JPH08263207A - Input/output device for portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve operability by decreasing components and making the cover of a liquid crystal display device thin concerning portable terminal equipment having a backlight, liquid crystal display device and keyboard. CONSTITUTION: This device is composed of a cover casing 20 having a hole 31 for exposing the surface of key tops 41 outside, cover casing 34 having a hole 35 for exposing the bottom of key tops on the side of touch panel, key top unit 38 sandwiched between those casings, backlight 18 built in a casing on the side of a main body, liquid crystal display device 19, touch panel 20, projections 42 of key tops 41 for pressing this touch panel, and thin film 43 for fixing the key tops on the cover.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus having a key and a keyboard, for improving operability in a dark place and simplifying a mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A communication terminal such as a portable telephone, an information terminal, etc. cannot always be used in a place with sufficient lighting because of its nature. However, it is necessary to reliably operate the terminal and check the information from the terminal,
For that purpose, it is necessary to illuminate and emit light on the display unit and the operation unit.

In order to improve the portability of such portable communication terminals and information terminals, the environment and conditions in which they are used are not constant, not to mention the miniaturization and high density of the built-in electric circuits and their components. High reliability and durability, ease of assembly and adjustment, and low cost are required.

FIG. 5 shows an isolated perspective view of only a main part of an input / output section used in a conventional communication / portable terminal or the like. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a circuit board on which a part of the circuit that constitutes this terminal is mounted. Reference numeral 2 is a membrane type switch sheet, and a hole is opened in the installation portion of the LED for key top emission. Reference numeral 3 is a key top unit formed of a light guiding resin which is placed on the hole of the switch sheet 2. Reference numeral 4 is a backlight for a liquid crystal display device, and 5 is a transmissive liquid crystal display device mounted on the backlight 4. Switch sheet 2
The liquid crystal display device 5 and the liquid crystal display device backlight 4 are electrically connected to the circuit board 1. These are made of a light-shielding resin, and are provided inside the housing 6 in which a window 9 for a liquid crystal display device to which a panel 8 made of a transparent resin is adhered and a through hole 10 for projecting a key top are formed. Fixed.

Next, a description will be given with reference to a side sectional view of the switch portion and the key top portion shown in FIG. Switch sheet 2
Is provided with a membrane type switch 14 in the XY directions. The key top unit 3 installed on the switch sheet has the key tops 11 arranged at positions corresponding to the respective membrane type switches, and the key top unit 3 has a through hole 10 for projecting the key tops. It is installed inside. A protrusion 15 for pressing the membrane type switch 14 is provided on the bottom surface of each key top 11. The key top unit 3 has a bridge 12 that connects the respective key tops 11, and a plate-like portion is formed near the center thereof to form a light receiving portion 13.
An LED 16 for emitting a keytop installed on the circuit board 1 is installed under the light receiving unit 13.

Next, the operation will be described. The key top unit 3 is fixed to the housing 6 by a light receiving portion 13 located at the center of the bridge 12. When you press the key top 11,
The bridge 12 bends and the key top 11 is pushed down,
The projection 15 is brought into conduction by pressing the membrane type switch 14.

When the key top 11 is released, the key top 10 is lifted from the membrane type switch 14 by the restoring force of the bridge 12, and the switch is turned off.

Since the key top unit 3 is formed of a light guiding resin, the light emitting LE installed under the light receiving portion 13 installed in the center of the bridge 12 of the key top 11
When D16 emits light, the light incident from the light receiving section repeatedly diffuses and reflects, passes through the bridge 12, and reaches the key top 11. The light diffused inside the key top 11 causes the key top 11 to emit light, which facilitates recognition in a dark place.

The light emitted from the backlight 4 passes through the transmissive liquid crystal display device 5. At this time, the liquid crystal display device 5
When a pattern such as a character or a symbol is displayed on the screen, the light from the backlight 4 does not pass through that part and becomes darker than the surroundings, so that the pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5 can be easily recognized. .

[0010]

Since the above-mentioned conventional input / output device for a portable terminal is constructed as described above, in order to make each keytop 11 emit light, one keytop is provided for each keytop 11. Since one light-emitting LED 16 is needed for the light-emitting LED or about four key tops 11, the keyboard part is thin because of the mounting space of the light-emitting LED 16 and the power supply for that purpose. There was a problem that it was difficult to realize.

Since the key top unit 3 as described above has a complicated structure including the key top 11 light emitting portion 16 and the bridge 12, there is a possibility that the key top unit 3 may be damaged during molding of parts, assembly, disassembly and adjustment. There was a problem like that.

Further, since the membrane type switch 14 is physically deformed, it has a problem in durability such as malfunction in long-term use.

Further, in the conventional device, when the arrangement of the operation portion is changed, the change of the housing 6, the light emitting portion 16 and the switch sheet 2 and the change of the software in accordance with the change of the key top unit 3 are required. It was necessary and there was a problem in terms of cost and development time.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned device, it is necessary to avoid enlarging the housing as much as possible in order not to impair portability. Therefore, if the display unit is enlarged to make it easier to confirm information, the operation unit becomes smaller, and conversely, if the operation unit is enlarged to improve operability, the display unit must be made smaller.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and is intended to reduce the thickness of the keyboard.
The usability as a cover of the liquid crystal display device has been improved, and only one backlight of the liquid crystal display device is used as a light source for emitting light from each key top, reducing the number of power supplies and light emitting parts, and making the cover thinner. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an input / output device for portable terminals that can be realized.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems Claim 1 according to the present invention.
The portable terminal input / output device is a single liquid crystal display device with a back light, a touch panel that covers the surface of the liquid crystal display device, and a keyboard that exposes the top and bottom surfaces of a key top made of a light-transmitting material. And a cover for the liquid crystal display device provided on the upper surface of the touch panel, and a control unit for controlling the liquid crystal display device, the touch panel, and the keyboard.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the input / output device for a portable terminal has a switch for switching the input section by opening and closing the cover, and the control section for switching the input means between the touch panel and the keyboard by the operation of the switch. It is the one.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the input / output device for a portable terminal has a structure in which the key touches the touch panel when the cover for the liquid crystal display is closed or the key is pressed, and the input operation is performed by the touch panel. It is a thing.

In the input / output device for a portable terminal according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a window for viewing a part of the liquid crystal display device is provided on the liquid crystal display device cover, and the control device closes the liquid crystal display device cover. At this time, the liquid crystal display device is configured to display information at the time of key operation only in the portion corresponding to the window.

In the portable terminal input / output device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the controller controls the touch panel, the X-axis and the Y-axis of the liquid crystal display device by the operation of the switch when the cover is closed or opened. The configuration is such that the axes are reversed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input / output device for a portable terminal for connecting a cover for a liquid crystal display device having a built-in keyboard and a main body having a liquid crystal display device, a touch panel, a backlight and other circuits. It uses a double hinge.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the input / output device for a portable terminal has a key top and a liquid crystal whose bottom surface is provided with a projection for pressing the touch panel, which is made of a light guiding and elastic material. A support part sandwiched between the display case cover rear case and the liquid crystal display cover front case, and a thin film connecting the support part and the key top are integrally formed into a single sheet. It is equipped with a key top unit.

[0023]

In the portable terminal input / output device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the backlight is provided on the cover after passing through the transmissive liquid crystal display device when the cover is closed. Hit the bottom of the key top. Since the key top has a light guiding property, the light hitting the bottom surface passes through the inside of the key top and reaches the surface. Characters and symbols are formed on the surface of the key top by a light-shielding portion, and good visibility can be secured even in a dark place.

The controller of the portable terminal input / output device according to the present invention switches the input means between the touch panel and the keyboard by the operation of the changeover switch by opening and closing the cover.

In the input / output device for a portable terminal according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the cover for the liquid crystal display device is closed or when the key is pressed, the key comes into contact with the touch panel and the touch panel performs an input operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the input / output device for a portable terminal is such that when the cover for the liquid crystal display device is closed,
Information at the time of key operation is displayed only on a portion corresponding to a window through which a part of the liquid crystal display device provided on the liquid crystal display device cover can be viewed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the portable terminal input / output device is operated by the switch,
The X axis and the Y axis of the touch panel and the liquid crystal display device are reversed when the cover is closed and when the cover is opened.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the input / output device for a portable terminal, the double hinge for connecting the liquid crystal display cover and the main body is used for the liquid crystal display device when the touch panel is used (when the keyboard is not used). It is possible to move the cover to the back side of the main body.

In the input / output device for a portable terminal according to claim 7 of the present invention, the projection of the key top presses the touch panel to perform the input operation, and the thin film is pressed by the elastic force of the key top. Return to the position and fix the support to the key top.

[0030]

Embodiments of the input / output device for a portable terminal according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are a general view showing an embodiment of an input / output device for a portable terminal according to the present invention, an exploded perspective view of only essential parts, a keyboard and a liquid crystal display device in an assembled state. A sectional view is shown. In the figure, a backlight 18 is mounted on a circuit board 17 on which electronic components are mounted, a liquid crystal display device 19 is mounted thereon, and a touch panel 20 is mounted thereon, and each is connected to the circuit board 17.

The upper first casing 21 is a liquid crystal display device 19.
A window 22 is opened so that the touch panel 20 can be seen from the outside, and a groove 23 for attaching a double hinge 40 for connecting the cover is formed on the side surface. Further, although not shown, a notch 24 for exposing a slide knob 25 attached to a slide switch for power supply is opened.

The second housing 26 on the lower side has a groove 27 for storing a pen 29 for operating a touch panel and a groove 28 for mounting a double hinge 40 for connecting a cover, and a circuit board (not shown). A boss is provided for attaching a screw for fixing 17 to the housing 26. Further, although not shown, holes for exposing a mounting space for the power supply battery and other external device connecting I / Fs are formed.

The cover for the liquid crystal display device comprises a cover front case 30, a key top unit 38, and a cover back case 34.
Composed of and. A large number of key-top holes 31 are opened in the cover front case 30, and a window 33 for opening a part of the liquid crystal display device 19 is also opened. Further, on the side surface, there is a groove 32 for mounting the hinge 40 for connection with the main body. Similarly to the front case 30, the back case 34 for cover also has a hole 35 for a key top, a window 37 for a liquid crystal display, and a mounting groove 36 for a hinge 40.

Then, the front case 30 and the back case 34 of the cover are joined by sandwiching the key top unit 38 and the shield 39 of the liquid crystal display window sandwiched between the light guiding milky white rubber-like one. Then, the liquid crystal display cover is assembled.

Although not shown, various characters and symbols are formed on the surface of the key top 41 of the key top unit 38 by a light shielding portion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which the whole is assembled, and (a) shows a state in which the cover is closed. (B) is a state in which the cover is about to be opened, and the pen 2 for touch panel operation is used.
9 is in the process of being taken out. (C) is a state in which the cover is opened and turned to the back side. A double hinge 40 is used to connect the main body and the cover, and the position of the hinge is adjusted so that there is no rattling when operating the cover regardless of whether the cover is on the front side or the back side.

Although not shown, a switch for detecting the open / closed state of the cover is provided in the upper casing 21 and can be read by software.

The portable information terminal having the above structure will be described with reference to the sectional view of the assembled keyboard and liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal display device 19 and a touch panel 20 are overlaid on the backlight 18 to form a liquid crystal display section. A cover for the liquid crystal display device including a cover back side 34, a key top unit 38, and a cover front side 30 is installed so as to cover the top.

The key top unit 38 is made of a light guiding and elastic material, and is provided on the key top 41 having the projection 42 for pressing the touch panel 20 on the bottom surface, the cover back side housing 34 and the cover front side housing 30. Support part 49 to be sandwiched
The thin film 43 that connects the support portion 49 and the key top 41 is integrally molded to form a single sheet.

The key top on the right side of FIG. 3 shows the state when a key is pressed. When the key top 41 is pressed, the portion of the thin film 43 is deformed to generate an appropriate repulsive force and a click feeling, thereby improving the operation feeling.

The touch panel 2 is provided on the bottom surface of the key top 41.
A protrusion 42 for pressing 0 is provided, and when the protrusion 42 comes into contact with the touch panel 20, the position on the touch panel is read by software, and the pressed key can be specified.

When the pressed key is released, the thin film 43 restores due to its elastic force, separating the projection 42 from the touch panel 20 and returning the key top 41 to its original position.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the present invention. 51
Is a touch panel, 52 is a keyboard, 53 is a control unit, 5
Reference numeral 4 is a display means when a keyboard is input, and 55 is a display means when a touch panel is input, that is, the entire liquid crystal is displayed. Reference numeral 56 denotes a switch for switching between keyboard input and keyboard display means when the cover is closed and opened, and touch panel input and display during touch panel input when the cover is opened by opening and closing the cover.

The control unit 53 switches the X-axis and the Y-axis of the display or input touch panel with a switch. Use it horizontally when using the touch panel. Use keyboard input vertically.
Symbols are written on the key tops in the vertical direction.

Next, the operation will be described. When the power switch is turned on and the backlight 18 emits light, the light passes through the liquid crystal display device 19 and the touch panel 20 and illuminates the bottom surface of the key top 41. The key top unit 38 is made of a light-guiding milky white rubber-like material, and the light emitted to the bottom surface passes through the key top 41 to illuminate the surface, and is formed by a light shielding portion on the surface of the key top 41. Various characters and symbols can be recognized reliably even in the dark.

When the cover is opened and the input operation is performed on the touch panel, the cover open / closed state detection switch detects the open state, and the control unit displays the entire surface of the liquid crystal display device 19. Similarly, the touch panel also uses a pen or a finger over the entire area. Set the mode to detect contact such as.

When the cover is closed and an input operation is performed with the key, the cover open / closed state detection switch detects the closed state, and the control unit causes the liquid crystal display device 19 to display the window portion 4 of the cover 47.
Only the number 8 is displayed, and the remaining part is not displayed and is used as a light source for emitting light from the key top 38. The touch panel is set to a mode in which the position corresponding to the key top of the cover 47 is scanned.

In this embodiment, the controller is set to be used in landscape orientation when the cover is opened, but it can be freely changed depending on the interface used.
Furthermore, the top, bottom, left and right can be changed arbitrarily.

Further, as shown in the exploded perspective view 2 of only the main part, the key top unit 38 is a housing 30 above the cover.
And the lower casing 34. Since this cover does not include any electrical mechanism for light emission, the cover can be made thin, and the key top unit 38 does not need to have a complicated shape, and the key top unit 38 having a simpler shape is used. it can.

[0051]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
A backlight of a liquid crystal display device is used as a light emitting body for causing the key top to emit light. Therefore, a plurality of key tops can be made to emit light with one component, and the steps for assembling can be reduced. In addition, the keyboard itself can be made thin because it can be placed at a position slightly away from the key top.

Since the scanning of pressing the key is not by a mechanical switch, the durability of the switch portion is improved, and scanning can be performed anywhere on the entire surface of the touch panel, so there is no need to change the electrical circuit with respect to the change in the keyboard design. ,
It is relatively easy to change the keyboard because it only needs to be handled by software.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the open / closed state of the cover is detected, and the input means when the cover is opened is used as the input means when the cover is closed. Can be obtained.

Further, the open / close state of the cover is detected, information is displayed using the full screen when the cover is opened, and it is displayed in the window of the cover when the cover is closed. By displaying the selected information, the information corresponding to each input means can be output.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cover for the liquid crystal display device has a built-in keyboard, but since the light source for emitting the light from the key top and the mechanism for scanning the key are on the main body side, they are thin. Can be realized.

Further, since it is not necessary to use parts other than the key top in the keyboard portion, the assembly process is simplified and the key top unit can be made flat, so that the keyboard can be made thinner. Since this keyboard is also used as a cover of a liquid crystal display device, it is easy to use due to its thin shape.

According to the invention of claim 4, when the cover is closed, a keyboard and a small liquid crystal display device, and when the cover is opened, two types of input / output devices, a large liquid crystal display device and a touch panel, are simple mechanisms. Can be realized with.

According to the invention of claim 5, when the cover is closed, the main body is used vertically or horizontally, but when the cover is open, the display area of the screen is effectively used. The operability can be enhanced by using the main body horizontally or vertically, as opposed to when the input / output interface is closed. Further, it is possible to easily set the operation direction arbitrarily with the cover opened.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by connecting the main body and the cover with a double hinge, the state in which the main body and the cover are in close contact with the main body even when the cover is open or closed, and the cover is turned to the back side Can be used stably even when operating on a desk.

Due to the thin cover with keyboard and double hinge, it is possible to move to the back side of the main body when the keyboard is not used.

According to the invention of claim 7, the key top unit is provided with a projection for pressing the touch panel by a light guiding and elastic material, a support portion for fixing the key top and the key top unit. Since the support portion and the thin film that connects the key tops are integrally molded to form a single sheet, there is no need to make a complicated shape, and a simpler shape can be obtained, and manufacturing is easy. It's easy.

Further, this key top unit is easy to assemble because the key tops only have to be fitted and sandwiched in the respective holes of the rear housing of the liquid crystal display cover and the front housing of the liquid crystal display cover. Further, since the cover for the liquid crystal display device does not include any electric mechanism for emitting light, the cover can be made thin.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a covered state, (b) is a cover being opened, and (c) is a cover opened state.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of only a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled keyboard and liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional portable terminal device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of only a main part of a keyboard unit of a conventional portable terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Circuit board 2; Membrane type switch sheet 3; Key top unit 4; Back light 5; Liquid crystal display device 6; Upper case 7; Lower case 8; Window plate 9; Liquid crystal display window 10; Hole for key top penetration 11; Key top 12; Bridge 13; Light receiving part 14; Membrane type switch 15; Switch pressing protrusion 16; Light emitting LE
D 17; Circuit board 18; Back light 19; Liquid crystal display device 20; Touch panel 21; Upper housing 22; Liquid crystal display device window 23; Hinge mounting groove 24; Slide switch knob groove 25; Slide switch knob 26; Lower housing 27; Pen storage groove 28; Hinge mounting groove 29; Touch panel operating pen 30; Front cover housing 31; Key top penetrating hole 32; Hinge mounting groove 33; Liquid crystal display device Window 34; Cover housing on the back side 35; Key top penetration hole 36; Hinge mounting groove 37; Liquid crystal display window 38; Key top unit 39; Window plate 40; Hinge 41; Key top 42; Touch panel pressing Protrusion 43; Thin film 44; Overall view with cover closed 45; Overall view during opening cover 46; Overall view with cover open 47; Liquid crystal display device cover 48; Liquid crystal display device window 49; Support part 51; Touch panel 52; Keyboard 53; Control part 54; Keyboard display means 55; Touch panel display means 56; Switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A built-in one liquid crystal display device with a backlight, a touch panel that covers the surface of the liquid crystal display device, and a keyboard that exposes the top and bottom surfaces of a key top made of a light-transmitting material. A cover of the liquid crystal display device provided on the upper surface of the touch panel, the liquid crystal display device,
An input / output device for a portable terminal, comprising a control unit for controlling a touch panel and a keyboard. 2. The switch for switching the input section by opening and closing the cover of the liquid crystal display device, and the control section for switching the input means between the touch panel and the keyboard by the operation of the switch. The input / output device for the portable terminal described. 3. The input / output device for a portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the cover for the liquid crystal display device is closed or when the key is pressed, the key comes into contact with the touch panel and an input operation is performed by the touch panel. . 4. A window through which a part of the liquid crystal display device can be viewed is provided on the liquid crystal display device cover, and when the control unit closes the liquid crystal display device cover, the liquid crystal display device has only a portion corresponding to the window. The input / output device for a portable terminal according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the information at the time of key operation is displayed. 5. The control unit is configured such that the X-axis and the Y-axis of the touch panel and the liquid crystal display device are reversed by the operation from the switch when the cover is closed and when the cover is opened. The input / output device for a portable terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 4. 6. A portable type in which a double hinge is used to connect the cover for a liquid crystal display device having the built-in keyboard and the main body having a liquid crystal display device, a touch panel, a backlight, and other circuits built therein. Input / output device for terminals. 7. The key top made of a light guiding and elastic material, the key top having a protrusion for pressing the touch panel on the bottom surface, a back housing of the liquid crystal display device cover and a front surface of the liquid crystal display device cover. 7. A key top unit configured as a single sheet by integrally molding a support part sandwiched between a housing and a thin film connecting the support part and the key top. The input / output device for a portable terminal according to claim 1 or 2.