JP2005208704A - Portable information device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accommodate a sufficient increase in connectable peripheral devices, in application to, for example, a PDA. <P>SOLUTION: A portable information device 21 designed to be held inclined on a cradle such that the deadweight presses electrodes 29A on contacts of the cradle is provided with electrodes 29B connectable to a device other than the cradle, on that side opposite to the side having the electrodes 29A which the deadweight dose not press on the contacts of the cradle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information device and can be applied to PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), for example. The present invention relates to a portable information device that is held obliquely on a mounting table and presses an electrode against a contact point of the mounting table by its own weight, and a side that is not pressed against the contact point of the mounting table by its own weight opposite to the side where these electrodes are provided. Further, by providing an electrode for connection with a device other than the mounting table, it is possible to sufficiently cope with an increase in peripheral devices that can be connected.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a PDA, which is one of portable information devices, can be used for confirmation of e-mails transmitted and received by a computer that is a host device. For this reason, the PDA is connected to a computer via a cradle, which is a mounting table, so that various data can be transmitted to and received from the computer, and further, the PDA can be charged by a computer power supply depending on the configuration of the cradle. .

  In order to simplify the connection of the PDA to the computer via such a cradle, the cradle is formed so that the PDA is tilted and held obliquely toward the back side, and thus the PDA is tilted and held in the cradle. The electrode corresponding to each contact of the connector provided on the cradle is pressed by its own weight.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in the cradle 1, a back plate 3 is provided so as to extend obliquely upward from the pedestal 2 to the back side, whereby the back surface of the PDA 4 is the back plate as indicated by an arrow A. By bringing the PDA 4 to the side 3 and placing the PDA 4 on the cradle, the back plate 3 guides the back surface of the PDA 4 so that the PDA 4 can be held obliquely.

  Further, the cradle 1 is provided with a connector 5 on the surface opposed to the bottom surface of the PDA 4 that holds the PDA 4 in this way, as shown in a partially enlarged view by an arrow B in a cross section. Here, the connector 5 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the back plate 3 when viewed from the side where the back plate 3 extends, and is formed so that the bottom surface of the PDA 4 protrudes from the contact surface 6 on which the PDA 4 contacts. . Further, the connector 5 is provided with contacts 7 sequentially on the surface opposite to the back plate 3 in the width direction of the back plate 3, and the plurality of contacts 7 are connected to the computer via a cable extending from the cradle 1. It is made so that.

  Corresponding to the configuration related to the connector 5, the PDA 4 is formed with a recess 10 on the bottom so as to accommodate the connector 5, and the recess 10 is provided with an electrode 8 that contacts each contact 7 of the connector 5. That is, the PDA 4 is formed with a plate-like protrusion 9 extending in the width direction substantially parallel to the back surface in the recess 10, and when placed on the cradle 1, as shown partially enlarged by the arrow B, A side surface of the back plate 3 of the projection 9 is formed so as to abut on a surface opposite to the back plate 3 of the connector 5. As shown in FIG. Are provided sequentially.

  Further, when the PDA 4 is brought so that the back side corner of the bottom surface is brought into contact with the back plate 3 of the cradle 1 and the bottom surface is pressed against the contact surface 6, the connector 5 is accommodated in the recess 10 on the bottom surface. A sufficient space is formed on the back side of the protrusion 9, and when the connector 5 is housed in the recess 10 in this way, the connector 5 is rotated so that the entire surface rotates and the back surface comes into contact with the back plate 3. Guides are formed at both ends and the recess 10.

  As a result, the PDA 4 can be held obliquely on the cradle 1 by a simple operation of bringing the bottom corner of the bottom face against the back plate 3 of the cradle 1 and releasing the hand.

  Thus, the PDA 4 is formed so that the electrode 8 is pressed against the corresponding contact 7 by its own weight while being held in the cradle 1 obliquely. Further, the electrodes 8 and the contacts 7 are formed so as to face each other with a sufficient area so that they can be pressed by the dead weight of the PDA 4 to secure a sufficient connection for data transmission and reception. As a result, the PDA 4 can be repeatedly placed on the cradle 1 without causing the user to feel any inconvenience.

  In such a PDA 4, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-6986, various peripheral devices such as a keyboard and a mobile phone are connected by a connector that engages with the protruding portion 8, thereby making it easy to use. Has been made to improve.

  By the way, in this PDA 4, if the number of peripheral devices that can be connected increases, it is considered that the usability can be further improved. However, when the number of peripheral devices that can be connected increases, the number of necessary electrodes 8 increases accordingly.

However, in the case of holding the cradle by the above-described method, it is necessary to press the electrode 8 against the contact 7 by the weight of the PDA to ensure a sufficient electrical connection. There is a problem that it is necessary to create a large area, which makes it impossible to sufficiently cope with an increase in the number of electrodes due to an increase in peripheral devices. Incidentally, when the number of electrodes is increased in the width direction, the number of electrodes is limited by the width of the PDA. Further, when the number of electrodes is increased in the width direction in this way, there is a possibility that sufficient electrical connection cannot be ensured by reducing the pressing force due to the weight per electrode.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-6986

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is sufficient to increase the number of peripheral devices that can be connected with respect to a portable information device that is held obliquely on a mounting table and presses an electrode against a contact by its own weight to connect to the mounting table. It is intended to propose a portable information device that can handle the above.

  In order to solve this problem, in the first aspect of the present invention, the portable information device is inclined to the back side and is held obliquely by the mounting table and is connected to the host device via the mounting table. Applied to the concave portion formed on the bottom surface, extending in the width direction substantially parallel to the back surface, and having plate-like protrusions each having a plurality of electrodes disposed on both side surfaces, and electrodes on the back surface side of the protrusions Is at least an electrode for connection to the host device, and the back side electrode is pressed against the contact point of the connector provided on the mounting table by holding it obliquely to the mounting table, and the back side electrode causes the host device to By inserting a connector that is connected and sandwiches the protrusion into the recess, electrodes on both sides of the protrusion are connected to the contact of the connector so that the connector is connected to a peripheral device.

  According to the configuration of claim 1, by being mounted on the mounting table, applied to a portable information device that is inclined to the back side and is held obliquely by the mounting table and is connected to the host device via the mounting table. If the formed recesses have plate-like protrusions that extend in the width direction almost parallel to the back surface and a plurality of electrodes are arranged on both side surfaces, compared to the case where electrodes are provided only on the back surface side. Thus, the number of electrodes can be increased without reducing the area of the electrodes. In this way, the electrode on the back side of the protrusion is at least an electrode for connection to the host device, and the back side electrode is connected to the contact point of the connector provided on the mounting table by being held obliquely to the mounting table. Pressed and connected to the host device by the electrode on the back side, and by inserting the connector holding the protrusion into the recess, the electrode on both sides of the protrusion is connected to the contact of the connector and the connector is connected If the number of connectors required increases due to the increase in connectable peripheral devices, the electrodes for peripheral devices are on the side opposite to the back side. Therefore, it is possible to cope with an increase in the number of peripheral devices that can be connected, while ensuring usability by mounting on the mounting table obliquely.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can fully respond to the increase in the peripheral device which can be connected regarding the portable information device which hold | maintains diagonally on a mounting base, presses an electrode to a contact with its own weight, and connects to a mounting base.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

(1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a plan view and a bottom view showing a PDA according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The PDA 21 is formed in a flat rectangular shape as a whole, and a liquid crystal display unit 22 provided with a touch panel and an operation element 23 for various operations are provided on the front side surface (FIG. 1A). Accordingly, the PDA 21 can use various data downloaded from the computer by operating these operators 23.

  In the PDA 21, a concave portion 26 having a substantially rectangular shape is formed at the center in the width direction on the bottom surface (FIG. 1B), and a flat plate extending in the width direction substantially parallel to the back surface at the substantially center of the concave portion 26. Protrusions 28 having a shape are provided, and electrodes 29A are sequentially provided on the back side surface of the protrusions 28. Here, like the PDA 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the concave portion 26, the protruding portion 28, and the electrode 29 </ b> A are brought so that the back side corners of the bottom face against the back plate of the cradle and are held in the cradle. At this time, a sufficient space is formed on the back side of the projection 28 so that the connector provided in the cradle is accommodated in the recess 26 on the bottom surface, and the cradle connector is accommodated in the recess 26 in this way. At this time, a guide is formed in the recess 26 corresponding to the connector of the cradle so that the entire surface is rotated and the back surface comes into contact with the back plate of the cradle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the cradle 31 is provided with a back plate 33 so as to extend obliquely upward from the pedestal 32 on the back side, thereby comparing FIG. 3 with FIG. As shown in (A) and (B), the back surface of the PDA 21 is guided by the back plate 33 so that the PDA 21 can be tilted and held obliquely toward the back surface side. Further, a connector 35 is provided on the contact surface 34 with which the bottom surface of the PDA 21 abuts in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 7, and the electrode 29A of the protrusion 28 is attached to the contact 36 of the connector 35 by the weight of the PDA 21 held obliquely. The electrical connection between the PDA 21 and the PDA 21 is ensured by pressing.

  Further, the PDA 21 is formed in a rectangular shape so that electrodes 29B are sequentially provided in the width direction on the surface opposite to the side on which the cradle electrode 29A is provided of the protrusion 28, and the recess 26 is sandwiched therebetween. A pair of locking holes 27 is provided.

  Accordingly, the PDA 21 is held on the bottom surface so that various peripheral devices are not dropped by the locking holes 27, or is held on various peripheral devices so as not to be dropped by the locking holes 27, and is provided on the protrusion 28. The electrodes 29A and 29B can secure electrical connection with these peripheral devices.

  That is, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a modem which is one of such peripheral devices. The modem 41 is formed with substantially the same width as the PDA 21, and a pair of locking claws 42 urged by a spring so as to correspond to the locking holes 27 of the PDA 21 are formed on the surface facing the bottom surface of the PDA 21. Further, a fitting projection 43 is provided inside the locking claw 42. As a result, when the modem 41 is pressed against the bottom surface of the PDA 21, the locking claw 42 is locked to the locking hole 27 by being guided by the protrusion 43 and the recess 26, and is held on the bottom surface of the PDA 21. . Further, the modem 41 is provided with buttons 44 on both side surfaces. When the button 44 is pressed, the locking claw 42 is unlocked from the locking hole 27 and can be detached from the PDA 21. .

  The modem 41 is provided with a connector 45 for connection with a telephone line on the end surface opposite to the PDA 21, whereas the connector corresponding to the electrodes 29 </ b> A and 29 </ b> B of the protrusion 28 is provided on the end surface on the PDA 21 side. 46 is provided. Here, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the connector 46 is provided with a plurality of contacts 47A sequentially in the width direction of the PDA 21, and contacts 47B are provided so as to face the contacts 47A. The contact portions 47A and 47B are formed so as to sandwich the protrusion 28, and the contact points 47A and 47B are electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes 29A and 29B, respectively.

  3A and 3B, when the PDA 21 is connected to the computer via the cradle 21, the PDA 21 is connected to the computer by an electrode 29A provided on the back side of the protrusion 28. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when connecting to a peripheral device, the connection can be made by electrodes 29A and 29B provided on both side surfaces of the protrusion 28.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the PDA 21 has an optional function that is a function derived from the connection with the peripheral device, with the main function that is a function related to the connection with the host device being assigned to the electrode 29A on the back side. It is assigned to the electrode 29B on the opposite side to the back side. That is, the electrode 29A on the back side includes ground (GND), data input / output (D +, D-, VBUS) related to USB (Universal Serial Bus), external power input (DC IN), and power input for charging (CHARGE). It is made to be assigned. Further, a device determination (CNT) for determining a device connected on the computer side, and a processing trigger (XHOSYNC) for matching the data between the computer and the PDA 21 with e-mails and the like held by each computer Is to be assigned.

  On the other hand, the electrode 29B has power output (DC OUT) to the peripheral device, data input / output (CTS, RXD, TXD, RTS) with the peripheral device by UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter), right and left Channel audio output (Audio R, Audio L, Audio GND), microphone input (MIC), and the like are assigned. Here, data input / output by UART is applied to data input / output between these devices connected to various information devices such as a modem 41, a mobile phone, and a car navigation device. The audio output is applied when various contents recorded on the PDA 21 are viewed through an external speaker. The microphone input is applied when various audio signals are acquired and recorded by the PDA 21. As a result, the PDA 21 can be connected to various peripheral devices to improve usability.

(2) Operation of the embodiment In the above configuration, the PDA 21 (FIG. 1) displays an e-mail or the like on the liquid crystal display unit 22 by operating the operation element 23, so that the contents of the e-mail can be carried at the destination. Processing such as confirmation can be executed. When downloading such an e-mail from a computer, or when charging a built-in secondary battery (FIGS. 2 and 3), the rear corner of the bottom surface is applied to the back plate 33 of the cradle 11. The back plate 33 guides the back surface of the PDA 21 by being brought into the cradle 11 and placing it on the cradle 11, and is tilted obliquely toward the back surface and held on the cradle 11. At this time, the connector 35 of the cradle 11 is inserted into the concave portion 26 on the bottom surface, and the back side electrode 29A of the projection 28 provided on the concave portion 26 is pressed against the contact 36 of the connector 35 by the weight of the PDA 21. As a result, the electrode 29A is connected to the contact point 36, and the contact point 36 and the electrode 29A are connected to the computer as the host device.

  Thus, the PDA 21 is frequently connected to the computer by checking various information obtained by connecting to the computer in this way at a destination or by charging the computer. As a result, it is desired that the connection to such a computer be reliably established by a simple operation.

  On the other hand, the PDA 21 can be placed by a simple operation of simply bringing it to the cradle 11 and placing it on the cradle 11, and when it is removed, it is lifted from the cradle. It can be removed by a simple operation, and thus the placement on the cradle 11 can be repeated frequently without causing the user to feel any inconvenience.

  On the other hand, for example, when the PDA 21 is connected to a mobile phone to access the Internet (FIGS. 4 and 5), it is possible to connect to the mobile phone via a modem 41, for example. In this case, the PDA 21 inserts a connector 46 provided on the modem 41 into the recess 26 on the bottom surface, and the protrusions 28 are sandwiched by contacts 47A and 47B provided so as to face the connector 46. As a result, the electrodes 29A and 29B formed on both surfaces of the protrusion 28 are connected to the contacts 47A and 47B of the connector 46, and the modem 41 is connected.

  As a result, in the PDA 21, when the number of electrodes is insufficient depending on the electrode 29 </ b> A that is connected to the cradle 11 by connecting the peripheral device, the electrode 29 </ b> B provided on the side opposite to the back surface is connected to the peripheral device. The connection can be ensured, and thereby, it is possible to sufficiently cope with the increase of connectable peripheral devices while simplifying the placement on the cradle by being held obliquely.

(3) Advantages of the embodiment According to the configuration described above, with respect to the portable information device that is held obliquely on the mounting table and presses the electrode against the contact point of the mounting table by its own weight, its own weight on the side opposite to the side where these electrodes are provided By providing an electrode for connection with a device other than the mounting table on the side that cannot be pressed against the contact point of the mounting table, it is possible to sufficiently cope with an increase in connectable peripheral devices.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cradle is used only when connecting to a computer that is a host device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and not only the host device but also a connection that is frequently predicted is used. Peripheral devices may be connected using a cradle.

  In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a PDA that is a portable information device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to various portable information devices such as a cellular phone. .

  The present invention can be applied to a PDA.

It is the top view and bottom view which show PDA concerning Example 1 of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the mounting state to the cradle of PDA of FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for description of the connection of PDA of FIG. 2, and a cradle. It is a top view which shows the modem connected to PDA of FIG. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for description of the connection with the modem of FIG. It is a graph which shows allocation of an electrode. It is the side view and sectional drawing with which it uses for description of the conventional PDA. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the PDA of FIG. 7.

Explanation of symbols

1, 31 ... Cradle, 4, 21 ... PDA, 3, 33 ... Back plate, 5, 35, 45 ... Connector, 7, 36, 47A, 47B ... Contact, 8, 29A, 29B ... Electrode , 9, 28 ... Projection, 10, 26 ... Recess, 41 ... Modem

Claims (2)

In the portable information device that is inclined to the back side and is held obliquely on the mounting table by being mounted on the mounting table and connected to the host device via the mounting table,
The recess formed on the bottom surface has a plate-like protrusion that extends in the width direction substantially parallel to the back surface and has a plurality of electrodes disposed on both side surfaces,
The electrode on the back side of the protrusion is an electrode for connection to at least the host device,
By the oblique holding on the mounting table, the electrode on the back side is pressed to the contact point of the connector provided on the mounting table, and connected to the host device by the electrode on the back side,
By inserting a connector sandwiching the protrusion into the recess, the electrodes on both sides of the protrusion are connected to the contact of the connector and connected to a peripheral device connected to the connector. Portable information equipment. The electrode for connection to the host device is at least an electrode for data input / output with the host device and an electrode for inputting a power supply for charging from the host device. 1. A portable information device according to 1.

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