JPH09120354A - Information processor and its extension unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information processor which is free from any projecting part in its portable mode, can be reconstructed in smaller thickness with high storing performance and portability and also can output the voices of high quality and presence in a stereophonic performance mode, etc., by varying the speaker positions according to the user's purposes of application of the information processor. SOLUTION: At the 1st speaker position, two speakers 5 are built into a easing 2 on its front right and left sides. The opening parts 2a are formed on the right and left side faces of the easing 2, so that both speakers 5 can be taken out of the easing 2. At a 2nd speaker position, the speakers 5 are drawn out of the easing 2 and the speaker diaphragm surfaces 5a are exposed outside. Therefore, the voice outputs of both speakers 5 are never cut off. At a 3rd speaker position, the speakers 5 are turned and the surfaces 5a of speakers 5 are set at every optional angle. In such a constitution, the user of an information processor 1 can hear a larger number of direct sounds through both speakers 5 in comparison with the 2nd speaker position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a portable notebook personal computer having a built-in speaker for voice output, and a structure for housing and withdrawing a speaker of an expansion unit of this information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in information processing apparatuses such as computers, portable information processing apparatuses have been equipped with a function called multimedia called image processing, audio processing, and data communication. There is. Among these, in terms of voice, in notebook computers, which are conventional portable information processing devices, the built-in speaker for voice is a buzzer that simply generates a warning sound at the time when the speaker was installed, CDs and CDs for music that are becoming increasingly sophisticated
-It has been developed into a device equipped with an audio device that outputs a high-quality stereo audio sound using a ROM or the like as a sound source. However, on the other hand, the portable information processing device is required to be portable and lightweight, so that the built-in speaker is also designed within the range of the restriction.

Among them, the speaker of the portable information processing device also needs two or more speakers for stereo sound, and the external speaker for the speaker is required by devising the location of the speaker housing or providing an external terminal for audio. It is connected with.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are perspective views showing the appearance of a conventional example in which a speaker is built in a portable information processing device. In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 1 is an information processing device, which includes a housing 2 in which a keyboard 3 is mounted, a liquid crystal display device 4, and the like, and a speaker (not shown) is provided below a speaker vibrating surface 5a of the speaker. ing. In FIG. 5B, the position of the speaker vibrating surface 5a of the speaker is built in the second housing 2 ′ on which the display device 4 is mounted, and other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 5A.

On the other hand, in order to make the portable information processing device 1 portable and lightweight, the information processing device 1 is narrowed down to a minimum number of functions, and a multifunctional information processing device called a docking station or the like is used. Many means for connecting one expansion unit are also adopted.

The expansion unit of the information processing apparatus 1 is often arranged at the bottom of the information processing apparatus 1 so that the expansion unit and the information processing apparatus 1 are stacked so as not to impair the space saving aspect of the portable information processing apparatus 1. Has been adopted.

Further, in order to improve the realism of stereo sound, it is necessary to secure a certain distance between the speakers, but the width of the current notebook personal computer is about the upper limit of the longitudinal width of a size called A4 size. Therefore, it cannot be said that the intervals between the speakers are sufficient. Further, the speaker incorporated in the expansion unit arranged at the bottom of the information processing device 1 is arranged so as to face the front surface or the side surface of the expansion unit in the conventional example, but the expansion unit is thin and the speaker has a vibrating surface. In order to secure the size, an expansion unit in which the built-in speaker of the expansion unit of the information processing apparatus 1 is arranged outside the side surface of A4 size can be seen.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are external perspective views of a conventional example in which a speaker is built in an expansion unit stacked on the bottom of the portable information processing apparatus 1. FIG.
In (a), the expansion unit 2 is provided at the bottom of the information processing device 1.
1 is arranged. Information processing device 1 and expansion unit 2
1 is connected to each input / output terminal including an audio output terminal by a connector (not shown) or the like. A speaker (not shown) is built in the audio output unit 5a, but is projected to the front of the housing 2 of the information processing device 1 in order to secure the area of the vibration surface of the speaker.

In FIG. 6 (b), the audio output section 5 a is projected on the side surface of the expansion unit 21 and protrudes from the information processing apparatus 1 by the amount of the speaker. Therefore, the expansion unit 21 can be thinned, but the information processing device 1
There is no uniformity in the plane size, and there is a difficulty in portability. Moreover, since the voice output unit is set upward, it is difficult for the user to hear the direct sound. Others are the same as that of FIG.

In FIG. 6C, the audio output section is arranged so as to face the front surface of the expansion unit 21 at the bottom of the information processing apparatus 1. In this case, the information processing device 1 and the extension unit 21 have the same planar size and have no protruding portion, which is refreshing, but in order to secure a certain sound quality, the vibration of the speaker of the audio output portion 5a is increased. If the surface is to be increased, the thickness of the expansion unit 21 must be increased, and the height from the mounting surface of the information processing device 1 to the keyboard 3 becomes high, which causes difficulty in typing.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional portable information processing apparatus having a built-in speaker, an object of the present invention is to provide a thin type which has no protruding portion and is excellent in storability and portability when being carried. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information processing device that can be realized and that can output a highly realistic sound with excellent sound quality during a stereo performance.

Also, in the case where a speaker is built in the expansion unit of the information processing apparatus instead of the portable information processing apparatus, like the portable information processing apparatus described above, there is no protruding portion when the portable information processing apparatus is carried. It is an object of the present invention to provide an expansion unit of a portable information processing device which can be thinned and has excellent portability and portability, and which can output a sound with excellent sound quality and a high sense of presence during stereo performance.

[0013]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a portable information processing apparatus provided with a plurality of speakers for outputting voice and a plurality of speaker housings for housing the speakers. The storage section is arranged inside both side surfaces of the housing of the information processing apparatus, and an opening section provided on both side surfaces of the housing of the information processing apparatus for allowing each speaker to be pulled out from the speaker storage section. A speaker guide member provided in each speaker storage part for sliding the outer periphery of the speaker to facilitate the storage and withdrawal of the speaker and a first speaker position where each speaker is stored in the speaker storage part. A speaker locking mechanism is provided for locking the lock and the second speaker position where each speaker is pulled out of the housing of the information processing device. To.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the locking mechanism is provided with a biasing spring for assisting the movement of each speaker from the first speaker position of the information processing apparatus to the second speaker position. And

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a rotating mechanism capable of rotating each speaker at an arbitrary angle from the second speaker position.

The expansion unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a portable information processing apparatus expansion unit equipped with a plurality of speakers for outputting voice and a plurality of speaker housings for housing the speakers. The storage section is disposed inside both side surfaces of the housing of the expansion unit of the information processing apparatus, and is provided on both side surfaces of the housing of the expansion unit of the information processing apparatus so that each speaker can be pulled out from the speaker storage section. And a speaker guide member provided in each speaker housing for sliding the outer circumference of each speaker and facilitating housing and withdrawing of the speaker,
Locking each speaker to the first speaker position, which is the position where the speaker is housed in the speaker housing, and the second speaker position, which is the position where each speaker is pulled out from the housing of the expansion unit of the information processing device, are provided. A speaker locking mechanism for locking is provided.

In the expansion unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the locking mechanism is provided with a biasing spring for assisting the movement of each speaker from the first speaker position to the second speaker position of the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by

The expansion unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a rotating mechanism capable of rotating each speaker at an arbitrary angle from the second speaker position.

[0019]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A, 1B, and 1C are external perspective views showing three positions of a speaker built in a portable information processing device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a)
1 is an information processing device, which includes a housing 2, a keyboard 3,
A liquid crystal display device 4 and the like are provided. Further information processing device 1
Has built-in speakers 5 on the left and right of the front part of the housing 2, and this state is referred to as a first speaker position. Speaker 5
Openings 2a for allowing the speaker 5 to be drawn out are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2 in the position where the speaker is built in (the opening 2a on the left side surface is not shown). Further, an eject button 6 for pulling out the speaker 5 is provided near the opening 2a. It is locked by a locking member described later.

1B, the eject button 6 is operated from FIG. 1A to release the locked state at the first speaker position, and the speaker 5 is pulled out from the left and right openings 2a of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. The 2nd speaker position which is a state is illustrated. At this time, the speaker vibrating surface 5 a of the speaker 5 is exposed to the outside of the housing 2. Although not shown, the eject button 6 is used for the speaker 5 at the second speaker position.
Is locked.

FIG. 1 (c) shows the third speaker position of the speaker 5 rotated from the second speaker position of FIG. 1 (b) by using a rotating mechanism provided in the mounting portion of the speaker 5 described later. It is the one illustrated.

By providing the three speaker positions, the space saving of the portable information processing device 1 can be prioritized at the first speaker position of FIG. 1A when there is no particular need to listen to the voice. Even in this case, the volume of the warning sound or the like is low, but it can be heard through the opening 2a. Although it is possible to provide a small hole for the voice of the speaker in the upper part of the speaker of the housing 2 to make it easier to listen, FIG.
In the embodiment of (a), the upper part of the speaker of the housing 2 also serves as the armrest, which may cause stains such as sweat, which is not preferable.

At the second speaker position in FIG. 1B, the speaker 5 is pulled out of the housing 2 and the speaker vibrating surface 5
Since a is exposed to the outside of the housing 2, the audio output of the speaker 5 is not blocked by the housing 2, and thus the audio of the speaker 5 can be fully heard. However, since the speaker vibrating surface 5a faces upward, the user of the information processing device 1 has a drawback that it is difficult to hear the direct sound of the speaker 5.

At the third speaker position in FIG. 1C, the speaker 5 is rotated to move the speaker vibrating surface 5a of the speaker 5.
Is set to an arbitrary angle, and the user of the information processing device 1 can hear more sound directly from the speaker 5 as compared with the position of the second speaker in FIG. You can enjoy the overflowing voice output.

2A, 2B and 2C are shown in FIG.
When the structure that provides the three speaker positions of the speaker 5 in the portable information processing device 1 described in (a), (b), and (c) is applied to the expansion unit of the portable information processing device 1. FIG. The expansion unit is provided with a speaker 5 in order to make the portable information processing device 1 highly functional.
In addition, the information processing apparatus 1 and the expansion unit are equipped with a CD-ROM drive, an external storage device, and the like, and the input / output terminals such as audio output terminals are connected by a connector or the like (not shown). 2A is the first speaker position of FIG. 1A, FIG. 2B is the second speaker position of FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2C is the third speaker position of FIG. 1C. Each corresponds.

In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 21 is an expansion unit arranged at the bottom of the information processing apparatus 1. Expansion unit 21
The first speaker position in which the speaker 5 is built in is illustrated in the housing 22 of FIG. 1, and the side surface of the housing 22 is provided with an opening 22a through which the speaker 5 is pulled out. The speaker 5 can be pulled out by operating the button 6. Others are the same as those in FIG. 1A, and description thereof will be omitted. 2 (b) and 2 (c) are shown in FIG.
The explanation is omitted because it is similar to the explanation of the second speaker position and the third speaker position in (b) and FIG. 1 (c).

In FIG. 2, by adopting a thin speaker for the expansion unit 21, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the expansion unit 21. By making the expansion unit 21 thin, it is possible to reduce the height of the keyboard 3 from the mounting surface of the information processing device 1 and the expansion unit 21 when the expansion unit 21 and the information processing device 1 are stacked. Is. Further, the first speaker housing the speaker 5 can be set to have the same plane size as that of the information processing device 1, so that space saving of the information processing device 1 is not hindered.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are shown in FIG.
It is a detailed top view which shows the mounting structure of the speaker 5 illustrated on the left side of the Example in this invention corresponding to (a) and (b), and if the right side is also replaced by the inverted state, it is the same structure basically. Therefore, it is omitted. Although the case of the information processing apparatus 1 is described below, the same applies to the case of the expansion unit 21, and thus detailed description of housing the speaker 5 in the expansion unit 21 will be omitted. FIG. 3A shows the position of the first speaker, and the information processing apparatus 1
The speaker 5 is housed in the speaker housing 2b of the housing 2, the opening 2a of the housing 2 is provided on the left of the speaker housing 2b, and the speaker sliding portion 2c is provided at the bottom of the speaker 5. Are formed. An eject button mounting portion 2d of the housing 2 is formed above the opening 2a of the housing 2, and the eject button 6 is mounted on the eject button mounting portion 2d.
The speaker locking portion 6a is formed on the speaker locking portion 6a.
A locking spring 7 is attached to the opposite side of a. Further, the speaker 5 is provided with the first locking groove 5b on the upper and lower side surfaces and the speaker vibrating surface 5a is arranged on the upper surface.
A speaker rotating member 8 is attached to the right side surface of the speaker by a rotation center shaft 9 and a rotation guide shaft 10. A second locking groove 8b is formed in the speaker rotating member 8. Further, an eject spring 11 is fixed to the speaker housing 2b on the right side surface of the speaker rotating member 8 (details thereof are omitted). At the first speaker position, the eject spring 11 opens the speaker 5 through the speaker rotating member 8.
It is biased in the a direction. At least a part of the speaker 5 has a function of popping out of the housing 2 when the eject button 6 is unlocked. On the other hand, in order to send the audio output signal to the speaker 5, the audio output signal output from the information processing device 1 is sent to the speaker 5 from the audio output terminal portion 12 a via the circuit board 12 by the connection cable 13. Since the connection cable 13 follows the sliding of the speaker 5, it has excellent flexibility and little plastic deformation.
C or the like is desirable. Further, in FIG. 3A, the first locking groove 5b
And the speaker locking portion 6a of the eject button 6 are biased and engaged by the locking spring 7, and the speaker 5 is locked in the speaker housing portion 2b of the housing 2 at the first speaker position.

FIG. 3 (b) is a plan view showing a state in which the speaker 5 is locked at the second speaker position from the speaker housing portion 2b in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3B, the speaker locking portion 6 a of the eject button 6 is engaged with the second speaker locking groove 8 b of the speaker rotating member 8.
To move from the first speaker position of FIG. 3A to the second speaker position, slide the eject button 6 in the direction of arrow A to move the speaker locking portion 6a of the eject button 6 and the speaker member of the speaker 5. The engagement with the stop groove 5b is released. The released speaker 5 and speaker rotating member 8
Is pushed out in the direction of the speaker opening 2a indicated by arrow B by the urging force of the eject spring 11. The speaker 5 and the speaker rotating member 8 are pulled out by pinching the tip of the speaker 5 pushed out. When the speaker and the speaker turning member 8 are pulled out, the speaker locking portion 6a of the eject button 6 is engaged with the second speaker locking groove 8b when the speaker is rotated to the position of the second speaker locking groove of the speaker rotating member 8. Stop spring 7
Then, the second speaker groove 8b is engaged with the speaker locking portion 6a, and the speaker 5 is locked at the second speaker position. At the second speaker position, the entire speaker 5 and a part of the left side surface of the speaker rotating member 8 are pulled out to the outside of the housing 2, and a state in which the speaker 5 and the speaker rotating member 8 can be rotated. can get.

FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are side views showing a rotating mechanism for rotating the speaker 5 from the second speaker position to the third speaker position in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a side view of the speaker 5 on the left side in FIG. 1 is illustrated. The illustration of the speaker 5 on the right side is omitted because the figure on the right side is also reversed. FIG. 4A shows the second
It is a side view showing the speaker position, and the arc-shaped rotation guide hole 8c of the speaker rotation member 8 arranged in the back of the speaker 5 is shown by a broken line, and the rotation center is at the arc center of the rotation guide hole 8c. A shaft 9 is provided, and a rotation guide shaft 10 is fitted in the rotation guide hole 8c.

FIG. 4B is a side view showing a third speaker position in which the speaker 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow C from the second speaker position of FIG. 4A. At this time, the rotation guide shaft 10
If a member having a high frictional force such as rubber is used between the rotation guide hole 8c and the rotation guide hole 8c, the speaker 5 can be tilted at an arbitrary angle and stopped. More reliably, it is possible to set a tilt angle by providing a plurality of clicks in the rotation guide hole 8c.

Although the description has been given above with reference to the drawings of the embodiment, the place for housing the speaker 5 may be another place as long as it can be pulled out in the side direction of the housing 2. For example, it may be provided at the rearmost part of the housing body, or may be provided in the second housing in which the liquid crystal display device 4 is incorporated. In this case, the above-mentioned rotation mechanism becomes unnecessary.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the speaker is built in the portable information processing apparatus, the first speaker position housed in the casing of the information processing apparatus and the first speaker position Setting a second speaker position where the speaker is pulled out to the side surface of the information processing device, a third speaker position where the speaker is rotated from the second speaker position, and a speaker position according to the user's use of the information processing device. Made possible. Therefore, by adopting an ultra-thin speaker as the built-in speaker, it is possible to provide a thin portable information processing device when the speaker is housed, and pull out the housed speaker when playing stereo sound. , It is possible to provide an information processing device corresponding to multimedia that enables users to enjoy music and the like by inclining at an arbitrary angle.

By implementing this speaker mounting structure in the expansion unit of the portable information processing apparatus, it is possible to realize a thin expansion unit. By combining this thin expansion unit and a thin portable information processing device with limited functions, even when the information processing device and the expansion unit are stacked and used, the stacking thickness of the information processing device and the expansion unit is further increased. It can be made thin, and the height of the keyboard can be kept low to provide comfortable typing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a portable information processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view in which the expansion unit and the portable information processing device according to the present invention are stacked.

FIG. 3 is a detailed plan view of a speaker housing portion according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a rotation mechanism of a speaker according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a conventional portable information processing device.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view in which a conventional expansion unit and a portable information processing device are stacked.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Information processing apparatus housing 2'Second housing 2a Information processing apparatus housing opening 2b Information processing apparatus housing speaker housing 2c Information processing apparatus housing speaker sliding unit 2d eject button attachment part 3 keyboard 4 liquid crystal display device 5 speaker 5a speaker vibrating surface 5b first locking groove 6 eject button 6a speaker locking part 7 locking spring 8 speaker rotation member 8b second locking groove 8c rotation guide Hole 9 Rotation center shaft 10 Rotation guide shaft 11 Eject spring 12 Circuit board 12a Audio output terminal portion 13 Connection cable 21 Expansion unit 22 Expansion unit housing 22a Expansion unit housing opening

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable information processing device comprising a plurality of speakers for outputting voice and a plurality of speaker housings for housing the speakers, wherein each speaker housing is provided on both sides of a housing of the information processing device. The inside of the surface portion is slidable, and the outer circumference of each speaker is slid with the openings provided on both side surfaces of the housing of the information processing device so that each speaker can be pulled out from the speaker housing portion. A speaker guide member provided in each speaker housing for facilitating pulling out, locking each speaker at a first speaker position where each speaker is housed in the speaker housing, and each speaker being a casing of an information processing apparatus. An information processing device comprising a speaker locking mechanism for locking a second speaker position, which is a position pulled out of the body. 2. The locking mechanism includes a biasing spring for assisting the movement of each speaker from the first speaker position of the information processing device to the second speaker position. The information processing device described. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating mechanism that allows each speaker to rotate from the second speaker position at an arbitrary angle. 4. An expansion unit of a portable information processing device comprising a plurality of speakers for outputting voice and a plurality of speaker housings for housing the speakers, wherein each speaker housing is an expansion of the information processing device. Openings that are placed inside both side surfaces of the unit housing and that are provided on both side surfaces of the expansion unit housing of the information processing device to allow each speaker to be pulled out from the speaker housing, and the outer circumference of each speaker. And a speaker guide member provided in each speaker housing for facilitating storage and withdrawal of the speaker, and locking to the first speaker position where each speaker is housed in the speaker housing. A speaker locking mechanism for locking each speaker with a second speaker position, which is a position where the speaker is pulled out of the housing of the expansion unit of the information processing apparatus An expansion unit of an information processing device characterized by the above. 5. The locking mechanism is provided with a biasing spring for assisting the movement of each speaker from the first speaker position of the information processing apparatus to the second speaker position. An expansion unit of the described information processing apparatus. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a rotating mechanism capable of rotating each speaker at an arbitrary angle from the second speaker position. unit.