JP2002149325A - Extension device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily take out an input pen from a storage part without performing the input pen taking-out operation. SOLUTION: When an input pen 3 for exclusive use which is provided in a portable electronic apparatus is stored in a storage member, a claw 17 of a slide lock 16 automatically pushes out the input pen from the storage part in accordance with a series of operations of fitting the portable electronic apparatus to a cradle 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an extension device for extending the function of a portable electronic device having a storage portion for storing an input pen at a predetermined position of a main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many portable electronic devices having a display device have a structure in which a touch panel is provided on a display screen of the display device. These are configured to display various processing contents on a display screen and execute processing by pressing a desired processing part on the touch panel with a dedicated input pen or the like. Therefore, most of these portable electronic devices have a structure in which an input pen can be held in a main body, and when the pen is not used, the pen can be carried together with the main body to prevent the pen from being lost.

In addition, for the purpose of charging the portable electronic device and connecting it to another electronic device, the portable electronic device is separated from the main body of the portable electronic device (separate unit), and the portable electronic device is connected via a connector or the like. Recently, there are many devices having a stationary expansion device (hereinafter, referred to as a cradle) that can be connected.
This cradle is always connected to a power source or a personal computer, etc., by a cable, etc. By simply installing the portable electronic device in this cradle, charging of the portable electronic device and communication connection with other electronic devices such as a personal computer are possible Becomes

[0004]

Even when a portable electronic device is installed in the cradle, the portable electronic device is frequently operated using a pen.
After the portable electronic device is inserted into the cradle, the cradle becomes an obstacle and it is difficult to remove the pen.In addition, the pen cannot be removed after the portable electronic device is installed in the cradle. In some cases, the pen must be removed from the portable electronic device before the portable electronic device is inserted into the cradle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store a portable electronic device in an extension device in conjunction with an operation of fitting the electronic device to a predetermined position. The input pen accommodated in the unit is pushed out of the accommodation unit, and the portable electronic device is operably fitted and locked to the expansion device in an operable state. By releasing the locked state of the extended device and the portable electronic device fitted in conjunction with the operation of storing the pen in the storage unit, a series of fitting of the separated extended device and the portable electronic device is performed. In addition to making it easier to take out the stored input pen in conjunction with the operation of
Provided is an extension device excellent in operability and convenience that can automatically release the locked state between the extension device fitted and the portable electronic device in conjunction with a series of operations of storing the input pen in the storage section. It is to be.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expansion device for expanding a function of a portable electronic device having a storage portion for storing an input pen at a predetermined position of a main body,
The input pen accommodated in the storage section is pushed out of the storage section in conjunction with an operation of fitting the portable electronic apparatus to a predetermined position on the extension device, and the portable electronic apparatus is A fitting mechanism (fitting the slide lock 1 shown in FIG.
6, and 17).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the fitting mechanism (corresponding to the slide lock 17 or the like shown in FIG. 1) is such that the portable electronic device (corresponding to the main body 1 shown in FIG. 1) is an extension device. In a state where the input pen is fitted to the cradle 13 shown in FIG. 1, the lock of the fitting mechanism is released in conjunction with the operation of pushing the input pen inward from the side of the storage portion and storing the input pen. Then, the portable electronic device can be separated from the extension device (corresponding to FIG. 3C).

A third invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the fitting mechanism (corresponding to the rotation lock 31 shown in FIG. 4, the rotation lock 71 shown in FIG. 11 and the like) allows the portable electronic device to be fitted to the extension device. In the attached state, the locking of the fitting mechanism is unlocked and the portable electronic device is separated from the extension device in conjunction with the operation of pushing down the input pen below the storage section and storing the input pen. It is possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fitting mechanism (corresponding to the slide lock 48 shown in FIG. 9), the input pen is inserted when the portable electronic device is inserted into the extension device. In conjunction with the downward or rightward pressing operation of the storage unit from the left or right, the lock of the fitting mechanism is released, and the portable electronic device is separated from the expansion device. is there.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expansion device having a structure capable of storing an input pen in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a back surface of a portable electronic device main body. A wedge-shaped projection member (corresponding to the slide lock 17 or the like shown in FIG. 1) is arranged on a surface side that comes into contact with the electronic device main body, and interlocks with an operation of fitting the portable electronic device main body to the extension device. The wedge-shaped projection member is arranged so as to push out the input pen housed in the housing part from the portable electronic device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an engagement hole in which the wedge-shaped projection member is formed in the storage portion in conjunction with an operation of fitting the portable electronic device body to the extension device. And pushing out the input pen accommodated in the portable electronic device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expansion device having a structure capable of storing an input pen in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a back surface of a portable electronic device main body. A projection member (corresponding to the projection 69 shown in FIG. 10) is arranged on the side of the extension device that comes into contact with the back surface of the electronic device body, and interlocks with the operation of fitting the portable electronic device body to the extension device. The projection member is disposed so as to push out the input pen housed in the housing part from the portable electronic device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expansion device having a structure capable of storing an input pen in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a back surface of a portable electronic device main body. A protruding member is arranged on the side of the extension device that is in contact with the side surface of the electronic device main body, and interlocked with an operation in which the portable electronic device main body is fitted via a fitting mechanism formed on the extension device. The projection member is arranged so as to push out the input pen housed in the housing part from the portable electronic device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an input pen having a first projection member (corresponding to the projection 74 shown in FIG. 11) formed at a predetermined position is disposed on the side or the back of the main body of the portable electronic device. An expansion device having a structure that can be stored in a storage portion, wherein a second projection member (a projection 69 shown in FIG. 11) And a push-out member that pushes out the input pen, and the second projection member is interlocked with an operation in which the main body of the portable electronic device is fitted via a fitting mechanism formed in the extension device. And the first projection member are engaged with each other, and the input pen is pushed into the inside of the portable electronic device main body, and the input pen which is pushed into and accommodated in the storage portion is removed from the portable electronic device. Arrange the extrusion members so that they extrude One in which the.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device main body, a fitting mechanism formed on the extension device and the projection member are formed as an integral member (the rotation lock 7 shown in FIG. 11).
1).

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the main body of the portable electronic device has the fitting mechanism formed on the extension device and the second projecting member formed as an integral member.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the fitting mechanism is unlocked in conjunction with the operation of accommodating the input pen in the accommodating portion, and the portable electronic device main body is moved from the extension device. It moves to the position where it rises.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the integrated member is slidable in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the operation of storing the input pen in the storage section, thereby locking the fitting mechanism. To remove.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the integrally formed member is rotatable in a predetermined direction in conjunction with the operation of storing the input pen in the storage portion, thereby locking the fitting mechanism. To remove.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the portable electronic device main body is attached to the extension device and the portable electronic device main body is separated from the extension device. The function of the electronic device itself changes.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device (cradle) according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. FIG. It is AA sectional drawing.

In these figures, the structure of the main body 1 of the portable electronic device uses a main board 7 for processing various electric signals and various electric signals processed by the main board 7, as shown in FIG. A liquid crystal display device 2 for displaying to a user, a flexible (flexible cable) 10 for electrically connecting the main substrate 7 and the liquid crystal display device 2, and affixed on a display screen of the liquid crystal display device 2. A touch panel 11, which sends various signals to the main board 7 by being pressed,
It is a structure that can be held by the main body 1, which presses the touch panel 11, makes contact with the input pen 3 for inputting various signals, contacts the connector 15 of the cradle 13, supplies power from the cradle 13, and , A connector 9 for transmitting and receiving an electric signal between the connector 9, a connector board 8 to which the connector 9 is soldered, the connector board 8 and the main board 7
(Flexible cable, hereinafter, referred to as flexible) 18 and cradle 13
The state of the main body 1 such as the hole 12 in which the pawl 17 of the slide lock 16 is open so that the main body 1 can be fixed, and charging and connection with other devices shown in FIG. LED4, battery (not shown) or cradle 1
The power supplied from the power supply via the power supply 3 is supplied to the main board 7, the power supply switch 5 for switching ON / OFF the operation of the main body 1, the projection 14 of the cradle 13 is fitted, and the positions of the main body 1 and the cradle 13 are adjusted. It consists of grooves 6 for alignment.

The configuration of the cradle 13 is as follows: a projection 14 which fits into the groove 6 of the main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 to position the cradle 13, a pen holder 19 for holding the detached input pen 3, and an input pen 3, a pen hole 20 that can be pointed and held, a cable 21 connected to a power supply, a cable 22 connected to a personal computer, a cradle board 23 having a charging and connection function shown in FIG. A connector 15 for contacting the connector 9 and supplying power from the cradle 13 and transmitting and receiving electric signals between the main body 1 and the cradle 13; a slidable slide lock 16 supported by the cradle board; 1
7, a spring 24 for returning the slide lock 16 to the home position.

When the main body 1 is carried, the input pen 3 can be held by the main body 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and can be taken out from the main body 1 as needed and used. The lower side of the input pen 3 is merely in contact with the main body 1 and is held by the main body 1 by providing a lock mechanism on the upper side.

When the remaining battery capacity of the main body 1 is low, a message prompting charging is displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 2 while the main body 1 is operating. Body 1
When is not operating, the LED 4 flashes red at regular intervals to notify the user that charging is required.
When charging is necessary as described above, or when it is desired to exchange information stored in the main body 1 and information stored in the personal computer, the main body 1 is inserted into the cradle 13 to be charged. , And information with a personal computer. Here, the input pen 3 is detached from the main body 1 by the operation procedure shown from top to bottom in FIG. 3 so that the input pen 3 is easy to handle in a state where the main body 1 is set in the cradle 13, and as shown in FIG. Thus, the input pen 3 is held in an easy-to-handle state.

In FIG. 3, first, the main body 1 is set on the cradle 13 as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), and at the same time, the slide lock 16 corresponds to the input pen 3, and the inclination of the slide lock 16 The input pen 3 is flipped outward and the lock on the upper side of the input pen 3 is released, and the input pen 3 is held by the pen holder 19 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the connector 9 of the main body 1 and the connector 15 of the cradle 13 are in electrical contact with each other, and when the battery is charged, the LED 4 lights up in red. When the charging is completed, the LED 4 switches to green lighting. In addition, the LED 4 is constantly lit in blue while being connected to the personal computer, and returns to the charging color again when the connection is completed.

Further, the pawl 17 of the slide lock 16 passes through the hole 12 of the main body 1 and is fixed so that the main body 1 does not come off the cradle 13. When the user wants to operate the main body 1 using the input pen 3 in this state, as shown in FIG.
Take out the input pen 3 which is held by the above, operate the main body 1, and when the desired operation is completed, hold it again with the pen holder 19, or point the pen tip of the input pen 3 in the pen hole 20 and handle it more. It may be held at an easy position.

When carrying the main body 1 again, the operation of fitting the input pen 3 into the main body 1 as shown in FIG.
The slide lock 16 is pushed to the left in the direction of the arrow, and at the same time, the lock of the pawl 17 is unlocked.

After the main body 1 is detached from the cradle 13, the slide lock 16 is returned to the stop position shown in FIG. Even if the input pen 3 is lost, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator presses the visible slide lock 16 directly with the finger in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Is unlocked, and the main body 1 can be removed from the cradle 13.

The main body 1 of the first embodiment may have a cover for protecting the liquid crystal display device 2 and the touch panel 11.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device (cradle) according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 6 is a BB cross-sectional view of the information processing system shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, the structure of the main body 25 is such that the input pen 26 fits into a hole formed on the right side of the main body 25, for example, as shown in FIG. Pen 26, groove 4 for taking out input pen 26
2. The cross key 27 and the button 28 for inputting various signals by pressing the hard key are brought into contact with the connector 37 of the cradle 30 shown in FIG.
A connector 29 for transmitting and receiving an electric signal between the main body 25 and the cradle 30;
Step 1 of input pen 26 for pushing out input pen 26
1 (see FIG. 6), a hole 38 through which the rotation lock 31 passes through the inside of the main body 25, and the components shown in the first embodiment.

The configuration of the cradle 30 is such that the hole 7 for operating the cross key 27 and the button 28 even after the main body 25 is set on the cradle 30 as shown in FIG.
5, a pen hole 40 for pointing and holding the pen tip of the input pen 26, and as shown in FIG.
9, the cradle 30 is rotatably held in the cradle 30, and hits a step 41 of the input pen 26 so that the input pen 26
Lock 31 for pushing out the main body 25
, A lever 32 that can externally operate the rotation lock 31 with a finger or the like, a connector 35 soldered to the cradle substrate 23 and connected to the connector 37 via a flexible cable 36, Body 2
5 and a connector 37 for supplying power from the cradle 30 and transmitting and receiving an electric signal between the main body 25 and the cradle 30, and the components shown in the first embodiment.

When carrying the main body 25, the input pen 2
4 is held in the main body 25 as shown in FIG. 4, and if necessary, a finger is hung on the V-shaped groove 42 of the input pen 26, for example.
It can be taken out of the main body 25 and used.

It should be noted that the power is supplied to both buttons 28 simultaneously.
You can switch ON / OFF by holding down for more than a second. When charging the main body 25 or connecting to the personal computer, the main body 25 is inserted into the cradle 30. At the same time, the input pens 26 are pushed out in the order shown in FIG. 6 so that the input pen 26 is easy to use as shown in FIG. The main body 25 is set on the cradle 30 in a state of protruding from the main body 25.

In FIG. 6, when the main body 25 is inserted into the cradle 30 as shown in FIG.
The rotation lock 31 of the cradle 30 hits the step 41 of the input pen 26 through the hole 38, and the rotation lock 31 normally in the state shown in FIG. When the lever 32 is rotated to the state shown in FIG. 6A, the lever 32 hits the cradle 30 and the rotation stops. Then, the input pen 26 is pushed out of the main body 25 by the rotation lock 31, and the main body 25 is
, The input pen 26 is pushed out.

When the input pen 26 is pushed out to the end, the rotation lock 31 is again actuated by the spring 39 (FIG. 6B).
, The pawl 33 passes through the hole H of the main body 25,
The main body 25 is fixed to the cradle 30.

In this state, the cross key 27 and the button 28 can be operated by the hole 75 as shown in FIG. 5, and the input pen 26 can be always kept in an easy-to-use state. As in the first embodiment, the pen tip of the input pen 26 can be pointed to the pen hole 40 and held in a more easily handled state.

On the other hand, when carrying the main body 25 again, FIG.
As shown in (b), the operation of pushing the input pen 26 causes the rotation lock 31 to hit the step 41 of the input pen 26, so that the rotation lock 31 rotates about the rotation shaft 34, and the pawl 33 comes off the main body 25. The main body 25 can be removed from the cradle 30. Even if the input pen 26 is lost, the rotary lock 31 can be operated by operating the lever 32 of the rotary hook 31 from outside with a finger or the like, as shown in FIG. The main body 25 can be removed from the cradle 30 by moving the main body 25 obliquely upward with respect to the cradle 30.

The main body 25 shown in the second embodiment may be provided with a cover for protecting the liquid crystal display device 2 and the touch panel 11.

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device (cradle) according to a third embodiment of the present invention can be applied. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the information processing system shown in FIG.

In these figures, the configuration of the main body 43 is as follows.
Battery (not shown) or cradle 53 as shown in FIG.
A power switch 44 for supplying electricity sent from a power supply to the main board through the power switch 44 to switch ON / OFF the operation of the main body 43, an input pen 57 that can be stored in the main body 43 as in the second embodiment, and a cradle 53 Slide lock 48
Contact the respective holes 46, holes 47, connectors 55, and connectors 56 for passing the pen receiver 58 and the pawl 52 into the main body 43, supply power from the cradle 53, and supply power between the main body 43 and the cradle 53. It comprises a connector 45 for transmitting and receiving electric signals, and the components shown in the first and second embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of the cradle 53 is such that the cradle 53 comes into contact with the recesses 54a and 54b for positioning when the main body 43 is rotated to the cradle 53 and the connector 45 of the main body 43. A connector 55 that supplies only power to the connector 5 and a connector 5 that also supplies power and transmits and receives electric signals between the main body 43 and the cradle 53.
6, through a pen hole 59 into which the tip of the input pen 57 can be inserted and held, a slide lock 48 slidable by a spring 49 inserted into the pawl 50 and a slide mechanism 51, and a hole 47 as shown in FIG. Re-main body 43 with cradle 5
The lock 52 includes a pawl 52 of a slide lock 48 that can be fixed to the slide lock 3, a pen receiver 58 of the slide lock 48 for the input pen 57 and the slide lock 48 to hit, and the components shown in the first and second embodiments. .

When the user wants to charge the main body 43 simply, the user is required to use FIG.
A protrusion (not shown) on the back surface of the main body 43 is provided in the depression 54a shown in FIG.
And the connector 45 of the main body 43 and the cradle 5
The battery can be charged simply by putting the main body 43 on the cradle 53 in the state shown in FIG. At this time, the pawl 52 of the slide lock 48 is
Is locked in the wide part of the hole 47, so that the main body 43 and the cradle 53 are not fixed.

When the user wants to connect the personal computer to the personal computer, the main body 43 is slid to the left in the direction of the arrow from the charged state as shown in FIG. 9A, and the connector 45 of the main body 43 shown in FIG. It comes into contact with the connector 56 having a larger number of pins than the connector 55 of the connector 53, thereby enabling both the charging function and the connection to the personal computer.

At the same time, FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (b)
As shown in FIG. 8, as the main body 43 slides to the left in the direction of the arrow, the input pen 57 is pushed by the pen receiver 58 of the slide lock 48 and is pushed out of the main body 43, and as shown in FIG. This makes it easy to take out the input pen 57.

As in the third embodiment, the pen tip of the input pen 57 can be pointed at the pen hole 59 and held in a more easily handled state. Further, when the main body 43 slides to the left in the direction of the arrow, the pawl 52 of the slide lock 48 fits into the narrow portion of the hole 47 of the main body 43, so that the main body 43 and the cradle 53 can be fixed during the connection with the personal computer. .

When carrying the main body 43 again, the nail 52 of the slide lock 48 is pushed into the wide portion of the hole 47 of the main body 43 by pushing the input pen 57 as shown in FIG. Since it comes off, the main body 43 can be removed from the cradle 53. After the main body 43 is removed, the slide lock 48 is again moved by the spring 49 as shown in FIG.
Return to the state of (a). Even if the input pen 57 is lost, if the main body 43 is slid to the right again on the cradle 53, the pawl 52 comes to the wide portion of the hole 47 so that the lock is released and the main body 43 can be removed from the cradle 53.

The main body 43 of the third embodiment may be provided with a cover for protecting the liquid crystal display device 2 and the touch panel 11.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device (cradle) according to the embodiment can be applied, and the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. is there. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the information processing system shown in FIG.

In the drawing, as shown in FIG. 10, the structure of the main body 60 can be stored in the main body 60 as in the second and third embodiments. The lock is released by pushing
The input pen 61 and the projection 68 of the cradle 66 that come out of the outside of the cradle 66 are engaged with each other, a groove 76 for positioning the main body 60 and the cradle 66, and the projection 69 of the cradle 66 as shown in FIG. A hole 62 for allowing the pen to pass through the main body 60, a projection 74 of the pen 61 for engaging the pen 61 with the projection 69 having passed through the hole 62, and a pen receiver 72 of the rotation lock 70 for passing the pen holder 72 into the main body 60. Hole 63, pawl 7 of rotation lock 70
It is composed of a hole 64 for passing 3 through the main body 60, and the components shown in the first and second embodiments.

The configuration of the cradle 66 includes a projection 68 for positioning when the main body 60 is fixed to the cradle 66 as shown in FIG. 10, a rotating shaft 65 and a spring as shown in FIG. A rotation lock 70 held rotatably about a rotation shaft 65 by 67, an inclined portion 71 of the rotation lock 70 capable of pushing up the main body 60 by rotating the rotation lock 70, and a pen of the rotation lock 70. , A pawl 73 for fixing the main body 60 to the cradle 66, a lever 76 for operating the rotation lock 70 from the outside, and a hole 62 of the main body 60,
It comprises a projection 69 corresponding to the projection 74 of the input pen 61, and the components shown in the first and second embodiments.

When installing the main body 60 in the cradle 66, first, as shown in FIG.
Then, the input pen 61 is pushed toward the inside of the main body 60 by passing the projection 69 of the cradle 66 through the projection 69 of the input pen 61, and then the main body 60 is further moved to FIG.
By pushing rightward in the direction of the arrow, the projection 69 gets over the projection 74, and as shown in FIG. 11B, the input pen 61 is pushed out in an easy-to-use state. The end of the hole 62 of the main body 60 corresponds to the projection 69 of the cradle 66, and the groove 76 of the main body 60 shown in FIG. At the same time, the pawl 73 of the rotation lock 70 is
By passing through 4, the main body 60 and the cradle 66 are fixed.

On the other hand, when carrying the main body 60 again,
By pushing the input pen 61 inward of the main body 60 as shown in FIG. 1B, the pen receiver 72 of the rotation lock 70 is pushed to the left in the direction of the arrow, and the rotation lock 70 is turned around the rotation shaft 65. Rotate clockwise. As a result, the pawl 73 is disengaged from the hole 64 of the main body 60 and the inclined portion 71 of the rotation lock 70 pushes the main body 60 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. The main body 60 can be removed from the cradle 66.

After the main body 60 is removed, the rotation lock 70 returns to the state shown in FIG.

Further, if the input pen 61 is lost, by operating the lever 76 of the rotary lock 70 from outside with a finger or the like, the pawl 73 of the rotary lock 70 is moved to the main body 6.
0, and the main body 60 can be removed from the cradle 66.

The main body 60 of the fourth embodiment may be provided with a cover for protecting the liquid crystal display device 2 and the touch panel 11.

In the first to fourth embodiments, a case has been described in which the number of storage units for storing input pens is one. However, for example, a plurality of input pens having different lengths can be stored according to data input work. In such a case, the present invention can be effectively applied by appropriately combining the first to fourth embodiments.

According to each of the above embodiments, a portable electronic device having a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel thereon, and using a dedicated input pen as an input means for the liquid crystal display device, and a function of charging and connection with other devices In the cradle with, the portable electronic device is installed in the cradle,
The input pen normally housed in the main body of the portable electronic device is detached from the main body and can be maintained in an easy-to-handle state.

When the portable electronic device is removed from the cradle, the operation of storing the input pen detached from the main body in the main body again releases the lock fixing the main body to the cradle, and removes the main body from the cradle. It can be removed.

As a result, the input pen must always be stored in the main body when the portable electronic device is carried, so that it is possible to avoid carrying around the main body alone and forgetting to leave the input pen somewhere. At the same time, loss of the input pen can be reduced.

[0063]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the fifteenth aspect, when a dedicated input pen is housed in the housing member as input means provided in the portable electronic device, a series of steps of simply fitting the portable electronic device to the extension device. Since the stored input pen is automatically pushed out of the storage unit in conjunction with the operation, when the portable electronic device is fitted to the expansion device to perform data processing, it is separately stored by the fitting. The user can easily take out the input pen from the storage unit without performing the operation of taking out the input pen, and can freely prepare a convenient operation environment in which the intended data processing input can be started.

Further, since the attached portable electronic device and the extension device are easily separated from each other in conjunction with the operation of simply putting the used input pen in the storage section, the storage operation of the input pen and the portable device are easily separated. It is no longer necessary to separate the electronic device from the expansion device separately, and it is possible to freely maintain a convenient operating environment that can reliably prevent the input pen from being lost due to forgetting to store the input pen. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device (cradle) according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which the portable electronic device and the extension device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the information processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the information processing system shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device according to a third embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device according to a third embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the information processing system shown in FIG. 8, taken along line CC.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an information processing system to which a portable electronic device and an extension device (cradle) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

11 is a sectional view taken along line DD of the information processing system shown in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 25, 43, 60 Main body 2 Liquid crystal display device 3, 26, 57, 61 Input pen 4 LED 5, 44 Power switch 6, 76 groove 7 Main board 8 Connector board 9, 15, 29, 37 Connector 10, 18, 36 Flexible 11 Touch panel 12, 38, 46, 47, 62, 63, 64 hole 13, 30, 53, 66 Cradle 14, 68 Projection 16, 48 Slide lock 17, 33, 52, 19 Claw 20, 40, 59 Pen hole 21, 22 cable

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An expansion device for expanding the function of a portable electronic device having a storage portion for storing an input pen at a predetermined position of a main body, wherein the portable electronic device is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the expansion device. The input pen accommodated in the storage unit is pushed out of the storage unit in conjunction with the fitting operation, and the portable electronic device is fitted and locked to the expansion device in an operable state. An expansion device comprising a fitting mechanism. 2. The fitting mechanism interlocks with the operation of pushing the input pen inward from the side of the storage unit and storing the input pen in a state where the portable electronic device is mounted on the expansion device. 2. The expansion device according to claim 1, wherein the lock of the fitting mechanism is released so that the portable electronic device can be separated from the expansion device. 3. The fitting mechanism interlocks with an operation of pressing down the input pen below the storage unit and storing the input pen in a state where the portable electronic device is mounted on the extension device, 2. The expansion device according to claim 1, wherein the lock of the fitting mechanism is released so that the portable electronic device can be separated from the expansion device. 4. The fitting mechanism pushes down the input pen from the left or right of the storage unit to the right or left in a state where the portable electronic device is inserted into the extension device. In conjunction with the operation, release the lock of the fitting mechanism,
The expansion device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is separated from the expansion device. 5. An expansion device having a structure capable of storing an input pen in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a back surface of a portable electronic device main body, wherein the expansion device and the portable electronic device main body are in contact with each other. A wedge-shaped projection member is disposed on the side, and in conjunction with an operation of fitting the portable electronic device body to the extension device, the input pen in which the wedge-shaped projection member is accommodated in the accommodation portion is moved. An expansion device arranged to be pushed out of a portable electronic device. 6. The wedge-shaped projecting member is accommodated in an engaging hole formed in the accommodating portion in conjunction with an operation of fitting the portable electronic device main body to the extension device. The expansion device according to claim 3, wherein the input pen is pushed out of the portable electronic device. 7. An expansion device having a structure in which an input pen can be stored in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a rear surface of a portable electronic device main body, wherein the expansion device is in contact with the rear surface of the portable electronic device main body. A projection member is disposed on the side of the extension device, and the input pen in which the projection member is accommodated in the accommodation portion is interlocked with an operation in which the main body of the portable electronic device is fitted to the extension device. An expansion device, wherein the expansion device is arranged to be pushed out of the portable electronic device. 8. An expansion device having a structure in which an input pen can be stored in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a back surface of a portable electronic device main body, wherein the expansion device contacts a side surface of the portable electronic device main body. A projection member is disposed on the extension device main body surface side, and the portable electronic device main body is fitted into the extension device via an engagement mechanism formed on the extension device, and the projection member is housed. An expansion device, wherein the input pen accommodated in the unit is arranged to be pushed out of the portable electronic device. 9. An expansion device having a structure in which an input pen having a first projection member formed at a predetermined position can be stored in a storage portion arranged on a side surface or a back surface of a portable electronic device main body, wherein the expansion device is provided. A second protrusion member and an extruding member for pushing out the input pen are arranged on the side of the extension device where the device and the side surface of the portable electronic device main body come into contact with each other, and the portable electronic device main body is formed on the extension device. In conjunction with the fitting operation via the fitting mechanism, the second projection member and the first projection member are engaged, and the input pen is moved to the inside of the portable electronic device main body. The expansion device, wherein the push-out member is arranged so as to push the input pen which is pushed into and accommodated in the storage section from the portable electronic device. 10. The extension device according to claim 7, wherein the fitting mechanism formed on the extension device of the portable electronic device main body and the projection member are formed as an integrally formed member. 11. The expansion device according to claim 9, wherein the fitting mechanism formed on the expansion device and the second projection member are formed as an integral member. 12. The portable electronic device main body is moved to a position in which the main body of the portable electronic device is lifted from the extension device in response to an operation of accommodating the input pen in the accommodating portion. The expansion device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein 13. The integrated member according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is slidable in a predetermined direction in conjunction with an operation of storing the input pen in the storage unit, and unlocks the fitting mechanism. The expansion device according to claim 10 or 11. 14. The integrated member according to claim 11, wherein the input pen is rotatable in a predetermined direction in conjunction with an operation of storing the input pen in the storage section, and unlocks the fitting mechanism. The expansion device according to claim 10 or 11. 15. The function of the main body of the portable electronic device changes between a state where the main body of the portable electronic device is fitted to the extension device and a state where the main body of the portable electronic device is separated from the extension device. The expansion device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: