JP5001750B2 - Portable information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus. For example, an order input device used in restaurants and the like, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., the main body part for performing at least one of information input and information display and the operation part open and close in half, The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus connected by a mechanism that slides to open and close.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a portable information processing device, a device in which a main body and an operation unit are connected to each other by a hinge or the like so as to be openable and closable in order to protect the operation unit and the display unit when being carried or to make the device configuration compact. Yes. In such a device, when performing information input or information display, the operation unit is opened with respect to the main unit as if a book is opened, and information input or the like is performed. When the operation is completed, the device is folded in half. It is used such as to carry with.

  In such a portable information processing device, the main body and the operation unit that are opened to each other need to be electrically connected. Therefore, a flexible cable, an electric wire, and the like are arranged in the hinge, and the portable information processing device can be opened and closed to some extent. When it repeats, there exists a problem that these flexible cables and electric wires will be disconnected by the bending fatigue | exhaustion of an electroconductive part, and it became the cause of reducing apparatus lifetime. In addition, there has been a strong demand to enable quick repair even if the wire is disconnected.

  For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the operation unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body, and the coil is disposed opposite to the operation unit and the main body so that the coil axis is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the main body. There has been proposed a portable information processing apparatus that performs coil communication between these coils.

According to this portable information processing apparatus, since no wiring is provided between the operation unit and the main unit, when the membrane switch or hinge of the operation unit fails or reaches the end of its life, the hinge is included. Only the operating section can be easily replaced. Therefore, for example, in order to use for business such as an order data management device and an order input device for inputting orders from customers in restaurants and the like, it is also suitably used for a portable information processing device with a very large number of times of opening and closing a day. be able to.
JP 2006-228075 A

  However, the conventional portable information processing apparatus as described above has the following problems.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, as in the case of an order data management apparatus, a large number of signal lines of the membrane switch of the operation unit arranged corresponding to the input of the ordered product are connected to the main body by a cable or the like. Instead of wiring, wiring is omitted by performing data communication using a coil, and wiring in the operation unit can be simplified. However, the hinge part is provided in the operation part, and the wiring between the signal line of each membrane switch of the operation part and the coil of the operation part is provided in the hinge part.

  For this reason, a part of the wiring is repeatedly bent and twisted with the opening and closing of the operation unit, so that there is a problem that disconnection due to fatigue may occur under severe use conditions such as for business use.

  In addition, the replacement work at the time of failure is easy because the operation part including the hinge part is simply attached and detached. However, in the manufacturing process of the operation part, wiring is performed in the hinge, so that wiring and assembly are troublesome. There is also a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems.For example, even when the relative movement between the main body and the operation unit such as an opening / closing operation is frequently repeated, the device can be assembled or replaced without disconnection. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information processing apparatus that can be easily performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the first invention, in order to perform at least one of information input and information display, respectively, a main body unit and an operation unit that are connected so as to be relatively movable between at least two positional relationships. And a second coil provided in the operation unit for communicating with the main body unit, and a second coil provided in the operation unit for communicating with the main body unit. A coil, and the first coil and the second coil are arranged so as to face a communicable proximity position when at least the main body portion and the operation portion move to one relative position. To do.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the main body portion and the operation portion include the first coil and the second coil, respectively, and when the main body portion and the operation portion move to at least one relative position, the first coil Since the second coil and the second coil face each other at a communicable proximity position, communication can be performed at this position without connecting the main body portion and the operation portion with an electric wire.

  In a second invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first invention, the main body unit and the operation unit hold a relative position of each other so as to be switchable between the at least two positional relationships. It is set as the structure provided with.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, by providing the relative position holding mechanism, the positions of the main body and the operation unit can be switched, and at one of the relative positions, communication can be performed via the coil between each of them. Since the positional relationship can be held at the relative position to be performed, stable communication can be performed at this position.

  In a third invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first invention or the second invention, the shapes of the main body part and the operation part are flat, and the first and second coils are respectively The coil axis is configured to be arranged in the thickness direction of the main body portion and the operation portion.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the coil axes of the first coil and the second coil are arranged in the thickness direction of the main body portion and the operation portion, respectively, the space in the thickness direction can be effectively used. And a thin device can be configured. Moreover, it becomes easy to arrange | position or form each coil on the board | substrate arrange | positioned at a main-body part and an operation part.

  According to a fourth aspect, in the portable information processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the main body and the operation section are rotatable with respect to each other by including a rotation hinge portion extending along the rotation axis. One of the first coil and the second coil is fixed to the inside of the rotating hinge portion of one of the main body portion and the operation portion, and the first coil and the second coil The other of the main part and the operation part is opposed to the turning hinge part to which one of the first coil and the second coil is fixed in a direction intersecting the turning axis. It is set as the structure fixed to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since one of the first coil and the second coil is fixed to the inside of the rotary hinge, the space of the rotary hinge can be used effectively, and the apparatus can be made compact. Can be achieved.

  In a fifth invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first invention or the second invention, the main body part and the operation part each include a rotation hinge part extending along a rotation axis. The first coil is fixed to the inside of the rotating hinge portion of the main body portion so that the coil axis substantially coincides with the rotating shaft, and the second coil is The coil is configured to be fixed inside the rotating hinge portion of the operation portion so that the coil axis is substantially coincident with the rotating shaft.

  According to the fifth invention, the first coil and the second coil are fixed to the inside of the rotating hinge portion of the main body portion and the operating portion, respectively, so that the space of the rotating hinge portion is effectively used. Therefore, the apparatus can be made compact.

  In addition, since the first coil and the second coil are fixed so that the respective coil axis centers substantially coincide with the rotation axis, communication is possible at all rotation positions of the rotation hinge portion.

  According to the portable information processing device of the present invention, when the main body unit and the operation unit move to at least one relative position, the first coil and the second coil are opposed to a communicable proximity position. In this position, communication can be performed without connecting the main unit and the operation unit with an electric wire.For example, even if the relative movement between the main unit and the operation unit such as an opening / closing operation is frequently repeated, the disconnection is not caused. There is an effect that the apparatus can be easily assembled and replaced without raising.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, even if the embodiments are different, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common description is omitted.
[First Embodiment]
A portable information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit opened state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit closed state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an open / closed state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the open state of the operation unit. Fig.5 (a) is AA sectional drawing in FIG. FIG.5 (b) is the elements on larger scale of the a part in Fig.5 (a).

  The portable information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can be suitably used as a portable order input apparatus for inputting order data, for example, in an order management system that manages orders from customers in restaurants, restaurants, etc. It is. For example, the input information includes the name of the dish, the number, the table number, or the customer identification information such as the number of customers and the customer base.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the schematic configuration of the portable information processing apparatus 1 includes a main body 2 and an operation unit 3, and the operation unit 3 is attached to the main body 2 so as to be rotatable. Therefore, when the operation unit 3 is in the open state, the book is opened as shown in FIG. 1, and when the operation unit 3 is in the closed state, the main unit 2 and the operation unit 3 are connected as shown in FIG. A two-folded state of being stacked opposite each other is formed.

  The main body 2 has a flat casing 2a having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, an opening is formed in one of the casings 2a in the thickness direction, and a liquid crystal panel 2c is attached to the opening.

  The liquid crystal panel 2c is for displaying, for example, a menu screen for assisting information input and operation, information on ordered items, and a confirmation screen for information input from the operation unit 3.

  In addition, a control board 6 (see FIG. 5A) that performs display control on the liquid crystal panel 2c and communication control with the operation unit 3 is built in the main body 2.

  At the side end portion of the housing 2a, two rotating hinge portions 2b for rotatably supporting the operating portion 3 are provided on one side in the thickness direction so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance and coaxially. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface of the housing 2a between the two rotating hinge portions 2b has a cylindrical concave portion having the same diameter as the rotating hinge portion 2b on the inner side. A receiving portion 2e is formed in which a flat portion parallel to the bottom surface of the housing 2a is extended to the side surface of the housing 2a.

  The receiving portion 2e of the present embodiment constitutes a relative position restricting means that prevents the opened operation portion 3 from opening at an angle larger than 180 ° with respect to the main body portion 2.

  A hinge unit 2d (relative position holding mechanism) having a rotation shaft portion at an axial end portion is fixed inside the rotation hinge portion 2b. In the hinge unit 2d of the present embodiment, the rotation shaft portion is locked at two rotation positions, for example, 0 ° and 180 °, according to the closed state and the open state of the operation unit 3, and these rotation positions are In the vicinity of each other, it is drawn into each lock position. And the lock | rock in these two places is cancelled | released by applying more than predetermined torque, and if it rotates more than a predetermined angle, in these intermediate rotation positions, it can rotate easily with light torque. .

  Although the specific internal structure of the hinge unit 2d is not particularly shown, for example, a cam member that realizes such a pull-in and lock operation, a rotating shaft portion that contacts the cam member, and a rotating shaft portion Can be combined with a biasing means such as a spring that biases the cam member.

  The operation unit 3 has a flat housing 3a that is substantially the same shape as the plan view of the main body 2, and has the same diameter or a slightly smaller diameter as that of the rotating hinge 2b at the center of the side end of the housing 3a. A substantially cylindrical rotating hinge portion 3b is provided. The rotation center of the rotation hinge part 3b is decentered in the thickness direction of the housing 3a, and in this embodiment, is set to substantially the same height as the end of the housing opening 3f in the height direction.

  The rotating hinge portion 3b is fitted coaxially with each rotating hinge portion 2b between the two rotating hinge portions 2b of the main body portion 2 in the axial direction, and extended from the hinge unit 2d of each rotating hinge portion 2b. It is connected coaxially with the rotating shaft. Thus, the rotation hinge part 3b is rotatably supported with respect to the rotation hinge part 2b by being connected with the hinge unit 2d.

  A rectangular housing opening 3f is formed on one side in the thickness direction of the housing 3a, and a plurality of membrane switches 3d for inputting information are two-dimensionally arranged as shown in FIG. A sheet-like information input unit 3c is fitted.

  Each membrane switch 3d is appropriately assigned, for example, a selection key for inputting the order name of the dish, customer identification information, etc., and a numeric keypad corresponding to input of the number, table number, number of people, etc. When pressed, an information input signal is generated.

  Each membrane switch 3d is electrically connected via a cable (not shown) to a circuit board 4 that converts the generated input signal into order data and transmits it to the control board 6 of the main body 2.

  The circuit board 4 includes at least a data processing unit that converts an information input signal transmitted from the information input unit 3c into appropriate order data, and a plurality of coils 5 (second coils) provided at the end of the order data. ), And a communication control unit that transmits to the control board 6, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 (a), the end provided with the coil 5 is connected to the inside of the rotating hinge unit 3 b. The housing is covered with the information input section 3c in a state of being inserted into the coil placement section 3e that is a space formed toward the bottom surface side of the casing 3a from a position substantially aligned with the end of the casing opening 3f. It arrange | positions inside 3a and is being fixed with respect to the housing | casing 3a.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, each coil 5 is operated on the circuit board 4 on the bottom surface side of the housing 3a by aligning the coil axis with the thickness direction of the operation unit 3 in the coil placement unit 3e. When the part 3 is turned to the open state, it is disposed at a position facing the receiving part 2e.

  Therefore, each coil 5 is arranged eccentrically by δ on the bottom surface side of the housing 3a with respect to the rotation center O of the rotation hinge portion 3b.

  On the other hand, in order to perform communication with these coils 5 on the control board 6, in the open state, the operation unit 3 is in a position facing each coil 5 on the circuit board 4 in the open state. The same number of coils 7 (first coils) with the coil axis oriented in the thickness direction of the main body 2 are arranged so that the opposing coil axes are coaxial. Each coil 7 is electrically connected to a circuit portion that performs communication control on the control board 6.

  For this reason, in the open state of the operation portion 3, the coils 5 and 7 are opposed to each other with a distance d1 corresponding to the sum of the plate thicknesses of the housing 3a and the receiving portion 2e. The distance d1 is set to a distance close enough to detect the induced electromotive force due to the magnetic field change between the coils 5 and 7 with high accuracy.

  The thickness of each coil can be set to an appropriate thickness, and for example, a planar coil formed by a circuit pattern on the circuit board 4 or the control board 6 may be used.

  A power source for supplying power to the control board 6 and the circuit board 4 is provided in the main body 2 although not particularly shown. The pair of coils 5 and 7 among the plurality of coils 5 and 7 are used for supplying electric power from the control board 6 to the circuit board 4 by electromagnetic induction. For this reason, the electric wire which performs the wiring for electric power feeding between the control board 6 and the circuit board 4 is also abbreviate | omitted (same also in other embodiment).

  Next, the operation of the portable information processing apparatus 1 will be described.

  Fig.6 (a) is sectional drawing similar to Fig.5 (a) in an operation part closed state. FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of a portion b in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the portable information processing device 1 is folded in half with the operation unit 3 closed as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, since the operation unit 3 is rotated to a position with an opening angle of 0 ° facing the control board 6, each coil 5 is connected to the control board 6. Although it has moved to a position rotated 180 ° from the position facing each coil 7 above, the coil axis direction coincides with the coil axis direction, and the arrangement position also partially overlaps, but the distance in the thickness direction is A distance d2 (where d2 <d1) is obtained by adding a distance obtained by adding the radius of the rotation hinge part 3b to the eccentric amount δ with respect to the rotation center O of the rotation hinge part 3b and the thickness of the receiving part 2e. Yes.

  For this reason, the magnetic field change cannot be detected with high accuracy, and the positional relationship is substantially incapable of coil communication.

  The coil communication is communication performed using electromagnetic induction coils in both the transmission side and reception side communication circuits. In order to perform efficient coil communication, it is preferable to match the resonance frequencies of the communication circuits on the transmission side and the reception side equally.

  Next, when inputting information through the portable information processing apparatus 1 or displaying input information for confirmation, the operation unit 3 is opened as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operator opens the operation unit 3 in the closed state from the end opposite to the rotation hinge unit 3 b. Since the operation unit 3 is rotatably supported by the hinge unit 2d, when the opening angle is 0 °, the closed state, that is, the state in which the liquid crystal panel 2c of the main body unit 2 and the information input unit 3c of the operation unit 3 are opposed to each other. A suction operation is generated by the cam member between the opening angle 0 ° and θ1 and between the opening angle (θ1 + θ2) and 180 ° (= θ1 + θ2 + θ3). Therefore, when the hand is released within the range of these opening angles, the operation unit 3 is sucked and the rotation position is locked at the opening angles of 0 ° and 180 °.

  At this time, the operation part 3 is not opened at an angle larger than 180 ° by the receiving part 2e.

  On the other hand, between the opening angles θ1 and (θ1 + θ2), the rotating operation can be performed with a lighter torque than the torque resisting the pulling operation.

  For this reason, when the operator opens the operation unit 3 by θ1 or more, the operation unit 3 is smoothly rotated with light torque. When the opening angle exceeds (θ1 + θ2), the opening angle does not have to be further applied. Opened at 180 °, this open state is locked.

  In the present embodiment, for example, θ1 = θ3 = 20 ° and θ2 = 140 ° are set.

  Thus, when the operation part 3 is made into an open state, coil communication between the coils 5 and 7 will be attained.

  Therefore, the control board 6 enters an input waiting state, and when an operator inputs information by pressing an appropriate membrane switch 3d on the information input unit 3c, an information input signal generated by the membrane switch 3d is sent to the circuit board 4. It is sent out, converted into order data, and sent to the control board 6 via the coil 5.

  The coil 7 of the control board 6 receives a communication information by detecting a magnetic change by the coil 5 by electromagnetic induction, and acquires order data. The order data is appropriately processed by the control board 6 and stored in a storage unit provided on the control board 6 or displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2c.

  Further, when the information input from the operation unit 3 selects a control operation, for example, an operation for displaying the stored information on the liquid crystal panel 2c or an operation for wirelessly transmitting the order data to the order data management system. For example, the control board 6 executes control operations such as display of information and wireless transmission of information in accordance with each.

  When the information input, information display confirmation, and other control inputs are completed, the operator closes the operation unit 3 in the closed state. At this time, contrary to the above, when the operation unit 3 is rotated from the open state with an opening angle of 180 ° in a closing direction by an angle larger than the angle θ3, it can be smoothly closed with light torque, and the angle ( If the rotation is greater than θ2 + θ3), a suction operation occurs and the opening angle is locked at 0 °.

  As described above, in the portable information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the control board 6 in the main body 2 and the circuit board 4 in the operation part 3 are mutually connected when the operation part 3 is turned to the open state. By performing coil communication by the electromagnetic induction method between the opposing coils 5 and 7, electric signals can be exchanged. Therefore, a cable or the like for wiring between the control board 6 and the circuit board 4 is not necessary, and wiring over the rotary hinge portions 2b and 3b can be omitted.

  As a result, even if the opening / closing operation of the operation unit 3 is repeated with respect to the main body unit 2, there is no possibility of disconnection due to bending or twisting due to this opening / closing operation. In addition, high durability corresponding to the life of the hinge unit 2d can be realized.

  Further, even when the portable information processing device 1 is assembled, or when it is disassembled or replaced in the case of failure repair, since there is no wiring extending over the rotating hinge portions 2b and 3b, it is easy to assemble, disassemble and replace. Can do.

  In addition, the number of parts can be reduced by reducing wiring.

Further, in the portable information processing apparatus 1, the coils 5 and 7 are arranged with their respective coil axes along the thickness direction of the operation section 3 and the main body section 2, so that the number of turns of the coil is improved in order to improve communication sensitivity. In addition, in the portable information processing device 1, by arranging the coil 5 inside the rotating hinge portion 3b, the rotation axis direction of the rotating hinge portion 3b can be obtained. This space can be used effectively, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

Further, in the portable information processing apparatus 1, when the opening angle is 180 °, the user recognizes that the key operation is in an effective state if the liquid crystal panel 2c is turned on in conjunction with the coil communication. Therefore, the operational feeling can be improved.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a portable information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit opened state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.8 (a) is BB sectional drawing in FIG. FIG.8 (b) is the elements on larger scale of c part in Fig.8 (a). Fig.9 (a) is sectional drawing in the cross section similar to Fig.8 (a) of an operation part closed state. FIG.9 (b) is the elements on larger scale of d part in Fig.9 (a).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the portable information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of coils 50 (second coils) and coils 70 (first coils) for coil communication. The core direction is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the device and is opposed to the side surface of the device in the open state. The main body 2 in the portable information processing device 1 of the first embodiment, the operation Instead of the unit 3, a main body unit 20 and an operation unit 30 are provided. As with the portable information processing apparatus 1, the main body 20 and the operation unit 30 can be opened and closed between a double-folded closed state with an opening angle of 0 ° and a double-sided closed state with an opening angle of 180 °. Yes.

  7 and 8, since both show the internal structure, the information input unit 3c fitted in the housing opening 3f is not shown in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Below, it demonstrates centering on a different point from the said 1st Embodiment.

  The main body 20 includes a coil 70 instead of the coil 7 of the first embodiment, and the arrangement position of the coil 70 in the housing 2a is changed according to this.

  However, as will be described later, the receiving portion 2e does not have a function of restricting the rotational position of the operation portion 30, and may be changed to an appropriate shape. Further, the hinge unit 2d may be provided on the rotating hinge portion 2b as in the first embodiment, but may be provided on the operation portion 30 side in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the coil 70 has an inner surface of a side surface portion 20c provided orthogonal to the bottom surface of the casing 2a adjacent to one of the two rotating hinge portions 2b. On the side, the coil axis is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side surface portion 20c.

  The winding terminal of the coil 70 is electrically connected to the control board 6 by an appropriate wiring 70a.

  The operation unit 30 has a flat housing 30a that is substantially the same shape as the plan view of the main body unit 20, and has the same diameter or a slightly smaller diameter as that of the rotating hinge 2b at the center of one side surface 30c of the housing 30a. The substantially cylindrical rotation hinge part 30b is provided. The rotation center O of the rotation hinge 30b is decentered in the thickness direction of the housing 30a, and in this embodiment, is set to substantially the same height as the end in the height direction of the housing opening 3f.

  The rotating hinge portion 30b is fitted coaxially with each rotating hinge portion 2b between the two rotating hinge portions 2b of the main body portion 20 in the axial direction, and is extended from the hinge unit 2d of each rotating hinge portion 2b. It is connected coaxially with the rotating shaft. For this reason, the rotation hinge part 30b is made rotatable with respect to the rotation hinge part 2b by the hinge unit 2d.

  The side surface portion 30c is provided orthogonal to the bottom surface of the housing 30a, and can be brought into contact with the side surface portion 20c of the main body portion 2 in a parallel state when the operation portion 30 is in the open state. .

  In addition, the side surface portion 30c has a position facing each coil 70 disposed in the vicinity of the side surface portion 20c of the main body portion 20 in the open state of the operation unit 30, for example, as in the first embodiment. Coil placement portions 30e each including a recess for placing the coils 50 from the inside of the housing 30a are formed at positions separated by a distance d1.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the coil 50 is arranged such that the coil axis is coaxial with the coil axis of each coil 70 in the coil arrangement portion 30 e. That is, the coil axis of the coil 50 is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the side surface portion 30c.

  In the present embodiment, the circuit board 4 is disposed between the bottom surface of the casing 30a and the information input unit 3c (not shown) at a position near the coil 50 in the casing 30a.

  The winding terminals from the coils 50 are electrically connected to the circuit board 4 by appropriate wiring 50a.

  The portable information processing apparatus 10 having such a configuration can perform the opening / closing operation of the operation unit 3 as in the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

  However, in the present embodiment, the outer surfaces of the side surface portion 20c and the side surface portion 30c are brought into contact with each other in parallel when the operation portion 30 is in the open state. Constitutes relative position regulating means for preventing the main body 2 from opening at an angle larger than 180 °.

  When the operation unit 3 is in the open state, as shown in FIG. 8B, the coils 50 and 70 are opposed to each other in the axial direction, with the coil axis being coaxial. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, electrical signals can be exchanged by performing coil communication using the electromagnetic induction method between the coils 50 and 70. Therefore, a cable or the like for wiring between the control board 6 and the circuit board 4 becomes unnecessary, and wiring over the rotary hinge portions 2b and 30b can be omitted.

  As a result, even if the opening / closing operation of the operation unit 30 is repeated with respect to the main body unit 20, there is no possibility of disconnection caused by the opening / closing operation. High durability according to the lifetime of the can be realized.

  Further, even when the portable information processing apparatus 10 is assembled or disassembled or replaced in the case of failure repair, since there is no wiring extending over the rotating hinge portions 2b and 30b, it is easy to assemble, disassemble and replace. Can do.

In the present embodiment, wirings 50a and 70a are provided between the coil 50 and the circuit board 4, and between the coil 70 and the control board 6, respectively, but these are relative movements of the operation unit 3 and the main body unit 20, respectively. Therefore, depending on the opening / closing operation, the wirings 50a and 70a are not subjected to loads such as bending and twisting.
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a portable information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 10A is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit opened state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.10 (b) is CC sectional drawing in Fig.10 (a). FIG.10 (c) is sectional drawing in the cross section similar to FIG.10 (b) of an operation part closed state.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the portable information processing apparatus 11 of this embodiment is replaced with a main body 2 and an operation unit 3 in the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. A unit 21 and an operation unit 31 are provided. Below, it demonstrates centering on a different point from the said 1st Embodiment.

  The main body 21 and the operation unit 31 of the portable information processing apparatus 11 are opposed to each other in the thickness direction, and can perform a relative movement that slides in a direction orthogonal to the facing direction.

  This sliding movement is performed from the closed state where the operation unit 31 substantially covers the main body unit 21 to the open state where the liquid crystal panel 2c on the main body unit 21 is exposed and the main body unit 21 and the operation unit 31 partially overlap. In the open state and the closed state, the slide position is locked against an external force of a certain load or less. In the open state, a region in plan view where the main body 21 and the operation unit 31 overlap may be referred to as an overlapping region below.

  The slide movement may be a one-way slide, a rotary slide around one axis, or a combination thereof, but in the following, the main body 21 and the operation unit 31 are each substantially rectangular in plan view, An example in the case of sliding movement in the short side direction of the rectangle will be described.

  As such a slide mechanism, all well-known slide mechanisms can be employed in PDAs, mobile phones and the like.

  The main body 21 has a flat casing 2a having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, an opening is provided on one side in the thickness direction of the casing 2a, and a liquid crystal panel 2c is attached to the opening.

  A hook 21b (see FIG. 10A) slidably engages with the operation portion 31 in an overlapping region on each short side of the main body portion 21 on the casing 21a outside the liquid crystal panel 2c on one side in the thickness direction. )) Is provided.

  Inside the casing 21a, the control board 6 is arranged over the back side of the liquid crystal panel 2c and the overlapping region. On the substrate surface of the control substrate 6 on the liquid crystal panel 2c side, a plurality of coils 7 are provided in the middle in the longitudinal direction of the overlapping region.

  As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, each coil 7 is arranged on the side of the liquid crystal panel 2c so as to contact the inner surface of the casing 21a with the coil axis oriented in the thickness direction. Yes.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the operation unit 31 includes a flat housing 31 a that is substantially the same shape as the plan view of the main body 21, and is rectangular on the side opposite to the surface facing the main body 21. An information input portion 31c is provided, which is provided with a shape opening and in which a plurality of membrane switches 31d are two-dimensionally arranged.

  And on the surface facing the main body portion 21 of the operation portion 31, two slides that engage each hook 21b of the main portion 21 slidably in a direction parallel to each short side on the short side of the operation portion 31. A groove 31e is provided.

  Similarly, the circuit board 4 electrically connected to the information input unit 31c is disposed on the surface of the operation unit 31 that faces the main body unit 21 in the middle of the overlapping region in the longitudinal direction. On the substrate surface of the circuit board 4 facing the main body 21, the same number of coils 5 are arranged so that the coil axes are coaxial with each coil 7 in the main body 21 in the open state.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the portable information processing apparatus 11 having such a configuration has the liquid crystal panel 2 c and the information input unit 31 c in an open state in which the operation unit 31 is slid relative to the main body unit 21. The operators can input information through the information input unit 31c while viewing the display on the liquid crystal panel 2c.

  In this open state, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), each coil 5 of the operation unit 31 and each coil 7 of the main body unit 21 are coaxial with each other and close to each other in the axial direction. And face each other. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, electrical signals can be exchanged by performing coil communication using the electromagnetic induction method between the coils 5 and 7. Therefore, a cable or the like for wiring between the control board 6 and the circuit board 4 is not necessary, and wiring straddling the main body portion 21 and the slide portion of the operation portion 31 can be omitted.

  As a result, even if the opening / closing operation of the operation unit 31 is repeated with respect to the main body unit 21, there is no risk of disconnection caused by this opening / closing operation. High durability corresponding to the machine life can be realized.

Further, even when the portable information processing apparatus 11 is assembled or disassembled or replaced in the case of failure repair, since there is no wiring extending between the main body 21 and the operation unit 31, assembly, disassembly and replacement are easily performed. be able to.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a portable information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 11A is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit opened state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit opened state of the portable information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.11 (c) is DD sectional drawing in Fig.11 (a).

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the portable information processing apparatus 12 of the present embodiment is replaced with a main body 2 and an operation unit 3 in the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The unit 22 and the operation unit 32 are provided. As with the portable information processing apparatus 1, the main body 22 and the operation unit 32 can be opened and closed between a double-folded closed state with an opening angle of 0 ° and a double-sided closed state with an opening angle of 180 °. Yes.

  In FIG. 11A, in order to show the internal structure, the information input unit 3c fitted into the housing opening 3f is not shown in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Below, it demonstrates centering on a different point from the said 1st Embodiment.

  The main body 22 includes a coil 72 (first coil) and a hinge unit 22d (relative position holding mechanism) instead of the coil 7 and the hinge unit 2d of the first embodiment.

  The hinge unit 22d has substantially the same configuration as the hinge unit 2d of the first embodiment, and is disposed in the same positional relationship with respect to the rotating hinge portion 2b.

  On the other hand, each coil 72 is arranged on the end side of the rotating hinge portion 2b on the rotating shaft side of the hinge unit 22d so that the coil shaft core portion is extrapolated to the rotating shaft. It is electrically connected to the control board 6 in the housing 2a.

  Note that the housing 2a includes a receiving portion 2e (see FIG. 11C) between the rotating hinge portions 2b, and the receiving portion 2e constitutes a relative position restricting means. This is the same as the embodiment.

  The operation unit 32 includes a housing 32a instead of the housing 3a of the first embodiment. The housing 32a is obtained by replacing the rotating hinge portion 3b of the housing 3a of the first embodiment with a rotating hinge portion 32b.

  The rotation hinge portion 32b includes a hinge support portion 32d for connecting the rotation shaft portion of the hinge unit 22d to the end portion in the axial direction, and the end portion of the circuit board 4 is disposed between the hinge support portions 32d. A space that can be created is provided.

  A coil 52 (second coil) facing and close to the coil 72 is fixed to each hinge support portion 32d in a state where the rotation shaft portion of the hinge unit 22d is housed in the coil shaft core portion. . The coil 52 is electrically connected to the circuit board 4 by wiring (not shown).

  The portable information processing apparatus 12 having such a configuration can perform an opening / closing operation of the operation unit 32 as in the portable information processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

  In this opening / closing operation, the two pairs of coils 52 and 72 have their coil axes coaxial with each other and are opposed to each other in the axial direction, so that they depend on the rotation positions of the rotation hinges 2b and 32b, respectively. In addition, coil communication by electromagnetic induction is possible. That is, electrical signals can be exchanged between the coils 52 and 72 by coil communication at any rotational position. Therefore, a cable or the like for wiring between the control board 6 and the circuit board 4 is not necessary, and wiring over the rotary hinge portions 2b and 32b can be omitted.

  As described above, the present embodiment is an example in the case where the first coil and the second coil are arranged to face each other at a communicable position at one or more relative positions.

  As a result, even if the opening / closing operation of the operation unit 32 is repeated with respect to the main body unit 22, there is no risk of disconnection caused by the opening / closing operation. High durability according to the lifetime of the can be realized.

  Further, even when the portable information processing device 12 is assembled or disassembled or replaced in the case of failure repair, since there is no wiring extending over the rotating hinge portions 2b and 32b, assembly, disassembly and replacement are easily performed. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, wirings (not shown) are provided between the coil 52 and the circuit board 4, and between the coil 72 and the control board 6, respectively, but these are relative movements of the operation unit 32 and the main body unit 22, respectively. Therefore, depending on the opening / closing operation, loads such as bending and twisting are not applied to these wires.

  In the above description, the relative position holding mechanism that can be switched between at least two positions is described as an example in the case of having the hinge unit 2d, the hinge unit 22d, and a slide mechanism having a lock function. In order to perform coil communication in a stable manner, it is only necessary to have a relative position holding mechanism that locks only at a position where at least the coils of the main body portion and the operation portion face each other close to the same axis.

  In addition, in the case where the spread state is maintained only by having the relative position restricting means, such as when the mass of the operation unit is large, the configuration may be such that the relative position holding mechanism having a lock function is not particularly provided.

  In the above description, two hinge units 2d and 22d are arranged, but only one on one side may be provided, and a pin or the like may be arranged on the other side.

  In the description of the third embodiment, an example has been described in which communication is possible only in the open state of the slide movement. However, the casing 21a is provided with other coils facing the coils 5 in the closed state. In this way, coil communication can be performed in either the closed state or the open state.

  In this way, in the portable information processing apparatus 11, even in the closed state, the information input unit 3c is arranged on the surface, so that information that can be input without looking at the display on the liquid crystal panel 2c is in the closed state. It is possible to input information as it is.

  For example, the definition of the input information of each membrane switch 3d of the operation unit 31 can be set to be different between the open state and the closed state.

  In the description of the fourth embodiment, the hinge unit 22d has been described as having a lock function by suction similar to the hinge unit 2d. However, in the fourth embodiment, regardless of the rotation position, Since coil communication is possible, the hinge unit 22d may employ a hinge unit having a free stop function.

  In the above description, the coil has been described as an example of two pairs of a coil that transmits and receives an electrical signal by coil communication and a coil that supplies power by coil communication. However, this is only an example. You may provide the coil more than a pair. In this case, the amount of communication can be increased, so that quick communication can be performed.

  In addition, the power supply is modified in each of the main body and the operation unit, and the coil is used only for transmitting and receiving electrical signals, and one pair of coils is omitted or both pairs of coils are used for transmitting and receiving electrical signals. Or you may.

  In the above description, an example in which the relative movement between the main body and the operation unit is a rotation or a slide movement has been described. However, the relative movement is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a relative movement by biaxial rotation.

  In the above description, the liquid crystal panel 2c is provided in the main body, and the information input units 3c and 31c are provided in the operation unit. However, the information input unit having a button switch, a membrane switch, or the like is provided in the main body. You may provide, A liquid crystal display part etc. may be provided in an operation part.

  In the above description, the example of the order input device is described as the portable information processing device, but the portable information processing device is not limited to this. Examples of the portable information processing apparatus include a PDA, a small notebook personal computer, and a mobile phone.

  All the constituent elements described in the above embodiments can be appropriately replaced or combined within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention if technically possible.

It is a typical external appearance perspective view which shows schematic structure of the operation part open state of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical external appearance perspective view which shows schematic structure of the operation part closed state of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing explaining the open / close state of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical top view of the operation part open state of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. 4, and the elements on larger scale of the a part. It is sectional drawing in an operation part closed state, and the elements on larger scale of the b section. It is a typical perspective view which shows schematic structure of the operation part open state of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing in FIG. 7, and the elements on larger scale of the c section. It is sectional drawing of an operation part closed state, and the elements on larger scale of the d section. It is a typical top view showing the schematic structure of the operation part opened state of the portable information processor concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention, the CC sectional view, and the sectional view of the operation part closed state. It is the typical top view, front view, and DD sectional view which show schematic structure of the operation part open state of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 10, 11, 12 Mobile information processing device 2, 20, 21, 22 Main body 2b, 3b, 30b, 22b, 32b Rotating hinge 2c Liquid crystal panel 2d, 22d Hinge unit (relative position holding mechanism)
2e Receiving part (relative position regulating means)
3, 30, 31, 32 Operation unit 3c, 31c Information input unit 3d, 31d Membrane switch 3e, 30e Coil placement unit 4 Circuit board 5, 50, 52 Coil (second coil)
7, 70, 72 coil (first coil)
6 Control board 20c, 30c Side part

Claims (4)

In order to perform at least one of information input and information display, respectively, a portable information processing apparatus having a main body unit and an operation unit that are connected so as to be relatively movable between at least two positional relationships,
The main body includes a first coil for communicating with the operation unit, a circuit that is electrically connected to the first coil and controls communication with the operation unit, and the first coil. A control board provided with a circuit for processing order data received from the operation unit via
The operation unit includes a second coil for communicating with the main body, a data processing unit for converting information input information into order data, and the order data to the main body via the second coil. And a circuit board provided with a communication control unit for transmitting
The control board and the circuit board are arranged opposite to a proximity position where the first coil and the second coil can communicate when at least the main body part and the operation part move to one relative position. As described above, the portable information processing device is arranged inside the main body and inside the operation unit, respectively.   The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body unit and the operation unit include a relative position holding mechanism that holds a relative position of each other so as to be switchable between the at least two positional relationships. The shapes of the main body part and the operation part are flat,
3. The portable information processing according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second coils has a coil axis arranged in a thickness direction of the main body portion and the operation portion. apparatus. The main body portion and the operation portion are connected to each other so as to be rotatable by including a rotation hinge portion extending along a rotation axis,
In the control board and the circuit board, one of the first coil and the second coil is fixed to the inside of the rotating hinge part of the main body part and the operation part, and the first coil The other coil and the other of the second coil are fixed to face each other in the direction intersecting the rotating shaft to the rotating hinge portion to which one of the first coil and the second coil is fixed. The mobile information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the portable information processing apparatus is disposed inside the main body and inside the operation unit, respectively.

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