KR100245437B1 - Portable radio device - Google Patents

Abstract

Portable wireless devices increase the available time period without compromising availability. The apparatus includes a screen having a first display area and a second display area, an illuminance detector for detecting illumination around the screen and outputting an illumination signal, and a display controller for controlling the first and second display areas. Each of the first and second display regions becomes active or inactive under the illumination signal under the control of the display controller. When the illumination signal has a value larger than the preset reference value, the first display area of the screen is controlled to be active. If the illumination signal has a value equal to or less than the reference value, one of the first and second display areas of the screen is controlled to be inactive.

Description

Mobile wireless device with a screen

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to portable wireless devices such as pagers and mobile phones, and more particularly to portable wireless devices equipped with screens for displaying various information such as messages and function symbol marks.

Conventionally, various pagers have been developed and put into practical use, each having a screen displaying a received message and / or a function symbol mark on the screen.

As an example of a conventional pager, the display operation of messages and marks was continued regardless of the setting or selection operation of the user environment and built-in functions. However, there is a problem that the usable time period of the pager is very short due to the increase of the electric power consumption.

As another example of the conventional pager, the display operation stops in whole or in part when a certain time elapses from the last setting or selection operation of the built-in function. However, there is a problem that the availability of the pager is degraded because the user cannot recognize the information displayed on the screen such as the current time after a certain period of time has elapsed even if necessary.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable wireless device that increases the usable time period without degrading its availability.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable wireless device capable of efficiently utilizing battery energy.

In addition to the above objects, other objects not specifically mentioned will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a portable wireless device includes a screen having a first display area and a second display area, an illuminance detector that detects illuminance around the screen, and outputs an illumination signal, and a display controller that controls the first and second display areas. Include.

Each of the first and second display regions becomes active or inactive under the illumination signal under the control of the display controller.

When the illumination signal has a value greater than the preset reference value, the first display area of the screen is activated. If the illumination signal has a value equal to or less than the reference value, at least one of the first and second display areas of the screen is inactive and the illuminator is active.

In the portable radio apparatus according to the present invention, the screen includes first and second display regions respectively controlled by the display controller. In addition, when the illumination signal has a value larger than a preset reference value, that is, when the environment in which the apparatus according to the invention is used is bright or bright, the first display area of the screen is controlled to be active. Therefore, when necessary information is displayed in the first display area, the user can always know the displayed information. This indicates that availability is not degraded.

On the other hand, when the illumination signal has a value equal to or smaller than a preset reference value, that is, when the environment in which the apparatus according to the present invention is used is dark, at least one area of the first and second display areas of the screen This is controlled to be inactive, reducing power consumption. Thus, the available time period is increased.

As a result, the available time period of the portable wireless device can be increased without degrading the availability.

In addition, when the environment in which the device according to the invention is used is dark, at least one of the first and second display areas of the screen is controlled to be inactive. Therefore, the device according to the present invention can efficiently use the energy of the battery.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, a function switch designed to be operated by the user is further provided to enable the built-in function. There is further provided an illuminator for illuminating the screen and an illuminator controller for controlling the illuminator. The fixture becomes active or inactive depending on the illumination signal under the control of the fixture controller.

When the switch is operated, the information on the function switch is displayed on the first display area without illumination in the bright environment and on the first display area with illumination provided by the fixture in the dark environment.

In this case, there is an additional advantage that the user can instantly know the information about the function switch on the screen even in a dark environment.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a call alarm is further provided which is designed to be driven upon receipt of a call signal. When a call signal is received, the message is displayed in the first display area with no illumination in bright environments and with illumination in dark environments.

In this case, there is an additional advantage that the user can instantly see the received message on the screen even in a dark environment.

1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a portable wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram of a screen of a wireless device according to the embodiment of the invention of FIG.

3 is a flow chart showing an operation sequence of the wireless device according to the embodiment of the present invention of FIG.

≪ Description of Reference Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings >

1: receiver

2: decoder

3: controller

4: operation switch

5: Main display driver

6: Sub display driver

7: alarm driver

9: light driver

14: illuminance detector

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be readily implemented.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The portable radio apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has a structure as shown in FIG. The apparatus serves as a select-call wireless receiver, i.e., a pager.

In Fig. 1, the receiver 1 receives and detects a radio signal A0 transmitted from a base station (not shown) and outputs this detected signal A1 to the decoder 2. The radio signal A0 is transmitted with the coded identification number (ie ID number) of the portable radio device. This signal A0 may further comprise a coded message.

The decoder 2 determines whether the ID number included in the detected signal A1 matches the ID number registered in the apparatus. If the received ID number matches the registered ID number of the device, an output signal A2 is transmitted to the master controller 3 indicating the presence of the call and the associated message.

The main controller 3 uses the main display driver 5, the sub display driver 6, and the lamp driver 9 to display the main display area 12 of the screen 11 and the sub display area 13 of the screen 11. , And the illumination lamp 10, respectively. Thus, information containing the transmitted signal is displayed on screen 11 as needed.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the main display area 12 of the screen 11 has a dot matrix 15 designed to display various characters and marks. On the main display area 12, the transmitted message can be selectively displayed as well as various preset information such as the current time and the seller's name.

On the other hand, the subdisplay area 13 of the screen 11 has this symbol mark 16 which is designed to display the state of the built-in function corresponding to the mark 16 to the user. In FIG. 2, " on ", " speaker ", " battery " Symbol marks are described. These marks 16 are controlled by on-off switching. If some of these marks 16 are " on ", these marks 16 indicate that the corresponding function is active at that time.

As described above, in the subdisplay area 13, the same symbol mark 16 is simply switched on or off at the same position. In other words, only a single function or state may be represented by the same mark 16. On the other hand, in the main display area 12, various characters are " on " in the dots in the dot matrix 15; Or by selectively converting to " off ". In other words, various pieces of information can be flexibly displayed alternately by the matrix 15.

Differences in the display capability and capacity thereof capable of displaying the main display and subdisplay areas 12 and 13 lead to differences in circuit scale for these display areas 12 and 13. In particular, the main display driver 5 for the main display region 12 requires a large circuit scale, resulting in large power consumption. On the other hand, the subdisplay driver 6 for the subdisplay area 13 does not require such a large circuit scale as the main display driver 5. Therefore, the power consumption of the sub display driver 6 is lower than that of the main display driver 5.

The main controller 3 outputs the control signal A3 to the main display driver 5. The driver 5 outputs the signal A10 to the main display area 12 in accordance with the signal A3 to display desired information.

The main controller 3 outputs a control signal A4 to the sub display driver 6. The driver 6 outputs the sub-signal A11 to the display area 13 in accordance with the signal A4 to display the desired information.

The master controller 3 outputs a control signal A5 to the lamp driver 9 when the environment of the apparatus (i.e. where the apparatus is used) is dark. The driver 9 outputs the signal A12 to the illumination lamp 10 in accordance with the signal A5, and emits the light L toward the screen 11 for illumination purposes in a dark environment.

In the present embodiment, the master controller 3 is designed to display " current time " in the main display area 12 during the waiting time after the specific call operation is finished. The " current time " can be displayed in the subdisplay area 13 using conventionally known segments. However, in order to simultaneously display the entire information of the current time, such as year, month, date, and day of week, the subdisplay area 13 will occupy a large portion of the screen 11. The reason is that necessary information is designed to be displayed in the subdisplay area 13 using the symbol mark 16, so that an area to be devoted to displaying the current time is needed. The need for an area to be allocated for use means that the main display area 12 becomes very narrow.

As a result, if " current time " is displayed in the subdisplay area 13 during the waiting time, the present portable radio device has a considerably lowered availability. In other words, the apparatus cannot be used practically.

For this reason, displaying " current time " in the main display area 12 makes the apparatus practical. However, if this indication is kept on for a long time, power is excessively consumed. Thus, the master controller 3 becomes subdisplay when the user is in a bright environment and the main display and subdisplay areas 12 and 13 are active (i.e., information is displayed), and when the user is in a dark environment. Only the area 13 controls the main and subdisplay drivers 5 and 6 and the lamp driver 9 in an active manner. These control procedures will be described in detail below.

The master controller 3 further controls an alarm 8 such as a speaker, a vibrator, and a light emitting diode (LED) via the alarm driver 7 when a select-call signal for the device is received.

The illuminance detector 14 detects illumination around the screen 11 (or in the environment of the apparatus) and outputs an illumination signal A6 to the main controller 3. The lamp driver 9 makes the illumination lamp 10 active or inactive in accordance with the input illumination signal A6.

In particular, when the input illumination signal A6 is equal to or smaller than the preset reference value I ₀ (I ≦ I ₀ , ie, the environment is dark), the illumination lamp 10 displays the light L on the screen 11. Is emitted and only the subdisplay area 13 is activated. Thus, the user can read the symbol mark 16 in the subdisplay area 13 with the aid of the illumination light L. FIG.

When the input illumination signal A6 has an illumination value I greater than the preset reference value I ₀ (I > I ₀ , ie, bright enough for the environment to read information), the illumination lamp 10 Does not emit the light L, and both the primary and subdisplay regions 12 and 13 are activated. Therefore, the user can read out the information in the main display area 12 and the symbol mark 16 in the sub display area 13.

The portable radio device further comprises a set of function switches 4 designed to be operated by a user for the purpose of setting and selecting built-in functions. The operation signal A7 is input to the master controller 3 according to the function set and / or selected via the switch 4.

Next, the operation 0 sequence of the portable radio apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

First, it is determined whether or not the power switch (not shown) is turned on in the main controller 3 (step S1). If the power switch is not turned on, the operation sequence is terminated without any arbitrary operation. When the power switch is turned on, the power supply voltage is applied to the individual circuits in the present wireless device so that the preset initial operations are performed continuously (step S2). The termination of the initial operation is known to the user by an alarm, such as a sound, under the control of the main controller 3 and the alarm driver 7.

Next, the illuminance around the screen 11 is detected by the illuminance detector 14 (step S3). Then, the detected value of illuminance I is compared with a preset reference value I ₀ of illuminance in the main controller 3 (step S4).

If I > I ₀ , " current time " is displayed in the main display area 12 of the screen 11, and at the same time, the activated symbol mark 16 is controlled under the control of the main controller 3; Is displayed in the subdisplay area 13 (step 5). Light L is not illuminated on screen 11 at this stage.

If I ≤ I ₀ , the activated symbol mark 16 is displayed in the subdisplay area 13 of the screen 11 under the control of the main controller 3 (step S6). The light L is not illuminated on the screen 11 at this stage.

Furthermore, a determination is made as to whether any one of the function switches 4 is operated or selected in the controller 3 (step S7). If the answer is " Yes ", the illuminance around the screen 11 (or the present wireless device) is detected in the same manner as in step S3 (step S10). Then, the detected value of illuminance I is compared with the reference value I ₀ preset in the controller 3 in the same manner as in step S4 (step S11).

In step S11, if I > I ₀ , the selected function or functions are displayed in the main display area 12 and at the same time, the activated symbol mark 16 is displayed in the sub display area 13 when necessary (step S13). Light L is not illuminated on screen 11 at this stage.

In step S11, if I ≦ I ₀ , the light L is illuminated on the screen 11 (step S12). The selected function or functions are then displayed in the main display area 12 and at the same time the activated symbol mark 16 is displayed in the subdisplay area 13 of the screen 11 with the aid of the illuminated light L. FIG. (Step S13).

Here, " display the selected function / functions " means that any information such as a message, a text and / or a mark required for the user is displayed at the time of operation of the function switch 4. For example, for current time switching, alarm method switching or received message rereads, information is displayed.

Subsequently, a determination is made as to whether or not the switch operation is terminated in the main controller 3 (step S14). If the answer is " No ", the function display on the screen 11 (and, if necessary, illumination of the lamp 10) continues (steps S12 and S13). If the answer is " Yes ", the function display on the screen 11 (and illumination of the lamp 10, if necessary) stops (step S15). Then, the flow of operation jumps to step S3, and then step S3 is restarted.

In step S7, if the answer is " No ", in other words, if the operation of the switch 4 is not performed, a determination is made whether or not a selection call is received in step S8. . If the answer is " Yes ", the master controller 3 controls the alarm driver 7 to activate the alarm 8, thereby informing the user of the call (step S16).

Subsequently, the controller 3 makes a determination as to whether or not one of the function switches 4 for stopping the call operation is operated or selected (step S17). If the answer is " Yes ", the alarm operation stops (step S18), and then the illuminance around the present wireless device is detected in the same manner as in step S3 (step S10). After this step S10, steps S11 to S15 are performed continuously. In this case, the message sent with the call signal is displayed in the main display area 12 of the screen 11 in step S13.

If the answer is " No " in step S17, the flow returns to step S16. Thereafter, the call alarm continues until the stop switch 4 is operated (step S18). Then, the flow jumps to step S10 and steps S11 to S15 are performed. In this case, the message sent with the call signal is displayed in the main display area 12 of the screen 11 in step S13.

If in step S8 the answer is " No ", a determination is made as to whether the power supply is " off ". When the power source is " off ", the operation flow is terminated. If the power source is " off ", the flow jumps to step S3 and the successive steps described above are repeated.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, if the function call 4 is not operated and the selection call signal is received, the flow of operation proceeds and repeats along the loop formed by steps S3 to S9. Thus, the main display and subdisplay areas 12 and 13 are used to display the necessary information when the surroundings of the device are bright, and only the sub display area 13 is used to display the necessary information when the surroundings of the device are dark.

In the portable wireless device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the screen 11 includes main display and sub display areas 12 and 13 controlled by the main display and sub display drivers 5 and 6, respectively. In addition, when the illumination signal A6 has a value I _greater than the preset value I ₀ , the main display area 12 of the screen 11 is in other words used by the apparatus according to the present embodiment. In an environment where the lighting is bright or bright, it is controlled to be active. Therefore, when necessary information is displayed in the main display area 12, the user can always know the displayed information. This means that availability is not degraded.

On the other hand, when the illumination signal A6 has a value equal to or less than the preset reference value I0, that is, when the environment in which the apparatus according to the present embodiment is used is dark, the main display area () of the screen 11 ( 12) is controlled to be active, reducing power consumption. Thus, the available time period is increased.

As a result, the usable time period of the present portable radio device can be increased without degrading the usability.

In addition, when the environment in which the apparatus according to the present embodiment is used is dark, the main display area 12 of the screen 13 is controlled to be inactive. Therefore, this apparatus can utilize the energy of a battery efficiently.

In the above embodiment, the subdisplay area 13 is controlled to be active even in a dark environment. However, the main and subdisplay areas 12 and 13 can be controlled to be inactive in a dark environment, since it is impossible or difficult for the user to know the displayed information without illumination of the lamp 10. In this case, there is an additional advantage that the power consumption is further reduced and only a single display driver is needed for the screen 11.

Moreover, only the subdisplay area 13 can be controlled to be active in a dark environment, and at the same time, only the main display area 12 can be controlled to be active in a bright environment. Such a structure can be easily realized by slightly changing the operation of the main controller 3.

Although the current time is controlled to be displayed on the screen 11 during the waiting time in this embodiment, any previously displayed message and any other information such as the name or vendor of the operator's company may also be displayed on the screen.

In the above embodiment, the portable radio device according to the present invention is described as a pager. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to any other portable wireless device having a screen, such as a cellular telephone set, a personal cell phone system (PHS) transceiver.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only determined by the following claims.

Claims (3)

A screen having a first display area and a second display area; An illuminance detector for detecting illumination around the screen and outputting an illumination signal; And A display controller controlling the first and second display regions, Each of the first and second display regions becomes active or inactive under an illumination signal under the control of the display controller, When an illumination signal has a value greater than a preset reference value, the first display area of the screen is controlled to be active, And when an illumination signal has a value equal to or less than a reference value, at least one of the first and second display areas of the screen is controlled to be inactive. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a function switch designed to be operated by a user to enable a built-in function; An illuminator for illuminating the screen; And Further comprising a fixture controller for controlling the fixture, The illuminator is activated or deactivated according to an illumination signal under the control of the illuminator controller, And when the switch is operated, information on the function switch is displayed in the first display area in a state where illumination is provided by the illuminator in a dark environment without illumination and in a dark environment. Further comprising a call alarm designed to be driven upon receipt of a call signal, And when the call signal is received, the call signal message is displayed in the first display area without illumination in a bright environment and with illumination in a dark environment.

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