JP2010039823A - Information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal device for detecting that an enclosure is opened without requiring a complicated structure. <P>SOLUTION: In an information terminal device, an enclosure 11 is configured by assembling thereto a rear case 11a having a battery housing section 40 for housing a main battery 30 and a front case 11b to which a control board 20 is fixed. On a bottom wall 45 of the battery housing section 40 covered by the housed main battery 30, two fastening through-holes 45a are formed. The rear case 11a and the front case 11b are fastened by screws 60 or the like passing through the fastening through-holes 45a. On detection that a battery-side connector 32 of the main battery 30 is disconnected from a board-side connector 24 of the control board 20, it is detected that the enclosure 11 is opened to separate the rear case 11a from the front case 11b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device having a function capable of detecting unauthorized opening of a housing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a terminal device shown in Patent Document 1 below is known as an information terminal device having a function capable of detecting unauthorized opening of a casing. In this terminal device, a housing is constituted by a housing upper case and a housing lower case to which the control board is fixed. A switch is provided on the case lower case side of the control board, and a plastic sheet provided with a predetermined wiring pattern is attached to the bottom wall of the case lower case. When the upper case and the lower case are assembled, the terminal of the switch on the control board and the wiring on the bottom wall of the lower case are connected to form a closed circuit.

When the upper case and the lower case are separated for unauthorized opening, the switch circuit is disconnected from the wiring and the closed circuit is disconnected. By detecting this, unauthorized opening is detected. When unauthorized opening is detected in this manner, data in the storage means is erased to prevent unauthorized use.
JP 2001-242951 A

  However, it is necessary to provide the wiring pattern and the switch for configuring the closed circuit as described above in the lower case and the upper case, respectively, which causes a problem that the structure becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal device that can detect opening of a housing without requiring a complicated structure.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the information terminal device according to claim 1, the control board (20) having a control circuit (21) for controlling the acquired information and the power cable (31) ) And a battery-side connector (32) attached to the power cable and a board-side connector (24) fixed to the control board and connected to the battery-side connector to supply power to the control board (30) and a housing (11) configured by assembling a first case (11a) having a battery housing part (40) capable of housing the battery and a second case (11b) to which the control board is fixed. ), And a fastening through-hole (45a) is formed in the bottom wall (45) or the side wall (41-44) of the battery housing part covered by the battery that is housed. The first case and the second case are fastened by a fastening member (60) that passes through the fastening through-hole, and detects the release of the connection between the battery-side connector and the board-side connector. Thus, it is a technical feature to detect opening of the casing in which the first case and the second case are separated.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the casing of the information terminal device is configured by assembling the first case having a battery accommodating portion capable of accommodating a battery and the second case to which the control board is fixed. Further, a through hole for fastening is formed in the bottom wall or side wall of the battery housing portion covered with the accommodated battery, and the first case and the second case are fastened by a fastening member that passes through the through hole for fastening. . Then, by detecting the release of the connection between the battery side connector and the board side connector, the opening of the casing in which the first case and the second case are separated is detected.

  In order to separate the first case and the second case for the purpose of opening the housing, it is necessary to remove the fastening member that is fastened through the fastening through hole. In order to remove this fastening member, it is necessary to take out the battery from the battery accommodating portion, and the connection between the battery side connector and the board side connector is released by this taking out operation. For this reason, by detecting the release of the connection between the battery-side connector and the board-side connector, it is possible to detect the opening of the housing without requiring a complicated structure.

  In particular, in a battery with a power cable and a connector, it is generally not considered to remove the battery and charge the battery alone. Therefore, when the connection between the battery-side connector and the board-side connector is released, it is 1 every few years. Except for the case where the battery is replaced about once, it can be determined that the case is opened.

  In the invention according to claim 2, when the first case and the second case are separated, the battery housing portion presses a part of the power cable to which the battery side connector and the board side connector are connected in the separating direction. A pressing part is formed.

  As a result, when the first case and the second case are separated, a part of the power cable is pulled so as to be pressed in the separating direction by the pressing portion of the battery housing portion. Is securely disconnected. Therefore, in order to open the housing, the battery side connector and the board side connector can be reliably disconnected.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there are provided storage means for storing acquired information controlled by the control circuit and input means for inputting predetermined information to the control circuit. Then, when opening of the housing is detected without input information to be input when the housing is opened by the input means, at least a part of the acquired information stored in the storage means is erased.

In some cases, the housing is opened in order to acquire the acquisition information stored in the storage means for an illegal purpose. In this case, it is necessary to erase part or all of the stored acquisition information. Therefore, at the time of normal opening, as a predetermined input information to be input, for example, a predetermined operation using an input key is set in advance. Thereby, when opening of the housing is detected, if input information to be input at the time of opening is input by the input means, it is determined that the opening is normal, and the input information to be input at the time of opening is not input In this case, it is determined that the opening is illegal, and at least a part of the stored acquired information is deleted.
Therefore, when the opening of the casing for an unauthorized purpose is detected, the unauthorized use of the acquired information can be reliably prevented by deleting the acquired information stored in the storage means.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an information terminal device of the present invention is applied to a barcode reader will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration outline of the barcode reader 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a barcode reader 10 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 (A) is a rear view, and FIG. 1 (B) is a side view showing a partial cross section. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration related to the unauthorized opening detection process of the barcode reader 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the barcode reader 10 is used as a power source for various electrical components such as a control board 20 in a casing 11 composed of a back case 11a and a front case 11b. A functioning main battery 30 is accommodated. The electrical configuration in the housing 11 can be substantially the same as a known code reader (bar code reader, two-dimensional code reader, etc.). In addition, the main battery 30 is comprised by the secondary battery which can be charged / discharged, such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydride battery, and a nickel cadmium battery, for example.

  The control board 20 is fixed to the inner surface side of the front case 11b, and a board side connector 24 for supplying power from the main battery 30 is provided at the battery side end of the control board 20. Yes. In addition, a plurality of operation keys 12 are arranged on the surface of the front case 11b. By operating each operation key 12, predetermined information corresponding to the operation is input to the main control circuit 21 of the control board 20. Is done.

  A battery accommodating portion 40 that can accommodate the main battery 30 is formed in the back side case 11a. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the battery housing portion 40 has a box-like shape in which one side is open, and side walls 41, 42, 43, 44 surrounding four sides of the main battery 30, and a main And a bottom wall 45 that supports one surface of the battery 30.

  Further, the side wall 41 is provided with a notch 41a formed in a semicircular shape so as to be close to the power cable 31 of the main battery 30 accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 40 from the bottom wall 45 side. Moreover, the opening part of the battery accommodating part 40 becomes a structure which can be obstruct | occluded by the battery cover 50 formed so that attachment or detachment with respect to the back side case 11a was possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, two fastening through holes 45 a are formed in the bottom wall 45 of the battery housing portion 40 covered with the housed main battery 30. The bottom wall 45 of the battery housing portion 40 is fastened to the fastened portion 13 of the front case 11b by a screw 60 that passes through both fastening through holes 45a, and predetermined fastening portions of the back case 11a and the front case 11b are provided. The case 11 is configured by assembling the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b by fastening with screws or the like not shown.

  When the main battery 30 is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 40 after the back case 11a and the front case 11b are assembled, the battery side connector 32 at the tip of the power cable 31 of the main battery 30 and the board side connector 24 of the control board 20 Are electrically connected. As a result, a predetermined voltage V1 is output from the main battery 30 to the main control circuit 21 and the like of the control board 20 via the power cable 31 and the connectors 32 and 24.

  In the barcode reader 10 configured as described above, in order to separate the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b for the purpose of opening the casing 11, both fastening through holes 45a of the bottom wall 45 of the battery housing portion 40 are used. It is necessary to remove each of the screws 60 that are inserted and tightened. In order to remove these screws 60, it is necessary to take out the main battery 30 from the battery accommodating portion 40, and the connection between the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 is released by this taking out operation. Even if the screw 60 is removed without releasing the connection between the connectors 32 and 24 and the rear case 11a and the front case 11b are separated, a part of the power cable 31 of the main battery 30 is notched 41a of the battery housing 40. Therefore, the connectors 32 and 24 are disconnected from each other because they are pulled so as to be pressed in the separating direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1B). In general, since a battery with a power cable and a connector is not considered to be removed and charged with a single battery, when the connectors 32 and 24 are disconnected, about once every few years. Except for the case of battery replacement, it can be determined that the casing 11 is opened. That is, when the back case 11a and the front case 11b are separated and the housing 11 is opened, the connection of the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 is reliably released.

  Next, an electrical configuration related to the unauthorized opening detection process of the barcode reader 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, for convenience of drawing, the voltage V <b> 1 is output from the main battery 30 without going through the power cable 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control board 20 mainly includes a main control circuit 21, a connection state detection circuit 22 capable of detecting the connection state of the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24, and predetermined information such as personal information. An erasing control circuit 23 capable of erasing the predetermined information is arranged for the storage device 25 in which the information is stored. A predetermined voltage V <b> 1 is output from the main battery 30 to each circuit 21 to 23. The storage device 25 is attached to the inner surface side of the front case 11b and in the vicinity of the control board 20.

  The main control circuit 21 has a function related to information processing that acquires external information in response to an operation of the operation key 12 and the like, controls the acquired information, and stores the acquired information in the storage device 25. In addition, the main control circuit 21 has a function related to an unauthorized opening detection process that detects whether or not the housing 11 has been opened illegally and erases the acquired information stored in the storage device 25 at the time of unauthorized opening.

  The connection state detection circuit 22 detects a voltage output from the main battery 30 via the board-side connector 24, and detects that the connection between the connectors 32 and 24 has been released when the voltage falls below a predetermined value. A release detection signal is output to the main control circuit 21.

  The erasing control circuit 23 erases predetermined information stored in the storage device 25 based on the erasing instruction signal output from the main control circuit 21.

  The barcode reader 10 includes a sub battery 33 different from the main battery 30, and the sub battery 33 is connected from the main battery 30 to the main control circuit 21, the connection state detection circuit 22, and the erasing control circuit 23. When the output of voltage is stopped, a predetermined voltage V2 is output to each of these circuits 21 to 23. The sub-battery 33 is normally in a charged state using the main battery 30 as a power source by a charging circuit (not shown).

  Next, the unauthorized opening detection process by the main control circuit 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of unauthorized opening detection processing by the main control circuit 21.

  First, in step S101 of FIG. 3, the flag F is set to 0. This flag F is a flag for determining whether or not an opening operation described later has been performed. Flag F = 0 indicates a state in which the opening operation is not performed, and flag F = 1 indicates an opening operation. Indicates a state in which is implemented.

  Next, in step S103, it is determined whether or not an opening operation has been performed. The opening operation is an operation of each operation key 12 set in advance as input information to be input when the housing 11 is opened. For example, a long press operation of one operation key 12 or a first operation is performed. For example, a pressing operation of the second operation key after the key pressing operation is given. Here, when the opening operation is not performed, it is determined No in step S103.

  If it is determined No in step S103, it is determined in step S107 whether or not a connection release detection signal is input. Here, when the connection between the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 is not released and the connection release detection signal is not input from the connection state detection circuit 22 (No in S107), the process from the step S103 is performed. The process is repeated.

  If the connection between the battery-side connector 32 and the board-side connector 24 is released without performing the opening operation to illegally open the housing 11 during the repeated determination of No in step S107, the connection state is detected. A connection release detection signal is input from the circuit 22 and it is determined Yes in step S107. When the connection between the connectors 32 and 24 is released and the output of the voltage from the main battery 30 to the main control circuit 21 is stopped, a predetermined voltage V2 is output from the sub battery 33 to the main control circuit 21 or the like. The

  Next, in step S109, it is determined whether or not the flag F = 1. At this stage, since the opening operation is not performed and the flag F = 0 is set, it is determined No in step S109, and the information erasing process in step S111 is performed. In this processing, an erasure instruction signal is output to the erasing control circuit 23, and all the acquired information stored in the storage device 25 is erased by the erasing control circuit 23. The erasing control circuit 23 is not limited to erasing all acquired information stored in the storage device 25 in response to the erasing instruction signal, but may erase only some of the predetermined acquired information.

  In this way, when an unauthorized opening in which the opening operation is not performed is detected, the acquired information in the storage device 25 can be erased in order to prevent unauthorized use. Then, the tampering detection process is terminated by this erasure process.

  On the other hand, if the opening operation is normal and the opening operation is performed in step S103 (Yes in S103), a flag F = 1 indicating the state in which the opening operation has been performed is set in step S105. . If the connection between the battery-side connector 32 and the board-side connector 24 is released in order to open the housing 11 normally during the repeated determination of No in step S107 (Yes in S107), Yes in step S109. And the unauthorized opening detection process is terminated without performing the information erasure process in step S111.

  As described above, in the barcode reader 10 according to the present embodiment, the case is formed by assembling the back side case 11a having the battery accommodating portion 40 capable of accommodating the main battery 30 and the front side case 11b to which the control board 20 is fixed. 11 is configured. Further, two fastening through holes 45a are formed in the bottom wall 45 of the battery housing part 40 covered with the housed main battery 30, and the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b are inserted through both fastening through holes 45a. Fastened with screws 60 or the like. Then, by detecting the release of the connection between the battery-side connector 32 of the main battery 30 and the board-side connector 24 of the control board 20, the opening of the casing 11 in which the back case 11a and the front case 11b are separated is detected. .

  In order to separate the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b for the purpose of opening the casing 11, the connection between the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 is released. By doing so, it is possible to detect opening of the housing 11 without requiring a complicated structure.

  In particular, in a battery with a power cable and a connector, in general, it is not considered to remove the battery and charge the battery alone. Therefore, when the connection between the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 is released, it is several years. It can be determined that the housing 11 is opened, except for the case where the main battery 30 is replaced about once.

  Further, in the barcode reader 10 according to the present embodiment, when the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b are separated from each other, the battery cable 40 is connected to the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24. A notch 41a is formed as a pressing portion that presses a part of 31 in the separating direction.

  Thereby, when separating the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b, the battery side connector 32 is pulled because a part of the power cable 31 is pulled so as to be pressed in the separation direction by the cutout portion 41a of the battery housing portion 40. And the connection of the board side connector 24 is reliably released. Therefore, in order to open the housing 11, the connection between the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 can be reliably released.

  Furthermore, in the barcode reader 10 according to the present embodiment, a storage device 25 that stores acquired information controlled by the main control circuit 21, and a plurality of operation keys 12 for inputting predetermined information to the main control circuit 21; Is provided. When the opening of the housing 11 is detected without input information to be input when the housing 11 is opened by the operation key 12, the acquired information stored in the storage device 25 is erased.

  When opening of the housing 11 is detected, if input information to be input at the time of opening is input by the operation key 12, it is determined that the opening is normal, and input information to be input at the time of opening is not input The acquired information stored in the storage device 25 is erased because it is determined that the opening is illegal. Thereby, when the opening of the casing 11 for an unauthorized purpose is detected, the acquired information stored in the storage device 25 is erased, so that unauthorized use of the acquired information can be reliably prevented.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may actualize as follows, and even in that case, an effect | action and effect equivalent to the said embodiment are acquired.
(1) The fastening through hole 45a is not limited to being formed in the bottom wall 45, but is formed in any of the side walls 41, 42, 43, 44 covered by the main battery 30 accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 40. Also good. In this case, the housing 11 is configured by assembling the back side case 11a and the front side case 11b with a screw 60 or the like passing through the fastening through hole 45a. Even with this configuration, when the back case 11a and the front case 11b are separated and the housing 11 is opened, it is necessary to take out the main battery 30 from the battery housing portion 40. As described above, the battery side connector The connection between the connector 32 and the board-side connector 24 is reliably released.

(2) FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the main battery 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the main battery 30 includes a unit cell 36 and a protection circuit 37 for the unit cell 36, the connection state detection circuit 22 detects the voltage of the unit cell 36. When the voltage falls below a predetermined value, it may be detected that the connection between the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 is released. Accordingly, even when the protection circuit 37 is activated due to overdischarge of the main battery 30 and the voltage V1 output to the main control circuit 21 or the like via the protection circuit 37 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined value, both the connectors 32 are mistaken. , 24 is not detected.

(3) The connection state detection circuit 22 employs a contact sensor that detects a contact state between predetermined contact portions of the connectors 32 and 24 when the battery side connector 32 and the board side connector 24 are in a connected state. Based on the contact state detected by the contact sensor, the release of the connection between the connectors 32 and 24 may be detected.

(4) The notch 41a is not limited to being formed in a semicircular shape so as to be close to the power cable 31 of the main battery 30 accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 40 from the bottom wall 45 side. It may be formed in a stepped shape, or may be formed in a partially protruding shape. Even when the notch 41a is formed in this way, when the back case 11a and the front case 11b are separated, the power cable 31 of the main battery 30 is partly pulled by the notch 41a in the separating direction. As a result, the connectors 32 and 24 can be disconnected.

It is a figure which shows the structure outline | summary of the barcode reader which concerns on this embodiment, FIG. 1 (A) is a rear view, FIG.1 (B) is a side view shown with a partial cross section. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure regarding the tampering detection process of a barcode reader. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the unauthorized opening detection process by a main control circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of a main battery.

Explanation of symbols

10: Bar code reader (information terminal device)
11 ... Case 11a ... Back side case (first case)
11b ... Front case (second case)
12 ... operation keys (input means)
20 ... Control board 21 ... Main control circuit (control circuit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Connection state detection circuit 23 ... Erase control circuit 24 ... Board | substrate side connector 25 ... Memory | storage device (memory | storage means)
30 ... Main battery (battery)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Power cable 32 ... Power supply side connector 40 ... Battery accommodating part 41-44 ... Side wall 41a ... Notch part (pressing part)
45 ... bottom wall 45a ... through hole for fastening 60 ... screw (fastening member)

Claims (3)

A control board having a control circuit for controlling the acquired acquisition information;
A battery for supplying power to the control board via a power cable and a battery-side connector attached to the power cable, and a board-side connector fixed to the control board and connected to the battery-side connector;
A housing configured by assembling a first case having a battery accommodating portion capable of accommodating the battery and a second case to which the control board is fixed;
An information terminal device comprising:
A fastening through hole is formed in the bottom wall or side wall of the battery housing portion covered with the battery that is housed,
The first case and the second case are fastened by a fastening member that passes through the fastening through-hole,
An information terminal device that detects opening of the casing in which the first case and the second case are separated by detecting release of connection between the battery-side connector and the board-side connector.   When the first case and the second case are separated from each other, the battery housing portion is pressed to press a part of the power cable to which the battery-side connector and the board-side connector are connected in the separation direction. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a portion is formed. Storage means for storing the acquired information controlled by the control circuit;
Input means for inputting predetermined information to the control circuit,
When opening of the housing is detected without input information to be input when the housing is opened by the input means, at least a part of the acquired information stored in the storage means is deleted. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal device is an information terminal device.

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