JP2001242957A - Portable information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the portable information processing system which can attach the portable information processing device including a portable station to be satisfied with both and portability of various kinds of interfaces of the portable information processing device. SOLUTION: A portable information processing system is constituted of H/PC 100 and a mobile station 200 having a function performing power source supply to H/PC 100 when it is formed in the other body and H/PC 100 is mounted. The mobile station 200 communicates and/or controls with the interface of various apparatuses capable of processing H/PC 100, and a connector for connecting the mobile station 200, a power source and a signal when H/PC 100 is mounted and each apparatus connected through the interface when H/PC 100 is connected through the connector.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing system comprising a portable information processing device and a portable (mobile) station which can be used by connecting the portable information processing device. Handheld P that can link data
The present invention relates to a portable information processing system using an information processing device such as C.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A portable information processing apparatus generally has a keyboard or tablet, and when used, can input information arbitrarily from the keyboard or tablet. The input information is processed by a processing device stored therein, and the processing result is displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device.

[0003] In recent years, in particular, a higher level of portability has been demanded especially for this type of portable information processing apparatus. That is,
Personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC")
And a handheld PC that can link data with a PC (hereafter,
Called "H / PC". In order to enhance portability, portable information processing apparatuses such as the one described above are being miniaturized. However, in recent years, various connection connectors and interfaces have been required due to the development of communication networks and the development of cards related to various uses. Therefore, although not all of these various connectors are used,
Since it is a portable information processing device, it is necessary to arrange the above-mentioned interface relation around the main body.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a specific example of a portable information processing apparatus according to a conventional example. As shown in a partially cutaway plan view of FIG. 9, a CF (compact flash) card connector 40
1, an AC adapter jack 402, a PDC / PHS connector 403, an earphone jack 404, and a USB connector 405 are provided.
6, modular jack 407 and optical communication element 408
Is provided. A CF card 411 functioning as an external storage device is attached to the CF card connector 401.
An AC adapter 412 is connected to the AC adapter jack 402.
Is connected. The PDC / PHS connector 403 has a connection terminal 313 for a mobile phone or PHS, the earphone jack 404 has an earphone plug 414, and the USB
A USB standard connection terminal 415 is connected to the connector 405, and a PC card 419 is mounted in the PC card slot 409. Serial connector 406 is PC
This is for data linking with a plug 416 of the same standard from the PC side.
7 has a modular connector 417 connected to a public line.
Is inserted. A speaker 420 is provided on the upper surface of the portable information processing apparatus main body 400, and a voice memo button 4 is provided on the side surface.
21 are provided respectively.

[0005]

When the various interfaces as described above are provided on the side surface or the top surface of the portable information processing apparatus main body 400, the mounting area of the circuit component mounting parts of the control board 430 becomes large. The main body was large and heavy. In addition, since such various interfaces are provided, there are problems in communication time and other power, and it is necessary to ensure a sufficient capacity of the main battery 440. Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
Requires the mounting of the circuit components 470 on both the upper and lower surfaces and the mounting of various connectors, which inevitably increases the thickness and weight of the portable information processing device 400, resulting in an increase in size. . Note that reference numeral 460 is a liquid crystal display device.

[0006] Naturally, this type of H / PC
The form of use and portability also differ depending on the purpose of use. That is, the user simply carries the H / PC when going out, edits or mails when going out, connects to the PC if necessary after returning to work or home, and transfers the input data to the PC.
There is a case where the data is processed by a PC by taking the data into a PC, and a case where various interfaces are used for a long-term business trip or a specific business. It is necessary to consider these usage patterns. However, in general, as described above, only ones provided with various interfaces at all times are provided, so that such a large and heavy portable information processing apparatus must be carried.

Further, as a cause of the increase in size, there is a problem of the position of the main battery 440 for driving the main body. That is, in this type of portable information processing apparatus, the center of gravity moves rearward when the lid provided with the liquid crystal display device 460 is opened, and the touch panel on the front surface of the liquid crystal display device 460 is pressed during tablet operation. In consideration of the stability of the main body, as shown in FIG. 10, a main battery 440 for driving the main body is arranged on the front side of the main body so as to balance the main battery, but this also causes an increase in the size of the main body.

In this type of portable information processing apparatus, various interfaces are generally arranged around the main body as described above, and these interfaces are used for long-term business trips and other specific tasks. Frequency, but portability is inevitably impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances of the prior art, and has as its object to be able to mount a portable information processing device, to use various interfaces of the portable information processing device, and to improve portability. To provide a portable information processing system including a portable station for satisfying the following.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable information processing system capable of forming a portable information processing apparatus capable of reducing the size and weight of a main body without impairing operability.

Another object is to provide a portable information processing system comprising a portable station capable of satisfying both various interfaces and portability, and a portable information processing apparatus which can be used integrally with or separately from the portable station. To provide.

[0012]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable information processing apparatus having at least an information input / output function and a display function, and a portable information processing apparatus formed separately from the portable information processing apparatus. A portable information processing system comprising at least a portable station having a function of supplying power to the portable information processing device when the portable information processing device is attached, wherein the portable station performs processing by the portable information processing device. Interfaces of various possible devices, when the portable information processing device is mounted, connection means for connecting a power supply and a signal to the portable station main body, and when the portable information processing device is connected via the connection means Communication and / or control with each device connected via the interface, And a configuration in which a circuit means for performing by the device.

In this case, a tray for mounting the portable information processing device is formed in the portable station, and when the portable information processing device is slid to a predetermined position on the tray, the connection by the connection means is established. It is preferable to set the relative position between the predetermined position and the connection means so that the connection is established. Further, the connection means is provided directly on the control board of the portable station and the control board of the portable information processing device, so as to eliminate useless space.

Further, when the connection by the connection means is made, the central control means automatically activates both the portable station and the portable information processing apparatus so that they can be handled as an integrated apparatus. To A battery is provided in each of the portable information processing device and the portable station, and when the battery of the portable information processing device is exhausted, power is supplied by the battery of the portable station.

Further, a keyboard is provided in the portable information processing apparatus, and a setting is made so that circuit components are not mounted on a control board portion facing the keyboard. Reduce the thickness. In addition, a pointing device is provided on the keyboard, and a right button and a left button are arranged on the keyboard outside the battery installation area of the portable information processing device on a troublesome side. This also has a structure that promotes thinning.

In the case of miniaturization, generally, a key pitch of about 15 m, which is a certain key pitch, is required to enable touch typing of the keyboard from the viewpoint of operability.
m or more is one measure. It is necessary to determine the size of the main body in consideration of miniaturization while taking into account the main use of the portable information processing apparatus and other considerations, but in consideration of operability, it does not necessarily mean that the size of the main body can be reduced. Therefore, the key pitch is set to, for example, about 15 mm, which is considered to be the minimum size in consideration of operability, and the width of the main body size of the portable information processing apparatus is determined by an optimal arrangement based on the key pitch. Next, a control board having the maximum size that matches the width is arranged in the main body, and the extra space generated by the circuit configuration includes, for example, a mobile phone, a PH.
A PDC / PHS connector for connecting an S or a compact flash card (hereinafter referred to as a CF card) for external storage is provided. The control board determined in this way is arranged in the main body, and the easy-to-see large-screen liquid crystal display device determined from the width of the main body size is connected to the main body via a hinge mechanism.

In consideration of the operability and portability of the portable information processing apparatus, the portable station is provided with a tray into which the main body of the portable information processing apparatus itself can be slid and inserted. A connector for connecting to the connector is provided, and the relative positions of both connectors are set so that the main body connector can be connected to the connector by simply sliding the portable information processing device on the tray to the rear of the portable station. The shape and the guide of the portable information processing device are also set. Then, when the two connectors are connected, the operation for integrating the two is automatically started, and the setting is made so that the auxiliary battery can be charged and the inserted PC card or CF card can be automatically read. As a result, not only the portable information processing device alone, but also a portable station is carried integrally with the portable station, and the same function as carrying the portable information processing device main body in which various conventional interfaces arranged around the main body is obtained. Configured to be able to
If necessary, only the portable information processing apparatus can be detached and used. In addition, since the mobile station also has a built-in battery, it can withstand longer use.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of the H / PC main body according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a liquid crystal display unit in FIG. 1 is closed, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the H / PC main body which concerns on embodiment.

In these figures, the H / PC 100 comprises a main body 101 and a cover 102. The main body 101 is provided with a keyboard 103, and a liquid crystal display device 104 is provided inside the cover 102. . Each key of the keyboard 103 is arranged at a key pitch (about 15 mm or more) at which a general user can perform touch typing with good operability. Input information from the keyboard 103 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 104. Also, the keyboard 103
Is provided with a pointing device 105, and a right button 10
6 and a left button 107 are provided so that input operability can be improved without a touch panel. Further, a speaker 108 is provided on the right side. The purpose of eliminating the touch panel conventionally used in this type of H / PC 100 is to reduce the thickness and weight of the H / PC 100 as a whole. A touch panel may be provided on the front of the screen to enable pen input.

As shown in FIG. 3, a control board 120 on which control parts and a control circuit for controlling the entire apparatus are mounted is provided between the upper case 109 and the lower case 110 of the H / PC main body. Are located in The control board 120 has a size corresponding to the width of the keyboard 103 having a key pitch in consideration of the operability described above.
The components are not mounted on the upper surface 121 of the control board 120 facing the keyboard 103 to reduce the thickness, and the necessary circuit components 12 are provided on the lower surface 122 of the control board 7.
3 is implemented. In addition, the extra space generated by this implementation includes, for example, frequently used mobile phones, P
A PDC / PHS connector 131 for connecting an HS is provided on the left side of the main body 101, and a CDC as an external storage device.
CF card connector 1 for connecting F card 301
34 and a USB (universal serial bus) connector 135 common to various peripheral devices are provided on the right side of the main body 101. This is selected according to the marginal space after size reduction and the necessity of which connector should be mounted.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8, the control board 120 of the H / PC main body 101 includes a CPU 140, a ROM 141 storing programs of the CPU 140 and static information as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
In addition, the RAM 142 stores information for processing at 0, a RAM 142 also functioning as a work area for the CPU 140, a liquid crystal controller 143 for controlling display of the liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal display) 104, and storing images displayed on the liquid crystal display device 104. , A display memory 144 read by the liquid crystal controller 143, a keyboard controller 145 for controlling input / output from the keyboard 103, a PDC / P
A communication controller 146 for controlling communication information input / output via the HS connector 131; a CF card 301 connected to the CF card connector 134;
Communication controller 14 connected to SB connector 135
7 are connected to the CPU 140 via a bus. A power supply circuit 112 is connected to a main battery 111, which is a power supply for using the H / PC 100 alone, and power is supplied to the power supply circuit 112 from a commercial power supply supplied through an AC adapter jack 132. Then, the main battery 111 is charged. The H / PC main body 101 has a mobile station (hereinafter, referred to as a “mobile station”) 2.
00 and a main body connector 113 for supplying power and transmitting / receiving signals. The AC adapter jack 132 is used when only the H / PC main body 1 is used as shown in FIG. The body connector 11
Reference numeral 3 denotes an H / PC main body 101 when not in use, as shown in FIG.
Is closed by an opening / closing lid 133 provided on the back of the mobile station 20.
It is opened when it is connected to 0, so that both can be connected. The main battery 111 is disposed on the front side of the H / PC main body 101 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the H / PC 100 and the mobile station 200 are connected, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the H / PC 100 is used in the connected state. The trays 201 on the lower surface and both side surfaces of the mobile station 200 are configured so that the H / PC main body 101 can be inserted and combined. When the H / PC main body 101 is set at a predetermined position on the tray 201 of the mobile station 200, The relative positions of the main body connector 113 and the connection connector 213 are set so that the connector 113 of the H / PC main body 101 and the connection connector 213 of the mobile station 200 can be connected.
A guide (not shown) that defines the position on the top 1 is provided. Various methods and mechanisms are conceivable for a lock mechanism and the like for connecting the main body connector 113 of the H / PC main body 101 and the connection connector 213 of the mobile station 200 and carrying the mobile phone with both connected. Since there is no feature, the illustration and the description of the specific example are omitted.

Here, the configuration of the mobile station 200 which is the gist of the present invention will be described. Normal H / PC
There are various interfaces generally arranged on the main body 101 as described with reference to FIG. 9 described above. In the present invention, these interfaces are H / PC
For the main body 1, for example, the PDC / PHS connector 131, CF card connector 134 and USB
Only the connector 135 is provided, and the other interfaces shown in FIG. 9 are provided on the mobile station 200 side. As a result, the size of the H / PC 100 can be reduced,
Lightening is possible, and if necessary, H / P
The C100 and the mobile station 200 can be combined and carried. That is, if necessary, H / PC1
00 is connected to the mobile station 200, and when mobility and portability are required, the small and light H / PC 100 can be removed and carried as needed to be carried and used. Therefore, the mobile station 200 also has an AC adapter jack 2
32 are provided. This AC adapter jack 23
When an AC plug is inserted into the H / PC 1, the mobile station 200 is driven as a whole,
00 of the H / PC main unit 101.
If the AC adapter plug 132 is inserted, the H / PC 100 is driven and the main battery 11
1 is also charged.

Next, the interface relation arranged in the mobile station 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the mobile station 200 with H /
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state where the PC main body 101 is connected. As shown in the figure, a board 210 is provided in the mobile station 200, and a connection connector 213 is provided at a leading end of the board 210 on the connection side with the H / PC main body 101. The main body connector 113 of the H / PC main body 101 is connected to the connection connector 213 and the distributor 211 is connected.
Is electrically connected to As shown in FIG. 8, the mobile station 200 has a PC card slot 221 for inserting a PC card 302 for operating a storage card for storing edited data and other application software as required, Similarly, a CF card slot 222 for inserting a CF card 303 such as a storage card or an application card, an earphone jack 223 for voice memo sound output, a voice memo button 224, and various peripherals similar to those provided in the H / PC main body 1. USB (universal serial bus) common to devices
A connector 225, a PDC / PHS connector 226 for connecting a mobile phone or PHS similar to that provided on the H / PC main body 1, a serial connector 227 for linking PC data, and a modular jack 22 for a general telephone line.
8. Optical communication element 229 and digital camera 3 for cooperating data by optical communication between PC or H / PC main body
A connector 230 for taking in data from the printer 15 and a printer connector 231 for connecting to a printer are provided. In addition, a sub-battery 233 is provided in the mobile station 200, and A
Power is supplied from the power supply circuit 234 connected via the C adapter jack 232, the battery is charged, and
When the / PC body 101 is connected to the mobile station 200 and carried, it can be used for driving together with the main battery 111 in the H / PC body 101.

Note that a U for connecting to the peripheral device 310
SB connector 225, PDC / PHS connector 226 for connecting to mobile phone 311, serial connector 227 for connecting to host PC 312, and phone 31
3 are connected to communication jacks 228, 236, 237, and 238, respectively.
Are connected, and each of the communication controllers 235 to 238 is connected to the distributor 211. The printer 314 is connected to the printer controller 2 via the printer connector 231.
39, and the digital camera 315 is connected to the connector 23.
0 is connected to the camera interface circuit 240. The printer controller 239 and the camera interface circuit 240 are also connected to the distributor 211. Also, the PC card slot 221,
Connectors 221a and 221b are provided at the deepest portion of the CF card slot 222, respectively.

When the mobile station 200 is configured as described above, the main body connector 113 of the H / PC main body 101 is slid to the connection connector 213 of the mobile station 200 as shown in FIG. , H / PC main unit 101 has a distributor 2
11 and is connected to each mounting part component of the mobile station. Thereby, the connectors 221a, 222a, 223, 225, 226, and 22 corresponding to each mounted component are provided.
7, 228, 230, 231 via the PC card 30
2, CF card 303, earphone 316, peripheral device 31
When the mobile phone 311, PC 312, phone 313, digital camera 315, and printer 314 are arbitrarily connected, the CPU 140 of the H / PC main body 101 disconnects each device connected to any connector of the mobile station 200. It becomes possible to control the CPU 140
Can be controlled as if it were connected to the H / PC main body 101 itself.
A multi-function portable information processing apparatus can be configured, although the size is increased by 00 and the weight is also increased. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state when used in combination. Therefore, it is possible to freely use the H / PC 100 as needed, in a state where many interfaces can be connected, and to remove and use the H / PC 100 as necessary, depending on the usage mode of the user.

As described above, according to the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention, a small and lightweight main body can be carried around when inputting, editing, or mailing is usually easily carried. In addition, when various interfaces are used, by combining the small and lightweight main body with the mobile station 20 and carrying it, a mobile body having substantially the same size as the conventional one is exhibited to further enhance mobility. it can.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the portable station is provided with interfaces of various devices which can be processed by the portable information processing apparatus, and the portable station main body when the portable information processing apparatus is mounted. A connection unit for connecting a power supply and a signal, and when the portable information processing device is connected via the connection unit, communication and / or control with each of the devices connected via the interface is performed by the portable information. The portable information processing device connected to the portable station only needs to be provided with a minimum interface since it is provided with circuit means for performing the processing by the central control device of the processing device. Can be reduced in size. In addition, since the mobile station can be used integrally, the function of the mobile information processing device itself is not impaired,
Both the use of various interfaces of the portable information processing apparatus and the portability can be satisfied.

Further, according to the present invention, a tray for mounting a portable information processing device is formed in a portable station, and when the portable information processing device is slid to a predetermined position on the tray and set, the connection by the connection means is established. Since the predetermined position and the relative position of the connection means are set so as to be performed, they can be integrated by a simple operation, and a system excellent in operability can be configured.

Further, according to the present invention, since the connection means is provided on the control board of the portable station and the control board of the portable information processing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the size by saving space.

Further, according to the present invention, when the connection by the connection means is made, the central control means automatically activates both the portable station and the portable information processing device, so that the central control means is electrically integrated with the portable information processing apparatus. It is possible to function as one information processing device without performing any operation. At this time, the portable information processing apparatus and the portable station are provided with batteries, respectively. When the battery of the portable information processing apparatus is exhausted, power can be supplied by the battery of the portable station. The processing device can be used for a long time.

Further, according to the present invention, the portable information processing apparatus has a keyboard, and since no circuit component is mounted on the control board portion facing the keyboard, the thickness can be further reduced. In addition, a pointing device is provided on the keyboard, and the right button and the left button are disposed outside the battery disposition area of the portable information processing apparatus and on the trouble side of the keyboard. Without reducing the thickness, the thickness can be reduced to a thickness defined by the height dimension of the battery.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a H / PC according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a liquid crystal display unit is opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the H / PC of FIG. 1 in a state in which a liquid crystal display unit is closed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the H / PC in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a state where the H / PC and the mobile station according to the embodiment of the present invention are combined and integrated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the H / PC and the mobile station according to the embodiment of the present invention are combined and used integrally.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a main part of the mobile station according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing an arrangement of various interfaces.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration when the H / PC main body and the mobile station are combined.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the H / PC main body according to the conventional example, showing a state of arrangement of interfaces, in which main parts are cut away.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional H / PC main body taken in a transverse direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 portable information processing device (H / PC) 101 H / PC main body 103 keyboard 104 liquid crystal display device 111 main battery 113 main body connector 140 CPU 200 portable station (mobile station) 201 tray 211 distributor 213 connection connector 233 sub battery

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A portable information processing device having at least an information input / output function and a display function, and formed separately from the portable information processing device, and when the portable information processing device is attached, at least the portable information A portable information processing system comprising: a portable station having a function of supplying power to the processing device; wherein the portable station includes: an interface of various devices that can be processed by the portable information processing device; A connection unit for connecting a power supply and a signal to the mobile station main body when the mobile information processing device is mounted; and a connection between the portable information processing device and the respective devices connected via the interface when the mobile information processing device is connected via the connection unit. Circuit means for performing communication and / or control by the central control device of the portable information processing device. Portable information processing system according to claim Rukoto. 2. When the portable information processing device is provided with a tray for mounting the portable information processing device on the portable station, and the portable information processing device is slid to a predetermined position on the tray, the connection by the connection means is performed. 2. The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the relative position between the predetermined position and the connection unit is set as described above. 3. The portable information processing system according to claim 2, wherein said connection means is provided on a control board of said portable station and a control board of said portable information processing apparatus. 4. The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the connection by the connection means is made, the central control means automatically activates both the portable station and the portable information processing apparatus. . 5. The portable information processing device and the portable station are provided with batteries, respectively, and when the battery of the portable information processing device is exhausted, power is supplied by the battery of the portable station. The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The portable information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing apparatus includes a keyboard, and a control board portion facing the keyboard is set in a non-mounting portion of a circuit component. . 7. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pointing device is provided on the keyboard, and a right button and a left button are disposed on the side of the keyboard outside the battery disposition area of the portable information processing apparatus. Morphological information processing system.