JP2000307719A - Mobile portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently use a battery of a mobile portable terminal by reducing current consumption of the mobile portable terminal. SOLUTION: In the mobile portable terminal provided with a display section 14, a sensor 10 such as an optical sensor senses that the display section 14 is brought into a state where the display section 14 needs no display for a user and gives a detection signal to a control section 12. Then the control section 12 turns on or off a power supply for the display section 14 depending on necessity of the display discriminated based on the detection signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile portable terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile portable terminal that controls power supply to a display unit when display on the display unit is unnecessary.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile mobile terminals typified by mobile phones, PHSs, and pagers have been dramatically spread, and in recent years, the size of mobile mobile terminals has been reduced due to improvements in portability and operability. Weight reduction is rapidly progressing, and accordingly, the size of batteries and the capacity of batteries of mobile portable terminals are being reduced.
On the other hand, there is a tendency that a large amount of current consumption is required due to enhancement of operation functions, an increase in the amount of stored information, and an increase in use frequency.

As a countermeasure against this tendency, an example of a conventional technique for controlling the supply of power to the display means of a mobile phone is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2826469 as a mobile phone. According to the technique disclosed in this publication, the supply of power to the display unit is controlled by the angle of inclination of the main body of the mobile phone during a call, thereby reducing battery consumption.

In other words, this prior art assumes that it is rare to check the contents during a call,
It focuses on using the main body case in a substantially vertical direction during calls while using the main body case in a substantially horizontal direction when making and receiving calls. In other words, the means is to control supply of power to the display unit during a call.

[0005]

However, although the use time of the mobile portable terminal tends to be extended, there is no case where the dial button of the terminal is kept pressed for many hours or a call is continuously held all day. The time to wait for an incoming call is longer than the time of making or receiving a call or talking time.

Accordingly, the control of the supply of power to the display unit can be performed not only during a telephone call, which is the object of the prior art of the portable telephone disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2826469, but also during a call waiting time. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the consumption of the battery in addition to the above-described conventional technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a mobile portable terminal capable of reducing current consumption and efficiently using a battery.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile portable terminal provided with a display unit, wherein the display unit is used. A sensor for detecting that it is not necessary to provide a display to a user, and a control unit for inputting a detection signal from the sensor and controlling the power of the display unit.

As described above, according to the mobile portable terminal of the present invention, the power supply of the display unit is provided if the display unit does not need to display to the user regardless of whether the user is in a call or waiting for an incoming call. Is turned off, and if not in the above state, the power supply is turned off.
By setting N, the power of the display unit can be controlled.

As a result, current consumption of the display unit can be efficiently consumed, and battery consumption can be suppressed.

Further, according to claim 2, as the sensor,
The configuration uses a distance measurement sensor. in this way,
According to the configuration using the distance measuring sensor, it is possible to detect a state in which an object is approaching the display unit and hinders the visual observation of the display unit, that is, a state in which the display is not required.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as the sensor,
The configuration uses an optical sensor. Thus, according to the configuration using the optical sensor, a state in which the object that blocks light covers the display unit and hinders visual observation of the display unit, that is,
It can be detected that there is no need to perform the display.

Further, according to claim 4, as the sensor,
The configuration uses a touch sensor. As described above, according to the configuration using the touch sensor, it is possible to detect a state in which an object is in contact with the display unit and hinders visual observation of the display unit, that is, a state in which the display need not be performed. it can.

According to claim 5, as the sensor,
The configuration uses a gravity sensor. As described above, according to the configuration using the gravity sensor, the state in which the display unit is directed downward and hinders visual observation of the display unit with respect to the main body housing of the mobile portable terminal, that is, it is necessary to perform the display It can be detected that there is no state.

According to claim 6, as the sensor,
The configuration uses a charge detection sensor. in this way,
According to the configuration using the charge detection sensor, the battery is connected to the main body housing and charging is performed, so that there is little opportunity to see the display unit, that is, the display does not need to be performed. Can be detected.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a mobile portable terminal according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for controlling a display unit of the mobile portable terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the main body housing is housed in a holder attached to a wall surface.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where the display unit is approaching the wall surface. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which a paper piece is placed on the display unit of the mobile portable terminal so as to cover the display unit. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state where the display unit of the mobile portable terminal is placed so as to face downward.

As shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the function of controlling the display on the display unit according to the present embodiment includes a display unit 14 for displaying the call status and the stored information, and a display unit 14 for the user. In order to determine that there is no need to perform display, a sensor 10 that measures the distance between the surface of the display unit 14 and a nearby object is provided. And a control unit 12 for controlling a power supply. It is conceivable to use a laser light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like as the distance measurement sensor.

In this embodiment, the possible states of the main body housing are as follows: first, as shown in FIG.
A case where the main body housing 16 is housed in the holder 20 attached to the housing 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body housing 16 is hung or leaned against a wall surface 18, and the display unit 14 is placed on the wall surface 1 with respect to the main body housing 16.
8 is suitable. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a case where the main body housing 16 is placed on a flat portion such as a floor surface 22 so that the display unit 14 faces downward with respect to the main body housing 16.

In these cases, the user views the display on the display unit 14 because the display unit 14 faces the wall surface 18 and the like with respect to the main body housing 16 and is close to the wall surface 18 and the like. Since it is not possible to perform the display, it is not necessary to perform the display.

As another state, as shown in FIG. 4, the main body housing 16 is placed on a flat portion, for example, a floor surface 22 so that the display section 14 faces upward with respect to the main body housing 16, and There is a case where an object such as a paper piece 24 is placed on the surface of the display unit 14 so as to cover the display unit 14.

In this case, since the display section 14 is covered and hidden by a piece of paper 24 or the like, and the user cannot see the display on the display section 14, it is not necessary to perform the display.

Therefore, when the sensor detects these states, it sends a detection signal to the control unit, and the control unit determines whether it is necessary to display the display unit based on the detection signal. According to the determination result, the power of the display unit is turned on / off to efficiently use current consumption and reduce battery consumption.

Since the distance from the display unit 14 is measured as the position where the distance measuring sensor is attached to the mobile portable terminal, the surface of the display unit 14 is desirable.

Next, the operation of controlling the supply of power to the display unit in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation according to the present embodiment.

First, when the user of the mobile portable terminal turns on the power of the main body casing (step 101), the power of the display unit is turned on (step 102) and the display unit is displayed. Indicates the standby state (step 103)
become.

Here, in order to determine the state where the mobile portable terminal is currently placed (step 104), the distance between the surface of the display unit and the wall surface is measured using the distance measuring sensor. The measured value is transmitted to a control unit that controls the power of the display unit.

In the control section, the power of the display section is turned on in advance.
A distance suitable for turning on / off is set, and the measured value is compared with the measured value (step 105). If the measured value is shorter than the set value, that is, the distance from the display unit to the object is not enough to see the display unit,
When the user is not in the state of viewing the display unit, the power of the display unit is turned off (step 106), and the display unit waits while the power is turned off (step 107), and the state in which the mobile terminal is placed is determined. The determination operation is repeated.

When the measured value is longer than the set value, that is, when the distance from the display unit to the object is large enough to allow the user to view the display unit, the user may view the display unit. If there is, the operation waits while the power of the display unit is turned on (step 102), and the operation of determining the state where the mobile portable terminal is placed is repeated.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 8. FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state where the main body housing of the mobile portable terminal is housed in a case.

This embodiment will be described. The first
Detailed description of the same configuration as the embodiment will be omitted.

As the sensor 10, an optical sensor for detecting the amount of light reaching the display unit 14 is used. It is conceivable to use a photoconductive cell, a photodiode, or the like for the optical sensor.

The position where the sensor 10 is attached to the mobile portable terminal is to measure the amount of light reaching the display unit, and therefore, a position inside or near the display unit 14 is desirable.

In the present embodiment, the possible states of the main body housing of the mobile portable terminal are, as shown in FIG. 8, first, as shown in FIG.
The case where the main body housing 16 is stored in a drawer of a desk or in a pocket can be cited.

In this case, since the act of housing the main body housing 16 in the closed space is performed on the assumption that the user does not look at the display on the display unit 14, it is necessary to perform the display. do not do. Further, since the inside of the space is dark because the space is closed, there is a difference in the amount of light reaching the display unit 14 outside the space and inside the space.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 14 is brought into close contact with the wall surface 18 by hanging or leaning against the wall surface 18, or as shown in FIG. There is a case where the main body housing 16 is placed so that the display unit 14 is in contact with a flat portion, for example, the floor surface 22.

In this case, since the display section 14 is in contact with the flat portion and the user cannot see the display on the display section 14, the display is not required. Further, when the display unit 14 is in close contact with the flat portion, the amount of light reaching the display unit 14 is extremely reduced as compared with before the contact.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a state in which a part of the hand is in contact with the surface of the display unit when the main body housing is gripped by hand.

As the sensor 10, a touch sensor for detecting the pressure applied to the surface of the display unit 14 is used. It is conceivable to use a piezo effect element or a strain gauge for the touch sensor.

The position where the sensor 10 is attached to the mobile portable terminal is to measure the amount of pressure applied to the display unit. Therefore, the front or back surface of the display unit 14 is preferable.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the main body housing 16 is grasped by hand during a call or while being carried, as shown in FIG. And conceal it.

In this case, the user holds the display unit 14 with his / her hand and hides it.
Since it is not required to visually check the display of No. 4, it is not necessary to perform the display. Further, since the display unit 14 is also pressed by the hand holding the main body housing 16, pressure is applied to the surface of the display unit 14.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As the sensor 10, a gravity sensor for detecting the angle of inclination of the main body housing with respect to gravity is used. It is conceivable to use a torque balance type inclination angle sensor or the like as the gravity sensor.

The position where the sensor 10 is attached to the mobile portable terminal is desirably inside the main body housing.

In the present embodiment, the possible states of the main body housing are as shown in FIG. May be set to face downward.

In this case, since the display section 14 is directed toward and close to the flat section with respect to the main body housing 16, the user cannot view the display on the display section 14. Since it is in the state, it is not necessary to perform the display.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the main body housing of the mobile portable terminal and the battery are connected, and the battery is set in a charger for charging the battery.

As the sensor 10, a charge detection sensor for detecting that the battery is being charged is used. It is conceivable to use an energization detection sensor, a micro switch, or the like as the charge detection sensor.

The energization detection sensor is an electronic circuit provided inside the main body housing, which is directly connected to a battery and a charger circuit at the time of charging, and a current by charging flows into the electronic circuit to energize. Refers to a sensor that detects

Also, the micro switch is used because when the main body housing to which the battery is connected is set in the charger, the micro switch contacts a part of the charger and is turned on to charge the battery. Is detected.

As for the position where the sensor 10 is attached to the mobile portable terminal, the energization detection sensor is not shown, but is preferably connected to an electronic circuit provided inside the main body housing.

FIG. 9 shows a microswitch.
As shown in FIG. 7, the surface of the main body housing 16 where the main body housing 16 and the charger 30 are in contact with each other is desirable.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the main body 16 and the battery 28 are connected and the battery 28 is charged.

In this case, since the main body casing 16 is normally engaged in charging the battery 28 and does not perform operations such as dial buttons, the user rarely looks at the display on the display unit 14. It is not necessary to perform the display.

[0057]

As described in detail above, it is determined whether or not the display on the display of the mobile portable terminal is in a state in which the display does not need to be displayed to the user, and the power of the display is turned off. By performing the control, the display current at the time of waiting for an incoming call can be reduced, and the consumption of the battery can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating functions for controlling display on a display unit of a mobile portable terminal.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state where the main body housing is housed in a holder for housing the main body housing of the mobile portable terminal attached to a wall surface.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where a display unit of the mobile portable terminal is approaching a wall surface.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the main body housing is placed on a floor surface and a piece of paper is placed on the display unit so as to cover the display unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the main body housing is placed on a floor surface so that a display unit faces downward with respect to the main body housing, and a sensor is located close to the display unit; It is.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the main body housing is placed on the floor so that a display unit faces downward with respect to the main body housing, and a sensor is located inside the main body housing. It is a side view.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which a part of the hand is in contact with the surface of the display unit when the main body housing is gripped by a hand.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state where the main body housing is housed in a case.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the main body housing and a battery are connected, and the battery is set in a charger for charging the battery.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of controlling power supply to a display unit according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sensor 12 Control part 14 Display part 16 Main body housing 18 Wall surface 20 Holder 22 Floor surface 24 Sheet 26 Case 28 Battery 30 Charger

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/02 H04B 7/26 109T F-term (Reference) 5K023 AA07 BB04 HH01 HH07 LL04 5K027 AA11 BB17 FF22 MM04 MM17 5K067 AA43 BB04 EE02 FF23 FF32 KK00 KK05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A mobile portable terminal having a display unit, a sensor for detecting that the display unit of the mobile portable terminal does not need to display to a user, and a detection from the sensor. And a control unit for inputting a signal to control a power supply of the display unit. 2. The mobile portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein a distance measuring sensor is used as said sensor. 3. The mobile portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein an optical sensor is used as said sensor. 4. The mobile portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein a touch sensor is used as said sensor. 5. The mobile portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein a gravity sensor is used as the sensor. 6. The mobile portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein a charge detection sensor is used as said sensor.