JP2002353715A - Portable information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information processing apparatus the enhances the user-friendliness. SOLUTION: The portable information processing apparatus includes a portable information terminal on a front surface of which a display panel is placed, an antenna unit for receiving a signal sent from a GPS satellite and an attachment/detachment mechanism that can attach/detach the antenna unit to/from the portable information terminal from the side of the display panel without changing a projection area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a small portable information processing apparatus called personal data assistance or a mobile computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a small portable information terminal called personal data assistance or a mobile computer, various units are externally attached as accessory units because the device body is small. It has a structure.

Further, in a small portable information processing apparatus, it is general to enhance the usability by enriching the accessory unit. However, conventionally, although the function is enhanced, the usability is still poor. was there.

[0004] For example, in a small portable information terminal, an antenna unit for receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite is accommodated in the back of the portable information terminal as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-7-55910. In many cases, the antenna unit is pulled out and used only when necessary. However, in the portable information terminal having such a configuration, this portable information terminal is connected to a GPS.
Since the antenna unit will be mounted even when it is not used for use, the size is correspondingly large,
It is not easy to use. Further, when the antenna unit is pulled out, an excessive force may be applied to damage the antenna unit, but no consideration has been given to such inconvenience. Further, since the antenna unit pulled out has no member to support on the back side, the antenna unit may be damaged by a small force.

Further, in a portable information processing terminal, there are many occasions where various accessories are connected to a connector. In such a case, the connector cover, which has covered the connector, is removed from the portable information terminal. Therefore, the connector cover may be lost.

Further, when the portable information terminal is provided with a digitizing unit for input, it is convenient if the portable information terminal is provided with an input pen. However,
Since the input pen that can be equipped on the portable information terminal is short, a pen that can be extended in two stages is convenient. However, if the portable information terminal is equipped with such an input pen, the user needs to perform two operations of removing the input pen from the portable information terminal and then extending the input pen, which is troublesome. .

In addition to such inconvenience, in a conventional portable information device having a built-in GPS unit or mounting the module as described above, the power consumption of the GPS unit is large. It is possible to operate the GPS unit together with the switch or to use G
When the PS units are linked, there is a problem that the battery life is short in a short time.

On the other hand, to operate the GPS unit,
After the power is turned on, it is necessary to capture a plurality of GPS signals from radio wave sources such as a plurality of artificial satellites, so that it takes some time to acquire positioning data. Therefore, for example, when using the predetermined application software of the information device, when the current position information is needed, the power is turned on by the software operation and the GPS
Although a method of operating the unit is conceivable, it is necessary to wait to some extent until position information is obtained, and this greatly limits the functions of information devices that can perform information processing quickly.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable information processing apparatus comprising: a portable information terminal having a display surface on a front side;
An antenna unit for receiving a signal transmitted from a PS satellite, and a detachable mechanism for detachably attaching the antenna unit to the portable information terminal without changing a projection area from the display surface side, This solves the above problem.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A portable information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held type portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the front side.
Is a perspective view when viewed from the back side.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a handy type portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied and an accessory unit which can be mounted on the portable information terminal.

1 to 3, a portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment has a flat box-type main body housing 9, and a display output L is provided on the surface 9a side.
A CD unit (liquid crystal display unit) 8 and a digitalizing unit (touch panel) 7 for input are arranged in an overlapping manner. An aperture 221 for the camera is arranged on the front surface 9a of the main body housing 9.

An infrared communication unit 6 capable of exchanging data with another portable information terminal is disposed on an upper side surface 9c of the main body housing 9, and an RS232C or USB (universal serial communication) is provided on the lower side surface 9d inside the main body housing 9. A communication connector 5 according to a predetermined standard such as a bus is provided. Therefore, the mobile phone 12 can be connected to the communication connector 5 via the adapter 13, and data can be exchanged with another personal computer or the like via the public telephone network. Alternatively, a dial-up connection can be made to connect to a computer network such as the Internet. Similarly, the PHS telephone 14 and the connector 1
5 is possible. In addition, PHS
If a PHS unit 16 having a function and dedicated to the apparatus is mounted, the speakers 4 arranged above and below the LCD unit 8 can be mounted.
The portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment itself can be used as a PHS communication device, or data can be transmitted / received via a PHS network, by using the telephone and the microphone 3. Also,
The communication connector 5 can be connected to a PC connection cable 17 to exchange data locally with another personal computer, and can be connected to a modem connection cable 18 to perform data communication via a modem. .
Further, in the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment, the unit 2 capable of wirelessly exchanging data as a communication unit is also incorporated in the main body housing 9 so that data exchange while moving only by the main body is possible.

On the right side 9 e of the main body housing 9, a mounting port 21 for mounting a flash card 20 is disposed inside the side cover 91. Further, a camera lens 22 is arranged alongside the mounting slot 21 of the flash card 20.
A CD can be used to photograph the surrounding scenery and people.

A power port 1 for charging a built-in battery from a charger 19 is disposed on a left side surface 9f of the main body housing 9. A power switch 101 is arranged on the left side surface 9f of the main body housing 9, and a multi-controller 102 is arranged alongside the power switch 101. In this multi-controller 102, by turning it,
A menu can be selected and parameters can be input on the screen displayed on the unit 8, and a determination instruction can be made by pressing the multi-controller 102. That is, the multi-controller 102 is also used as the determination button. Further, a camera viewfinder 222 is arranged alongside the multi-controller 102.

The back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 has a GPS (Global Positioning System), which will be described in detail later.
System) The GPS unit 11 capable of capturing the radio wave from the satellite and measuring the current position of the vehicle is detachable. A battery pack 501 is housed on the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9. 103 is a surface of the battery pack itself. The back 9g of the main body housing 9
Are provided with two projections 104 and 105 at two places to make the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 slightly float from the desk when the portable information terminal 10 is placed on a desk or the like.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the portable information terminal of the present embodiment. The portable information terminal 10 includes a ROM 32 capable of storing an operating system (OS), a shell system, an application, and the like; a CPU 31 capable of loading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32; RAM33
And an internal storage device (flash memory) 34 serving as a storage area for a document or an image file created by an application, and these are connected by an internal bus 35. Further, an LCD unit 8 as a display device and a digitizing unit 7 as an input device are also connected via an internal bus 35. In addition to these,
As described above, the portable information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment obtains its own position by capturing radio waves from a satellite and a communication unit 36 that communicates with another personal computer or the like using infrared communication, serial communication, and wireless communication. A GPS unit 11, a camera unit 37 that can acquire image information by a camera, and a voice unit 38 that functions as a voice memo that records voice or other sounds using the microphone 3 and the speaker 4. These are connected to the CPU 31 via the internal bus 35 and are controlled.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a software system configuration of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. The OS 50 of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment includes a controller and a driver for controlling the above-described units, and the application 60 and the shell system 70 can control each unit via the OS 50. That is, the OS 50 controls the display driver 5 capable of displaying an image on the LCD unit 8.
1. Process the data input from the digitizing unit 7 to process the application 60 and the shell system 70
Controller 5 that can exchange data by controlling a communication unit 36 including a touch panel controller 52, an infrared interface 6, a serial interface 5, and a wireless interface 2 that can be supplied to the computer.
3. A GPS controller 54 capable of controlling the GPS unit 11 to execute radio positioning, a camera controller 55 capable of supplying image data obtained using the camera unit 37 to the application 60 or the shell system 70 in an appropriate data format, and a microphone. An audio controller 56 capable of inputting / outputting and recording audio data using the audio unit 38 such as the speaker 3 and the speaker 4 is provided. The shell system 70 and the application 60 operate on the OS 50 that supports such basic functions of the portable information terminal 10.

In the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment, the navigation 6
1. Browser 62, memo and mail creation software 63,
Five software, a scheduler 64 and an address book 65, are installed. The navigation 61 is a map viewer that can display the current position measured by the GPS unit 11 on a map, and can also display position-related information near the current position, for example, various information such as restaurants, shops, and toilets. Has become. The browser 62 has a W open on the Internet.
It can display information provided from the WW server, and can access the Internet via the communication unit 36 to acquire information. The memo and mail creation software 63 is software having a function as a word processor. The memo and mail creation software 63 of the present embodiment can handle not only text data but also image data and audio data, and can edit these data and exchange it with other users via the Internet. ing. The scheduler 64 has a function of registering a user's schedule, and announcing to the user by an appropriate method such as voice or display at the registered time. The address book 65 can manage the telephone numbers or Internet addresses of other users. When using the address book 65 of the present embodiment to supply the address of the other party when sending mail from the mail software 63 via the Internet, or when inputting the telephone number of the other party when making a call using the PHS function Used for (Attaching GPS unit to portable information terminal) FIG.
7 and FIG. 7 are a perspective view from the upper surface side and a perspective view from the lower surface side showing a state in which the antenna unit is housed in the GPS unit 11, respectively.

6 and 7, a GPS unit 11 attached to and detached from the back surface 9g of the portable information terminal 10 generally includes a circuit unit 111 having a built-in receiving circuit, and a rotatable unit with respect to the circuit unit 111. And an antenna unit 112 connected in a state. The antenna unit 112 has a built-in antenna. The circuit unit 111 includes a rectangular portion 113 in which a receiving circuit or the like is housed, and a protruding portion 1 protruding from an end portion thereof and serving as a connecting portion 110 with the antenna unit 112 at a front end portion.
14, the overhang portion 114 and the rectangular portion 1
The antenna unit 112 enters into the space formed by 13, and the GPS unit 11 has a rectangular planar shape as a whole.

In the GPS unit 11, the circuit unit 111 is attached to and detached from the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal of the present embodiment. That is, the circuit unit 111 is covered with a metal cover plate 116 also serving as a shield plate with respect to the circuit case 115, and two claws 121 and 122 project from the side edge of the shield plate 116. A screw 123 protrudes from the opposite end of the shield plate 116.
The large-diameter head 3 protrudes from the opening 117 on the side surface of the circuit unit 111. Further, a connector 131 electrically connected to a receiving circuit built in the circuit unit 111 protrudes from the shield plate 116.

On the other hand, as can be seen from FIG. 2, two claws 121, 122 protruding from the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11 are provided on the back surface 9g side of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10. Are formed at the opposite ends thereof.
Screw 123 protruding from the circuit unit 111
A screw hole 126 into which the shaft portion is fitted is formed. Also,
A circuit unit 111 is provided on the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9.
A connector hole 132 is formed at a position corresponding to the connector 131 formed at the bottom. Therefore, when the GPS unit 11 is attached to the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10 in a state where the antenna unit 112 is housed in the space formed by the projecting portion 114 and the rectangular portion 113 of the circuit unit 111, the GPS The unit 11 is mounted on the back side of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10 in a completely hidden state. In order to mount the portable information terminal 10 in this manner, two claws 121 and 122 protruding from the upper surface of the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11 are formed on the back surface 9g side of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10. When the upper surface portion (the shield plate 116) of the circuit unit 111 is overlapped on the back surface 9e of the main body housing 9 so as to fit into the holes 124 and 125, respectively, the connector 1
31 fits into the connector hole 132, so that the circuit unit 1
The finger screw is used to turn the large-diameter portion of the screw 123 protruding from the side surface of the screw 11 into the screw hole 126.
When stopped, the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11
Is completely fixed to the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 as shown in FIG. In this state, GP
In the S unit 11, not only the circuit unit 111 but also the antenna unit 112 are completely attached to the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9. Also, the antenna unit 11
In the housed state, 2 is superposed on the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 in the width direction when viewed from the connection portion 110 (rotation center position) with the circuit unit 111. Therefore, GP
The portable information terminal 1 without using the S unit 11 for a while
The GPS unit 11 does not get in the way even when using only the main part of 0. Also, if the screw 123 is loosened, the GPS unit 11 is
g can be easily removed. That is, in the present embodiment, the GPS unit 1 is provided by using the hand screw 123, the two claws 121, 122, and the engagement holes 124, 125.
An attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching the 1 (antenna unit 112) to / from the main body housing 9 is configured. Therefore, the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that the G
Since the PS unit 11 is mounted, the portable information terminal 10
In daily use, the advantages of small size and light weight can be utilized.

The GPS unit 11 configured as described above
Is the antenna unit 112 in the space formed by the overhang portion 114 and the rectangular portion 113 of the circuit unit 111.
9 and 10, the antenna unit 112 can be pulled out by rotating the antenna unit 112 at an angle of about 90 ° about the connection portion 110 with the circuit unit 111, as shown in FIGS.

Here, on the side of the circuit unit 111, a projection 1 formed on the side surface of the antenna unit 112 is provided.
A microswitch (not shown) for monitoring the opening and closing of the antenna unit 112 is built in when the 41 moves in and out of the opening 142 of the circuit unit 111 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the antenna unit 112. Therefore, when the antenna unit 112 is opened, the circuit unit 1
Since the receiving circuit in 11 is turned on, the radio wave from the satellite can be received immediately.

Thus, the antenna unit 112
11, 12 and 13, the antenna unit 112 protrudes from the upper side surface 9 c of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10 as shown in FIGS. When the antenna unit 112 is deployed outside the upper side surface 9c of the main body housing 9, the antenna unit 112 is mounted on the front surface 9a of the main body housing 9.
(Display surface of LCD unit 8)
-It is inclined. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the user holds the portable information terminal 10 in his / her hand and lifts it obliquely so that the display surface of the LCD unit 8 is easy to see, the antenna unit 112 is just horizontal, so Posture suitable for receiving radio waves (signals).

In order to perform such rotation, in the GPS unit 11 of the present embodiment, the rotation center axis L of the antenna unit 112 is inclined as described with reference to FIG. That is, the rotation center axis L of the antenna unit 112 is seen from the side (FIGS. 14A, 14B,
See (C). ), Even from the front (FIG. 14 (A),
See (D). In the state where the GPS unit 11 is attached to the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9, the GPS unit 11 is inclined with respect to the normal to the lower surface portion of the antenna unit 112 which is parallel to the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9. Accordingly, the rotation center axis L is cut between the stored state (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 8) and the drawn-out state (see FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13). When viewed from the direction in which the angle range at the time of switching is divided into two equal parts, it is inclined at a 45-degree inclination. Therefore,
The antenna unit 112 is at the same height position in the width direction regardless of the stored state or the drawn state, and does not tilt in the width direction. That is, unlike the present embodiment, simply tilting the rotation center axis of the antenna unit 112 to the side or directly in front of the GPS unit 11
Although the (antenna unit 112) can be overlaid on the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9, the antenna unit 112
If the antenna unit 112 is pulled out while rotating clockwise, the antenna unit 112 is pulled out while being lowered from the right side, and the antenna unit 112 cannot be turned right above.

In order to set such a rotation center axis L, in this embodiment, the GPS unit 11 is designed as follows.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the GPS unit 11. In FIG. 15, the side of the antenna unit 112 is a cover 151 made of aluminum and also serving as a reflector, a rotating unit 160, an antenna 152, and an antenna case 1.
The circuit unit 111 is assembled from the circuit unit 111, and includes a circuit case 115, a circuit board 157, and a lid member 116 also serving as a shield plate made of aluminum.

The GPS unit 1 using such members
1 is assembled by rotating unit 160 shown in FIG.
Is fixed with two screws in the antenna unit 112 main body as shown in FIG. The rotating unit 160 includes a plate 1 fixed to the antenna unit 112 side.
64 and a circular cap 165 fixed to the circuit unit 111 side, and between the cap 165 and the plate 164 as a rotating part, the antenna unit 112 and the circuit unit 111 are rotatably connected. I do. Here, the plate 164 has two connecting portions 161 and 162 projecting in parallel from the rotating portion overlapping the cap 165, and the distal end portions of the connecting portions 161 and 162 are fixed inside the antenna case 153 by screws. .
In this state, the cap 165 of the rotating unit 160 is
A circular hole 16 formed in the body of the antenna unit 112
9 and is exposed from the hole 169. Thus, the antenna body 152 is placed in the antenna case 153.
After attaching the rotation unit 160 and the rotation unit 160, the lid 151 is fixed to the antenna cap 165 by screws.

On the other hand, in the circuit unit 111, after the circuit case 115 houses the circuit board 157, the circuit board 115 is covered with a cover member 116 and fixed with screws. At this time, the hand screw 123 is housed inside the circuit unit 111 body, and then the lid 116 is attached to the circuit unit 111.

Next, the overhang portion 1 of the circuit unit 111
14 and the antenna unit 112 so that the tip of the antenna unit 14 overlaps the hole of the antenna unit 112.
And repeat. Here, the circuit unit 111 includes a rotating unit 160 located in a hole of the antenna unit 112.
Since two holes are formed in the circuit unit 111 and the lid member 116 so as to overlap with the two screw holes of the cap 165, the two screws are made to penetrate these holes, and the two screws are screwed into the screw holes of the cap 165. , The circuit unit 111 and the antenna unit 112 can be connected. In this state, since the circuit unit 111 and the antenna unit 112 are connected via the rotation unit 160, the projecting portion 114 of the circuit unit 111
And the state where the antenna unit 112 is housed in the space formed by the rectangular portion 113 and the state where the antenna unit 112 is rotated about 90 degrees and pulled out.

In the antenna unit 112,
The actual connecting portion between the antenna unit 112 and the rotating unit is a screwed portion made at the tip of the two connecting portions 161 and 162, whereas the rotating unit 16
0 and the circuit unit 111 are connected by a cap 165.
And these connecting places are separated. Moreover, these connecting places are connected by connecting portions 161 and 162 functioning as leaf springs. Therefore, even though the circuit unit 111 is fixed to the main body housing 9, the antenna unit 112 is connected to the circuit unit 111 with some elasticity due to the interposition of the leaf spring. Therefore, when the GPS unit 11 is used while being mounted on the portable information terminal 10, even if a load is applied to the antenna unit 112 and the posture changes, such a change in posture does not occur. It is only absorbed at the connection inside. Therefore,
The antenna unit 112 is less likely to be damaged.

In the present embodiment, when the antenna unit 112 is rotated between the storage position and the extraction position, the magnitude of the torque is switched halfway to reach the storage completion state and the extraction completion state. A click mechanism indicating a position immediately before the click is formed. Therefore, when the antenna unit 112 is rotated, the amount of force applied can be adjusted with a click feeling. Therefore, the antenna unit 1
Since no excessive force is applied to the antenna 12, the antenna unit 112 is not damaged. Such a click mechanism,
It can be realized by a spring sandwiched between the plate 164 and the cap 165 in the rotation unit 160, a disk for setting the force of the spring to a predetermined size at the rotation angle position, and the like. (Attaching PHS unit to portable information terminal) FIG.
8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower side of the portable information terminal. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the connector cover.

In FIG. 18, a communication connector 5 is disposed on a lower side surface 9d of the main body housing 9, and a PHS unit 16 having a PHS function and dedicated to the apparatus can be mounted. The communication connector 5 is formed in a main body housing 9 and has an opening 9.
Numeral 0 is covered with a connector cover 80 made of soft rubber.
As shown in FIG. 19, the connector cover 80 has a flat plate portion 81 for closing the opening of the main body housing 9, and a flat plate portion 81.
An anchor 82 is formed between the lower case 901 of the main body housing 9 and the frame 902 in the main body housing 9 so as to protrude from the lower end of the main body 9 into the main body housing 9. Here, since the flat plate portion 81 is formed slightly larger than the opening 90 of the main body housing 9 of the connector cover 80, the opening 90 is closed by pushing the flat plate portion 81 into the opening 90. Therefore, when the flat plate portion 81 is pulled out from the opening 90 by putting a finger or a nail on the concave portion 83 recessed on the inner surface side on both sides of the flat plate portion 81 of the connector cover 80, as shown in FIG. And the opening 90 is opened, so that the PHS shown in FIGS.
The connector section 260 of the unit 16 can be inserted from the opening 90 toward the inside communication connector 5. Also, by turning the screw 261 formed on the PHS unit 16, the screw shaft 2 of the screw 261 is turned.
If the screw 62 is fixed to the screw hole formed in the lower surface 9d of the main body housing 9, as shown in FIGS.
The PHS unit 16 can be connected to the portable information terminal 10. Note that a circuit board 85 and the like are arranged inside the main body housing 9.

Here, as shown in FIG. 22, a recess 265 slightly wider than the width of the connector cover 80 is formed on the lower surface of the PHS unit 16. In this embodiment, since the connector cover 80 is made of soft rubber, FIG.
When the PHS unit 16 is connected, the connector cover 80 is bent downward as shown in FIG.
6 can be accommodated in the space formed by the concave portions 265. Therefore, since the connector cover 80 pulled out from the opening 90 does not interfere, the structure in which the connector cover 80 is held by the main body housing 9 can be adopted. Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the connector cover 80 is removed each time, there is no possibility that the connector cover 80 is lost. The end of the connector cover 80 is P
Since it is under the HS unit 16,
The portable information terminal 1 with the PHS unit 16 connected
When 0 is placed on a desk or the like, the connector cover 80 functions as a rubber leg between the desk and the PHS unit 16. (Attaching of Input Pen to Portable Information Terminal) In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the portable information terminal 10 is provided with the digitizing unit 7 for input, as shown in FIG. And the input pen 86 used for it
Is housed in an opening 87 in which the right side surface 9a of the housing 9 is an outlet 88. Here, when the input pen 86 applies a force to pull out from the opening 87,
It is configured to escape from the opening 87 after being extended while being held in the opening 87. Therefore, the user simply pulls the input pen 86 to pull it out of the opening 87,
Since the input pen 86 comes out in an extended state, it is convenient because the trouble of pulling out and extending is unnecessary.

Such a configuration uses, for example, a two-stage telescopic input pen 86 and applies an elastic force to hold the input pen 86 in the opening 87 with a force slightly larger than the force required for the expansion and contraction. It can be realized. (Attaching a Memory Card to a Portable Information Terminal) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the portable information terminal when cut at a position passing through a mounting slot of a flash card. As shown in FIG. 25, a mounting port 21 in which a flash card 20 can be mounted is arranged on the right side surface 9e of the main body housing 9,
This mounting opening 21 is normally closed by a side cover 91. Therefore, when taking out the flash card 20, the side cover 91 is opened and then the flash card 20 is pulled out.
Of the flash card 20 using the card attaching / detaching member 95 instead of pulling out the flash card 20 directly. That is, when the side cover 91 is opened on the right side surface 9e of the main body housing 9, as shown in FIG.
5 is a knob plate 96. This knob plate 9
As described later, the side cover 91 is connected to the main body of the card attaching / detaching member 95 via a hinge mechanism and is mounted in the main body housing 9 in an upright state.
Is opened, the knob plate 96 appears upright. Therefore, when taking out the flash card 20,
First, as shown in FIG. 27, the knob plate 96 is turned outward, and then the knob plate 96 is pulled out. As shown in FIG. 28, the flash card 20 is pulled out together with the knob plate 96. Therefore, the user does not have to perform an unreasonable operation such as pushing a fingertip into the narrow mounting opening 21, and the flash card 20 can be inserted through the mounting opening 21.
Can be easily taken out.

When the flash card 20 is inserted, an operation opposite to the above operation is performed. That is, when the side cover 91 is opened, the knob plate 96 appears in an upright state, so that the knob plate 96 is turned outward, and then the knob plate 96 is pulled out. Next, after inserting the flash card 20 into the mounting slot 21, the knob plate 96 is erected, and thereafter, the card detachable member 95 is pushed into the main body housing 9. As a result, the flash card 2 together with the card detachable member 95
0 is pushed into the main body housing 9.

As shown in FIG. 29, the card attaching / detaching member 95 used in the attaching / detaching mechanism of the flash card 20 includes a main body 97 having both sides 971 bent in accordance with the outer shape of the flash card 20; The knob plate 96, the knob plate 96 and the main body 9
And a hinge mechanism 98 for connecting the first and second members 7 to each other.
In the card attaching / detaching member 95, the main body portion 97 has a space for holding the memory card 20 inside of which both side portions 971 are vertically bent. In addition,
A large circular hole 973 is formed in the main body portion 97 in order to reduce the weight and increase the strength.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS.
Substrate unit 94 configured in main body housing 9
Is formed with a card storage portion 941 for receiving the flash card 20 mounted together with the card detachable member 95, and a connector for electrically connecting to the mounted flash card 20 is provided at the back of the card storage portion 941. 9
42 are arranged. Here, on both sides of the card storage portion 941, a card attaching / detaching member 95 pushed into the card storage portion 941 is provided.
A guide 944 for guiding both side parts 971 of the rail is formed in a rail shape.

As described above, in the portable information processing apparatus, the antenna unit is detachable from the portable information terminal. Therefore, the antenna unit is detached except when the portable information terminal is used for GPS. Easy to use. Further, even if the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal, the antenna unit does not protrude from the side of the portable information terminal, so that handling is easy even when the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal. Furthermore, if the antenna unit is configured to be pulled out while rotating from the back side of the portable information terminal, the antenna unit can be taken in and out with a simple operation. Furthermore, when the antenna unit is in the housed state, it overlaps with the back side of the portable information terminal, so that the antenna unit does not interfere. Furthermore, in the pulled-out state, the antenna unit is inclined to the back side with respect to the display surface, so that when the user tilts the portable information terminal to make the display surface easier to see, the antenna unit is horizontally supported. Therefore, there is an advantage that the receiving sensitivity of the antenna unit is improved. Furthermore, since the connector cover is held by the portable information terminal even when the opening is in the open state, the loss of the connector cover can be solved. Furthermore, when the user tries to pull out the input pen, it is extended while being held in the opening of the portable information terminal, and then detaches from the portable information terminal. There is an advantage that only one operation is required because the terminal comes off the terminal.

FIG. 32 shows a GPS unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. This GPS unit 300 accommodates a receiving circuit and has a circuit unit 11 of the GPS unit 11 shown in FIG.
1 and a support unit 400 corresponding to the antenna unit 1 and an antenna unit 500 containing an antenna. The support portion 400 is a pair of left and right arm portions 402 and 40 from the front end of the main body 401 having a rectangular plate shape.
3 is extended forward, and the arm portions 402 and 4
The tip of 03 is inclined to the back. The antenna unit 500 includes a pair of left and right legs 502 and 503 extending rearward from a rear end of a thin box-shaped main body 501.
The tip ends of the feet 502 and 503 are inclined toward the back.
The antenna unit 500 is located between the pair of arms 402 and 403 of the support unit 400, and has the feet 502 and 503.
Is rotatably attached to the tips of the arms 402 and 403 (the attachment structure will be described later). Therefore, the antenna unit 500 is rotated toward the support portion 400 to rotate the pair of arm portions 402 and 403 as shown in FIG.
It can be stored in the recess 404 (see FIG. 32), and is rotated to the opposite side and is led out of the support 400 at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 32, the bottom surface of the concave portion 404 is provided at the front end of the main body 401 of the support portion 400.
01 and the arm portions 402 and 403 to be integrated with the bottom plate 405.
Is provided. Therefore, the antenna unit 50
0 is stored in the recess 404, the antenna unit 500
Of the main body 501 is placed on the bottom plate 405.
Further, a concave portion 504 is provided on a front end side surface of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500. On the other hand, the support 4
On the front end side surface of the main body 401 of FIG. Therefore, when the antenna unit 500 is housed in the recess 404 as shown in FIG. 33, the projection 407 is engaged with the recess 504 formed on the front end side surface of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500, so that the antenna unit 500 is recessed. 404 holds the storage state. Further, as shown in FIG.
A power switch operation unit 408 is led out of the opening 421 on the front end side surface of the main body 401 of the main body 00. Therefore, when the antenna unit 500 is stored in the concave portion 404, the operation unit 408 is pressed by the front end of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500, and as a result, the power switch is turned off, and the power switch is turned off (not shown). Power supply to the receiving circuit is cut off. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 500 is rotated in front of the support unit 400 to be in a use state, the pressing of the operation unit 408 by the front end of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500 is released, so that the power switch is turned on and the power supply to the reception circuit is turned off. Supply is started.

As shown in FIG. 32, a pair of arms 402,
Between the tip sides of 403, on the bottom surface of the concave portion 404,
They are connected by a connection plate 409. With this configuration, the opening of the pair of left and right arms 402 and 403 is suppressed by the connecting plate 409, so that the antenna unit 500 can be reliably held between the pair of left and right arms 402 and 403. As shown in FIG. 34, the supporting portion 400 includes a front case 410 and a back cover 411, and the connecting plate 409 is connected to the back cover 411.
Formed. Further, a shield plate 412 is attached to the inner surface of the back cover 411.

As shown in FIG. 35, an L-shaped lever 414 slidable in the front-back direction of the support portion 400 indicated by an arrow a is provided in the support portion 400 (in the front case 410). The L-shaped lever 414 is normally pulled in the direction of the front end of the support part 400 by a coil spring 413 attached to one end, but an operation piece 415 provided on the surface of the support part 400 (the surface of the front cover 410). (See FIGS. 32 and 33), and can be slid toward the rear end of the support portion 400 by operating the operation piece 415. The other end of the L-shaped lever 414 is provided with the protrusion 40 for holding the antenna unit 500 in the recess 404.
7 are provided integrally. Therefore, the support 400
When the operation piece 415 on the front surface is slid and the L-shaped lever 414 is integrally slid toward the rear end of the support portion 400, the protrusion 407 is retracted into the support portion 400 and the front end recess of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500 is recessed. As a result, the antenna unit 500 can rotate forward of the support 400 as described above. When the antenna unit 500 is stored in the recess 404, the L-shaped lever 41
The projection 407 can be made to protrude and retract by the elasticity of the other end of the antenna unit 50 in the direction of the arrow b.
0 can be engaged with the concave portion 504 at the front end of the main body 501. That is, the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500 is
07, the protrusion 407 retracts, and the recess 504
Is opposed to the protrusion 407, the protrusion 407 protrudes and the recess 5
04.

As shown in FIG. 36, two claws 416 are provided on one side of the back surface of the main body 401 of the support portion 400. On the back side of the main body 400, a hand screw 417 protrudes on a side opposite to the one side,
The large knob 418 of the hand screw 417 is attached to the main body 40.
One part protrudes from the opening 419 on one side. Further, a connector 420 electrically connected to a receiving circuit in the main body 401 protrudes from the back surface of the main body 401 in the vicinity of the screw 417. Therefore, the support part 400 and the antenna unit 500
Similar to the S unit 11, the pair of claws 41 of the support 400
6 is engaged with the engaging hole of the portable information terminal, and the hand screw 417 is screwed into the screw hole of the portable information terminal. As shown in FIGS. The information terminal 350 can be detachably attached to the back of the information terminal 350. At this time, the connector 420 is connected to the portable information terminal 3.
Connected to a connector 50 (not shown)
Is electrically connected to a circuit in the portable information terminal 350.

As described above, the GPS unit 30 of the present embodiment
“0” can be attached to the portable information terminal 350 only when the unit 300 is used, and can be detached from the portable information terminal 350 when not in use. In addition, when the GPS unit 300 is attached to the portable information terminal 350, the antenna unit 500 now has the pair of arms 402, 403 of the support 400.
If it is stored between the portable information terminals 350, only the tips of the arms 402 and 403 and the tips of the feet 502 and 503 only protrude from the portable information terminal 350 as shown in FIG. It is easy to handle even when the GPS unit 300 is attached to the camera. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 500 is rotated in front of the support part 400 for use, the antenna unit 500 is led out in front of the portable information terminal 350 as shown in FIG. . At this time, the antenna unit 500 assumes a posture inclined by about 20 degrees toward the rear surface side with respect to the front surface of the portable information terminal 350 by a lock mechanism described later. Therefore, when the user holds the portable information terminal 350 in his / her hand and lifts it obliquely so that the display surface 351 of the LCD unit can be easily seen, the antenna unit 500 becomes just horizontal and receives a radio wave (signal) from a satellite. A posture suitable for

As shown in FIG. 39, an insertion hole 422 is formed in one of the arms 402 of the support portion 400 on the inner side surface of the tip. On the other hand, one leg 502 of the antenna unit 500 has a tubular portion 505 on the outer side surface of the tip, and by inserting the tubular portion 505 into the insertion hole 422, one of the Foot 5
02 is rotatably attached to one arm 402 of the support 400.

As shown in the drawing, the other arm portion 403 of the support portion 400 has a large-diameter portion 4
An insertion hole 424 having 23 is formed. On the other hand, a shaft 506 is provided on the other foot 503 of the antenna unit 500 on the outer side surface of the tip, and a cam 507 as a part of a lock mechanism is provided on the tip side of the shaft 506. 507 is a first projection 50 for locking on a part of the outer periphery.
8 and a second projection 509. The shaft 506 having the cam 507 is rotated to a position where the antenna unit 500 is not normally used.
The projections 508 and 509 of the large diameter portion 42 of the insertion hole 424
3, the shaft 506 and the cam 507 can be inserted into the insertion holes 424, and the other foot 503 of the antenna unit 500 is rotatably attached to the other arm 403 of the support 400.

In this manner, the shaft 50 having the cam 507
6 is inserted into the insertion hole 424, and then the antenna unit 50 is inserted.
When the shaft 506 and the cam 507 rotate integrally with each other and the shaft 506 and the cam 507 rotate integrally, the first and second protrusions 508 and 509 of the cam 507 come off the position of the large-diameter portion 423 of the insertion hole 424, As shown in FIG. 40, the first and second protrusions 508 and 509 of the cam 507 and the antenna unit 50
The side portion 403a of the arm portion 403 is sandwiched between the side surfaces of the foot portion 503, and the shaft 506 does not move in the axial direction (the direction of insertion into the hole 424 or the direction of withdrawal). The mounting of the arm 403 and the arm 403 becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 41, a cam 50 inserted into the other arm
7, an L-shaped metal elastic piece 425 is fixed. The elastic piece 425 constitutes a lock mechanism of the antenna unit 500 together with the cam 507. When the antenna unit 500 is rotated forward from the state in which the antenna unit 500 is housed in the concave portion 404, as shown in FIG. Immediately before the antenna unit 500 is at a predetermined angle with respect to the support portion 400, the first protrusion 508 of the cam 507 rotating integrally contacts the U-shaped tip of the elastic piece 425.
However, since the contact surface of the first protrusion 508 is a gentle slope, if a slightly strong rotational force is applied to the antenna unit 500, the first protrusion 508 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425 and the cam 507 rotates. And the antenna unit 50
0 rotates. As soon as the first projection 508 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425, as shown in FIG.
The second projection 509 abuts on the tip of the elastic piece 425.
The contact surface of the second projection 509 is a relatively steep inclined surface. Therefore, when the second protrusion 509 abuts against the tip of the elastic piece 425, the cam 507 does not rotate any more, and the first protrusion 508 acts as a resistance in the returning direction to prevent rotation, thereby integrally forming the antenna. The unit 500 is fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to the support 400. That is, the lock mechanism can hold the antenna unit 500 at a predetermined angle with respect to the support 400 with a click operation when the first protrusion 508 of the cam 507 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425.

The second projection 509 of the cam 507 is
Since the contact surface with respect to the tip of 25 has a steep angle but is a slope, when a large rotational force is applied to the antenna unit 500 in a direction opposite to the direction of the storage recess 404, the second protrusion 509 is formed as shown in FIG. The cam 507 and the antenna unit 500 are free to rotate over the tip of the elastic piece 425. As a result, no excessive force is applied to the antenna unit 500, so that damage to the antenna unit 500 can be prevented. When the antenna unit 500 is rotated back to the storage recess 404 side from this state, the tip of the elastic piece 425 is engaged between the second and first protrusions 509 and 508 of the cam 507 again as shown in FIG. Therefore, antenna unit 500 can be fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to support portion 400.

As described above, according to the GPS unit shown in FIG. 32, except when the GPS unit is used,
Since the GPS unit can be removed, the usability is good. In addition, since the GPS unit hardly protrudes from the portable information terminal, handling is easy even when the GPS unit is attached to the portable information terminal. In addition, the antenna unit has a lock mechanism that locks with a click operation, so that the antenna unit can be stably held at the most advantageous position in terms of reception characteristics, and can be used with maximum performance. Further, the lock mechanism can release the lock when an excessive force is applied to the antenna unit to prevent the antenna unit from being damaged, and can restore the lock function when the antenna unit is returned. In addition, by matching the cam of the lock mechanism to the large diameter portion of the insertion hole, even if the cam of the lock mechanism is present, it is easy to attach the foot of the antenna unit to the tip of the arm,
In addition, during normal use, the side of the arm is sandwiched between the projection of the cam and the side of the foot of the antenna unit, and the shaft does not move in the axial direction (the direction of insertion into the hole or the direction of withdrawal). Firm mounting is possible. Also,
By suppressing the opening of the pair of left and right arms with the connecting plate, the antenna unit can be reliably held between the pair of left and right arms.

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram showing the entire functional blocks of another embodiment. A central processing unit (CPU) 620 for performing a logical operation process is housed inside the portable information terminal.
A real-time clock 621, a mask ROM 622 for storing a program, an execution memory 623 composed of an SRAM or a DRAM for executing a program, a flash memory 624 for storing data, and an input circuit 6 connected to an operation panel (or a touch panel, a mouse or a keyboard)
25, a serial port 626 (to which a communication device such as a personal handyphone (PHS) 647 is connected) is connected, and an interface integrated circuit 630 composed of an ASIC is connected. In addition, a battery pack 627 is housed inside the portable information terminal, and is configured to supply power to each part inside.

The interface integrated circuit 630 has a CC
A CCD interface circuit 631 for connecting a D camera 641 or the like, a PCMCIA interface circuit 632 for connecting a PCMCIA card 642, a liquid crystal display device 64 including a video RAM 643 and a display panel.
4 and the like, and an LCD controller 633 connected to
A serial multiplexer 634 connects the IrDA (infrared communication) unit 645 and the GPS connector 646 to a serial line connected to the CPU 620 alternatively.

The GPS unit 650 is connected to the GPS connector 646. In the GPS unit 650, the digital signal processing circuit 651 and the receiving circuit 652 are connected to each other, and the receiving circuit 652 is connected to the antenna 613.

FIG. 46 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the GPS unit 650 connected to the GPS connector 646 and its peripheral circuits. The area on the right side of the two-dot chain line is G
The internal configuration of the PS unit 650 is shown, and a region on the left side of the two-dot chain line in the drawing shows an equivalent circuit system in the GPS connector 646 and the interface integrated circuit 630 between the GPS unit and the CPU 620.

The digital signal processing circuit 651 includes a predetermined internal clock and a built-in C
The internal CPU exchanges various command signals, status signals, data signals, etc. with the CPU 620 via the serial line X. This digital signal processing circuit 651
The receiving circuit 652 is connected to the receiving circuit 652 to constitute a GPS signal receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus receives the GPS signal transmitted from the receiving circuit 652, converts the received GPS signal into positioning data, and
620.

Inside the GPS unit 650, the G
Interlock switch 65 that interlocks with the movement of PS antenna 613
3 are provided. This interlock switch 653 is a GP
When the S antenna 613 is in use, the terminals are closed, and when the GPS antenna 613 is in the storage state, the terminals are open.

The two signal lines Y and Z connected to the interlock switch 653 are also connected to the CPU 620. The signal potential of the signal line Y is pulled up by being connected to a high resistance Rb connected to a power supply potential Vcc formed by a power supply circuit (not shown) by the power supply from the battery pack 627. Signal line Z
Are connected to the ground potential GND and to the high resistance Rc connected to the power supply potential Vcc in the same manner as described above.

The GPS unit 650 has a GPS
A power supply circuit 654 is incorporated. The power supply potential Vcc is supplied to the GPS power supply circuit 654 from a switch circuit to which a signal line W connected to the CPU 620 is input. In this switch circuit, a control transistor Ta and a power transistor Tb which are connected to each other are provided. The signal line W is connected to the gate of the control transistor Ta, the source of the control transistor Ta is connected to the ground potential GND, and the drain of the control transistor Ta is connected to the gate of the power transistor Tb via the resistor Ra. The source and drain of power transistor Tb are connected to power supply potential Vcc and G
It is connected between the power supply circuit 654 for PS. GPS
The power supply circuit 654 for the digital signal processing circuit 65
1 and the receiving circuit 652.

Next, the GPS unit 650 shown in FIG.
Will be described. In the GPS unit 650, when the GPS antenna 613 is stored, the interlocking switch 653 is open.
The signal line Y is maintained at a high potential close to the power supply potential Vcc, and the signal line Z is maintained at a low potential close to the ground potential GND. Here, the signal line Z is the GPS unit 6
50 is a signal line for detecting the ground potential G when the GPS unit 650 is connected as shown in FIG.
Although the potential is low near ND, the GPS unit 65
If 0 is not connected, the potential becomes a high potential close to the power supply potential Vcc. Therefore, the CPU 620 can know the presence or absence of the GPS unit based on the potential of the signal line Z.

When the GPS antenna 613 is turned into a use state by turning, the interlock switch 653 is closed, and the signal line Y is electrically connected to the signal line Z to have a low potential. This allows the CPU 620 to know that the antenna 613 has reached the operating posture.

Then, the CPU 620 outputs a control output to the signal line W. When the signal output from the CPU 620 causes the signal line W to have a high potential, the control transistor Ta is turned on to lower the gate signal of the power transistor Tb. Since the power transistor Tb is made conductive,
The power supply potential Vcc is supplied to the GPS power supply circuit 654. When the power supply potential is supplied, the GPS power supply circuit 654 operates based on the supplied power.
1 and the receiving circuit 652.

Next, referring to FIGS. 47 to 50,
The functions and operations of the entire embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 47, when the power switch of the main body (portable information terminal as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 37) is turned on, the CPU 620 reads a program from the mask ROM 622 and determines whether or not the GPS unit 650 is connected. Is detected by the potential of the signal line Z, and when the GPS unit 650 is connected, the mask ROM
The GPS application program recorded in 622 is read out and registered on the operation system, and also registered as necessary with other general-purpose application programs, and a start-up menu of the GPS program is added to each program. If the GPS unit 650 is not detected, the above registration is not performed, and the GPS application program does not operate. However, even when the GPS unit is mounted at an arbitrary time during operation of the apparatus, it is possible to detect this and load the GPS application program.

Next, an operation menu for starting a general-purpose application program is displayed. Here, when a predetermined general-purpose application program, for example, mail software is selected by the operator, the mail software is started. When data input (e-mail input, e-mail selection, etc.) of the operator is completed on this software, the presence or absence of registration of the GPS application program is detected, and if it is registered, the current position is obtained. , A request for obtaining the current position information is made. Thereby, as described later, when positioning data is transmitted from the GPS unit 650 and the position information is obtained, the position information is passed to the mail software and attached to a mail selected by the operator,
Activate the PHS647 and perform transmission. If the GPS application program is not registered, the PHS is activated and transmission is performed. G
If the PS unit is not operating, for example, a message to that effect is displayed, and the user selects whether to operate the new GPS unit and wait until the position information is obtained, or to cancel the attachment of the position information. It can be so.

FIGS. 48 and 49 show the CPU 620 described above.
9 shows the operation of the GPS unit 650 executed in parallel with the execution of the general-purpose application program by the GPS unit 650. In the GPS unit 650, even if the power switch of the main body is turned on, power is not supplied to the GPS power supply circuit 654 shown in FIG. 46 by itself, so that the GPS unit 650 does not operate. When the power switch of the main body is turned on, when the GPS antenna 613 is turned to the use state, the interlock switch 653 is closed,
The signal line Y becomes low potential and the interrupt signal becomes CP.
The program is sent to U620, and the above GPS application program is executed by interrupt processing.

In this interrupt processing, the GPS application program first sets the potential of the signal line W to a high potential and supplies power to the GPS power supply circuit 654 to make the GPS unit 650 operable. In parallel with this, the CPU 620 activates the GPS utility program and reads out the initial data recorded in the flash memory 624. The initial data includes an orbital calendar, a satellite calendar, and the like for the artificial satellite, along with the time and position information at the time of the last positioning. CPU6
Reference numeral 20 sends a GPS signal capture command to the digital signal processing circuit 651 and transmits initial data to the digital signal processing circuit 651 through the serial line X in an appropriate data format.

Upon receiving the above-mentioned initial data, the digital signal processing circuit 651 that has received the GPS signal capturing instruction starts the GPS signal capturing operation with reference to the initial data, that is, the previous position information and orbit. A GPS signal is captured using a calendar, a satellite calendar, or the like.
As a result, when one GPS signal is detected, another GPS signal is detected. When 3 to 4 GPS signals are finally captured, positioning data is obtained based on these GPS signals. , And sends the positioning data to the CPU 620 via the serial line X. The CPU 620 stores the position information obtained based on the positioning data in the flash memory 624.
Save as the initial data above. And FIG.
When the request for the position information is made by the general-purpose application program (mail software) as shown in (1), the position information is passed to the mail software.

By rotating the GPS antenna 613, the GPS application program usually operates concurrently with other application programs (or in the background). Alternatively, after issuing an instruction to the digital signal processing circuit 651, the process immediately returns to the original application program. Therefore, the user can continue to operate other application programs only by seeing the indication that the GPS has been activated, and can perform various operations almost without interruption.

It should be noted that the flowchart of FIG.
The interrupt processing of U620 and the positioning processing by the digital signal processing circuit 651 of the GPS unit 650 are shown together. In this case, the processing sharing between the CPU 620 and (the digital signal processing circuit 651 of) the GPS unit 650 is not limited to the case described above,
Processing load due to interrupt processing of 20, GPS unit 6
It can be appropriately designed in consideration of the 50 function settings and the like. For example, if the function of the GPS unit 650 is
Limited to the signal acquisition function and the transfer function to the main unit,
The positioning data may be obtained in U620, or
The entire process shown in FIG. 48 may be controlled by the interrupt process of the CPU 620.

FIG. 49 shows a processing portion relating to power management when the digital signal processing circuit 651 shown in FIG. 48 acquires positioning data. Here, the symbols A to F in FIG. 48 correspond to the symbols A to F in FIG. As shown in FIG. 48, when the detection of the GPS signal is not performed for a predetermined time (1 millisecond to several tens of seconds) (symbol B), as shown in FIG. The circuit 651 sends a signal indicating occurrence of a positioning impossible event to the CPU 620. CPU 62 receiving this
0 confirms the number of occurrences of the event (accumulated for the current positioning process).

If the number of event occurrences is equal to or less than the predetermined number, an error message is displayed on the display panel for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds), and the operation state of the timer in the CPU 620 is checked. If the timer is not running, after activating the timer, the process returns to FIG. 48 (symbol A), and the GPS signal capturing instruction is transmitted to the digital signal processing circuit 651 again.

If the timer is up after the error message is displayed, the CPU 620 shifts the digital signal processing circuit 651 to the power save mode. This power save mode is a mode for minimizing the power consumption in the digital signal processing circuit 651 and the receiving circuit 652, and the digital signal processing circuit 6
Processing such as stopping the internal clock of 51, reducing the internal clock speed, and stopping the power supply to the amplifier circuit in the receiving circuit 652 is performed. Note that the CPU 620 resets the timer simultaneously with the shift to the power save mode.

After shifting to the power save mode, the operation state of the timer is checked. If the timer is not operating in the reset state, the timer is started. If the timer is already operating, the timer is maintained until the time is up. Maintain the power save mode and wait. During this time,
The GPS antenna 613 is reset by the operator (returned to the stored state and then returned to the used state)
Then, the process returns to the capturing operation again as in the case of the symbol A described above. When the timer expires, the CPU 620 displays a message indicating that the GPS unit is to be stopped on the display panel for a predetermined time,
The power supply to the GPS power supply circuit 654 is stopped. As another method, for example, when the number of event occurrences does not exceed the predetermined number, the timer is started and the above-described power save mode is entered until the time expires. You may.

If the number of occurrences of the event has already exceeded the predetermined number when the above-mentioned positioning impossible event has occurred,
The CPU 620 keeps displaying on the display panel that the GPS unit is to be stopped for a predetermined time, and stops supplying power to the GPS power supply circuit 654.

Next, as shown in FIG. 48, when three or four types of GPS signals cannot be captured (symbol D),
As shown in FIG. 9, the process related to the power management is executed for the positioning impossible event in the same manner as the portion surrounded by the dotted line executed in the case of the symbol B, and the event exceeds the predetermined number of times for the positioning process. If so,
A message indicating that the GPS unit 650 is to be stopped is displayed,
The power supply to the S power supply circuit 654 is stopped. If the number of events is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the capture operation is attempted again by the timer operation as described above, or the mode shifts to the power save mode.

As shown in FIG. 48, even if the positioning data is acquired, if it is confirmed by the timer that there is no request for the position information from the general-purpose application program for the predetermined time, the symbol shown in FIG. Processing substantially similar to the processing described in the portion surrounded by the dotted line B is performed.
However, in this case, no positioning impossible event occurs,
Instead, the process shifts due to the fact that the position information is not requested for a predetermined time due to the expiration of the timer shown in FIG. In this case, since 3 or 4 GPS signals have already been captured, re-acquisition is not performed and positioning data acquisition operation is performed again, the mode is shifted to the power save mode, or the GPS Power supply circuit 6
Either the process of stopping the power supply to the power supply 54 is performed. In these cases, when the power supply is finally stopped, the position information is stored in the flash memory 624 as initial data based on the last acquired positioning data.

In the present embodiment, the opening and closing of the GPS antenna has been described as a method of restarting after stopping the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit, but there are other methods as follows. For example, the GPS power supply circuit is turned on at the same time as the main body to which the GPS unit is connected, and immediately enters a power save state. When the GPS antenna is turned, an interrupt occurs, the power save state is released, and the GPS unit starts operating. Alternatively, when the GPS antenna is rotated and located at a position where a GPS signal can be received, a restart icon displayed on the display panel is displayed, and the power supply for the GPS is started by pressing the restart icon. Alternatively, means for canceling the power save state may be provided.

FIG. 50 shows a GPS unit 65 for displaying the positioning data acquisition status of the GPS unit 650.
9 illustrates an example of display contents of an independent GPS display section 611 </ b> B on the display panel performed in parallel with the processing operation regarding 0. When the GPS unit 650 is mounted but the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit 654 is cut off or the power save mode is set, an antenna-shaped antenna is provided in the GPS display section 611B as shown in FIG. Mark of the GPS unit is lightly displayed. On the other hand, when the power is supplied to the GPS power supply circuit 654 and the GPS unit 650 can operate as it is, as shown in FIG.
Mark is displayed dark. In addition, GPS unit 6
FIG. 5 shows a case in which 50 performs a GPS signal capturing operation.
A satellite mark appears next to the GPS unit 650 mark as shown in FIG. And the GPS unit 6
When the GPS signals of 3 to 4 are captured by the 50 and the positioning data can be obtained, the display of "OK" appears instead of the satellite mark as shown in FIG. 50 (c).

In the embodiment described above, when the operator rotates the GPS antenna 613, the GP
The application program for S is executed, the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit 654, the capture of the GPS signal by the GPS unit 650, and the acquisition of the positioning data based on the GPS signal are sequentially performed. )
From (c), it can be seen that the display of the GPS display section 611B sequentially changes. Therefore, unless the operator turns the GPS antenna 613, the GPS
Since power is not supplied to the unit 650, the GPS unit 650 does not operate regardless of how other application programs are used, and the life of the built-in battery pack 27 can be maintained long.

On the other hand, the GPS antenna 613 is separate from the operation member on the operation panel of the main body, and can be operated independently of the operation state of the main body.
Regardless of the operation state of U620, the GPS unit 650 can be activated by rotating the GPS antenna 613 at any time. That is, if the operator turns the GPS antenna 613 in anticipation of time, there is an advantage that the positioning data or the position information can be used immediately when it is actually needed.

Further, once the GPS antenna 613 is rotated to activate the GPS unit 650, the GPS
When a signal cannot be obtained (for example, when the user is in a place where a signal cannot be received) or when the positioning data is unnecessary (for example, when positioning data or position information is not required).
In order to improve the possibility of positioning by performing a re-operation and a re-attempt as needed, the possibility of positioning can be increased, and when the acquisition is not possible and when the position information is not required, the power saving mode is set. Unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed by performing transition or stopping power supply to the GPS power supply circuit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handy type portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied when viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the back side.

3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 and an accessory unit that can be attached to the portable information terminal.

4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of software in the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1.
It is a perspective view from the upper surface side which shows the state which stored the antenna unit in S unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;
It is a perspective view from the lower surface side showing the state where the antenna unit was stored in the S unit.

8 is a perspective view from below showing a state in which a GPS unit is mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

9 is a diagram showing a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1.
It is a perspective view from the upper surface side which shows the state which pulled out the antenna unit in S unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a G attached to the portable information terminal shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the lower surface side showing a state where the antenna unit is pulled out in the PS unit.

FIG. 11 shows a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the lower surface side showing a state where the antenna unit is pulled out in the S unit.

FIG. 12 shows a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG.
It is a top view showing the state where the antenna unit was pulled out in S unit.

FIG. 13 shows a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG.
It is a side view which shows the state which pulled out the antenna unit in S unit.

FIG. 14 (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
Are GPs attached to the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1, respectively.
FIG. 4 is a plan view, a rear view, a front view, a right side view, and a QQ ′ cross-sectional view of the antenna unit of the S unit.

15 is a diagram showing a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1.
It is an exploded perspective view of S unit.

16 is a perspective view of a rotation unit used in the GPS unit shown in FIG.

17 is a diagram showing a GP mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1.
It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the antenna unit of S unit.

18 is a cross-sectional view around a communication connector included in the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

19 is a perspective view of a connector cover that covers an opening to the communication connector shown in FIG.

20 is a sectional view showing a state in which an opening to a communication connector configured in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is opened.

21 is a perspective view from above of a PHS unit attached to the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 and connected to a communication connector.

22 is a perspective view from below of a PHS unit attached to the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 and connected to a communication connector.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view from above showing a state in which a PHS unit is mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

24 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a PHS unit is mounted on the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

25 is a cross-sectional view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 in the vicinity of a flash card slot.

26 is a perspective view showing a state in which a side cover is opened to mount a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 shows a side view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.
It is a perspective view which shows the state which the knob plate of the card attaching / detaching member fell outside.

FIG. 28 shows a portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 with a side cover opened for mounting a flash card,
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the knob plate of the card attaching / detaching member is turned outward, and the flash card is pulled out with the knob plate.

29 is a perspective view of a card attaching / detaching member used to attach / detach a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

30 is a perspective view of a board unit for receiving a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

31 is a perspective view showing a state in which a card detachable member is attached to a board unit for receiving a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a GPS unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the GPS unit of FIG. 32 in an antenna unit housed state.

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view showing a support part of the GPS unit of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the inside of a support unit of the GPS unit in FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the GPS unit of FIG. 32 as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state where the GPS unit of FIG. 32 is attached to the portable information terminal in a state where the antenna unit is stored.

38 is a perspective view showing a state where the GPS unit of FIG. 32 is attached to the portable information terminal in a state where the antenna unit is used.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing in detail a support unit of the GPS unit and a mounting unit of the antenna unit in FIG. 32;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the mounting portion of FIG. 39 in detail.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a lock mechanism of the GPS unit in FIG. 32 in detail.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the lock mechanism of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the lock mechanism of FIG. 41, similarly to FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the lock mechanism of FIG. 41, similarly to FIGS. 42 and 43.

FIG. 45 is a schematic configuration block diagram showing the overall configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 shows the GPS unit shown in FIG.
It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure with the connection part to PS unit.

FIG. 47 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of operation of the main body in FIG. 45.

FIG. 48 is a schematic flowchart showing a main part of a procedure for acquiring position information by the GPS unit and the CPU of the main body in FIG. 45;

FIG. 49 is a schematic flowchart showing the contents of a portion related to power management in the procedure of acquiring position information by the GPS unit and the CPU of the main body in FIG. 45.

50 is a schematic explanatory view showing display contents of a GPS display section in a display panel provided on the front of the main body of the embodiment of FIG. 45 for each of different operation states of the GPS module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Body housing 6 Infrared communication unit 5 Communication connector 8 LCD unit 10 Portable information terminal 11 GPS unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 1/21 G06F 1/00 312G 312J (72) Inventor Akira Momose 3-5-3 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture No. Seiko Epson Corporation F-term (reference)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A portable information terminal having a display surface on a front surface side, an antenna unit for receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, and the antenna unit being connected to the portable information terminal with respect to the display surface. A portable information processing apparatus, comprising: a detachable mechanism that allows detachment without changing a projection area of the portable information processing apparatus.