JPH08106340A - Portable system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a collective charger function by making the power circuits of respective devices common and coupling them with the power supply terminal of an option box wherein an optical communication device, an electric charging device, and a stabilized power source are put together in one. CONSTITUTION: A female type power supply connector 8 is supplied with the electric power from the option box 2 and a male type power supply collector 9 is connected to the female type power supply connector 8 and supplies the electric power to a portable computer 1. Optical communication ports 10 and 11 consist of plural light emitting and receiving elements provided for the portable computer 1 and option box 2, and transmit information stored in the portable computer 1 to a host computer 3. The output is supplied from the male type power supply computer 9 of the option box 2 to the charging type battery and power source part of the portable computer 1, so the charging type battery 4 can be charged while the computer 1 is used. Further, the optical communication devices 10 and 11 are arranged opposite each other and can transmit information through optical communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer for portable electronic equipment using a rechargeable battery as a main power source, and an electronic equipment system for optical communication with the portable electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 18 shows a general system of a portable electronic device computer equipped with a rechargeable battery, a power supply device, and an optical communication device. In the figure, 101 is a portable computer. 102 is the portable computer 1
01 is an optical communication device that communicates with the optical communication ports 106 and 107. Reference numeral 103 is a rechargeable battery that is inserted into the portable computer 101 and serves as a main power source. A charging device 104 charges the rechargeable battery 103. 105 is 100V AC
It is a stabilized power supply that supplies power from a power supply. Reference numerals 106 and 107 denote the portable computer 101 and the optical communication device 10.
After the portable computer 101 is mounted on the optical communication device 102, the stored information is transferred via the communication cable 110 by an optical communication port formed of a plurality of light receiving and light emitting elements respectively provided in FIG. And transmits it to the host computer 111. Alternatively, the host computer 11
The information from 1 is transmitted to the portable computer.

Charging is performed by connecting the male charging power supply connector 108A of the charging device 104 to the female charging power supply connector 108B of the rechargeable battery 103.

Further, when the portable computer 101 is used with a 100V AC power source, the male power supply connector 109A of the stabilized power source 105 is connected to the portable computer 10
No. 1 female power supply connector 109B.

When the portable computer 101 is used while moving, normally, while watching the liquid crystal display 110, input is performed by the touch panel which is a coordinate input device and the operation is advanced.

FIG. 19 shows a conventional collective charger. Reference numeral 1011 is a collective charger that charges a rechargeable battery using AC 100 V as a power source. 103a
103b, 103c, 103d and 103e are rechargeable batteries for driving the portable computer 101. Conventionally, this kind of collective charger has the structure shown in the figure.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the system is prepared by providing a collective charger having a similar function of supplying power to the portable computer while having the charging device 104 and the stabilized power supply 105 as the system. Since it had to be built, the cords attached to the device became complicated and required a large dedicated area on the desk. In addition, the cost was high.

In the conventional portable computer, the liquid crystal display is not so large in size, so that the liquid crystal display surface or the touch panel surface is hardly damaged. However, due to the large size of the liquid crystal display surface, a protective cover is required, and when the portable computer is attached to the option box, the cover is inserted into the insertion portion of the option box. In addition, the operability for attachment / detachment was not good.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the power supply circuit of each device is shared, and the power supply terminal of the option box in which the optical communication device, the charging device and the stabilizing power supply are integrated is fitted. This is realized by having a collective charger function.

According to the present invention, the option box is provided with a projection so that the portable computer can be easily attached and detached so that the cover of the portable computer does not enter the mounting portion of the option box when the portable computer is mounted. This is achieved by providing a dimple.

[0011]

【Example】

"System Configuration" FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance and a mounting direction of a portable computer 1 equipped with a nickel-cadmium battery 4 and an option box 2 for supplying electric power to the portable computer 1. In the figure, reference numeral 5 is a chamfer for guides provided at both ends of the portable computer 1, and is mounted in the direction of arrow 7 along guides 6 provided at both ends of the option box 2. . Reference numeral 8 is a female power supply connector that receives power from the option box 2, and 9 is a male power supply connector that is connected to the female power supply connector 8 and supplies power to the portable computer 1.

Reference numerals 10 and 11 denote optical communication ports, which are respectively provided in the portable computer 1 and the option box 2, and each of which comprises a plurality of light receiving and emitting elements. Information stored in the portable computer 1 is transferred to a communication cable 12. Via the host computer 3. Alternatively, the information from the host computer 3 is transmitted to the portable computer.

Reference numeral 13 is a pressure-sensitive coordinate input device touch panel which is an input means of the portable computer 1, and a liquid crystal display device. Reference numeral 14 is a power plug of the option box 2.

Reference numeral 15 is an LED lamp for displaying the mounting state of the system.

"Mounted State of Portable Computer" FIG. 2 shows a state where the portable computer 1 is mounted in the option box 2. In this state, power is supplied from the male power supply connector 9 of the option box 2 to the rechargeable battery of the portable computer 1 and the power supply unit, so that the rechargeable battery 4 is charged while using the portable computer 1. Can be done.

Further, the optical communication ports 10 and 11 are arranged at positions facing each other, and information can be transmitted by optical communication.

FIG. 3 is a view of the portable computer 1 viewed from the direction of the arrow 16 shown in FIG. 1, and the battery 4 is attached from the direction shown by the arrow 17. Therefore, in the mounted state as shown in FIG. 2, it is impossible to remove the nickel cadmium battery 4 from the portable computer 1, and it is possible to prevent accidents such as accidentally removing the battery during operation.

“Mounting a portable computer with a cover”
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how the portable computer with a cover 1 is attached to the option box 2. 121
Is a removable cover for protecting the touch panel and the liquid crystal display, and 122 is a recess for preventing the cover from entering the mounting portion.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mounting process of the portable computer. The cover 121 of the portable computer 1 with the cover attached in the direction of the arrow 7 is the option box 2
Due to the slanted recess 122 provided in the option box, it does not enter the mounting portion of the option box and is exposed to the outside. Further, the projection 131 provided on the option box 2 is designed to be held by a finger when the portable computer 1 is attached or detached so as to be attached or detached.

FIG. 14 is a view in which a cover is attached to the portable computer. The cover 121 is the portable computer 1
And is configured and fixed so as to be hooked on the protrusion 141.

"Connecting Process of Power Supply Connector" FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the details of the male power supply connector 9, and FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the connecting process of the male power supply connector 9 and the female power supply connector 8. Is. In the figure, 18 is each terminal 1
A case member formed by molding for fixing 9B, 20B, 21B, and 22B. The case member is formed on the comb teeth and is configured to fit in the groove portion of the female power supply connector 8.

The case member 18 is the option box 2
It is mounted on a pedestal 23 that is fixed to the pedestal 23, and is fixed by a fixing member 24 via elastic members 25a and 25b such as maltoprene, and is rotatable about a pivot portion 26 in a direction indicated by an arrow 27.

Therefore, even if the portable computer 1 is obliquely inserted into the option box 2, the comb teeth formed on the case member 18 can be fitted smoothly into the groove of the female power supply connector 8. .

Also, by fitting the male power supply connector 9 and the female power supply connector 8, the respective light emitting and light receiving elements 10a, 10b, 10c, 10 of the optical communication ports 10 and 11 are connected.
d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h and 11a, 11
b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 11h
Are correctly positioned at positions facing each other.

[Details of Power Supply Connector] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing details of the respective terminal portions of the female power supply connector 8 and the male power supply connector 9.

In the figure, 19A and 19B are the GND terminals of the portable computer 1 and the option box 2, 20A and 20B are charging terminals for the nickel-cadmium battery, and 21.
A and 21B are power supply terminals, and 22A and 22B are output control terminals.

Further, in FIG. 7, the heights L1, L2, and L3 from the bottom surface of each terminal are configured in the relationship of L1>L2> L3, and as shown in FIG. 5, the portable computer is indicated by an arrow 28. When mounted in the direction, each terminal is 19A, 19
B, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B
Are connected in this order, and the charging terminals 20A and 20B and the power supply terminal 21 are controlled by signals from the control terminals 22A and 22B.
Power supply to A and 21B is started.

(Description of Portable Computer) FIG. 8 is an electrical block diagram of the portable computer 1.

Reference numeral 81 denotes a CPU which is a central processing unit.
Then, the memory 82 is managed, the liquid crystal display (LCD) / touch panel is controlled, and the optical communication port 10 is controlled. 82
Is a memory, which is a storage device, such as an IMB ROM and 1.25
Equipped with MB SRAM. In addition, the SRAM is backed up by a lithium battery when the NiCd battery, which is the main power source, is discharged or removed by a method described later.

Reference numeral 83 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a touch panel and a driving device. The liquid crystal display device is a backlit LCD with a resolution of 640 × 480 dots. The touch panel, which is a pressure-sensitive image input device, is an analog type, and the positions of keys can be freely set.

Reference numeral 84 denotes an optical communication I / F, which converts an RS-232C signal sent from the CPU 81 into an optical communication signal by the method described later and outputs it from the optical communication port 10.

Reference numeral 85 denotes a power supply circuit, which controls the DC voltage supplied from the power supply connector 86 and the NiCd battery charging voltage to supply power to the portable computer device and charge the NiCd battery by the method described later.
Also, as described above, switching between the nickel-cadmium battery and the lithium battery is performed. A female power supply connector 8 sends the DC voltage and the battery charging voltage supplied from the option box to the power supply circuit 85. 87 is a charger connector for charging the NiCd battery from the outside. Reference numeral 88 is a rechargeable NiCd battery which is the main power source of the portable computer. And 1 cell 1.2V
A voltage of 4.8V is obtained by combining the four batteries. 89 is 3 for memory backup described above
V lithium battery.

(Description of Power Supply Circuit) FIG. 10 shows a power supply circuit 85.
3 is a diagram showing an internal equivalent circuit of FIG.

The output voltage of each power source is 4.8V for the NiCd battery 88, 3V for the Lithium battery, 6V for the NiCd battery charging voltage (CHG), and 7V for the AC adapter voltage (DCI). Therefore, when the portable computer 1 is not connected to the option box 2, the NiCd battery 8
The voltage of 8 is supplied to each circuit, and the voltage of the lithium battery 89 is supplied to each circuit when the NiCd battery is not installed. In the connected state, the AC adapter voltage (D
CI) is supplied to each circuit, and the charging voltage (C
HG) charges the NiCd battery.

(Explanation of Option Box) FIG. 9 is an electrical block diagram of the option box 2.

Reference numeral 91 is a rectifying / smoothing circuit mainly composed of a transformer and a capacitor for converting from AC100V to DC20V.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a switching type stabilization circuit, which is provided with 7V and 5V instead of 20V sent from the rectifying / smoothing circuit 91.
Convert to and stabilize.

Reference numeral 95 denotes a constant current circuit used to charge the NiCd battery, which is a charging circuit whose output becomes 130 mA regardless of load fluctuation.

Reference numeral 93 is a communication circuit which receives 5V from the stabilization circuit 94 and converts a signal from the optical communication connector into an RS-232C signal (or vice versa) and outputs the same. It has a built-in communication circuit.

Reference numeral 97 indicates that the stabilizing circuit and the charging circuit are ON / O.
This is a detection circuit that detects that FF has been performed and notifies the communication circuit.

Reference numeral 92 is a control circuit for turning on / off the outputs of the stabilizing circuit 94 and the charging circuit 95 according to the output control signal (DET).

Reference numeral 9 is a male power supply connector which is connected to the main body.

(Description of Output Control Signal DET) The output control signal (DET) mounted on the male power supply connector 9 is
The control circuit 92 is turned on by being mounted on the female power supply connector 8 and fitted with the output control signal (DET) connected to the GND terminal, and power is supplied to the stabilizing circuit 94 charging circuit 95. Further, by stopping the fitting, the control circuit 92 is turned off and the power supply is stopped.

(Structure of Optical Communication Circuit) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the optical communication ports 10 and 11 arranged at positions facing each other. RS-232C of the portable computer 1 or the option box 2 is shown. Communication is performed by converting signals into optical signals. In the present embodiment, a phototransistor is used for the optical communication port, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged at opposite positions, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are alternately arranged to prevent interference of optical signals. . Then, communication is performed at 19200 BPS by the start-stop synchronization method.

Further, the power ON / OFF detection circuit 97
When receiving the signal of, the light emitting parts 11a, 1a of the optical communication port 11
All of 1c, 11e, and 11g are turned on. Then, the portable computer 1 that receives light by the light receiving units 10a, 10c, 10e, and 10g of the optical communication port 10 has the light emitting units 10b and 1b.
All of 0d, 10f, and 10h are turned on. Communication port 11
The option box 2 received by the light receiving parts 11b, 11d, 11f, and 11h of 1 is judged to be completely mounted, and the LED lamp 15 is turned on. In this way, RS
It is confirmed that the optical communication ports are in communication with each other by performing a series of optical communications that are not in the 232C communication protocol, and when the series of optical communications does not end, it indicates an incompletely mounted state.

[System Configuration of Collective Charger] FIG. 1
5 is a Nicad battery 153a, 153b, 153c, 15
Charger box 151 equipped with 3d and 153e
3A and 3B are diagrams showing an external appearance and an apparatus direction of an option box 2 for supplying electric power to the charger box 151. In the figure, 154 is a charger box 15.
Guide chamfers provided on both end sides of 1, along with guide portions 6 provided on both end sides of the option box 2,
It is mounted in the direction of arrow 7. Reference numeral 152 denotes a female power supply connector having the same shape as that of the portable computer mounting 1 described above, which is supplied with power from the option box 2, and 9 is a male type for connecting to the female power supply connector 152 and supplying power to the charger box 152. It is a power supply connector.

"Mounting State of Collective Charger" FIG. 16 shows a state in which the collective charger 151 is mounted in the option box 2. In this state, power is supplied from the male power supply connector 9 of the option box 2 to the NiCd battery of the collective charger.

[Description of Collective Charger] FIG. 17 is an electrical block diagram of the collective charger 151.

171a, 171b, 171c, 171d
171e is a constant current circuit used to charge the NiCd battery, and is a charging circuit whose output becomes 130 mA regardless of load fluctuation. By attaching the collective charger 151 to the option box 2, the NiCd battery 1
The NiCd battery is charged by the charging circuit provided for each one.

(Other Embodiments) In this embodiment, the number of nickel-cadmium batteries that can be charged at one time in the collective charger is 5, but the same effect can be obtained regardless of the number of nickel-cadmium batteries.

(Other Embodiments) In this embodiment, one inclined recess is provided at the center of the option box, but the same effect can be obtained by changing the position and providing a plurality of recesses.

[0052]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Codes attached to the device become complicated,
It required a lot of dedicated space on the desk. In addition, the cost was high.

According to the present invention, the power supply circuit of each device is shared, and the optical communication device, the charging device, and the stabilized power supply are combined with the power supply terminal of the option box to form a collective charger system. By constructing, the cords attached to the device are not complicated and the dedicated area on the desk can be reduced. Also, the cost is low.

In addition, by making the power supply connector of the portable computer and that of the charger box have the same shape as in the present embodiment, the computer and the charger box can be selectively used as needed.

As described above, the option box is provided with a finger-like projection so that the portable computer can be easily attached and detached, and the cover of the portable computer is used as a mounting portion of the option box at the time of mounting. By providing the slanted recess so as not to enter, the computer can be securely mounted and the detaching operation can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a portable computer is connected to an option box.

FIG. 3 is a view of a portable computer as seen from below.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a power female connector of the computer.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the power male connector of the option box.

FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram of a power source female connector of an option box.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a connector.

FIG. 8 is an electrical block diagram of a portable computer.

FIG. 9 is an electrical block diagram of an option box.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an internal equivalent circuit of a power supply circuit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of optical communication ports arranged at positions facing each other.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how a portable computer with a cover is attached to an option box.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mounting process of the portable computer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram in which a cover is attached to a portable computer.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a charger box equipped with a nickel-cadmium battery, an appearance of an option box for supplying power, and a mounting direction.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which a collective charger is attached to the option box.

FIG. 17 is an electrical block diagram of a collective charger.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a system of a conventional portable computer equipped with a rechargeable battery, a power supply device, and an optical communication device.

FIG. 19 is a conventional explanatory view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Portable Computer 2 Option Box 3 Chamfer for Guide 4 Guide 7 Mounting Direction to Option Box 8 Female Power Supply Connector 9 Male Power Supply Connector 13 Touch Panel 14 Power Plug 19A Female GND Terminal 19B Male GND Terminal 20A Female power supply terminal 20B Male power supply terminal 21A Female charging terminal 21B Male charging terminal 22A Female output control terminal 22B Male output control terminal 121 Cover 122 Recess 131 Protrusion 151 Assembly charger

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06F 15/02 305 A G06F 1/00 331 E

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A portable system in which a power supply connector is fitted by mounting a charger box on the option box, and a charging system is provided by fitting the power supply connector. 2. The portable system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply connector has the same shape as a portable electronic device in a charger box. 3. The portable system according to claim 1, wherein the option box has an AC charger function and the charger box has a constant current circuit. 4. In a system for carrying out optical communication by mounting a portable electronic device having a battery as a main power source and having an optical communication means in an option box having an optical communication means, the portable electronic device can be easily attached and detached. A portable electronic device system characterized in that a projection is provided on the option box. 5. The portable electronic device system according to claim 4, wherein a recess is provided on the cover of the portable electronic device so as not to enter the mounting portion of the option box when the electronic device is mounted.