JP3781646B2 - Mobile telephone and its backlight control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile phone and a backlight control method thereof, and more particularly, it is possible to optimally control the turning on / off of a backlight during a call, thereby reducing power consumption and improving usability. The present invention relates to a mobile phone and a backlight control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Mobile telephones such as mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handyphone System) machines have a portion corresponding to a handset of a fixed telephone as a main body, and this main body includes an antenna, a high frequency section, a key matrix, a display section, a control section, a microphone, a speaker, The backlight is integrated. When making a call with a mobile phone (in this case, a mobile phone) having such a configuration, an off-hook operation is performed using a key matrix, then the main body is held in one hand, and the speaker is held in a state of being fitted to the ear part. It is used in such a way that a call is started after waiting for the other party to come out.
[0003]
By the way, mobile phones and PHS machines enable standby time of several hundred hours by using a rechargeable small battery as a power source and by devising a circuit. For this reason, control is performed to turn off a backlight or the like that consumes a large amount of power when it appears to be unnecessary. For example, when the power is turned on or the key matrix is operated, the backlight is turned on for a predetermined time and is turned off when the predetermined time is reached.
[0004]
There are cases where it is desirable to turn off the backlight in addition to turning on the power and operating the key matrix. For example, when making a call, as described above, the mobile phone body is near the ear, and the user never sees the display unit or the operation unit (key matrix). Therefore, it is not necessary to turn on the backlight during a call, and it is desirable to turn it off. However, conventionally, when the operation of the key matrix is started, the backlight is turned on for a certain period of time. Battery power is consumed.
[0005]
FIG. 4 shows a conventional backlight control method for a mobile telephone. In the figure, S represents a step.
The backlight control method of FIG. 5 is a method for solving the above-described conventional problems. First, it is determined whether or not there is a key operation (S201), and if it is determined that there is a key operation, the backlight is turned on (S202). After the backlight is turned on, it is determined whether or not a call is started (determined by an off-hook operation) (S203). When it is determined that the call is started, it is determined that the display is not seen and the backlight is turned off (S204). Next, it is determined whether the call has ended (determined by an on-hook operation) (S205). Normally, when the call is finished, the user usually moves the mobile phone main body away from the position of the ear and moves to the front of the body, and there is a high possibility of viewing the displayed content. Therefore, the process returns to S201 and the backlight is turned on. On the other hand, if the call start is not determined in S203, it is determined whether or not the time set by the timer has elapsed (S206). When the set time has elapsed, the backlight is turned off (S207). Thereafter, the process returns to S201 and enters a standby state.
[0006]
In the process of FIG. 5, when the lighting time is set short by the timer, the backlight is turned off while the operation button (key) is being operated, or conversely, the backlight is suddenly turned off. However, it is difficult for users to use. Therefore, as a method for solving such a problem, there is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-086232, and the backlight is turned off after the lighting brightness of the backlight gradually becomes dark at a preset time. Prevents sudden turn off.
[0007]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-27844, when the surroundings are dark, the backlight is turned on in response to a key input or incoming call for starting a call, and at the same time, a timer is started, and then a voice input is detected or a certain time has elapsed. Later, the backlight is turned off to minimize the backlight lighting time and reduce power consumption.
[0008]
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-321853, when the operation unit is operated, the call detection unit detects the start of the call, turns off the lit backlight, and turns off the backlight for a certain period of time when the call detection unit detects the end of the call. The backlight is turned on when the display unit and the operation unit cannot be seen during a call so that the power consumption of the battery can be reduced.
[0009]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-174896, when a specific message is received from a base station, the backlight lighting / erasing control is performed based on the contents set by the user regarding the backlight lighting control. Necessary key operations can be performed without error, and battery current consumption can be minimized.
[0010]
Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-103153, when a telephone number is input at the time of a call or when it is determined that there is a transmission buffer from the other party at the time of an incoming call, it is determined whether it is a voice call or a data communication. The light is turned off to reduce the current consumption of the battery.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional mobile phone, in the case of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-086232, the backlight is turned off after the brightness of the backlight gradually darkens. However, by reducing the brightness, the power consumption is suppressed. However, the backlight remains on for a certain period of time after the start of the call, and power is wasted.
[0012]
According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-321853, a timer is started when a call starts, and the backlight is turned off when the time is up. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-103153, a voice call is determined by inputting a telephone number. In order to turn off the backlight, the backlight changes from turning on to turning off at once, and when the backlight is turned off before the mobile phone is moved to the ear side, the user feels uncomfortable. In addition, even after the backlight is turned off, you may want to recheck the display screen or re-enter, but in such cases, if the backlight is turned off, the display screen cannot be seen, It becomes difficult to see.
[0013]
According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-174896, when a specific message is received from the base station, the backlight lighting / erasing control is performed based on the content set by the user. The backlight lighting / erasing control is not performed, and the effect of suppressing power consumption is reduced.
[0014]
An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone capable of reducing power consumption without impairing the user's convenience by providing a low-brightness lighting state between turning on and off of the backlight and a backlight control method thereof There is to do.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, as a first feature, a wireless unit that performs wireless communication, a display unit and an operation unit provided in a main body, and a back that illuminates the display unit and the operation unit. In a mobile phone that includes a light and a microphone as a transmitter and operates using a battery as a power source, a voice detection circuit that detects the presence or absence of voice based on the level of an output signal from the microphone, and is in a call state A call detection circuit for detecting whether or not, a backlight drive circuit for driving the backlight, a timer for counting the lighting time of the backlight, and lighting based on the call detection circuit detecting the start of a call The backlight inside is controlled to a low brightness lighting state, and in this state, the voice detection circuit detects the presence of voice or the timer times up It is to provide a mobile telephone, characterized in that it comprises a backlight control circuit to turn off the backlight with a ever.
[0016]
According to this configuration, when the call detection circuit detects the start of a call, the lit backlight is controlled to a low-intensity lighting state by the backlight control circuit, and the voice of the user is detected by the voice detection circuit in this state. If it does, it will be in the state which the main body moved to the ear | edge side, it will be considered that the user did not need to look at a display part, and a backlight will be light-extinguished. Also, even if the user's speaking voice is not detected after the start of the call is detected, it will be considered silent after moving the main body to the ear side after the fixed time, and the time set by the timer When the time has elapsed, the backlight control circuit turns off the backlight. In this way, by turning the backlight that is lit on in a low-brightness lighting state based on the determination to start a call and then turning off the backlight, it is possible to reduce power consumption without impairing the usability of the user.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has, as a second feature, a wireless unit that performs wireless communication, a display unit and an operation unit provided in a main body, and a backlight that illuminates the display unit and the operation unit. In a mobile phone having a speaker as a receiver and operating with a battery as a power source, a sensor installed in the vicinity of the speaker and detecting a contact state with a human body, and an output signal of the sensor exceeding a predetermined level A contact detection circuit that outputs a detection signal, a call detection circuit that detects whether or not a call is in progress, a backlight drive circuit that drives the backlight, a timer that counts the lighting time of the backlight, Based on the fact that the call detection circuit detects the start of a call, the backlight that is lit is controlled to be in a low-luminance lighting state, and in this state, the contact detection circuit is controlled. Detection signal is output from, or the timer is to provide a mobile telephone, characterized in that it comprises a backlight control circuit to turn off the backlight with a fact that the time is up.
[0018]
According to this configuration, when the call detection circuit detects the start of a call, the lighting backlight is controlled by the backlight control circuit to be in a low-luminance lighting state, and in this state, the main body is in contact with the user's body. When detected, the main body is moved to the ear side, and it is considered that the user no longer needs to look at the display unit, and the backlight is turned off. Also, even if the user's speaking voice is not detected after the start of the call is detected, it will be considered silent after moving the main body to the ear side after the fixed time, and the time set by the timer When the time has elapsed, the backlight control circuit turns off the backlight. In this way, by turning the backlight that is lit on in a low-brightness lighting state based on the determination to start a call and then turning off the backlight, it is possible to reduce power consumption without impairing the usability of the user.
[0019]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a third feature, the control of lighting of the backlight that illuminates the display unit and the operation unit provided in the main body is based on the presence or absence of key operation of the operation unit. In the backlight control method of the mobile phone to be performed, the backlight is turned on in response to the key operation of the operation unit, and the backlight that is lit is controlled to be in a low luminance lighting state when the start of a call is detected When the backlight is in the low-luminance lighting state, the main body is detected to be in contact with the human body, the voice spoken by the user is detected, or the set time has been exceeded. And a backlight control method for a mobile phone, wherein the backlight is turned off.
[0020]
According to this method, the backlight is turned on in response to the key operation of the operation unit, and when the start of a call is detected, the lit backlight is controlled to be in a low luminance lighting state. In this state, the main body is brought into contact with the user's human body for a call, and the contact state is detected. If a contact state is detected, it can be seen that the phone can be immediately called, but even in this state, it is possible that the other party does not come up and the call is abandoned. The backlight is turned off when the voice is pressed, the voice is present, or the set time is exceeded. In this way, the backlight that is lit is turned into a low-intensity lighting state based on the determination of the start of the call, and then turned off based on the presence of sound or exceeding the set time, without impairing the user's convenience, Power consumption can be reduced.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a mobile telephone according to the present invention.
A mobile telephone according to the present invention includes a microphone (microphone) 1 as a transmitter, a microphone amplifier 2 connected to the microphone 1, an A / D converter 3 connected to the microphone amplifier 2, and the A / D. The voice detection circuit 4 connected to the converter 3, the key detection circuit 5 for detecting the presence or absence of operation of the key 21 as the operation unit, the call detection circuit 6 for detecting that the call has been made, from the start of lighting of the backlight A timer 7 for counting the time of the backlight, a backlight control circuit 8 for controlling the backlight 10, a backlight drive circuit 9 connected to the backlight control circuit 8, a backlight 10 driven by the backlight drive circuit 9, and The display unit 22 is configured to be illuminated from the back surface or the like by the backlight 10. In addition, although not shown in the mobile phone, a wireless unit that connects to a public wireless network via a base station or the like, an antenna, a speaker as a receiver, a control unit that controls the whole using a CPU, An LED (light emitting diode) for notifying an incoming call is provided.
[0022]
The microphone 1 converts an utterance of a user who is talking during a call into an electric signal. The microphone amplifier 2 amplifies the audio signal from the microphone 1. The A / D converter 3 converts the analog output signal of the microphone amplifier 2 into a digital signal. The voice detection circuit 4 recognizes whether or not there is a utterance from the user. When the audio signal from the A / D converter 3 reaches a preset threshold, it is output to the backlight control circuit 8. The key detection circuit 5 detects whether or not the user of the mobile telephone is performing a key operation, and transmits the information to the backlight control circuit 8.
[0023]
The call detection circuit 6 detects whether or not the mobile phone is in a call state (= connection state with a base station). For example, a call channel is formed between the mobile phone and a base station (not shown). It can be configured to detect and determine whether or not. Also, normally, in the case of outgoing calls, the “call (call)” button is pressed, in the case of incoming calls, the call is started after any button is pressed after the ringing tone, and when the call ends Since the “end” button is pressed, these operations can be detected to detect the start / end of the call. The timer 7 is set with a time for turning on the backlight 10 and counts down the time from the start of lighting of the backlight 10.
[0024]
The backlight control circuit 8 is for controlling the luminance of the backlight 10, turns on the backlight 10 based on the output signal of the key detection circuit 5, and based on the output signal of the call detection circuit 6 or the timer 7. Then, the backlight 10 is changed to a low-luminance lighting state (a dimming state). Further, the backlight control circuit 8 turns off the backlight 10 based on the detection signal from the sound detection circuit 4 and the output signal (time-up signal) from the timer 7. As an output of the voice detection circuit 4 in this case, only when the user speaks with the mouth close to the microphone 1 and the sound pressure level exceeds a level (threshold) that can be regarded as being in conversation, the voice is being spoken. A signal indicating that is output.
[0025]
The backlight 10 is arranged in the mobile telephone, and illuminates the display unit 22 and the key 21 by an LCD (liquid crystal display) by illuminating the light from the back and the side, and displays the display unit 22 and the position of the key 21. Make it easier to see. The timing for turning on / off the backlight 10 is determined by the backlight control circuit 8 based on output signals from the call detection circuit 6, the key detection circuit 5, the voice detection circuit 4, and the timer 7. The backlight drive circuit 9 turns on the backlight 10 under the control of the backlight control circuit 8.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows the operation of the embodiment of FIG. In the figure, S represents a step. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
When the user of the mobile phone is talking while placing the main body on the side (ear) of the face, the user does not need to turn on the backlight 10 because the user is not looking at the display unit 22. Therefore, when the user is not looking at the display unit 22 of the mobile phone, this state is recognized by the call detection circuit 6, the key detection circuit 5, and the voice detection circuit 4, and the process shown in FIG. The brightness of the light 10 is lowered or the backlight 10 is turned off.
[0027]
Referring to FIG. 2, when the key detection circuit 5 detects that there has been a key operation (S101), this detection information is input to the backlight control circuit 8. The backlight control circuit 8 controls the backlight drive circuit 9 and starts lighting the backlight 10 (S102). Next, when the call detection circuit 6 detects the start of a call (S103), or when the time set by the timer 7 has elapsed (S104), the backlight control circuit 8 controls the backlight drive circuit 9 and the backlight. The brightness of 10 is lowered (S105). When sound is detected with the backlight 10 in a low-luminance state (S106), or when the time set by the timer 7 has elapsed (S107), the power supply to the backlight 10 is cut off and the backlight 10 is turned off. The light 10 is turned off (S108). This extinction is continued until the call detection circuit 6 detects the end of the call. When the call is finished, the backlight control circuit 8 controls the backlight drive circuit 9 to turn on the backlight 10 again, and the process returns to S102. When the key operation or the like is performed after the backlight 10 starts lighting and before the set lighting time has elapsed (“NO” in S104 and S101), the backlight 10 is turned on again (S102).
[0028]
According to the first embodiment, at the time of meaningless standby or call performed while the backlight 10 is lit, by shifting to a low-brightness lighting state with less current consumption than the full lighting state, Power consumption is reduced. In this state, since the display is in a low-luminance state, the display on the display unit 22 can be seen without any trouble. Furthermore, the backlight 10 is turned off by voice detection in the low-luminance lighting state, so that the backlight 10 can be turned off at an optimal timing even before the set time by the timer 7 has elapsed. Thus, wasteful battery power consumption can be prevented. Then, the continuous call time can be increased by the amount that power consumption can be reduced.
[0029]
The effects obtained by performing low-luminance lighting are listed as follows.
(1) The power can be saved and the luminance of the backlight 10 can be maintained to some extent, so that the display of the display unit 22 can be maintained for a long time.
(2) It is possible to relieve the discomfort given to the user by sudden lighting of the backlight 10 during key operation.
(3) After turning on for a few seconds, the state shifts to a low-brightness state, and only when a voice from the microphone is detected in this state, the backlight is controlled so that the backlight is turned off. When referring to the phone book (key operation) and telling the number to the other party (speech input), if the elapsed time is short when the display unit 22 is viewed again, the backlight is not turned off, and unnecessary keys No need to push.
[0030]
In the above embodiment, when the backlight 10 is turned off during a call (S108), the power supply to the display unit 22 may be turned off at the same time.
[0031]
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, instead of the detection system of the microphone 1 to the sound detection circuit 4 shown in FIG. 1, a contact detection sensor 11 that detects contact, and the presence or absence of contact is detected based on the output level of the contact detection sensor 11. A detection system including the contact detection circuit 12 is provided. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the backlight 10 from being extinguished in response to ambient noise even though the user is not actually speaking.
[0032]
As the contact detection sensor 11, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, or the like can be used, and is installed in the vicinity of a speaker (receiving part). When the pressure sensor is used, when the user places the mobile phone body on the ear, the contact pressure is detected and a detection signal is sent to the contact detection circuit 12. The contact detection circuit 12 generates an output signal when the output level from the contact detection sensor 11 exceeds a predetermined value.
[0033]
FIG. 4 shows the process of the second embodiment.
4, S101 to S105 and S107 to S109 are the same as those in FIG. The difference between FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 is that S301 is entered in the place of S106 in FIG. In S301, the output signal of the contact detection circuit 12 based on the output signal of the touch sensor 11 is determined. If Yes, the process proceeds to S108, and if No, the process proceeds to S107. When Yes in S301, power to the backlight 10 is cut off and the backlight 10 is turned off (S108). This extinction is continued until the call detection circuit 6 detects the end of the call. When the call is finished, the backlight 10 is turned on again, and the process returns to S102. Further, when No is determined in S301, it is determined whether or not the time set by the timer 7 has elapsed. If it has elapsed, the process of S108 is executed, and the backlight 10 is turned off.
[0034]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the start of a call can be determined only by placing the mobile phone body on the user's ear, and the backlight 10 can be automatically turned off. Unlike the above, the backlight 10 can be controlled without being operated due to ambient noise, and the power consumption can be reduced, and the continuous call time can be increased accordingly. Moreover, since the display unit 22 is not seen when the main body is placed on the side of the head, the backlight 10 can be turned off at an optimal timing.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above, according to the mobile phone of the present invention, the start of a call is detected by the call detection circuit, and the backlight control circuit controls the backlight that is lit to a low luminance lighting state by this detection. In the state, the voice detection circuit system or the contact detection circuit system detects the user's speaking voice or contact with the human body, or the backlight is turned off based on the elapse of the set time by the timer. The power consumption can be reduced and the usable time can be increased without impairing the usability of the user.
[0036]
Further, according to the backlight control method of another mobile phone of the present invention, the backlight is turned on in response to the key operation, and the backlight that is turned on is controlled to be in a low-luminance lighting state upon detection of the start of a call. In this state, it is detected that the main unit has touched the user's human body, or the user's spoken voice is detected, or the backlight is turned off when the set time is exceeded. Power consumption can be reduced without sacrificing the user's convenience by turning the light into a low-intensity lighting state based on the determination of the start of the call and then turning off the light when there is sound or the set time is exceeded. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a mobile telephone according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of a mobile telephone according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional backlight control method.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microphone 2 Microphone amplifier 3 A / D converter 4 Audio | voice detection circuit 5 Key detection circuit 6 Call detection circuit 7 Timer 9 Backlight drive circuit 10 Backlight 11 Contact detection sensor 12 Contact detection circuit 21 Key 22 Display part

Claims (8)

A wireless unit that communicates wirelessly, a display unit and an operation unit provided on the main body, a backlight that illuminates the display unit and the operation unit, a microphone as a transmitter, and a battery as a power source In a mobile phone that works,
A sound detection circuit for detecting the presence or absence of sound based on the level of an output signal from the microphone;
A call detection circuit for detecting whether or not the call is in a call state;
A backlight driving circuit for driving the backlight;
A timer for counting the lighting time of the backlight;
Based on the fact that the call detection circuit detects the start of a call, the lighting backlight is controlled to be in a low-brightness lighting state, and in this state, the voice detection circuit detects the presence of voice or the timer has timed out A mobile telephone comprising a backlight control circuit for turning off the backlight accordingly.   2. The movement according to claim 1, wherein the call detection circuit detects the call state based on a call channel being formed with a base station or an operation of a call key being detected. Phone. The backlight drive circuit, when the call detecting circuit detects the call end, moving the phone according to claim 1, wherein the turning on the backlight. A wireless unit that communicates wirelessly, a display unit and an operation unit provided in the main body, a backlight that illuminates the display unit and the operation unit, a speaker as a receiver, and a movement that operates using a battery as a power source On the phone
A sensor that is installed in the vicinity of the speaker and senses a contact state with a human body;
A contact detection circuit that outputs a detection signal when an output signal of the sensor exceeds a predetermined level;
A call detection circuit for detecting whether or not the call is in a call state;
A backlight driving circuit for driving the backlight;
A timer for counting the lighting time of the backlight;
Based on the fact that the call detection circuit detects the start of a call, the lighting backlight is controlled to be in a low luminance lighting state, and in this state, a detection signal is output from the contact detection circuit, or the timer is timed up And a backlight control circuit for turning off the backlight.   5. The mobile phone according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or an optical sensor. 5. The mobile telephone according to claim 4, wherein the backlight control circuit turns off the backlight when the call detection circuit does not detect the start of a call and the timer has passed a set time.   5. The mobile telephone according to claim 4, wherein the backlight driving circuit turns on the backlight when the call detecting circuit detects the end of the call. In the backlight control method of the mobile phone, the lighting control of the backlight that illuminates the display unit and the operation unit provided in the main body is performed based on the presence or absence of key operation of the operation unit.
Turn on the backlight according to the key operation of the operation unit,
When the start of a call is detected, the backlight that is lit is controlled to a low-intensity lighting state,
When the backlight is in the low-luminance lighting state, the main body is detected to be in contact with the user's human body, the voice spoken by the user is detected, or the set time has been exceeded. A backlight control method for a mobile phone, wherein the backlight is turned off.

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