JP2003298700A - Portable information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal device which has a display section exhibiting a sense of advanced unity and capable of being used as a screen of larger display size, while maintaining a small size of the device. <P>SOLUTION: A first LCD (liquid crystal display) panel 1150 and a second LCD panel 1250 are respectively provided on a first case 1100 and a second case 1200 which are foldably connected so as to be opened and closed. Both the LCD panels are held on the cases respectively so that one end is made to be an open end. Further, the panel 1250 is freely slidably supported by the second case, and is slid in the direction of the first display section when it is opened from a folded state, so that the open ends of the panels 1150 and 1250 abut each other. Accordingly, the close arrangement of the panels 1150 and 1250 enables an improvement in the sense of advanced unity of the display screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device having a foldable display section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Multifunctional mobile phones, PDAs (Personal D
igital Assistant), sub-notebook computers, portable game devices, and other portable information terminal devices that are often carried by users. Is bound to be limited. On the other hand, however, there is a great demand for a larger and easier-to-see display screen as the portable information terminal device becomes more multifunctional and more sophisticated, and various technologies for mounting a display unit have been proposed.

One of them is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-2002.
There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 16685. According to the publication, a display unit (for example, LCD (Liquid Cry
stalDisplay) panel) multiple housings, with a folding hinge to connect. The fold of the display is opened to use a plurality of display screens at the time of use, and the fold of the display is closed when carrying the device to downsize the device. Furthermore,
The hinge portion is also provided with a display portion so that some information can be displayed even when the fold is closed. With these configurations, more display screens are secured while maintaining the miniaturization of the device.

[0004]

According to the above publication, it is possible to increase the total area of the display screen or the total number of screens. However, the entire circumference of the side surface of the display unit is covered by the casings, and between the display screens, there is always a cover portion of the casings, that is, a frame of the casings and a hinge for connecting the casings. Will be done.

Therefore, in the case of displaying an image with a large original size (for example, image data or a menu screen), when an attempt is made to display one large image on a plurality of display screens, the frame and the hinge are visually separated. Then, there was a problem of impairing the integrity of the image. Also, when trying to display an image on any one of the display screens, the size of each display screen has not changed although the number of screens has increased, so reduce the image size or scroll the screen. There is a problem that it is necessary to display the information, and the information originally possessed by the image cannot be sufficiently displayed (for example, the image is reduced and it becomes difficult to identify details), and there is a problem that convenience is lacking.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device having a display unit that can be used as a screen having a larger sense of unity while maintaining the miniaturization of the device. It is to provide a type information terminal device.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a portable information terminal device, wherein one end (for example, side end surface A in FIG. 2) is an open end. A first housing (for example, the first housing 1100 of FIG. 2) having a first display unit (for example, the first LCD panel 1150 of FIG. 2), and one end (for example, the side end surface of FIG. 2) B) is a second display part having an open end (for example, the second display part in FIG. 2).
A second housing (for example, LCD panel 1250) and a second unit (for example, slide guide unit 1256 in FIG. 4) for sliding the second display unit in parallel with the display surface.
The second housing 1200 of FIG. 2 and the first housing and the second housing are foldably connected so that the first display unit and the second display unit face each other in the closed state. A hinge part (for example, the hinge part 1300 in FIG. 2), and the slide part slides the second display part in an opened state, thereby the one end part of the first display part and the second part.
It is characterized in that one end of the display portion is brought into contact with the display portion.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first display section and the second display section are provided in the first housing and the second housing which are openably and closably connected in a foldable manner. Each of the display units is held by the housing so that one end thereof is an open end.
The open end means a state in which the end is not supported and protected by the housing and the end is touched from the outside.

Further, the second display part is slidably supported by the second housing, and when the fold is opened, the second display part is slid toward the first display part to move the first display part. And the open end of the second display portion can be brought into contact with each other. That is,
Since there is no frame or hinge portion of the housing that has existed between the plurality of display units in the related art, the display units are arranged closer to each other. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the sense of unity of the display screens, and to display with less discomfort even when, for example, the image data having a large display size is displayed by the first display unit and the second display unit as one screen. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable information terminal device according to the first aspect, wherein the first
A lock mechanism that fixes the first housing and the second housing at a position where the display surface of the display unit and the display surface of the second display unit are substantially flush with each other (for example, the extension unit in FIG. 2). 1255, the guide portion 1116, the biasing member 1212 of FIG. 4, the folding position stopper 1258, the unfolding position stopper 1259) may be further provided.

In order to slide the second display part so that the open ends of the second display part and the first display part are in contact with each other, the display surface of the first display part and the display surface of the second display part are Are preferably substantially coplanar.

According to the invention of claim 2, claim 1
The same effect as that of the invention described in (1) above can be achieved, and by providing the lock mechanism, the display surface of the first display portion and the display surface of the second display portion can be maintained in substantially the same plane. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the first display portion and the second display portion, which are integrally visible during use, are separated from each other, and it is possible to prevent the slidable second display portion from being damaged due to folding.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the portable information terminal device according to the first or second aspect,
The first housing has a first display side (for example, the first housing 1100 in FIG. 9) having the first display unit, and a first input having an operation input unit (for example, the operation input key 1102 in FIG. 9).
An operation side (for example, the third housing 2100 in FIG. 9), and a first holding unit (for example, hinge portion 1302 in FIG. 9) that holds the first display side and the first operation side such that the axes can rotate. , May be formed.

According to the invention of claim 3, claim 1
Or the same effect as the invention described in 2,
The angle between the display unit and the operation input unit can be freely changed, which improves usability.

Further, as in the invention of claim 4, claim 3
2. The portable information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the second housing has a second display portion and a slide portion.
A display side (for example, the second housing 1200 in FIG. 9) and a second operation side (for example, the fourth housing 2200 in FIG. 9) having an operation input unit (for example, the operation input key 1103 in FIG. 9), Second holding means for holding the second display side and the second operation side so as to be rotatable about the axis (for example, the hinge portion 1304 in FIG. 9).
And may be formed.

According to the invention of claim 4, claim 3
In addition to the same effect as the invention described in (1), the second housing is also provided with the operation input section, and the angle between the display section and the operation input section can be freely changed. Therefore, the operation input is easier and the usability is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable information terminal device according to any of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a folding of the first casing and the second casing. An automatic slide unit (for example, an automatic slide mechanism 1400 in FIG. 10) that slides the second display unit when opening and closing may be provided.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 6,
It is a portable information terminal device of Claim 5, Comprising: The 1st gear group (For example, the 1st gearwheel 1401, the 2nd gearwheel 1402, the 3rd gearwheel of FIG. 11) which takes out the rotation in the said hinge part accompanying folding opening and closing. 1403, shaft portion 1406)
And a second gear group that meshes with the first gear group and converts the rotation transmitted from the first gear group into parallel movement of the slide portion (for example, the fourth gear 1404 and the fifth gear 1405 in FIG. 11).
And may be provided.

According to the invention of claim 5 or 6,
The same effect as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is achieved, and when the folding is opened and closed so that the second display portion is rotated by the hinge portion, the second display portion automatically slides accordingly. . Therefore, the user does not have to manually slide the second display unit, and the operability is improved by simply opening and closing the fold.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG.
~ With reference to FIG. 5, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone will be described as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, PHS, P
It is also applicable to other devices such as DAs, sub-notebook personal computers, and portable game devices.

1 and 2 are views showing an example of the appearance of the mobile phone 1000. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of the mobile phone 1000 in a folded state, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view of the same. Is shown. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the folded state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile phone 1
000 is a first housing 1100, a second housing 1200,
And a hinge portion 1300 that connects the two housings to each other so as to be rotatable about its axis.

[Description of Configuration of First Housing] First Housing 1100
Is an operation input key 1102 for inputting a dial number or the like.
, A call button 1104 and an off button 1106 for inputting start / end of a call, and a first LC for displaying various information such as an input dial number, operation menu, and transmission / reception status
The D panel 1150 is provided with a speaker 1108 and a microphone 1110 that constitute a telephone handset.

A telescopic antenna 1112 for wireless communication is provided on the upper part of the first housing 1100, and the antenna 1112 is used when making a call.
It is designed to be pulled out from 100. Although not shown, a power supply unit such as a charging pack is provided at the rear of the first housing 1100.

These constituent elements are connected to a control unit 1114 housed inside the first casing 1100 by an electric circuit (not shown) and are integrally controlled. The mobile phone 1000 wirelessly communicates with the base station and functions as a mobile phone terminal.

In this embodiment, in particular, the first LCD panel 1150 has the entire outer periphery of the display surface in the first casing 1 as in the conventional case.
It is not fixed and covered by 100, but is held in an open state so that the side end surface A can be contacted from the outside.

FIG. 3 shows (a) L used in this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows an example of an external appearance of a CD panel, and (b) an example of an external appearance of a mobile telephone when the said panel is used. In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
On the side end surface A of the panel 1150, the shield case portion 1154 for fixing the LCD element 1152 to the housing is not provided, and the end surface of the LCD element 1152 is exposed. There is no shield case portion 1154, and the first
Since the housing 1100 is held in the open state so that the side end surface A can be contacted from the outside with respect to the side end surface A, as shown in FIG.
The image (the image of the dog in the figure) is displayed up to the side end face A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first LCD
In the first housing 1100 in which the panel 1150 is incorporated, the side end surface A of the upper and lower end surfaces of the first LCD panel 1150.
A guide portion 1116 is provided on the side. The guide portion 1116 is provided with a step from the display surface of the first LCD panel 1150. Then, as will be described later, the second LCD panel 1250 slides so as to fit in the step, and is brought into contact with the first LCD panel 1150.

[Explanation of Second Housing] In FIGS. 1 and 2,
The second housing 1200 includes a second LCD panel 1250, a slide base portion 1210 that holds the second LCD panel 1250 slidably in the direction of the hinge portion 1300,
Equipped with.

The second casing 1200 is foldably connected to the first casing 1100 by a hinge portion 1300 so as to be rotatable about its axis. Then, the first housing 1100
The second housing 1200 and the second housing 1200 are connected so that the display surface of the first LCD panel 1150 and the display surface of the second LCD panel 1250 are located on substantially the same plane when the fold is opened. That is, the second housing 1200 is different from the first housing 1100 in
It is opened by approximately 180 ° and the display surfaces become substantially the same surface.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the second LCD panel 1250. As shown in FIG. 4A, the second LCD panel 1250 has an outer edge portion 1254 that holds the LCD element 1252 so as to surround the outer periphery of the side surface, and a slide base portion 121.
A slide guide portion 1256 which slides between 0 and
Equipped with.

The second LCD panel 1250 corresponds to the first LCD panel described above.
Similar to the LCD panel 1150, the side surface B of the LCD element 1252 is exposed. That is, the outer edge 1
254 holds the side end surface B of the LCD element 1252 so as to be open so that it can be contacted from the outside.

The slide guide portion 1256 is the second LCD.
At an appropriate position on the side surface and / or the back surface of the panel 1250,
A concave portion or a convex portion that serves as a guide for sliding in the display surface direction is formed between the slide base portion 1210 and the slide base portion 1210. The position and size of the slide guide portion 1256 are associated with that of the slide base portion 1210.

The outer edge portion 1254 has an extending portion 1255.
, Slide operation portion 1257, and folding position stopper 12
58 and a deployment position stopper 1259.

The extending portion 1255 extends outward from both end portions on the side end face B side of the outer edge portion 1254 and is formed in a shape to be fitted into the guide portion 1116. The extension length is, for example, the end portion of the extension portion 1255 and the guide portion 1116.
And the contact between the side end surfaces A and B are set to coincide with each other.

The slide operation portion 1257 is a concave / convex pattern on the surface of the second LCD panel 1250 on the display surface side that catches a finger during a slide operation, and facilitates the slide operation by the user.

The folding position stopper 1258 and the unfolding position stopper 1259 are groove portions that fit with the biasing member 1212 provided on the slide base portion 1210, and are the second LC.
It plays a role of a lock mechanism for fixing the position of the D panel 1250 in the sliding direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the biasing member 1212 biases the slide base portion 1210 toward the second LCD panel 1250 and projects therefrom. When the second housing 1200 is folded, the protruding portion 1212a of the urging member 1212 is fitted into the folding position stopper 1258 to fix the position, and when the folding is unfolded, the protruding portion 1212a is fitted into the unfolding position stopper 1259. Is fixed.

Also, the second LCD panel 1250 has
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) 1251 is provided and connected to the control unit 1114 via a hinge portion 1300.

[Description of Functional Blocks] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the functional blocks in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG.
Has basically the same functional block as a conventional mobile phone. For example, as the transmission / reception conversion system, the reception unit 12
A transmission unit 14, an amplifier 15, a signal processing unit 16,
The radio unit 22 and the antenna unit 24 are provided. In the example of FIG. 1, the receiver 12 is connected to the speaker 1108 and the transmitter 14 is connected to the speaker 1108.
Corresponds to the microphone 1110, respectively.

As the operation input system, the operation input unit 30
The display unit 70 and the display control unit 72 are provided. These functional elements are the mobile phone 1000.
A control unit 50 for integrally controlling the computer and a memory 40 for storing programs necessary for the control and various kinds of information (for example, a telephone number and contents obtained through communication) are connected by a data bus 80. There is.

Radio communication with the base station of the mobile telephone network is realized by the antenna unit 24 and the radio unit 22. The antenna unit 24 (corresponding to the antenna 1112 in FIG. 1) radiates / receives radio waves with the base station. The radio unit 22 modulates / demodulates, for example, a baseband signal required for radio communication so as to comply with the mobile phone network standard.

The baseband signal input / output to / from the radio unit 22 is time-expanded by the signal processing unit 16 and is amplified by the amplifier 1.
It is output from the receiving section 12 via 5. On the contrary, transmitter 1
The signal input from the signal No. 4 is time-compressed by the signal processing unit 16 via the amplifier 15 and sent to the wireless communication unit 22.

The operation input section 30 is for inputting, for example, a telephone number, an e-mail address, various operations, etc., and is realized by, for example, a dial button, a cross key, a jog dial, and control circuits thereof. .
In FIG. 1, operation input key 1102, call button 1104,
The off button 1106 corresponds.

The control unit 50 executes integrated control of each functional element and various processes necessary for mobile phone communication. For example, processing such as determination of necessity of transmission of location registration information to the base station and determination of signal compression rate switching is executed. Control unit 50
In the example of FIG. 1, is included in the first housing 1100 as a control unit 1114 together with other circuits and the like.

The display section 70 displays, for example, images of dialed numbers, reception conditions, telephone numbers of the other party when receiving a call, operation menus, operation icons, and various contents such as images. For example, LCD, ELD (Electron
ic Luminescent Display), PDP (Plasma Display P)
It is realized by a display element such as anel). Display control unit 7
Reference numeral 2 denotes a driver circuit suitable for a display element, which causes the display unit 70 to display an image according to an instruction from the control unit 50.

Further, in the present embodiment, the display unit 70 includes a first display unit 701 and a second display unit 702, and a first display control unit 721 and a second display control unit 721 corresponding to the respective units. With. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first display unit 701 is the first LCD panel 1150 and the second display unit 7.
02 corresponds to the second LCD panel 1250, respectively.

The method of displaying an image is as follows:
Alternatively, the second display unit 702 and the second display unit 702 may be used as one screen display space to display images on the two display units. In addition, the images may be displayed as images of different contents by using each as a separate image display space, and the control unit 50 appropriately controls the images.

[Description of Usage] Next, the mobile phone 100
A method of using 0 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, the second casing 1200 is closed and the first casing 110 is closed when carrying.
Fold it so that it is almost united with 0.

When using, as shown in FIG.
Raise the second housing 1200 to open the fold. When the fold is opened, the display surfaces of the first LCD panel 1150 and the second LCD panel 1250 are in an unfolded posture in which they are substantially flush with each other.

Next, a finger is put on the slide operation portion 1257 to move the second LCD panel 1250 to the first LCD panel 11.
Slide in the direction of 50 (direction of hinge 1300).

The second LCD panel 1250 slides along the slide guide portion 1256, and the extending portion 1255 fits in the guide portion 1116 of the first housing 1100, and acts so as to maintain the expanded posture.

When the slide is further advanced until the extending portion 1255 hits the guide portion 1116, the side end surface A of the second LCD panel 1250 contacts the side end surface A of the first LCD panel 1150. That is, the first LCD panel 1150 and the second LCD panel 1250 are the LCD element 1152,
Since the end faces of 1252 come into contact with each other, the frame of the housing and the hinge portion 1300 are not sandwiched between them, which makes it possible to form a more integrated display screen.

When the side end surface A of the first LCD panel 1150 contacts the side end surface B of the second LCD panel 1250, the urging member 1212 fits into the expansion position stopper 1259 and regulates the positional deviation in the sliding direction.

When a display screen with a sense of unity is formed in this way, the control unit 50 causes the first display control unit 721 and the second display control unit 722 to have the first LCD panel 1150 and the second LCD panel 1250. The image is displayed as an integrated display screen.

When the use is completed, the slide operation unit 1
Putting a finger on 257, the second LCD panel 1250 is slid (to the right in the drawing) so as to be separated from the first LCD panel 1150.

When it is slid to the state of FIG. 2A, the biasing member 1212 fits into the folding position stopper 1258 and the sliding position is determined and the second LCD panel 1250.
To fix. Then, the second housing 1200 is folded.

The first embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, but the application of the present invention is not limited to these.

For example, the second housing 1200 is configured to be folded in the short side direction (left and right direction in the figure) of the mobile phone.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the structure may be folded in the long side direction (vertical direction in the drawing). In this case, the speaker 1108 is provided in the second housing 1200.

Further, for example, the second housing 1200 is provided only in one direction of the short side of the mobile phone (left and right direction in the drawing), but the second housing 1200 is provided in both the left and right sides of the short side. A housing 1200 is provided, and a total of three housings and three Ls are provided.
It may be configured to include a CD panel. In this case, the first LCD panel 1150 needs to have the same structure as the side end surface A on both end surfaces in the short side direction. Then, after unfolding, fold each LCD panel from the left and right
Slide towards the LCD panel 1150 to form an integral display screen.

Also, it acts as a folding lock mechanism,
Biasing member 1212, folding position stopper 1258, deployment position stopper 1259, extension portion 1255, guide portion 111.
6, the installation position, number, configuration, etc. may be set appropriately. Furthermore, a mechanism for sliding the second LCD panel 1250 may be appropriately added in conjunction with the opening and closing of the fold.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8. In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a PDA will be described as an example. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a PDA to which the present invention is applied. The PDA 2000 includes the first housing 11
00, the second housing 1200, the hinge portion 1300, and the control unit 1114. In this embodiment,
Further, the second housing 1200 is also provided with operation input keys 1103.

The electric connection of the operation input key 1103 is made by the flexible printed circuit 12 as in the first embodiment.
It may be connected to the control unit 1114 by 51, or may be configured so that the electrical connection is maintained by the hinge portion 1300 as seen in a notebook computer or the like. The layout of the operation input keys 1102 and 1103 may be set appropriately.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, it is basically realized by a configuration similar to that of a conventional portable information terminal device. That is, the PDA 2000 includes the processing unit 210.
An operation input unit 220, a display unit 230, a display control unit 240, a storage unit 250, a communication unit 260, and a bus 28.
0 and.

The processing unit 210 executes various kinds of arithmetic processing to integrally control each functional block. For example, CPU
It is realized by hardware such as (Central Processing Unit).

The operation input section 220 is for inputting a user operation, and is realized by, for example, a button key, a jog dial, a mouse, a keyboard, a track pad, a touch panel, or the like. In the example of FIG. 7, it corresponds to the operation input keys 1102 and 1103.

The display section 230 displays an image and is realized by, for example, an LCD, an ELD, a PDP or the like. In addition, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a first display unit 231 and a second display unit 232 are provided.

The display control section 240 controls the image display on the display section 230. For example, DSP, ASIC, LSI,
It is realized by various IC memories. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 240 includes the first display unit 231 and
The first display control unit 2 corresponding to the second display unit 232.
41, and a second display control unit 242

The storage section 250 stores programs and data for causing the processing section 210 to realize various processes. For example, it is realized by a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a card-type memory, or the like.

The communication section 260 is connected to a communication line to enable data transmission / reception with an external device. For example, modem, D
It is realized by a SU (Digital Signal Unit), a card with a built-in wireless communication device, or the like.

The user folds the hinge 1300 at the time of carrying to miniaturize and carry it, and at the time of use, unfolds the fold and slides the second LCD panel 1250 to make the first.
The LCD panel 1150 is brought into contact with the LCD panel 1150 to form an integral display screen as shown in FIG.

Although the second embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation input key 1103 is provided in the second housing 1200 as well, but as shown in FIG. First housing 1100, second housing 1
200 separately provided with hinge portions 1302 and 1304, and provided with a third housing 2100 and a fourth housing 2200 each having operation input keys 1102 and 1103, and a first housing 1100.
The angle of the second housing 1200 may be adjustable.

[Third Embodiment] Hereinafter, FIGS. 10 to 1 will be described.
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone equipped with an automatic slide mechanism that automatically slides the second LCD panel when the folding is opened and closed will be described. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Description of Configuration] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the automatic slide mechanism in the unfolded state of folding.

As shown in FIG. 10, the automatic slide mechanism 1
400 is a first gear 1401, a second gear 1402,
Third gear 1403, fourth gear 1404, fifth gear 1
405 and a shaft portion 1406.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the first gear 1401 is, for example, a spur gear or a bevel gear, and meshes with the second gear 1402. The first gear 1401 includes a toothed portion 1401a in which tooth tips are lined up, and a toothless portion 1401b having a diameter equal to or smaller than a root circle of the toothed portion 1401a and having no tooth tip. Then, the toothed portion 14 is coaxial with the hinge portion 1300.
It is provided integrally with the first housing 1100 so that 01a faces outward.

The second gear 1402 is set so as to mesh with the toothed portion 1401a of the first gear 1401, for example,
These are spur gears and helical gears. Then, the first gear unit 1401
It is rotatably held by the slide base portion 1210 of the second housing 1200 with an axis substantially parallel to the.

The third gear 1403 is, for example, a spur gear or a bevel gear set to mesh with the second gear 1402. Then, the second gear with the axis substantially parallel to the first gear portion 1401
It is rotatably held by the slide base portion 1210 of the housing 1200. A shaft portion 1406 is provided coaxially with the third gear 1403.

The shaft portion 1406 has a third gear 1 at one end.
403 and a shaft member having the other end coupled to the fourth gear 1404, the slide base portion 1210 of the second housing 1200.
And is rotatably held by a shaft substantially parallel to the first gear portion 1401.

The fourth gear 1404 corresponds to the second LCD panel 1
It is arranged so as to mesh with a fifth gear 1405 provided on the back surface of 250. Therefore, the shaft portion 1406, the third gear 1403, and the fourth gear 1404 rotate integrally.

The fifth gear 1405 is a rack that meshes with the fourth gear 1404, as shown in FIG.
It is provided on the back surface of the second LCD panel 1250 along the sliding direction.

The specifications and the positional relationship of these gear groups are such that the side end surface B of the second LCD panel 1250 does not interfere with the hinge portion 1300 when the folding is opened and closed, and the opening and closing are prevented, and the side of the first LCD panel 1150 side is opened. End face A and second L
It is determined that the side end surface B of the CD panel 1250 is brought into contact with the side surface B. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG.
The first gear 1401 is provided integrally with the first housing 1100 so that the toothed portion 1401a faces outward, and is configured to mesh with the second gear 1402 from the middle of the folding unfolding to the end of the unfolding. There is.

Note that, in FIG. 10, each part is shown by a solid line for the purpose of a perspective view, but each hinge part 13 is shown so as to be inconspicuous in appearance.
00 and the second housing 1200.

[Description of Operation] Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the folding is closed, the second LCD panel 1250 has the hinge portion 1
It is located far from 300. The second gear 1402 is located in the toothless portion 1401b of the first gear 1401.
Does not mesh with 401.

When the folds are opened, the state shown in FIG. 12 (b) is obtained. In the state shown in the figure, the second gear 1402 meshes with the toothed portion 1401a of the first gear 1401, and thereafter rotates in the direction of arrow F2 with the operation of opening the fold.

Third gear 14 meshing with second gear 1402
03 and the shaft portion 140 integrated with the third gear 1403
6 and the fourth gear 1404 rotate in the direction of arrow F3, and the second LCD panel 1250 having the fifth gear 1405 is moved in the direction of arrow F.
Move in 5 directions.

When the fold is further opened, the second LCD
The panel 1250 continues to move in the direction of the arrow F5, and finally, as shown in FIG.
The side end surface A of the second LCD panel 1250 comes into contact with the side end surface B of the second LCD panel 1250. When the folding is closed, the second LCD panel 1250 is replaced by the first LCD panel 1150 according to the above reverse order.
The second housing 1200 is further folded and folded.

As described above, when the folding of the first casing 1100 and the second casing 1200 is opened and closed, the second LCD is automatically displayed.
The panel 1250 can be slid.

The holding force of the lock mechanism (see FIG. 4B) including the urging member 1212, the folding position stopper 1258, and the expansion position stopper 1259 prevents the second LCD panel 1250 from moving unnecessarily. Needless to say, the force is enough to stop and does not hinder the sliding of the second LCD panel 1250 when the second housing 1200 is opened and closed by the force of the user.

Further, although the third embodiment has been described as having a set of gears (first gear 1401 to fifth gear 1405), a plurality of gears may be provided. The type and combination of gears may be selected as appropriate.

Although the first to third embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the application of the present invention is not limited to these, and appropriate addition of elements is possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, it is also possible to make changes or design changes.

[0094]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the foldable first housing and the second housing which are openable and closable are provided with the first display portion and the second display portion, respectively. Each of the parts is held in the housing so that one end thereof is an open end. Further, the second display portion is slidably supported by the second housing,
When the fold is open, the second display portion can be slid toward the first display portion to bring the open ends of the first display portion and the second display portion into contact with each other. Therefore, the first display unit and the second display unit are arranged close to each other, and the sense of unity of the display screen can be further enhanced.

According to the invention of claim 2, claim 1
The same effect as that of the invention described in (1) above can be achieved, and by providing the lock mechanism, the display surface of the first display portion and the display surface of the second display portion can be maintained in substantially the same plane. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem that the first display portion and the second display portion, which are integrally visible during use, are separated.

According to the invention of claim 3, claim 1
Or the same effect as the invention described in 2,
The angle between the display unit and the operation input unit can be freely changed, which improves usability.

According to the invention of claim 4, claim 3
In addition to the same effect as the invention described in (1), the second housing is also provided with the operation input section, and the angle between the display section and the operation input section can be freely changed. Therefore, the operation input is easier and the usability is improved.

According to the invention described in claim 5 or 6,
The same effect as that of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is achieved, and the second display portion automatically slides as the folding is opened and closed. Therefore, the user only has to open and close the fold, and the usability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an external appearance of a mobile phone to which the present invention has been applied, in which (a) a front view and (b) a side view.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an external appearance of a mobile phone to which the present invention has been applied, and (a) is a front view of a state immediately after opening a fold;
(B) The front view of the state at the time of use.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of an LCD panel in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a second LCD panel portion in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an appearance of a modified example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an external appearance of a PDA to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an appearance of a modified example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of a configuration according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an example of a configuration of an automatic slide mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a first housing and a second housing according to the third embodiment.
The schematic sectional drawing explaining the opening / closing operation of folding of a housing | casing. (a) The folded state is shown, (b) The folding state is in the middle of opening and closing, and (c) The folded state is shown.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Earpiece 14 Transmitter 16 Signal processing unit 22 Radio Equipment Department 24 Antenna 50 control unit 70 Display 72 Display control unit 1000 mobile phones 1100 First housing 1116 Guide part 1150 First LCD panel 1152 LCD device 1154 Shield case 1200 Second housing 1210 Slide base 1212 biasing member 1250 Second LCD panel 1252 LCD device 1255 extension 1256 slide guide part 1258 Folding position stopper 1259 Deployment position stopper 1300 Hinge part 1400 Automatic slide mechanism 2000 PDA 2100 Third housing 2200 Fourth housing A side end face B side end face

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H05K 5/03 H04B 7/26 VF term (reference) 4E360 AA02 AB04 AB05 AB13 AB17 AB18 AB20 AB22 AB42 BB02 BB04 BB17 BB20 BB22 BB23 BC03 BC05 EA14 EA18 ED03 ED17 ED27 GA46 GB26 5C094 AA15 AA36 BA43 DA08 DB05 FA10 HA08 HA10 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 GG04 HH07 5K067 AA21 AA42 BB04 FF23 KK17

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first housing having a first display section whose one end is an open end, a second display section whose one end is an open end, and a display surface for the second display section. A second casing having a slide portion that slides in parallel with the first casing, and the first casing and the second casing are folded so that the first display portion and the second display portion face each other in a closed state. A hinge portion that is operably connected, and one end portion of the first display portion and one end portion of the second display portion are brought into contact with each other when the slide portion slides the second display portion in an opened state. A portable information terminal device characterized by being in contact. 2. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display surface of the first display section and the display surface of the second display section are substantially flush with each other. The portable information terminal device further comprising a lock mechanism for fixing the casing and the second casing. 3. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the first housing has a first display side having the first display section, and a first operation having an operation input section. Side, and a first holding means for holding the first display side and the first operation side so as to be rotatable about its axis, the portable information terminal device. 4. The portable information terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the second housing has a second display side having the second display section and the slide section, and an operation input section. 2. A portable information terminal device, comprising: two operation sides; and a second holding unit that holds the second display side and the second operation side so as to be rotatable about its axis. 5. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: opening and closing the second display unit with opening and closing of folding of the first housing and the second housing. A portable information terminal device, comprising: automatic slide means for sliding. 6. The portable information terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the automatic slide means includes a first gear group that takes out rotation of the hinge portion associated with opening and closing of a fold, and a first gear group. A second gear group that meshes and converts the rotation transmitted from the first gear group into a parallel movement of the slide portion, the portable information terminal device.