JP2003008724A - Portable information terminal and input section cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal that can change the design of a keypad for push buttons, where general consumers cannot change by themselves according to the uses, and to provide an input section cartridge used for the terminal. SOLUTION: The portable information terminal has an input section, having a keypad where a plurality of key top sections are formed in a single piece, and a display section for displaying document and/or image data. In this case, the keypad can be detachably exchanged to the body of the portable information terminal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile phone, a PH.
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal using a keypad for push button switches represented by S, PDA, etc., and more particularly to a portable information terminal with a replaceable keypad and an input section cartridge used for the terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Mobile information terminals represented by mobile phones, PHSs, PDAs, etc. are sometimes in the heyday of the IT industry,
It is rapidly spreading now.

The function of this type of portable information terminal is not limited to simply calling and sending and receiving e-mail, but a terminal having a built-in CCD camera, a moving image reproducing function, a game function, a music reproducing function and the like has appeared. There is. In addition, the design including the color tone of the case of the portable information terminal is no longer a metallic color as in the past, violet, wine red,
In addition to white, etc., limited products with a leopard pattern on the housing, appearance of a paint service business with a desired design for the housing that the manufacturer did not expect, sales of dress-up stickers, etc. Is being done.

As described above, since general consumers desire a wide variety of products, manufacturers and distributors of portable information terminals provide new products one after another in a short period of time, but resource saving and recycling are required. We have not yet developed a product that takes into consideration problems.

[0005] Further, as for the portable information terminal, in addition to the pursuit of miniaturization and thinning of the main body itself, there is a high demand for multi-functionality, and therefore, at times, it seems that operability is sacrificed. is doing.

[0006]

Therefore, the present invention is
In order to meet the various demands on the design and functions of general consumers as described above, various keypads for pushbutton switches, which have not been able to be changed by general consumers, have been designed according to their applications. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal that can be changed to the above and an input section cartridge used for the terminal.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 provides an input section having a keypad integrally formed with a plurality of keytop sections, and document data and / or image data. And a display unit capable of displaying the above, wherein the keypad is detachably replaceable with respect to the main body of the portable information terminal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first aspect, a switch member in which a movable contact and a fixed contact are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval in the keypad, The switch member is provided with a connection terminal that can be connected to an electric circuit of the main body.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In addition to the configuration described in 1, the main body has a housing of an input unit that can be opened and closed while being connected to the main body, and the keypad can be replaced by opening and closing the housing of the input unit. It is characterized by having done.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal having an input section having a keypad integrally formed with a plurality of key top sections and a display section capable of displaying document data and / or image data. As the input cartridge, the keypad, the switch member, and a connection terminal at which the switch member can be connected to the electric circuit of the main body are integrally housed in the housing of the input unit. Is capable of being detachably attached to the body of the portable information terminal.

The invention as defined in claim 5 is defined by claim 1 through claim 4.
In addition to the configuration of any one of
A storage device in which the switch function of the key top portion is written is incorporated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input section used in the portable information terminal according to the first aspect, wherein the keypad, the movable contact and the fixed contact are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval. The switch member and a connection terminal capable of connecting the switch member to the electric circuit of the main body are integrally housed in the housing of the input unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect, a storage device in which the switch function of the key top portion is written is incorporated.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the external appearance of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another aspect of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a replaceable keypad used in the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the external appearance of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[First Embodiment of the Invention] FIG. 1 is an external view of a first embodiment in which a mobile phone is taken as an example of a mobile information terminal, and a part thereof is shown in a disassembled state.

Here, the exterior of the main body 1 of the portable information terminal is
It is composed of a lower housing 2 and an upper housing 3. A circuit board 7 having a switch member 6 that can open and close the switch by pressing a key top portion 5 provided on the keypad 4 is incorporated in the lower housing 2. The switch member 6 is a sheet-shaped switch function component in which a fixed contact arranged on the circuit board 7 side and a movable contact facing the fixed contact and arranged at a predetermined interval are integrally formed. A membrane switch can be given as a typical example.

On the circuit board 7, a liquid crystal display device 8a which can be seen from the display section 8 provided in the upper housing 3, functional parts such as a microphone, a speaker, a battery, and an integrated circuit for operating these functional parts are provided. The built-in electrical circuit is incorporated. Here, the display unit 8 uses the liquid crystal display device 8a to display document data such as characters, numbers, and symbols,
Still images or moving images can be displayed.

One end of the upper housing 3 is openably and closably connected to the lower housing 2 by a hinge 9, and the engaging projection 10 of the lower housing 2 and the upper housing arranged at a position facing the hinge 9. The main body 1 is integrated by engaging with the engaging recess 11 of the body 3. Then, for the sake of safety, a fixing means such as a screw 12 is adopted so that the upper housing 3 and the lower housing 2 are not accidentally separated from each other when the portable information terminal is used.

On the upper surface of the switch member 6, keypads 4 and 4a having a plurality of key tops 5 integrally arranged are placed, and the contact portions (fixed contact and movable contact) of the switch member 6 and the keys. Positioning means (not shown) is provided between the switch member 6 and the keypads 4 and 4a in advance so that the keytop portions 5 of the pads 4 and 4a coincide with each other.

The upper housing 3 is provided with through holes 13 corresponding to the shape of the key top portions 5 of the keypads 4 and 4a and their arrangement, and the keys are held in a state where the upper housing 3 is closed. By allowing the tops of the top portions 4 and 4a to be slightly exposed from the through holes 13, the input portion 14 of the portable information terminal
Can be realized.

The method of using the first embodiment will be described below.

When changing the design of the key top portion 5 of the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment, first, the screw 1 is used.
After loosening 2, the engaging protrusion 10 of the lower housing 2 and the upper housing 3
The engagement with the engaging recess 11 is released, the upper housing 3 is rotated around the axis of the hinge 9 and opened, and the old keypad 4 placed on the switch member 6 is removed.

Next, a new keypad 4a having a desired design is positioned on the switch member 6 according to the positioning means provided on the switch member 6. Then, the upper casing 3 is rotated about the axis of the hinge 9 so as to be closed, so that the engaging convex portion 10 of the lower casing 2 and the engaging concave portion 11 of the upper casing 3 are engaged, and the screw 12
The upper housing 3 is fixed so as not to open by tightening.

According to the first embodiment having the above-described structure, since the lower housing 2 and the upper housing 3 are connected by the hinge 9 so as not to be separated from each other, On the other hand, when the upper housing 3 is opened and closed, the hinge 9 acts as a guide at the time of opening and closing, so that the upper housing 3 is easily opened and closed. Therefore, even a beginner can easily replace the keypads 4, 4a. Moreover, since the upper housing 3 is not removed from the lower housing 2 when the keypads 4 and 4a are replaced, there is no possibility of losing the upper housing 3.

As a result, the shape and arrangement of the key top portions 5 appearing on the surface of the portable information terminal are left unchanged, and the characters,
You can change the design related to patterns and colors such as symbols and designs when you need it, so you can use the same mobile information terminal and use the design of the key top part 5 according to the TPO. Is possible. As a result, for the manufacturers and sellers of mobile information terminals, not only can general consumers meet the diverse design requirements for mobile information terminals, but also mobile information terminals that are preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving and recycling are available. It can be provided.

As a structure for facilitating the opening and closing of the upper housing 3, a structure different from the hinge 9 may be adopted. For example, parallel ribs are formed on two long sides of the upper casing 3 which face each other, and grooves corresponding to the ribs are formed in the lower casing 2.
It is conceivable to form the two long sides facing each other. Accordingly, the upper housing 3 can be easily opened and closed by sliding the upper housing 3 while the ribs of the upper housing 3 are engaged with the grooves of the lower housing 2. In this case, by providing a stopper at the end of the groove of the lower housing 2, the upper housing 3
It is preferable to prevent the upper housing 3 from being separated from the lower housing 2 even when the is opened.

If the operator is willing to open and close the complicated upper housing 3, the lower housing 2 such as the hinge 8 and the upper housing 3 are intentionally operated.
It is not necessary to employ the opening / closing means in the state of connecting and.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing another mode of the first embodiment in which a mobile phone is taken as an example of the mobile information terminal.

The one shown in FIG. 2 has a display section 8 and an input section 1.
In a so-called foldable mobile phone (portable information terminal) that can be folded so as to overlap with 4, the folding operation of the display unit 8 is realized by rotating the display unit 8 about the hinge 9 as an axis.

Therefore, in the operation of opening and closing the upper casing 3 in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the hinge 9 for performing the folding operation of the display portion 8 and the hinge provided on the upper casing 3 of the input portion 14 are used. Since it can be realized by incorporating 9 on the same axis, it is not necessary to separately add a new structure for opening and closing the upper housing 3. As a result, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal in which the design of the key top portion 5 can be changed without increasing the cost.

By the way, the keypad 4 of the first embodiment 4,
If the switch member 6 is integrally attached to the 4a in advance, positioning work of the switch member 6 and the keypads 4 and 4a is not necessary when replacing the keypads 4 and 4a, and the keypads 4 and 4a are not required to be positioned. The replacement work becomes easier. However, in this case, the switch member 6 is provided with a connection terminal that can be connected to the electric circuit of the main body 1 of the portable information terminal, and is detachable from the connection terminal on the switch member 6 side when the keypads 4 and 4a are replaced. You need to do some work.

Then, a specific password is included in the package for sale of the new keypad 4a, and a general consumer who purchases the new keypad 4a of the desired design accesses the designated Web site. By entering the password that was included in the package from the mobile information terminal incorporating the new keypad 4a purchased,
If the data for the standby screen and wallpaper of the mobile information terminal can be downloaded, not only the design of the key top portion 5 but also the standby screen and wallpaper of the mobile information terminal can be designed as desired. Become.

Further, if the design of the key top portion 5 of the purchased keypad 4a expresses the new switch function, the switch function corresponding to the key top portion 5 which needs to be changed or added is required. Although it is necessary to rewrite the storage device of the electric circuit of the portable information terminal to be changed or added, it is preferable that the file for the rewriting can be automatically downloaded.

In this case, not only the design relating to the patterns and colors of the hobby (sensory) characters, symbols, and designs of the key top portion 5, but also the design expressing the function corresponding to the key top portion 5 and this It is possible to change or add a switch function corresponding to.

Further, a ROM (Read-O) in which the switch function of the key top portion 5 is written in the keypad 4a.
If a storage device such as nly Memory) is built in, files for changing or adding functions can be stored in W
Since it is possible to save the trouble of downloading from the eb site, it can be made simpler.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
Keypads 4 and 4a having the same arrangement of the keytop portions 5
However, it is possible to provide a switch having different switch functions.

That is, FIG. 3A shows an example of the keypads 4 and 4a in which each keytop portion 5 is designed to have a different constellation so that the horoscope can be horoscoped with one touch. Figure 3
(B) is an example of the keypads 4 and 4a in which each keytop portion 5 is designed to have a different business tool so that the business tool (function) can be selected with one touch.
FIG. 3C is an example of the keypads 4 and 4a in which each of the key top portions 5 is designed to have a different food and drink so that the food and drink can be selected with one touch.

Therefore, a general consumer purchases a new keypad 4a having a switch function and design of his / her preference and replaces it with the old keypad 4 which has been used until then, thereby forming the same main body 1. Despite being a portable information terminal, it can be changed to a portable information terminal having a switch function and a new keypad 4a of its own design.

Especially, the arrangement of the ten keys of the mobile phone is different from the arrangement of the ten keys of the calculator and the personal computer, which is difficult for a beginner to use, but the storage device in which the switch function of the key top section 5 is written is used. Having keypad 4a
If you are using a personal digital assistant that uses, you can change the switch function and design of the key top part 5 at the same time, so you can easily change the layout of the calculator or PC numeric keypad that you are used to. Can be greatly improved.

Further, a storage device incorporated in the keypad 4a is one in which the switch function of the keytop portion 5 is rewritten (RAM: Random Access Memo)
By adopting ry), it is possible to deal with a new switch function change, version upgrade, and the like.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the switch member 6 called a membrane switch is adopted on the lower surface of the keypad 4 has been described. In short, the switch is made by pressing the key top portion 5 provided on the keypad 4. It suffices that the movable contact can be opened and closed. For example, a movable contact may be formed on the lower surface of the key top portion 5 of the keypad 4, and the fixed contact may be arranged on the circuit board 7 corresponding to this movable contact.

[Second Embodiment of the Invention] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the keypads 4 and 4a and the switch member 6 are provided.
The input terminal cartridge 17 is completed by integrally housing the connection terminal 15 that can be connected to the electric circuit of the main body 1 of the portable information terminal in the housing 16 of the input section 14. Thereby, the keypads 4, 4a, the switch member 6, and the connection terminal 1
Since 5 and 5 are housed in the input part cartridge 17, there is no part exposed to the outside except the contact part of the connection terminal 15, so that the keypads 4 and 4a, the switch member 6 and the connection terminal 15 can be replaced during replacement work. It will not be damaged. Further, it suffices to expose another connection terminal 18 that can be connected to the connection terminal 15 on the input cartridge 17 side on the main body 1 side of the portable information terminal, and it is not necessary to expose the circuit board 7. Can be completely covered with the lower housing 2, and the liquid crystal display device 8a of the display unit 7 and all the parts such as the microphone, the speaker, the battery and the electric circuit are completely shielded from the outside.
Input section cartridge 1 because it can be stored in
There is no risk of damaging all of these parts during the replacement work of 7.

When the input cartridge 17 is removed from the main body 1, only the connection terminals 18 on the main body 1 side are exposed, but when the input cartridge 17 is attached to the main body 1, the housing of the input unit 14 is exposed. Since the body 16 is combined with the upper housing 3 of the display unit 8 and the input cartridge 17 covers the connection terminals 18, all the components are completely shielded from the outside, so that the portable information terminal is not used at all. There is no problem.

After the input section cartridge 17 and the body 1 of the portable information terminal are integrally assembled, the input section cartridge 17 is biased toward the body 1 side so as not to be easily separated. Locking means (not shown) such as the engaged claws is provided.

The method of using the second embodiment will be described below.

When changing the design of the key top portion 5 of the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment, first, the locking means such as the engaging claw is released to remove the old input portion cartridge 17.
Is removed from the body 1 of the portable information terminal.

Next, the input cartridge 17 is attached to the main body 1 by inserting the connection terminal 15 of the new input cartridge 17a having a desired design into the connection terminal 18 on the main body 1 side. At this time, when the new input section cartridge 17a is set at a predetermined position of the main body 1, the locking means such as the engaging claws automatically restrain a part of the new input section cartridge 17a by the action of the urging force. Moved to and fixed.

According to the portable information terminal and the input section cartridges 17 and 17a according to the second embodiment, not only can the new keypad 4a having a desired design be changed, but also the casing of the input section 14 that covers the new keypad 4a. The design of the body 16 can also be changed. Since the input cartridge 17a can be replaced with a new input cartridge 17a in the same manner as the battery package without handling the exposed functional parts when exchanging the input cartridge 17 and 17a, the input cartridge 1 can be easily and surely used by a beginner.
The design of 7, 17a and the switch function can be changed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the keypad 4 of the ten-key layout of the mobile phone and the corresponding FIG.
The old input cartridge 17 including the input housing 16 as shown in (b) is removed from the main body 1 of the portable information terminal,
Keypad 4 of a numeric keypad of a calculator as shown in FIG.
a and an input unit housing 16 corresponding to this as shown in FIG.
A new input section cartridge 17a consisting of and is attached to the main body 1 of the portable information terminal, and a file for rewriting the storage device of the electric circuit of the portable information terminal to the switch function of the calculator numeric keypad is downloaded from the Web or the new input section cartridge 17a By incorporating a storage device that stores a switch function for operating a numeric keypad in a calculator, it becomes possible to use a conventional portable information terminal as if it were a calculator.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, a new keypad 4a having a small number of operation keys and a large size, and an input unit housing 16 corresponding to the keypad 4a as shown in FIG. 7B are provided. The input section cartridge 17a is used as the main body 1 of the portable information terminal.
A file for rewriting the storage device of the electric circuit of the portable information terminal to a switch function with a small number of operation keys is downloaded from the Web, or the switch function with a small number of operation keys is stored in the new input cartridge 17a. By incorporating the storage device described above, it is possible to change the conventional portable information terminal that requires complicated operation to a portable information terminal that is easy to operate. As a result, it is possible to complete a portable information terminal having a new input section 14 having a simple and clear design of the key top section 5 that is easy for children and the elderly to understand, and a switch function corresponding to the new input section 14, which is easy for children and elderly to operate.

Similarly, even when a special operation key such as a game is desired, by adopting the input section cartridge 17a corresponding to the special operation key, the conventional portable information terminal can use the special portable information dedicated to the game. Can be changed to the terminal.

Further, by utilizing the easiness of changing the keypads 4 and 4a, for example, at the entrance of a facility that provides a specific service such as an amusement park, a game center, etc., a theater, an exhibition hall, etc. It is assumed that the input section cartridge 17a provided with the switch function and the design is rented out. Then, if the customer installs the rented input section cartridge 17a in his / her mobile phone, he / she can operate his / her mobile phone to reserve, enjoy, and settle the desired service at the facility. The situation is feasible, and new applications for mobile phones will be developed, so demand is expected to grow.

In the second embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment, a storage device (ROM) in which the switch function of the key top portion 5 is written is incorporated in the input cartridges 17 and 17a. As a result, not only the design change such as changing the appearance of the key top portion 5 but also the switch function corresponding to each key top portion 5 is changed and the design of the key top portion 5 is changed to the one corresponding to the function. By incorporating a storage device (RAM) in which the switch function can be rewritten, it is possible to deal with a new change of the switch function or a version upgrade.

Further, in the case of the input section cartridges 17 and 17a in which the input section housing 16 is changed together with the keypads 4 and 4a as in the second embodiment, the size of the input section 14 is set to the portable information terminal. It may be larger than the main body 1. In this case, the degree of freedom in designing the input unit 14 can be increased, and the general consumer can be more diversified.

[0056]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to display the input section having the keypad integrally formed with the plurality of keytop sections, and the document data and / or the image data. In a portable information terminal having a display unit, the keypad is detachably replaceable with respect to the main body of the portable information terminal. Therefore, the pushbutton switch for general use cannot be changed by general consumers. It is possible to provide a portable information terminal in which the keypad can be changed into various designs according to its use. Moreover,
Since the main body can use the previous portable information terminal as it is,
To provide a portable information terminal which is preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving and recycling.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the keypad has a switch member in which the movable contact and the fixed contact are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap, and the switch member is connected to the electric circuit of the main body. In addition to the effect of claim 1, a desired connection terminal can be obtained more easily because the position adjustment work of the switch member and the keypad is not necessary when the keypad is replaced because the possible connection terminals are provided. It can be changed to the keypad of.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the main body has the housing of the input unit which can be opened and closed while being connected to the main body, and the housing of the input unit is opened and closed to form the keypad. Since it can be exchanged, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2,
It is easy to open and close the housing of the input unit when the keypad is replaced, and the housing of the input unit is not lost.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the keypad, the switch member, and the connection terminal capable of connecting the switch member to the electric circuit of the main body are integrally housed in the housing of the input unit. As the input cartridge, since the input cartridge can be detachably attached to the main body of the portable information terminal, since the housing of the input portion and the keypad are integrated, the shape of the key top portion and Since the arrangement can be freely changed, the degree of freedom in designing the input section cartridge is increased.

Therefore, by manufacturing a wide variety of input section cartridges according to the characteristics and use conditions of the user and exchanging the plurality of input section cartridges, a portable information terminal having the same main body is required. Accordingly, the specification can be changed according to the characteristics and the usage situation of the user, so that it is possible to provide a portable information terminal which is preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving and recycling.

According to the invention described in claim 5, since the storage device in which the switch function of the key top portion is written is incorporated in the keypad, the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained. In addition, not only the hobby (sensory) design change of the key top part, but also the switch function corresponding to each key top part was changed, and the design of the key top part matched the new function Can be changed to Therefore, it is possible to change the function and improve the operability of the mobile information terminal that is already owned.

According to the invention of claim 6, claim 1
An input unit used in the portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein a keypad, a switch member in which a movable contact and a fixed contact are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap, and the switch member is connected to an electric circuit of the main body. Since the possible connection terminals are integrally stored in the housing of the input section, the functional parts such as the keypad, switch member and connection terminals are completely shielded from the outside, and the input section cartridge must be replaced. By doing so, it is possible to change the design of the housing of the key top part and the input part at the same time.

According to the invention described in claim 7, since the storage device in which the switch function of the key top portion is written is incorporated, in addition to the effect of claim 6, a new change or version of the switch function is provided. It can be adapted to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an appearance of a mobile information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another aspect of the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example of a replaceable keypad used in the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3A shows a constellation design, and FIG.
FIG. 3B is a business tool design, and FIG. 3C is a food and drink design.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the outer appearance of the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment.

5 is a front view showing a replaceable keypad and a housing of an input unit used in the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment, FIG. 5A showing the keypad, and FIG. b) shows the housing of the input unit corresponding to this.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a replaceable keypad and a housing of an input unit used in the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6A showing the keypad, and FIG. b) shows the housing of the input unit corresponding to this.

7 is a front view showing a replaceable keypad and a housing of an input unit used in the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7A showing the keypad, and FIG. b) shows the housing of the input unit corresponding to this.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 body 2 Lower case 3 Upper case 4 old keypad 4a new keypad 5 Key tob section 6 switch members 7 circuit board 8 Display 9 hinges 14 Input section 15 Input cartridge side connection terminal 16 Input unit housing 17 Old input cartridge 17a New input cartridge 18 Connection terminal on the main unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04M 1/02 H04M 1/02 ACF term (reference) 5B020 DD11 DD25 5G006 AA01 CB04 CB05 CD03 JA01 JF01 LG07 5K023 AA07 GG03 PP01 PP12

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A portable information terminal comprising: an input unit having a keypad integrally formed with a plurality of keytops; and a display unit capable of displaying document data and / or image data, wherein the keypad is A portable information terminal characterized by being detachably replaceable with respect to the body of the portable information terminal. 2. The keypad includes a switch member in which a movable contact and a fixed contact are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap, and a connection terminal capable of connecting the switch member to an electric circuit of the main body. The mobile information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile information terminal is provided. 3. The main body has a housing of an input unit that can be opened and closed while being connected to the main body, and the keypad can be replaced by opening and closing the housing of the input unit. The mobile information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile information terminal is a mobile information terminal. 4. A portable information terminal comprising: an input section having a keypad integrally formed with a plurality of keytop sections; and a display section capable of displaying document data and / or image data, the keypad comprising: The input member cartridge has the switch member and a connection terminal that allows the switch member to be connected to an electric circuit of the main body to be integrally housed in a housing of the input unit, and the input unit cartridge is the main body of the portable information terminal. A portable information terminal that is detachably replaceable with respect to the portable information terminal. 5. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the keypad includes a storage device in which a switch function of the keytop portion is written. . 6. The input unit used in the portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the keypad, the switch member in which the movable contact and the fixed contact are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval, and An input section cartridge, wherein a switch member and a connection terminal capable of connecting to an electric circuit of the main body are integrally housed in a housing of the input section. 7. The input cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the input cartridge includes a storage device in which a switch function of the key top portion is written.