JP2972710B2 - Mobile phone with backlight ON / OFF function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a portable telephone, and more particularly, to a portable telephone having a backlight ON / OFF function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable telephones having a backlight function and configured to allow a user to set whether or not to turn on the backlight by key input have been widely used. A portable telephone having a backlight and minimizing power consumption by a backlight is also disclosed in, for example, JP-A-4-117735 and JP-A-6-117735.
This is proposed in JP-A-120864 and JP-A-9-172481.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a portable telephone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-117735. A keypad 71 for inputting operation instructions, display means 72 for displaying key inputs and their responses, backlight means 73 for illuminating the keypad 71 and the display means 72, and a sensor 74 for detecting ambient brightness; The system includes a battery (battery) 75 and control means 76 for controlling the system. The backlight 73 is turned off when there is no key input during the set time, and there is a key input when the surroundings are dark and the backlight 73 is off. And the backlight 73 is turned on. In addition, when the surrounding environment is bright or when the backlight 73 is lit, and there is a key input, each process can be executed by the key input.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a portable telephone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-172481. A display unit 81 such as a liquid crystal display, an illuminating unit 83 using a light-emitting element for illuminating a key 82, a clock unit 84 for measuring time, a battery (battery) 85, and a time within a certain range of the clock times by the clock unit 84 , An illumination control unit 87 for turning off the illumination unit 83 during the set time, and an illuminance detection unit using an optical sensor for detecting the ambient illuminance.

[0005] Except for the time set by the time setting means, the control means controls the lighting means based on the detection result of the illuminance detecting means, thereby suppressing unnecessary power consumption.

The portable telephone described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-120864 is provided with a plurality of light emitting diodes constituting a backlight, and in a power saving mode in which half of the light emitting diodes are turned off in addition to a full lighting mode of the light emitting diodes. It saves power.

When the apparatus is in a standby state with the backlight turned on, the terminal voltage of the battery is measured using a voltage detecting element, and when the terminal voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage, the backlight is fully lit. And when the voltage falls below the predetermined voltage, half of the light emitting diodes are turned off.

[0008]

In a conventional portable telephone, whether or not to turn on a backlight is designed to be set by a user, and a backlight function is required to operate the portable telephone with low power consumption. ON / OFF switching needs to be performed frequently. However, in such a function switching, it is necessary to first perform a mode setting by a key input operation, and then to perform a procedure of selecting backlight ON / OFF, and the like, and such a switching operation is complicated. Because it is very complicated,
Most mobile phone holders use the backlight in the mode of turning on the backlight.

Further, various portable telephones described in the above-mentioned publication, which automatically save power consumption by the backlight, control the backlight according to the use environment, time zone and battery voltage of the portable telephone. In addition, although detailed control based on various conditions is automatically performed, the setting itself is also performed by the user, and the complexity is essentially the same as that of the conventional example. Therefore, as a result, the backlight may need to be used in the lit state even when the backlight is not required.

[0010] The backlight function is intended to avoid an operation error or the like by using the surroundings in a dark state at night or the like. The backlight function is used within a minimum necessary range by a simple manual operation. If it is made possible, unnecessary power is not consumed, and the mobile phone can be used for a longer period even with a battery having a predetermined capacity.

(Object) It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable telephone capable of performing one-touch on / off operation of a backlight function.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable telephone capable of easily performing a manual backlight even in a dark environment.

[0013]

A portable telephone according to the present invention comprises:
The display unit, telephone number keys, function operation keys and
It has a backlight function for illuminating the talk / end key.
Turns on after the input of the talk number or the key operation of the function operation is completed
Backlight can be turned off after a certain period of time
In the mobile phone, the backlight is provided in the housing.
A backlight key for performing ON / OFF operation is provided.
Even before the elapse of a certain time, the backlight key O
Backlight by FF operation or call / end key operation
Can be turned off. Further, it is preferable that the backlight key is arranged at a portion of the housing of the mobile phone which is to be touched by the thumb or the operation portion.

The portable telephone of the present invention has a display unit and an operation unit.
Mobile phone with backlight that illuminates
A backlight which is also used as an operation key in the operation unit.
Key and any of the keys on the operation section.
Control that turns on only the backlight of the light key for a short time
And turning on / off the backlight key
Switch on / off switching of backlight by operation
Control means for performing the operation. In addition,
A sensor, and wherein the control means controls the optical sensor
When the illuminance is detected, the backlight key backlight
It is characterized in that control for lighting the light for a short time is performed.

Further, in each of the portable telephones,
Stage and battery voltage detection means, set by timekeeping means
Time range conditions and locations detected by voltage detection means
Turn on the backlight under the condition of constant battery voltage or higher
Is performed.

(Operation) By providing a backlight operation key, the backlight function can be used within a necessary minimum range by a simple manual operation. The mobile phone can be used for a longer period of time.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable telephone showing an embodiment of the present invention. There is a call key 3, an end key 4, etc. between the display unit 1 and the telephone number key 2, and further,
ON / OFF (ON / OF) of the backlight function of the present invention
F) A backlight key 5 as a dedicated operation key for a backlight for performing an operation.

Backlight key 5 in the present embodiment
Controls the operation of a light-emitting diode or the like that illuminates the display unit and / or an operation unit such as a telephone number key (numeric keypad) by operating the mobile phone either in a standby state or in use. Is what you do.

The backlight key 5 is arranged as a dedicated key at a position where the user can hold the portable telephone and can operate it with one hand, for example, a place where a thumb or the like hits, so as to facilitate the operation. If space for the front operation unit of the mobile phone cannot be secured, the mobile phone can be arranged on the side of the mobile phone or the like, and can also be used as another operation key.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment.

Backlight control means 21 and display unit 22
Operating unit 23 including backlight key 5, display unit 2
2 and a backlight 24 of the operation unit 23, a backlight ON / OFF switch 26, and a timer 27.

The usual usage of the mobile phone is as follows.
After turning on the power, the user determines whether to turn on or turn off the backlight 24, and operates the backlight key 5 according to the brightness of the surroundings to set the backlight to a light-on state or a light-off state. When the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the backlight key 5 is turned on immediately before using the mobile phone, the telephone number is input by the telephone number key 2, the telephone key 5 is operated, the telephone line is connected, and the telephone line is connected . To start. When the call is completed, the end key 4 is pressed to enter the incoming call waiting state.

When a call is not made, there is no need to turn on the backlight.
By turning off the backlight key 5 as described above, the backlight function is used to input the telephone number and check the display contents, etc., so that the power consumption of the battery power supply can be reduced. Make savings.

Next, in the incoming call state, when the surroundings are dark, the backlight key 5 is pressed to turn on the backlight function.
In the N state, the display contents and the like relating to the call are confirmed, and the call key is operated to connect the telephone line and start the call.

In the above operation, call key 5 or end call
The backlight can be turned off when the key 4 is operated. Further, before or after the start of a call after calling or receiving a call, the backlight function can be turned ON or OFF at an arbitrary time zone.
The display can be set to the FF state, the display contents of the mobile phone can be checked if necessary, and the backlight can be turned off, so unnecessary power consumption can be saved. is there.

Further, in addition to controlling the backlight function to be turned off by the backlight key 5, a predetermined time counting means (timer or monostable circuit) 27 or the like is operated by detecting a key operation of the portable telephone. , Key operation is not performed for a certain period of time, and the backlight key 5
The backlight function can be automatically returned to the OFF state after a certain period of time after the ON operation of.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing the backlight key 5, it is possible to easily perform the backlight function at any time by turning on / off the backlight key 5.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the backlight function according to the present embodiment. The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the backlight ON / OFF switch is operated after the start of use of the portable telephone (S1), the control unit of the portable telephone sets the backlight ON / OFF switch to OFF.
It is determined whether or not N (S2), and if not ON, the backlight is turned off (S3) and the backlight control is terminated. Here, the backlight ON / OFF switch is ON
If so, the backlight is turned on (S4), and the backlight is turned on (S5).

Next, when a telephone number input or other function operation is performed (S6), it is determined whether or not the key operation has been completed (S7). Is repeated (S7). Here, when it is determined that the key operation is completed (S7 Yes), when the call / end key or the backlight ON / OFF switch is operated, the call / end key operation or the backlight ON / OFF is performed.
It is determined whether the switch is OFF (S9), and the call / end
Talk key operation or backlight ON / OFF switch O
If the FF operation has been performed ( S9 Yes ), the backlight is turned off (S11). Also, call / end key or key
When the backlight ON / OFF switch is not operated
(S9No) a predetermined time from the last key operation (X seconds) whether or not elapsed is determined (S10), if the inter X seconds have not passed through <br/> (S10No) processing (S8) After X seconds have passed since the last key operation (S10 Yes) , the backlight is turned off (S1).
1) .

FIG. 4 is an external view showing another embodiment of the portable telephone of the present invention. In a miniaturized mobile phone, it is difficult to add a new dedicated key.
In particular, it may be difficult in consideration of the necessary minimum number of keys of the operation unit and the key size in view of operability. In the case of such a mobile phone, the figure does not make the backlight key independent from other keys, but a telephone number key (numeric keypad).
1 shows an example configured so as to also be used as one of the above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the portable telephone of the embodiment shown in FIG. An example is shown in which a backlight control unit performs a backlight control on a display unit and an operation unit based on whether the usage environment of the mobile phone is bright or dark.

The backlight control means 51 and the display section 52
, An operation unit 53 having the backlight key 5, a backlight 54 of the display unit 52 and the operation unit 53, a backlight ON / OFF switch 56, and a backlight 55 of the backlight key 5.

A backlight key as a dedicated operation switch for turning on / off a switch of a power supply unit of the backlight provided in the operation unit is arranged, and a partial backlight dedicated to backlighting the backlight key itself is provided. And the backlight control unit has a configuration for controlling the backlight.

When any key of the operation unit is operated, the backlight control unit 51 determines a use environment based on a signal from the optical sensor. Upon detecting the operation, the dedicated backlight of the backlight key 5 is turned on for a short period of time.

In a situation where the use environment of the portable telephone is dark and it is necessary to turn on the backlight of the operation unit or the like, the user can depress any key by pressing any key without being conscious of the exact position of the backlight key. After the backlight dedicated to the light key is turned on for a short time and the position of the backlight key is confirmed, the original backlight such as the operation unit is turned on by operating the backlight key again.

The alternate key may be a key other than the telephone number key, but can be used as a backlight key depending on whether or not the key is pressed for several times longer than the original key operation time, and the backlight control unit detects this. Backlight ON /
Control the OFF switch.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the backlight is turned on / off only with the backlight key 5. However, as shown in FIG. And a battery voltage detecting means 69 for measuring the battery voltage. The backlight is turned on by measuring the backlight lighting time by a time measuring means in the same manner as in the backlight control of the mobile phone described in each of the above-described conventional examples. It is possible to adopt a control method based on various conditions, such as performing only during a necessary time zone, or performing battery consumption at a predetermined battery voltage or higher with low battery consumption by detecting battery consumption by battery voltage detection means. .

[0039]

According to the portable telephone of the present invention, since the ON / OFF operation of the backlight function can be manually performed by the dedicated key, there is almost no need during the daytime by the user's manual operation. The backlight can be used only in a dark state such as mainly at night. In addition, the standby time and the call time can be extended by reducing unnecessary power of the backlight.

Further, the portable telephone of the present invention can illuminate the backlight key for turning on / off the backlight for a short time by operating any key in a dark environment. The backlight control can be easily performed even when the image is dark, and the backlight key can be used as a key shared with other keys.

[0041]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a mobile phone with a backlight ON / OFF function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flowchart of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment relating to backlight control.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a backlight function of a conventional mobile phone.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another backlight function of the conventional mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 22, 52, 62 display unit 2 telephone number key 3 call key 4 end key 5 backlight key 21, 51, 61 backlight control unit 23, 53, 63 operation unit 24, 54, 73 backlight 26, 56 , 66 backlight ON / OFF switch 27 counting means 57, 67, 88 optical sensor 68, 84 timekeeping means 69 battery voltage detecting means 71 keypad 72 display means 74 sensor 75, 85 battery 76 control means 81, 84 display means 82 key 83 light emitting element 86 time setting means 87 lighting control unit

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-4-117735 (JP, A) JP-A-7-131511 (JP, A) JP-A-10-39272 (JP, A) JP-A-10-42023 (JP, A) JP-A-9-172481 (JP, A) JP-A-7-327004 (JP, A) JP-A-9-321853 (JP, A) JP-A-6-120864 (JP, A) 6-318897 (JP, A) JP-A-7-308061 (JP, A) JP-A-4-8557 (JP, U) JP-A-4-1515 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04M 1/22

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display unit, a telephone number key and a function of an operation unit
Backlight for lighting operation keys and call / end key
It has a function and the key operation for entering the phone number or
After turning off the backlight, turn on the backlight
In a mobile phone which is turned off later, a cover for turning on / off the backlight is provided on the housing.
A backlight key is provided, and before the predetermined time elapses,
Also turn off the backlight key or call / end
The backlight can be turned off by operating the talk key.
Mobile phones. 2. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the backlight key is disposed at an operation portion of a housing of the mobile phone or at a portion of the side of the mobile phone where a thumb touches. 3. The time measuring means and the battery voltage detecting means are provided.
And the time range conditions and power set by the timekeeping means.
Under a condition that is equal to or higher than the predetermined battery voltage detected by the
Illuminating the backlight by using
Item 3. The mobile phone according to Item 1 or 2. 4. A buckler for illuminating a display unit and an operation unit.
A backlight key, which is also used as an operation key in the operation unit, in a mobile phone having a
The buckle when operating any key of the operation unit.
Control to turn on only the backlight of the
ON / OFF operation of the backlight key
Controls switching of backlight on / off
A mobile phone , comprising: a control unit . 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an optical sensor, wherein said control means controls the backlight of the backlight key to be turned on for a short time when the optical sensor detects an illuminance lower than a predetermined value. The described mobile phone. 6. A backlight unit comprising: a timer unit; and a battery voltage detecting unit, wherein the control unit controls the backlight under a condition of a time range set by the timer unit and a condition equal to or higher than a predetermined battery voltage detected by the voltage detecting unit. The mobile phone according to claim 4 , wherein lighting is performed.