state and functions for selecting the function in the non-wireless communication state. Of course, it is possible to function only for selection. The display lamp 23 disposed near the receiver unit 1 displays various incoming / outgoing calls when the device is in use, and the display lamp 23 disposed on the end face is used when the device is in a folded state. This is to display outgoing and incoming calls.

Now, a method of using the device will be described. FIG. 3 shows a state of use of the device. As shown in the figure, it is shown as being held with one hand (in this example, the right hand, but the left hand is also possible) for making a wireless call, but as will be understood from this, either the thumb A or the index finger B is shown. , Or both, the dial 6 can be easily rotated. The device is mainly held by a palm part C and the remaining three fingers D.
In this way, no inconvenience occurs even if the thumb A and the forefinger B rotate the dial 6, and if the dial 6 is held between two fingers in a wireless communication state, the reception in the wireless communication state is performed. Naturally, the coarse adjustment of the sound volume can be easily performed.

[0011] Further, the case where a radio call is made will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the dial 6 is turned in the direction of arrow A, the function display portion 8a at the lower portion of the display screen 8 is indicated by an arrow. The function is updated and displayed sequentially. When the target function is displayed, the finger is released from the dial 6, and the dial 6 is automatically returned to the set state. Assuming that the telephone number display is selected as the function selection, when the dial 6 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, the telephone number registered in advance on the display screen 8 is displayed together with the name. They are displayed sequentially. Eventually, when the target telephone number is displayed, the dial 6 is released and the dial 6 is automatically returned to the set state, and the call is automatically started. However, since the device is provided with the function selection button 9, it is possible to make a call using the function selection button 9 when the device is installed on a desk or when operating with both hands.

To explain another example of the function selection method, as shown in FIG. 5, a desired function is selected by an operation within the range B in order to select a desired function. That is, the function is selected by rotating the dial 6 and stopping the display by setting the set display mark to the display position of the desired function displayed on the lower part of the receiver 5. The function update display and the selected function are also displayed on the display screen 8. In the function selection method shown in FIG. 4, a desired function is visually selected by sequentially updating the functions on the display screen 8. However, the troublesomeness is reduced and the desired function is directly selected. It is one that is selected. Further, in the operation within the range A, the volume of the received voice is adjusted. In the case of a wireless call, the call with the other party is started by the automatic call function, but the volume of the received voice at that time differs depending on the surrounding environment conditions including the other party, and the volume of the received voice is often adjusted. However, the volume can be adjusted as desired by appropriately turning the dial 6 as needed from the start of the call. When the dial 6 is operated with two fingers,
A subtle volume adjustment is made possible.

FIG. 6 shows a partial configuration of a device when a dial according to the present invention is formed on a display screen. As shown in the figure, a dial 16 is arranged on the back side of a thin display screen 8 made of liquid crystal or the like, and the dial 16 is provided to the outside by notches 7 formed on both sides of the display unit 2 as in the previous case. It has been exposed. Thus, when the dial 16 is arranged, a large display area can be secured for the display screen 8, and accordingly, a lot of information can be displayed on the display screen 8.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of a receiver section in another example. As shown, the dial 6 and the receiver 5 are integrally formed, and a ring-shaped soft pad 18 is fixed on the dial 6. A nail 24 and a rack 21 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dial 6.
Is formed, the dial 6 is connected to the receiver 1
In the state of being rotatably engaged with the center pin 26 of
The pawl 24 can be sequentially contacted with a plurality of function selection switches 25, and the rack 21 is engaged with a pinion 22 for volume control.

[0015]

As described above, in the case of the first aspect, the operation required for selecting the function can be performed only by one-handed operation on the side holding itself.
According to the second aspect, the operation required for selecting the function can be performed easily and reliably by only one-handed operation of the side holding the function itself. According to the third aspect, the operation required for adjusting the volume of the received voice can be performed only by one-handed operation on the side holding itself while the telephone is in a call state. In addition, the operation required for adjusting the volume of the received voice can be performed easily and reliably with only one hand operation on the side holding the telephone itself while the telephone is in a call state. It has become. Furthermore, in the case of the fifth aspect, the operation required for selecting the function and adjusting the volume of the received voice while in the call state can be performed only by one-handed operation on the side holding itself. According to the sixth aspect, the operation required for selecting the function and adjusting the volume of the received voice while in the call state can be easily performed by only one-handed operation on the side holding itself. In addition, it can be performed reliably. Furthermore, in the case of claim 7, the operation required to perform at least one of the selection of a function and the adjustment of the volume of the received voice in a call state is performed on the side of the user holding the function itself. In addition to the simple and reliable operation with only one hand operation, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the received sound to the outside and to listen to the received sound without causing a sense of incongruity due to the temperature difference. The operation required to perform at least one of the function selection and the volume adjustment of the received voice while the call is in progress is performed by grasping the function selection display and the volume display while confirming the operation itself. In addition to being able to perform easily and reliably with only one hand operation on the side where the receiver is, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the received voice to the outside and to be able to listen to the received voice without discomfort due to the temperature difference .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a basic configuration of a small portable wireless information communication device according to the present invention in an external perspective open state.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a receiver unit in the small portable wireless information communication device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a use state of the small portable wireless information communication device.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining a wireless communication state in the small portable wireless information communication device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the function selection method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a device when a dial according to the present invention is overlaid on a display screen.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a receiver unit in another example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Receiver part, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Microphone, 5 ... Receiver, 6, 16 ... Dial, 7 ... Notch part, 8 ... Display screen, 9 ... Function selection button, 10 ... Numeric keypad part , 11 ... call button, 12 ... redial button, 13 ... end button, 14, 15 ... joint, 16 ... dial, 17 ... operation ring, 18 ... soft pad, 19 ... claws, 20, 25 ... function selection switch, 21 ... Rack, 22 ... Pinion, 23 ... Indicator lamp, 24 ... Tail.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04B 7/26 H04M 1/00 H04Q 7/00-7/38

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information communication device comprising at least audio output means, wherein an outer periphery of said audio output means is provided.
An information communication device comprising a ring-shaped dial for selecting a function, which is rotatable and at least one of left and right ends exposed to the outside so as to be operable from outside. 2. An information communication device comprising at least sound output means, wherein a ring-shaped dial for volume control is rotatably provided on the outer periphery of said sound output receiver. .