JP4070221B2 - Mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

 The present invention relates to a portable communication terminal having an auxiliary operation unit such as a side key in addition to a main operation unit that gives an input instruction for main operation, and in particular, can be set in advance so that processing based on input from the operation unit is invalidated. The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal having a lock function.

  In mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones, there is a problem that the input key is pressed without the user's awareness when it is stored in the pocket or bag of clothing, causing a malfunction such as a screen change or sometimes outgoing calls. there were. Therefore, conventionally, such a problem has been solved by providing a lock function for invalidating processing from an operation unit such as an input key. The lock function can be set in advance by setting from the normal menu screen or by pressing a specific key for a long time. When releasing the lock, two or more keys can be pressed simultaneously, a specific key can be pressed or It is possible to cancel a malfunction such as input of a digit lock code by an input operation capable of avoiding as much as possible.

  In recent years, various types of mobile communication terminals have been distributed. For example, two cases including a case having a key input unit and a case having a screen display unit are rotatably connected at one end thereof. As a foldable type (folder type) in which the key input unit and the screen display unit face each other at the time of folding, or another foldable type, a housing having a key input unit and a screen display unit. A foldable (flip type) cover that covers the key input unit on the body is connected to the body so that it can rotate freely. Furthermore, the case with the key input unit and the case with the screen display unit are connected so as to be able to rotate horizontally. The horizontal rotation type etc. which are made are mentioned.

 Further, for convenience of operation, many terminals having auxiliary operation units such as side keys provided on the side of the casing separately from the key input unit are also distributed. The auxiliary operation unit is provided in a different part from the main operation unit that instructs to input the main operation of the terminal, and can simplify and process operations that are frequently used. In particular, when the key input unit is covered with another housing or cover and cannot be operated when stored as described above, simple operations can be performed by the auxiliary operation unit even when the mobile communication terminal is stored. can do.

 However, the mobile communication terminal having the auxiliary operation unit has a problem that the frequency of malfunctions is high. Therefore, if the lock function as described above is provided in order to prevent malfunction, the original operation, which is the original purpose, cannot be simplified. In addition, the setting of the lock function is very troublesome and there is a possibility that the setting may be forgotten.

 Therefore, a mobile phone that can be easily operated and can realize a reliable lock function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-285442 (Patent Document 1).

Such a cellular phone has a function of locking a key based on setting information stored in advance after detection of opening / closing of the phone, and further sets a time and a time zone for locking the key using a timer or a clock function. It has a function. As a result, the operational convenience of the auxiliary operation unit can be utilized to the maximum, and the trouble of performing the setting operation many times by using the timer and the clock function is eliminated.
JP 2001-285442 A

 As described above, in the case of a mobile communication terminal having a lock function that prevents malfunction due to an accidental input operation, an operation for changing the setting of the lock function is complicated and annoying the user. In particular, when there is a call, there is a problem that the release operation cannot be performed within the call time and the call is interrupted.

 Further, in the portable communication terminal having the auxiliary operation unit, the troublesome operation of the key lock activation / release operation can be eliminated by making various settings as in Patent Document 1, but in recent portable communication terminals, The functions provided are wide-ranging, such as a call function, an SMS (Short Message Service), an email transmission / reception function such as E-mail, etc., and if the same lock function is exhibited for all incoming calls, For example, when there is an incoming call that does not need to be answered, the key lock is released, so that the possibility of malfunction, which was the original problem, increases.

 Therefore, in view of the problems of the related art, the present invention provides a portable communication terminal having an auxiliary operation unit, which can reliably prevent malfunctioning while maintaining high operation convenience of the auxiliary operation unit. The purpose is to provide.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the present invention provides:
Two or more housings are connected so as to be openable and closable, and have a main operation portion that is not exposed to the outside in the closed state, and an auxiliary operation portion that is exposed to the outer surface of the housing in the open and closed state. In a mobile communication terminal having a lock function for controlling the key lock of the operation unit,
The lock function includes storage means for storing a plurality of setting information, and means for selecting any of the setting information from the storage means according to the content of the incoming call when an incoming call occurs while the key lock is activated. The key lock condition is controlled based on the selected setting information.

 In addition, the contents of the incoming call may be one of call calling and mail information reception.

 The setting information includes a setting that does not release the key lock when an incoming call occurs and a setting that automatically releases the key lock when an incoming call occurs.

Further, the setting information includes a setting for changing a time until the key lock is automatically released according to the content of the incoming call when the incoming call occurs.

The setting information includes a setting that automatically releases the key lock when an incoming call occurs, and activates the key lock again when the call or browsing ends.
It includes a setting for varying the time until the key lock is activated again after the end of a call or browsing according to the content of the incoming call.

 Furthermore, the setting information includes a setting that automatically releases the key lock when an incoming call occurs, and activates the key lock again when the call or browsing ends. It includes a setting that varies the time until activation depending on the content of the incoming call.

Moreover, it has a touch sensor exposed when the housing is closed,
The setting information includes a setting for releasing the key lock when contact with the touch sensor is detected.

And a means for detecting an open / closed state of the mobile communication terminal,
The lock function is characterized in that the key lock is activated when a closed state is detected for a predetermined time.

 As described above, according to the present invention, the auxiliary operation unit can be set independently of the main operation unit, so that the operability of the auxiliary operation unit can be kept high and erroneous operation by the auxiliary operation unit can be reliably prevented. it can.

 In addition, since the configuration can be set according to the incoming call content, the setting can be made in consideration of the response operation for each incoming call content type, and the convenience of the user is improved.

 Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the auxiliary operation unit can be locked / unlocked automatically or with a simple operation, convenience is improved.

 Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, but are merely illustrative examples. Not too much.

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable communication terminal having a side key lock function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing processing of a lock function according to the first to third embodiments. 5 is an external configuration diagram of a foldable mobile phone, and FIG. 6 is an external configuration diagram of a horizontal rotation mobile phone.

 In this embodiment, a mobile phone as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 will be described as an example of the mobile communication terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and has a communication function with other terminals, and further the main operation of the terminal The main operation unit that supports the input and the terminal folded or closed, or even when the casing with the display unit is turned horizontally and closed with respect to the surface having the main operation unit of the terminal Any device that has an auxiliary operation part to be exposed may be used.

 First, an overall configuration of a foldable mobile phone 30A, which is an example of a mobile communication terminal according to the present embodiment, will be described with reference to an external perspective configuration diagram of FIG. In this foldable mobile phone 30A, FIG. 5A shows a state in which the mobile phone is used and the phone is opened, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the mobile phone is closed and the mobile phone is closed. In the cellular phone 30A, an upper casing 31a having a screen display unit 23 on one side and a lower casing 31b having a key input unit 24 on one side are coupled via a rotating shaft 34, and the screen display unit 23 and the key input unit 24 face each other and are folded and stored in a state where the casings overlap each other.

 Further, a side key 16 is provided on the side surface of the lower housing 31b. The side key 16 is provided at a position that is exposed on the outer surface even when the cellular phone 30A is closed. For example, response to incoming calls and response hold are up / down selection and confirmation processing on a selection screen when using the cellular phone, It is also used to select various functions of the telephone.

The lower housing 31b is provided with the touch sensor 18 on the same surface as the key input unit 24. The touch sensor 18 senses contact with the surface and transmits a signal to a control circuit of a key lock control unit described later. For example, an electrostatic induction detection method in which a signal is generated when a part of the body comes into contact with an electrode included in the sensor can be applied to such a sensor. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the touch sensor 18 may be disposed on the side surface of the upper or lower housing, similarly to the side key 16.

 Further, the upper casing 31a is provided with a sub display unit 35 on a surface facing the screen display unit 23, that is, a surface exposed to the outer surface when the mobile phone 30A is closed. The sub display unit 35 displays the current time, date, and the like, and in this embodiment, displays a lock state and a lock release state of a key lock function described later.

 FIG. 6 is an external perspective configuration diagram of the horizontal rotation type mobile phone 30B. (A) is when the mobile phone is used and the housing is open, and (b) is when the mobile phone is being stored. , (C) shows a state in which the housing is closed during storage.

 In the cellular phone 30B, an upper housing 31a having a screen display unit 23 and a lower housing 31b having a key input unit 24 are connected by a rotation shaft (not shown). 6 (b), the key input unit 24 is covered with the upper casing 31a and the screen display unit 23 is exposed on the outer surface as shown in (c). Stored.

 The lower housing 31b includes a side key 16 provided at a position exposed to the outer surface even when stored, and a touch sensor 18 provided on the same surface as the key input unit 24. Note that the touch sensor 18 is not limited in its arrangement as in the description in FIG. 5 described above.

 Next, the internal configuration of the mobile communication terminal represented by these mobile phones 30A and 30B will be described with reference to FIG. The main body control unit 20 has a function of controlling main operations such as calling, mail browsing, mail creation and transmission, and other various function settings, and a message information transmission / reception unit 21 using characters and symbols, and other terminals including a call function A voice processing unit 22 for processing voice information such as a call function and an incoming call response, a key input unit 24 for instructing input of these main operations, and a screen display unit 23 including a liquid crystal screen, etc. Connected to the unit 20.

 In the present embodiment, a key lock control unit 10 is connected to the main body control unit 20.

 The key lock control unit 10 includes a key operation detection unit 15 that detects a signal input from the side key 16, an open / close detection sensor 17 that detects an open / closed state of the mobile communication terminal, and a signal by detecting contact. A touch sensor 18 to be transmitted, a setting information storage unit 13 in which information relating to key lock is stored, and a setting information selection unit 14 for selecting appropriate information from the setting information stored in the storage unit 13 are connected. Yes. Further, in the present embodiment, the key lock control unit 10 includes a key lock timer 11 and an incoming call content determination unit 12.

 The key lock control unit 10 is provided separately from the key lock function of the key input unit 24 provided in the main body control unit 20, and only the side key 16 can be controlled independently. The setting information storage unit 13 stores several patterns of key lock setting information that can be selected in advance by a key input operation from the key input unit 24 (or the side key 16).

 The setting information storage unit 13 can store the following key lock setting information. First, as a setting for locking the side key 16 by an input operation of the key input unit 24 or the side key 16 and invalidating the processing by the side key operation, or setting when an incoming call occurs, the key lock is not released. A setting for automatically releasing the key lock, a setting for changing the time until the key lock is automatically released according to the content of the incoming call, a setting for automatically releasing the key lock, and then starting the key lock again. Setting that the time from the automatic release of the key lock to the activation of the key lock can be changed according to the content of the incoming call, the setting to automatically release the key lock and activate the key lock again when the call or browsing ends In addition, there is a setting that allows the time until the key lock is activated again at the end of the call or browsing at this time to be variable according to the content of the incoming call. That.

 Further, in the mobile communication terminal configured to be openable / closable, a setting for starting the key lock when the open / closed detection sensor 17 detects a closed state when not in use for a predetermined time, and contact with the touch sensor 18 is detected. When this is done, settings for releasing the key lock can also be stored. Furthermore, the incoming call content such as a call call or mail information reception may be determined by the incoming call content determination unit 12, and the setting may be set differently based on this.

 The setting information is appropriately set by the setting information selection unit 14 according to the user's request.

In this embodiment, the key lock timer 11, the open / close detection sensor 17, or the touch sensor 18 may not be provided.

 In this embodiment, the key lock control unit 10 can be provided with a lock function of the key input unit 24 as a main operation unit, and the key lock of the key input unit 24 provided in the main body control unit 20 can be provided. The function and the key lock control unit 10 of the side key 16 can be linked. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which performs key lock function control of the key input part 24 and the side key 16 by one main body control part.

 Next, the lock function processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. According to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, first, setting information is selected from the setting information storage unit 13 by the side key 16 or the key input unit 24 (S1), and the side key is key-locked (S2). ) Disable side key processing operations.

 At this time, it is preferable to display the contents indicating the key lock on the screen display unit 24 or the sub display unit 35, or to notify by voice.

 When there is an incoming call from another terminal, the incoming call content discriminating unit 12 determines the incoming call type, and when the incoming call is a call ringing incoming call (S5), the key lock of the side key 16 is automatically released ( S6) When the mail information is received (S11), the key lock is continued (S12).

Further, when the key lock is released by the incoming call (S6), the presence / absence of the side key operation is detected (S7), and if the operation is detected, the key lock release state can be continued to make a call (S8). And At this time, it goes without saying that the call can be started from any mode such as pressing the side key, detecting the housing open state, pressing the call key, etc. Then, the talk ends (S9), the screen returns to the standby screen, and the key lock is restored again (S10). On the other hand, if the side key operation is not detected, the key lock is restored again to return to the key locked state (S13).

In this way, by changing the key lock state according to the contents of the incoming call, it is possible to take a flexible response when necessary, and it is possible to improve convenience and reliably prevent malfunction.

 In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the key lock setting information is first selected (S21) as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the key lock timer 11 sets different times T1 and T2 from when a call is received in a key-locked state to when the key lock is automatically released. Then, the side key 16 is key-locked to invalidate the processing operation by the side key (S22).

 When there is an incoming call with the side key locked (S23), the incoming call content discriminating unit 12 discriminates the incoming call type (S24), and after the elapse of a preset time T1 from the time when the incoming call is received (S25). The key lock is automatically released (S26), and the presence / absence of the operation of the side key 16 is detected (S27). When a side key operation is detected, a call (S28) is possible, and after the call ends (S29), the key lock is restored again (S30), and the side key 16 is returned to the key locked state (S36).

 On the other hand, when the content of the incoming call is a character (mail) or image information call (S31), the key lock is performed after a preset time T2 has elapsed from the time when the character (mail) or image information call is received as in the case of a call call incoming call. Is automatically released (S32), and then the presence / absence of side key operation is detected (S33). When the operation is performed, the character (mail) or image can be viewed (S34). Returning (S35), the side key 16 returns to the key-locked state (S36).

 In this embodiment, the time from the key lock release state to the key lock return may be set according to the content of the incoming call. Furthermore, the time until the automatic cancellation can be made different depending on the type of incoming call content, such as being short when a call call is received and long when receiving mail information.

 Further, as another embodiment of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the key lock setting information is first selected (S21). In this embodiment, the key lock timer 11 sets different times T3 and T4 from the key unlock state to the key lock return according to the contents of the incoming call. Then, the side key 16 is key-locked to invalidate the processing operation by the side key (S22).

 When there is an incoming call with the side key locked (S23), the incoming call content discriminating unit 12 discriminates the incoming call type (S24). When the incoming call is incoming (S25), the key lock is automatically released (S26). Then, the presence / absence of operation of the side key 16 is detected (S27). When the side key operation is detected, a call (S28) is enabled, the key lock is restored after a preset time T3 from the end of the call (S29) (S30), and the side key 16 is returned to the key locked state. (S36).

On the other hand, when the content of the incoming call is a character (mail) or image information incoming call (S31), the key lock is automatically released as in the case of the incoming call (S32), and then the presence or absence of side key operation is detected (S33). When there is an operation, it is possible to view characters (mail) or images (S34), and if the key operation is not detected for a preset time T4 after the viewing is completed, the key lock is restored (S35), The side key 16 returns to the key-locked state (S36).

 In this embodiment, the time from when a call is received in a key-locked state to when the key lock is automatically released may be settable. Furthermore, the time until the automatic cancellation can be made different depending on the type of incoming call.

 By using the key lock timer 11 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 described above, it is possible to set the key lock optimal for the usage time or usage method for each incoming call content type.

 FIG. 4 shows a processing flow of a mobile communication terminal including the touch sensor 18 and the open / close detection sensor 17 as a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, first, the key lock setting information is selected (S41), and then the side key 16 is key-locked (S42). When there is an incoming call with the side key 16 locked, the incoming call content discriminating unit 12 identifies the incoming call type. In the case of a call incoming call (S45), whether or not a touch signal from the touch sensor 18 is detected. Is determined (S46). When the contact signal is detected, the key lock is automatically released (S47), and a call (S49) is enabled by operating the side key 16. When the call is finished (S50), the key lock is automatically restored (S51), and the side key is returned to the key locked state (S58).

On the other hand, when the touch signal of the touch sensor 18 is not detected, the locked state continues without the key lock being released, and when the operation is not performed in the side key operation (S48). The key lock is restored again (S51), and the key lock state is restored (S58).

 When the incoming mail information is recognized in the incoming call content determination (S44) (S52), the key lock is automatically released (S53), and the mail can be viewed by operating the side key 16 (S55). ). When the opening / closing detection sensor 17 detects a closed state for a predetermined time after browsing (S56), the key lock is restored (S57), and the side key is returned to the key locked state (S58).

Thus, by performing contact detection with the touch sensor 18, the user's operation is reliably reflected and almost no malfunction occurs. Furthermore, since the key lock is released only by touching the touch sensor 18, no complicated operation is required and the convenience of operation for the user is improved.

 In the first to third embodiments, the call incoming call and the mail information incoming have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be used for various applications, for example. Moreover, it is also possible to use each setting in combination as appropriate.

It is a block diagram of the portable communication terminal provided with the key lock function concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the lock function concerning this 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the lock function concerning this 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the lock function concerning this 3rd Embodiment. It is an external appearance block diagram of a foldable mobile telephone. It is an external appearance block diagram of a horizontal rotation type mobile telephone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Key lock control part 11 Key lock timer 12 Incoming content discrimination | determination part 13 Setting information storage part 14 Setting information selection part 15 Key operation detection means 16 Side key 17 Opening / closing detection sensor 18 Touch sensor 30A Folding type mobile telephone 30B Horizontal rotation type Mobile phone 31a Upper housing 31b Lower housing

Claims (6)

Two or more housings are connected so as to be openable and closable, and have a main operation portion that is not exposed to the outside in the closed state, and an auxiliary operation portion that is exposed to the outer surface of the housing in the open and closed state. In a mobile communication terminal having a lock function for controlling the key lock of the operation unit,
The lock function includes storage means for storing a plurality of setting information, and means for selecting any of the setting information from the storage means according to the content of the incoming call when an incoming call occurs while the key lock is activated. Comprising, controlling the key lock condition based on the selected setting information,
The mobile communication terminal, wherein the setting information includes a setting for changing a time until the key lock is automatically released according to the content of the incoming call when the incoming call occurs. Two or more housings are connected so as to be openable and closable, and have a main operation portion that is not exposed to the outside in the closed state, and an auxiliary operation portion that is exposed to the outer surface of the housing in the open and closed state. In a mobile communication terminal having a lock function for controlling the key lock of the operation unit,
The lock function includes storage means for storing a plurality of setting information, and means for selecting any of the setting information from the storage means according to the content of the incoming call when an incoming call occurs while the key lock is activated. Comprising, controlling the key lock condition based on the selected setting information,
The setting information is a setting for automatically releasing the key lock when an incoming call occurs, and then starting the key lock again.
A portable communication terminal comprising a setting for varying a time from the automatic release of the key lock to the activation of the key lock again according to the content of the incoming call. Two or more housings are connected so as to be openable and closable, and have a main operation portion that is not exposed to the outside in the closed state, and an auxiliary operation portion that is exposed to the outer surface of the housing in the open and closed state. In a mobile communication terminal having a lock function for controlling the key lock of the operation unit,
The lock function includes storage means for storing a plurality of setting information, and means for selecting any of the setting information from the storage means according to the content of the incoming call when an incoming call occurs while the key lock is activated. Comprising, controlling the key lock condition based on the selected setting information,
In the setting information, when an incoming call occurs, the key lock is automatically released, and the key lock is activated again when the call or browsing ends,
A portable communication terminal comprising a setting for varying a time until a key lock is activated again upon completion of a call or browsing according to the content of an incoming call. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the content of the incoming call is one of a call call and a mail information reception. On the setting information, the setting and an incoming call without releasing the key lock when that occurs, any incoming call of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a setting and for automatically releasing the key lock when generated The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1. Means for detecting an open / closed state of the mobile communication terminal;
The lock function, the mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closed state to start the key lock when it is detected a predetermined time.

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