JP2009003634A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To slide a template while being engaged with a first casing or a second casing in a portable terminal in which the first casing and the second casing are slidably connected. <P>SOLUTION: A coil spring 31 to always press a template 40 to a display back face 13 of a first casing 10 is externally fit into the lower part of a connection mechanism part 30, and a pair of interlocking rods 51 and 51 are arranged to face each other on both right and left side faces 24 and 24 of a second casing 20. Then, when the interlocking rods 51 and 51 are closed, the both right and left ends of the template 40 are pushed down by the interlocking rods 51 and 51, and the template 40 is pressurized to a keyboard face 22 of the second casing 20, and when the interlocking rods 51 and 51 are opened, the template 40 is lifted above the keyboard face 22 of the second casing 20 by a coil spring 31 to be pressurized to a display back face 13 of the first casing 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal that is slidably connected to each other in a state in which a first housing having a display disposed on an upper surface and a second housing having a keyboard disposed on an upper surface are superposed on each other.

  In general, assigning one key button to a plurality of functions (that is, switching the operation contents for a specific key operation for each mode or each activated software) is an office such as a copier or a FAX. It is incorporated in many devices, not just devices. In particular, a mobile terminal represented by a mobile phone mainly has a telephone (call) function and a communication function represented by e-mail, and an information device function represented by a personal computer (for example, an Internet access function). Since many functions such as a TV reception function are incorporated, there is an increasing trend toward multi-function.

  These devices have a main product concept of carrying, so user demands for the overall size of the terminal (requests to fit in a size that does not cause inconvenience to carry) are large, but conflicting user demands include key operations. It is also true that ease (requirement of a predetermined key size) is required. With regard to the ease of key operations, the number of keys that can be placed on the terminal is limited, so it has been proposed to assign a number of functions to one key button and use these key functions as needed. ing.

  For example, in the column of the prior art in Patent Document 1, the most common operation panel structure in which several templates attached to the hinge portion can be selected (replaceable) like turning pages of a book or magazine. Is disclosed. In contrast to this prior art, in Patent Document 1, a single pattern sheet displaying various types of display patterns is movably arranged under a panel having a panel window and a key, and a desired display pattern is displayed on the panel. By matching with the window, the input function of the multi-operation display panel can be switched according to the type of display pattern according to the position of the pattern sheet. According to this configuration, since the display pattern is displayed on a single pattern sheet, it is possible to save space, and since there is no overlapping of the pattern sheets, there is an advantage that the operational feeling does not change.

  In Patent Document 2, when the function display plate (template) is not attached to the operation surface of the housing, the numeric keypad is set to a basic function corresponding to the display provided on the surface, and the function display plate is attached to the housing. It is disclosed that the control means switches the function of the numeric keypad to the function corresponding to the display provided on the front surface or the back surface of the function display plate. That is, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique that has been conventionally used in office equipment, such as making it possible to replace a plurality of templates and changing key assignments in accordance with a mounted template. It was taken in.

Further, in Patent Document 3, by setting a switching plate (template) with a label on which a destination is written on a one-touch key group, and configuring the switching plate so that it can be rotated around a fulcrum shaft, It is disclosed that the changeover switch is turned on and off in accordance with the position of the changeover plate. And this switching plate is formed of a flexible material, and if it is bent a little, the shaft of the switching plate can be inserted into the shaft hole of the bearing projection provided in the operation panel body, It is configured to be easily removable.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-127795 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-39153 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-346587

  However, portable terminals have the main product concept of carrying and mobile use. Therefore, it is necessary to consider that the template replacement is performed even during movement. However, since the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3 basically assume an office device, storage of the removed template, etc. Is not considered. Specifically, when the technique of Patent Document 2 is to be implemented on a mobile terminal, a device such as providing a space for storing the removed template in the mobile terminal is required. Further, when the template is provided so as to be separable from the portable terminal, there is a problem that the template may be lost.

  This problem does not occur in the operation panel structure disclosed in the prior art of Patent Document 1. However, the prior art operation panel structure of Patent Document 1 slides on each other in a state in which a first housing having a display disposed on the upper surface and a second housing having a keyboard disposed on the upper surface are vertically stacked. The structure is unsuitable for mobile terminals that are movably connected, and it is difficult to mount the mobile terminal in such a structure.

  The present invention was devised in view of the actual situation, and its purpose is a state in which a first casing having a display arranged on the upper surface and a second casing having a keyboard arranged on the upper surface are superposed one above the other. In the portable terminals that are slidably connected to each other, the key function can be achieved by allowing the template in which key buttons having different functions are arranged to be slidable in a state where the template is engaged with the first housing side or the second housing side. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal that can be easily switched.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a first housing having a display surface on which a display is disposed, a display back surface serving as a back surface of the display surface, and a keyboard surface on which a keyboard is disposed. The first housing and the second housing are slidably connected to each other between two housings and a first posture in which the keyboard back surface is covered by the display back surface and a second posture in which the keyboard surface is exposed. And a first state in which the template is slid from the first posture to the second posture while the template is placed on the keyboard surface. And a second state in which the template is engaged with the rear surface of the display and slid from the first posture to the second posture. And switching means for obtaining, in response to said switching means has a configuration that includes a table selecting unit for changing the key code associated with the keyboard operation.

  In other words, in the first state, even if the first housing is slid with respect to the second housing, the template remains on the keyboard surface of the second housing and does not slide. . Therefore, in the first state, the switching means has a structure in which the edge of the template is locked and fixed by, for example, a locking claw so as to fix the template while being pressed onto the keyboard surface of the second housing. ing. At this time, the first protrusion is provided on the lower surface of the template, and the first recess is provided on the upper surface of the second housing opposite to the first protrusion, and the first protrusion and the first recess are engaged with the locking claw. If it is configured to be engaged by a stopping force, the template is securely engaged with the second casing, and is not affected by the sliding movement of the first casing, so that the template is placed on the keyboard surface of the second casing. It can be fixed securely.

  On the other hand, in the second state, when the first casing is slid with respect to the second casing, the template is engaged with the rear surface of the display of the first casing and slid together. Therefore, in the second state, the switching means is configured to be biased by, for example, a spring so as to release the engagement by the locking claw and fix the template while being pressed against the back surface of the display of the first housing. It has become. At this time, a second protrusion is provided on the upper surface of the template, and a second recess is provided on the rear surface of the display of the first housing, and the second protrusion and the second recess are engaged by an urging force of the spring or the like. If configured so as to match, the template is surely engaged with the first housing, and surely slides together with the first housing.

  By providing such a switching means, the function of each key button arranged on the keyboard has two types of button functions: a first function when there is a template and a second function when there is no template. It can be used properly as

  The key code table storage unit stores a key code table corresponding to the first state (first function) and a key code table corresponding to the second state (second function). The key code associated with the keyboard operation is changed by selecting one of the key code tables in accordance with the switching operation of the switching means.

  According to the present invention, the first housing and the second housing can be slid relative to each other in a state where a template on which key buttons having different functions are arranged is engaged with the first housing side or the second housing side. Since the thickness of the template is increased, there is no need to provide a separate space for storing the template, so the impact on the thickness direction of the terminal, which is the most demanding of mobile devices, is minimized. Can be stopped. Further, since the template has an integral structure that cannot be separated from the portable terminal, there is no problem of losing the template during movement.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the portable terminal of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views showing the structure of the switching means.

  A mobile terminal 1A according to the first embodiment includes a first housing 10 having a display surface 12 on which a display 11 is disposed and a display back surface 13 serving as a back surface of the display surface 12, and a keyboard surface 22 on which a keyboard 21 is disposed. A second housing 20 and a connecting mechanism portion 30 having a rotating shaft structure that connects the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are provided. The connection mechanism 30 includes a first posture (the state shown in FIG. 1A) where the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10 covers the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20, and the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are connected to each other so as to be reciprocally slidable in the R direction between the second posture (the state shown in FIGS. 1 (c) and 1 (e)). Yes. Since a more specific structure of the coupling mechanism 30 is a conventionally well-known structure, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. It is configured so that it can be rotated 180 degrees by the rotation operation.

  A template 40 arranged on the keyboard surface 22 is interposed between the display rear surface 13 of the first housing 10 and the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 thus configured. The template 40 is also inserted into the connection mechanism unit 30 and is provided so as to be slidable and movable together with the first housing 10 with the connection mechanism unit 30 as a rotation center.

  A coil spring 31 that urges the template 40 to always press the template 40 against the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10 is externally fitted in a compressed state at a lower portion of the connection mechanism portion 30, and a lower end portion of the connection mechanism portion 30. Is formed with an annular retaining piece 31a for preventing the coil spring 31 from coming off. Further, a washer 32 is interposed between the upper end of the coil spring 31 and the lower surface of the template 40. By inserting the washer 32, the sliding movement of the template 40 is ensured while preventing the tip of the control spring 31 from directly contacting the template 40.

  On the other hand, on the left and right side surfaces 24, 24 of the second housing 20, a pair of locking rods 51, 51 are disposed to face each other. The locking rod 51 is formed in an inverted L shape when viewed from the side, and a lower end portion thereof is rotatably connected to the side surface 24 by a locking pin 25. Further, the upper locking claws 52 extend in the directions of each other so that when the locking hook 51 is closed, the upper locking claws 52 rotate to the upper end of the keyboard surface 22. The locking claw 52 has a thin tip 52a, and a tapered surface 52b is formed continuously from the tip 52a. In addition, tapered surfaces 40 b are formed at both left and right end portions of the template 40 facing the locking rods 51, 51, and the distal end portion 52 a of the locking rod 51 is connected to the upper surface of the template 40 and the first housing 10. It becomes easy to insert between the display back surface 13.

  When the locking rods 51, 51 are in a closed state (the state shown in FIG. 2A), the tapered surfaces 40b at the left and right ends of the template 40 are the locking claws 52, 52 of the locking rods 51, 51. The template 40 is first locked by the distal end portion 52 a and then pushed downward along the tapered surface 52 b of the locking claw 52, so that the template 40 opposes the elastic force of the coil spring 31. The keyboard surface 22 is pressed. At this time, the first protrusion 41 is provided on the lower surface of the template 40, and the first concave portion 26 is provided on the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 facing the first protrusion 41. If it is configured to engage with 26, the template 40 is reliably engaged with the second housing 20. Therefore, in this state, the first housing 10 is rotated by 180 degrees in the R1 direction (see FIG. 1B) from the first posture shown in FIG. 2A to the second posture shown in FIG. 2B. Even if it is moved, the template 40 can be reliably fixed on the keyboard surface 22 of the second casing 20 without being affected by the rotational movement of the first casing 10. That is, each key button of the keyboard 21 at this time is a key button for executing a key function marked on the template 40 (for example, a key function corresponding to numerals 1, 2, 3,...).

  The first recess 26 is provided with a detection switch 64 for detecting the engagement of the first protrusion 41. The detection switch 64 can be, for example, a mechanical limit switch. When the first protrusion 41 is engaged with the first recess 26, the limit switch is turned on by the first protrusion 41. Yes. When the first housing 10 slides and rotates from the first posture to the second posture, the terminal control unit 100 described later determines whether the template 40 is on the keyboard surface 22 depending on the on / off state of the detection switch 64. Since it can be determined whether it is on the display rear surface 13 of the first housing 10, the key function can be switched according to the determination result.

  On the other hand, when the locking rods 51 and 51 are in the opened state (the state shown in FIG. 3A), the template 40 is lifted from the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 by the elastic force of the coil spring 31, and It is in a state of being pressed against the display back surface 13 of one housing 10. At this time, the second protrusion 42 is provided on the upper surface of the template 40, and the second recess 14 is provided on the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10, and the second protrusion 42 and the second recess 14 are engaged. If matched, the template 40 is reliably engaged with the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10. Therefore, in this state, the first casing 10 is rotated by 180 degrees in the R1 direction (see FIG. 1 (d)) from the first posture shown in FIG. 3 (a) to the second posture shown in FIG. 3 (b). When moved, the template 40 also reliably slides and moves together with the first housing 10. That is, each key button of the keyboard 21 at this time is a key function marked on the keyboard surface 22 (or key button 21 key top) (for example, a key function corresponding to English a, b, c,...). It becomes a key button to execute. Such switching of the key function can be performed based on the ON / OFF state of the detection switch 64 as described above.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the portable terminal 1A having the above configuration.

  In the portable terminal 1A, a keyboard controller 101, a display controller 102, and various drivers 103 are connected to a terminal control unit 100 that executes various application software.

  The display controller 102 performs display control of the display (liquid crystal display device) 11 disposed in the first housing 10 under the control of the terminal control unit 100. The various drivers 103 control the corresponding various devices 109 by bidirectional communication with the terminal control unit 100.

  The keyboard controller 101 is connected with the key output of the keyboard 21 provided on the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 and the output (on / off signal) of the detection switch 64, and various application software during operation. Are connected to a work memory 105 serving as a work area for executing the key code table storage unit 106.

  The key code table storage unit 106 stores a key code table for executing the key function marked on the keyboard surface 22 (or the keyboard 21 itself) and a key code table for executing the key function marked on the template 40. Yes.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a key code table stored in the key code table storage unit 106. That is, in the first embodiment, two types of key code tables are stored when there is no template 40 on the keyboard surface 22 and when there is a template 40. When there is no template 40, each key button is assigned a key number according to the key number. , B, c,... Is used, and when there is a template 40, table 2, which assigns 1, 2, 3,... To each key button according to the key number (tbl2). ) Is used. However, the assignment of the key function of each key button is merely an example, and may be set as appropriate according to the function of the mobile terminal.

  Next, key function selection processing in the mobile terminal 1A having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, when the power is turned on, the keyboard controller 101 monitors whether or not there is a key input and whether or not the first housing 10 is in an open state (second posture) with respect to the second housing 20. (Steps S1, S2). Here, the determination in step S <b> 2 can be made by detecting the rotation state of the rotation mechanism unit 30, for example.

  As a result, when there is a key input by operating the keyboard 21, if the first housing 10 is open with respect to the second housing 20 (when both steps S1 and S2 are Yes), Next, the keyboard controller 101 determines whether or not the template 40 is on the keyboard surface 22 (step S3). The determination of the presence or absence of the template 40 can be made based on whether the detection switch 64 is on or off as described above. As a result, when there is no template 40 (that is, when the detection switch 64 is OFF), the keyboard controller 101 corresponds to the corresponding key input from the table 1 (tbl1) stored in the key code table storage unit 106. The key code value is read and output to the terminal control unit 100 (step S4). Thereby, the terminal control part 100 starts the process corresponding to this key code value.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3 that the template 40 is on the keyboard surface 22 (that is, when the detection switch 64 is on), the keyboard controller 101 stores the table 2 (stored in the key code table storage unit 106). The key code value corresponding to the corresponding key input is read out from tbl2) and output to the terminal control unit 100 (step S5). Thereby, the terminal control part 100 starts the process corresponding to this key code value.

<Embodiment 2>
The first embodiment exemplifies the case where the slide movement of the first housing 10 with respect to the second housing 20 is a slide rotation movement with the rotation mechanism unit 30 as a center. A case where the slide movement of the first housing 10 with respect to the body 20 is a linear movement will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing Embodiment 2 of the portable terminal of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are longitudinal sectional views showing the structure of the switching means.

  A mobile terminal 1B according to the second embodiment includes a first housing 10 having a display surface 12 on which a display 11 is disposed and a display back surface 13 serving as a back surface of the display surface 12, and a keyboard surface 22 on which a keyboard 21 is disposed. A second housing 20 and a connection mechanism unit 70 for connecting the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are provided.

  The connection mechanism unit 70 includes a first posture in which the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 is covered by the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10 (the state illustrated in FIG. 7A), and the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are connected to each other so as to be reciprocally slidable in one direction Y between the second posture (the state shown in FIGS. 7C and 7E) exposing the Yes.

  That is, a pair of slide grooves 27 and 27 are formed in parallel along one direction Y on both the left and right sides of the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20, and the display rear surface of the first housing 10 that faces the pair. A pair of slide rods 15, 15 projecting downward are formed on the left and right sides of 13. That is, when the slide rods 15 and 15 reciprocally slide in the one direction Y in the slide grooves 27 and 27, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are changed from the first posture to the second posture. And it slides from the second position to the first position.

  A template 40 arranged on the keyboard surface 22 is interposed between the display rear surface 13 of the first housing 10 and the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 thus configured. A pair of slide grooves 44, 44 are formed in parallel on the left and right sides of the template 40 along one direction Y, and the slide rod 15 of the first housing 10 is inserted into the slide groove 44.

  A coil spring 71 that urges the template 40 to always press the template 40 against the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10 is externally fitted in a compressed state at the lower portion of the slide rod 15. An annular retaining piece 15a for preventing the coil spring 71 from coming off is formed. A slide washer 72 is interposed between the upper end of the coil spring 71 and the lower surface of the template 40. By inserting the slide washer 72, when the slide rod 15 slides in the slide groove 44 of the template 40, the slide washer 72 contacts the display back surface 13 of the template 40 by the elastic force of the coil spring 71. The sliding movement of the slide rod 15 is ensured by sliding with the slide rod 15 in the state.

  On the other hand, on the left and right side surfaces 24, 24 of the second housing 20, a pair of locking rods 51, 51 are disposed to face each other. The locking rod 51 is formed in an inverted L shape when viewed from the side, and a lower end portion thereof is rotatably connected to the side surface 24 by a locking pin 25. Further, the upper locking claws 52 extend in the directions of each other so that when the locking hook 51 is closed, the upper locking claws 52 rotate to the upper end of the keyboard surface 22. The locking claw 52 has a thin tip 52a, and a tapered surface 52b is formed continuously from the tip 52a. In addition, tapered surfaces 40 b are formed at both left and right end portions of the template 40 facing the locking rods 51, 51, and the distal end portion 52 a of the locking rod 51 is connected to the upper surface of the template 40 and the first housing 10. It becomes easy to insert between the display back surface 13.

  When the locking rods 51, 51 are in the closed state (the state shown in FIG. 8), the tapered surfaces 40b at the left and right ends of the template 40 are the tip portions of the locking claws 52, 52 of the locking rods 51, 51. The template 40 is first locked by 52 a and then pushed downward along the tapered surface 52 b of the locking claw 52, so that the template 40 opposes the elastic force of the coil spring 71 and the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20. It will be in the state pressed against. At this time, a pair of left and right first protrusions 41 are provided on the lower surface of the template 40, and a pair of left and right first recesses 26 are provided on the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 opposite to the first protrusions 41. If the projection 41 and the first recess 26 are configured to engage with each other, the template 40 is reliably engaged with the second housing 20. Accordingly, in this state, the first housing 10 is moved in the Y1 direction from the first posture shown in FIG. 7A to the second posture shown in FIG. 7C through the intermediate posture shown in FIG. 7B. Even if it is slid, the template 40 can be reliably fixed on the keyboard surface 22 of the second casing 20 without being affected by the sliding movement of the first casing 10. That is, each key button of the keyboard 21 at this time is a key button for executing a key function marked on the template 40 (for example, a key function corresponding to numerals 1, 2, 3,...).

  The first recess 26 is provided with a detection switch 64 for detecting the engagement of the first protrusion 41. The detection switch 64 can be, for example, a mechanical limit switch. When the first protrusion 41 is engaged with the first recess 26, the limit switch is turned on by the first protrusion 41. Yes.

  On the other hand, when the locking rods 51, 51 are in the open state (the state shown in FIG. 9), the template 40 is lifted from the keyboard surface 22 of the second housing 20 by the elastic force of the coil spring 71, and the first housing 10 is pressed against the back surface 13 of the display. At this time, a pair of left and right second protrusions 42 are provided on the upper surface of the template 40, and a pair of left and right second recesses 14 are provided on the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10. If the two concave portions 14 are engaged, the template 40 is reliably engaged with the display back surface 13 of the first housing 10. Accordingly, in this state, the first housing 10 is moved in the Y1 direction from the first posture shown in FIG. 7A to the second posture shown in FIG. 7E through the intermediate posture shown in FIG. When the slide movement is performed, the template 40 is also surely slid together with the first housing 10. That is, each key button of the keyboard 21 at this time is a key function (for example, a key function corresponding to English a, b, c,...) Marked on the keyboard surface 22 (or the key top of the key button 21). ) Is a key button to execute. Such switching of the key function can be performed based on the ON / OFF state of the detection switch 64 as described above.

  The electrical configuration of the portable terminal 1B having the above configuration is the same as that in FIG. 4, and the flowchart of the key function selection process is the same as that in FIG.

It is a top view which shows Embodiment 1 of the portable terminal of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the slide rotation movement of the switching means of Embodiment 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the slide rotation movement of the switching means of Embodiment 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the portable terminal of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a key code table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the selection process of the key function in the portable terminal of this invention. It is a top view which shows Embodiment 2 of the portable terminal of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the slide rotation movement of the switching means of Embodiment 2. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the slide rotation movement of the switching means of Embodiment 2.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B portable terminal 10 first housing 11 display (liquid crystal display device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Display surface 13 Display back surface 14 2nd recessed part 15 Slide bowl 20 2nd housing | casing 21 Keyboard 22 Keyboard surface 24 Side surface 25 Locking pin 26 1st recessed part 27 Slide groove 30 Coupling mechanism part 31 Coil spring 32 Washer 40 Template 40b Tapered surface 41 1st protrusion 42 2nd protrusion 44 Slide groove 51 Locking hook 52 Locking claw 52a Tip part 52b Tapered surface 64 Detection switch 70 Coupling mechanism part 71 Coil spring 100 Terminal control part 101 Keyboard controller 102 Display controller 103 Various drivers 105 Workpiece Memory 106 Key code table storage unit 109 Various devices

Claims (1)

A first housing having a display surface on which a display is disposed and a display back surface serving as a back surface of the display surface, a second housing having a keyboard surface on which a keyboard is disposed, and the keyboard back surface covering the keyboard surface. A portable terminal comprising a coupling mechanism unit that slidably couples the first housing and the second housing between a first posture and a second posture that exposes the keyboard surface;
A template placed on the keyboard surface;
A first state in which the template is slid from the first posture to the second posture with the template placed on the keyboard surface, and the template is engaged with the rear surface of the display and slid from the first posture to the second posture. Switching means for switching between the moving second state;
A portable terminal comprising table selection means for changing a key code associated with a keyboard operation in accordance with the switching means.

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