JP4024134B2 - Folding mobile phone - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a configuration of a foldable mobile phone, and more particularly to a configuration of a user interface of a foldable mobile phone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Current mobile phones include a folding phone having two display units. For example, as a first conventional example, the following configuration is known for a folding cellular phone (see, for example, Patent Document 1). That is, the first conventional example has a first LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a second LCD as information display units, and is provided inside the cover when the body of the first LCD is opened. A configuration of a foldable mobile phone that is arranged at a position where information can be confirmed without opening the body of the second LCD is disclosed.
[0003]
In addition, the current mobile phone has a music playback function as well as an original call and can play music. For example, as a second conventional example, the following configuration is known for a music playback method of a mobile phone (see, for example, Patent Document 2). That is, the second conventional example discloses a system configuration in which a portable radio playback function and a portable MP3 (Moving Pictuer Expert Group Audio Layer-3) player function are added to a cellular phone (or PHS (Personal Handyphone System)). Has been.
[0004]
By developing this function, mobile phones that can perform music playback and functions other than music playback such as e-mail creation have appeared in parallel. In this mobile phone, when another function is activated during music reproduction, the display on the main screen is automatically switched from the music reproduction display to the newly activated function display. And while music is being played back, users can use functions other than music playback, such as creating e-mails.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-141993
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-101104 Specification
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a conventional mobile phone having only one display unit, when a function other than music playback is executed during music playback, the screen display automatically changes from the music playback display to the newly activated function display. Switch. However, the music playback state cannot be displayed until the function is terminated. There is also a problem that it is impossible to perform key operations for music reproduction.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to terminate functions other than music playback when performing functions other than music playback and music playback in parallel. The present invention also provides a mobile phone that confirms the music playback state and enables key operation.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A foldable mobile phone according to an aspect of the present invention includes a casing, and the casing is movable so that the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other so that the first and second portions can be folded. A communication means for exchanging signals with an external communication network, a communication means for making a call with a communication destination by the communication means, and a case that is inside when the case is folded A first display means provided on the surface; a first operation means corresponding to the first display means for inputting an instruction from a user; and information from outside in a state where the case is folded in the case Corresponding to the second display means, second operation means for inputting an instruction from the user, music playback means for playing music, Music playback function and music player using music playback means Control means for executing at least one of the functions other than the above, and the control means, other than music playback in parallel while music playback information by the music playback means is being displayed on the first display means When the above function is executed, a display control means for displaying the reproduction information on the second display means by a user input to the first operation means is included.
[0010]
Preferably, it comprises an open / close detection means for detecting whether or not the housing is folded, and the display control means is operated by a user input during execution of a function other than music playback in parallel with the music playback function. In the case where the reproduction information is not displayed on the second display unit, the reproduction information is displayed on the second display means when it is determined that the casing is closed according to the detection by the open / close detection means.
[0011]
Preferably, the first operation means includes a plurality of first keys, the second operation means includes a plurality of second keys, and the number of second keys is greater than the number of first keys. Few.
[0012]
Preferably, the function other than the music playback function includes a mail creation function.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014]
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 (a) shows a state in which the casing of the mobile phone 100 is opened. On the other hand, FIG. 1B shows a state in which the casing of the mobile phone 100 is folded.
[0015]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the casing of the mobile phone 100 includes a first casing 38, a second casing 40, and a connecting movable portion 36 that is connected so as to be foldable therebetween, and the casing is folded. A first display unit 22 provided on the inner casing surface in a state, a second display unit 24 provided so as to be able to confirm information from the outside with the casing folded, and instructions from the user A key operation unit 30 including a plurality of keys for input, an external key operation unit 32 including a plurality of keys for a user to input instructions in a state in which the case is folded, and whether the case is folded An open / close detection unit 34 for determining whether or not, and an antenna 10 for receiving and transmitting radio waves.
[0016]
The first display unit 22 corresponds to the key operation unit 30. Therefore, the input of the key operation unit 30 is displayed on the first display unit 22. Similarly, the second display unit 24 corresponds to the external key operation unit 32. Therefore, the input from the external key operation unit 32 is displayed on the second display unit 24. Further, the number of keys of the external key operation unit 32 is smaller than the number of keys of the key operation unit 30.
[0017]
The first casing 38 and the second casing 40 are connected via the connecting movable part 36. The connection movable part 36 is a hinge, for example. As a result, it can be folded by moving in an angularly displaceable manner with the connecting movable portion 36 as an axis. At that time, the open / close detection unit 34 can determine whether or not it is folded.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the open / close detection unit 34 includes a small protrusion near the connection movable unit 36 at the bottom of the first housing 38, a small hole near the connection movable unit 36 at the top of the second housing 40, And an open / close switch (not shown) provided inside the hole. The open / close detection unit 34 determines that the protrusion is folded by touching the switch inside the hole. And it judges that a housing | casing is open because protrusion protrudes from a switch.
[0019]
The mobile phone 100 can perform wireless communication with the base station via the radio wave by the antenna 10. Therefore, the mobile phone 100 can transmit / receive not only voice data but also character data and image data. In addition, a music playback device and a storage device (not shown) are stored inside the mobile phone 100. This music reproducing apparatus can reproduce music by input from the key operation unit 30 or the external key operation unit 32.
[0020]
The user usually carries the cellular phone 100 in a folded state as shown in FIG. Further, the user opens and uses the mobile phone folded during use as shown in FIG. When the user listens to music, the casing of the mobile phone 100 is first opened. Thereafter, the user inputs to the key operation unit 30. When music is played back by user input, music playback information is displayed on the first display unit 22. At this time, when a function other than the music playback function, such as a mail creation function, is activated in parallel with the music being played back, the music playback information displayed on the first display unit 22 is displayed on the second display unit 24. Can be switched. Subsequently, the function of creating an email is executed. Then, a mail creation screen is displayed on the first display unit 22. The mail creation operation can be performed with the key operation unit 30. On the other hand, music playback information can be confirmed on the second display unit 24. The operation at this time can be performed by the external key operation unit 32.
[0021]
Although not shown, the mobile phone 100 includes a music signal output unit for outputting a signal from music playback to an external audio output device, for example, an earphone. The music signal output unit is, for example, an earphone jack.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 100 includes an antenna 10, a first display unit 22, a second display unit 24, a key operation unit 30, an external key operation unit 32, an open / close detection unit 34, and a mobile phone. The control unit 2 for controlling the operation of each unit constituting the unit 100, the communication control unit 4 for mediating between the control unit 2 and the radio unit 12, and the voice and the sound of music during a call are output. A speaker 6 for reproducing music, a music reproducing unit 8 for reproducing music, a radio unit 12 for modulating / demodulating data, a microphone 14 for inputting voice when talking, and storing music data The first display driver unit 18 for displaying on the first display unit 22 under the control of the control unit 2, and the display on the second display unit 24 under the control of the control unit 2. The second display driver unit 20 and the first table It includes a first backlight 26 to increase the luminance of the part 22, a second backlight 28 to increase the luminance of second display unit 24.
[0024]
The control unit 2 transmits a control signal to the first display driver unit 18. At this time, the first display driver unit 18 applies a driving voltage to each pixel electrode of the first display unit 22 in accordance with image data to be displayed on the first display unit 22. Similarly, the control unit 2 transmits a control signal to the second display driver unit 20. At this time, the second display driver unit 20 applies a driving voltage to each pixel electrode included in the second display unit 24 in accordance with image data to be displayed on the second display unit 24.
[0025]
The first display unit 22 and the second display unit 24 are realized by a liquid crystal display or an EL (Electro Luminescence) display. Then, an image based on the image data sent via the first display driver unit 18 and the second display driver unit 20 is displayed.
[0026]
The first backlight 26 includes a light emitting diode that is a light emitting element. The 1st backlight 26 irradiates light to the 1st display part 22, and increases a brightness | luminance. Similarly, the 2nd backlight 28 contains the light emitting diode etc. which are light emitting elements. The second backlight 28 irradiates the second display unit 24 with light to increase the luminance. Control of turning on / off the first backlight 26 and the second backlight 28 and adjusting the brightness is performed by the control unit 2. The first backlight 26 and the second backlight 28 can be controlled independently of each other. When the image is displayed on the first display unit 22, the first backlight 26 is controlled to be lit. On the other hand, when the image is displayed on the second display unit 24, the second backlight 28 is controlled to be lit.
[0027]
The key operation unit 30 includes keys for inputting numbers and characters.
The radio unit 12 transmits a signal to the base station via the antenna 10 and, when connected to the other party, converts the sound from the microphone 6 into a radio signal and transmits it, and can talk with the other party. The radio unit 12 converts an electric signal received from the base station via the antenna 10 into an audio signal. As a result, the user can hear the audio signal from the speaker 6 as audio.
[0028]
Further, the radio unit 12 demodulates data received from the base station via the antenna 10 at the time of reception. The wireless unit 12 modulates and amplifies character data, image data, and the like sent from the communication control unit 4 during transmission. Then, the wireless unit 12 transmits the amplified data to the base station via the antenna 10.
[0029]
The communication control unit 4 sends received data such as character data and image data demodulated by the wireless unit 12 to the control unit 2 based on a predetermined communication protocol.
[0030]
The music reproduction unit 8 reproduces music data stored in the semiconductor memory 16 under the control of the control unit 2.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the user activates the mail creation function during music playback of mobile phone 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0032]
When the housing is open during music reproduction, music reproduction information is displayed on the first display unit 22. The user can operate the music function with the key operation unit 30. If the housing is closed during music playback, music playback information is displayed on the second display unit 24. Then, the user can operate the music playback function with the external key operation unit 32 (step S31).
[0033]
Subsequently, when the casing is closed, the casing is opened. At this time, music reproduction information is displayed on the first display unit 22. The control unit 2 executes a mail creation function by the user's input to the key operation unit 30 (step S32).
[0034]
Here, when the housing is opened, the user selects whether to display the music reproduction information on the second display unit 24 (step S33).
[0035]
When the user selects to display the music reproduction information on the second display unit 24 in step S <b> 33, the control unit 2 displays the mail creation function on the first display unit 22. In response to this, the control unit 2 allows the key operation unit 30 to operate a mail creation function. Further, the control unit 2 displays music reproduction information on the second display unit 24. In response to this, the control unit 2 enables the music playback function to be operated in the external key operation unit 32 (step S34).
[0036]
When the user selects not to display the music reproduction information on the second display unit 24 in step S <b> 33, the control unit 2 displays a mail creation function on the first display unit 22. In response to this, the control unit 2 enables operation of the mail creation function in the key operation unit 30 (step S35).
[0037]
Subsequently, the user closes the casing (step S36).
At this time, the open / close detection unit 34 determines that the housing is closed. When the music playback function is being executed, the control unit 2 displays the music playback information on the second display unit 24. In response to this, the control unit 2 enables the music playback function to be operated in the external key operation unit 32 (step S37).
[0038]
Subsequently, the user ends the music reproduction (step S38).
However, in the present invention, functions other than the music playback function are not limited to the mail creation function.
[0039]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the casing is open during the execution of the music playback function, when a function other than the music playback function is executed and displayed on the first display unit, the input of a user instruction is performed. By performing the music reproduction display by the second display means, it is possible to perform the operation and display confirmation of functions other than the music reproduction function and to confirm the music reproduction function operation and display.
[0041]
When the case is closed while a function other than the music playback function is being executed in parallel with the music playback function, it can be displayed on the second display unit and operated by the external key operation unit.
[0042]
Alternatively, when the function other than the music playback function is the mail creation function, the mail creation screen is activated on the first display during music playback, and the music playback is confirmed on the second display while creating the mail. And the music playback function can be operated by the external key operation unit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone 100 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a mail creation function is activated at the time of music reproduction of mobile phone 100 in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 control unit, 4 communication control unit, 6 speaker, 8 music playback unit, 10 antenna, 12 radio unit, 14 microphone, 16 memory, 18 first display driver unit, 20 second display driver unit, 22 first display unit, 24 2nd display part, 26 1st backlight, 28 2nd backlight, 30 Key operation part, 32 External key operation part, 34 Opening / closing detection part, 36 Connection movable part, 38 1st housing | casing, 40 2nd housing | casing , 100 mobile phone.

Claims (4)

With a housing,
The housing includes a first part and a second part, and a connecting movable part that connects the first and second parts so as to be foldable.
Communication means for exchanging signals with an external communication network;
Call means for making a call with a communication destination by the communication means;
First display means provided on a surface of the casing that is inside when the casing is folded;
Corresponding to the first display means, a first operating means for inputting an instruction from a user;
In the housing, a second display means provided at a position where information can be confirmed from the outside with the housing folded.
Corresponding to the second display means, second operating means for inputting an instruction from the user;
Music playback means for playing music,
Control means for executing at least one of a music playback function by the music playback means and a function other than the music playback function;
The control means, when displaying the reproduction information of the music by the music reproduction means on the first display means, when executing a function other than the music reproduction in parallel, the user to the first operation means A foldable mobile phone including display control means for causing the second display means to display the reproduction information by inputting. Comprising an open / close detection means for detecting whether or not the housing is folded;
The display control means detects the open / close when the second display means does not display the reproduction information by the user input during execution of a function other than the music reproduction in parallel with the music reproduction function. 2. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction information is displayed on the second display means when it is determined that the casing is closed in response to detection by the means. The first operation means includes a plurality of first keys,
The second operation means includes a plurality of second keys,
The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the number of the second keys is smaller than the number of the first keys. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the function other than the music playback function includes a mail creation function.

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