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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable radio terminal and, more
particularly, to a portable radio telephone set having a folding and
housing control mechanism and a rotary selector for selecting various
functions provided in a hinge section for folding and housing purpose.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional portable radio telephone sets (hereinafter referred to simply
as telephone sets) are not only provided with ordinary telephone
functions, but also with an electronic telephone directory function by
which telephone numbers and names can be registered, a help function for
guiding various functions, an incoming call tone selection function for
selecting incoming call tone, and the like, thus being formed as a
multi-functional terminal. The conventional portable radio telephone set
uses function buttons in order to select such functions. The operation of
some terminals has been made easier by making the shape of function
buttons different from that of the dial buttons.
When, for example, the electronic telephone directory function is used,
first a telephone set user operates a function button for the electronic
telephone directory function in order to call a telephone number stored in
the electronic telephone directory onto a display section of the portable
radio telephone set. Then, the telephone set user operates a function
button for selecting the telephone number and a function button for
scrolling the registered telephone numbers in order to call the wanted
telephone number shown on the display section from among telephone numbers
registered in the electronic telephone directory. When the wanted
telephone number is confirmed on the display section by the above
operation, the user operates a function button for starting a conversation
in order to call the other party.
Though the conventional portable radio telephone set is multi-functional,
the operation procedure thereof is complex for a user when the series of
operations described above is considered. Furthermore, there is the
possibility that the greater the number of buttons, the greater the
chances that a button may be depressed erroneously when the button
arrangement of a present portable radio telephone set is considered.
That is, in view of the complexity off such an operation procedure, it is
not easy, as regards a conventional telephone set in which functions are
selected by function buttons, to operate various buttons with only one
hand while holding the telephone set itself in the same hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone set which
makes it possible to easily perform various operations required
particularly for conducting a radio telephone conversation with one hand
while the telephone set itself is being held by the same hand.
It is another object of the present invention to simplify the procedure for
selecting or operating a plurality of functions of the telephone set.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
multi-functional telephone set, the number of buttons thereof being
reduced as much as possible.
To achieve the above-described objects, a portable radio telephone set in
accordance with the present invention is provided, which portable radio
telephone set has a display section, comprising a rotary selector which
turns to select various functions. A menu of various functions displayed
on the display section is selected when the rotary selector is operated
during a non-conversation time, sound volume can be adjusted during a
conversation time, the adjusting operation can be performed from both the
front and rear sides of the telephone set. The rotary selector and button
keys are arranged within the operation range of the thumb, and thus
ordinary dial functions, performed by operating the rotary selector and
the button keys, are provided.
According to the present invention, since the rotary selector is provided
as a telephone terminal, it is possible to easily select a desired
function of the telephone terminal with one hand by rotating the selector.
Also, according to the present invention, since the rotary selector is
provided in a hinge section of a telephone terminal which is foldable so
that it can be housed, it is possible to select a desired function of the
telephone terminal by rotating the rotary selector.
Since the rotary selector is provided in the hinge section of the telephone
terminal which is foldable so it can be housed, the hinge section can be
of any size, and the mechanical strength of the hinge section is
increased. The provision of the rotary selector results in a reduction of
the number of key buttons for performing multiple functions, or the like,
making it possible to more effectively use the space where the telephone
set is arranged.
Also, by arranging the rotary selector provided in the terminal so as to be
rotatable and slidable along the shaft of the hinge, the rotary selector
can be used as a cursor. Further, by moving the cursor on the display
section up and down, or from side to side in linkage with the rotary
selector in this way, various functions of a portable telephone set can be
performed, and it is made easy to perform an operation with one hand.
The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more
fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read
in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration
only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a portable
radio telephone set in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the portable
radio telephone set shown in FIG. 1 is used while it is held with one
hand;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the portable
radio telephone set is used during a radio conversation state as it is
seen from the outer side (the rear side) thereof;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a one-hand operation method in a state in
which the radio telephone set is held with one hand;
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a joint portion of the radio
telephone set in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the joint portion and the receiver
portion of the radio telephone set, a display section, and the like;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, illustrating a state
in which the radio telephone set is folded so it is housed;
FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a method for controlling the position of
a cursor by operating the dials of the radio telephone set in accordance
with the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a selection of various functions by using the
rotary selector of the radio telephone set.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with
reference to the accompanying drawings of FIG. 1 through FIG. 9.
The appearance of a telephone set in accordance with the present invention
will be explained first. FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective the overall
appearance of the main body of the telephone set when the folded state
thereof is released and it is placed in a use state. In this case, a
receiver section 1 and a display section 2 are freely flexed and engaged
with each other via a hinge 5. These sections are engaged with an
operation section 4 via a joint portion 3 by which the telephone set is
folded and rotated so as to be housed. A receiver (speaker for outputting
received voice sound) 6 is provided in the central portion of the receiver
section 1. When this receiver is brought into contact with the ear of a
party (user) during a radio telephone conversation, a voice sound from the
other party is heard. Since, as shown in the figure, the hinge 5 is flexed
to form a V shape, it is easy to operate the telephone set during the
radio telephone conversation state. The joint portion 3 maintains the
state in which the telephone set is rotated after the main body of the
telephone set is folded and housed, that is, from the use state, and is
provided with a selector 8 for selecting functions, a rotation operation
mechanism, and a push-button 9. A set button 11 for storing/retrieving and
inputting/outputting information, a call origination (re-origination)
button 12 for starting a conversation, a ten-key portion 13, and a
termination button 14 for terminating a conversation are provided in the
operation section 4, a microphone 10 being contained in the front end
portion of the main body. With this construction, when a radio telephone
conversation function is selected by the selector 8, a telephone set user
brings the receiver 6 into contact with the ear, and the user's mouth is
brought close to the microphone 10 as in a handset of a conventional
telephone set, a radio telephone conversation with the other party then
being conducted. Keyed-in information and necessary information from among
stored information are called and displayed on a liquid-crystal display
screen 7 disposed in the central portion of the display section 2.
FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the telephone set is being used while
it is held by one hand (the left hand in this embodiment). The telephone
set user grasps both end portions of the joint portion 3 between the thumb
"a" and the forefinger "b". The push-button 9 is depressed by the thumb
"a" in order to rotate the display section 2 and the receiver section 1
via the joint portion 3, thereby shifting the state of the telephone set
from the state in which it is folded and housed to a stable use state.
Since the main body of the telephone set is basically held by the thenar
"c" and the remaining three fingers "d", an accident, such as the main
body of the telephone set falling from the hand, does not occur even if
the thumb "a" and the forefinger "b" are separated from the main body of
the telephone set. Therefore, if the main body of the telephone set is
held as shown in FIG. 2, the telephone set user can operate the selector 8
and various operation buttons on the operation section 4 with the thumb
"a" while simultaneously confirming a display on the liquid-crystal
display screen .
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable radio telephone set as it is
seen from the outer side (the rear side) thereof, illustrating a state in
which the radio telephone set is used during a radio telephone
conversation. As shown in FIG. 3, the forefinger "b" is separated from one
end of the joint portion 3, and the selector 8 is operated by the
forefinger "b". As a result, the selector 8 can be operated by the thumb
"a" from the inner surface thereof, and also by the forefinger "b" from
the outer surface thereof.
Therefore, the selector 8 is provided in the joint portion 3 so as to
select various functions (to be specific, call origination/reception,
telephone number, secrecy, input, output, storage, calculation, time,
remote control, schedule, call, clear, calendar, dictionary, map,
characters, numerals, or the like) during a non-radio telephone
conversation time, and so as to function to adjust the volume of the
received voice sound during a radio telephone conversation time. The
selector 8 is provided in such a way that the selector 8 is rotatable and
can be operated from both the inner and outer surfaces.
FIG. 4 illustrates a one-hand operation method in a state in which the
radio telephone set is held with one hand. As shown in the figure, in the
main body of the telephone set, the right and left ends of the operation
section 4 are held by the thenar "c" and the three fingers "d". If the
push-button 9 is depressed by the thumb "a", the folded and housed
telephone set can be shifted to a stable use state, i.e., a radio
telephone conversation state, by rotating the receiver section 1 and the
display section 2 via the joint portion 3.
An example of a case in which a radio telephone conversation is conducted
in this use state will be explained. First, the telephone set user selects
by using the selector 8 a list display function (one function of the
telephone set) for displaying a list of names and their telephone numbers.
The available selection methods include a method in which a list of
functions is displayed beforehand on the liquid-crystal display screen and
a cursor which is moved in linkage with the rotation of the selector 8 or
the like is moved up and down to identify any one of the functions, a
method in which the selector itself is provided with a change-over switch
corresponding to multiple functions, the selector being switched to select
any one of the functions. The functions can be more easily selected by
using the selector 8 in addition to the key buttons. Next, a list of the
prestored names and their telephone numbers is displayed on the
liquid-crystal display screen 7, and a wanted telephone number is
retrieved by scrolling the display screen using the selector 8. In the
above display and retrieval method, only the selector 8 needs to be
operated. As a result, an operation for switching the selector 8 at a
thumb position "f" is possible. Further, when the telephone number of the
other party is confirmed, a set button 11 is depressed at a thumb position
"g", and a call origination (re-origination) button 12 is operated,
allowing a radio telephone conversation to start. When the radio telephone
conversation is terminated, a termination button 14 is depressed at a
thumb position "i" in order to complete the series of operations necessary
for conducting a radio telephone conversation. That is, the range in which
the liquid-crystal display screen 7 can be visually confirmed and in which
the thumb "a" can be moved to operate the selector 8, the call origination
(re-origination) button 12, and the termination button 14 is assumed to be
the range defined by the broken lines A and B shown in the figure. In this
range, necessary operations can be performed by the thumb "a". In other
words, this range is a range in which the thumb "a" is rotated, turned,
moved back and forth, and bent in a combined manner at a joint "e" about
the base of a human's phalanx in the thumb "a". Therefore, when the
selector 8 and various buttons required for a radio conversation are
arranged in the range defined by the broken lines A and B, since the
selector 8 and the buttons are operated with one hand, the ease with which
the telephone set is operated with one hand is enhanced.
An example in which these various functions are selected by the selector 8
will now be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9. When the
telephone set is opened for use from the state in which it is housed
because the push-button 9 is depressed by the thumb "a", the power supply
is turned on, and the initial screen appears on the liquid-crystal display
screen 7, on which screen date, time, and the like are displayed. When the
set button 11 is depressed, a function screen appears on the display
screen 7. The displayed function setting and the memory dial are
cursor-moved by turning the selector 8. Then, a function is selected, and
the function is determined by operating the set button 11.
When a function setting is selected in such function selection, functions
"Set/Release", "Select", "Adjust", "Command input" and "Display only" are
successively displayed as a result of the turning of the selector 8,
making scrolling retrieval possible and allowing these selected functions
to be confirmed. When these functions are selected and set by the set
button 11, call origination restriction is set or released in
"Set/Release", turning on/off of number announcement is selected by the
cursor movement caused by the turning of the selector 8 and determined by
the set button 11, and the screen returns to the initial screen. When the
function "Select" is selected and set, the selectable range of ringing
tone quality is displayed, and it is possible to select the tone quality
by turning the selector 8 while displaying the current situation. After
the tone quality is determined by the set button 11, the screen returns to
the initial screen. When the function "Adjust" is selected and set, the
selectable range of the receiver tone volume is displayed, and it is
possible to select the tone volume by turning the selector 8 while
displaying the current situation. After the receiver tone volume is
determined by the set button 11, the screen returns to the initial screen.
When the function "Command input" is selected and set, a display screen
for inputting four digits of a personal identification number appears,
making it possible to input the number by using the buttons of a the
ten-key section 13. The number is set by the set button 11 after it is
input, and the screen returns to the initial screen. When the function
"Display only" is selected and set, the amount of the remaining memory of
the memory dial is displayed, and the screen returns to the initial
screen.
When the memory dial is selected in the function selection, "Store",
"Update", and "Clear" are displayed on the display screen 7 and are set by
the selector 8 as a result of the turning thereof, and set by the set
button 11, making it possible to proceed to the subsequent functions.
Although in the above-described operation, functions are determined by the
set button 11, the selector 8 may be moved axially so as to have the same
functions as those of the set button 11 as in a joystick 29 (FIG. 5) which
will be described later. In such a case, the ease with which the telephone
set is operated with one hand is enhanced even more.
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the joint portion 3 of the radio
telephone set in accordance with the present invention. The joint portion
3 is formed of a case 15 and a button shaft 19 and is fixed to the
operation section 4. A boss shaft 16 is formed in the central end surface
portion of the case 15, and the boss shaft 16 and a hollow flange 18 are
rotatably engaged with each other. Similarly, a sleeve shaft 22 is formed
in the button shaft 19, and the sleeve shaft 22 and a sleeve flange 20 are
rotatably engaged with each other. The rotatable hollow flange 18 and the
sleeve flange 20 are fixed by a chassis 17 which is stably fixed inside
the display section 2. In this way, the operation section 4 and the
display section 2 are freely engaged with each other in such a way that
they can be folded on one another via the joint portion 3.
The push-button 9 can be movably inserted into the end surface of the
button shaft 19. A shank 23 formed on the push-button 9 is slidably fitted
into the inside of the sleeve shaft 22. A stopper piece 24 is disposed on
the shank 23 and is engaged with notches 25 and 26 formed in the end
surfaces of the sleeve shaft 22 and the sleeve flange 20. As a result, the
rotation of the sleeve flange 20 is stopped, and consequently the rotation
of the display section 2 is stopped stably. The notch 26 of the sleeve
shaft 22 does not allow the engagement of the stopper piece 24 to be
released for the maximum axial stroke of the push-button 9. In contrast,
the engagement of the notch 25 of the sleeve flange 20 can be released and
freely rotated. The notch 25 of the sleeve flange 20 is formed at an open
position where the telephone set is being used and at a housing position
(not shown) where it is folded and housed.
Further, a torsion coil spring 21 is disposed inside the case 15. One end
of the torsion coil spring 21 is connected and fixed to the case 15, and
the other end thereof is extended from the case 15 and engaged with a
spring hole formed in the hollow flange 18. As a result, if the
push-button 9 is depressed, the stopper piece 24 releases the stoppage at
the notch 25 (not shown) when it is housed, and the elastic force of the
torsion coil spring 21 is released, causing the hollow flange 18 to
rotate. Therefore, the receiver section 1 and the display section 2 are
rotated, becoming ready for use.
Since some elastic force still remains in the torsion coil spring 21 in the
above connection in the use state, a rotational force is given
continuingly in the direction in which the remaining elastic force is
released. This means that unwanted jarring, which may occur when the
telephone set is used, is prevented by the rotational force thereof.
Further, when a selector shaft 28 engaging with the selector 8 moves along
the axis thereof when the mechanical position thereof is read, the stroke
stops at the end surface of the shank 23 so as to serve as a stopper. The
press fitting between the shank 23 and a shaft 27 is not released by such
an operation force acting on the selector shaft 28. The selector shaft 28
and the shaft 27 are able to slide axially and turn around the shaft
thereof on one shaft. The shaft 27 is supported so as to be slidable and
turnable inside the selector shaft 28, and the other end reaches the
joystick 29. Further, the selector shaft 28 extends close to the center of
the joint portion 3, and the selector 8 is press-fitted to the end. The
selector 8 is able to smoothly slide axially and turn around the shaft
thereof without contacting other components.
Next, the joystick 29 will be explained. Disposed inside the joystick 29
are a power-supply switch (not shown) working with the shaft 27, a volume
control (for adjusting the receiver tone volume) which operates in
response to the movement of the selector shaft 28, a sensor (for selecting
functions), and the like. Examples of the sensor are a mechanical sensor,
an electrical sensor, or an optical sensor. In short, the sensor detects
the rotational position of the selector shaft 28 and the sliding operation
along the rotational shaft, and sends a signal to the liquid-crystal
display screen 7 so that function selection/setting shown in FIG. 9 is
performed and the screen is switched. Examples of methods performed by the
power-supply switch are a method in which the position of the selector
shaft is detected by the sensor and the power supply is turned on/off, and
a method in which simply one end of the selector shaft 28 and the surface
which the one end contacts are formed into an electrical contact point,
and it is made to work with the depressing of the push-button 9. If the
turning on/off of the push-button 9 is made to work in linkage with the
turning on/off of the power-supply switch as in these methods, the
telephone set user depresses the push-button 9 in order to make the
telephone set in a folded and housed state shift to a use state, the power
supply of the telephone set can be turned on, making it unnecessary to
provide a key button exclusively used for the power-supply switch in the
operation section 4. More specifically, when the telephone set is shifted
to a state in which it is placed in a use state from the folded and housed
state, the power supply of the telephone set can be inevitably turned on
without operating a key button exclusively used for the power supply. The
sensor inside the joystick 29 works not only with the selector shaft 28,
but also with the operation of the function button in the operation
section 4, and functions can be selected from the operation section 4.
The functions selected in this way reach a display processing circuit (not
shown) via a cord E, and various displays necessary for performing the
functions are made. Although in the embodiment the selector 8 works for
controlling the position of a cursor, a selector exclusively used for
controlling the position of the cursor, in addition to the selector 8, may
be disposed near the selector 8.
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the joint portion 3, the receiver
section 1, and the display section 2. As shown in the figure, the display
section 2 is able to turn along a slide ring 30 which serves as a part of
the joint portion 3 fixed to the operation section 4. Inside the display
section 2, one end of a fine slide pin 31 is always pressed against and
built onto the slide ring 30. The other end of the slide pin 31 is
rotatably engaged with a hinge piece 32 which works with the hinge 5 by
which the junction between the display section 2 and the receiver section
1 is made flexible. An elastic spring 33 is fixed to the hinge piece 32,
and the other end is fixed to a spring seat 34 formed inside the receiver
section 1. As shown in the figure, the receiver section 1 stabilizes at
the flex position as indicated by the solid line by the action of the
elastic spring 33. When an unnecessary force acts on the receiver section
1, since the receiver section 1 is turned as indicated by the broken line,
the telephone set itself is protected, and the receiver section 1 contacts
the user's ear with elastic properties during a non-radio telephone
conversation. Thus, received voice can be heard in a satisfactory manner.
When the telephone set is folded and housed, the receiver section 1 and
the display section 2 are folded via the joint portion 3 as indicated by
the broken line. Since, at that time, the slide pin 31 engages with a
notch 35 of the slide ring 30, formed at the position at which the
telephone set is housed, the receiver section 1 and the display section 2
are folded stably. At the folded time, the hinge piece 32 which works with
the slide pin 31 is retracted into the display section 2. Therefore, the
receiver section 1, which is flexed with respect to the display section 2,
is flexed to a state in which it is aligned linearly so as to be along the
display section 2.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, illustrating a state
in which the telephone set is folded so as to be housed. As shown in the
figure, since the slide pin 31 built into the display section 2 is engaged
with the notch 35 formed in a part of the outer periphery of the joint
portion 3 (equivalent to the slide ring 30), the telephone set is stably
folded and housed. In this folded and housed state, if the push-button 9
is operated, the receiver section 1 and the display section 2 are turned
for use, and the slide pin 31 is slidingly released from the notch 35. As
a result, the receiver section 1 is flexed with respect to the display
section 2.
Finally, controlling the position of the cursor by using the selector 8
will be explained. FIG. 8 illustrates a method for controlling the
position of the cursor. As shown in the figure, the selector 8, disposed
in the joint portion 3, is used to update the position of the noticed
display on the liquid-crystal display screen 7, i.e., the position of a
cursor 37. When that position is updated, the thumb "a" is operated at
will from side to side in the direction of the arrow A or up and down in
the direction of the arrow B in a state in which the thumb "a" contacts at
a position "j" on the selector 8. That is, when the selector 8 is in a
free state, the selector 8 stabilizes while maintaining clearances 36a
and 36b of the same size toward the right and left, respectively. The
operation using the thumb "a" in the direction of the arrow A changes the
size of these clearances 36a and 36b. This change is sensed by a sensor
inside the above-mentioned joystick 29. If, for example, the selector 8 is
operated to the right, the cursor 37 is moved to the right on the
liquid-crystal display screen 7. If the thumb "a" is released from the
selector 8, the selector 8 is automatically made to return to the central
position. The upward and downward operation of the selector 8 by using the
thumb "a" causes the selector 8 to rotate up and down. The direction and
the amount of the rotation at that time is sensed by the knob or sensor
inside the joystick 29, and the cursor 37 moves up and down on the
liquid-crystal display screen 7. What is meant by "sensed by the knob"
here is that the amount of the rotation of the selector 8 is determined by
voltage, current or the like corresponding to the knob. When a selector
exclusively used for controlling the position of the cursor, in addition
to the selector 8, is disposed near the selector 8, the selector
exclusively used for controlling the position of the cursor is similarly
operated, controlling the position of the cursor 37. Therefore, if the
cursor 37 is moved successively to a desired position, for example, in a
condition in which all necessary characters, numerals, symbols or the like
are displayed on the liquid-crystal display screen 7, characters or the
like at a moved position are sequentially selected as input subjects, and
processed. When the set button 11 is operated on the operation section 4
in a condition in which, for example, the cursor 37 is moved to a desired
character position, a list of names and telephone numbers can be displayed
in part on the upper portion of the liquid-crystal display screen 7. Up to
the present time, desired character strings or the like have been formed
solely by operations of ten-keys for a necessary number of times. The
operations are troublesome and complex, and key processing, requiring a
great number of operations, is necessary. However, when display processing
is performed as described above, such inconveniences as described above
are reduced.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above,
since the rotary selector is disposed in the hinge section of a telephone
set which is folded so as to be housed, the hinge section is made to have
a desired size so that the mechanical strength of the hinge section can be
increased. Since the provision of the rotary selector results in a
reduction of key buttons for performing multiple functions, there is an
advantage in that the space where the telephone set is arranged can be
effectively used.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage
in that by using the rotary selector disposed in a terminal, no key
buttons exclusively used for controlling the cursor are needed, and the
operation with one hand is made easier.
In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the
number of necessary key buttons can be reduced since the portable
telephone set is provided with a rotary selector, and key buttons and a
display of the most appropriate size can be arranged in a telephone set of
the most appropriate size. Furthermore, when the rotary selector is
disposed in the hinge section of a folding type portable telephone set,
the space where the rotary selector is disposed can be reduced.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, since a rotary
selector is disposed in the telephone set, it is possible to easily
perform various operations necessary, in particular, for conducting a
radio telephone conversation with the fingers of one hand while the
telephone set itself is being held with the same hand.
Many different embodiments of the present invention may be constructed
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It
should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
specific embodiment described in this specification. To the contrary, the
present invention is intended to cover various modifications and
equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the
claims. The following claims are to be accorded the broadest
interpretation, so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent
structures and functions.
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