JP2005242397A - Personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a personal digital assistant that can be operated for turning the power on and off even if its power key is in a hidden position when it is placed on a stand. <P>SOLUTION: The personal digital assistant is so formed that even if the on/off part of the personal digital assistant which turns the power on when placed on the stand is hidden by the storage part of the stand, a placement sensing part 21 senses that the personal digital assistant has been placed on the stand and then causes a control part 22 to allocate a function for turning on/off the power to an information input part 24 not hidden by the storage part, thus properly turning the power off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a portable information terminal that is placed on a stand when not in use.

  In recent years, electromagnetic induction has been used not only for portable information terminals such as handy terminals, but also for products that use rechargeable batteries as power sources, such as cordless phones and electric toothbrushes, in order to improve waterproofness and prevent short-circuits at charging terminals. Many non-contact charging methods have been used.

A conventional portable information terminal will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional portable information terminal and a table.
In FIG. 10, 1 is a portable information terminal, 2 is a stand, and 3 is a storage unit that stores a part of the portable information terminal 1. By detecting that the portable information terminal 1 is placed when the portable information terminal 1 in a power-off state is placed in the storage unit 3 of the cradle 2 (when inserted), There is a configuration in which the power of the information terminal 1 is turned on and power is supplied to each part of the portable information terminal 1.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-134681

  However, the conventional portable information terminal has the following problems. To turn off the mobile information terminal that has been turned on by being placed on the table, turn off the power when communication is completed, turn off the power using auto power off, It is necessary to turn off the power by using a key.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of turning off the power after the communication is completed.
In FIG. 11, S10 indicates a state in which the portable information terminal 1 is normally used without being placed on a pedestal, and the portable information terminal 1 may be turned on or off. In this state, when it is detected that the portable information terminal 1 is placed on the cradle 2 (S20), if the portable information terminal 1 is powered off, the power is turned on (S30), and the cradle that can communicate with an external device. On the other hand, communication of information from the portable information terminal 1 to the cradle is started (S40). Then, when communication ends (S50), the power is turned off (S60).

  However, since the power supply is turned on simply by placing it on the cradle 2, if communication is not performed, the power supply cannot be turned off when communication is completed, and the power supply of the portable information terminal 1 remains on. .

  Also, what is commonly called an auto power-off timer is a timer that turns off the power when it is not operated for a certain period of time. If the timer value is set short, the power is turned off immediately during normal use and the usability becomes worse. Generally, a value for a certain time (several minutes or more) is set. At this time, the portable information terminal 1 is kept on until the set time is reached.

  For this reason, it is necessary to turn off the power with the power key. However, depending on the position of the power key and the shape of the cradle 2, the power key cannot be operated when placed on the cradle 2, and the power is turned off. There was a problem that it was not possible.

Specific examples are shown in FIGS.
FIG. 12 is a front view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle, and FIG. 13 is a side view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle. The storage unit is seen through.

  Thus, when the portable information terminal 1 is placed in the storage unit 3 of the table 2, the power key 4 is hidden because it is in the storage unit 3, and the power key 4 cannot be operated. Can't turn off.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem. When a portable information terminal is placed on a stand, even if the power key is in a hidden position, a portable information terminal that can be appropriately turned on and off is provided. The purpose is to provide.

  To achieve the above object, the portable information terminal according to claim 1 of the present invention is a portable information terminal that can be placed on a cradle, and the cradle accommodates at least a part of the portable information terminal. A power supply unit that supplies a power to each unit in the portable information terminal; and a power supply unit that detects a fact that the portable information terminal is placed on a table and outputs a signal. A power on / off unit that inputs an instruction to manually turn on / off, and a power supply from the power unit to each unit in the portable information terminal based on a signal from the position detection unit or an instruction from the power on / off unit A control unit for controlling, and a plurality of information input units for inputting instructions from the outside, and when the portable terminal device is mounted on the table, the storage unit for the table among the information input units Turn on one or more information input units located outside And allocating a function or off function to.

  The portable information terminal according to claim 2 is a portable information terminal that can be placed on a cradle, wherein the cradle includes a storage unit that houses at least a part of the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal serves as a cradle. A placement detection unit that detects the placement and outputs a signal, and supplies a power source to supply power to each unit in the portable information terminal, and a power on to input an instruction to manually turn on and off the power. A control unit for controlling power supply from the power supply unit to each unit in the portable information terminal based on a signal from the position detection unit or an instruction from the power on / off unit, and an instruction from outside A plurality of information input units, and a detection unit that detects that the power on / off unit is located in the storage unit of the cradle, and the power on / off unit when the portable terminal device is placed on the cradle. Is located in the storage part of the table, the information input And allocating a function or off function to turn on and off the power to one or more information input unit located in the housing outer of stand the among.

  The portable information terminal according to claim 3 is the portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the portable information terminal has a plurality of light detection units that detect brightness, and any one of the information input units of the table is detected by the light detection unit. It is characterized in that it is located outside the storage unit, and a function for turning on / off the power or a function for turning it off is assigned to one or more detected information input units.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable information terminal according to the third aspect, wherein the light detection unit is arranged in a direction in which the portable information terminal is inserted into the table.
The portable information terminal according to claim 5 is the portable information terminal according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the information input unit is transparent or translucent, and the light detection unit is carried by the information input unit. It is provided inside the information terminal.

  The portable information terminal according to claim 6 is the portable information terminal according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, wherein the power on / off portion is transparent or translucent, and the detection is performed. A light detection unit is provided as an internal part of the portable information terminal of the information on / off unit.

  The portable information terminal according to claim 7 is a portable information terminal that can be placed on a cradle, wherein the cradle includes a storage unit that houses at least a part of the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal serves as a cradle. A placement detection unit that detects the placement and outputs a signal, and supplies power to each unit in the portable information terminal, and by a signal from the placement detection unit up to an arbitrary time And a control unit that stops power supply from the power supply unit to each unit in the portable information terminal when the timer counts up, and the portable terminal device is placed on the table It is characterized in that the power is turned off at the arbitrary time after being placed on the camera.

  The portable information terminal according to claim 8 is the portable information terminal according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6. A timer that starts counting up to an arbitrary time in response to the signal of, and after the mobile terminal device is placed on the table, the timer counts up and the power is turned off when the arbitrary time has elapsed It is characterized by that.

  A portable information terminal according to claim 9 is the portable information terminal according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, or claim 8. The pedestal includes a primary coil that supplies power to the portable information terminal in a contactless manner, and the portable information terminal receives the secondary coil that receives power from the primary coil and the secondary coil. A charging unit that charges electric power, and performs non-contact charging by electromagnetic induction.

  As described above, according to the portable information terminal of the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal that can be turned on and off even when the portable information terminal is placed on a pedestal even if the power key is hidden. The purpose is to do.

  As is clear from the above description, the present invention hides the power key of the portable information terminal that is turned on by being placed on the stand even if it is hidden by the stand storage portion. By assigning a function to turn on / off the power to the keys that are not, the power can be turned off appropriately.

  In addition, by arranging a plurality of photosensors in the insertion direction of the portable information terminal on the stand, it becomes possible to assign a function for turning on / off the power to keys that are not hidden in the storage unit, and using more keys The power can be turned off properly.

  In addition, by making the key transparent or translucent and placing a photo sensor inside it, it is possible to assign a function to turn the power on and off to more keys that are not hidden in the storage part, and turn off the power more appropriately can do.

  Furthermore, by providing a power-off timer that turns off the power after an arbitrary time since the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle, the power can be appropriately turned off.

In the following, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figure taking a handy terminal as an example.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a power-off operation of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and the storage unit 3 is seen through. Here, the portable information terminal 1 and the cradle 2 are charged using a non-contact charging method using electromagnetic induction. The portable information terminal 1 has a secondary coil (not shown) and the cradle 2. Includes a primary coil (not shown). FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for portions having the same configurations and functions and effects as in FIGS. 10 to 13 showing the configuration of the prior art, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 1, when it is detected that the portable information terminal 1 is placed on the cradle 2 from the normal use state (S10) that is not placed on the cradle 2 (S20), the mobile information terminal is detected by a signal from the placement detector. Is turned on (S30), and an idle state (S100) is entered. The idle state (S100) is a state in which the portable information terminal 1 displays a screen but does not perform any operation other than the charging operation. In this state, even if it is attempted to operate the power key 4 that is the power on / off unit in order to turn off the power of the portable information terminal, it cannot be operated because it is placed in the storage unit 3 of the table 2. Even if the power is turned off by the power key 4 once pulled out of the storage unit 3, the power is turned on when it is placed on the storage unit 3 for charging again (S30). Therefore, when it is detected by the placement detection unit 21 that it is placed on the table 2, a key that is not hidden in the table 2 such as a trigger key that is one of information input units (inputting instructions from the outside). Assign the function to turn the power off. Here, in the case of a handy terminal which is an example of a portable information terminal, the trigger key indicates a reading start key for causing the handy terminal to start reading a barcode. Thereby, when it is detected that the trigger key 5 or 6 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed (S110), the power can be turned off (S60).

  The cradle 2 includes an LED that indicates that the cradle 2 is powered on, an LED that indicates that the built-in communication processing unit is communicating, a cable for commercial power, and a commercial A switch for turning on and off the power supply is attached but not shown.

Next, the circuit configuration of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 is a lithium ion battery that can be charged by the power supply unit. Power is supplied from the lithium ion battery to each unit such as the data processing unit 25 and the communication processing unit 26 via a control unit 22 that is configured by a transistor or the like and controls on / off of the power source. The control unit 22 can perform power on / off control with the power key 4 that is the power on / off unit 23, the placement detection unit 21, and the trigger key 5 or 6 that is one of the information input units 24. Here, the placement detection unit 21 detects placement by detecting resonance of the secondary coil of the portable information terminal 1.

Although S100 in FIG. 1 is in an idle state in which no operation other than the charging operation is performed, an operation such as barcode reading may be performed.
In addition, when it is detected that it is placed on the table 2, a function to turn off the power is assigned to the trigger key 5 or 6 as one of the information input units. It may be assigned to other keys that can be used.

  Further, the placement detection unit 21 detects the resonance of the secondary coil. However, the placement detection unit 21 detects a change in voltage or resistance using a mechanical switch or a contact terminal to electrically contact the table. It may be a method of detecting.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the power is turned on after being placed on the cradle 2, a function of turning off the power is assigned to a key that is located outside the storage part of the cradle and can be operated. Therefore, the power can be turned off with another key located outside the storage unit of the cradle, and power saving can be achieved.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the power-off operation of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 5 is a front view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the storage part 3 is seen through. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts having the same configurations and effects as in FIGS. 10 to 13 showing the configuration of the prior art and FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  In FIG. 4, when it is detected from the normal use state (S10) that it is placed on the cradle 2 (S20), the portable information terminal 1 placed on the cradle 2 is turned on (S30). The idle state (S100) is entered. Thereafter, a detection unit that detects that the power key 4 is located in the storage unit 3 detects whether the power key 4 is hidden in the storage unit 3 (S101), and the power key 4 is not hidden. The power is turned off by the power key 4 (S120), but if it is detected that the power key 4 is hidden, a search for a key that is not hidden is performed (S102). Then, by pressing the retrieved non-hidden key (S103), the power is turned off (S60). At this time, when a plurality of non-hidden keys are detected, the power is turned off regardless of which key is pressed.

  FIG. 5 shows a front view when the portable information terminal 1 is placed on the cradle 2, and FIG. 6 shows a side view thereof. The search for the non-hidden key (S102) is performed by arranging a plurality of photosensors 7 as light detection units in the key a direction in the direction of arrow a which is the insertion direction of the portable information terminal 1 to the cradle 2 from the outside. The brightness of the light was detected to detect whether each information input unit is located outside the storage unit 3. As a result, the keys that are information input units detected to be located outside the storage unit 3 are two keys indicated by a broken line 8 and a total of four keys including trigger keys 5 and 6.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the photosensor 7 is arranged inside the portable information terminal 1.
In FIG. 6, 9 is a printed circuit board on which the photosensor 7 is mounted, and 10 is a hole or a transparent member for guiding external light to the photosensor 7. The holes or transparent members 10 correspond to the photosensors 7 in pairs.

It should be noted that only the power off function among the functions of the power on / off unit may be assigned to the non-hidden key.
As described above, in the second embodiment, when the power is turned on by being placed on the cradle 2 and the power key 4 is hidden in the storage unit 3, the other keys that are not hidden are searched for and not hidden. Since the function of turning off the power is assigned to the key, even if the table 2 has a different shape of the storage unit 3, other keys positioned outside the storage unit 3 of the table 2 without changing the program. Can be used to properly turn off the power.

  Furthermore, when multiple non-hidden keys are detected, a power-off function is assigned to all of them, and the power is turned off when any of the multiple non-hidden keys is pressed during operation, eliminating the need to search for keys. Improves. In addition, by providing a plurality of photosensors 7 in the insertion direction, it is possible to accurately detect a key that is not hidden. In addition, by assigning only the power-off function to a non-hidden key, it is possible to prevent the power from being accidentally turned on.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the portable information terminal in Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 7, FIG.

  7 is a front view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a side view when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, the storage part 3 is seen through. In the present embodiment, the same configurations as those in FIGS. 10 to 13 showing the configuration of the prior art and FIGS. 1 to 6 in the first and second embodiments and the parts having the effects are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the key 11, the trigger key 5, the trigger key 6 and the power key 4 as the information input unit are made transparent or translucent so that light from the outside is mounted on the printed circuit board 9 shown in FIG. It can be detected by the photosensor 7. As a result, the detected information input unit keys are five keys indicated by 12 broken lines and a total of seven keys including the trigger keys 5 and 6.

  In order to simplify the drawing, eight photosensors 7 are shown in FIG. 8, but photosensors are provided on the inside (downside) of the portable terminal of all keys including the trigger keys 5, 6, and power key-4. It is arranged. 7 and 8, as the information input unit, eight keys in one row are indicated as 11, but all keys except the trigger keys 5 and 6 and the power key 4 are indicated.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, each key including the power key-4 is made transparent or translucent, and the photo sensor which is a light detection unit is provided under the key, so that the key described in the second embodiment is not used. Although only four keys can be detected, in the present embodiment, seven more non-hidden keys can be detected more accurately, and the power can be appropriately turned off.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, the portable information terminal in Embodiment 4 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the power-off operation of the portable information terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations and the operational effects as in FIGS. 10 to 13 showing the configuration of the prior art and FIGS. Omitted.

  In FIG. 9, when it is detected from the normal use state (S10) that it is placed on the cradle 2 (S20), the portable information terminal 1 placed on the cradle 2 is powered on and timed. The power off timer is started as a unit (S130). When the timer expires in the idle state (S100) (S140), the power is automatically turned off (S60). This power-off timer is a different timer different from the conventional auto power-off timer.

  In this way, when a stand is detected, a power-off timer that is different from the auto power-off timer that has been used in the past is started, and the power is turned off along with a time-out. By setting the value in the power-off timer, the power can be turned off appropriately, and the power is not turned on unnecessarily and power saving can be achieved.

  At this time, as described in the first to third embodiments, by adding a power-off function to a key that is not hidden in the storage unit, the power is arbitrarily turned off even if the set time has not elapsed. be able to.

  Examples of the portable information terminal described above include a handy terminal, a mobile phone, a cordless phone, and a transceiver.

  According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, when the portable information terminal is placed on the cradle, even if the power key is in a position where it can be hidden, the power can be turned on and off and placed on the cradle when not in use. This is useful for portable information terminals and the like.

The flowchart which shows the power-off operation | movement of the portable information terminal in Embodiment 1 of this invention The front view when a portable information terminal is mounted in the stand in Embodiment 1 of this invention 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the power-off operation | movement of the portable information terminal in Embodiment 2 of this invention The front view when a portable information terminal is mounted on the stand in Embodiment 2 of this invention Side view when a portable information terminal is placed on a cradle in Embodiment 2 of the present invention The front view when a portable information terminal is mounted on the stand in Embodiment 3 of this invention Side view when a portable information terminal is placed on a table in Embodiment 3 of the present invention The flowchart which shows the power-off operation | movement of the portable information terminal in Embodiment 4 of this invention A perspective view showing a conventional portable information terminal and a table A flowchart showing processing for turning off the power after communication is completed. Front view when the portable information terminal is placed on the table Side view when the portable information terminal is placed on the table

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information terminal 2 Stand 3 Storage part 4 Power key 5 Trigger key 6 Trigger key 7 Photo sensor 8 Broken line 9 Printed circuit board 10 Hole or transparent member 11 Key (information input part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Power supply part 21 Mounting detection part 22 Control part 23 Power supply input part 24 Information input part 25 Data processing part 26 Communication processing part

Claims (9)

A portable information terminal that can be placed on a table,
The table includes a storage unit that stores at least a part of the portable information terminal, and a placement detection unit that detects that the portable information terminal is placed on the table and outputs a signal.
A power supply unit for supplying power to each unit in the portable information terminal;
A power on / off unit for inputting an instruction to manually turn on / off the power;
A control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to each unit in the portable information terminal based on a signal from the position detection unit or an instruction of the power on / off unit;
A plurality of information input units for inputting instructions from the outside, and when the portable terminal device is mounted on the table, one of the information input units located outside the storage unit of the table A portable information terminal characterized in that a function for turning on / off a power supply or a function for turning it off is assigned to two or more information input units. A portable information terminal that can be placed on a table,
The table includes a storage unit that stores at least a part of the portable information terminal, and a placement detection unit that detects that the portable information terminal is placed on the table and outputs a signal.
A power supply unit for supplying power to each unit in the portable information terminal;
A power on / off unit for inputting an instruction to manually turn on / off the power;
A control unit that controls power supply from the power supply unit to each unit in the portable information terminal based on a signal from the position detection unit or an instruction of the power on / off unit;
A plurality of information input units for inputting instructions from the outside;
A detection unit that detects that the power on / off unit is located in the storage unit of the cradle, and the power on / off unit is in the storage unit of the cradle when the mobile terminal device is mounted on the cradle. When located, the portable information terminal characterized by assigning a function to turn on / off the power or a function to turn it off to one or more information input units located outside the storage unit of the table among the information input units.   A plurality of light detection units for detecting brightness, wherein the light detection unit detects which of the information input units is located outside the storage unit of the table, and the detected one or more information 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein a function for turning on / off the power or a function for turning off the power is assigned to the input unit.   The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein the light detection unit is arranged in a direction in which the portable information terminal is inserted into the cradle.   5. The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein the information input unit is transparent or translucent, and the light detection unit is provided inside the portable information terminal of the information input unit.   The power supply on / off section is transparent or translucent, and a light detection section is provided inside the portable information terminal of the information on / off section as the detection section. The portable information terminal according to claim 5. A portable information terminal that can be placed on a table,
The table includes a storage unit that stores at least a part of the portable information terminal, and a placement detection unit that detects that the portable information terminal is placed on the table and outputs a signal.
A power supply unit for supplying power to each unit in the portable information terminal;
A timer that starts counting up to an arbitrary time based on a signal from the above-described position detection unit;
A control unit that stops power supply from the power supply unit to each unit in the portable information terminal by counting up the timer;
And the portable information terminal is turned off at the arbitrary time after the portable terminal device is placed on the table.   It has a timer that starts counting up to an arbitrary time based on a signal from the placement detection unit, and after the mobile terminal device is placed on the cradle, the timer counts up and the arbitrary time passes. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the power is turned off by performing the operation.   The pedestal includes a primary coil that supplies power to the portable information terminal in a contactless manner, and the portable information terminal receives a power received from the primary coil and a secondary coil that receives power from the primary coil. A charging unit for charging, and performing non-contact charging by electromagnetic induction, claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 or claim Item 9. A portable information terminal according to any one of Items 8 to 10.

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