JP2010052231A - Personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accommodate paper without forcedly bending the paper so as to make the paper to be hardly deformed. <P>SOLUTION: A personal digital assistant 10 includes a printer section 18 for printing various kinds of information on folded paper 22. A paper accommodation unit 20 for accommodating the folded paper 22 is disposed along an outer part of a device body 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device including a printer unit that prints various types of information on a folding sheet.

  Personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as HHT (Hand Held Terminal) used for meter reading slips for electricity, water, gas, etc. have a printer function that prints the usage amount of electricity, water, gas, etc. on a slip .

  In such portable information terminal devices, compact roll paper is normally used as printing paper, but there are also users who desire folding paper for reasons such as not wanting to roll the paper. In this case, a dedicated case for storing the folded paper is necessary, and a paper that takes out the paper and is portable is required.

8 and 9 show a folded paper storage state of a conventional portable information terminal device.
In FIG. 8, a printer unit 118 having a platen 130, a recording head 134, and a cutter blade 136 is arranged on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 112, and a paper storage unit 120 is provided so as to overlap the printer unit 118. .

Then, the folded sheet 122 is folded and stored in the sheet storage unit 120 in a substantially U shape, and the sheet is pulled out from the sheet feeding port.
For example, in FIG. 9, similarly, a printer unit 118 having a platen 130, a recording head 134, and a cutter blade 136 is disposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 112, and extends to the printer unit 118. A paper storage unit 120 is disposed.

Then, the folded sheet 122 is folded and stored in the sheet storage unit 120 in a substantially U shape, and the sheet is pulled out from the sheet feeding port.
In Patent Document 1, a paper storage unit is provided along the longitudinal direction on the back side of the apparatus main body. Then, the folded paper is stored in the paper storage unit without being folded, and the paper is pulled out from the paper feeding opening.

Patent Document 2 proposes a technique in which a continuous slip holder is integrally extended in the apparatus main body, and the continuous slip sheet is stored in a folded state in the continuous slip holder.
Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that a roll paper storage unit is attached to an end of the apparatus main body in the longitudinal direction.
JP 11-138911 A JP 2000-344399 A JP 2001-113770 A

  However, in the prior art of FIG. 8, since the paper storage unit 120 is provided so as to overlap in the height direction of the apparatus main body 112, there is a problem that the thickness H of the apparatus main body becomes large and portability is impaired.

In the prior art of FIG. 9, the total length L2 is longer by the length of the paper storage unit 120 than the total length (longitudinal dimension) L1 of the conventional apparatus main body 112.
In Patent Document 1, since the paper storage unit is provided along the longitudinal direction on the back side of the apparatus main body, the thickness of the apparatus main body is increased, and thus it is difficult to hold it by hand. Therefore, there is a possibility that portability is impaired.

Moreover, in patent document 2, since the continuous slip holder is integrally extended in the apparatus main body, the full length of a longitudinal direction becomes long and lacks in portability.
Further, in Patent Document 3, a roll paper storage unit is attached to the end of the apparatus main body, but it is difficult to respond to a request that the paper is not desired to be rolled.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal device that can be stored in a state in which it is difficult to deform a sheet without forcibly bending the sheet.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable information terminal device including a printer unit that prints various types of information on a folded sheet obtained by folding a continuous sheet.
The paper storage unit for storing the folded paper is arranged along the outer shape of the apparatus main body.

As a result, it is possible to attach the paper storage unit integrally and compactly without leaving the outer shape of the apparatus main body, and the portability is high.
Specifically, since the paper storage unit is formed from the back side of the printer unit to the front side through the longitudinal end of the device main body so as to sandwich the device main body, the folding paper is forcibly bent. It becomes possible to store without. Moreover, since the external dimensions of the apparatus main body other than the part to which the paper storage unit is attached do not change, the apparatus main body can be easily grasped with one hand, and the portability is high.

  According to the present invention, the paper storage unit for storing the folded paper is disposed along the outer shape of the apparatus main body, so that the paper can be stored without being bent excessively and in a state in which it is not easily deformed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is an external view of a portable information terminal device, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 2 and shows a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the printer unit 18 and the paper storage unit 20.

The portable information terminal device 10 is carried by a user and has, for example, a function of printing utility bill information and product sales information on paper.
1 to 4, the portable information terminal device 10 has a device main body 12 that is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape in plan view as a whole. The apparatus main body 12 includes an input unit including various keys 14a such as a numeric keypad for inputting information from one end side in the longitudinal direction (lower side in FIG. 1) to the other end side (upper side in FIG. 1). 14, a display unit 16 provided with an LCD, a touch panel, etc., for displaying input data or data read from a memory, etc., and input information displayed on the display unit 16 on folding paper 22 (see FIG. 5 etc.) A printer unit 18 for printing and a paper storage unit 20 for storing the folding paper 22 are provided.

  A battery housing part 13 is provided on the inner surface (lower surface) side of the input part 14, and an open / close door 15 for storing and taking out the battery is provided on the side surface side thereof. The apparatus is operated by the battery stored in the battery storage unit 13.

The printer unit 18 has a built-in recording head 34 (thermal head) that prints on the folding paper 22 with heat. The configuration of the printer unit 18 will be described later.
The paper storage unit 20 is disposed along the outer shape of the apparatus main body 12. Folded paper 22 is supplied from the paper storage unit 20 to the printer unit 18. Although the volume in the vicinity of the printer unit 18 is increased by attaching the paper storage unit 20, the external dimensions of the apparatus main body 12 in other parts do not change. For this reason, the easiness of grasping when the apparatus main body 12 (for example, the input unit 14 and the display unit 16) is held with one hand is maintained.

  The sheet storage unit 20 includes a lower cover 24 as a first cover and an upper cover 26 as a second cover. The lower cover 24 and the upper cover 26 are pivotally attached via a hinge 28 so as to be freely opened and closed (see FIG. 3).

  The lower cover 24 covers a portion extending from the back side (the side opposite to the display unit 16 and the like) of the apparatus main body 12 to the vicinity of the hinge 28 at the end in the longitudinal direction (left end in FIG. 3). The lower cover 24 is integrally attached to the apparatus main body 12 by screws 25 (see FIG. 4). Further, the upper cover 26 is a folded sheet for handling as a portable terminal from the vicinity of the hinge 28 to the surface side of the apparatus main body 12 (the same side as the display unit 16 and the like). The paper storage unit is covered to prevent the paper storage unit from popping out from the storage unit. The upper cover 26 is pivotally attached at one end to a hinge 28 so as to be openable and closable, and the other end is a free end.

  A cylindrical platen 30 (see FIG. 5) carrying the folding paper 22 is rotatably attached to the free end side. The platen 30 is disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge 28 that supports the lower cover 24 and the upper cover 26.

The folding paper 22 is stored in a storage space 32 (32 _1, 32 ₂ ) (see FIGS. 3 and 5) as an internal space formed by the lower cover 24 and the upper cover 26. At this time, by storing the half of the folding paper 22 in the longitudinal direction in the lower cover 24 and storing the other half in the upper cover 26, the folding paper 22 can be stored without being bent excessively.

The folding sheet 22 is configured by alternately folding a plurality of sheets having a predetermined size connected via perforated portions (hereinafter referred to as “perforations”).
According to the present embodiment, the folded paper 22 is stored in the paper storage unit 20 in a gently curved state at portions other than the perforations. That is, the folding paper 22 can be stored without being bent excessively. In addition, the folding paper 22 can be stored in a state in which it is not easily deformed (without misalignment) by the ribs 50 described later.

  The folding paper 22 has, for example, a dimensional standard after separation at a perforation for each user. As an example, a sheet of width (80 mm) × length (200 mm) is alternately formed with a plurality of sheets with a perforation as a boundary. It is folded.

  The upper cover 26 is provided with a tongue 42 for opening / closing operation. Further, lock buttons 44 for preventing the upper cover 26 from being inadvertently opened are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus body 12 in plan view.

  Further, a sheet feeding port 46 having a slight gap is formed between the front end of the cover with the upper cover 26 closed and the apparatus main body 12. The printed folded paper 22 is fed out from the paper feed port 46.

  Moreover, it is preferable that at least one of the lower cover 24 and the upper cover 26 is made of a transparent member. In the present embodiment, the upper cover 26 is made of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin.

  Thereby, it is possible to confirm from the outside the sheet feeding state after the folding sheet 22 is mounted. Further, the remaining amount of the folding paper 22 can be visually confirmed. In addition, troubles related to paper such as paper jam can be found immediately.

Further, the sheet inserting direction of the sum of the length of the storage space 32 (32 _{1, 32 2)} formed in the lower cover 24 and upper cover 26 is formed over the length of the longitudinal direction of the folding sheet 22.

Sheet insertion and the length direction refers to the storage space 32 ₁ and the storage space 32 ₂ and the length of the U-shaped inner constructed housing portion 32 in which is formed at the top cover 26 formed in a lower cover 24 ( (See FIG. 5). Thus, according to the present embodiment, the folding paper 22 can be stored in the storage space 32 in a gently curved state without being folded at a portion other than the perforation.

  Note that a roll paper receiving portion 48 and a rib 49 capable of storing roll paper are provided inside the apparatus main body 12 sandwiched between the paper storage portions 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). This roll paper receiving portion 48 is left because the paper storage portion 20 is attached using the conventional apparatus main body 12 as it is.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printer unit 18 includes a columnar platen 30 supported on the free end side of the upper cover 26, a recording head 34 disposed facing the platen 30 in a closed state of the upper cover 26, and paper And a cutter blade 36 for cutting the. The platen 30 is made of an elastic material, and plays a role of feeding out the folded paper 22 while rotating.

  The recording head 34 is constantly urged toward the platen 30 by an unillustrated elastic urging force. Then, printing is performed on the folding paper 22 inserted between the recording head 34 and the platen 30.

  As a result, when the upper cover 26 is closed, the platen 30 is engaged and held in a state where it is in contact with the recording head 34 by an elastic biasing force. Further, when the cover is opened, the storage space 32 can be opened by detaching the platen 30 against the elastic force.

  As described above, as the recording head 34, a thermal head capable of printing on the folded paper 22 by heat is used. That is, necessary information is printed on the folding paper 22 by a non-impact method.

  Since the platen 30 on the free end side is engaged with and held by the recording head 34 by the elastic force, the upper cover 26 generates a clicking sound, particularly when the upper cover 26 is rotated and closed from the cover open state. Arise. However, this click sound is not necessarily required, and for example, it is sufficient if the operator can confirm that the upper cover 26 has been correctly closed.

  The folding paper 22 is drawn out (drawn) outward in a state where the platen 30 and the recording head 34 are nipped. Various information is printed on the folding paper 22 by the recording head 34 at the nip position between the platen 30 and the recording head 34.

The paper feed opening 46 is provided with a cutter blade 36 that cuts the folded paper 22 at a perforation. The apparatus main body 12 is provided with a motor 38 that rotates the platen 30 on the side facing the platen 30.

  Further, in FIG. 5, in the storage space 32, a plurality of ribs 50 that support the folded paper 22 to be fed and extend in the feeding direction and ribs 52 with which the front end of the folded paper 22 abuts are arranged at predetermined intervals. Has been.

  That is, the apparatus main body 12 inside the lower cover 24 is provided with a rib 50 at a portion extending from the back side of the printer unit 18 in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 12 and reaching the hinge 28. The rib 50 has a shape protruding toward the center of the storage space 32 in the vicinity corresponding to the hinge 28. For example, four ribs 50 (see FIG. 6) are provided with a predetermined width.

The ribs 50 support the folded paper 22 while feeding it, so that the folded paper 22 is smoothly fed out with a small frictional resistance.
Furthermore, four ribs 52 having a predetermined width are protruded in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the folding paper 22 at a position where the leading edge in the longitudinal direction of the folding paper 22 abuts at the inner tip of the upper cover 26 (FIG. 6). See) provided.

Since the folded sheet 22 is supported by the rib 52 while being guided, the folded sheet 22 is smoothly fed out with a small frictional resistance.
The ribs 50 and 52 regulate the position of the folded paper 22 in the width direction without being displaced. For this reason, the folding paper 22 is stored in the storage space 32 in a state in which, for example, the apparatus main body 12 is prevented from being displaced even when the apparatus main body 12 is inclined and is not easily deformed.

Next, FIG.6 and FIG.7 has shown the state of the portable information terminal device 10 when the upper cover 26 is open | released.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sheet storage unit 20 has a clamshell type (a mouth is opened like a bivalve).

  A contact portion (convex portion) 55 is provided at the tip of the upper cover 26 so as to be paired with a contact portion (concave portion) 54 provided on the apparatus main body 12 side. The upper cover 26 is provided with a lock claw 56 that engages with the lock button 44.

In this open state, the paper insertion opening 40 of the lower cover 24 opens in a substantially orthogonal direction (upward in FIG. 7) with respect to a flat plane including the apparatus main body 12.
As a result, when the folded paper 22 is inserted into the paper storage unit 20, the front end in the longitudinal direction is inserted vertically downward. Then, as the folding paper 22 is inserted, the leading end of the folding paper 22 is moved and stored in a substantially L shape while changing from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. Then, when the leading end of the folding paper 22 reaches the base end side of the storage space 32 formed by the lower cover 24, the upper cover 26 is closed. Then, the folding paper 22 is stored in a substantially U shape without being bent excessively.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the paper storage unit 20 that stores the folded paper 22 is disposed along the outer shape portion of the apparatus main body 12, so that the paper storage portion 20 is separated from the outer shape portion of the apparatus main body 12. Can be attached together. Thereby, the apparatus main body 12 is made compact, and the structure rich in portability is maintained.

Further, a conventional roll paper receiving portion 48 is also provided in the apparatus main body 12. For this reason, a conventional roll paper can be used instead of the folding paper 22 as required.
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be briefly described.

First, the folded paper 22 is set in the paper storage unit 20.
For this purpose, for example, the apparatus main body 12 is held with the left hand, and the lock button 44 is slid to the unlock side with the right hand. Next, the thumb of the right hand is hooked on the tongue piece 42 of the upper cover 26 to open the upper cover 26. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper cover 26 is opened to a position substantially perpendicular to the apparatus main body 12.

As a result, the sheet insertion opening 40 of the lower cover 24 is opened upward in FIG.
Next, the front end side of the predetermined amount of folding paper 22 is inserted from the opening 40. At this time, since the leading end side of the folded paper 22 is inserted into the storage space 32 substantially vertically (vertically) at the beginning of insertion, the operability at the time of paper insertion is improved. The distal end side of the inserted folded sheet 22 is gradually housed in the housing space 32 ₁ formed in the lower cover 24 and eventually moved horizontally.

The distal end side of the folded sheet 22 Once abuts the proximal side of the storage space 32 ₁ of the lower cover 24, then operating the upper cover 26 in the closing direction. Accordingly, the longitudinal direction of the substantially half of the folding sheet 22 is housed in the housing space 32 ₂ formed in the top cover 26. Thus, the folding paper 22 is inserted from one end side in the longitudinal direction and is stored in a state of being gently curved without forcibly bending the entire length extending along the other end along the outer peripheral portion of the apparatus main body 12.

  When the upper cover 26 is closed, the leading portion of the folded paper 22 is slightly pulled out from the paper feed opening 46. Thus, the folding paper 22 is set in a state of being pressed between the platen 30 and the recording head 34.

Finally, the lock button 44 is slid to the lock side to finish the paper setting.
Next, a specific method of using the portable information terminal device 10 will be briefly described.
For example, in the case of water usage, the meter reader inputs information such as a customer number, meter reading date, current guidelines, previous guidelines, amount of water used, billing amount, and the like from the input unit 14. Then, the input information is printed on the folding paper 22. Depending on the customer, necessary information is also printed on the account transfer completed receipt. Further, these pieces of input information are stored in, for example, a built-in storage device, and can be transmitted to the host computer by wireless communication as necessary.

  Since personal information is written on the folding paper 22, a blindfold paper is usually attached to the surface of the paper from the viewpoint of protecting the personal information. Then, necessary information is printed on the blind paper by the recording head 34 (thermal head).

  When the printing operation is performed, the platen 30 is rotationally driven by a motor 38 of the printer unit 18 through a gear (not shown). As the platen 30 rotates, the folded paper 22 is fed out by a predetermined amount.

  Further, a positioning mark is attached to each back surface of the folding paper 22. This mark is detected by a mark detection sensor (not shown), and the detection signal is sent to a built-in control unit (not shown) through contact parts 54 and 55 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Based on this detection signal, the printing operation by the printer unit 18 is controlled.

The folded paper 22 that has been printed is cut at the perforation by the cutter blade 36 and mailed to the customer or directly delivered to the customer.
In the present embodiment, since the paper storage unit 20 is disposed along the outer shape of the apparatus main body 12, the width of the folding paper 22 can be maximized. On the other hand, the width dimension of the hand-held part (for example, the input part 14 or the display part 16) of the apparatus main body 12 can maintain the same dimension as before. For this reason, it is possible to obtain the portable information terminal device 10 having a high portability while enabling a reduction in size.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the folded paper 22 can be stored without being bent by the paper storage unit 20 while maintaining portability. Further, since the opening 40 of the lower cover 24 opens upward when the upper cover 26 is opened, the sheet setting operation is facilitated.

  The present invention can be applied not only to, for example, HHT (Hand Held Terminal) but also widely to personal digital assistants (Personal Digital Assistants).

It is an external view of a portable information terminal device. It is a top view of a portable information terminal device. It is a side view of a portable information terminal device. It is a bottom view of a portable information terminal device. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is a top view of the portable information terminal device in a state where the upper cover is opened. It is a side view of the portable information terminal device in a state where the upper cover is opened. It is a schematic side view of the conventional portable information terminal device. It is a schematic side view of the conventional portable information terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable information terminal device 12 Apparatus main body 14 Input part 14a Key 15 Opening / closing part 16 Display part 18 Printer part 20 Paper storage part 22 Folding paper 24 Lower cover 25 Screw 26 Upper cover 28 Hinge 30 Platen 32 Storage space 32 ₁ Storage space 32 ₂ Storage space 34 Recording head 36 Cutter blade 38 Motor 40 Opening part 42 Tongue piece 44 Lock button 46 Paper feed port 48 Roll paper receiving part 49 Rib 50 Rib 52 Rib 54 Contact part (concave part)
55 Contact part (convex part)
56 Locking claw

Claims (7)

In a portable information terminal device equipped with a printer unit that prints various information on a folded paper obtained by folding continuous paper,
A portable information terminal device, wherein a paper storage portion for storing the folded paper is disposed along an outer shape portion of the apparatus main body. 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the paper storage unit is formed from the back surface side of the printer unit to the front surface side through the end in the longitudinal direction of the device main body so as to sandwich the device main body. apparatus. A first cover formed so as to cover a portion from the back side of the printer unit to a longitudinal end of the apparatus main body;
A second cover that is pivotally attached to the first cover so as to be openable and closable, and is formed so as to cover a portion extending from the longitudinal end of the apparatus main body to the surface side of the apparatus main body,
The portable information terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding paper is stored in an internal space formed by the first cover and the second cover. The portable information terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the sum of the lengths of the internal spaces in the paper insertion direction is greater than the length of the folded paper in the longitudinal direction. The portable information terminal device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first cover and the second cover is formed of a transparent member. 5. The portable information terminal device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of ribs that support the folding paper fed out from the internal space and extend in a feed-out direction are arranged in the internal space at a predetermined interval. In a state where the second cover is opened with respect to the first cover, the paper insertion opening of the first cover is opened in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane including the apparatus main body. The portable information terminal device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

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