JP2010217716A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display pieces of specific information by switching display modes while having simple constitution and reducing the cost. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display device 100 includes: a blue light-emitting diode 118 which emits blue light as visible light of predetermined wavelength; a red light-emitting diode 120 which emits red light as visible light of wavelength different from that of the blue light; a light shield panel 110 having a transmission window 112 transmitting the blue light and red light provided on a light shield surface blocking the blue light and red light; a long-pass filter 114 covering a portion of the transmission window and transmitting the red light, but blocking the blue light; and a light emission switching part 140 making either one of the blue light-emitting diode or red light-emitting diode emit the light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that visually presents information through light emission.

  In general, on a pressing surface of an operation key provided in an electronic device, specific information for specifying the operation key, such as a name and a function thereof, is affixed as a character, a figure, or a combination thereof. In addition, there is a display device that displays the specific information through light emission. By using this display device, the user can visually recognize the character even at night or in a dark room. In recent years, liquid crystal monitors (liquid crystal display devices) have come to be widely used as display devices with such light emission. For example, operation keys for car navigation devices, AV devices (audio devices and video playback devices), etc. Also on board.

  In addition, in order to increase the display variation of such a liquid crystal monitor, in a transflective liquid crystal monitor which is a kind of liquid crystal monitor, a transflective plate and a back side thereof are provided so that only light from an internal light source unit passes. There has been proposed a configuration in which a color filter is added between a certain light source unit (for example, Patent Document 1). A liquid crystal monitor using this configuration can adjust the light from the internal light source section with good saturation while maintaining the brightness when the light from the external light source is reflected by the transflective plate. And display quality can be improved. In general, liquid crystal monitors are widely used as display devices for televisions, personal computers, and the like because they have a display function with high display quality and a high degree of freedom.

JP 2000-98364 A

  However, in the operation keys provided in the parts other than the main display unit for displaying a color image in the car navigation device and the AV device, the name of the operation key or the operation key is pressed. Specific information such as a function to be executed is displayed, but such display content is often sufficient to display a limited number of patterns of characters and figures.

  In order to realize the minimum display function of the liquid crystal monitor when a transflective liquid crystal monitor such as that described in Patent Document 1 or other liquid crystal monitor is used on the periphery or the pressing surface of the operation key, A control mechanism, a liquid crystal unit, a large number of control components, and the like that perform complicated calculations are required, and material and manufacturing costs are unnecessarily high.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of displaying a plurality of specific information by switching display modes while reducing costs with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device (100) of the present invention includes a first light emitting unit (118) that emits first visible light that is visible light having a predetermined wavelength, and a visible light having a wavelength different from that of the first visible light. A transmission window (112) that transmits the first visible light and the second visible light to the second light emitting unit (120) that emits the second visible light, which is light, and the light shielding surface that shields the first visible light and the second visible light. ), A first filter (114) that covers part of the transmission window, transmits the second visible light, and blocks the first visible light, and the first light emitting unit or the second light emitting unit. And a light emission switching unit (140) that emits light from any one of the units.

  When the electronic device of the present invention is used, the second visible light passes through the entire transmission window while the second light emitting unit emits light, so that the entire shape of the transmission window can be visually recognized. Since the first visible light is partially blocked by the first filter while the portion is emitting light, only a partial shape that is not covered by the first filter of the transmission window can be visually recognized. By forming a plurality of different display modes (combination of light emission position and light emission color) such as the overall shape and partial shape of the transmissive window, simple control for switching the light emitting section that emits light is executed. Thus, a plurality of different pieces of specific information (characters, graphics, or combinations thereof) can be visually recognized, and various switching displays can be realized at low cost without using a complicated control mechanism.

  The first filter may be a long pass filter that blocks visible light having a wavelength of less than 500 nm. A long-pass filter that shields visible light having a wavelength of less than 500 nm is generally used as a light-shielding filter and thus is inexpensive and can reduce manufacturing costs.

  The electronic apparatus may further include a second filter (116) that covers a part of the transmission window, transmits the first visible light, and blocks the second visible light.

  Here, since the second visible light is partially blocked by the second filter while the second light emitting unit is emitting light, the user can only have a partial shape that is not covered by the second filter of the transmission window. Can be visually recognized. Accordingly, the light emitting units that emit light are switched by forming a plurality of different display modes such as a partial shape not covered with the first filter and a partial shape not covered with the second filter. Only by executing simple control, a plurality of different specific information can be visually recognized by the user, and various switching displays can be realized at low cost without using a complicated control mechanism.

  The second filter may be a short pass filter that blocks visible light having a wavelength of 500 nm or more. A short-pass filter that shields visible light having a wavelength of 500 nm or more is inexpensive because it is generally used as a light-shielding filter, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The electronic device is arranged corresponding to the light-shielding panel, and a touch panel (310) having one or a plurality of detection areas, a central control unit (328) that assigns functions to the detection areas, and an operation input to the touch panel A touch panel control unit (342) for specifying a detection region including a position where the operation input is performed, and the central control unit is configured so that the light emission switching unit switches between the first light emission unit and the second light emission unit. Accordingly, the function assigned to the detection area may be changed.

  By integrally configuring the touch panel and a display unit that performs simple switching display, a low-cost touch panel type user input function can be realized.

  The touch panel control unit may change at least one of the number or size of the detection areas according to switching between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit.

  The electronic device of the present invention interlocks the switching of specific information according to the display mode and the switching of the distribution (number and size of detection areas) of one or more detection areas in the entire touch panel. Can do. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a touch panel type user input function corresponding to various detection areas at low cost without using a complicated control mechanism.

  The first light emitting unit may be a blue light emitting diode, and the second light emitting unit may be a red light emitting diode.

  The wavelengths of red light and blue light are relatively far apart from each other in the wavelength of visible light, and the two colors can be reliably distinguished regardless of the accuracy (method, order, inclination) of the light shielding filter. Here, violet light is also present as light having a wavelength different from that of red than blue, but it is difficult to distinguish red because the hue is close to red. By using red and blue lights that are excellent in the balance between the ease of control by the light-shielding filter and the ease of color identification, it is possible to more easily identify the display mode that has been switched and displayed. Furthermore, since the blue light emitting diode and the red light emitting diode are general-purpose parts, they are inexpensive, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The electronic device of the present invention can display a plurality of specific information by switching the display mode while reducing the cost with a simple configuration.

It is a perspective view for demonstrating the display mode of the operation display part of the electronic device in 1st Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the electronic device in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating typically the relationship between permeation | transmission and light shielding of the operation display part in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a display according to control mode of the operation display part in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display mode of the other electronic device in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the example of application of the display mode of the electronic device in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the light emission method in 1st Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the electronic device in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display mode of the operation display part of the electronic device in 2nd Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the electric constitution of the electronic device in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display mode of the operation display part of the electronic device in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the light emission method in 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(First embodiment: electronic device 100)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a display mode of the operation display unit 102 of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation display unit 102 includes a light shielding panel 110, a long-pass filter (sharp cut filter) 114 as a first filter, a short-pass filter 116 as a second filter, and a first light-emitting unit in order from the front side. A blue light emitting diode (LED) 118 and a red light emitting diode 120 as a second light emitting unit are arranged. Moreover, although not shown in figure, it has a power supply.

  The light shielding surface of the light shielding panel 110 shields visible light (at least the first visible light and the second visible light). The light-shielding surface is provided with a transmissive window 112 in which specific information such as characters and figures in a plurality of display modes is formed. The transmission window 112 may be a hole penetrating the light shielding panel 110, or may be one in which a transparent member that transmits visible light is filled in the hole for simple waterproofing.

  The long pass filter 114 shields visible light having a wavelength of less than 500 nm, and the short pass filter 116 shields visible light having a wavelength of 500 nm or more. Since the long pass filter 114 and the short pass filter 116 are generally used as light shielding filters, they are inexpensive, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The blue light emitting diode 118 and the red light emitting diode 120 are electrically connected to the light emission switch unit 122. In the present embodiment, the operation display unit 102 transmits visible light emitted from the blue light emitting diode 118 and the red light emitting diode 120 through the transmission window 112 provided in the light shielding panel 110, and the transmission window 112 is shaped through the transmitted visible light. Specific information such as characters taken (in this embodiment, “−”, “+”, “NAVI”, “AV”, “switch to mode”, etc.) and graphics can be visually recognized by the user.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the electronic device 100 is applied to a navigation device with an AV function will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other electronic (electric) devices that require a simple display function, For example, the electronic device 100 may be a voice recorder, FAX, radio, electronic rice cooker, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, air cleaner, or the like.

  As described above, electronic device 100 can switch and display a plurality of specific information expressed using characters and graphics according to its current control mode (NAVI mode or AV mode). The electrical configuration of the electronic device 100 and the switching display mechanism will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. The electronic device 100 includes an operation display unit 102 including a blue light emitting diode 118 and a red light emitting diode 120, a light emission switch unit 122, an operation unit 124, a display 126, a speaker 128, a central control unit 130, and an AV function unit. 132 and a navigation function unit 134. The blue light emitting diode 118 and the red light emitting diode 120 included in the operation display unit 102 are electrically connected to the light emission switch unit 122, respectively. The light emission switch unit 122, the operation unit 124, and the display 126 are electrically connected to the central control unit 130, respectively. Connected.

  The blue light emitting diode 118 is composed of a semiconductor element using zinc selenide, silicon carbide, and sapphire, and emits blue light (for example, wavelength 435.8 nm) as first visible light when power is supplied.

  The red light emitting diode 120 is composed of a semiconductor element using aluminum gallium arsenide, gallium arsenide phosphorus, gallium phosphide, or the like, and is red light as second visible light that is visible light having a wavelength different from that of blue light when power is supplied. (For example, a wavelength of 700 nm).

  One blue light-emitting diode 118 and one red light-emitting diode 120 may be arranged, respectively, but a plurality of blue light-emitting diodes 118 and red light-emitting diodes 120 may be arranged so that the emitted visible light is more uniformly transmitted from the transmission window 112. Moreover, you may diffuse or reflect visible light using a light-guide plate, a reflecting plate, etc. With this configuration, specific information such as characters and figures can be expressed through the transmission window 112 with a uniform amount of light.

  The wavelengths of red light and blue light used here are relatively far apart from each other in the wavelength of visible light, and the two colors can be reliably distinguished regardless of the accuracy (method, order, inclination) of the light shielding filter. it can. Here, violet light is also included in light whose wavelength from red is farther than blue, but it is difficult to distinguish it from red because the hue is close to red. By using red and blue lights that are excellent in the balance between the ease of control by the light-shielding filter and the ease of color identification, it is possible to more easily identify the display mode that has been switched and displayed. Furthermore, since the blue light emitting diode 118 and the red light emitting diode 120 are general-purpose parts, they are inexpensive, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The light emission switch unit 122 includes a switch circuit, and supplies power to either the blue light emitting diode 118 or the red light emitting diode 120 in accordance with an instruction from the light emission switching unit 140 described later.

  The operation unit 124 includes a movable push button switch such as a keyboard, a cross key, a joystick, and a push switch. The operation unit 124 receives a user operation input and transmits the received operation input to the central control unit 130 described later.

  The display 126 is composed of, for example, liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) and displays images (moving images and still images). The speaker 128 includes a drive unit and a vibration plate, and outputs sound.

  The central control unit 130 is configured by a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), and controls the entire electronic device 100 according to an execution program stored in the electronic device 100. Specifically, the central control unit 130 controls the AV function unit 132 and the navigation function unit 134, for example, to output video data such as maps, music, and movies on the display 126 and audio data on the speaker 128, respectively. . In addition, the central control unit 130 controls the AV function unit 132 and the navigation function unit 134 in accordance with the user operation input received through the operation unit 124 described above.

  The AV function unit 132 executes an AV function for reproducing content such as music and movies. The navigation function unit 134 indicates the current position and traveling direction on the map, and executes a function of guiding a route to the destination. The control mode in which the AV function unit 132 is functioning is the AV mode, the control mode in which the navigation function unit 134 is functioning is the NAVI mode, and the central control unit 130 sets each control mode according to the user's operation input. Switch.

  The central control unit 130 further functions as a light emission switching unit 140. The light emission switching unit 140 is connected to the light emission switch unit 122, and switches the power supply destination of the light emission switch unit 122 according to the current control mode set by the central control unit 130, so that the blue light emitting diode 118 or red Either one of the light emitting diodes 120 is caused to emit light.

  In the present embodiment, the light emission switching unit 140 causes the blue light emitting diode 118 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122 when the current control mode is the NAVI mode, and emits red light through the light emission switch unit 122 when it is in the AV mode. The diode 120 is caused to emit light.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining the relationship between light transmission and light shielding of the operation display unit 102 in the first embodiment. In particular, FIG. 3A shows the relationship between light transmission and light shielding when the blue light emitting diode 118 emits light, and FIG. 3B shows light transmission and light shielding when the red light emitting diode 120 emits light. Shows the relationship. Here, for convenience, an example is shown in which one blue light emitting diode 118 and one red light emitting diode 120 are provided.

  As described above, since the light shielding surface of the light shielding panel 110 shields visible light, the visible light leaks only from the transmission window 112. When the light emitting switch unit 122 supplies power to the blue light emitting diode 118, the blue light emitting diode 118 emits blue light as shown in FIG. Such blue light is shielded by the long pass filter 114 provided in the transmission window 112a. However, since the blue light is transmitted through the short pass filter 116, it is transmitted through the transmission window 112b without being blocked. Even in the transmission window 112c where no light shielding filter is provided, the blue light is transmitted without being shielded.

  Similarly, when the light emitting switch unit 122 supplies power to the red light emitting diode 120, the red light emitting diode 120 emits red light as shown in FIG. 3B. Such red light is shielded by the short pass filter 116 provided in the transmission window 112b. However, since the red light is transmitted through the long pass filter 114, it is transmitted without being blocked by the transmission window 112a. Further, the red light is transmitted without being shielded even in the transmission window 112c not provided with the light shielding filter.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example for each control mode of the operation display unit 102 according to the first embodiment. When the electronic device 100 is in the NAVI mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation display unit 102 has explanatory characters “-” and “-” that are specific information of the operation units 124a and 124c for map scale adjustment. + ”And an explanatory character string“ switch to AV mode ”, which is specific information of the operation unit 124b for switching to the AV mode, are displayed. If there is an input to the operation unit 124b in the NAVI mode, the central control unit 130 switches from the NAVI mode to the AV mode.

  When the electronic device 100 is in the AV mode, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation display unit 102 has explanatory characters “−” and “−” that are specific information of the operation units 124a and 124c for volume adjustment. + ”And an explanatory character string“ switch to NAVI mode ”, which is specific information of the operation unit 124b for switching to the NAVI mode, are displayed. When there is an input to the operation unit 124b in the AV mode, the central control unit 130 switches from the AV mode to the NAVI mode.

  Since the short pass filter 116 is superimposed on the portion corresponding to “AV” of the transmission window 112, the light is turned on only when the blue light emitting diode 118 emits light, and the long pass filter 114 is superimposed on the portion corresponding to “NAVI” of the transmission window 112. Therefore, it lights up only when the red light emitting diode 120 emits light. Further, since the other transmissive window 112 (portion corresponding to “−”, “+”, “switch to mode”) is not provided with any light shielding filter, it is lit when any light emitting diode emits light. Therefore, when the blue light emitting diode 118 is lit, “switch to AV mode” can be visually recognized through the operation display unit 102, and when the red light emitting diode 120 is lit, “switch to NAVI mode” is visually recognized through the operation display unit 102. it can.

  Accordingly, a plurality of different display modes (combinations of light emission positions and light emission colors) are formed, such as a partial shape not covered with the long pass filter 114 and a partial shape not covered with the short pass filter 116. By simply executing a simple control to switch the light emitting section (blue light emitting diode 118, red light emitting diode 120) that emits light, a plurality of different specific information (characters, figures or combinations thereof, in this case “AV”, “NAVI”) can be visually recognized by the user, and various switching displays can be realized at low cost without using a complicated control mechanism.

  Further, as described below, the operation display unit 102 in the present embodiment has a simpler configuration when one character string includes the other, such as “NAVI” and “AV”. A switching display can be realized.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display mode of another operation display unit 102 in the first embodiment. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 (a) is an explanatory diagram simply showing the display mechanism of the operation display unit 102. FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c) are similar to FIG. The example of a display according to control mode of the display part 102 is shown.

  In FIG. 5A, unlike the operation shown in FIG. 1, the operation display unit 102 is not provided with the short pass filter 116. Further, the long pass filter 114 is superimposed only on the portions corresponding to “N” and “I” of the transmission window 112.

  In FIG. 5B, when the blue light emitting diode 118 emits light, the long pass filter 114 blocks the blue light of the “N” and “I” portions of the character string “NAVI”, and the remaining character string “AV”. Is displayed. The operation display unit 102 displays “switch to AV mode”, “−”, “+” together with other character strings.

  Further, in FIG. 5C, when the red light emitting diode 120 emits light, unlike the case of FIG. 4B, the short-pass filter 116 is not provided, so that the red light is not blocked by the short-pass filter 116. Is displayed. Therefore, “switch to NAVI mode”, “−” and “+” are displayed on the operation display unit 102 together with other character strings.

  When the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment is used, the user can visually recognize the entire shape of the transmissive window 112 because red light passes through the entire transmissive window 112 while the red light emitting diode 120 emits light. While the light emitting diode 118 emits light, the blue light is partially blocked by the long pass filter 114, so that only a partial shape of the transmission window 112 that is not covered by the long pass filter 114 can be seen.

  By forming a plurality of different display modes such as the overall shape and a partial shape of the transmission window 112, it is possible to display a plurality of different display modes only by executing a simple control for switching the light emitting unit that emits light. It can be visually recognized by the user, and various switching displays can be realized at low cost without using a complicated control mechanism.

  Here, since the specific information to be displayed has a relationship in which one character string includes the other character string, such as “NAVI” and “AV”, the display / display of only “N” and “I”. It is only necessary to control the non-display, and as described above, the switching display of a plurality of display modes can be realized at lower cost by using only one of the long-pass filter 114 and the short-pass filter 116. .

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an application example of the display mode of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device 100 is provided with an operation display unit 102, an operation unit 124, a display 126, and a speaker 128. FIG. 6 shows a case where the current control mode of the electronic device 100 is the AV mode, for example, a DVD video is being reproduced. The electronic device 100 displays an explanatory character string “switch to NAVI mode” which is specific information of the operation unit 124b for switching from the AV mode which is the current control mode to the NAVI mode.

  As described above, by providing the operation display unit 102 that is simply configured separately from the display 126 that is a main display unit having a high-resolution display function, a plurality of control modes in which the number is limited in advance can be provided. Simple switching display such as only switching can be realized at low cost.

(Light emission method)
Next, a light emitting method using the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment described above will be described using a flowchart.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the light emitting method in the first embodiment. When the power of the electronic device 100 is turned on, the light emission switching unit 140 determines whether or not the current control mode of the electronic device 100 is the AV mode (S200), and when the control mode is the AV mode (S200). YES), the light emission switching unit 140 causes the blue light emitting diode 118 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122 (S202). Further, when the current control mode is the NAVI mode, that is, when not in the AV mode (NO in S200), the light emission switching unit 140 causes the red light emitting diode 120 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122 (S204).

  The central control unit 130 determines whether or not there is an operation input from the user to the operation unit 124 (S206). If the central control unit 130 determines that there is an operation input (YES in S206), the central control unit 130 executes processing corresponding to the operation input (S206). S208). When the central control unit 130 determines that there is no operation input (NO in S206), no special processing is performed. Such processing is repeatedly executed every predetermined time.

  As described above, even in the light emitting method using the electronic device 100, it is possible to switch and display a plurality of display modes while reducing the cost with a simple configuration.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the electronic apparatus 100 is used to describe the display mode switching display by light emission and light shielding and the operation unit 124 belonging to the display mode switching display. In the following second embodiment, an electronic device 300 including a touch panel will be described.

(Electronic device 300)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the electronic device 300 according to the second embodiment. The electronic device 300 includes an operation display unit 302 including a blue light emitting diode 118 and a red light emitting diode 120, a light emission switch unit 122, an operation unit 124, a display 126, a speaker 128, a touch panel 310, a central control unit 328, and the like. , A radio function unit 332, a CD playback function unit 334 capable of playing a compact disc (CD), and a power source (not shown). The blue light emitting diode 118 and the red light emitting diode 120 included in the operation display unit 302, the light emission switch unit 122, the operation unit 124, the display 126, the speaker 128, which have already been described as the components in the electronic device 100 described above, Since the functions of the power source are substantially the same, redundant description is omitted. Here, the radio function unit 332, the CD playback function unit 334, the touch panel 310, and the central control unit 328, which have different configurations, are mainly described. To do.

  The radio function unit 332 executes a radio function of receiving radio broadcast and outputting from the speaker 128. The CD playback function unit 334 executes a CD playback function of playing a CD and outputting from the speaker 128. The control mode in which the radio function unit 332 functions is the radio mode, and the control mode in which the CD playback function unit 334 functions is the CD mode.

  The touch panel 310 transmits the position touched by the user to the touch panel control unit 342 described later by a principle unique to various systems such as a resistive film system, a surface acoustic wave system, an infrared system, and a capacitance system. Further, the surface that receives the operation input of the touch panel 310 has a detection area. A function performed by the electronic device is associated with the detection area.

  As in the first embodiment, the central control unit 328 is configured by a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), and controls the entire electronic device 300 according to an execution program. Further, the central control unit 328 switches between the radio mode and the CD mode in accordance with a user operation input, and assigns a function corresponding to the control mode to the detection area of the touch panel 310. Further, the central control unit 328 also functions as the light emission switching unit 140 and the touch panel control unit 342.

  When the touch panel control unit 342 detects a position where the user touches the touch panel 310, that is, a position where the user performs an operation input, the touch panel control unit 342 specifies a detection area including the position. The central control unit 328 specifies a corresponding function based on the detection area touched by the user and the current control mode. Then, the central control unit 328 causes each function unit such as the radio function unit 332 and the CD playback function unit 334 to execute the specified function.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display mode of the operation display unit 302 of the electronic device 300 according to the second embodiment. In particular, FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram briefly explaining the display mechanism of the operation display unit 302 of the electronic device 300, and FIGS. 9B and 9C are control modes of the operation display unit 302. It is another example of a display. Unlike the electronic device 100 in the first embodiment, in the electronic device 300, a touch panel 310 is superimposed on the front side of the operation display unit 302.

  For example, in FIG. 9A, when the current control mode is the CD mode in which the CD playback function unit 332 is functioning, the light emission switching unit 140 causes the blue light emitting diode 118 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122. Since the blue light emitted from the blue light emitting diode 118 is shielded by the long pass filter 114, the blue light leaking from the transmission window 112 on which the long pass filter 114 is not superimposed is displayed on the operation display unit 302 in FIG. 9B. As shown in FIG. 4, “previous music”, “next music”, “switch to Tuner”, “−”, “+” are displayed as specific information. When there is an input to the range 304 in the CD mode, the central control unit 328 switches from the CD mode to the radio mode. The specific information indicates the content of the function assigned to the detection area.

  When the current control mode is a radio mode in which the radio function unit 334 is functioning, the light emission switching unit 140 causes the red light emitting diode 120 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122. Since the red light emitted from the red light emitting diode 120 is shielded by the short pass filter 116, the red light leaking from the transmission window 112 on which the short pass filter 116 is not superimposed is displayed on the operation display unit 302 in FIG. As shown in c), “search PREV”, “search NEXT”, “switch to CD”, “−”, “+” are displayed as specific information. When there is an input to the range 304 in the radio mode, the central control unit 328 switches from the radio mode to the CD mode. As described above, when the control mode is changed, the light source that emits light is changed, and the function corresponding to the detection region is changed by the central control unit 328.

  When the touch panel control unit 342 detects a position where the user touches the touch panel 310, the touch panel control unit 342 specifies a detection area including the position. The central control unit 328 specifies a corresponding function based on the detection area touched by the user and the current control mode. Then, the central control unit 328 causes each function unit such as the CD playback function unit 332 and the radio function unit 334 to execute the specified function. For example, when the user touches a part of the detection area 306a of the touch panel 310 corresponding to the square range surrounding the “previous music” that is the specific information shown in FIG. The unit 342 specifies that the position touched by the user is included in the detection area 306 corresponding to the function of “previous music”. The central control unit 428 specifies a function corresponding to the detection area touched by the user and the current operation mode, and causes the CD playback function unit 332 to execute a function corresponding to “previous music”. That is, the CD playback function unit 332 plays the previous song of the currently played song from the beginning.

  As described above, the touch panel 310 and the operation display unit 302 that performs simple switching display are integrally configured, so that a simple control is not required and a complicated control mechanism is not used, and the operation is performed at low cost and only by touch. A touch panel type user input function capable of detecting input can be realized.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment described above, the electronic device 300 including the touch panel 310 has been described. However, in the third embodiment, the size of the detection area of the touch panel 310 corresponding to each function (over the entire surface of the touch panel 310) is further described. The electronic device 400 that can change the distribution of the detection area) and a light emitting method using the electronic device 400 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the electronic device 400 according to the third embodiment. The electronic device 400 includes an operation display unit 402 including a blue light emitting diode 118 and a red light emitting diode 120, a light emission switch unit 122, an operation unit 124, a display 126, a speaker 128, a touch panel 310, and a content playback function unit 434. And a power source (not shown) and a central control unit 428. The blue light emitting diode 118 and the red light emitting diode 120 included in the operation display unit 402, the light emission switch unit 122, the operation unit 124, the display 126, and the speaker 128, which have already been described as the components in the electronic devices 100 and 300 described above. Since the functions of the touch panel 310 and the power source are substantially the same, the repeated description is omitted. Here, the content reproduction function unit 434 and the central control unit 428 having different configurations will be mainly described. .

  The content reproduction function unit 434 executes a content reproduction function for reproducing content from a plurality of sources (information sources) such as a CD, an MD, and a cassette tape.

  Similar to the second embodiment, the central control unit 428 includes a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), and controls the entire electronic apparatus 400. Further, the central control unit 428 switches the control mode of the electronic device 400 between a simple mode for simple input and a detailed mode for detailed input in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit 124 by the user. Further, the central control unit 428 also functions as the light emission switching unit 140 and the touch panel control unit 442.

  As in the second embodiment, when the position where the user touches the touch panel 310 is detected, the touch panel control unit 442 specifies a detection area including the position. The central control unit 428 specifies a corresponding function based on the detection area touched by the user and the current control mode. Then, the central control unit 428 causes the content reproduction function unit 434 to execute the specified function. Furthermore, the touch panel control unit 442 is configured to switch the number of light-emitting diodes 118 and red light-emitting diodes 120 according to the switching of light emission, that is, according to the current control mode of the electronic device 400. Change at least one. In other words, the touch panel control unit 442 switches the distribution of detection areas in the entire surface of the touch panel 310 according to the current control mode of the electronic device 400.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display mode of the operation display unit 402 of the electronic device 400 according to the third embodiment. In particular, FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram briefly explaining the display mechanism of the operation display unit 402 of the electronic device 400, and FIGS. 11B and 11C are control modes of the operation display unit 402. It is another example of a display.

  In FIG. 11A, unlike the case of FIG. 9A, the electronic device 400 is not provided with the short pass filter 116. Further, the long pass filter 114 is arranged so as to overlap the character strings “RANDAM” and “SKIP” and the transmission window 112 of the portion 312 displayed as the boundary line in FIG. 11C.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11B, when the current control mode is a simple mode for simple input, the light emission switching unit 140 causes the blue light emitting diode 118 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122. Then, the long-pass filter 114 blocks the blue light of the character strings “RANDOM” and “SKIP” and the portion 312 displayed as the boundary line in FIG. 11C, and the “source” that is the specific information is displayed. The

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the current control mode is a detailed mode for detailed input, the light emission switching unit 140 causes the red light emitting diode 120 to emit light through the light emission switch unit 122. Unlike FIG. 9C, since the operation display unit 402 is not provided with the short pass filter 116, “SKIP”, “source” formed by the transmission window 112 without being blocked by red light. ”,“ RANDOM ”and a portion 312 indicating the boundary line are displayed.

  Further, in FIG. 11B, no matter where the touch panel 310 itself touches, the entire surface of the touch panel 310 is distributed as one detection area, and the touch panel control unit 442 Identifies that there was a user operation input to. The central control unit 428 specifies a corresponding function based on the detection area where the user's operation input is made and the current control mode. Then, the central control unit 428 causes the content reproduction function unit 434 to execute the specified function. In the simple mode, since the detection area of the touch panel 310 corresponding to one operation input is large, the operability is improved.

  Furthermore, when the touch panel control unit 442 is switched from the simple mode to the detailed mode in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit 124 by the user, as shown in FIG. 11C, the entire touch panel is displayed with “SKIP”, “RANDOM”. ”And“ source ”are distributed to the three detection areas 306b, 306c, and 306d.

  The touch panel control unit 442 specifies in which detection area the position where the user touches the touch panel 310 is included in the three detection areas 306b, 306c, and 306d of “SKIP”, “source”, and “RANDOM”. . The central control unit 428 specifies a function corresponding to the detection area touched by the user in the detailed mode, and causes the content reproduction function unit 434 to execute the function. In the detailed mode, one of the three options displayed on the operation display unit 402 is selected and a desired function is executed, so that the user can perform detailed operations.

  In this way, by configuring the touch panel 310 integrally with the operation display unit 402, switching of specific information according to the display mode and distribution of one or more detection areas within the entire touch panel 310 (the number of detection areas) , Size) can be linked to each other. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a touch panel type user input function corresponding to various detection areas at low cost without using a complicated control mechanism.

(Light emission method)
Next, a light emitting method using the electronic apparatus 400 in the above-described third embodiment will be described using a flowchart.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the light emitting method according to the third embodiment. When the power of the electronic device 400 is turned on, the light emission switching unit 140 determines whether or not the current control mode is the simple mode (S500). If the current control mode is the simple mode (YES in S500), the blue light emitting diode 118 is determined. Is caused to emit light (S502). Then, the touch panel control unit 442 distributes the entire surface of the touch panel 310 to one detection area (S504). In such a simple mode, only one function is selected, and all detection areas of the touch panel 310 correspond to functions corresponding to the specific information “source”. Subsequently, when there is a user operation input (YES in S506), the central control unit 428 executes a function corresponding to the detection area, here corresponding to the specific information “source”. That is, the source to be reproduced by the content reproduction function unit 434 is switched (S508).

  Further, when the current control mode is the detailed mode, that is, when the current control mode is not the simple mode (NO in S500), the light emission switching unit 140 causes the red light emitting diode 120 to emit light (S510). Then, the touch panel control unit 442 distributes the entire surface of the touch panel 310 to a plurality of detection areas 306b, 306c, and 306d as illustrated in FIG. (S512).

  Subsequently, when there is an operation input from the user (YES in S514), the touch panel control unit 442 causes the detection area 306b where the position where the user touches the touch panel 310 corresponds to the portion where the character string “SKIP” is displayed. (S516). If it is included in the detection area 306b (YES in S516), the central control unit 428 specifies a function corresponding to “SKIP” in the detailed mode, and skips the currently playing content to the content playback function unit 434. The next content is reproduced from the top (S518).

  When the position where the user touches is not included in the detection area 306b corresponding to the portion where the character string “SKIP” is displayed (NO in S516), the touch panel control unit 442 displays the character string “source”. It is determined whether it is included in the detection area 306c corresponding to the part (S520). When included in the detection area 306c (YES in S520), the central control unit 428 executes a function corresponding to “source”. That is, the source to be reproduced by the content reproduction function unit 434 is switched (S522).

  In such a detailed mode, the entire detection area of the touch panel 310 is divided into three, and the detection area assigned to one function becomes small, but the user's function options increase to three. The functions corresponding to the specific information “SKIP”, “source”, and “RANDOM” respectively correspond to the three detection areas 306b, 306c, and 306d.

  When the position indicated by the position detection information is not included in the detection area 306c of the portion where the character string “source” is displayed (NO in S520), the touch panel control unit 442 displays the portion where the character string “RANDOM” is displayed. The central control unit 428 causes the content playback function unit 434 to stop playback of the content and start playback of the randomly selected content (S524).

  When there is no operation input (NO in S506, NO in S514), or when a function associated with each detection area is executed (S508, S518, S522, S524), the process returns to the control mode determination step (S500). Such processing is repeatedly executed every predetermined time.

  As described above, in the light emitting method using the electronic device 400, a plurality of display modes are switched and displayed while reducing the cost with a simple configuration, and the detection area and the touch panel 310 are linked to the displayed display content. It is possible to change the distribution of the detection area in the entire surface.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the electronic device of the above-described embodiment, one or two filters and two light emitting units are used, but three or more filters and light emitting units may be arranged. With this configuration, three or more pieces of specific information can be switched and displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an electronic device is provided with an operation unit and a touch panel has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the electronic device is a simple sign, for example, “opening” or “closing” of a store. Alternatively, the display may be switched, or the vacant state of the parking lot may be switched and displayed as “empty” or “full”.

  Note that each step in the light emitting method of the present specification does not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

  The present invention can be used for an electronic device that visually presents information through light emission.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Electronic device 110 ... Light-shielding panel 112 ... Transmission window 114 ... Long pass filter 116 ... Short pass filter 118 ... Blue light emitting diode 120 ... Red light emitting diode 122 ... Light emission switch part 140 ... Light emission switching part 310 ... Touch panel 328, 428 ... Central control Units 342, 442 ... Touch panel control unit

Claims (7)

A first light emitting unit that emits first visible light that is visible light having a predetermined wavelength;
A second light emitting unit that emits second visible light that is visible light having a wavelength different from that of the first visible light;
A light-shielding panel provided with a transmissive window that transmits the first visible light and the second visible light on a light-shielding surface that shields the first visible light and the second visible light;
A first filter that covers a part of the transmission window, transmits the second visible light, and shields the first visible light;
A light emission switching unit that emits light from either the first light emitting unit or the second light emitting unit;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first filter is a long-pass filter that blocks visible light having a wavelength of less than 500 nm.   3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a second filter that covers a part of the transmission window, transmits the first visible light, and shields the second visible light. 4.   The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the second filter is a short-pass filter that blocks visible light having a wavelength of 500 nm or more. A touch panel arranged corresponding to the light-shielding panel and having one or a plurality of detection areas;
A central control unit that assigns functions to the detection area;
When an operation input is performed on the touch panel, a touch panel control unit that identifies a detection area including a position where the operation input is performed, and
5. The function according to claim 1, wherein the central control unit changes a function assigned to the detection area in accordance with the light emission switching unit switching between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. The electronic device according to any one of the above.   6. The touch panel control unit changes at least one of the number or size of the detection areas in accordance with switching between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. The electronic device according to any one of the above.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light emitting unit is a blue light emitting diode, and the second light emitting unit is a red light emitting diode.

Images