KR20010098273A - Personal Digital Assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, comprising: a main body casing, a control unit in the main body casing, a memory, an input unit, a display unit, and a wireless digital data communication unit connected to the control unit in the main body casing; A main body side air interface provided in the main body casing to wirelessly transmit and receive a voice signal from the communication unit under a control of the controller; A handset unit having a handset casing independent from the main body casing, a handset side radio interface installed inside the handset casing and capable of communicating with the main body side air interface, and a handset and a handset for transmitting and receiving voice signals through the handset side wireless interface; Characterized in that. As a result, the portable information terminal may be equipped with a detachable handset to perform a phone call function.

Description

Portable Information Terminal {Personal Digital Assistant}

The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly, to a portable information terminal equipped with a detachable handset.

With the development of science and technology, portable devices are currently being combined with devices of different functions in one device. In particular, with the increasing use of the Internet and the development of data communication, many products have added information communication functions to portable devices. As one of such functional handheld portable devices, a number of products that add communication functions to portable information terminals have been introduced.

Typically, a portable information terminal is a portable device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or an organizer, and can use various applications. Although the functionality of portable information terminals that can communicate varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, they are essentially identical in that they must have features such as data transmission and a web browser for digital Internet access. Such portable information terminals include handheld PCs, Palmtop PCs, and mobile computers that add communication functions to PDAs.

However, when communicating through a conventional portable information terminal, there is a hassle to use a cable connected to the mobile phone to the modem mounted inside the terminal. Even when communication is possible by the portable information terminal itself, there is a problem that data communication is possible but the voice call function of the mobile phone is not provided.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal capable of voice communication by attaching a detachable handset capable of short-range wireless transmission and reception with a terminal body in a portable information terminal.

1 is an external structural diagram of a portable information terminal according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram illustrating a main body of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

3 is a block diagram of a handset of an embodiment;

4 is a block diagram of a main body of a terminal according to another embodiment;

5 is a block diagram of a handset of another embodiment;

6 is a structural view showing the handset of another embodiment.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: terminal body 12: display unit

16: camera 17: camera lens

22: antenna 50: handset

62: handset 64: handset

66: microphone 100: electronic pen

24: communication unit 26: input unit

28: camera unit 30: main control unit

32: memory 34: main body side wireless interface

36: output unit 38: digital processor

70: handset side wireless interface

72: duplexer 74: receiver

76: transmission unit 78: audio unit

80: control unit 82: key input unit

84: display unit 86: buffer memory

90: receiver unit 92: transmitter unit

52: display window 54: keypad

56: Select Button 60: Connect Button

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal having a main body casing, a control unit in the main body casing, and a memory, an input unit, a display unit, and a wireless digital data communication unit connected to the control unit in the main body casing. A main body side air interface provided within the main body to wirelessly transmit and receive a voice signal from the communication unit under control of the controller; A handset unit having a handset casing independent from the main body casing, a handset side radio interface installed inside the handset casing to communicate with the main body side wireless interface, and a handset and a handset for transmitting and receiving voice signals through the handset side wireless interface; It is achieved by a portable information terminal characterized in that.

Here, the camera may be mounted to the main body casing to provide an image signal to the controller.

The handset unit may further include a plurality of key input units provided on a surface of the handset casing, a display window, and a control unit that receives input signals from the key input unit and controls the handset, the handset, and the display window. In addition to functions, it is also possible to perform more functions.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a portable information communication terminal according to the present invention. As shown, the portable information communication terminal according to the present invention includes a terminal body 10, a handset 50, and an electronic pen 100.

The display unit 12 is provided on the surface of the plate-shaped terminal body 10. Here, the display unit 12 preferably uses a touch screen composed of an LCD for outputting information and a touch panel for reading input information of a user. When the user inputs the desired information with the electronic pen 100 on the touch panel, it is possible to display the output according to the LCD.

Here, the electronic pen 100 is detachable to one side of the terminal body 10.

In addition, one side of the terminal body 10 may be provided with a camera 16. Normally, the camera lens 16 faces forward, but if necessary, a part of the casing main body 10 including the camera lens 17 is rotated 180 ° about the front edge of the terminal, and upwardly protruded. You can also face.

The handset 50 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a handset 64 at one end and a handset 62 at the other end, and can be used when a user performs voice communication.

Here, the handset can be any device as long as it has a handset function, such as an ear microphone.

2 and 3 show schematic block diagrams of the functions of the portable information terminal having the above appearance. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the portable information terminal main body 10, which includes an input unit 26 for receiving input from the display unit 12, an output unit 36 for displaying information based on an input signal, and controlling them. The main control part 30 is included. The main controller 30 processes the signal from the input unit 26 to output the requested data from the memory 32 to the output unit 36. In this case, the memory 32 is connected to the main controller 30, and stores information necessary for the terminal to operate and information stored by the user.

The main controller 30 also controls the communication unit 24 for transmitting and receiving digital data via the antenna 22 to enable digital communication. When a signal for requesting digital communication is transmitted to the input unit 26, the main controller 30 controls the communication unit 24 to transmit and receive digital data. The received data is transmitted to the output unit 36 through the antenna 22 and the communication unit 24 to enable digital communication.

The digital processor 38 controlled by the main controller 30 performs a function of modulating a digital signal received through the communication unit 24 into a voice signal. The voice signal modulated by the digital processor 38 is transmitted to the handset 50 via the main body side air interface 34.

In addition, the digital processor 38 modulates a user's voice signal received through the main body side wireless interface 34 into a digital signal and transmits the digital signal through the communication unit 24 and the antenna 22 to enable voice data communication. .

3 shows a schematic block diagram of the functionality of the handset 50. As shown, the handset 50 includes a handset side air interface 70 for communicating with the main body side air interface 34, a duplexer 72 for separating transmission and reception signals, and a transmitter and a receiver connected to the duplexer 72. It includes.

Here, the receiver 90 functions to transmit a voice signal coming into the handset side wireless interface 70 through a speaker so that a user can hear it.

On the other hand, the talker 92 transmits the user's voice input through the microphone to the main body side wireless interface 34 through the duplexer 72 and the transmitting side radio interface 70.

When power is applied to the terminal body 10 according to this configuration, the main controller 30 operates on the touch screen of the display unit 12 through the output unit 36 according to an operation program stored in the memory 32. Displays a menu to select the mode. The user can use the portable information terminal for a desired purpose by selecting the menu icon displayed on the touch screen with the electronic pen 100.

When the user wants to make a call, the user inputs a telephone number using the display window for the telephone displayed on the display unit 12. The telephone number signal input to the input unit 26 through the touch screen of the display unit 12 can be dialed by being transmitted through the antenna 22 from the communication unit 24 under the control of the main controller 30. On the other hand, during a phone call, the user's voice input through the microphone of the transmitter 92 is modulated into an electrical voice signal by the transmitter 92 so that the main body side radio is transmitted through the duplexer 72 and the handset side radio interface 70. Is sent to interface 34. The voice signal of the user coming in through the main body side wireless interface 34 is modulated into a digital signal by the digital processor 38 and transmitted to the other party through the communication unit 24 and the antenna 22. The digital signal of the other party making a phone call is received through the antenna 22 and the communication unit 24 of the terminal body 10, and modulated into a voice signal by the digital processor 38 under the control of the main controller 30. It is transmitted to the handset side air interface 70 through the main body side air interface 34. The voice signal received through the handset side air interface 70 is transmitted to the user via the speaker of the receiver 90 through the duplexer 72, thereby enabling a telephone call.

4 and 5 are schematic block diagrams of functions of a portable information terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the above-described embodiment, it can be seen that the function of the digital processor 38 of the terminal body 10 is transferred to the handset 50 of FIG. 5.

4 is a functional block diagram of a main body of a portable information terminal, which includes an input unit 26 for receiving input, an output unit 36 for displaying information based on an input signal, and a main controller 30 for controlling them. In addition, by further including a communication unit 24 for transmitting and receiving digital signals from the antenna 22 and a main body-side wireless interface 34 for communication with the handset, communication with the handset 50 as well as general digital communication is also possible. It is possible.

The digital signal received by the communication unit 24 is transmitted through the main body side air interface 34 under the control of the main controller 30. The digital signal transmitted from the handset 50 to the main body side radio interface 34 can also be transmitted to the other party through the communication unit 24 under the control of the main controller 30.

In addition, the main control unit 30 may further include a function of notifying that the call is received by transmitting a ring signal to the handset 50 through the main body side air interface 34 before transmitting data to the handset 50.

5 shows a schematic block diagram of the functionality of the handset 50. As shown, the handset 50 includes a handset-side air interface 70 for communicating with the main body side air interface 34, a duplexer 72, a transmitter 76, a receiver 74, and an audio unit 78. And a control unit 80 for controlling them. The illustrated audio unit 78 modulates a voice signal to be transmitted into a digital signal, and modulates the received digital signal into a voice signal. The microphone 66 connected to the audio unit 78 receives a user's voice, and the receiver 64 transmits a voice signal modulated by the audio unit 78.

In addition, the audio unit 78 may also perform a ringer function under the control of the controller 80.

The digital signal transmitted from the main body side radio interface 34 is received by the receiver unit 74 under the control of the control unit 80 through the handset side air interface 70 and the duplexer 72, and the user of the audio unit 78 receives the audio signal from the audio unit 78. It is modulated into audible voice signal and sent out through the receiver.

The voice data input through the microphone 66 is modulated into radio data by the audio unit 78 and is controlled by the handset control unit 80 to control the duplexer 72 and the handset side wireless interface 70. Via the main body side wireless interface 34.

Here, the control unit 80 further includes a function of detecting a ring signal through the receiver 74 and transmitting the ring signal through the ringer of the audio unit 78 when a ring signal is generated from the main body side air interface 34. , The user may know that a call has arrived.

In addition, the handset 50 may further include a buffer memory 86 storing information for performing a function of the controller 80, thereby performing additional functions such as volume control.

The appearance of the handset according to the above function can be represented as shown in FIG. The handset 50 shown in FIG. 6 has a display window 52 showing an operation state on the casing surface, a keypad 54, and a plurality of selection buttons 56 for selecting and adjusting menus displayed on the display window 52. FIG. Is installed. By combining the select button 56 and the keypad 54 provided on the front side, an effect button (not shown) supporting additional functions may be further installed on one side of the handset to perform more functions. The connect button 60 provided on one side of the handset casing allows the user to communicate with the terminal body 10 when making or receiving a phone call so that the user can make a phone call.

In addition, a handset 64 is provided at one end of the handset 50, and a handset 62 is provided at the other end. The handset 62 has a stick shape having a gentle bend according to the curve of the handset 50, and a microphone 66 is provided at the end of the handset 62 to receive a user's voice. Normally, the handset 62 keeps close contact with the groove of the handset 50, and when the user wants to make a phone call, the user can make a call by rotating 180 ° around the handset 50 and rotating downward. Such a shape can reduce the size of the handset 50, and can be convenient to carry.

When the user wants to make a call using the portable information terminal according to such a configuration, the handset 50 is detached from the terminal body 10 and used. The handset 50 is rotated and protruded downward by closely contacting the handset 62 which is in close contact with the casing groove, so that the microphone 66 of the handset 62 is positioned at a place where a user's voice is easily input, and is provided at one side of the handset 50. The connected button (60). When the connect button 60 is pressed, communication between the handset side wireless interface 70 and the main body side wireless interface 34 is enabled, and the display window 52 displays a message indicating that a call can be made. After confirming that the user can make a call, the user inputs a telephone number using the keypad 54. The telephone number input to the keypad 54 is displayed on the display window 52 by the display unit 84 under the control of the control unit 80. In addition, the telephone number signal is input to the key input unit 82 under the control of the controller 80 and is transmitted to the main body side wireless interface 34 through the handset side air interface 70. In the terminal main body 10, the telephone number signal received through the main body side wireless interface 34 can be dialed through the communication unit 24 and the antenna 22. FIG.

When the user wants to make a call using the input telephone number, the user presses an effect button (not shown) provided at one side of the handset 50. The phone book request signal of the effect button is transmitted to the transmission unit 76 via the key input unit 82 and under the control of the control unit 80. The transmitting unit 76 transmits the phone book request signal to the main body side air interface 34 through the duplexer 72 and the handset side air interface 70. According to the telephone book request signal transmitted to the main control unit 30 through the main body side air interface 34, the main control unit 30 receives the phone book information stored in the memory 32 through the main body side air interface 34. To the side air interface 70. The controller 80 outputs the transmitted phonebook information to the display window 52 through the display unit 84. The user can call the stored telephone number by selecting the telephone number list displayed on the display window 52 with the selection button 56.

When a call is received, the main controller 30 of the terminal body 10 sends a ring signal to the handset side wireless interface 70 through the body side wireless interface 34. The controller 80, which detects the ring signal received through the handset side wireless interface 70, transmits a ring tone through the ringer of the audio unit 78, and indicates that a call is received by the display unit 52 through the display unit 84. Display a message. At this time, the user can answer the call by pressing the connect button 60 of the handset 50.

In the telephone call, the user's voice input through the microphone 66 is digitized in the audio unit 78 and transmitted to the transmitter 76. The transmitter 76 receiving the digital signal transmits a signal to the main body side wireless interface 34 through the duplexer 72 and the handset side air interface 70. The digital signal of the user received through the main body side air interface 34 is transmitted to the counterpart through the antenna 22 in the communication unit 24 under the control of the main controller 30. The digital signal of the other party making the telephone call is received through the antenna 22 and the communication unit 24 of the terminal main body 10 and transferred from the main body side air interface 34 to the handset side air interface 70. The handset 50 transmits the received digital signal of the other party to the audio unit 78 via the duplexer 72 and the receiver 74. The audio unit 78 converts the digital signal of the other party into a voice that can be heard by a human being and sends it to the handset 64 to make a telephone call.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to communicate with the portable information terminal and to conveniently make a telephone call using a detachable handset, thereby providing convenience to the user.

Claims (3)

A portable information terminal having a main body casing, a control unit in the main body casing, and a memory, an input unit, a display unit, and a wireless digital data communication unit connected to the control unit in the main body casing, A main body side air interface provided in the main body casing to wirelessly transmit and receive a voice signal from the communication unit under a control of the controller; A handset unit having a handset casing independent from the main body casing, a handset side radio interface installed inside the handset casing and capable of communicating with the main body side air interface, and a handset and a handset for transmitting and receiving voice signals through the handset side wireless interface; Portable information terminal, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, And a camera installed in the main body casing to provide an image signal to the controller. The method of claim 1, The handset unit further includes a plurality of key input units provided on a surface of the handset casing, a display window, and a control unit which receives input signals from the key input unit and controls the talker, the handset, and the display window. Portable information terminal.