JP2002236624A - Mobile information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent a necessary data in a volatile memory from being erroneously erased by removal of a battery so as to enhance operational reliability. SOLUTION: A discharge member 10 is composed of a shape memory alloy, is pressed by the battery 7 to be compression-deformed when the battery 7 is inserted into a battery storage part, is self-heated to be extendedly deformed to a memory shape when electrified in a compressed condition therein, and generates force for energyzing the battery 7 along a direction toward a taking- out position. A sensor 13 detects an operation condition of a release buttom operated when the battery 7 is taken out. A control part 15 makes a data evacuated into a flash memory 16 when the sensor 13 is brought into a detecting condition and when the data required to be held exists in a RAM 17, and turns a switching circuit 18 on for the first time at a point of time when the evacuation is finished, to electrify the discharge member 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device which performs an information processing operation while using a volatile memory as a working area, and more particularly to a portable information terminal device which uses a detachable battery as a power supply. The present invention relates to an information terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of this type of portable information terminal device, there is a handy type information code reader for scanning a bar code or a two-dimensional code (such as a QR code) to read information. Conventionally, in such an information code reading device, a release button provided to be externally operable so that a packaged power supply battery (battery pack) can be easily removed, and a battery at all times. A battery holding mechanism that holds the pack at a predetermined mounting position and has a battery holding mechanism that performs a discharging operation of sending out the battery pack to a detachable removal position by a spring force when a release button is operated in a holding state. Is provided.

[0003]

In the conventional information code reader, the release button is operated in a state where data to be stored exists in the data stored in the volatile memory. In some cases, the data to be stored will be lost in response to a power-off caused by sending the battery pack to the take-out position. Conventionally, in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, a display function for displaying that the battery discharging operation is prohibited has been provided, but actually, the operator does not notice the display. The user may operate the release button without using it, and as a result, it is not possible to sufficiently cope with a situation in which necessary data is inadvertently lost, and there is a problem that the reliability of the information processing operation is reduced. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reliably prevent a situation where required data stored in a volatile memory is accidentally lost due to removal of a battery. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal device capable of realizing improved operation reliability.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the means described in claim 1 can be adopted. According to this means, in a state where the battery is held at the predetermined mounting position by the battery holding mechanism, power is supplied from the battery to an internal circuit including the control unit, the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory, The information processing operation by the control unit is enabled. When the release button is operated in such a state, the battery holding mechanism performs a discharging operation in which the battery is sent out to the removable position by the urging force of the urging means. In this case, the release operation is performed. The restraining means performs an operation of securing a saving time for saving the data that needs to be retained among the data in the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory by delaying the discharging operation of the battery. Therefore, in a state where the control unit is performing the information processing operation while using the nonvolatile memory as the working area, the data that needs to be retained in the volatile memory is inadvertently prepared in response to the power cutoff due to the removal of the battery. Can be prevented beforehand, and as a result, the reliability of the information processing operation by the control unit is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the release restraining means includes a sensor for detecting that a release button is operated, and a delay time corresponding to the retreat time when the sensor is in a detection state. Only the delay means for stopping the function of the urging means, the time required to save the data in the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory can be surely secured. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the shape memory material constituting the urging means is always in a normal temperature state and keeps a compressed shape. No biasing force acts on it. From this state, when the release button is operated and the sensor is in the detection state, the delay control means turns on the switching circuit when the delay time according to the evacuation time has elapsed. Electricity is supplied to the conductive shape memory material. When the shape memory material is heated by the self-heating due to the energization, the shape memory material is deformed into an elongated memory shape and urges the battery in the direction of the removal position. It is sent to the position. That is, after the release button is operated, a time delay corresponding to the evacuation time surely occurs until the urging force of the battery in the direction of the removal position starts to work, so that the data in the volatile memory is retained. It is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which data required by the user is inadvertently lost in response to a power cut-off due to the removal of the battery.

According to the fourth aspect, when the release button is operated from the state where the battery is in the mounting position and the sensor is in the detection state, the delay control means turns on the switching circuit, and thereafter, Then, the switching circuit is turned off after the elapse of the delay time corresponding to the evacuation time. Therefore, at the same time as the operation of the release button, the reversible and conductive shape memory material is energized, and the shape memory material is heated by self-heating. The urging force urging in the direction of the take-out position disappears, but when the switching circuit is turned off and the energization to the shape memory material is stopped, the shape memory material is expanded in accordance with the temperature decrease. , And the urging force in the removal direction acts on the battery accordingly. Therefore, after the release button is operated, a time delay corresponding to the evacuation time surely occurs until the urging force in the direction of the removal position starts to act on the battery. It is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which data required by the user is inadvertently lost in response to a power cut-off due to the removal of the battery.

According to the fifth aspect, when the release button is operated from the state where the battery is in the mounting position and the sensor is in the detection state, the delay control means is provided.
The switching circuit is turned on when the delay time according to the evacuation time has elapsed, and accordingly, the electromagnet constituting the urging means is energized. Then, a repulsive force is generated between the permanent magnet attached to the battery side and the electromagnet, and the battery is urged in the direction of the removal position, whereby the battery can be removed from the removal position. Sent out to. In other words, after the release button is operated, a time delay corresponding to the evacuation time surely occurs before the urging force in the direction of the ejection position starts to act on the battery, so that the data in the volatile memory is not retained. Necessary data can be reliably prevented from being inadvertently lost in response to power cutoff due to battery removal.

According to the means of the present invention, the function of the delay control means is realized by the program of the control section originally provided, so that the hardware configuration can be prevented from becoming complicated. Therefore, it is useful in suppressing a rise in cost.

According to the means of the present invention, when data that needs to be saved to the nonvolatile memory exists in the volatile memory, the time until the saving of the data to the nonvolatile memory is completed. Is set as the delay time, it is possible to accurately secure the time required for saving the data.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an information code reader. This will be described below. still,
The information code reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with not only the reading of the information code, but also the function of analyzing and storing the read information code, and the function of transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as a management computer. .

FIG. 4 shows a bar code or a two-dimensional code (Q
1 shows an appearance of a handy type information code reader 1 for scanning an information code such as an R code and reading data. In FIG. 4, the information code reader 1 is configured by incorporating various electric components into a main body case 2 sized and shaped so that an operator can operate it with one hand. In particular, body case 2
A display panel 3 composed of an LCD and a key operation unit 4 having numeric keys and function keys are provided on the upper surface of the main body case 2. A trigger switch 5 operated at the time of code reading is provided on a side surface of the main body case 2. And a release button 6 operated when removing the internal battery (indicated by reference numeral 7 in FIGS. 1 and 3).

FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of the main part of this embodiment. In FIG. 3, the battery 7 has a substantially rectangular shape configured as a so-called battery pack, and an arrow A in the figure is provided in a battery storage portion 8 formed on the back surface of the main body case 2.
By inserting in the direction (see FIG. 3A), it is detachably mounted at the mounting position in a state where it is completely contained in the battery storage section 8 (see FIG. 3B). .
In this case, the battery 7 is provided with a pair of output terminals 7 a on the side surface on the tip end side (insertion end side), and on the main body case 2 side, the battery 7 is located at the mounting position in the battery storage section 8. There is provided a pair of power terminals 8a which are in contact with the respective output terminals 7a at a given time.
a, power is supplied to the internal electrical components. Each power terminal 8a is configured as a so-called spring terminal using phosphor bronze or the like in order to secure a contact pressure between the power terminal 8a and the output terminal 7a on the battery 7 side.

The release button 6 is an arm member 9 rotatably supported in the main body case 2 via a support shaft 9a.
The arm member 9 is formed at one end of the arm member 9.
Is a discharge member 10 provided at the innermost part of the battery housing 8.
(Corresponding to the urging means) together with the battery holding mechanism 11 having the catch and release function of the battery 7. The discharging member 10 has a spring-like shape, but does not exert a spring force when compressed, but is configured to be deformed into a compressed state.

In this case, a hook portion 12 is formed at the end of the arm member 9 opposite to the release button 6, and the battery 7 is provided with the battery 7 mounted at the mounting position. A locking hole 7b into which the hook 12 enters is formed. Although not shown, a turning force in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3A is applied to the arm member 9 by a spring means (for example, a torsion coil spring). Thus, when the battery 7 is inserted into the battery housing 8, the hook 12 is fitted into the locking hole 7b in a state where the battery 7 is inserted to the mounting position, and the opposite arrow A of the battery 7 The configuration is such that the movement in the direction is restrained, that is, the battery 7 is held at the mounting position. Further, when the release button 6 is pressed and the arm member 9 is turned in the direction indicated by the arrow B from this state, the hook portion 12 comes off from the locking hole portion 7b, and the counter arrow of the battery 7 is released. In this state, the battery 7 is allowed to move in the direction A. In this state, the battery 7 partially projects from the battery housing portion 8 in response to the extension force of the discharging member 10 (the battery 7). Can be removed)
It is configured to be moved up to. The rotation range of the arm member 9 is restricted to a range in which the catch and release function of the battery holding mechanism 11 can operate. At a predetermined position of the battery 7, a pair of charging terminals 7c is provided.

The discharge member 10 retains its compressed shape when compressed at room temperature and, when heated from this state, deforms into a pre-stored elongated shape when heated. (Corresponding to a memory material). As a result, when the battery 7 is inserted into the battery accommodating portion 8, the discharging member 10 is pressed and deformed by the battery 7 as shown in FIG. When this is done, it expands and deforms into a memory shape, and in the expanded state, it generates a force that urges the battery 7 in the direction of the take-out position (the direction opposite to the arrow A).

Further, a sensor 1 for detecting that the release button 6 is pressed is provided in the main body case 2.
3 are provided. The sensor 13 can be configured using a mechanical switch (for example, a micro switch), a proximity switch, a pressure sensor, or the like.

FIG. 1 shows the overall electrical configuration in a substantial manner by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 1, a scanning head unit 14 is incorporated at the distal end side in the main body case 2, illuminates an object to be read in accordance with an operation of a trigger switch 5, and captures information by imaging reflected light. A code reading operation is performed. The control unit 15 is mainly composed of a CPU, and is stored in a flash memory 16 (corresponding to a data rewritable nonvolatile memory according to the present invention) in which stored data can be electrically erased and changed. Based on a program, an operation signal from the key operation unit 4 and the trigger switch 5, a detection output from the sensor 13, and the like,
While using the AM 17 (corresponding to a volatile memory) as a working area, the switching circuit 18 performs information processing operations such as analysis processing and storage of information codes read by the scanning head unit 14 and display control of the display panel 3. Is controlled as described later.
The control unit 15 is configured to transmit and receive data to and from an externally provided host computer through a data transmitting and receiving unit 15a.

Here, the discharge member 10 formed of a shape memory alloy has one end connected to one power supply terminal 8a and the other end connected to the other power supply terminal 8a via the switching circuit 18. I have.

The control section 15 realizes the function of the delay control means of the present invention by its program, and the function of the delay means of the present invention is realized by the delay control means and the switching circuit 18. You. Further, the delay means together with the sensor 13 constitutes a release restraining means according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, input / output interfaces related to the control unit 15 and the like are omitted.

When the sensor 13 is in the detection state while the information processing operation as described above is being executed (when the release button 6 is pressed).
Is configured to execute an interrupt processing routine having the contents shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 2, in this interrupt processing routine, it is first determined whether or not there is data that needs to be stored in the RAM 17 (step S).
1). If the data exists, the data is saved (stored) in the flash memory 16 in step S2.
And stands by until the retraction is completed (step S3). When the saving of the necessary data is completed, the switching circuit 18 is turned on (Step S).
4). If there is no data that needs to be stored in the RAM 17, the process directly proceeds to step S4.

In short, according to the configuration of the present embodiment,
When the release button 6 is pressed, if there is data that needs to be held in the RAM 17 at the time of the operation, the evacuation time (the data is stored in the flash memory 16
The switching circuit 18 is turned on when the delay time corresponding to the time required to complete the evacuation of the RAM 1 has elapsed, and the RAM 1 is pressed when the release button 6 is pressed.
When there is no data that needs to be stored in the switching circuit 7, the switching circuit 18 is immediately turned on.

Then, as described above, the switching circuit 1
When the switch 8 is turned on, power is supplied from the battery 7 to the discharge member 10 and the member 10 generates heat. When the discharge member 10 is heated by such self-heating, it expands and deforms into a memory shape. In response, the battery 7 is urged in the direction of the removal position to remove the battery. (Partially protruding from the battery storage section 8). In this case, when there is data that needs to be stored in the RAM 17, the switching circuit 18 is turned on only after the delay time has elapsed. On the other hand, a time delay corresponding to the evacuation time surely occurs before the urging force in the direction of the take-out position starts to work. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the data that needs to be retained among the data in the RAM 17 from being inadvertently lost in response to the power cutoff due to the removal of the battery 7. Reliability is improved.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and only the portions different from the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, an electromagnet 19 is provided instead of the discharging member 10 provided at the innermost part of the battery storage unit 8, and the battery 7 side is provided. And a permanent magnet 20 is mounted at a position facing the electromagnet 19 in the above, whereby a repulsive force is generated between the permanent magnet 20 and the battery 7 in the energized state of the electromagnet 19 to attach the battery 7 in the direction of the extraction position. The biasing means 21 for biasing is configured. In this case, the electromagnet 19 has one end connected to one power supply terminal 8a and the other end connected to the other power supply terminal 8a via the switching circuit 18.

The control section 15 controls the switching circuit 18 in the same manner as in the first embodiment when the sensor 13 is in the detection state. That is, when the release button 6 is pressed, the RAM
When there is data that needs to be held in the memory 17, the switching circuit 18 is turned on when a predetermined delay time has elapsed, and when there is no data that needs to be held in the RAM 17 when the release button 6 is pressed. The switching circuit 18 is immediately turned on. When the switching circuit 18 is turned on, the electromagnet 19 is energized, so that a repulsive force is generated between the electromagnet 19 and the permanent magnet 20 attached to the battery 7, and the battery 7 is urged toward the take-out position. As a result, the battery 7 is sent out to a detachable removal position.

In short, in this embodiment, the RAM 17
In a state where data that needs to be held exists, the switching circuit 18 is turned on only after the delay time has elapsed. Therefore, after the release button 6 is operated, the battery 7 is moved to the removal position direction. Until the urging force starts to work, a time delay corresponding to the evacuation time will surely occur. As a result, also in this embodiment, RA
Of the data in M17, the data that needs to be retained is the battery 7
It is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the power supply is inadvertently lost in response to a power cutoff due to the removal of the power supply, and the reliability of the information processing operation by the control unit 15 is improved.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. The discharging member 10 (the urging means) in the first embodiment is deformed into the memory shape compressed in the heated state while urging the battery 7 in the direction of the take-out position while maintaining the memory shape extended at normal temperature. A reversible and conductive shape memory member (provided by combining a shape memory alloy and a shape memory resin is provided) exhibiting a state in which the biasing force has been lost.
When there is data that needs to be stored in the RAM 17, the switching circuit 18 is turned on when the sensor 13 enters the detection state, and thereafter the evacuation time (R
The control for turning off the switching circuit 18 may be performed after a lapse of a delay time according to the time required to save necessary data in the AM 17 to the flash memory 16).

According to this configuration, the release button 6 is operated from the state where the battery 7 is
Is detected, the switching circuit 18 is turned on, and thereafter, after the delay time has elapsed, the switching circuit 18 is turned off.
For this reason, the discharge member made of the shape memory member is energized simultaneously with the operation of the release button 6, and the discharge member is heated by self-heating. Although the urging force disappears, when the switching circuit 18 is subsequently turned off and the energization is stopped, the discharge member is extended in accordance with the temperature drop, and accordingly, the battery 7 is turned off.
, An urging force acts in the take-out direction. Therefore, after the release button 6 is operated, a time delay corresponding to the evacuation time surely occurs before the urging force of the battery in the direction of the take-out position starts to act, and thus the same as in the first embodiment. The effect can be achieved. As an example of a portable information terminal device, a handy type information code reader 1 has been described, but can be widely applied to all portable information terminal devices that perform an information processing operation while using a volatile memory as a working area. It is. In a state where data that needs to be saved to the flash memory 16 is present in the RAM 17, a means for performing an alarm display for warning that the operation of the release button 6 is prohibited through the display panel 3 is provided as described in each of the above embodiments. It may be configured to be used in combination with the means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a substantial electrical configuration in a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main part of control contents by a control unit;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a main part in different states ([a] battery removed state, [b] battery mounted state).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an information code reader, 2 is a main body case, 6 is a release button, 7 is a battery, 8 is a battery housing, 10 is a discharge member (biasing means), 11 is a battery holding mechanism, 13 is a sensor, 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit, 16 denotes a flash memory (non-volatile memory), 17 denotes a RAM (volatile memory), 18 denotes a switching circuit, 19 denotes an electromagnet, 20 denotes a permanent magnet, and 21 denotes a biasing means.

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5B011 DB13 EB01 GG10 JA04 5B018 GA04 KA03 LA05 MA23 NA01 QA05 5B072 AA09 CC24 HH18 JJ11 MM18

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A control unit for performing an information processing operation using a volatile memory as a working area, a nonvolatile memory capable of rewriting data, and a power supply to an internal circuit including the control unit, the volatile memory and the nonvolatile memory. A battery that is detachably mounted to supply a battery, a release button that is provided to be externally operable, and always holds the battery in a predetermined mounting position and always releases the battery when the release button is operated. A portable information terminal device having a battery holding mechanism that performs a discharging operation of sending out by a biasing force of a biasing unit to a detachable removal position, wherein the discharging operation by the battery holding mechanism is performed when the release button is operated. By delaying, of the data in the volatile memory, data that needs to be retained is saved to the nonvolatile memory Portable information terminal apparatus, characterized in that the provided release restraint means for performing an operation to secure the evacuation time to. 2. The release restraining means functions as a sensor for detecting that the release button is operated, and when the sensor is in a detection state, the urging means operates for a delay time corresponding to the retreat time. 2. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a delay means for stopping the portable information terminal. 3. The portable information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein said urging means retains its compressed shape when compressed at room temperature and deforms into a memory shape expanded in a heated state. And a delay circuit configured to urge the battery in the direction of the take-out position by a conductive shape memory material; A portable information terminal device comprising: delay control means for turning on the switching circuit when a delay time according to the evacuation time has elapsed when a sensor enters a detection state. 4. The portable information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the urging means urges the battery in the direction of the unloading position while maintaining the expanded memory shape at a normal temperature and in a heated state. It is made of a reversible and conductive shape memory material that exhibits a state in which it loses the urging force by being deformed into a compressed memory shape, and the delay means supplies electricity from the battery to the shape memory material in an on state. And a delay control means for turning on the switching circuit when the sensor enters the detection state and turning off the switching circuit after a delay time according to the evacuation time has elapsed thereafter. A portable information terminal device characterized by being performed. 5. The portable information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the urging unit generates a repulsive force between the permanent magnet attached to the battery side and the permanent magnet in an energized state. An electromagnet for urging the battery in the direction of the take-out position, wherein the delay means includes a switching circuit for energizing the electromagnet from the battery in an on state, and the evacuation time when the sensor is in a detection state. And a delay control means for turning on the switching circuit when a delay time corresponding to the time has elapsed. 6. The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein said delay control means is realized by a program of said control unit. apparatus. 7. The portable information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit stores the data that needs to be saved to the nonvolatile memory in the volatile memory when the sensor enters a detection state. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the presence / absence of the data is determined, and when the data is present, a time until the data is completely saved in the nonvolatile memory is set as the delay time.