JP2008211561A - Portable communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable communication terminal capable of being connected to a large display part as necessary. <P>SOLUTION: The portable communication terminal 1 has a first case 2 provided with an operating part 13 and a control part, and a second case 3 provided with a display part 17, wherein the first case 2 and the second case 3 can be separated. The first case 2 and the second case 3 are electrically connected through hardware interfaces 18 and 19. Connection parts 23 and 24 of the first case 2 and the second case 3 are provided with a lock mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly to a mobile communication terminal in which a display unit is detachable from a mobile communication terminal main body.

Conventionally, since a portable communication terminal is designed with emphasis on portability regardless of whether it is a foldable type or a straight type, the user interface part (portable communication terminal body) and the display unit are almost the same size and cannot be separated. Structure.
However, the mobile communication terminal not only functions as a telephone but also has a role of acquiring various information in real time, and the display unit is small in size and powerful to display image information and video information. It was lacking. In addition, there were restrictions on the display function from the viewpoint of price. Furthermore, there is a fear of eavesdropping or the like when there is a possibility of eavesdropping when attempting to transmit data acquired by the mobile communication terminal to the outside using wireless communication. In addition, a separate dedicated cable is required to connect the mobile communication terminal to an external device.

In addition, a display device having a card-type display that is detachably connected to a mobile communication terminal has been proposed as one that can increase the area of the display unit as needed while maintaining portability (Patent Document 1). . This is provided with a detachable large-sized card type display in addition to the display unit provided integrally with the mobile communication terminal.
JP 2004-350096 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dedicated connection plug or connector cable must be used, and since it cannot be connected to a wide-spread large display or personal computer screen, it is versatile. There was a problem of lacking.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication terminal that can be connected to a large display unit as necessary.

The mobile communication terminal according to the present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
A portable communication terminal according to the present invention includes a first casing having an operation unit, a communication unit, and a control unit, and a second casing having a display unit, and the first casing and the second casing. The body is detachable.

The first housing and the second housing are electrically connected via a hardware interface.
The hardware interface is a general-purpose hardware interface.
The hardware interface is a DVI (Digital Visual Interface).

  In addition, a locking mechanism is provided at a connection portion between the first casing and the second casing.

  The operation unit can operate another electronic device connected to the first housing via the hardware interface.

  The communication unit is detachable from the first housing.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
In the present invention, the first casing (main body) and the second casing (display section) are detachably connected with a versatile hardware interface, and the display section can be replaced. The first casing (main body) can be used as a data storage terminal by utilizing a function as a mobile phone in the unit and connecting to a large display unit as necessary.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The mobile communication terminal 1 includes a main body 2 and a display function unit 3 configured to be separable (detachable) from the main body 2.

The main body 2 includes a communication unit 10, a camera 11, a storage unit 12, a key input unit 13, an audio processing unit 14, a control unit 20, and the like.
The communication unit 10 performs voice communication and data communication wirelessly via the antenna ANT11. In addition, the communication part 10 and the antenna ANT11 are comprised so that attachment or detachment is possible from the main body 2 (refer FIG. 2).
The storage unit 12 stores data such as a telephone number, an answering machine message, an abbreviated number, and a calling melody that are recorded in advance by the user.

The key input unit 13 includes a numeric keypad and various function keys, and inputs user instructions, telephone numbers, and the like. The voice processing unit 14 converts the voice of the other party during the call into analog and outputs the voice from the speaker 15, or digitizes and captures the user's voice input from the microphone 16.
And the control part 20 controls the said each part centrally.

The display function unit 3 includes a display unit 17, a speaker 15, and the like. The display unit 17 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like.
The display function unit 3 is detachably connected to the connection terminal 18 on the main body 2 side by a connection terminal 19. The connection terminals 18 and 19 can be connected by a general-purpose hardware interface such as DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or USB.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the display function unit 3 of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is removed. FIG. 3 is a view of the connector portion 24 as seen from the connector surface.
The main body (first housing) 2 of the mobile communication terminal 1 has a key input unit 13 disposed on the surface and a microphone 16 disposed on the lower end. In addition, a slot 21 into which a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card 30 incorporating the communication unit 10 is inserted is formed at the lower end of the main body 2.
The SIM card 30 is a multi-function communication module including the communication unit 10 and the antenna ANT11. By connecting the SIM card 30 to the main body 2, it is possible to send and receive data by adding a PHS communication function and the like. It becomes.

Further, a connector portion (connecting portion) 23 supported by the hinge 22 so as to be capable of half-turning is attached to the upper end of the main body 2. The connector portion 23 is provided with a connection terminal 18 and a part of a lock mechanism 50 described later.
On the other hand, the display function unit 3 has a display unit 17 and a speaker 15 disposed on the surface, and a connector unit (connection unit) 24 attached to the lower end. The connector portion 24 is provided with the connection terminals 19 and guide pins 51 of the lock mechanism 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector portion 23 is provided with a part of the lock mechanism 50, a power / control connector 26, and an image data connector 27 such as VGA / XGA at both ends.
The power / control connector 26 supplies power, a control signal, a clock signal, and the like from the main body 2 to the display function unit 3. The image data connector 27 supplies an image data signal and an audio signal.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the lock mechanism 50 provided in the connector portion 23.
The lock mechanism 50 includes a pair of guide pins 51 disposed so as to protrude from both ends of the connector section 24 of the display function section 3 and a pair of guide pin holes 54 disposed at both ends of the connector section 23 of the main body 2. And the engaging portion 55.

The guide pin 51 has an engaging groove 51a on a part of the side surface. On the other hand, the guide pin hole 54 is a space in which the guide pin 51 is inserted, and the engaging portion 55 is pivotally supported on the side surface thereof.
The engaging portion 55 has an engaging protrusion 55 a that protrudes into the guide pin hole 54, and can engage with the engaging groove 51 a of the guide pin 51 inserted into the guide pin hole 54. The engagement protrusion 55a has a surface facing away from the insertion direction, while the engagement groove 51a has a surface opposite to the surface of the engagement protrusion 55a. Therefore, when the engaging protrusion 55a of the engaging portion 55 and the engaging groove 51a of the guide pin 51 are engaged, the back surface of the engaging protrusion 55a and the opposing surface of the engaging groove 51a are brought into close contact with each other. The movement of the pin 51 in the anti-insertion direction (removal direction) is restricted.

  To release the lock mechanism 50, that is, to release the engagement between the engagement protrusion 55a and the engagement groove 51a, the pressing portion 55b of the engagement portion 55 arranged so as to protrude from the side surface of the connector portion 23 is pressed. To be done. That is, the engaging portion 55 that is spring-biased in the state shown in FIG. 4A is rotated as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4B, and the engagement with the guide pin 51 is released.

  The lock mechanism 50 thus configured can fix the display function unit 3 to the main body 2 by inserting the guide pins 51 of the display function unit 3 into the guide pin holes 54 of the main body 2. Also, the connection of the power / control connector 26 and the image data connector 27 arranged between the guide pins 51 is completed. Furthermore, when the display function part 3 is removed, the pressing part 55b of the engaging part 55 is pressed from both ends, so that the lock is released and it can be easily separated.

Next, a method for using the mobile communication terminal of the present invention configured as described above will be described.
First, when used as a normal mobile phone, a display function unit 3 as shown in FIG. 2 can be attached to perform a call, send / receive data, take a picture with the camera 11, and the like.
Next, when the user arrives at the office or home, the shooting data shot while out can be connected to a large display screen of a television (TV) or a personal computer (PC) and displayed. That is, the display function unit 3 is removed from the main body 2, and a television or a personal computer is connected to the main body 2 via a general-purpose hardware interface (connection terminal 18). In addition, data can be easily transferred to a personal computer.
In addition, the key input unit 13 provided in the main body 2 also has keys necessary for operating the television and the personal computer, so that the operation of the key input unit 13 can be performed by other electronic devices such as the television and the personal computer without any inconvenience. Processing can be performed.

  Further, the display function unit 3 can be removed, and another display function unit having a display unit having a larger screen than the display function unit 3 can be connected to perform a call, data transmission / reception, and the like.

  In addition, by providing the main body 2 with a user authentication function, it is possible to borrow only the display unit at the place of departure or the like and display the content supplied to the main body 2 for presentation and the like. In addition, the latest traffic information such as traffic congestion information, accident information, traffic regulation information, etc. obtained from the main unit 2 is connected to a navigation device mounted on a car and provided to guide to the destination in cooperation with the GPS system. It can be done more accurately.

  As described above, there has been a restriction on the size and design of the display unit due to the demand for portability, but according to the mobile communication terminal of the present invention, the display unit and the mobile communication terminal body can be attached and detached with a general-purpose hardware interface. You can connect and usually use a standard display to utilize the functions of a mobile phone, and you can select and display a wide variety of displays according to your preference and purpose at your office or home. Further, since the main body 2 and the display function unit 3 are connected via a physical connector, there is no possibility that information leaks to the outside, and security can be improved.

  If a USB jack that can be mounted without discrimination between the front and back sides is used as the connection terminal of the present invention, the display function unit 3 can be connected to the main body 2 in the reverse direction, and different functions can be provided on the front and back sides of the display function unit. It can be granted and used.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable communication terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the portable communication terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is expansion explanatory drawing which shows the connection part of a mobile communication terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows the locking mechanism of the connection part of a portable communication terminal.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile communication terminal 2 ... Main body (1st housing | casing)
3. Display function unit (second housing)
10 ... Communication unit 13 ... Key input unit (operation unit)
17 ... Display section 18, 19 ... Connection terminal (hardware interface)
20 ... Control part 23, 24 ... Connector part (connection part)
26 ... Connector for power supply / control 27 ... Connector for image data 50 ... Lock mechanism

Claims (7)

A first housing having an operation unit, a communication unit and a control unit; and a second housing having a display unit;
The mobile communication terminal, wherein the first housing and the second housing are detachable.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first casing and the second casing are electrically connected via a hardware interface.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the hardware interface is a general-purpose hardware interface.   4. The portable communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the hardware interface is a DVI (Digital Visual Interface).   The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a lock mechanism is provided in a connection portion between the first casing and the second casing.   The said operation part can operate the other electronic device connected to the said 1st housing | casing via the said hardware interface, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Mobile communication terminals.   The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication unit is detachable from the first housing.

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