JP4729129B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device such as a portable computer, a mobile phone, and a remote controller.

  In recent years, an indicator (usually a lot of designs that indicate the meaning of a switch) is provided on the surface to inform an operator of an operation position and an operation state, and a switch (a touch having a capacitive sensor that detects an operation on the indicator part) Sensor switches) are becoming widespread (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a touch sensor switch, an indicator is formed of a light transmitting resin or the like, and the operation state is notified by turning on / off the indicator by lighting control of a light source such as an LED.

  Such touch sensor switches are widely used in electronic devices such as portable computers, mobile phones, and remote controllers.

JP 2007-15490 A

  By the way, according to the touch sensor switch as described above, the operation position indicated by the indicator is indicated by lighting control of a light source such as an LED. However, there is a problem that for an operator who is indicated by the lighting of the LED and operates the desired touch sensor switch, it is not necessary to turn on the LED that indicates the location of the touch sensor switch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can improve operability and convenience for an operator.

  The electronic device according to the embodiment represents a design that indicates a first light source, a second light source provided at a position different from the first light source, and an operation content, and transmits light from the first light source. Between the first transmission part, the second transmission part provided at a position different from the first transmission part and transmitting the light from the second light source, and between the first transmission part and the second transmission part A non-transparent portion that does not transmit light from the first light source and the second light source, a detection unit that detects capacitance in the first transmission unit, and an electrostatic that is detected by the detection unit The first transmissive part and the second transmissive part corresponding to a change in state corresponding to a change in capacity are patterned to turn on or off, and the first light source and the second light source are turned on according to the pattern. Or a control means for controlling the turning-off, wherein the control means is the first light source. When the detection unit detects a change in the state of the first transmission unit according to a change in capacitance during irradiation, the second light source emits light and the first light source emits light. Change.

  The electronic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a first light source, a first transmission unit that transmits light from the first light source, a second light source provided at a position different from the first light source, and the first light source. A second transmission unit that is provided at a position different from the transmission unit and transmits light from the second light source, a detection unit that detects an operation in the first transmission unit, and light being emitted from the first light source And a control means for irradiating light with the second light source and changing a light irradiation mode with the first light source when the detection unit detects an operation in the first transmission unit.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a notebook portable computer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of the operation area. FIG. 3 is a plan view exemplarily showing a stop button. FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system provided on the printed circuit board. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system provided in the printed circuit board. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a lighting control table. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a lighting control table. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of the operation area according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the button. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a lighting control table.

  Exemplary embodiments of an electronic device will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is an example in which a portable computer is applied as an electronic device.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a notebook portable computer according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable computer 10 includes a device main body 12 and a display unit 13 supported by the device main body. The device body 12 has a housing 14. The housing 14 has a rectangular base 15 and a substantially rectangular cover 16 fitted thereto, and is formed in a flat box shape.

  The cover 16 constituting the housing 14 is formed of a light-transmitting resin such as acrylic, and the surface thereof is covered with a light-blocking surface layer (light-blocking film) 18. As will be described later, a part of the surface layer 18 is formed to be transparent so as to transmit light.

  A substantially rectangular opening 19 is formed over the center and rear half of the cover 16, and a keyboard 20 is exposed in the opening. On the operator side of the cover 16, a palm rest 22 for placing the operator's hand is formed. An operation area 50 and a click switch 42 for operating a pointing device are provided at the center of the palm rest 22.

  A pair of speakers 24 is provided on the display unit 13 side of the cover 16, and an operation area 26 is provided between these speakers. A pair of legs 28 are provided on the display unit 13 side of the cover 16 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the housing 14.

  The display unit 13 includes a display housing 30 and a liquid crystal panel 32 accommodated in the display housing 30. A display window 31 is formed on the front wall of the display housing 30. The window 31 has a size covering most of the front wall, and the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 32 is exposed to the outside of the display housing 30 through the window 31.

  The display housing 30 has a pair of connecting recesses 33 at one end thereof. These connecting recesses 33 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the display housing 30 and engage with the leg portions 28 of the housing 14. The display housing 30 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing 14 by hinges (not shown) provided in the coupling recess 33 and the leg portion 28.

  As a result, the display unit 13 is closed so that the top surface of the housing 14 including the palm rest 22 and the keyboard 20 is covered from above, and the open position where the top surface of the housing and the liquid crystal panel 32 are exposed. It can be turned over. FIG. 1 shows the portable computer 10 in a state where the display unit 13 is rotated to the open position.

  In addition, a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical disk drive, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like are provided inside the housing 14 and a printed wiring board (none of which is shown) serving as a main control device is disposed. ing.

  Next, the operation button lighting control function in the operation area 26 which is a characteristic function of the portable computer 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of the operation area 26. As described above, the operation area 26 is formed on the display unit 13 side of the cover 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation area 26 includes, for example, a fast forward button 26a, a rewind button 26b, a stop button 26c, a pause button 26d, an application launch button 26e, and a mute button 26f that are used when displaying an image. The operation area 26 is formed in a rectangular shape, and operation buttons 26 a to 26 f that are display units are formed in a band shape extending along one side of the operation area 26.

  Here, the operation buttons 26a to 26f in the operation area 26 have marks having corresponding shapes. For example, FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the stop button 26c. The stop button 26c shown in FIG. 3 has a square mark M representing a design indicating the operation content as a general stop button. Each of such marks is a transmission region 1 (first indicator) which is a first transmission part formed by making a part of the surface layer 18 covering the outer surface of the cover 16 transparent and allowing light to pass therethrough. It is. Each button may be colorless and transparent or colored and transparent. Further, the operation buttons 26a to 26f of the operation area 26 are formed around the transmission area 1 and have a diameter that is about the fingertip of the operator and are non-transmission portions that do not transmit light. A transmissive region 2 and a transmissive region 3 (second indicator) which is formed around the non-transmissive region 2 and is formed by allowing light to pass therethrough are provided. More specifically, the transmissive region 3 (second indicator) is provided at a position where an operating body such as an operator's finger operating on the transmissive region 1 (first indicator) is not covered, and is operated by the operator. It shows the state. The transmissive region 3 is also formed by making part of the surface layer 18 covering the outer surface of the cover 16 transparent so that light can be transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a touch sensor 60 that is an input detection unit that detects an input operation of the operation region 26 is provided on the inner surface of the cover 16 and at a position facing the plurality of operation regions 26. The touch sensor 60 includes an elongated rectangular input sheet 60a corresponding to the size of the entire operation area 26, and a printed circuit board 60b constituting a drive unit. The printed circuit board 60b is formed in an elongated rectangular shape having a size corresponding to the input sheet 60a. The input sheet 60a is, for example, a capacitance detection sheet that detects a capacitance, and is attached to one surface of the printed board 60b. The touch sensor 60 is electrically connected to a printed wiring board serving as a main control device.

  In the input sheet 60a and the printed circuit board 60b, circular holes 62 are formed at positions facing the operation buttons 26a to 26f, respectively. Each hole 62 is formed in a diameter smaller than the fingertip of the operator, for example. LEDs 64 functioning as first light sources are respectively disposed in the holes 62 and are electrically connected to the printed circuit board 60b. The LED 64 is provided to face the plurality of operation buttons 26a to 26f, and irradiates and illuminates the transmission region 1 of the operation buttons 26a to 26f from the inner surface side of the cover 16.

  In addition, LEDs 65 functioning as a second light source are respectively disposed at the edge of the long side direction of the touch sensor 60 and in the vicinity of the hole 62, and are electrically connected to the printed board 60b. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, a light guide plate 66 is disposed at a position facing the LED 65 and between the cover 16 and the input sheet 60 a and facing the transmission region 3. . As shown in FIG. 4, also in the light guide plate 66, circular holes 67 are formed at positions facing the operation buttons 26 a to 26 f, respectively. Thus, even if the light guide plate 66 is sandwiched between the cover 16 and the input sheet 60a, the detection sensitivity does not decrease. Accordingly, the LED 65 illuminates the transmissive region 3 of the operation buttons 26a to 26f from the inner surface side of the cover 16 through the light guide plate 66.

  Therefore, the light source device includes the LED 64 that is the first light source and the LED 65 that is the second light source.

  Next, lighting control of the LED 64 and the LED 65 by the control system provided in the printed circuit board 60b will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system provided in the printed circuit board 60b. As shown in FIG. 5, the printed circuit board 60 b includes a control unit 70 that functions as a control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like that is a control subject. The controller 70 is connected to a capacitance detection circuit 71, a first light source driving circuit 72, and a second light source driving circuit 73 via a bus.

  An input sheet 60a is connected to the capacitance detection circuit 71, and the capacitance detected by the input sheet 60a is output. The capacitance detection circuit 71 generates a detection signal whose duty ratio changes according to the capacitance detected by the input sheet 60 a and outputs the detection signal to the control unit 70.

  A plurality of LEDs 64 are connected to the first light source driving circuit 72, and lighting control for each LED 64 is performed according to a control signal input from the control unit 70.

  A plurality of LEDs 65 are connected to the second light source driving circuit 73, and lighting control for each LED 65 is performed according to a control signal input from the control unit 70.

  The operation button lighting control in the operation area 26 configured as described above will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  When the operator touches the operation buttons 26 a to 26 f in the operation area 26 from the outside of the cover 16, this touch is detected by the input sheet 60 a of the touch sensor 60. The control unit 70 of the printed circuit board 60b determines the touched operation button according to the detection signal output from the capacitance detection circuit 71, and notifies the main control device.

  The main control device that has received the notification determines which LED 64 or LED 65 is to be turned on / off according to the lighting control table, and notifies the controller 70 of the printed circuit board 60b. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a lighting control table. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the operation buttons 26a to 26f are not touched, the LED 64 is controlled to be lit so that the transparent area 1 (that is, the mark) of all the operation buttons 26a to 26f is lit. The LED 65 is controlled to be turned off so that the transmission region 3 of the operation buttons 26a to 26f is turned off. When any one of the operation buttons 26a to 26f is touched, the LED 64 is controlled to be turned off so that the transparent area 1 (that is, the mark) is turned off, and the transparent area 3 is turned on. Lighting control of the LED 65 is performed.

  In this way, the transparent area 3 functions as an indicator indicating a state where the operation button is touched, so that the transparent area 1 (that is, the mark) of the operation buttons 26a to 26f is an operating body such as an operator's finger. Even if it is hidden, it is possible to visually recognize the touched state, so that operability and convenience can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, at least one or more operation areas 26 provided on the outer surface of the casing 14 are provided, and the transmission area 1 representing the design indicating the operation content and the transmission area. The operation buttons 26a to 26f are provided at positions where the operation body of the operator who operates 1 is not covered and the transmission region 3 indicating the operation state by the operator is formed on the surface with a light transmissive member. The transmissive region 3 is controlled to be turned on / off by controlling the lighting of the light source device (LEDs 64, 65) in accordance with the change in capacitance detected by the touch sensor 60, so that the operator can use the fingertip of the operator during actual operation. Even when the transparent area 1 is hidden and the lighting / extinguishing state of the transparent area 1 cannot be determined, the transparent area 3 indicating the operation state by the operator is the transparent area 1. Since the operation body of the operator who operates it is provided at a position that is not covered, the light source device (LEDs 64 and 65) is controlled to be lit according to the change in capacitance detected by the touch sensor 60, thereby transmitting the light. By performing the on / off control of No. 3, it is possible to visually recognize the operating state, so that operability and convenience can be improved.

  The lighting control table is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7, and an example as shown in FIG. 8 is also conceivable. According to the example shown in FIG. 8, when the operation buttons 26a to 26f are not touched, the LED 64 is controlled to be lit so that the transparent area 1 (that is, the mark) of all the operation buttons 26a to 26f is lit. At the same time, the LED 65 is controlled to be lit so that the transmissive areas 3 of all the operation buttons 26a to 26f are also lit. When any of the operation buttons 26a to 26f is touched, the LED 64 is controlled to be turned on so that the transparent area 1 (that is, the mark) is lit as it is, and the transparent area 3 is turned off. The LED 65 is controlled to be turned off.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the transmission area 1 is turned on / off by the control of the LED 64, and the transmission area 3 is turned on / off by the control of the LED 65. The present embodiment is different in that the transmissive region 1 and the transmissive region 3 are turned on / off by controlling only one LED.

  FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of the operation area 26 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, only the LED 65 is provided as a common light source, and the hole 62 and the LED 64 in the hole 62 as described in the first embodiment do not exist.

  Further, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, a light guide plate 66 is disposed at a position facing the LED 65 and between the cover 16 and the input sheet 60 a and facing the transmission region 1. . Accordingly, the LED 65 illuminates the transmissive area 1 (that is, the mark) and the transmissive area 3 of the operation buttons 26a to 26f from the inner surface side of the cover 16 via the light guide plate 66.

  Turning on / off of the LED 65 in the operation area 26 configured in this way is determined according to a lighting control table as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the operation buttons 26a to 26f are not touched, the LED 65 is controlled to turn on so that the transmissive area 1 (that is, the mark) and the transmissive area 3 of all the operation buttons 26a to 26f are lit. . When any of the operation buttons 26a to 26f is touched, the LED 65 is controlled to be turned off so that the transparent region 1 (that is, the mark) and the transparent region 3 are turned off for the touched operation button.

  In this way, the transparent area 3 functions as an indicator indicating a state where the operation button is touched, so that the transparent area 1 (that is, the mark) of the operation buttons 26a to 26f is an operating body such as an operator's finger. Even if it is hidden, it is possible to visually recognize the touched state, so that operability and convenience can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, at least one or more operation areas 26 provided on the outer surface of the casing 14 are provided, and the transmission area 1 representing the design indicating the operation content and the transmission area. The operation buttons 26a to 26f are provided at positions where the operation body of the operator who operates 1 is not covered and the transmission region 3 indicating the operation state by the operator is formed on the surface with a light transmissive member. The transmissive area 3 is controlled to be turned on / off by controlling the lighting of the light source device (LED 65) in accordance with the change in capacitance detected by the touch sensor 60, so that the transmissive area 3 is operated by the fingertip of the operator during actual operation. Even in the case where one part is hidden and the lighting / extinguishing state of the transmissive area 1 cannot be determined, the transmissive area 3 indicating the operation state by the operator is different from the transmissive area 1. Since it is provided at a position where the operating body of the operator to be operated is not covered, the light source device (LED 65) is controlled to be turned on / off according to the change in capacitance detected by the touch sensor 60. By controlling the turn-off, it is possible to visually recognize the operating state, so that operability and convenience can be improved. Moreover, since the light source device is only the LED 65 and the structure is simplified, the cost can be reduced.

  In each embodiment, a portable computer is applied as an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a remote controller.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st permeation | transmission part 2 Impervious part 3 2nd permeation | transmission part 10 Electronic device 60 Detection part 64 1st light source 65 2nd light source 70 Control means

Claims (10)

A first light source;
A second light source provided at a position different from the first light source;
A first transmissive part that represents a design indicating operation content and transmits light from the first light source;
A second transmission part that is provided at a position different from the first transmission part and transmits light from the second light source;
A non-transmission part provided between the first transmission part and the second transmission part and configured to transmit light from the first light source and the second light source;
A detection unit for detecting capacitance in the first transmission unit;
The first transmissive part and the second transmissive part that are associated with the state change corresponding to the change in capacitance detected by the detection part are patterned to turn on or off, and the first transmissive part is patterned according to the pattern. Control means for turning on or off one light source and the second light source;
With
The control means causes the second light source to irradiate light when the detection unit detects a change in the state of the first transmission unit according to a change in capacitance while irradiating light from the first light source. Changing the irradiation mode of the light from the first light source;
An electronic device characterized by that. The first transmission part and the second transmission part are provided on the outer surface of the housing.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The detection unit is provided on the inner surface of the housing at a position facing the first transmission unit.
The electronic device according to claim 2. The first transmission part is provided at a position covered by an operating body when operated by an operator.
The electronic device according to claim 1. A first light source;
A first transmission part that transmits light from the first light source;
A second light source provided at a position different from the first light source;
A second transmissive portion provided at a position different from the first transmissive portion and transmitting light from the second light source;
A detection unit for detecting an operation in the first transmission unit;
When the detection unit detects an operation in the first transmission unit while irradiating light with the first light source, control is performed to irradiate light with the second light source and change the light irradiation mode with the first light source. Means,
An electronic device comprising: The first transmission part is a mark representing a design indicating operation content.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein A non-transmission part that is located between the first transmission part and the second transmission part and that does not transmit light from the first light source or the second light source;
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The detection unit detects an operation according to a change in capacitance in the first transmission unit.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The control means has a pattern of lighting or extinguishing of the first transmissive part and the second transmissive part associated with a change in state according to a change in capacitance detected by the detection part. And turning on or off the first light source and the second light source according to
9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein The mark, which is the first transmission part, is provided at a position covered by an operating body when operated by an operator.
The electronic device according to claim 6.

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