JP2002055735A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor having a compact book type case body such as a palm size PC or a mail terminal capable of maintaining a certain closing locking force in a state that the case body is closed, and opening the case body without making it necessary to place the hand of a user on a function constituting component incorporated into the opened edge part. SOLUTION: An opening and closing locking/releasing mechanism of a main body part 11 and a cover part 12 is constituted so that a releasing button 21 for releasing the locking of a lock piece 19 in a lock hole 20 can be separated and arranged at the left side opposite to the right side where a camera part 17 is arranged at opened edge parts (11a, 12a). In a state that the case body is closed, the lock piece 19 is certainly locked to the lock hole 20 so that this case body can be prevented from unintentionally opened due to any other outer force other than the releasing button 21, and at the time of opening the case body, the thumb of a user is necessarily placed on each opened and closed edge face 11a and 12a at the left side of the opened edge parts where the releasing button 21 is arranged so that the case can be opened. Thus, there is no danger of adding an opening operation force to the camera part 17 and the camera part can be prevented from being damaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a PDA (Personal
Digital Assistants) and palm-sized PCs (Personal Com
putter), and an information processing device that is a small and portable electronic device such as a mail terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a small and portable electronic device such as a PDA, a palm-sized PC, a mail terminal, etc., a main body portion provided with a keyboard and a cover portion provided with a display screen are configured to be openable and closable with a double opening. In addition, many electronic devices having a book-shaped housing that can be easily carried in a closed state and operable in an open state have been put to practical use.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a mail terminal which is an example of an electronic device having a conventional book-type housing. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the electronic device having the housing opened. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the external appearance in a non-use state with the housing closed.

In the housing of the mail terminal 1, the main body 2 and the cover 3 are configured to be openable and closable with a hinge mechanism 4 at one end side thereof. A keyboard 5 is provided on the opposite side,
A liquid crystal display unit 6 is provided on a side surface of the cover unit 3 facing the main unit 2.

A camera part 7 is provided integrally as an independent component whose direction can be adjusted as shown by an arrow a at a part of one end on the open side of the cover part 3.

At the open end of the cover 3, there is provided a lock piece 8 projecting in the direction of the main body 2. When the cover 3 and the main body 2 are closed, the cover 8 is closed. The lock piece 3 is fitted into a lock hole 9 provided at a position facing the main body 2 and is lightly locked, so that a closed non-use state as shown in FIG. 5B is maintained. .

On the other hand, to change the mail terminal 1 from the closed non-use state as shown in FIG. 5B to the open use state as shown in FIG. The user grasps the main body 2 and the cover 3 with his / her hands, and places the thumb of one hand on the open end face 2a of the main body 2 and the thumb of the other hand on the open end face 3a of the cover 3, When this is opened in the left and right opposite directions, the locking by the lock piece 8 is released and the opening operation is performed.

In this case, since the lock piece 8 on the cover 3 side is merely fitted into the lock hole 9 on the main body 2 side and lightly locked, the open end faces 2a, 3a on which the user places thumbs of both hands. The upper position can be easily opened in any position.

[0009]

However, in the conventional case opening / closing structure in the mail terminal, the lock piece 8 is opened by the user's hand to open the main body 2 and the cover 3.
Since the locking force of the lock piece 8 is released by releasing the locking force of the lock piece 8, the locking force of the lock piece 8 cannot be too strong. For this reason, there is a possibility that the main body 2 and the cover 3 may be inadvertently opened by another external force.

On the other hand, at the time of the opening operation, the position on the open end faces 2a, 3a on which the user puts the thumbs of both hands may be any position. Side 7a of the camera unit 7 on 3a
If the opening operation is carried out frequently or strongly with a finger, the camera unit 7 may be damaged.

Not only the camera unit 7 but also an electronic device having a housing opening and closing structure similar to that of the mail terminal 1, and a part of an open end face thereof includes, for example, a switch, a volume, a microphone, a speaker, and a jack. If any functional component such as a connector or the like is incorporated and provided, the functional component may be similarly damaged or malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and maintains a secure closing locking force in a closed state, and further, does not require a user to handle a functional component incorporated in an open end surface thereof. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of performing an opening operation.

[0013]

That is, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the functional component is incorporated into a part of the open side end face of the main body or the cover, and the main body and the cover are connected to each other. A lock / release mechanism for locking and unlocking the main body and the cover in a closed state is provided at a position away from the functional component at the open end of each cover. A release button for performing an unlocking operation of the lock / release mechanism is disposed on the open end surface of the main body or the cover corresponding to the position where the lock / release mechanism is provided. At the time of opening operation with the cover portion, a finger is hooked only on the release button and an open end face near the release button.

In the information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the functional component is a length of an open end face of the main body or the cover. In the case where the main body and the cover are incorporated in a part that is closer to one or the other of the directions, the lock /
Since the release mechanism is provided, it is possible to prevent a finger accompanying the lock release operation from hanging on the functional component.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the lock / release mechanism is provided for each of the main body and the cover. Since it is provided at a position at least two or more of the average thumb width of an adult from the functional component at the open end, it is more likely that a finger accompanying the unlocking operation will hang on the functional component. It will surely be prevented.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the release button is provided on the main unit side. In the case of being disposed on the open end surface of the cover portion, a finger hook-shaped portion is provided for determining a position where a finger is to be put on the open end surface of the cover portion side corresponding to the disposition position when opening the main body portion and the cover portion. When the release button is disposed on the open end face on the cover part side, the release button is used to open the main body part and the cover part with respect to the open end face on the main body part side in accordance with the arrangement position. Since a finger-hanging shape portion for determining a position where a finger is to be hooked is provided, when opening the main body portion and the cover portion, the thumb of one hand is hooked on the release button, and the thumb of the other hand is hooked on the finger hook. In the shape part Vignetting in, so that the applied to the functional component is more reliably prevented.

[0017]

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a mail terminal according to an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention in a use state with a housing opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the mail terminal in a closed state when not in use.

The housing of the mail terminal 10 includes a main body 11
The cover 12 is configured to be openable and closable in a double-open manner via a hinge mechanism 13 on one end side. On the side of the main body 11 opposite to the cover 12, input keys for characters, numerals, and symbols and various functions are provided. A keyboard 14 having a setting key, an execution key, and the like, and a touch pen housing 15 for housing a touch pen for handwriting input on the tablet 16a are provided.

A liquid crystal display unit 16 having a tablet 16a is provided on a side surface of the cover unit 12 facing the main unit 11.

Further, a camera part 17 is integrally incorporated as an independent part capable of adjusting the imaging direction as shown by an arrow a at a part of the cover part 12 on the right side of one end on the open side. A “camera” button 18a for turning on an imaging function of the camera unit 17 and an “imaging” button 18b for instructing capture of a still image are provided on a side surface facing the main body unit 11 near the unit 17.

A lock piece 19 protruding in the direction of the main body 11 is provided on the left end of the open end of the cover 12 away from the camera section 17. The lock 19 on the cover 12 side is provided with a lock piece 19. A lock hole 20 into which the lock piece 19 is inserted when the main body 11 and the cover 12 are closed is provided at the open end of the main body 11 corresponding to the position.

Inside the lock hole 20, there is provided a lock fixing piece 22 (see FIG. 3) for locking the lock piece 19 inserted in the lock hole 20 to prevent the lock piece 19 from moving in the opening direction.

A release button 21 is provided on the open end face 11a of the main body 11 at a position adjacent to the lock hole 20 of the main body 11, and when the release button 21 is depressed, the lock fixing piece The locking state of the lock piece 19 by the lock piece 22 is released, and the lock piece 19 can be freely moved in the opening direction.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a lock / release mechanism of the main body 11 and the cover 12 in the mail terminal 10. As shown in FIG.

When the distal end of the lock piece 19 protruding from the cover 12 is inserted into the lock hole 20 of the main body 11 during the closing operation of the main body 11 and the cover 12, the lock hole 20 is inserted into the lock hole 20. The lock fixing piece 22 is disposed and urged by a spring 23 in the direction of arrow b to be locked at the tip of the lock fixing piece 22 to prevent its movement in the opening direction, and as shown in FIG. You.

When the release button 21 is pressed,
Accordingly, the lock fixing piece 22 is slid in the direction of the arrow c against the spring force of the spring 23, the locked state of the lock piece 19 is released, and the lock piece 19 is free to move in the opening direction.

In this case, the lock piece 19 on the cover 12 side
Are the springs 23 on the lock fixing pieces 22 on the main body 11 side.
Release button 2 because it is securely locked by the urging force of
As long as the lock state of the lock piece 19 is not released by the pressing operation of 1, the closed non-use state of the mail terminal 10 is securely maintained, and there is no possibility that the mail terminal 10 is opened carelessly by another external force.

The lock / release mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the lock piece 19 protruding from the cover 12 is provided.
If there are a lock fixing piece 22 for locking and maintaining the lock piece 19 on the main body 11 side, and a release button 21 for releasing the lock maintaining state of the lock piece 19 by the lock fixing piece 22, Any structure of the lock / release mechanism may be used.

That is, to change the mail terminal 10 from the closed non-use state as shown in FIG. 2 to the open use state as shown in FIG. 1, the user uses the left hand and the right hand to hold the main body 11 and the cover, respectively. While holding the release button 12, the left thumb is put on the release button 21 provided on the open end face 11a of the main body 11, and the right thumb is put on the open end face 12a of the cover 12 near the release button 21. When the release button 21 is pressed and opened in the left and right opposite directions, the lock piece 19 is unlocked by the lock fixing piece 22 and released without resistance.

In this case, a lock piece 19, a lock hole 20, a release button 21, a lock fixing piece 22, and a spring 2 provided at positions corresponding to the open ends of the main body 11 and the cover 12, respectively.
The lock / release mechanism composed of 3 or the like is provided on the left side opposite to the position of the camera section 17 incorporated on the right side of the open end of the cover section 12 and cannot be opened unless the release button 21 is pressed down. Since the configuration is possible, the position of the thumb of both hands hung on the open end face 11a of the main body 11 and the open end face 12a of the cover part 12 for the opening operation is as follows.
The release button 21 is inevitably limited to the release button 21 and the vicinity thereof. For example, there is no possibility that the opening operation is performed by putting the thumb on the side surface 17a of the camera unit 17.

Therefore, according to the housing opening / closing structure of the mail terminal 10 having the above-described configuration, the main body 11 and the cover 1
2 with the open / close lock / release mechanism at its open end (11
a, 12a), which is separated to the left side opposite to the right side where the camera section 17 is provided, and provided with a release button 21 for releasing the locking of the lock piece 19 by the lock fixing piece 22. In the non-use state, the locking of the lock piece 19 by the lock fixing piece 22 can prevent the risk of being inadvertently released by an external force other than the release button 21. In addition, the release is inevitably performed during the release operation. Open end faces 11a, 12 on the left side of the open end where the button 21 is located
Since the opening operation is performed by hanging the thumb of the user on a, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that, for example, a finger pressure of the opening operation is applied to the side surface 17a of the camera unit 17 and the opening 17 is damaged.

In the above embodiment, the mail terminal 10
When the user performs the opening operation, the position where the user places the thumb of the left hand on the main body 11 is inevitably determined at the position of the release button 21 on the open end face 11a. The position is also inevitably guided on the open end surface 12a in the vicinity thereof to prevent a finger from being hooked on the side surface 17a of the camera unit 17. However, as described with reference to FIG. The position where the thumb of the right hand is hung on the open end face 12a of the above may be provided with a positive shape and structure so that the finger can be easily hung.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a mail terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention in a non-use state with a housing closed, and FIG. (B) is an external perspective view of a mail terminal provided with a concave portion 31 for finger-holding position control, and FIG. (C) is a convex portion for finger-position controlling position. It is an external appearance perspective view of the mail terminal provided with 32.

That is, not only the lock release button 21 is provided on the open end face 11a of the main body 11 at a position away from the camera section 17 at the open end of the housing of the mail terminal 10, but also the cover section 12 close to this. Open end face 12a
On the top, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), a fold 30 for setting a finger hooking position is provided, or as shown in FIG. 4 (B), a concave portion 31 for regulating a finger hooking position is provided, or 4
As shown in (C), by providing the convex portion 32 for restricting the finger-holding position, the position of the right thumb on the open end surface 12a of the cover portion 12 at the time of the opening operation is also reliably set away from the camera portion 17. Thus, the mail terminal 10 having a more secure lock / release mechanism can be realized.

In each of the above embodiments, the release button 2 is provided on the open end face 11a of the main body 11 of the mail terminal 10.
The position at which 1 is provided is a position at least two or more distances from the position of the camera unit 17 at least the average thumb width of an adult,
Further, on the open end surface 12a of the cover portion 12, the fold 30 for setting the finger hooking position, the concave portion 31 for regulating the finger hooking position,
The position where the convex portion 32 for restricting the finger hooking position is provided is at least one width of the average thumb width of an adult from the position of the camera portion 17.
At least two positions apart.

In the above embodiment, the mail terminal 10
Although the camera unit 17 is shown as a functional component that is incorporated in a part of the housing open end and that is not preferable to be hung by the user's finger during the opening operation, the camera unit 17 is not limited thereto.
For example, even when a functional component such as a switch, a volume, a microphone, a speaker, a jack, and a connector is incorporated, a similar housing lock / release mechanism is provided at a position away from the functional component to open the housing when the housing is opened. Damage and malfunction of parts can be prevented.

[0039]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the functional component is incorporated in a part of the open side end face of the main body or the cover, and the main body is A lock / release mechanism for locking and unlocking the main body and the cover in a closed state is provided at a position away from the functional component at an open end of each of the cover and the cover, A release button for performing an unlocking operation of the lock / release mechanism is disposed on an open end surface of the main body or the cover corresponding to a position where the lock / release mechanism is provided. When opening the cover and the cover, a finger can be hooked only on the release button and the open end face near the release button.

According to an information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the functional component is an end face on an open side of the main body or the cover. In the case where the main body portion and the cover portion are incorporated in a part closer to one or the other in the longitudinal direction, the lock / release mechanism is located at a position closer to the other or one in the longitudinal direction of the open end of each of the main body and the cover. Is provided, it is possible to prevent a finger accompanying the unlocking operation from hanging on the functional component.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the lock / release mechanism includes the main body and the cover. Since it is provided at a position separated from the functional component at each open end by at least two or more of an average thumb width of an adult, a finger accompanying the unlocking operation is hung on the functional component. Is more reliably prevented.

Further, according to an information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the release button is provided on the main body. A finger hook-shaped portion for determining a position where a finger is to be hooked when opening the main body portion and the cover portion with respect to the open end surface on the cover portion side according to the arrangement position when the cover portion is disposed on the open end surface on the portion side; When the release button is arranged on the open end face on the cover part side, the opening of the main body part and the cover part with respect to the open end face on the main body part side according to the disposition position Since a finger hanging shape part is provided to determine the position where the finger is hung when operating,
At the time of the opening operation of the main body and the cover, the thumb of one hand is hung on the release button, the thumb of the other hand is hung on the finger hook-shaped portion, and more preferably is hung on the functional component. It will surely be prevented.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the housing is closed, a secure closing locking force (locking force) is maintained, and the functional components incorporated in the open end face of the housing are not required by the user. This makes it possible to perform the opening operation without any problem, and it is possible to eliminate the risk of damaging or malfunctioning the functional component.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing an external configuration of a mail terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention in a use state with a housing opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the mail terminal in a non-use state with a housing closed;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a lock / release mechanism of a main unit and a cover unit in the mail terminal.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a mail terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention in a non-use state with a housing closed, and FIG. An external perspective view of a mail terminal provided with folds, FIG. (B) is an external perspective view of a mail terminal provided with a concave portion for restricting a finger hooking position, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a mail terminal which is an example of an electronic device having a conventional book-type housing, and FIG. 5 (A) is an external perspective view in a use state with the housing opened; FIG. 2B is an external perspective view in a non-use state with the housing closed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mail terminal 11 ... Main part 11a ... Open end surface of main part 12 ... Cover part 13 ... Hinge mechanism 14 ... Keyboard 15 ... Touch pen accommodating part 16 ... Liquid crystal display part 16a ... Tablet 17 ... Camera part 17a ... Camera part side surface 18a ... "Camera" button 18b ... "Imaging" button 19 ... Lock piece 20 ... Lock hole 21 ... Release button 22 ... Lock fixing piece 23 ... Spring 30 ... Fold for setting finger hooking position 31 ... Recess for regulating finger hooking position 32 ... Finger hooking position Regulatory protrusion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shoko Ueda 1-4-1 Meieki Station, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Inside J-Phone Tokai Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Taku Sugioka 1 Meieki Station, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term (reference) at 1-4 1-4 J-Phone Tokai Co., Ltd. (reference) 4E360 AA02 AB12 AB17 AB20 AB42 ED04 ED13 ED16 ED17 ED23 ED27 FA02 GA02 GA06 GA44 GB26 5B019 BA03 BC07

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a book-shaped housing in which a main body and a cover thereof are openable and closable about one end, wherein an open end surface of the main body or the cover is provided. A functional component part incorporated therein, and a lock provided in a closed state between the main component part and the cover part provided at a position apart from the functional component part at an open end of each of the main body part and the cover part. A lock / release mechanism for releasing the lock, and a lock / release mechanism disposed on an open end face of the main body or the cover corresponding to a position where the lock / release mechanism is provided, and performing an unlocking operation of the lock / release mechanism. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a release button for the user. 2. A position apart from the functional component at an open end of each of the main body and the cover,
In a case where the functional component is incorporated in a part of the open end face of the main body portion or the cover portion which is closer to one or the other in the longitudinal direction, the open end portions of the main body portion and the cover portion are respectively provided. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is located at a position closer to the other or one of the length directions. 3. A position apart from the functional component at an open end of each of the main body and the cover,
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is located at least two or more positions apart from an average thumb width of an adult. 4. When the release button is disposed on the open end face on the main body part side, the release button is provided on the open end face on the cover part side in accordance with the position of the release button. When it is arranged on the open end face on the cover part side, it is provided on the open end face on the main body part side in accordance with the arrangement position, and is used to determine a position where a finger is hung when opening the main body part and the cover part. 2. A finger hanging shape portion is provided.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.