JP2520867B2 - Terminal input device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal input device having a terminal data processing circuit connected to a central processing unit, and more particularly to a portable input device having an input key and a holder for the portable input device. The present invention relates to a terminal input device including a main body device having a.

[Conventional technology]

In order to carry out product sales management, inventory management, etc. accurately and swiftly, a data processing device is installed in the product carrier of the sales route, various data such as product type and quantity are input for each transaction location, and this is aggregated. In-vehicle terminal devices that edit and process data have been developed. Such a terminal input device is
A portable input device having an input key and a connector at the bottom, and a main body device having a holder for housing the portable input device on the front surface of a housing, a data processing circuit is provided in the main body device, and the holder is an upper portion. The portable input device has an insertion opening, and the bottom portion has a main body side connector that is connected to the connector of the portable input device bottom portion.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When such a terminal input device is mounted on the driver's seat of a truck for transporting goods, it is mounted on the side wall of the upper part of the driver's side window due to space limitations. In this case, since the ceiling height of the driver's seat is limited, the space above the main body device is small and it is very difficult to put the portable input device in and out of the holder.

An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal input device that can easily carry out a storage operation and a take-out operation of a portable input device.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, the holder of the main body device has a storage position in which the stored portable input device is parallel to the main body device and a portable input device insertion port of the holder is used to operate the main body device. The portable input device housed so as to project to the surface side is movable between the take-out position inclined with respect to the main body device.

[Action]

When the portable input device is inserted into or removed from the holder of the main body device, the holder rotates around its bottom, the portable input device insertion port projects forward of the main body device, and the holder is inclined with respect to the main body device housing. After accommodating the portable input device, the holder again rotates around its bottom, the holder becomes parallel to the main body housing, and the portable input device returns to the straight vertical (non-tilted) position.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 are side views of the terminal input / output device according to the present invention in different states, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views thereof, respectively. A portable input device (handheld terminal: hereinafter referred to as HHT) 1 having an input key 13 (FIG. 3) on the front surface and a connector 5 on the bottom is housed in a holder 2 on the front surface of a main body device 18. The bottom of the holder 2 is provided with a connector 6 for connecting to the connector 5 of the HHT1. Main unit 18
Includes a data processing circuit (described later), the processing result is printed by the printer unit 9, and the printing paper is taken out from the outlet 96. The terminal unit 17 is configured by the main body device 18 that houses the HHT 1 and the printer unit 9. A hinged door 18a is provided on the front surface of the main body device 18. Holder 2 is main unit 1
The H is attached so that it can rotate around the shaft 52 with respect to the 8
The storage position where the HT1 is parallel to the main unit 18 (Fig. 2,
(Fig. 4) and the upper HHT1 insertion port 2a of the holder 2 into the main unit 18
The holder 2 by projecting it to the front surface (operation surface side) of the main body
It is possible to rotationally move between the take-out position (FIGS. 1 and 3) inclined with respect to 18. The HHT 1 is straight and vertical in the storage position, and its upper end is located below the drop-out preventing projection 91 at the upper end of the front surface of the main body device 18. In the storage position, the holder 2 is fixed and held by a suitable locking means 51 (for example, mechanical means for pushing one member against the elasticity of the other member to lock it, or magnetic means using a magnet). When the holder 2 rotates about the shaft 52, the holder 2 is rotated by the main unit 18
It is regulated by contacting the stopper surface 90 of the. At the upper insertion opening 2a of the holder 2, a lid 3 which is always closed by a spring 4 and pushed open by inserting the HHT 1 is rotatably mounted around a shaft 3a. The lid 3 is inclined downward with respect to the holder 2 toward the outside in the closed state. Holder 2
Guides 7 for inserting the HHT 1 are provided on the tops of the lids 3 on both sides of the upper part of the front surface. A gap 8 for dropping dust on the upper surface of the lid 3 is provided below the guide 7. In order to take out the HHT1 from the housed state shown in FIG. 2, the HHT1 is pulled forward against the force of the locking means 51 and the holder 2 is rotated around the shaft 52 by an arrow C.
Rotate as shown in (Fig. 1) and pull out HHT1 diagonally upward as the take-out position inclined as shown in Fig. 1. After using the HHT1, insert the HHT1 into the inclined holder 2 as shown by arrow A. As a result, the lid 3 is pushed open as shown by the arrow B, the HHT 1 is housed in the holder, and the connectors 5 and 6 are joined together. Subsequently, the holder 2 is rotated around the shaft in the direction opposite to the arrow C and returned to the storage position shown in FIG. In this way, the holder 2 is attached to the main unit 18
With the configuration that can be tilted with respect to
The storage operation is performed smoothly. At the storage position, the holder 2 is locked by the locking means 51, and the HHT1 is located below the projecting portion 91 of the main body device 18, so that the HHT1 may come out or the connector may be disconnected due to vibrations or the like when mounted on the vehicle. There is no such thing. Further, since the HHT insertion opening 2a of the HHT holder 2 is provided with the lid 3 that can be pushed open and is normally closed, when the HHT1 is removed, dust or the like does not enter the inside of the holder and the lid 3 is inclined. Therefore, dust does not adhere to the top surface of the lid,
Therefore, dust that has accumulated on the top surface of the lid will not be pushed into the inside by inserting the HHT1. Therefore, when a connector for an electronic circuit that operates by a weak current, particularly an optical connector, is installed in the holder, the effect of improving the reliability of the connection due to dust prevention is great. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, both side walls 10 of the holder 2 are formed with a stepped portion 11 so that the upper side of the lid 3 has a thickness, and when the lid 3 is closed, the lid 3 is formed into the stepped portion 11. Abut, lid 3
It is desirable to cover the upper surface side edge of the to surely prevent dust from entering.

Usage states of the terminal input / output device according to the present invention are shown in FIGS. 6 to 11. FIG. 6 is a diagram when the device is attached to the upper portion of the driver's seat side window of the goods transport truck. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the operator, while actually confirming the product, inputs data such as the product type and quantity of the product into the HHT 1 at a customer such as a supermarket. 8th
The figure shows a state in which the HHT1 is attached to the Communications Interface Unit (CIU) 15 connected to the host computer (central processing unit) at the operator's office, and aggregated data etc. is input to the host computer. is there.

FIG. 9 is an external view of HHT1. The HHT1 has an input key 13 and a liquid crystal display panel 12 on the surface, and a connector 5 on the bottom. The tenth is an external view showing a state in which the HHT1 is attached to the CIU15. FIG. 11 is an external view of a multi-CIU (MCIU) 16 in which a plurality of CIUs are connected so that a plurality of HHTs can be used.

Details of the HHT connector 5 are shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. Figure 12 (a) is a top view, Figure 12 (b) is a front view,
FIG. 12 (c) is a side view. 13 is an external view seen from the back, FIG. 14 is an external view seen from the top, and FIG. 15 is an exploded view. The upper surface of the connector body 65 is covered with a transparent plate 60 (for example, an acrylic plate). Guide holes for receiving guide studs (described later) of the mating connector at both ends of the connector 5.
61 is provided. In the center of the connector 5, multiple LEDs 6
Four are provided. Each LED 64 is paired with a phototransistor (described later) of the mating connector to form an optical coupling connector. Holes 62 are formed on both outer sides of the group of LEDs 64 for receiving coupling pins (described later) of the mating connector. Below the holes 62, hole closing means 63 (described later) for dustproofing and waterproofing are arranged. A connection lead terminal 68 is provided corresponding to each hole 62. The main body 65 is provided with a hole 70 (FIG. 15) for receiving the LED, a recess 71 for disposing the closing means, and a hole 94 for inserting the lead terminal. At the upper end of the lead terminal 68, a conical recess 68a for increasing the contact area with the mating coupling pin is formed. The LED 64 is mounted on the support plate 93, and each terminal 64a is connected to the flexible printed board 66. The lead terminal 68 is inserted into the hole 94 via the spring 69. The lower end 67 of the lead terminal 68 is integrally connected to both sides of the tip of the flexible printed board 66 via a washer 72.
Connect to 66a.

Details of the closing means 63 are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Lower body of hole 62 to receive mating pin 73 of mating connector
Two cylindrical collars 95 are arranged in the recesses 71 of 65. The cylindrical collars 95 are brought into contact with each other by springs 74 with their axes parallel to each other. On the lower surface of the transparent plate 60, a sealing member 92 having a substantially triangular cross section (FIG. 16) corresponding to the outer shape of the cylindrical collar 95 is provided between two adjacent holes 65 and on both outer sides thereof ( (See FIG. 12 (a)). As a result, the upper gap along both cylindrical collar contact parts is filled and dust,
Water and the like are prevented from entering the inside. Double cylinder color
In the recess 71, 95 can be elastically approached and separated from each other as indicated by an arrow D. When the coupling pin 73 is inserted through the hole 62, the cylindrical collar 95 is spread outwards against both sides of the spring 74, and the conical tip of the coupling pin 73 is received in the conical recess 68a of the lead terminal 68. The lead terminal 68 is electrically connected. At this time, the lead terminal is pressed by the pressing force of pin 73.
If the length of the connecting pin 73 and the length of the lead terminal 68 are set so that the 68 is lowered slightly against the spring 69, a reliable connection is achieved. The flexible printed board 66a joined to the end portion 67 of the lead terminal 68 is provided with an extra length as shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 13, so that the vertical movement of the lead terminal 68 is hindered. Absent.

See the details of the main unit side connector 6 provided on the bottom of the holder.
Shown from Figure 18 to Figure 21. Figure 18 (a) is a top view,
18 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 18 (c) is a side view. First
19 and 20 are perspective views seen from the back and the top, respectively, and FIG. 21 is an exploded view. The upper surface of the main body 75 constituting the connector 6 has an insulating plate 76 having a transparent portion 76a at the center.
Covered with. A phototransistor 79 facing the HHT LED 64 is provided below the transparent portion 76a. Each phototransistor 79 is mounted on a support plate 82, and its terminals 79a are joined to a flexible printed board 80 on the lower surface of the support plate 82.
A hole 81 for inserting a phototransistor and a hole 78 for attaching a connector are formed in the main body 75. Reference numeral 73 is a coupling pin that is connected to the lead terminal 68 of the HHT connector 5 described above, and its lower terminal 73a is joined to the flexible printed board 80. Reference numeral 77 is a guide stud for alignment, which corresponds to the above-mentioned HHT.
It is provided corresponding to the guide hole 61 of the connector 5.

When the HHT is housed in the holder, the guide stud 77 of the holder-side connector 6 is inserted into the guide hole 61 of the HHT-side connector 5, and the connectors 5 and 6 are joined together. The four coupling pins 73 and the lead terminals 68 are for high current connection (for example, HHT
It is used as a mechanical coupling connector for charging power supply to the built-in battery, for supplying HHT circuit drive power during charging, for grounding, and for HHT set detection signal. LED64 and phototransistor 79 are signal currents for each element in the circuit. It is used as an optical coupling connector for weak current connection such as. That is, in the mechanical coupling connector portion, electrical conduction is obtained by mechanical contact between the lead terminal 68 and the coupling pin 73, and in the optical coupling connector portion, when one of the connector LEDs emits light due to the signal current of the element. The phototransistor of the mating connector facing this operates to pass a current, thereby transmitting a signal current. One LED and one phototransistor constitute one pair of optical coupling connectors, and the connector as a whole has a plurality of pairs of optical coupling connectors (9 pairs in the embodiment). In the example, all LEDs of each pair are H
It was mounted on the HT side connector 5, but in each pair the LED
Which connector side is to be attached is arbitrary.

In the connector structure as described above, the mechanical coupling connector and the optical coupling connector are integrally formed to form a single connector, so that a connector for a weak current and a large current can be formed without enlarging the overall shape. Can be used by distinguishing, especially by using an optical coupling connector for the connection of a weak current that is easily affected by the wear deterioration of the pin, eliminating the problem of wear deterioration of the connecting pin based on mechanical coupling, The mechanical coupling connector can be used for a large current to which the optical coupling connector cannot be applied, and the shape of the connector portion of the entire apparatus can be downsized and the service life can be extended.
Further, the mechanical coupling means, because the lead terminal 68 and the coupling pin 73 are not frictionally engaged at the time of insertion / removal, and the both ends are pressed against each other by the pressing force in the connector insertion / removal direction to couple them, The problem of wear deterioration due to frictional contact between the lead terminal 68 and the coupling pin 73 is eliminated.

Further, in a mechanical coupling connector for connecting by inserting a coupling pin protruding from one connector into a corresponding hole of the other connector, the coupling pin is always closed by a spring and opened by inserting the coupling pin. Since the closing means is provided, dust, water, etc. do not enter the inside of the connector through the hole, and insulation deterioration, short circuit between terminals, etc. are prevented.

The cylindrical collar 95 constituting the closing means is made of an elastic material such as rubber or plastic, and the two cylindrical collars are arranged in parallel contact as shown in FIG. 17 to connect and fix both ends thereof, and the spring 74 is omitted. You can also do it. Instead of the cylindrical collar as the two closing members, members having other shapes may be used. 2 to be pushed open by inserting the connecting pin
It suffices that the contact portion of the book member is inclined and capable of elastically contacting and separating.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of another example of the means for closing the pin insertion hole of the mechanically coupled connector portion of the connector according to the present invention.
In this example, the connection mechanism with the pin 73 installed in the pin insertion hole 62 of the HHT-side connector 5 is changed compared to the above-described embodiment, and other parts are the same, so description of other parts will be made. Is omitted. In the hole 62, two thin metal plates 190, 191 made of stainless steel or the like are arranged close to each other. The lead terminal 68 is connected to the inner thin metal plate 190. When the HHT side connector 5 is connected to the holder side connector 6 as shown by arrow E, the state shown in FIG. 23 (a) changes to the state shown in FIG. 23 (b). The connecting pin 73 abuts the outer thin metal plate 191, distorts it inward, and makes contact with the inner thin metal plate 190. As a result, the pin 73 is electrically connected to the lead terminal 68 via the two thin metal plates 190 and 191.

In such a connector structure, in the mechanical coupling connector in which the pins of one connector are inserted into the holes of the other connector to couple the connectors to each other, since the holes are covered with a thin metal plate, dust and dirt may pass through the holes. Water will not enter the inside of the connector. Therefore, deterioration of the connector terminal and the internal circuit, short circuit, etc. are prevented, and the reliability of the connection is improved.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a vehicle-mounted terminal unit equipped with the HHT holder 2 according to the present invention. The main body device 18 including the holder 2 is connected to the wiring fitting 19 mounted on the automobile side via the connectors 24d and 24e. The printer unit 9 is further connected to the wiring fitting 19 by a connector 24b,
Connected via 24c. The wiring fitting 19 is connected to a car battery (not shown) via the connector 24a. The HHT connection connector 6 of the holder 2 is connected to the interface circuit 22 via the connector 24j by the signal line 6b (connected to the optical coupling connector).
Is connected to the processor 21 via. This processor 21
Collects and edits the data sent from HHT and creates predetermined output data (for example, date, product code, product quantity, etc.). This output data is used as print data by the wiring bracket 19
Is sent to the printer unit 9 via. 20 is a DC-DC converter (transformer), which is the voltage of the car battery (usually 34
V) to + 5V, ± 12V, or + 26V. The output of the converter 20 is supplied to each circuit in the main body device 18 and also to each circuit in the printer unit 9 through the wiring fitting 19. The output of this converter 20 is further supplied to the power line 6 of the connector 6 when the HHT is attached to the holder 2.
It is used as a drive power source for this HHT and a power source for charging the battery inside the HHT via a and 6c (connected to the mechanical coupling connector). Reference numeral 23 is a display panel, which has an LED lamp and displays the device operating state such as power-on, off-state, and online state.

The printer unit 9 includes a printer interface 50 including a processor 25 and a printer drive circuit 26, a printer 27, and an operator panel 28. The processor 25 sends a drive signal to the printer drive circuit according to the print data sent from the processor 21 of the main body device 18 and the printer.
Operate 27 and print the data. The operator panel 28 displays an error display such as a paper shortage, a printer failure, and the operating state of the printer unit. 24a to 24h are all connectors.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the HHT1. The signal line 5b of the connector 5 (connected to the signal line 6b of the connector 6) is connected to the transmission control circuit 32 on the first printed board 38. The transmission control circuit 32 sets the data transmission rate with the main body device. An input / output control circuit 31, a processor 33, a ROM 34 and a power supply control circuit 35 are further provided on the first printed board 38.
Is provided. The power lines 5a and 5c of the connector 5 (connected to the power lines 6a and 6c of the connector 6) are connected to the power control circuit 35. This power supply control circuit 35 selects the power supply voltage of the battery (Ni-Cd battery) 37 built in the HHT1 and the power supply voltage from the main body device supplied via the connector 5, and with the HHT1 attached to the main body device. When used, the power supply voltage supplied from the main body device is used, and when the HHT1 is detached from the main body device and used, the power supply voltage of the battery 37 is used to drive each circuit. When the HHT1 is installed in the main unit, the battery 37
Is charged by the power supply voltage from the main unit. The data input from the keyboard unit 29 is input / output control circuit 31.
To the processor 33, and the processor 33 collects and edits data according to the control program of the ROM 34. The edited data is sent to and stored in the memory circuit 36 of the second printed board 39. The data stored in the memory circuit 36 is read by the processor of the main body device when the HHT is attached to the main body device, edited as print data, and printed. Input data from the keyboard unit 29 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 via the input / output control circuit 31.

HHT1 is removed from the on-board terminal unit and
When mounted in the CIU, as shown in FIG. 26, data is sent to the modem 42 on the host computer side via the modem 41 and data is input to the host computer 44 via the protocol converter 43. The line 45 connecting the two modems may be a direct connection dedicated line or a public line may be used.

〔The invention's effect〕

By configuring the holder of the portable input device to be movable between the storage position parallel to the main body device and the inclined extraction position, the removal and storage operation of the portable input device can be smoothly performed. If the holder is locked by the locking means at the storage position and is positioned below the drop-out preventing projection of the device body, the portable input device is securely held in the holder and may come out due to vibration during vehicle installation. , The connector connection never loosens.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are side views showing a tilted state and a stored state of a holder of a terminal input device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are terminal inputs in the states shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of the holder according to the present invention, FIGS. 6 to 8 are perspective views of the terminal input device according to the present invention in different usage states, and FIG. HH according to the present invention
T is a perspective view, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a CIU according to the present invention, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an MCIU according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an HH according to the present invention.
The configuration of the T-side connector is shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 respectively.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 16, FIG. 16 is a partial detailed view of the connector of FIG. 12, FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of the insertion port closing means of the connector of FIG. 12, and FIG. 18 is a holder side connector according to the present invention. FIG. 19, FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are perspective views of the connector of FIG. 18 seen from different angles, FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 18, and FIG. 22 is a terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a terminal unit according to the present invention, FIG. 25 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the connector used in the input / output device, FIG. 23 is a functional explanatory diagram of the connector of FIG. A block circuit diagram of such an HHT, and FIG. 26 is a line connection diagram between a CIU in which the HHT according to the present invention is mounted and a host computer. 1 ... HHT (portable input device), 2 ... holder, 3 ... lid, 5,6 ...
Connector, 18 ... Main unit, 9 ... Printer unit, 13 ...
Input key, 17 ... Terminal unit, 2a ... Insertion slot.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body device comprising a portable input device having a data input key and a holder for accommodating the portable input device, and a main body side connector which is connected to the connector at the bottom of the portable input device in the holder of the main body device. In the terminal input device having, the holder is a storage position in which the stored portable input device is parallel to the main body device with respect to the main body device, and the portable input device insertion opening of the holder is projected toward the main body device operation surface side, A terminal input device, wherein a stored portable input device is movable between a take-out position inclined with respect to a main body device.