JP3788838B2 - Portable information device having wireless communication function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information device having a function as a mobile phone, a wireless device, and an electronic notebook.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Portable information devices such as electronic notebooks that manage personal information are designed with a size that can be accommodated in a suit pocket because portability is important. This main portable information device has a flat box-shaped casing, and a liquid crystal display device is accommodated in the casing. The liquid crystal display device has a display surface for displaying personal information such as an address, a schedule, or a calendar.
[0003]
In a conventional portable information device, a handwriting input method using a pen is adopted in order to realize easy-to-use operability. In order to realize this handwriting input, a tablet is placed on the display surface of the liquid crystal display device. The tablet has a glass input surface, and the input surface is exposed on the upper surface of the casing. On the input surface, an operation system including various icons for switching the power ON / OFF, function, and display mode is arranged. For this reason, various editing or input operations can be performed by pressing a desired icon on the input surface with a pen or inputting information such as characters and figures in a predetermined area on the input surface. Yes.
[0004]
Conventional portable information devices include a protective cover for preventing scratches and dirt on the input surface. The protective cover is made of an opaque synthetic resin material and has approximately the same size as the input surface. The protective cover is supported by the casing so as to be rotatable between a first position that covers the input surface and a second position that exposes the input surface. Therefore, the input operation with the pen is performed in a state where the protective cover is rotated from the first position toward the second position and the input surface is exposed to the outside of the housing.
[0005]
By the way, in such portable information devices, recently, products having built-in wireless communication means and enhanced communication functions have been developed. This wireless communication means has a communication antenna, a microphone, and a receiver. The microphone and the receiver are arranged on both sides of the input surface on the upper surface of the housing, and are covered with the protective cover even when the protective cover is rotated to the first position. Without being exposed on the upper surface of the casing.
[0006]
An icon for operating the wireless communication means is arranged on the input surface. Therefore, when a communication icon is pressed with a pen, the wireless communication means is activated, and the portable information device can be used as a mobile phone or a wireless device.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the conventional portable information device, the protective cover for protecting the input surface is made of an opaque synthetic resin material. For this reason, in a state where the protective cover is rotated to the first position, the input surface is covered with the protective cover, and information displayed on the input surface cannot be seen.
[0008]
Therefore, in order to view the information displayed on the input surface, it is necessary to rotate the protective cover from the first position to the second position each time to expose the input surface to the outside of the housing. As a result, the protective cover may interfere with viewing information displayed on the input surface, and there is still room for improvement in improving the operability.
[0011]
  The object of the present invention is to realize easy-to-use operability by allowing the user to see information displayed on the display surface without moving the cover to the second position.The hinge unit can be removed from the housing and cover by simply sliding the slider.It is to obtain a portable information device.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a portable information device according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
  TopAnd bottomA housing having
  A display unit that is contained in the housing and includes a display surface of information exposed on the upper surface;
  Radio communication means housed in the housing and having a communication antenna, a microphone and a receiver;
  A cover having a transparent window facing the display surface;
  A hinge unit that movably supports the cover on the housing,
  The microphone and the receiver of the wireless communication means are arranged on both sides of the display surface on the upper surface of the housing.As, Exposed on the upper surface of the housing without being covered by the coverLikeArranged,
  The cover is movable over a first position that covers the display surface, a second position that exposes the display surface, and a third position that overlaps the lower surface of the housing. A portable electronic device in which the window portion of the cover faces the display surface when moved to the position of
    The hinge unit is
      (i) A hinge case having first and second end walls;
      (ii) First and second protrusions projecting from the first end wall of the hinge case and rotatably fitted in the housing and the cover, respectively;
      (iii) A slider having first and second shaft portions accommodated in the hinge case and coaxial with the first and second convex portions,
      The slider has a first slide position in which the first and second shaft portions pass through the second end wall of the hinge case and are rotatably fitted to the housing and the cover, respectively. The first and second shaft portions are supported by the hinge case so as to be slidable over a second slide position retracted inside the hinge case so as to be detached from the housing and the cover, and the slider is By slid to the second slide position, the connection between the hinge unit and the housing and the hinge unit and the cover is released.It is characterized by.
[0013]
  In the portable information device having such a configuration, when the cover is moved to the first position, the display surface is covered by the cover. At this time, since the transparent window portion of the cover faces the display surface, the display surface can be exposed to the outside of the casing through the window portion.
  As a result, the information displayed on the display surface can be confirmed and browsed without moving the cover to the second position, and the usability of the device is improved.
  Further, by sliding the slider from the first slide position to the second slide position, the hinge unit can be easily removed from the cover or the housing.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings applied to an electronic notebook for managing personal information.
FIG. 1 shows an electronic notebook 1 equipped with a wireless communication function. The electronic notebook 1 includes a casing 2 made of synthetic resin. The housing 2 has a flat box shape having a long axis A extending in the width direction (left-right direction) of the electronic notebook 1 and a short axis B extending in the depth direction. The housing 2 is formed in a size that can be accommodated in a pocket of a suit.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, the housing 2 includes a bottom wall 3, a top wall 4 that faces the bottom wall 3, and left and right side walls 5 a and 5 b that are connected to the bottom wall 3 and the top wall 4. , A front wall 6 and a rear wall 7.
[0024]
The housing 2 includes a base 10 and a base cover 11 connected to the base 10. The base 10 includes the bottom wall 3 and a peripheral wall 10 a that is continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 3. The bottom surface of the bottom wall 3 is a flat surface without unevenness. The base cover 11 includes the upper wall 4 and a peripheral wall 11 a that is continuous with the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 4. The base 10 and the base cover 11 are coupled through a plurality of screws 12. By this connection, the peripheral walls 10a and 11a are continuous with each other, and constitute side walls 5a and 5b, a front wall 6 and a rear wall 7 of the housing 2.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, the upper wall 4 of the housing 2 has a rectangular opening 13. The opening 13 has a rectangular shape extending in the direction of the long axis A of the housing 2. The upper wall 4 of the housing 2 has a left end 4 a located on the left side of the opening 13 and a right end 4 b located on the right side of the opening 13. The left end 4a and the right end 4b of the upper wall 4 each have a flat upper surface. The left end portion 4 a of the upper wall 4 projects slightly upward from the right end portion 4 b of the upper wall 4.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, a battery accommodating portion 14 is formed at the left end portion of the base 10. The battery accommodating portion 14 is configured by a recess that continuously opens to the bottom wall 3, the left side wall 5 a, and the front wall 6 of the housing 2. A battery pack 15 serving as a power source for driving the electronic notebook 1 is detachably accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 14. The battery pack 15 is covered with a first battery cover 16. The first battery cover 16 is detachably supported by the base 10.
[0027]
A first lock lever 17 is disposed on the bottom wall 3 of the base 10. The first lock lever 17 is used to lock the first battery cover 16 to the base 10 and is exposed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 3. The first lock lever 17 is supported by the bottom wall 3 so as to be slidable between a lock position where the first lock lever 17 is engaged with the first battery cover 16 and a lock release position where the first lock lever 17 is detached from the first battery cover 16. ing.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a frame 18 made of synthetic resin is accommodated inside the housing 2. The frame 18 has such a size that the frame 18 fits inside the base cover 11 exactly. The frame 18 is fixed to the base cover 11 via a single screw 19.
[0029]
The frame 18 includes a lower surface 18 a facing the bottom wall 3 of the base 10 and an upper surface 18 b facing the upper wall 4 of the base cover 11. A main circuit board 20 is supported on a lower surface 18 a of the frame 18 via a pair of screws 21. The circuit board 20 has a front edge portion along the front wall 6 of the housing 2, a rear edge portion along the rear wall 7 of the housing 2, and a side edge portion along the right side wall 5 b of the housing 2. ing.
[0030]
An earphone jack 22 as shown in FIG. 13 is mounted on the front end of the lower surface 18 a of the circuit board 20. The earphone jack 22 is removably connected to the plug 23 a of the earphone 23, and is exposed on the front wall 6 of the housing 2.
[0031]
An interface connector 25 to which an RS232C standard cable 24 is connected, a power connector 27 to which a plug 26 for charging the battery pack 15 is connected, and an infrared communication connector are connected to the rear end of the lower surface 18a of the circuit board 20. The light emitting unit 28 is mounted. The connectors 25 and 27 and the light emitting unit 28 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the housing 2 and are exposed to the outside through the rear wall 7 of the housing 2. The peripheral wall 10a of the base 10 constituting the rear wall 7 supports a pair of connector covers 29a and 29b that covers the interface connector 25 and the power connector 27 so as to be openable and closable, and a cover 30 that covers the light emitting unit 28. Yes.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 9, a card housing portion 31 is formed inside the housing 2. The card accommodating portion 31 is formed between the lower surface of the circuit board 20 and the bottom wall 3 of the base 10 and is located at the right end portion of the casing 2. The card storage unit 31 includes a card slot 32. The card slot 32 is opened in the peripheral wall 10 b on the right side of the base 10. The base 10 supports a card cover 33 that opens and closes the card slot 32.
[0033]
The card housing unit 31 is equipped with a solid state floppy disk system for memory. This solid state floppy disk system includes a solid state floppy disk card 35 (hereinafter referred to as SSFDC) as a card-type electronic component and a card adapter 36 to which the SSFDC 35 is detachably connected.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 1, the SSFDC 35 has a base card 37 made of a synthetic resin having a rectangular shape. The base card 37 has dimensions of a width of 37 mm, a length of 45 mm, and a thickness of 0.82 mm, and is much smaller than a normal PCMCIA card.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 12, the base card 37 has a recess 37a in the front half thereof. The recess 37a accommodates a batch erase type EEPROM, so-called flash memory 38. The flash memory 38 has a plurality of contact terminals 39 for reading and writing information. These contact terminals 39 are exposed on the surface of the base card 37 and are located on substantially the same plane as this surface. A circular seal 40 having a write-inhibiting function is affixed to the surface of the base card 37. The seal 40 has both conductivity and light reflectivity.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 13, the card adapter 36 is mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 20. The card adapter 36 faces the card slot 32. The card adapter 36 has a groove-like insertion port 41 into which the SSFDC 35 is inserted. Inside the insertion port 41, a plurality of contact pins (not shown) that contact the contact terminals 39 of the SSFDC 35 and a pair of short-circuit pins (not shown) that contact the seal 40 of the SSFDC 35 are arranged. The contact pin is electrically connected to a writing / reading circuit on the circuit board 20. The short-circuit pin is electrically connected to a write inhibit circuit on the circuit board 20.
[0037]
The card adapter 36 is equipped with an ejector 42 for discharging the SSFDC 35. The ejector 42 includes a pressing piece 43 that is inserted into the insertion port 41. The pressing piece 43 is inserted into the insertion port 41 from the side opposite to the card slot 32 and is in contact with the insertion tip of the SSFDC 35. When the SSFDC 35 is inserted into the insertion slot 41, the ejector 42 has a first position (see FIG. 10) pushed out from the insertion slot 41 by the SSFDC 35 and a second position that presses the SSFDC 35 toward the card slot 32. The card adapter 36 is slidably supported over a position (see FIG. 11).
[0038]
The ejector 42 is adjacent to the bottom wall 3 of the base 10. An operation lever 45 is disposed on the bottom wall 3. The operation lever 45 has a finger hook portion 45 a exposed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 3, and one end portion of the operation lever 45 is in contact with the ejector 42. For this reason, the operation lever 45 is slidable between the first slide position where the ejector 42 is slid to the first position and the second slide position where the ejector 42 is slid to the second position. It is supported by.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2, a second lock lever 47 is disposed on the bottom wall 3 of the housing 2. The second lock lever 47 is for locking the operation lever 45 in the first position, and is exposed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 3. The second lock lever 47 has a lock position that engages with the operation lever 45 when the operation lever 45 is slid to the first position and a lock release position that is disengaged from the operation lever 45. The bottom wall 3 is slidably supported.
[0040]
For this reason, when the second lock lever 47 is slid to the unlock position, the engagement between the second lock lever 47 and the operation lever 45 is released, and the operation lever 45 is moved from the first position to the second position. Can be slid toward. With the slide of the operation lever 45, the SSFDC 35 is pushed out from the insertion port 41 of the card adapter 36 and is discharged out of the housing 2 through the card slot 32.
[0041]
When pushing out the SSFDC 35 from the insertion port 41 of the card adapter 36, if the electrical connection between the SSFDC 35 and the writing / reading circuit on the circuit board 20 is not released, the information stored in the SSFDC 35 is erased or destroyed. It is possible that Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the second lock lever 47 is provided with a function as a switch for turning on / off the electrical connection between the SSFDC 35 and the writing / reading circuit.
[0042]
That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the circuit board 20 has a pair of conduction patterns 49 a and 49 b in a portion facing the second lock lever 47. The conductive patterns 49 a and 49 b are connected to the write / read circuit and the contact pins of the card adapter 36. These conduction patterns 49a and 49b are arranged at intervals in the sliding direction of the second lock lever 47 and are electrically insulated from each other.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3, a metal contact piece 50 is attached to the second lock lever 47. The contact piece 50 contacts the conductive patterns 49a and 49b when the second lock lever 47 is slid to the locked position, and electrically connects the conductive patterns 49a and 49b. Therefore, as long as the second lock lever 47 is slid to the lock position, the SSFDC 35 and the write / read circuit are maintained in an electrically connected state.
[0044]
When the SSFDC 35 is ejected from the card adapter 36, the contact piece 50 is detached from the conductive patterns 49a and 49b when the second lock lever 47 is slid from the lock position to the lock release position. For this reason, the electrical connection between the SSFDC 35 and the writing / reading circuit is automatically released, and erasure or destruction of information stored in the SSFDC 35 is prevented.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 13, a battery connector 53 to which the battery pack 15 is detachably connected is mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 20. The battery connector 53 is electrically connected to a power supply circuit on the circuit board 20.
[0046]
When removing the battery pack 15 from the battery housing part 15, it is necessary to release the electrical connection between the battery pack 15 and the power supply circuit. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the first lock lever 17 is provided with a function as a switch for turning on / off the electrical connection between the battery pack 15 and the power supply circuit.
[0047]
That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the circuit board 20 has a pair of conductive patterns 54 a and 54 b in a portion facing the first lock lever 17. The conductive patterns 54 a and 54 b are electrically connected to the power supply circuit and the battery connector 53. These conduction patterns 54a and 54b are arranged at intervals in the sliding direction of the first lock lever 17, and are electrically insulated from each other.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3, a metal contact piece 55 is attached to the first lock lever 17. The contact piece 55 contacts the conductive patterns 54a and 54b when the first lock lever 17 is slid to the locked position, and electrically connects the conductive patterns 54a and 54b.
[0049]
Therefore, as long as the first lock lever 17 is slid to the lock position, the battery connector 53 and the power supply circuit are maintained in an electrically connected state.
[0050]
When the first lock lever 17 is slid from the locked position to the unlocked position when the battery pack 15 is taken out from the battery accommodating portion 14, the contact piece 55 is detached from the conductive patterns 54a and 54b. Therefore, the electrical connection between the battery pack 15 and the power supply circuit is automatically released.
[0051]
The bottom wall 3 of the base 10 is provided with a second battery cover 56 for holding a backup memory battery (not shown) and a reset button 57 for clearing all stored information. ing.
[0052]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a touch panel type position information input device 60 is disposed on the upper surface 18 b of the frame 18. The input device 60 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 61 as a display unit and a pressure-sensitive tablet 62.
[0053]
The LCD 61 has a flat rectangular plate shape. The LCD 61 has a display surface 63 for displaying personal information such as a schedule, an address, and a calendar. A flexible wiring board 61a is connected to the LCD 61. The wiring board 61 a is guided to the upper surface of the circuit board 20 through the frame 18. The front end of the wiring board 61 a is connected to the LCD connector 64 on the upper surface of the circuit board 20.
[0054]
The tablet 62 is overlaid on the display surface 63 of the LCD 61. The tablet 62 has a transparent input surface 65 for inputting position information by handwriting. The input surface 65 faces the display surface 63, and personal information on the display surface 63 is displayed on the input surface 65. The input surface 65 and the display surface 64 have a slightly larger shape than the opening 13 of the base cover 11, and the input surface 65 is exposed to the outside of the housing 2 through the opening 13. Yes.
[0055]
Various icons 66 for switching functions and display modes are arranged on the input surface 65. The icons 66 are arranged in two rows in the depth direction of the housing 2 at the left end portion of the input surface 65. Therefore, when a desired icon 66 on the input surface 65 is pressed with the stylus pen 67, a menu corresponding to the icon 66 is activated, and various editing or input operations can be performed.
As shown in FIG. 8, an engagement claw 70 is formed on the right edge of the tablet 62. The engaging claw 70 is locked in the engaging hole 71 of the frame 18. For this reason, the tablet 62 sandwiches the LCD 61 in cooperation with the upper surface 18 b of the frame 18, whereby the LCD 61 and the tablet 62 are supported by the frame 18.
[0056]
A switch substrate 74 is disposed on the right end portion of the upper surface 18 b of the frame 18. The switch board 74 is held on the upper surface 18 b of the frame 18 through the engagement claw 70. A flexible rubber sheet 75 is overlaid on the upper surface of the switch board 74. On the upper surface of the rubber sheet 75, a power switch button 76, four cursor switch buttons 77, a telephone switch button 78, a call switch button 79, and an end switch button 80 are arranged. These switch buttons 76 to 80 are electrically connected to the switch board 74.
[0057]
The power switch button 76 is used to turn on / off the power of the electronic notebook 1. The cursor switch button 77 is for scrolling personal information such as an address and schedule displayed on the input screen 65 and is linked to a cursor displayed on the input screen 65. These cursor switch buttons 77 are covered with one cursor operation element 81. The telephone switch button 78 is used to operate the electronic notebook 1 when it is used as a mobile phone or a wireless device. The call switch button 79 is operated when starting a call, and the end switch button 80 is operated when ending the call.
[0058]
A flexible wiring board 83 is connected to the switch board 74. The wiring board 83 is guided to the upper surface of the circuit board 20 through the frame 18, and the tip of the wiring board 81 is connected to the board connector 84 on the upper surface of the circuit board 20.
[0059]
The various switch buttons 76, 78 to 80 and the cursor operator 81 face the right end 4 b of the upper wall 4 of the housing 2. A plurality of through holes 85 are opened at the right end of the upper wall 4, and the various switch buttons 76, 78 to 80 and the cursor operator 81 are connected to the right end 4 b of the upper wall 4 through the through holes 85. Exposed.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 3, a pen housing portion 86 for housing the stylus pen 67 so as to be removable is formed inside the base 10. The pen housing portion 86 extends in the width direction along the front wall 6 of the housing 2. The pen housing portion 86 is opened at a corner defined by the front wall 6 of the housing 2 and the right side wall 5b.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 13, the electronic notebook 1 is equipped with a wireless communication means that functions as a mobile phone and a wireless device. The wireless communication means includes a wireless communication unit 90, a communication antenna unit 91, a call microphone 92 and a receiver 93.
[0062]
The wireless communication unit 90 has a high frequency substrate 95. The high frequency board 95 is connected to the lower surface of the circuit board 20 via a stacking connector 96. A spacer 97 is interposed between the high-frequency board 95 and the circuit board 20. The spacer 97 is supported on the high-frequency substrate 95 via screws 98.
[0063]
The antenna unit 91 includes a cylindrical mast 100 and an antenna rod 101 supported by the mast 100 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The antenna unit 91 is housed inside the housing 2 along the rear wall 7 of the housing 2 and extends in the width direction of the housing 2. The mast 100 of the antenna unit 91 is fitted to the rear end portion of the base cover 11.
[0064]
The antenna rod 101 can extend and contract between a use position where the antenna rod 101 is pulled out of the housing 2 and a storage position where the antenna rod 101 is stored inside the housing 2. A large-diameter antenna head 101 a that also serves as a stopper is attached to the tip of the antenna rod 101. The antenna head 101a protrudes to the left side of the housing 2 even when the antenna rod 101 is retracted to the storage position.
[0065]
The antenna unit 91 is connected to the high-frequency substrate 95 via the connection cable 102. Therefore, the antenna unit 91 is electrically connected to the wireless communication unit 90.
[0066]
The telephone microphone 92 is supported on the upper surface of the circuit board 20 and faces the back surface of the right end portion 4b of the upper wall 4. A plurality of through holes 105 connected to the microphone 92 are opened at the right end portion 4 b of the upper wall 4, and the microphone 92 is exposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 4 through the through holes 105.
[0067]
The call receiver 93 is held on the back surface of the left end 4 a of the upper wall 4. The receiver 93 is adjacent to the antenna head 101a. A plurality of sound emission holes 106 connected to the receiver 93 are opened at the left end portion 4 a of the upper wall 4, and the receiver 93 is exposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 4 through the sound emission holes 106. The receiver 93 is connected to the circuit board 20 via a cable (not shown).
[0068]
Accordingly, the microphone 92 and the receiver 93 are arranged on the upper surface of the upper wall 4 so as to be distributed on both the left and right sides of the input surface 65.
Note that a telephone standby switch button 107 when the electronic notebook 1 is used as a mobile phone is disposed on the right side wall 5b of the casing 2 adjacent to the cursor operator 81. The switch button 107 is connected to a standby switch (not shown) supported on the upper surface of the circuit board 20.
[0069]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, the housing 2 includes a protective cover 109 that prevents the input surface 65 from being dirty or scratched. The protective cover 109 has a flat plate shape that is large enough to cover the opening 13 of the base cover 11. The protective cover 109 is supported by the base cover 11 via a synthetic resin hinge unit 110.
[0070]
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the hinge unit 110 includes a hinge case 111 and a slider 112 accommodated in the hinge case 111. The hinge case 111 is divided into a hinge base 113 and a hinge cover 114.
[0071]
The hinge base 113 has a rectangular plate shape extending in the width direction of the housing 2. First and second end walls 115 a and 115 b are integrally formed at both ends of the hinge base 113.
[0072]
The 1st end wall 115a has the 1st and 2nd convex parts 116a and 116b which make a column shape. The first and second convex portions 116a and 116b protrude from the outer surface of the first end wall 115a, and the first and second convex portions 116a and 116b are arranged apart from each other. .
[0073]
The second end wall 115b has a pair of insertion holes 117a and 117b. The insertion holes 117a and 117b are disposed on the axes of the first and second convex portions 116a and 116b, and face the first and second convex portions 116a and 116b.
[0074]
The hinge base 113 includes a guide wall 119. The guide wall 119 is located between the first end wall 115a and the second end wall 115b. The guide wall 119 has a pair of guide surfaces 120a and 120b extending in the longitudinal direction of the hinge base 113 and a pair of recesses 121a and 121b. The recesses 121 a and 121 b are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the hinge base 113.
[0075]
The hinge cover 114 is detachably fitted between the first and second end walls 115 a and 115 b of the hinge base 113. An opening 123 is formed at a substantially central portion of the hinge cover 114.
[0076]
The slider 112 is sandwiched between the hinge base 113 and the hinge cover 114. The slider 112 includes first and second shaft portions 125a and 125b, and a plate-like connecting portion 126 straddling between the shaft portions 125a and 125b. The first and second shaft portions 125a and 125b extend along the longitudinal direction of the hinge base 113 and are arranged in parallel to each other.
[0077]
The slider 112 is held on the hinge base 113. The guide wall 119 of the hinge base 113 is disposed between the first and second shaft portions 125a and 125b, and the first and second shaft portions 125a are disposed on the guide surfaces 120a and 120b of the guide wall 119. 125b are slidably in contact with each other.
[0078]
One end portions of the first and second shaft portions 125 a and 125 b are introduced into the insertion holes 117 a and 117 b of the hinge base 113. The first and second shaft portions 125a and 125b and the convex portions 116a and 116b are coaxially positioned. As shown in FIG. 18, the slider 112 includes a first slide position where the first and second shaft portions 125a and 125b protrude outward from the hinge case 111, and a first slide position as shown in FIG. The first and second shaft portions 125 a and 125 b are supported by the hinge case 111 so as to be slidable over a second slide position where the first and second shaft portions 125 a and 125 b are retracted inside the hinge case 111.
[0079]
The connecting part 126 of the slider 112 includes a finger hooking part 128. The finger hook 128 is for sliding the slider 112 to the first slide position or the second slide position, and is exposed to the outside of the hinge case 111 through the opening 123 of the hinge cover 114.
[0080]
In addition, a lever portion 130 that can be elastically deformed is integrally formed with the connecting portion 126 of the slider 112. An engaging convex portion 131 is formed at the tip of the lever portion 130. When the slider 112 is slid to the first slide position or the second slide position, the engagement protrusion 131 is elastically engaged with any one of the recesses 121a or 121b of the guide wall 119. By this engagement, the slider 112 is held at the first and second slide positions, and a sense of moderation can be obtained during the slide operation.
[0081]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rear end portion of the protective cover 109 and the rear wall 7 of the housing 20 have recesses 135a and 135b into which the hinge case 111 is fitted, respectively. These recesses 135a and 135b communicate with each other.
[0082]
A pair of fitting holes 136a and 136b as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are formed on the inner surface of the recess 135a of the protective cover 109. The fitting holes 136a and 136b face each other in the width direction of the protective cover 109, and the first convex portion 116a and the first shaft portion 125a of the hinge unit 110 rotate in the fitting holes 136a and 136b, respectively. It can be fitted.
[0083]
A pair of fitting holes 137 a and 137 b are formed on the inner surface of the recess 135 b of the housing 2. The fitting holes 137 a and 137 b are formed in the base cover 11. The fitting holes 137a and 137b face each other in the width direction of the housing 2, and the second convex portion 116b and the second shaft portion 125b of the hinge unit 110 rotate in the fitting holes 137a and 137b, respectively. It can be fitted.
[0084]
  Therefore, the protective cover 109 has the input surface of the housing 2 with the first convex portion 116a and the first shaft portion 125a as fulcrums in a state where the hinge case 111 is fitted in the concave portions 135a and 135b. It is supported by the base cover 11 of the housing 2 so as to be rotatable over a first position that covers 65 and a second position that exposes the input surface 65.
  At the same time, when the hinge case 111 is pulled out from the recesses 135a and 135b, the hinge case 111 itself rotates around the second convex portion 116b and the second shaft portion 125b. Therefore, the protective cover 109 isthe aboveThe second convex portion 116b and the second shaft portion 125b as a fulcrum, the housing from the second position2Is supported by the base cover 11 of the housing 2 so as to be rotatable toward a third position that is reversed to the bottom wall 3 side of the housing 2.
[0085]
  In a state where the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position, the protective cover 109 is positioned between the left end 4a and the right end 4b of the upper wall 4 of the base cover 11. Therefore, it was arranged on the upper surface of the upper wall 4Power supplySwitch button 76, telephone switch button 78, call switch button 79,FinishThe switch button 80, the cursor operator 81, the call microphone 92, and the receiver 93 are covered with the protective cover 109.Not alwaysIt is exposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 4. The left end portion of the protective cover 109 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the left end portion 4a of the upper wall 4.ShiThe sense of unity between the protective cover 109 and the housing 2 is enhanced.
[0086]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the third position, the protective cover 109 is within the range of the bottom wall 3 of the housing 2. It is overlaid on the lower surface. Since the bottom surface of the bottom wall 3 is a flat surface without unevenness, the protective cover 109 does not float from the bottom surface of the bottom wall 3 and is in close contact with the bottom surface of the bottom wall 3.
[0087]
In order to connect the hinge unit 110 to the protective cover 109 and the housing 2, first, a fingertip is hooked on the finger hook portion 128 of the slider 112, and the slider 112 is slid to the second slide position.
[0088]
Next, the hinge case 111 of the hinge unit 110 is fitted into the concave portion 135a of the protective cover 109 and the concave portion 135b of the housing 2, and the first convex portion 116a is inserted into the fitting hole 136b of the protective cover 109, and the second The convex portion 116 b is inserted into the fitting hole 137 b of the housing 2. In this state, the slider 112 is slid from the second slide position to the first slide position. By this sliding, the first and second shaft portions 125a and 125b enter the fitting hole 136a of the protective cover 109 and the fitting hole 137a of the casing 2, respectively, and the casing 2 and the protective cover are interposed via the hinge unit 110. 109 is rotatably connected.
[0089]
If the slider 112 is slid from the first slide position to the second slide position in a state where the housing 2 and the protective cover 109 are connected, the first and second shaft portions 125a of the slider 112, 125 b separates from the fitting hole 136 a of the protective cover 109 and the fitting hole 137 a of the housing 2. Therefore, the connection between the hinge unit 110 and the housing 2 and the protective cover 109 is released, and the hinge unit 110 can be removed from the recesses 135a and 135b of the housing 2 and the protective cover 109.
[0090]
By the way, the protective cover 109 that protects the input surface 65 of the housing 2 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material. The protective cover 109 has an opaque shielding portion 140 that is continuously coated in the circumferential direction on the peripheral portion thereof. A portion surrounded by the shielding part 140 is a transparent window part 141, and the window part 141 has a shape slightly smaller than the input surface 65.
[0091]
The window portion 141 faces the input surface 65 in a state where the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position. Therefore, even if the input surface 65 is covered with the protective cover 109, the input surface 65 is exposed to the outside of the housing 2 through the window portion 141.
[0092]
In this case, since the window portion 141 is slightly smaller than the input surface 65, the left end portion of the input surface 65 is separated from the window portion 141. An icon 66 arranged at the left end portion of the input surface 65 faces the shielding unit 140. Therefore, in a state where the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position, the icon 66 is covered with the shielding part 140.
[0093]
As shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface of the window portion 141 of the protective cover 109 is curved so as to project in an arc shape, and the window portion 141 itself has a convex lens-like cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when the input surface 65 is viewed through the window 141, personal information such as an address displayed on the input surface 65 is enlarged.
[0094]
As shown in FIG. 5, a magnet 145 as a holding unit is attached to the front end portion of the upper wall 4 of the base cover 11 that is continuous with the opening 13. The magnet 145 faces the shielding part 140 of the protective cover 109 when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position, and a sheet 146 made of a magnetic material is provided on the shielding part 140. It is attached. Therefore, when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position, the sheet 146 is attracted to the magnet 145 and the protective cover 109 is held at the first position.
[0095]
Therefore, rattling of the protective cover 109 and inadvertent rotation of the protective cover 109 are prevented.
As is clear from FIG. 4, the front wall 6 of the housing 2 projects forward in a smooth arc as it proceeds from the center along the width direction of the housing 2 to the left. For this reason, the depth dimension of the housing 2 is larger at the left end portion on the receiver 93 side than on the right end portion on the microphone 92 side. As a result, when the housing 2 is gripped with the receiver 93 facing upward, the housing 2 is easily gripped, and the housing 2 is less likely to fall out of the hand.
[0096]
The electronic notebook 1 having such a configuration is assembled according to the following procedure.
As shown in FIG. 13, the base cover 11 is turned over, and the mast 100 of the antenna unit 91 is fitted into the rear end portion of the base cover 11. Then, the rubber sheet 75 and the cursor operation element 81 are superimposed on the inner surface of the left end portion 4a of the base cover 11, and various switch buttons 76 and 78 to 80 held by the cursor operation element 81 and the rubber sheet 75 are passed through. It is located in the hole 105.
[0097]
Next, the LCD 61 and the tablet 62 are superposed on the upper surface 18 b of the frame 18, and the engaging claw 70 of the tablet 62 is hooked on the engaging hole 71 of the frame 18. As a result, the LCD 61 and the tablet 62 are temporarily fixed to the frame 18. When the LCD 61 is placed on the upper surface 18 b of the frame 18, the wiring board 61 a of the LCD 61 is led through the frame 18 and guided below the frame 18. Similarly, a wiring board 83 is connected to the switch board 74 in advance, and the wiring board 83 is passed through the frame 18 and guided below the frame 18. In this state, the frame 18 is fitted inside the base cover 11 and fixed to the base cover 11 via the screws 19.
[0098]
Next, the wiring board 61 a of the LCD 61 is connected to the LCD connector 64 of the circuit board 20, and the wiring board 83 of the switch board 74 is connected to the board connector 84 of the circuit board 20. Thereafter, the circuit board 20 is superposed on the lower surface 18 a of the frame 18 and fixed to the frame 18 via screws 21.
[0099]
When the frame 18 and the circuit board 20 are fixed to the base cover 11, the standby button 107 is attached to the base cover 11, and the standby button 107 is connected to the standby switch of the circuit board 20.
[0100]
Next, the spacer 97 is attached to the high-frequency board 95 of the wireless communication unit 90 via the screw 98. Then, the stacking connector 96 of the high-frequency board 95 is connected to the lower surface of the circuit board 20 to electrically connect the wireless communication unit 90 and the circuit board 20. Thereafter, the connection cable 102 of the antenna unit 91 is connected to the high frequency board 95 of the wireless communication unit 90.
[0101]
Next, the receiver 93 is fitted into the inner surface of the right end portion 4 b of the base cover 11, and the cable of the receiver 93 is connected to the circuit board 20. In this state, the base 10 is put on the base cover 11, and the base 10 and the base cover 11 are coupled to each other via the screws 12. Finally, the battery pack 15 is attached to the battery accommodating portion 14 of the base 10, and the first battery cover 16 is attached to the base 10, thereby completing the assembly of the electronic notebook 1.
[0102]
In the electronic notebook 1 having such a configuration, in order to input and edit information, the protective cover 109 is rotated from the first position to the second position or the third position, and the input surface of the housing 2 is moved. 65 is directly exposed to the outside. Then, a desired icon 66 on the input surface 65 is pressed with the stylus pen 67, or information such as characters and figures is directly input to the input surface 65 using the stylus pen 67.
[0103]
On the other hand, in order to use the electronic notebook 1 as a mobile phone or a wireless device, the antenna rod 101 is pulled from the storage position to the use position so that radio waves can be sufficiently transmitted and received. At this time, even if the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position, the transparent window 141 of the protective cover 109 faces the input surface 65, so that the input surface 65 passes through the window 141. Exposed to the outside.
[0104]
When making a call, the power switch button 76 and the telephone switch button 78 are pressed with a fingertip, and the name, telephone number, and other information of the other party stored in the electronic notebook 1 are displayed on the input surface 65. Then, by operating the cursor operator 81 with a fingertip, the information displayed on the input surface 65 is scrolled to select desired information. When the selection of information is completed, the call switch button 79 is pressed with a fingertip.
[0105]
In this state, the casing 2 is gripped with the microphone 92 facing downward, the microphone 92 is positioned at the mouth, and the receiver 93 is positioned at the ear. This makes it possible to make a call with a desired partner.
[0106]
In order to input and edit information while using the electronic notebook 1 as a mobile phone or a radio device, as shown in FIG. 5, the protective cover 109 is moved from the first position to the second position or the third position. The input surface 65 of the housing 2 is directly exposed to the outside. Information is input and edited by pressing the input surface 67 with the stylus pen 67 or inputting characters or figures by handwriting.
[0107]
At the same time, the plug 23 a of the earphone 23 is inserted into the earphone jack 22 of the housing 2 so that the contents of the call with the other party can be heard using the earphone 23.
[0108]
In this case, the housing 2 is an abbreviation in which the input surface 65 is turned sideways in any state where the housing 2 is gripped by hand or placed on the top of the desk because of input and editing operations. It will be held in a horizontal posture. Then, the antenna rod 101 is also laid down horizontally, and it may be impossible to efficiently transmit and receive radio waves.
[0109]
However, in the case of the above configuration, the antenna rod 101 of the antenna unit 91 can be pulled out from the storage position stored inside the housing 2 toward the use position protruding outward from the housing 2. Therefore, if the antenna rod 101 is pulled out from the housing 2, even if the antenna rod 101 is laid down substantially horizontally, radio waves can be sufficiently received, and call quality is improved.
[0110]
According to the electronic notebook 1 of the present invention, the protective cover 109 that covers the input surface 65 of the housing 2 has the transparent window 141, and the window 141 has the protective cover 109 in the first position. When rotated, it faces the input surface 65. Therefore, the input surface 65 can be exposed to the outside through the window portion 141, and information such as an address displayed on the input surface 65 can be confirmed while the protective cover 109 is held in the first position. Can browse. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the protective cover 109 is not necessary, and the usability of the electronic notebook 1 is improved.
[0111]
In addition, since the window 141 facing the input surface 65 has a convex lens-like cross-sectional shape, when the input surface 65 is viewed through the window 141, characters, figures, etc. displayed on the input surface 65 are displayed. Information is expanded. Accordingly, the window portion 141 of the protective cover 109 functions as a magnifying glass, and even if the size of information such as characters and figures displayed on the input surface 65 is small, this information can be easily confirmed and read. it can.
[0112]
Further, the icon 66 on the input surface 65 is obscured by the shielding portion 140 surrounding the window portion 141 when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the first position. The icon 66 does not need to enter the field of view when checking or reading information. Therefore, the input surface 65 is neatly arranged and the input surface 65 is easy to see.
[0113]
Further, according to the above configuration, the microphone 92, the receiver 93, the various switch buttons 76, 78 to 80, and the cursor operator 81 used when the electronic notebook 1 is used as a mobile phone or a wireless device have the protective cover 109 as the first. Even in the state of being rotated to the position 1, it is always exposed on the upper surface of the base cover 11 without being covered with the protective cover 109. For this reason, the telephone call operation can be performed without rotating the protective cover 109 to the second position or the third position.
[0114]
At the same time, since the input surface 65 can be viewed through the transparent window 141 as described above, the address information such as the name and telephone number of the called party displayed on the input surface 65 can be confirmed through the window 141. Can browse.
[0115]
Therefore, it is not necessary to open and close the protective cover 109 each time a call is made or received, and easy-to-use operability can be realized.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the third position, the protective cover 109 is reversed by approximately 360 degrees and overlapped with the flat bottom wall 3 of the housing 2. Therefore, the thickness dimension of the housing | casing 2 can be suppressed to the minimum. At the same time, even when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the third position, the protective cover 109 is within the range of the bottom wall 3 and the outer peripheral edge of the protective cover 109 is stretched around the casing 2. I will not put it out.
[0116]
Therefore, even when the protective cover 109 is rotated to the third position, the housing 2 can be easily gripped, and the electronic notebook 1 can be handled easily.
Further, since the antenna rod 101 of the communication antenna unit 91 is pulled out from the left end of the housing 2 on the receiver 93 side, the antenna rod 101 stands up when the receiver 93 is applied to the ear. Therefore, there is an advantage that radio waves can be transmitted and received efficiently and call quality is improved.
[0117]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention detailed above,Even if the cover is not moved from the first position to the second position, the information displayed on the display surface can be confirmed and browsed, and the usability of the device is improved. At the same time, the hinge unit can be easily removed from the cover and the housing simply by sliding the slider from the first slide position to the second slide position.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic notebook according to an embodiment of the present invention and an SSFDC used for the electronic notebook.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic notebook showing a state in which the housing is turned over.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery pack and a battery cover are removed from a base of a housing.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the electronic notebook showing a state in which the protective cover is rotated to the first position.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the electronic notebook showing a state in which the protective cover is rotated to the second position.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the electronic notebook showing a state in which the protective cover is rotated to the third position.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the electronic notebook showing a state in which the protective cover is rotated to the third position.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a tablet, an LCD, a frame, and a circuit board are removed from a base cover of the housing.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic notebook.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the housing showing a state where the SSFDC is housed in the card housing portion.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the housing showing a state in which the SSFDC is pushed out from the card housing portion.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of SSFDC.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which an antenna unit, a frame, and a circuit board are incorporated in a base cover of a housing.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a relationship between a base cover, a hinge unit, and a protective cover of the housing.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge unit.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a hinge unit.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge unit.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the first and second shaft portions of the hinge unit are engaged with the protective cover and the base cover, respectively.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first and second shaft portions of the hinge unit are detached from the protective cover and the base cover, respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Case, 61 ... Display part (LCD), 63 ... Display surface, 90 ... Wireless communication means (wireless communication unit), 91 ... Antenna (antenna unit), 92 ... Microphone, 93 ... Receiver, 109 ... Cover (protection) cover),110 ... Hinge unit, 111 ... Hinge case, 112 ... Slider, 115a, 115b ... First and second end walls, 116a, 116b ... First and second convex portions, 125a, 125b ... First and second Shaft,141: Window part.

Claims (8)

A housing having an upper surface and a lower surface ;
A display unit that is contained in the housing and includes a display surface of information exposed on the upper surface;
Radio communication means housed in the housing and having a communication antenna, a microphone and a receiver;
A cover having a transparent window facing the display surface;
A hinge unit that movably supports the cover on the housing;
The microphone and the receiver of the wireless communication means are arranged on both sides of the upper surface of the housing with the display surface interposed therebetween, and are exposed on the upper surface of the housing without being covered with the cover. Arranged,
The cover is movable over a first position that covers the display surface, a second position that exposes the display surface, and a third position that overlaps the lower surface of the housing. A portable electronic device in which the window portion of the cover faces the display surface when moved to the position of
The hinge unit is
(i) a hinge case having first and second end walls;
(ii) first and second protrusions that protrude from the first end wall of the hinge case and are rotatably fitted to the housing and the cover, respectively.
(iii) a slider having first and second shaft portions accommodated in the hinge case and coaxial with the first and second convex portions,
The slider has a first slide position in which the first and second shaft portions pass through the second end wall of the hinge case and are rotatably fitted to the housing and the cover, respectively. The first and second shaft portions are supported by the hinge case so as to be slidable over a second slide position retracted inside the hinge case so as to be detached from the housing and the cover, and the slider is A portable information device , wherein the connection between the hinge unit and the housing, and the hinge unit and the cover is released by sliding to the second slide position .   The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the window portion of the cover has a convex lens-like cross-sectional shape.   The case according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a power switch button and an operation switch button for operating the wireless communication means, and the power switch button and the operation switch button are disposed on an upper surface of the housing. A portable information device, wherein the cover is exposed on the upper surface of the housing without being covered with the cover even when the cover is moved to the first position. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the slider of the hinge unit has a lever portion capable of elastic deformation, and the hinge case is slid to the first slide position and the second slide position. Sometimes, the lever portion has a pair of recesses with which the lever portion is engaged, and the slider is held at the first slide position and the second slide position by the engagement between the lever portion and the recess portion , respectively. Features portable information equipment. 5. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the slider includes a finger hook that is exposed to the outside of the hinge case . The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the display surface also has a function as an input surface for inputting information by handwriting . 7. The display surface according to claim 6, wherein the display surface has an end portion that is disengaged from the window portion when the cover is in the first position, and a plurality of icons are arranged at the end portion of the display surface. portable information device, characterized in that. 2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a housing portion in which the card-type electronic component is removably accommodated, and the housing portion includes a slot that opens on a side surface of the housing. Portable information equipment.

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