JPH03250822A - Radio telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability by using a light source section being a light means to light at least one of a key pad and a display section while applying intermittent lighting at first. CONSTITUTION:A key pad 121 consists of a key top section 200 and a light source section 210. When an LED 123 of the light source section 210 is lighted, the light passes through a reinforcement plate 212, a transparent electrode sheet 213, a spacer 214, and a transparent electrode sheet 215 to light the key top 201 from the rear side. When a radio telephone set is used at a dark place, the light source section 210 lights up at least one of keys of the key pad 121 or at least either of the display sections to display information for the operator intermittently. Thus, the operator easily confirms the key arrangement of the key pad 121 and enters information correctly and effectively from the initial key entry.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention relates to a wireless telephone device that can be easily operated even in a dark place, and in particular has a keypad and a display unit that are illuminated. The present invention relates to a wireless telephone device.

(Conventional technology) In recent years, the demand for wireless telephone devices has been increasing.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a conventional radio telephone device. The wireless telephone device 1 includes a keypad 2 for inputting dial information, etc., a display section 3 for displaying input dial information, etc., a built-in battery 4, an extendable antenna 5, and a receiver 6. , and a transmitter 7, and the keypad 2 and display section 3 are illuminated by a light source such as an LED provided inside.

Illumination of the display section of the operation section 1 from the back surface thereof by a light source is generally referred to as a backlight.

When using the wireless telephone device in a dark place such as at night, the display section of the operation section 1 is illuminated by this backlight.

On the other hand, backlighting is not performed in bright places such as during the day. In general, when the device operates with a backlight as needed, it is called a night mode, and when it operates without a backlight, it is called a daytime mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of such a conventional device. The operation flow will be explained below using the same figure.

When the power is turned on by the operator (step 50),
The backlight is off (step 51). In step 52, it is determined whether or not mode switching is to be performed, and when switching is detected, the mode is set (step 53). When no switching is detected, the step 53 is not performed. Then, the presence or absence of key operation is determined (
Step 54) If no key operation is detected, the process returns to step 52. However, when a keystroke is detected,
It is determined whether the mode is day mode or night mode (step 55). In the night mode, the first key operation is not recognized as inputting valid information, but is regarded as a trigger for turning on the backlight (step 56). Then, the backlight is switched to a lit state (step 57). When in daytime mode, step 56
．． 57 will not be carried out. Next, it is determined whether the key operation has ended (step 58), and if the end is not detected, the determination is repeated until the end. When the end is detected, it is again determined whether the mode is day mode or night mode (step 59). When in daytime mode,
Return to step 52.

In the night mode, a timer for controlling the lighting time of the backlight is cleared (step 60), and counting is started (step 61). After the count starts, it is determined whether or not there is a key operation (step 62), and if a key operation is detected, the process returns to step 58. If no key operation is detected, it is determined whether the timer has reached a predetermined time (step 63), and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step 51. If the predetermined time has not yet been reached, the process returns to step 61. Then, when the power is turned off (step 64), the operation of the device ends.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, when a conventional wireless telephone device requires a backlight for the operator to perform key operations, the first key operation is not recognized as valid information. Instead, it was treated as a trigger to turn on the backlight. Therefore, there is a problem in that the operator cannot input the information he or she wants from the beginning.

Further, when there is an incoming call in a dark place, the backlight is not lit and there is a problem in that it is difficult for the operator to confirm the position of the off-hook key for answering the incoming call.

One method for solving the above problem is to keep the backlight on all the time, but this has the problem of a large amount of current consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless telephone device that solves the above-mentioned problems, improves operability, and saves power consumption.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problem) The above purpose is to provide a human-powered means for information including at least one key, and an input detection means for detecting information input by the input means or for detecting an incoming call. and an illumination means for illuminating at least one of the keys of the input means or a display section for displaying information to the operator, and the detection means This is achieved by a wireless telephone device characterized in that the illumination of the illumination means is switched from intermittent illumination to continuous illumination in response to detection of either an input operation or an incoming call. Furthermore, the radio telephone device may further include a timer for continuously lighting the illumination means for a predetermined period of time.

(Function) According to the present invention, the light source serving as the illumination means can initially illuminate at least one of the keypad and the display section while lighting intermittently. When a key press or an incoming call is detected,
The light source is switched to continuous lighting.

Further, by using a timer as a timing means, the light source is switched from continuous lighting to intermittent lighting after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

As described above, since the light source serving as the illumination means is capable of at least intermittent lighting, the operator can easily confirm the key arrangement of the keypad. That is, the operator can input valid and correct information from the very first key operation, and can also accurately press the off-hook key when receiving a call. In addition, since the light is turned on intermittently when it is not needed, power consumption can be saved compared to when the light is turned on continuously.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a wireless telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration will be described below using the same figure.

The radio telephone device 100 includes a transmitting/receiving section 110, a control circuit section 120, a power supply circuit section 130, an audio circuit section 140,
It is composed of an antenna 150.

The transmitter/receiver 110 includes a transmitter 111, a receiver 112,
It is comprised of a synthesizer 113 that supplies a reference signal for setting the transmission frequency or reception frequency of these transceivers, and an antenna duplexer 114.

The control circuit section 120 includes a keypad 121 which is an input means.
, a display unit 122 serving as a display section, an LED 123 serving as a lighting means, a timer 124 serving as a timekeeping means, and a control circuit 125 for key human power detection, incoming call detection, and control of each part.

The power supply circuit section 130 includes a power supply circuit 131 and a battery 132.

Finally, the audio circuit section 140 includes an audio circuit 141, a transmitter 142, and a receiver 143.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of the keypad 121. The configuration is shown below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keypad 121 includes a key top section 200 and a light source section 210.

The key top portion 200 includes a key top 201 and a protrusion 2.
02 and a disc spring 203. Light source part 2
10 includes an LED 123, a substrate 211, and a transparent material (
For example, a reinforcing plate 212 made of acrylic, polycarbonate, glass, glass epoxy resin, etc.) and a transparent electrode sheet h2 made of a translucent sheet such as polyester film.
13° 215, a spacer 214 made of a transparent resin sheet such as polyester, and transparent electrodes 216 and 217 made of indium oxide.

When the LED 123 lights up, the light illuminates the reinforcing plate 212, the transparent electrode sheet 213. It passes through the spacer 214° transparent electrode sheet 215 and illuminates the key top 2°1 from the back side.

Therefore, the operator can visually recognize the key top 201 even if the surroundings are dark.

Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. The operation flow will be explained below using the same figure. At the same time, the operation of FIG. 1 will be explained along its flow. However, herein, when the keypad 121 and the display unit 122 are operated with intermittent or continuous backlighting as necessary, the operation is referred to as a first mode, and when the operation is performed without a backlight, the operation is referred to as a second mode.

Keypad 121 power key (power 121a)
When is pressed (step 300), the power supply circuit 131 supplies the necessary power supply voltage to each circuit based on the output voltage of the battery unit 32. Then, the first mode is automatically set in the control circuit 125 (step 301). In step 302, it is detected whether the mode has been manually switched using keys from the keypad 121. This mode switching can be carried out, for example, by the operator using the FUNC key 121b provided on the keypad 121 to -FUNC--0.
-1' (first mode) or -FUNC'0゛ 2°
(second mode). In response to the control circuit 125 detecting the key operation for mode switching, another mode is set in the control circuit 125 (step 303). □If mode switching is not detected in step 302, step 303 is not performed. Next, the control circuit 125
In step 304, it is detected whether the mode at this point is the first mode or the second mode.
When the second mode is detected, the LED 123 is switched off (step 305). However, if the LED 123 is off at step 304,
The light-off state is maintained (step 305). and,
Return to step 302. When the first mode is detected in step 304, the control circuit 125 causes the LED
123 switches to blinking and backlights the entire keypad 121 and display unit 122 (step 306
). Here, blinking refers to a period of about several seconds (for example, 2 seconds), but it may be intermittent lighting of any period. After that, in step 307, when the control circuit 125 detects the key force from the keypad 121 by the operator, the key force at this point is again considered to be an input for mode switching. The control circuit 125 determines whether the mode is the first mode or the second mode (step 308). As a result of this determination, if the mode is the second mode, the process returns to step 305. On the other hand, in the first mode, the LED 123 is switched to continuous lighting, backlighting the entire keypad 121 and display unit 122 (step 309). If key human power is not detected in step 307, step 3
Return to 02. Here, key human power refers not only to inputting dial information for making a call, but also to operating all the keypads 12 except the power key 121a, such as function key operations.
It means input from 1.

Therefore, pressing the answer (SND) key 1210 in response to an incoming call is also included in the key force.

Here, call origination and call reception will be explained below.

When dial information is input from the keypad 121, the input signal is sent to the control circuit 125.

The input signal is modulated by a transmitter 111 and a duplexer 114
The signal is transmitted from the antenna 150 through the antenna 150.

Then, a communication channel designation signal is transmitted from the base station, and as a result, a wireless communication path is formed with the called party via the base station. A call is made in this way. next,
Explain about incoming calls. When an incoming call signal is received by antenna 150, the signal is demodulated by receiver 112 through duplexer 114. The dial number information included in the demodulated incoming call signal is input to the control circuit 125, where it is compared with the dial number information previously assigned to the wireless telephone device 100.

As a result of the comparison, when the control circuit 125 determines that both dial numbers match, the incoming call response signal is transmitted to the transmitter 1.
11 and transmitted to antenna 150 through duplexer 114.
Sent from As a result, a communication channel designation signal is transmitted from the base station, and a wireless communication path is formed with the calling party via the base station. Then, when the communication channel designation signal from the base station is received by the wireless telephone device 100, the communication channel of the wireless telephone device 100 is adjusted to the reception channel. A calling signal from the calling party is then received by the antenna 150 and demodulated by the receiver 112 through the duplexer. Then, the demodulated signal is transmitted to the audio circuit 1
41, and a ringing tone is generated from the receiver 143. When the control circuit 125 detects that the SND key 121C has been pressed in response to this ring tone, the wireless telephone device 100 enters a talking state.

Next, the call operation will be explained. When a voice signal from the other party's wireless telephone device is received by antenna 150, the signal passes through duplexer 114 and is demodulated by receiver 112. The demodulated audio signal is then input to the audio circuit 141, where it is amplified and then output from the receiver 143. When the operator responds with a voice to this voice, the voice is input from the transmitter 142 to the transmitter 111 via the voice circuit 141. Here, the audio is modulated into a modulated signal, and the signal is passed through the duplexer 114 to the antenna 1.
Sent from 50.

The communication path formed in this way is connected to the keypad 121.
The call is disconnected by inputting the END key 121d from the caller or by the other party's operation to end the call. The fact that the END key 121d of the keypad 121 of this wireless telephone device has been pressed means that
It is detected by the control circuit 125. Depending on this detection,
The control circuit 125 controls the transmitting/receiving section 110 so that the set communication path is disconnected. Further, a control signal indicating that the other party has performed a call termination operation is sent from the base station, and this control signal is detected by the control circuit 125 via the transmitting/receiving section 110. In response to this detection, the control circuit 125 controls the transmitting/receiving section 110 so that the set communication path is disconnected. In this way, the call is terminated by disconnecting the call path.

Now, in step 309, when the LED 123 is switched to continuous lighting, the control circuit 125 controls the timer 12
4 is set to zero (step 310), and counting is started (step 311). In step 312, when the control circuit 125 detects a key input from the keypad 121, the process returns to step 310. When the control circuit 125 detects that a call is in progress in step 313 when no key force is detected in step 312,
Return to step 310. In step 313, if it is not detected that a call is in progress, the timer 12
The control circuit 125 determines whether the value of 4 has become equal to a preset value (step 314). If the value of the timer 124 is not equal to the set value, the process returns to step 311. Also, if they are equal, step 30
Return to 2. And power key (power 121a)
When the control circuit 125 detects that the button has been pressed (step 316), the operation of the device ends.

In the above operation description, when there is an incoming call, the LED 123 is switched to continuous lighting in response to the control circuit 125 detecting the input of the SND key 121c. Here, a second embodiment in which the switching timing is different from the above embodiment when the LED 123 is switched to continuous lighting at the time of an incoming call will be explained as shown in the dashed line in FIG. 3 (step 307-a).
, step 312-a) and FIG.

In step 307-a, when the control circuit 125 detects an incoming call, the control circuit 125 switches the LED 123 to continuous lighting. Further, in step 312-a,
When the same detection as in step 307-a is made, the process returns to step 310. The second embodiment is otherwise the same as the first embodiment.

In the above two embodiments, all the keys of the keypad 121 are backlit. However, when backlighting is performed by intermittent lighting, only one key, for example, only the SND key 121C, is backlit. You may also do so. By doing so, power consumption can be further reduced, and it is also aesthetically pleasing.

Furthermore, the illumination means may protrude from the surface of the radiotelephone device 100 instead of being a backlight.

As mentioned above, when the wireless telephone device of this embodiment is used in a dark place, the LED is in a blinking state before any key input such as inputting dial information is detected, and before an incoming call is detected, so the operator can When manually operating the keys for the first time, the key arrangement of the keypad can be easily confirmed. That is, the operator can input valid and correct information from the very first keystroke.

In addition, when a call arrives, the operator must use the SN for answering the call.
Since the D key can be easily confirmed, the SND key can be pressed with certainty. Furthermore, in the past, in order to obtain the above effect, the backlight was always turned on continuously after the power was turned on, but in this embodiment, the backlight is turned on before the key is detected and before the incoming call is detected. Since it is in a blinking state, current consumption can be reduced. By using a timer, the LED switches from continuous lighting to flashing after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, so current consumption can be reduced compared to the case where the LED is unnecessarily kept on continuously. Furthermore, if only one arbitrary key is backlit in a blinking state instead of backlighting the entire keypad in a blinking state, current consumption can be further reduced.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first mode is set when the power is turned on. Therefore, even when the operator needs to switch modes, since the keypad 121 is intermittently illuminated, the operator can fully visually confirm the input for mode setting.

Although the above-described embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone (portable type cellular phone), the present invention may also be applied to an in-vehicle phone installed in a car or a transportable type cellular phone.

In this case, the input means also includes the following two things.

First, the handset is placed in the cradle and then removed from the cradle for making or receiving calls, resulting in an off-hook state. Secondly,
Contrary to the first case, a state in which the handset goes from being removed from the cradle to an off-hook state, such as when the handset is placed in the cradle to end a call or the like.

Furthermore, it can be applied to all kinds of wireless telephone devices, such as cordless telephones.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the present invention, when the wireless telephone device is used in a dark place, the illumination means lights up intermittently before key operations such as inputting dial information or before detecting an incoming call. When operating keys, you can easily check the key layout on the keypad. In other words, valid and correct information can be input from the first key operation. Also,
At the time of an incoming call, the operator can easily confirm the off-hook key for answering the incoming call, and therefore can reliably press the off-hook key.

Furthermore, by using the timer, the illumination means is switched from continuous lighting to intermittent lighting after a predetermined period of time. Therefore, power consumption can be saved compared to when the light is always turned on continuously.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to further improve the operability of the wireless telephone device, and it is also possible to save its power consumption.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing the detailed configuration of a wireless telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of a keypad, and FIG. 3 is an operation of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an external view of a conventional radio telephone device, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the conventional radio telephone device. 100... Radio telephone device 121...
...Keypad 122...Display unit 123...
...LED 124...Timer 125...Control circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) An input means for inputting information including at least one key, and at least one of the keys of the input means or a display section for displaying information to an operator is illuminated intermittently. What is claimed is: 1. A wireless telephone device comprising: illumination means for (2) an input means for inputting information including at least one key; an input detection means for detecting information input by the input means; and at least one or an operation of the keys of the input means. illumination means for illuminating at least one of the display sections for displaying information to a user, and in response to an input operation being detected by the input detection means, the illumination of the illumination means is configured to provide intermittent illumination. A wireless telephone device characterized in that the lighting is switched from to continuous lighting. (3) The radio telephone device according to claim (2), further comprising a timer for continuously illuminating the illumination means for a predetermined period of time. (4) An incoming call detection means for detecting an incoming call; and at least one of the keys of an input unit for inputting information including at least one key or a display unit for displaying information to an operator. illumination means for illuminating either one, and the illumination of the illumination means is configured to switch from intermittent illumination to continuous illumination in response to an incoming call being detected by the incoming call detection means. wireless telephone equipment. (5) The radio telephone device according to claim 4, further comprising a timer for continuously illuminating the illumination means for a predetermined period of time.