CN1148045C - Telephone terminal with scrolling function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provided a telephone terminal with scroll function. In this telephone terminal, a couple of adjacent ten-keys are assigned to be scroll keys in vertical or horizontal directions, frames are used to visually indicate the assignment of the scroll keys, a means that selects a ten-key function or a scroll key function is provided to provide the scroll key function in common to the ten-keys. The ten-keys are used to scroll indication in the vertical directions and the ten-keys are used to scroll indication in the horizontal directions. Furthermore, a frame surrounds the ten-key as assignment of a scroll selection key.

Description

telephone terminal equipment

technical field

The present invention relates to a portable telephone terminal device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a telephone terminal device with a scroll function including ten keys also used as a scroll key.

Background technique

As shown in FIG. 9 , some conventional telephone terminal equipment with a scrolling function include a display 62 such as a liquid crystal display installed in a casing 61, and a display 62 independent of ten numeric keys 63 for scrolling including 200-300 A dedicated scroll key 64 for telephone directory data of telephone numbers and names to be displayed on the display.

Also, types of scroll keys include scroll keys for selection in two directions, up and down, and scroll keys for selection in four directions, up and down, and left and right. In order to facilitate operations with one finger, a scroll key installed as a multi-directional switching key has also been widely used.

However, in the conventional embodiments, on the one hand, in order to achieve lightness and dexterity, a portable phone or PHS (Personal Handyphone System) with a small size and a light weight is strongly required; Therefore, in order to display a large number of characters, it is necessary to expand the liquid crystal display area. In the structure with the display 62, ten numeric keys 63, and scroll keys 64 arranged on the operation surface of the cabinet 61 in the vertical direction, in the case of enlarging the display 62, the ten numeric keys 63 and the scroll keys are included. The size and spacing of the 64 operating keys need to be made smaller. Therefore, a larger number of small keys are arranged in a narrow area relative to a larger display 62, with the attendant problem that the visibility and ease of operation of the keys are destroyed, thereby interfering with operability .

As a means to solve the above problem, a jog dial as the scroll key 64 may be installed on the side of the cabinet 61. However, for those users who prefer the conventional operation method of manipulating with the thumb while holding the portable phone with the palm and the thumb, it is difficult to move the thumb to the side of the housing 61 . In addition, this method has a disadvantage in that the telephone terminal may inadvertently drop when the thumb that holds the phone is released, and therefore, this method cannot provide a satisfactory solution.

As another solution, in "Communication terminal device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-212452, the numeric keys are also used as scroll keys. Fig. 10 shows a plan view of an operation panel of a conventional communication terminal device. Among the number keys 112, the keys "8", "2", "4", and "6" surrounding the key "5" on the center function as scroll keys. But, for example, to switch from left to right, or from up to down, one needs to step from key "4" to key "5" to key "6", or from key "2" to key "6". The operation of reaching the key "8" through the key "5". Therefore, there is involved a problem that, unlike the scroll key shown in FIG. 9 , an easy scroll operation in the upward and downward or rightward and leftward directions cannot be realized by slightly shifting the position of the thumb.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone that does not need to reduce the size of operation keys including numeric keys and dedicated keys, or the spacing between operation keys, even in the case where a relatively large display is applied to a small portable phone. Telephone terminal equipment with good operability and rolling function.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a telephone terminal device having good operability and having a scrolling function using a number key operation mode recognizable to a user as a number input mode or a scrolling mode.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a telephone terminal device, which includes: a display; both along the upward and downward directions, and the number keys arranged along the right and left directions ; Means for assigning two pairs of adjacent numeric keys within the numeric keys as scroll keys for up and down directions and scroll keys for right and left directions, respectively; and for switching between the numeric key function and the scroll function A switching device for switching, wherein one of the number keys is configured as a selection switch in a scrolling state, and one of the number keys and the pair of scroll keys designated as up and down directions or right and left directions Number keys are adjacent.

According to this structure, it is possible to obtain a telephone terminal device with a large display and good operability without reducing the size or pitch of the operation keys.

According to this structure, by moving the position of the finger, a scroll operation in the upward and downward directions or in the right and left directions can be performed, and a selection operation in the scroll state can be performed.

And, in the second aspect of the present invention, a pair of numeric keys assigned as scroll keys for up and down directions and a pair of numeric keys assigned as scroll keys for right and left directions are adjacent to each other lined up.

According to this structure, the scroll operation in the upward and downward directions or in the right and left directions can be performed only by moving the position of the finger without changing the way of gripping the telephone terminal device.

Furthermore, in the third aspect of the present invention, wherein among the two pairs of numeric keys designated as scroll keys for upward and downward directions and right and left directions, the one used as the scroll key for upward and downward directions A pair of numeric keys is aligned in the upward and downward directions, and a pair of numeric keys used as scroll keys in the right and left directions are aligned in the right and left directions.

According to this structure, since the numerical keys surrounded by the frame lines of the upward and downward directions are used as the scroll keys of the upward and downward directions and the numerical keys surrounded by the frame lines of the right and left directions are used as the scroll keys of the right and left directions. A scroll key in the left direction, therefore, according to the scroll direction mark, it is possible to avoid misoperations of the keys for the up or down direction and the keys for the right and left directions.

In addition, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the telephone terminal device provided in the above-mentioned first aspect further includes an indicating unit for visually indicating the configuration of the scroll key, the indicating unit is formed by a frame on the surface of the casing A line is formed around the pair of number keys.

According to this structure, since the pair of numeric keys are surrounded by the frame line, the surrounded numeric keys can be easily recognized as keys designated as scroll keys.

Moreover, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the telephone terminal device provided in the first aspect above further includes an indication unit for visually indicating the configuration of the scroll key, the indication unit is to prompt upward, downward, A shape in one of the right and left directions is applied to the numeric keys.

According to this structure, the step of drawing a frame line mark around the numerical keys of the casing can be eliminated, and the risk of fading of the mark due to gradual peeling of the paint marking the frame line due to prolonged use can be avoided.

And, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the telephone terminal equipment further includes means for switching the display content of the display in response to switching of the switching means, when switching from one of the number input mode and the scroll command mode to the other , to switch the displayed content of the monitor.

According to this structure, since the display content of the display is also switched when the number input mode and the scroll command mode are switched, the number input operation and the scroll operation of the numeric keys can be performed without error.

Furthermore, in a seventh aspect of the present invention, the display includes a liquid crystal display with a multi-color backlight, and color switching means for switching the color of the backlight is arranged after the switching means so that when the switching means changes from a When switching from one mode to another, the color of the backlight of the display is also switched.

According to this structure, by having different display colors on the display, for example, green for number input mode and red for scroll command mode, the current operation mode can be visually and accurately recognized.

Description of drawings

1 is a block diagram showing a circuit structure of a telephone terminal device with a scrolling function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation surface of the telephone terminal device shown in FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is the operation flowchart of the telephone terminal equipment shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the operating surface of Figure 2 with messages displayed on the display;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the operating surface of Figure 4 with a phone directory displayed on the display;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the operating surface of Figure 5 with the name displayed on the display;

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the scrolling operation of Fig. 3;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an improved embodiment in which the numeric keys of the portable telephone device shown in FIG. 2 are modified;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an operation surface of a conventional portable telephone device; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an operation panel of a conventional communication terminal device.

Detailed ways

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an antenna, reference numeral 2 denotes a wireless transceiver section for transmitting or receiving through the antenna, and reference numeral 3 denotes a control section including encoding/decoding means 4 for transmitted or received signals, voice data processing means 5, key input signal switching means 6 and display content switching means 7 for switching display content on the display.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a key input section including numeric keys and special keys; and reference numeral 10 denotes a numeric key/scroll switch. Reference numeral 11 is a storage section, including a telephone number temporary storage section 12 for temporarily storing the telephone number input from the key input section 9, and for storing four telephone directories "telephone directory 1", "telephone directory 2", " Telephone directory memories 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d of the telephone directory data of the "telephone directory 3" and "telephone directory 4". Reference numeral 14 denotes a display, reference numeral 15 denotes a transmitter section including a microphone, and reference numeral 16 denotes a receiver section including a speaker.

In Fig. 2, antenna 1, transmitter section 15, receiver section 16, display 14, key input section 9 including dedicated keys 18a, 18b, 18c and numeric keys 19, and numeric key/scroll switch 10 are all mounted on the machine. Inside the shell 17. An example 11-digit telephone number is displayed on display 14.

The operation process is described below.

An example of the operation of registering a telephone number entered with the numeric keys 19 in the telephone directory at the time of calling will now be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in the flow chart of Figure 3, the operation process of registering the telephone number input with the number keys 19 in the telephone directory when calling is as follows:

Press the power button 18a, one of the dedicated keys in the telephone terminal shown in FIG. 2, to turn on the power (step 1, hereinafter abbreviated as S1).

A telephone number is input with the numeric keys 19 (S2).

Press the communication button 18c to make a call and start talking (S3).

When the call is completed, the button 18a serving as a power button and a completion button is pressed to complete the communication (S4).

After completing the communication, as shown on the display 14 among Fig. 4, "telephone number" (the same as that shown in Fig. 2), the message "do you want to be registered in the telephone directory?" )" and "No (8)" are displayed on the screen, asking which option the user wants to select (S5).

For this query, the user can either press the key "7" of the number key 19a to input "Yes", or press the key "8" of the number key 19b to input "No".

In the case of answering "Yes", as shown on the display of FIG. blocks (S6).

The user selects a telephone directory to be registered from among "telephone directory 1" to "telephone directory 4". For this selection, "telephone directory 1" can be selected by pressing key "1" of numeric key 19c, and "telephone directory 2" can be selected by pressing key "2" of numeric key 19d.

In case the number key 19 is operated by the user within a predetermined time (S7) and the input from the number key 19 is number information (S8), the telephone directory corresponding to its number is selected as the telephone directory to be registered (S9).

In the case of needing to add title information (S10), for example, title information like " TAROKEITAI " as shown in Figure 6 is registered in the telephone directory selected in S9 (S11) together with the telephone number that the user inputs.

Thereafter, the flow chart returns to point A, and it is judged whether it is necessary to re-register in another telephone directory (S5).

Under the situation that there is no need to register to another phone directory, the device exits from the registration process so as to be in a waiting state for the next call or reception (S12).

Now, the above operation using the function of the numeric key (19) switched to the scrolling function will be described.

The operation of switching to the scrolling function is the processing at S13 and subsequent steps.

First, at S6, the user presses the numeric key/scroll switch 10 based on the list of telephone directory names displayed on the display 14 shown in FIG.

When the user presses the number key/scroll switching head 10, the input signal from the number key 19 is processed by the key input signal switching device 6 (FIG. 1) in the control part 3 to change from number information to scroll information. At this time, since the information input from the numeric keys 19 is not number information (S8), the information input from the numeric keys 19 is determined as scroll command information (S13).

In the case where the information input by the number keys 19 is scroll command information, the telephone directory designated by scrolling is selected as the telephone directory to register data (S14).

Thereafter, according to the procedure from S10, addition of name information is processed.

The sub-process shown in FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific scrolling operation method implemented in the following manner. This embodiment is to use the key input switched after displaying the telephone directory name list, and input the numeric keys "1", "4" , "7" and "8" command the scrolling direction according to which key is pressed.

After pressing the toggle key input according to the numeric keys/scroll switch 10,

In the case of pressing the key "1" (S20), the cursor scrolls up (S21);

In the case of pressing the key "4" (S22), the cursor scrolls down (S23);

In the case of pressing the key "7" (S24), the cursor scrolls to the left (S25);

When the key "8" is pressed (S26), the cursor scrolls to the right (S27).

As described above, scroll operations in the upward and downward directions are performed by the keys "1" and "4", and scroll operations in the right and left directions are performed by the keys "7" and "8" to execute. As shown in Figure 5, because key "1" and "4", and key "7" and "8" are marked, so that key "1" and "4" are surrounded by frame line 20 to form a pair, key "7" and "8" are surrounded by the frame line 21 to form a pair, and the number keys "1" and "4" are arranged along the up-down direction and the number keys "7" and "8" are arranged along the left-right direction, That is, the alignment direction thereof is the same as the scrolling direction, and thus, the scrolling keys along the up-down direction and along the left-right direction can be clearly recognized. Compared with conventional embodiments, the risk of misoperation can be avoided.

And, in this embodiment, the number key "5" adjacent to the number keys "1", "4", "7" and "8" is used as a selection switch for selecting the telephone directory to be registered, as shown in FIG. As shown, the number key "5" is surrounded by a frame line 23 as a selection switch mark to distinguish it from other number keys. In FIG. 5, a thick line displayed on the display 14 indicates a cursor 22 for scrolling between "telephone directory 1" to "telephone directory 4". FIG. 5 shows a state where the cursor 22 is on "telephone directory 3". If the selection switch "5" is pressed in this state (S28), "telephone directory 3" is selected as the telephone directory to be registered (S29).

Thereafter, the same processing as in S10 and subsequent steps as shown in FIG. 3 is performed. As shown in FIG. 6, "telephone number" and "name=TARO KEITAI" will be registered in the selected "telephone directory 3".

And, by installing the display 14 comprising a liquid crystal display with a multi-color switching function (not shown) on its rear surface, which contains a backlight, it is possible to pass through the control section 3 after the number key/scroll switch 10 The display content switching device 7 switches the backlight color (for example, switches from red to green), and the type of the numeric key operation mode can be presented to the user by the backlight color of the display 14 to prevent the user from pressing by mistake.

According to the present embodiment, since the number keys "1", "4", "7", "8" and "5" are close to each other, the conventional gripping mode of the housing 17 between the palm and the thumb is different. In theory, the operation can be performed only by slightly shifting the position of the thumb, and therefore, the operability of the scrolling operation can be improved compared with the conventional embodiment.

Although the method in which the user presses the number key/scroll switch 10 is presented as an example of the method of switching the operation mode of information input from the number keys 19 in the control section 3 in the present embodiment, if the operation mode is switched So that when the operation screen is switched to the operation screen that scrolls with the cursor like the display screen shown in Figure 5, the information input from the number keys is not processed as number information, but is automatically processed as scrolling. command information, then, an operation in which the convenience of operation is further improved can be realized.

Also, although the basics of the telephone directory registration process regarding four registration groups of "telephone directory 1" to "telephone directory 4" and registration contents of 11-digit "telephone number" and "name" have been described in this embodiment, way, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It only shows the basic way, for example, that the number of groups can be added in group registration by means of the identification function currently used in various types of portable telephone equipment. In addition, as for the registered content, the present invention can also adopt various other telephone directory forms and various other memory dials used in portable telephone equipment, such as "address, birthday, blood type, etc., and registration by speed dialing.

In addition, although in the present embodiment, the backlight color of the display is switched after pressing the numeric key/scroll switch, since the backlight is emitted by EL (Electronic Fluorescent Tube) or the like, the present invention It is not limited to switching between red and green colors, but switching between any colors, for example, blue and orange can be used. For example, in the case of group registration using the identification function, the backlight display can change color according to the moment the group is received.

In FIG. 5, marks are drawn so that keys "1" and "4" are surrounded by a frame line 20 to form a pair, and keys "7" and "8" are surrounded by a frame line 21 to form a pair. Besides, the mark can also be represented as shown in FIG. 8 . That is, in FIG. 8, the number keys '1', '4', '7' and '8' have shapes different from the other number keys. The other number keys (0, 2, 3, 6 and 9) are circular, while

The number key "1" has a triangular shape pointing upward;

The number key "4" has a triangular shape pointing downward;

The number key "7" has a triangular shape pointing to the left; and

The number key '8' has a triangular shape pointing to the right.

Therefore, since each numeric key indicates its own scroll direction by its shape, the operator can clearly recognize the scroll key in the upward and downward or leftward and rightward directions based only on the numeric keys. Thus, misoperation can be prevented, and the step of drawing a frame line mark around the numerical keys of the casing can be eliminated, and the problem of fading of the mark due to gradual peeling off of the paint marking the frame line due to prolonged use can be avoided.

Similarly, in FIG. 8, the number key "5" adjacent to the number keys "1", "4", "7" and "8" is configured in a shape different from the other number keys (here, a square shape) . Therefore, a numeric key "5" serving as a selection switch for selecting a telephone directory to be registered is marked. According to the mark utilizing the shape, the step of drawing a frame line mark around the number keys of the casing can be eliminated, and the problem of fading of the mark due to the gradual peeling of the paint marking the frame line due to prolonged use can be avoided.

As described above, since the present invention provides a telephone terminal device with a scrolling function including numeric keys arranged in both upward and downward directions as well as rightward and leftward directions, wherein among the numeric keys The scrolling function is achieved by including means for designating a pair of adjacent numeric keys within a numeric key as a scroll key in an up and down direction or a right and left direction and for switching between the numeric key function and the scrolling function. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a telephone terminal device with a large display and good operability without reducing the size or pitch of the operation keys.

And, since a pair of numeric keys designated as scroll keys in the upward and downward directions and a pair of numeric keys designated as scroll keys in the right and left directions are arranged adjacent to each other, Therefore, the scrolling operation in the upward and downward directions or in the rightward and leftward directions can be performed only by moving the finger position without changing the way of gripping the telephone terminal device.

In addition, among the two pairs of numeric keys designated as scroll keys along the upward and downward directions and along the right and left directions, since the pair of numeric keys arranged along the upward and downward directions is used as scroll keys along the The scroll keys in the up and down directions, and the pair of numeric keys aligned in the right and left directions are used as the scroll keys in the right and left directions, so that, depending on the scroll direction marking, Misoperation of keys in the up and down directions and keys in the right and left directions.

And, since the present invention further provides a telephone terminal device with a scrolling function comprising number keys arranged both along the upward and downward directions, as well as along the right and left directions, wherein the scroll key among the number keys The function is by including means for designating a pair of adjacent numeric keys within a numeric key as a scroll key in an up and down direction or a right and left direction, for visually displaying the designation of a scroll key Therefore, these two pairs of number keys can be easily identified from several number keys, thereby improving the convenience of operation.

In addition, since the display device is a mark formed by surrounding the pair of numeric keys with a frame line on the surface of the casing, the surrounded numeric keys can be easily identified as keys designated as scroll keys.

And, since the display device is a mark formed by applying a shape that indicates one of the upward, downward, rightward and leftward directions to the number keys, it is possible to cancel drawing a frame around the number keys of the casing. The step of marking the line and avoiding the risk of fading of the marking due to the gradual peeling of the paint used to mark the frame line for too long.

In addition, since one of the numeric keys adjacent to the pair of numeric keys designated as scroll keys in the upward and downward directions or the right and left directions is configured as a selection switch in the scroll state, by moving Finger position, a scrolling operation in the up and down direction or in the right and left direction can be performed, and a selection operation in the scrolling state can be performed.

And, since the present invention also provides a telephone terminal device with a scrolling function comprising a display and number keys arranged in the upward and downward directions, as well as in the right and left directions, wherein when the number keys The mode of operation is provided for switching between a numeric key function and a scrolling function by means including designating a pair of adjacent numeric keys within the numeric keys as scroll keys in an up and down direction or a right and left direction. Switching means, and after the switching means, the means for switching the display content of the display, when switching from one of the number input mode and the scrolling command mode to another, the display content of the display is also switched, so when switching When the number input mode and the scroll command mode are switched, the display content of the display is also switched, so that the number input operation and scroll operation of the numeric keys can be performed without error.

In addition, since the display includes a liquid crystal display with a multi-color backlight, and the color switching means for switching the color of the backlight is configured after the switching means, so that when the switching means is switched from one mode to another , the backlight color of the display is also switched, so that by having different display colors on the display, for example, green for number entry mode, and red for scroll command mode, the current operating mode can be visually and accurately identified.

Claims (7)

1. telephone terminal comprises:

Display;

Existing along direction up and down, the numerical key of arranging along direction to the right and is left arranged again;

Be used for two pairs of consecutive number keyboards in the numerical key are appointed as the scroll key of direction up and down and the device of the scroll key of direction and left respectively to the right; With

Be used for the switching device shifter that between numerical key function and rolling function, switches,

Wherein, one of described numerical key is configured to the selector switch under rolling condition, one of this numerical key be appointed as direction up and down or and left this of scroll key of direction is adjacent to numerical key to the right.

2. according to the telephone terminal of claim 1, wherein be appointed as a pair of numerical key of the scroll key of direction up and down and be appointed as to the right and left a pair of numerical key of the scroll key of direction be adjacent to each other arranging.

3. according to the telephone terminal of claim 1, wherein be appointed as direction up and down and and left in two pairs of numerical keys of the scroll key of direction to the right, arrange along direction up and down as that a pair of numerical key of the scroll key of direction up and down, and arrange along direction to the right and left as that a pair of numerical key of the scroll key of direction to the right and left.

4. according to the telephone terminal of claim 1, also comprise:

Be used for from the indicating member of the configuration of visually indicating scroll key, this indicating member is formed to numerical key around this by the frame wire loop on the surface of casing.

5. according to the telephone terminal of claim 1, also comprise:

Be used for from the indicating member of the configuration of visually indicating scroll key, this indicating member is with prompting upwards, the shape of the some directions in the direction is applied on the numerical key formed downwards, to the right and left.

6. according to the telephone terminal of claim 1, also comprise:

The switching of response switching device shifter comes the device of the displaying contents of switching display,

Wherein when a certain from number input pattern and scroll command pattern of the pattern of numerical key switched to another kind, the displaying contents of display also obtained switching.

7. according to the telephone terminal of claim 6, wherein display is the LCD that has the polychrome bias light, and the color switching device shifter of bias light color is switched in the switching of having disposed the response switching device shifter, make that the bias light color of display also obtains switching when switching device shifter during from a kind of mode switch to another kind of pattern.

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