JP2004069560A - Portable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A watch provided on a mobile phone lacks luxury and fashion. In addition, on the small image display section provided on the outside of the housing, various information such as incoming mail and telephone information, remaining battery level, and receiving sensitivity are digitally displayed in a small state at present. Is not secured.
In a flip-type portable information device in which a housing has an opening / closing structure, a hand-type analog clock or a clock that mechanically displays time is provided in a portion that is outside when the housing is closed. The portable information device is characterized in that the watch displays function information of the portable information device in a needle-type or mechanical manner in addition to the clock display.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information device such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), which has improved taste and luxury by mechanically performing analog display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art At present, a flip-type mobile phone in which a screen display unit and an operation unit are connected by a hinge structure and can be opened and closed by the hinge structure is popular. In this flip-type mobile phone, an operation unit such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, an image display unit, a plurality of buttons, a jog dial, etc., is located on a surface on the call side when the housing is opened. Recently, a relatively small image display unit is provided on the opposite surface of the image display unit so that information can be displayed even when the housing is closed. The small image display section mainly displays the remaining power, radio wave state, incoming call display, digital clock, and the like. A relatively expensive mobile phone is provided with this small image display unit.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the number of users who do not have a wristwatch is increasing due to the recent spread of mobile phones. When they want to know the time, the use of recognizing the time by looking at a clock (digital display or analog display) displayed on a small screen display unit or a main image display unit of a mobile phone is increasing. Also, in fashionable cafes and the like, it has become possible to see scenes in which women place mobile phones on tables and use them as clocks.
[0004]
However, the above-mentioned conventional flip type mobile phone still displays the time on the liquid crystal display panel or the organic EL panel, and has a problem that it lacks a sense of quality and fashion. In addition, on the small image display section provided on the outside of the housing, various information such as incoming mail and telephone information, remaining battery level, and receiving sensitivity are digitally displayed in a small state at present. Is not secured.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a portable information device according to the present invention is a flip-type portable information device in which a housing has an opening / closing structure. Alternatively, a portable information device provided with a clock for mechanically displaying time is provided, wherein the clock displays function information of the portable information device in a hand-type or mechanical manner in addition to the clock display. .
[0006]
Further, the portable information device according to the present invention is characterized in that the dial of the watch is provided with an area for displaying the function information of the portable information device in a needle-type or mechanical manner separately from the time display. And A plurality of hand-operated or mechanically displayed regions may be separately arranged on the same dial as a hand-operated timepiece that displays time.
[0007]
The portable information device according to the next invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, the timepiece displays arrival information of an incoming e-mail or an answering machine in a hand-operated manner or mechanically. If the hands of a hand-type analog clock are operated in accordance with the arrival of an e-mail or the like, these arrivals can be confirmed even when the portable information device is closed. Also, since the whole movement is interesting, the user himself can enjoy it.
[0008]
The portable information device according to the next invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, the timepiece is displayed in a step-like manner or mechanically in a stepwise manner according to the remaining amount of power. The remaining amount display of the so-called power reserve function is performed with a needle, and the display of the remaining amount is very small in ordinary portable information devices and is difficult to visually recognize. Further, the display is usually three-stage display, and detailed display is not performed. Therefore, by displaying with a needle as in the present invention, the remaining power can be easily visually recognized and displayed in detail.
[0009]
The portable information device according to the next invention is characterized in that the timepiece displays the time in a stepped manner or mechanically in accordance with the reception sensitivity of the communication function. This is to display the reception sensitivity level in various reception environments by hand or mechanically. In the case of ordinary portable information equipment, the status can generally be confirmed only on the inner display of the folding type portable information equipment. It was impossible. Further, the display is usually three-stage display, and detailed display is not performed. Therefore, by displaying with a needle as in the present invention, the reception sensitivity level in the environment of use can be easily visually recognized and displayed in detail, and the state can be grasped.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. In addition, components of this embodiment include those that can be easily replaced by those who are skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.
[0011]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional configuration diagram of the mobile phone shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile phone shown in FIG. The mobile phone 100 includes a power supply 2 as a secondary battery, a circuit board 3 for controlling the mobile phone 100 and the like, and a display 4 such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel for displaying information. And the movement 5 of the analog quartz watch 50. The housing 1 has a flip structure which is entirely divided into two parts by a hinge part 6, and as shown in FIG. 1B, a display 4 and a speaker 7 are provided on a display side 1a, and an operation panel ( An operation key 8 and a microphone 9 are provided. The circuit board 3 is mainly built in the display side 1a of the divided housing 1, and the power supply 2 is built in the operation side 1b.
[0012]
Further, an analog quartz clock 50 is provided on the outer surface of the display side 1a of the housing 1, that is, as shown in FIG. . The power supply of the analog quartz clock 50 is common to the power supply 2 of the mobile phone 100. The analog quartz timepiece 50 has a so-called small second 52 added to a two-handed analog display section 51 as shown in FIG. The crown 53 and the mode switching button 54 are provided on the side surface 1 d of the housing 1. Further, in addition to the two-handed analog display unit 51, an analog quartz timepiece having a three-handed analog display unit or a one-handed analog display unit may be provided. Further, it may have various functions such as GMT, chronograph, power reserve, moon phase, electronic or mechanical alarm. Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, a digital display unit 55 can be provided together with the analog display unit 51 (combination quartz clock). In this case, the digital display unit 55 can display various types of information such as a date, a day of the week, an incoming e-mail, and a radio wave state. Further, a lamp 56 for receiving a telephone call or an e-mail may be provided on the outer surface 1c of the housing 1.
[0013]
In recent years, clocks equipped with an altimeter, a temperature / humidity meter, a compass, a tide meter, a stopwatch, and the like, which are suitable for outdoor and sports such as trekking and skiing, have become popular. Therefore, a sensor or an electronic circuit for providing these functions can be built in the mobile phone 100, and the display can be displayed by the analog quartz clock 50. Although not shown, the altitude may be displayed by the minute hand or the hour hand, the temperature may be displayed by the minute hand or the hour hand, and the humidity may be displayed by the hour hand or the minute hand. Further, the N pole of the compass may be displayed by the minute hand or the hour hand. Further, a needle dedicated to these displays may be provided.
[0014]
The movement of the analog quartz watch is supplied with power from the power supply 2 of the mobile phone 100. In general, the power consumption of an analog quartz watch is much smaller than the power consumption of a normal mobile phone, so that the power consumption of the mobile phone 100 is not adversely affected. A clock 10 for digital display or analog display is displayed on the display 4, and the clock 10 of the display 4 and the analog quartz clock 50 on the outer surface 1c always have the same time. That is, the correction unit 57 of the movement 5 of the analog quartz clock 50 and the correction unit 58 of the circuit board 3 are interconnected, and when the time of the analog quartz clock 50 is corrected, the correction operation is linked. Thus, the time of the clock 10 on the display 4 is also automatically corrected. Conversely, even when the time of the clock 10 of the display 4 is corrected, the time of the analog quartz clock 50 is automatically corrected in conjunction with this correction operation.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the analog quartz timepiece. The analog quartz watch 50 includes a known crystal oscillator (quartz) 501, a transmitting circuit 502, a frequency dividing circuit 503, a driving circuit 504, a step motor 505, a fifth wheel 506, a fourth wheel 507, a third wheel 508, A second wheel & pinion 509, a minute wheel 510 and an hour wheel 511 are provided. A second hand 512 is attached to a fourth wheel & pinion 507, a minute hand 513 is attached to a second wheel & pinion 509, and an hour hand 514 is attached to an hour wheel & pinion 511. The configuration of the analog quartz timepiece 50 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and any known configuration of the analog quartz timepiece 50 can be adopted. The power supply of the analog quartz watch 50 is common to the power supply 2 of the mobile phone 100, but a normal button battery or a solar battery may be used as the power supply of the analog quartz watch 50.
[0016]
Further, the respective hands 512, 513, 514 of the analog quartz timepiece 50 may perform the operation as shown in FIG. When the respective hands 512, 513, 514 are operated independently, it is necessary to provide a step motor, a predetermined wheel train and the like in the movement 5 for each of the hands 512, 513, 514. For example, when the mobile phone 100 receives an e-mail, the minute hand 513 is rotated forward and the number of incoming mails is displayed by the hour hand 514, as shown in FIG. The display contents of the minute hand 513 or the hour hand 514 may be reversed. In this case, since the hour hand points to “2”, there are two incoming mails. When the digital display unit 55 is provided, “Mail” is displayed on the digital display unit 55.
[0017]
Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the answering machine is turned on, the minute hand 513 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the number of answering machines is displayed by the hour hand 514. The display contents of the minute hand 513 or the hour hand 514 may be reversed. In this case, since the hour hand 514 points to “4”, the number of answering machines is four. When the digital display unit 55 is provided, “Message” is displayed on the digital display unit 55. Similarly, when displaying the remaining power (the remaining power of the power supply 2 of the mobile phone 100), the remaining power is displayed by the minute hand 513 (or the hour hand 514). Pointing to "6" is a time of full charge, and pointing to "12" is a time of no remaining. When the digital display unit 55 is provided, “Power Reserve” is displayed on the digital display unit 55. In a conventional mobile phone, the remaining power is displayed in three stages. However, by displaying the power in a stepless manner with a hand, a detailed remaining power can be confirmed and the remaining power can be known in detail. it can. Specifically, information on the remaining power of the power supply 2 may be received from the circuit board 3, and the step motor 505 may be driven to rotate the needle 513 accordingly. By performing the mechanical operation as described above, necessary information can be provided to the user, and the operation can entertain the user. In addition, the operations of the hands 513 and 514 in the case of the above-described electronic mail, answering machine, and the like are not limited to those illustrated in FIG.
[0018]
By pressing the mode switching button 54 of the analog quartz watch 50, the time display 11, the alarm display 12, and the power reserve display 13 are switched as shown in the chart of FIG. In the alarm display 12, a time at which an alarm is to be sounded by the crown 53 can be set (not shown). Note that the analog quartz clock 50 may be provided with functions such as a world time, a stopwatch, an altimeter, and a temperature / humidity meter. In this case, the display can be switched by the mode switching button 54 (not shown). .
[0019]
In addition, the display of the analog quartz timepiece may be a one-hand type analog display unit 21 that indicates the time by rotating the hands 20 by about 180 degrees, for example, as shown in FIG. Also, instead of the needle type, an analog display section 22 that displays the hour and minute by a bar-shaped display as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, a rack can be provided on the display bar 23, and a pinion gear can be provided on the train wheel from the step motor. In addition, in the mobile phone 100, since the display by the analog quartz clock 50 may be a mechanical analog display, various designs other than these may be used.
[0020]
As described above, in this mobile phone 100, by attaching the analog quartz watch 50 to the outer surface of the housing 1, the mobile phone 100 is not made of an inorganic material such as a conventional liquid crystal display but has a sense of quality and fashion. Therefore, it seems to be popular especially among female users. In addition, it is possible to differentiate from others, especially since it is apparent that the mobile phone 100 is unusual, so that purchases by users who are sensitive to new products are promoted, and it is expected that commercial success will be great. Seem.
[0021]
In the above example, the analog quartz timepiece 50 is taken as an example, but an analog mechanical timepiece may be provided. In this case, if the outer surface of the housing has a skeleton structure and the mechanism of the mechanical timepiece (balance, escape wheel, wheel train, cam, lever, etc.) can be seen from the outside, a higher quality can be obtained. . Further, a small window may be provided on the outer surface 1c of the housing, so that the rotary weight for automatic winding can be seen therethrough.
[0022]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a mobile phone 200 provided with a power generation device that converts mechanical energy into electric energy. Mainly the power generator will be described. The rotary weight 31 rotates around a rotation center 31α. The position of the center of gravity of the rotating weight 31 and the position of the center of rotation are formed in a greatly displaced shape as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the timepiece moves due to the movement of the arm or the like, a couple moment acts on the rotary weight 31 to rotate. The speed of this rotation is increased by a gear 32 and an intermediate gear 33 attached to the rotating weight 31, and transmitted to a rotor 34 composed of a permanent magnet. A stator 35 made of a high-permeability material is arranged around the rotor 34, and is fixed to a magnetic core 36 made of a high-permeability material.
[0023]
The coils 37a and 37b are wound around the magnetic core 36. In the coils 37a and 37b, diodes 38a and 38b as rectifiers are respectively arranged as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 30 denotes a large-capacity electric double capacitor (hereinafter referred to as a capacitor) serving as power storage means, and reference numeral 39 denotes an overcharge prevention circuit for preventing the capacitor 30 from being overcharged. The analog quartz clock 50 is driven by the drive circuit 59 to display the time. With the above configuration, when the rotating weight 31 rotates due to the movement of the arm or gravity, the rotation is accelerated and transmitted to the rotor 34, and when the rotor 34 rotates, the rotor 35 is attached to the stator 35 and the magnetic core 37. A magnetic flux that changes in accordance with the rotation of 34 is induced. Due to this change in magnetic flux, alternating power is induced in the coils 37a and 37b by a well-known electromagnetic induction action, and is rectified by the diodes disposed one by one in the coils 37a and 37b and stored in the capacitor 30. .
[0024]
Further, the electric power stored in the capacitor 30 can be supplied to the circuit board 3 of the mobile phone 200. Normally, when the power supply 2 as a secondary battery of the mobile phone 200 is discharged, the mobile phone cannot be used without a charger and an AC power supply. Therefore, the capacitor 30 is connected to the circuit board 3 so that the power of the capacitor 30 is supplied to the circuit board 3. Since the power consumption of the circuit board 3 is larger than that of the analog quartz timepiece 50, the capacity of the capacitor 30 is selected according to the power consumption of the circuit board 3. Note that since the housing volume of the mobile phone 200 is larger than that of a wristwatch, the capacitor 30 having a slightly larger size can be stored. It is preferable that the electric power stored in the capacitor 30 be used on the circuit board 3 side only after the secondary battery is discharged. In addition, it is more preferable to limit the use of such a device to low power consumption such as transmission and reception of e-mail.
[0025]
The mobile phone 300 in FIG. 9 is provided with a function as a radio clock that automatically corrects the time and the like on the analog quartz clock 350. The standard radio wave in the long wave band carrying standard time information (time code) operated by the Communications Research Laboratory of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is called the long wave band JJY and is transmitted at a frequency of 40 KHz. By receiving, detecting and demodulating this, standard time information can be extracted to obtain Japan Standard Time. As a technique for correcting the time using a standard radio wave, a “radio-controlled timepiece” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-304973 is known.
[0026]
As shown in the figure, in this mobile phone 300, a bar antenna 301 for receiving the standard radio wave, and a reception for extracting a time code carried on the standard radio wave by selectively receiving a frequency of a predetermined frequency (40 Hz). Unit 302, a time information generation unit 303 that generates current accurate time information from the time code, and a correction unit that corrects the time of the analog quartz clock 350 of the mobile phone 300 based on the information from the time information generation unit 303. 304, a microcomputer 305 having a correction unit 304 and driving a step motor 505, and a correction unit 306 for automatically correcting the clock of the mobile phone 300 in conjunction with the time correction of the analog quartz clock 350.
[0027]
The time code conveyed by the standard radio wave is detected by the receiving unit 302, and the time information generating unit 303 generates an accurate time based on the time code and sends it to the microcomputer 305. The microcomputer 305 compares the accurate time with the time of the analog quartz clock 350, and issues a correction command to the correction unit 304. The correction unit 304 drives the step motor 505 by a predetermined amount based on the correction command, and mechanically (mechanically) corrects the display time. In addition, the correction unit 306 of the circuit board 3 performs correction so as to match the time of the analog quartz clock 350 in conjunction with the correction unit 304 of the analog quartz clock 350.
[0028]
According to the above-described mobile phone 300, an accurate time can always be obtained, so that it is suitable when an accurate time such as a stock transaction is required. For example, it is suitable for commercial transactions on the Internet such as i-mode (registered trademark) and EZweb, mobile banking, and the like.
[0029]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a mobile phone according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The mobile phone 400 is an example of a case where digital display is performed mechanically. As shown in the figure, each element 402 of the digital display section 401 is a rod-shaped body, and as shown in FIG. 11, the radial half side 402a is colored orange or the like, and the other half side 402b is colored. It is colored in the same color as the surrounding color such as black. Each element 402 is magnetized in the radial direction, and an electromagnet 404 is incorporated in the housing 403 for each element 402 (not shown). By controlling the energizing direction of the electromagnet 404, each element 402 performs a reversing operation. Thereby, a three-dimensional and mechanical digital display that cannot be expressed by a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel becomes possible.
[0030]
Note that, in the above-described embodiment, a mobile phone has been described as an example. However, not only the mobile phone, but also, for example, a portable information device called a PDA, a portable personal computer, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and a liquid crystal television , Pager, electronic organizer, calculator and the like. Even if the housing is not a flip type, in the case of a portable information device in which a sliding lid is provided on the housing and the main display appears by sliding the lid, the analog lid may be attached to the sliding lid. A clock that mechanically displays time, such as a quartz clock, may be provided.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the portable information device of the present invention, a clock that mechanically displays the time is provided in a portion that is outside when the housing is closed, so that the sense of quality is increased, and a stylish appearance can be produced. . Further, in the portable information device of the present invention, by adopting a hand-type analog timepiece, a more luxurious and stylish look can be produced. Furthermore, in the portable information device of the present invention, since the hands of the hand-operated analog timepiece move the hands based on an incoming e-mail or an answering machine, these incomings can be easily confirmed and visually enjoyable by the user himself.
[0032]
Further, in the portable information device of the present invention, since the hand-held analog timepiece indicates the remaining amount of power by the position of the hand, the remaining amount of power can be easily visually recognized and displayed in detail.
[0033]
Also, in the portable information device according to the present invention, since the timepiece is displayed in a step-like manner or mechanically in a stepwise manner according to the reception sensitivity of the communication function, the reception sensitivity level in the used environment is displayed easily and in detail. It is possible to grasp the state.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional configuration diagram of the mobile phone shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an analog quartz watch.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of an analog quartz watch.
FIG. 6 is a chart diagram regarding mode switching by a mode switching button.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mobile phone provided with a power generation device that converts mechanical energy into electric energy.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of a mobile phone provided with a function as a radio clock that automatically corrects time and the like on an analog quartz clock.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of an element constituting the digital display unit shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 mobile phone 1 housing 1 c housing outer surface 2 power supply 3 circuit board 4 display 5 movement 6 hinge unit 50 analog quartz clock 51 analog display unit 52 small second 53 crown 54 mode switching button 55 digital display unit 56 lamp

Claims (5)

In a flip-type portable information device in which a housing has an opening / closing structure, a hand-held analog clock or a portable information device in which a clock that mechanically displays time is provided in a portion that is outside when the housing is closed. So,
The portable information device, wherein the timepiece displays function information of the portable information device in a needle-type or mechanical manner in addition to the clock display. 2. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the dial of the watch is provided with a region for displaying the function information of the portable information device in a needle-type or mechanical manner separately from the time display. 3. . The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the watch displays incoming information of an incoming e-mail or an answering machine in a needle-type or mechanical manner. The portable information device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the timepiece is displayed in a stylized manner or mechanically in a stepwise manner according to a remaining power supply. The portable information device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the timepiece indicates a hand or a mechanical display in a stepwise manner according to the reception sensitivity of a communication function.

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