JP4274972B2 - Portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device including an operation unit and a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a portable game machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been portable electronic devices including an operation unit and a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a portable game machine.

  Such a portable electronic device is complicated in operation as its functions increase, and each operation key in the operation unit has different operation contents depending on the function to be used and the operation status. It was. Therefore, there has always been a demand for improving the operability of a portable electronic device having a plurality of functions so that the user is not confused about the operation content of the operation keys.

  On the other hand, the operation contents of the operation keys in the conventional portable electronic device may be confused. For example, when changing a TV program by operating the remote control of the TV receiver, Since the designated channel of the television broadcasting station is different, there is a possibility that the correspondence between the operation key on the remote controller and the designated channel as the operation content may be confused.

  In order to eliminate the confusion about the correspondence between operation keys and operation contents in such a remote control device, as shown in FIG. 6, a single main body case 2 and a board 4 detachably housed in the main body case 2 There is a remote control device 6 constituted by (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The remote control device 6 includes a transparent touch panel 8 on one surface of the main body case 2 so that a plurality of operation contents described on the stored board 4 can be confirmed through the touch panel 8. Thus, the operation of the touch panel 8 is performed by pressing a position corresponding to a predetermined operation content described on the board 4.

In addition, several types of boards 4 are prepared, and different operation contents are described for each type, and the body case 2 determines the type of the board 4 based on the position of the protrusion of the board 4, The operation content to be executed when a predetermined position on the touch panel 8 is pressed is changed. For this reason, even when the designated channel of the television broadcasting station differs depending on the region, it is possible to change the operation content to be executed for the same operation by replacing the board 4.
JP-A-9-271082

  However, if the configuration such as the remote control device 6 of Patent Document 1 is applied to a conventional portable electronic device, the number of boards 4 increases as the number of functions provided in the portable electronic device increases. Therefore, there was a problem of confusion and lack of practicality.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides that the operation content of the operation key is confused even when the operation content of the operation key is different for each function used by providing various functions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device that can prevent and improve operability.

In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to the present invention provides:
A housing in which a plurality of symbols for explaining the operation contents are shown in a predetermined area;
A transmissive touch panel fixed to the housing so as to cover the predetermined area;
A portion of the display area where the display operation is possible and a portion where the display operation is not performed is configured to transmit light, and a first display unit fixed between the predetermined area and the transmissive touch panel is provided. prepare for,
When a position on the transparent touch panel corresponding to any of the plurality of symbols is pressed in a region of the display area where the display operation is not performed, processing corresponding to the function of the symbol is executed. It is characterized by that.

An electronic device according to the present invention
The housing includes a second display unit,
When an operation key and / or icon is displayed on the first display unit, the second display is displayed when a position corresponding to any of the operation key and / or icon on the touch panel is pressed. The unit performs a display operation corresponding to an operation key or an icon.

An electronic device according to the present invention
When an operation for displaying the link data of the document or the like is performed while the document or the like associated with the link data is displayed on the second display unit, the link data is stored in the first display unit. It is characterized by being displayed on the display unit.

An electronic device according to the present invention
When a document or the like associated with link data is displayed on the second display unit, an operation for displaying the link data of the document or the like is performed, and the link data is image data. If there is, this link data is displayed on the first display unit,
When the link data is not image data, the link data is displayed on the second display unit.

An electronic device according to the present invention
When link data is displayed on the first display section, a return key for returning to the state before the operation for displaying the link data is performed in the display area of the first display section. While the link data is displayed outside the area where the link data is displayed, the transparent touch panel can accept an operation of pressing a position corresponding to the return key.

An electronic device according to the present invention
Among the plurality of symbols shown in the case and the operation keys displayed on the first display unit, the symbols or operation keys to be subjected to a predetermined operation are different from the others. 1 is displayed on the display unit.

  According to such a portable electronic device of the present invention, even if the operation content of the operation key is different for each function used by providing various functions, the operation content of the operation key is confused. Can be prevented and operability can be improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a stacked portable terminal device according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are diagrams which are referred to for describing a mobile phone 20 (corresponding to a mobile electronic device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The members and display images shown in these figures are represented by solid lines when the near side members and the like are transparent even if they are hidden by the near side members in the figures.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 20 according to the present embodiment includes a first housing 22 and a second housing 24 that are foldably connected to each other. 26.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the mobile phone 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit, and uses a radio unit and an antenna (not illustrated) via a radio communication base station or the like according to instructions from the control unit. It is connected to a communication network, communicates with various other communication terminals, and transmits / receives mails and downloads image data from a server connected to the communication network. Programs used for these controls and data such as mail acquired by the control unit are stored in the storage unit. The control unit detects a general input of an operation unit such as a transparent touch panel 28 to be described later, and also displays a first display unit when an operation is performed from the general operation unit or an incoming call is made via a wireless unit. 30 and the display on the second display unit 34 are also controlled. In addition, a battery is further provided for supplying power to the control unit, the radio unit, the antenna, the storage unit, the entire operation unit, and the display unit such as the liquid crystal display and the first display unit 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 26 includes a transmissive touch panel 28 and a first display unit 30 that is a liquid crystal display. The transmissive touch panel 28 and the first display unit 30 are fixed to a recess 32 having a certain depth formed in the second housing 24 at an intermediate position in the depth direction. The transmissive touch panel 28 is disposed so that one surface thereof is exposed to the outside, and the first display unit 30 is disposed between the bottom surface 32 a of the recess 32 and the transmissive touch panel 28.

  The bottom surface 32a of the concave portion 32 has the same planar shape as the planar shape on the opening side of the concave portion 32, and is rectangular and has a predetermined region as shown in FIG. A plurality of operation key symbols are printed on the bottom surface 32a of the recess 32, and descriptions of operation contents corresponding to the symbols are described inside the frame of each symbol. For example, it can be seen that the design of the operation key in which “1” is described as the description of the operation content corresponds to the operation of inputting the number “1”.

  On the bottom surface 32a, a numeric keypad symbol 50 whose operation content is input of numbers "1" to "9", "0", "*" and "#", and a function key whose operation content is activation of a specific function The symbols 54a, 52b, 52c, 52d and the direction indicator key symbol 54 whose operation content is a direction indication are printed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transmissive touch panel 28 and the first display unit 30 cover the bottom surface 32a. However, since the transmissive touch panel 28 is transparent, it transmits light. .

  In addition, the first display unit 30 can display characters, images, etc. as a display area in the entire area covering the bottom surface 32a, and displays characters, images, etc. in this display area. In such a case, the display content can be viewed from the outside through the transparent touch panel 28.

  Since the first display unit 30 transmits light in the area where the display operation is not performed in the display area, the transmissive touch panel 28 and the first touch panel 28 are used in this area. The symbols printed on the bottom surface 32a can be seen from the outside through both of the display units 30.

  Therefore, when no display operation is performed in the display area of the first display unit 30, the bottom surface 32a is viewed from the outside through both the transmissive touch panel 28 and the first display unit 30, as shown in FIG. The keypad symbol 50, the function key symbols 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d, and the direction indicator key symbol 54 all printed on the screen can be viewed.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the first display unit is provided with a backlight. This backlight is composed of a thin light guide made of a transparent resin formed on the back surface of the first display unit 30, and a light emitting element such as an LED provided on the peripheral edge of the light guide. When the light emitting element emits light, the light is transmitted through the light guide body while being refracted and emitted to the touch panel side, so that it is easy to see from the outside as the first display unit 30 emits light. Further, as another embodiment different from the present embodiment, when an organic EL is used for the first display unit 30, the configuration of the backlight becomes unnecessary and the thickness can be further reduced.

  When the cellular phone 20 is in such a state that the entire bottom surface 32a of the operation unit 26 can be seen from the outside, the numeric keypad symbol 50, the function key symbols 52a, 52b, When a position corresponding to any of the symbols 54c and 52d and the direction indicating key symbol 54 is pressed, a processing operation corresponding to the operation content is performed.

  Therefore, the user operates the transparent touch panel 28 after confirming the design 50 of the numeric keypad on the bottom surface 32a, the designs 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d of the function keys, and the design 54 of the direction indication key. The mobile phone is recognized and operated in the same manner as the operation keys on the mobile phone.

  The first housing 22 of the mobile phone 20 is provided with a second display unit 34 such as a liquid crystal display. The second display unit 34 corresponds to the operation of the operation unit 26 and has a predetermined value. The display operation is performed.

  For example, although not shown, when the entire bottom surface 32a of the operation unit 26 can be seen, the character input operation is a transmission type corresponding to the operation content “1” in the design 50 of the numeric keypad. When a position on the touch panel 28 is pressed, the number “1” is output to the second display unit 34.

  In addition to the operation unit 26, the cellular phone 20 includes a first side key 35 and a second side key 36 on the side surface of the second housing 24. The first side key 35 is a switch for starting (ON) or ending (OFF) the operation of the transparent touch panel 28 of the operation unit 26.

  In addition, the second side key 36 is displayed on the first display unit 30 of the operation unit 26 on the numeric keypad 50 printed on the bottom surface 32a, function key symbols 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, and direction indication keys. When a symbol of another operation key different from the symbol 54 is newly displayed, or the symbol of the operation key displayed on the first display unit 30 in this way is further changed to a symbol of another operation key. It is used for the operation of the case.

  For example, by operating the second side key 36, as shown in FIG. 3, the numeric keypad symbol 50 on the bottom surface 32a and the function key symbols 52a, 52b, 52c are displayed in the display area of the first display unit 30. , 52d, and direction indication key symbol 54, a numeric keypad symbol 56, function key symbols 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d, and direction indicator key symbol 60 can be newly displayed. Yes.

  Further, the symbol switching operation in the first display unit 30 will be described for another pattern. As described above, the control unit switches the display of the second display unit 34 by the operation of the transmissive touch panel 28. However, when a specific operation is performed or a specific display is performed on the second display unit 34 Controls switching to display of operation keys having different operation contents in order to switch the operation of the transparent touch panel 28 to the first display unit 30. For example, a description will be given of a case where the mode is switched to a mode for inputting characters such as mail creation.

  In the state shown in FIG. 1, when an operation for instructing mail creation, that is, operating the transparent touch panel 28 at a location corresponding to the symbol 52 b, a mail creation screen is displayed on the second display unit 34 as shown in FIG. 3. .

  Each of the function key symbols 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d and the direction indication key symbol 60 displayed on the first display unit 30 is a function key symbol 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d printed on the bottom surface 32a. The numeric keypad symbol 56 displayed on the first display unit 30 is different from the numeric keypad symbol 50 printed on the bottom surface 32a, and its operation content is hiragana. It is input.

  Then, when the cellular phone 20 displays the numeric keypad symbol 56 whose operation content is input of hiragana on the first display unit 30, the cellular phone 20 presses the position corresponding to the numeric keypad symbol 56 on the transparent touch panel 28. By doing so, hiragana can be entered.

  In addition, when the cellular phone 20 displays a numeric keypad pattern 56 whose operation content is input of hiragana on the first display unit 30, the second side key 36 is used as a character input mode switch. When an operation is performed, although not shown, a numeric keypad design whose operation content is English input is displayed on the first display unit 30, and English characters can be input. It is like that.

  In addition, the first display unit 30 can perform a display operation only for a part of the display area. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first display unit 30 does not perform a display operation in the display area corresponding to this portion so that the symbol 50 printed on the bottom surface 32a can be seen. In addition, in the area of the other part, instead of the function key symbols 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d and the direction indicator key symbol 54 printed on the bottom surface 32a, other function key symbols 62a, 62b, 62c and A design 64 of direction instruction keys is displayed.

  In such a case, when the pressed position on the transparent touch panel 28 is the display area of the portion where the display operation is not performed on the first display unit 30, the cellular phone 20 uses the numeric keypad on the bottom surface 32a. A processing operation corresponding to the symbol 50 is performed.

  When the pressed position on the transmissive touch panel 28 is the display area of the portion where the display operation is performed on the first display unit 30, the displayed function key symbols 62a, 62b, The processing operation corresponding to either the symbol 62c or the symbol 64 of the direction instruction key is performed.

  In addition, the first display unit 30 can display the design of the operation key to be subjected to a predetermined operation in a manner different from that of the others.

  Regarding the display of such different modes, as shown in FIG. 4, link data of a plurality of images whose data names are “xxx1.jpg”, “xxx2.jpg”, and “xxx3.jpg” are associated. A case will be described in which an e-mail document is displayed on the second display unit 34 together with the names of the link data of the plurality of images.

  When the user decides to display the link data after selecting one of the plurality of link data, the user presses the position corresponding to the symbol 64 of the direction indication key on the transparent touch panel 28. Thus, after performing an operation of selecting any one of the link data, by pressing the position corresponding to the function key 62b, an operation of determining the display processing of the selected link data is performed.

  In addition to such an operation procedure, if an operation of pressing a position on the transparent touch panel 28 corresponding to any of “1”, “2”, or “3” of the symbol 50 of the numeric keypad is performed, a plurality of operations are performed. This means that both the operation of selecting one of the link data and the operation of determining to perform the display processing have been performed.

  Thus, in a state where the content of the operation performed by the user is limited, the first display unit 30 displays the direction indication key symbol 64, the function key symbol 62b, and the numeric keypad symbol 50 to be operated. A dotted line is displayed so as to make it easy to understand that the operation contents of “1”, “2”, and “3” are displayed.

  Further, when the operation for displaying the link data is performed and the link data is image data, the cellular phone 20 operates the image data as shown in FIG. The information is displayed on the first display unit 30 of the unit 26.

  Then, in order to be able to return to the state before the operation of displaying the link data (see FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. Thus, the return key symbol 66 is displayed outside the area where the link data is displayed, and the transparent touch panel 28 is operated to press the position corresponding to the reset key symbol 66. Only operations are accepted, and operations other than this operation are not accepted.

  Although not shown, the cellular phone 20 displays this link data when an e-mail document associated with link data such as a document other than image data is displayed on the second display unit 34. When the operation is performed, the link data is not displayed on the first display unit 30 but is displayed on the second display unit 34.

  For example, if the link data is a URL of a Web page on the Internet, the first display unit 30 has to perform a cursor operation such as a page update request or page feed for browsing the Web page. Since the display using is not suitable, the control unit controls to display on the second display unit 34.

  According to the portable electronic device 20 according to the present embodiment, when the function to be used is changed, the operation content of the operation key corresponding to this function is displayed. It is possible to improve the operability by preventing confusion about the operation contents.

  Further, when an operation for displaying the link data is performed while the document or the like associated with the link data of the image is displayed on the second display unit 34, the link data is stored in the first display unit 34. Since the data is displayed on the display unit 30, the link data of the document displayed on the second display unit 34 and the image displayed on the first display unit 30 can be viewed at the same time.

  When the link data of the image is displayed on the first display unit 30, the return key symbol 66 is displayed on the first display unit 30, and the return key symbol 66 on the transparent touch panel 28 is displayed. When the corresponding position is pressed, the state before displaying the link data of the image can be restored, so that the operability can be improved.

  In addition, when the content of the operation performed by the user is limited, the first display unit 30 displays the operation key pattern that is the target of this operation so as to be surrounded by a dotted line, so that it is easy to understand. Operability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display is used for the first display unit 30, but an organic EL (electroluminescence) display or the like may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the second side key 36 is operated, a symbol of another operation key different from the symbol of the operation key on the bottom surface 32a is newly displayed on the first display unit 30. As described above, the case where the design of the operation key displayed on the first display unit 30 is changed to another design of the operation key has been described. However, as shown in FIG. When the menu is displayed as an icon, when one of the icons is selected to activate a predetermined function, the design of the operation key displayed by the first display unit 30 corresponding to this function May be changed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the operation key symbol is displayed on the first display unit 30 by operating the second side key 36, but an icon is displayed. It may be.

  Further, although the case where the present invention is applied to the mobile phone 20 has been described in the present embodiment, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other portable electronic devices such as PDAs and portable game machines. Absent.

  The present invention can also be applied to remote control devices such as air conditioners and audio / video devices.

It is a top view which shows the mobile telephone 20 which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure in case the display operation is not performed on the 1st display part 30. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the AA arrow of the mobile telephone 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a mobile phone 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a display operation is performed on the entire display area of the first display unit 30. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a mobile phone 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a display operation is performed on a part of the display area of the first display unit 30. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a mobile phone 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which image link data is displayed on a first display unit 30. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional remote control device 6.

Explanation of symbols

2 Main body case 4 Board 4a Protrusion 6 Remote control device 8 Touch panel 20 Mobile phone 22 First case 24 Second case 26 Operation unit 28 Transparent touch panel 30 First display unit 32 Recess 32a Bottom surface 34 Second display unit 35 First 1 side key 36 2nd side key 50 Numeric keypad design 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d Function key design 54 Direction indication key design 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d Function key design 60 Direction indication key design 62a, 62b, 62c Function key design 64 Direction indicator key design 66 Return key design

Claims (6)

A housing in which a plurality of symbols for explaining the operation contents are shown in a predetermined area;
A transmissive touch panel fixed to the housing so as to cover the predetermined area;
A portion of the display area where the display operation is possible and a portion where the display operation is not performed is configured to transmit light, and a first display unit fixed between the predetermined area and the transmissive touch panel is provided. prepare for,
When a position on the transparent touch panel corresponding to any of the plurality of symbols is pressed in a region of the display area where the display operation is not performed, processing corresponding to the function of the symbol is executed. A portable electronic device. The housing includes a second display unit,
When an operation key and / or icon is displayed on the first display unit, the second display is displayed when a position corresponding to any of the operation key and / or icon on the touch panel is pressed. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the unit performs a display operation corresponding to an operation key or an icon.   When an operation for displaying the link data of the document or the like is performed while the document or the like associated with the link data is displayed on the second display unit, the link data is stored in the first display unit. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is displayed on a display unit. When a document or the like associated with link data is displayed on the second display unit, an operation for displaying the link data of the document or the like is performed, and the link data is image data. If there is, this link data is displayed on the first display unit,
The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the link data is not image data, the link data is displayed on the second display unit.   When link data is displayed on the first display section, a return key for returning to the state before the operation for displaying the link data is performed in the display area of the first display section. 5. The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein link data is displayed outside an area where the link data is displayed, and the transparent touch panel can accept an operation of pressing a position corresponding to the return key. . Among the plurality of symbols shown in the case and the operation keys displayed on the first display unit, the symbols or operation keys to be subjected to a predetermined operation are different from the others. 6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is displayed on one display unit.

Images