JPH1074118A - Compact electronic equipment and concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a compact electronic equipment. SOLUTION: This compact electronic equipment 1 is provided with a transparent touch panel 7, a cover body 2 having a transparent window allowing a user to transparently observing the panel 7 and allowed to be opened/closed and two scroll keys 6 allowing the user to operate the panel 7 from the surface side of the cover body 2 in the closed sate of the cover body 2. In addition, the concentrator capable of accommodating and connecting plural compact electronic equipments is provided to transmit/receive data to/from the equipments or to supply power to the equipments.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable small electronic device such as a pager such as a pager, a portable telephone, an electronic organizer or a portable computer, and a collecting and distributing apparatus therefor. The present invention relates to a small electronic device capable of equally providing functions such as a data communication function and a charging function to a plurality of small electronic devices having different sizes, and a collecting and distributing device thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an individual has a small electronic device (portable terminal) which can be a terminal of a computer. The small electronic device manages a schedule, or inputs and outputs various business data. An operation of inputting data of a host computer to a small electronic device or supplying data input to the small electronic device to a host computer has been performed. 20 and 21 show the appearance of a conventional small electronic device of this type. In FIG. 20A,
The main body 101 includes a display / input unit 102 such as a liquid crystal display device.
A lid 103 is attached to the main body 101 via a hinge 104 so as to be openable and closable.
Is closed, a folded state as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 21A, an input unit 106 including operation keys is provided on a main body 105. A lid 108 having a display unit 107 such as a liquid crystal device is provided on the main body 105.
Is openably and closably attached via a hinge 109, and when the lid 108 is closed, a folded state as shown in FIG.

These conventional examples are generally carried in a folded state. In the folded state, a display unit such as a liquid crystal device is folded inside so as to be protected by a main body and a lid. And
When inputting data or checking data on the display unit, open the main unit and the lid to expose the display / input unit of the main unit, or the input unit of the main unit and the display unit of the lid, and check the display on the display unit. While inputting data by operating the keys while checking the display data on the display unit.

FIG. 22 to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, a small electronic device 110 includes a main body 111 having input / output operation keys 111a on one surface and a display unit 112a on one surface. Lid 11 having output key 112b
And a hinge 1 for supporting the lid 112 on three axes.
At 13, at least 180 degrees of rotation is permitted with respect to the main body 111, and as shown in FIG. 23, the lid 112 can be held in a state of being lifted with respect to the main body 111, and as shown in FIG. As shown, the main body 111 and the lid 1
12 and the surface on which the operation keys 111a are provided and the display unit 1
The surface on which the display portion 112a is provided is foldable such that the surface on which the display portion 112a of the lid 112 is provided is exposed upward as shown in FIG. .

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional small-sized electronic device, the display unit such as a liquid crystal device is folded inside in a storage state protected by the main body and the cover when the portable electronic device is carried. 21 and the display units 102, 10
7 or the display / input unit 10
In order to input a command from Step 2, the main bodies 101 and 105 and the lids 103 and 108 must be opened, and in the example shown in FIG. 22 and subsequent figures, the surface on which the display section of the lid is provided is exposed. It was necessary and the usability was not always optimal. Further, in such a small electronic device, in FIGS. 20 and 21, the main bodies 101 and 105 and the lids 103 and 108 can be configured to be folded so that the display units 102 and 107 are exposed to the outside. In addition, the display units 102 and 107 are liable to be scratched when being carried, and the display units 102 and 107 may be damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to take a protective measure. Further, FIG.
From 2 onward, when the display unit is folded so as to be exposed to the outside, the user can perform operations related to display on the display unit without opening the main body and the lid, but the display unit is easily scratched and the display unit is damaged. Conversely, if you simply carry it, you can protect the display unit by folding the lid so that the display unit faces the operation keys on the main unit, but it will not be displayed immediately When the user wants to check the data of the section, the display section of the lid must be exposed, and the usability is not always optimal. Also, in the process of manufacturing a small electronic device, when the lid 103 is attached,
It is necessary to deform the hinge pieces of the hinges 104 and 109, which is a heavy work for the operator. Further, when the display unit is provided on the lid, the hinge is used to electrically connect the main body and the lid to the hinge. Wiring must be performed, and there is a problem that an electrical failure is likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized electronic device which is excellent in convenience for a user and can be easily assembled.

A second object of the present invention is to enable a user to immediately see necessary information on a display unit even when the display unit is in a stowed state when carrying the device, and at the same time to effectively prevent the display unit from being damaged.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a small electronic device in which an electric failure is less likely to occur.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a collecting and distributing apparatus capable of equally providing functions such as a data communication function and a charging function to a plurality of small electronic devices having different sizes.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first and second objects, the present invention provides a small electronic device, a small electronic device body, a touch panel provided on a surface of the small electronic device body, A lid attached to the small electronic device body so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the touch panel, and the lid,
A transparent window formed so as to allow the touch panel inside the lid to be seen through, and a cover provided at a position corresponding to the touch panel on the lid, wherein the lid can be operated from the surface side of the lid with the lid closed. It consists of operation keys attached to the body.

According to the present invention, the contents displayed on the touch panel can be read even when the lid is closed with respect to the main body of the small-sized electronic device.
Since the operation on the touch panel can be performed with the lid closed, the operation is simplified. In addition, when performing an operation of viewing the touch panel, it is not necessary to open the lid, so that the apparatus does not become bulky. In the storage state, the display unit is completely covered by the lid, so that the display unit is not damaged, and furthermore, the touch panel of the main body is pressed by an operation key provided on the lid, so that the lid is The electrical connection between the main body and the main body becomes unnecessary, and an electrical failure hardly occurs.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the third object, a main body of the concentrator / distributor and a main body of the concentrator / distributor are provided for accommodating a small electronic device and transmitting / receiving data to / from the small electronic device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is a collecting and distributing device that is configured to include a device housing unit for performing a process and that the device housing unit can house small electronic devices of a plurality of sizes. In this collecting and distributing apparatus, the device housing unit includes, for example, an abutting side surface portion that comes into contact with the small electronic device in the front-rear insertion direction, a bottom portion supporting the small electronic device, and a front surface of the small electronic device. It has a thin box space structure forming a part of a substantially rectangular shape having a side surface portion and a rear side surface portion facing the rear surface of the small electronic device, and is directed toward an upper edge portion and an entrance side edge portion adjacent to the device housing unit. It is configured to be open.

With the configuration of the collecting and distributing device as described above, a small electronic device of any size can be set in the device accommodating unit, and a single collecting and distributing device can exchange data with various small electronic devices. You can send and receive, or supply power.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a main body having a display portion on its surface, and a transparent member which is attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable so that the display portion can be viewed in a closed state. A small electronic device including a lid having a window,
The information displayed on the display unit can be read through the transparent window even in the storage use state in which the lid is closed with respect to the main body. Further, since the display unit is protected by the lid, it is possible to prevent the display unit from being damaged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the first aspect, an operation key for giving an input instruction to the main body is provided on the lid, and the operation key is provided even in the storage use state. The information displayed through the transparent window can be immediately input from the operation keys.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the first or second aspect, the display unit comprises:
It is composed of a transparent touch panel and a liquid crystal display section disposed on the back surface thereof, and can perform various inputs from the transparent touch panel in a normal use state in which the cover 2 is opened with respect to the main body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the third aspect, an operation key provided on the lid is provided to face the transparent touch panel. The touch panel can be operated from the front side of the lid in a closed state, and since the operation keys of the lid and the main body are not electrically connected, it is possible to prevent occurrence of an electrical failure. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the fourth aspect, the operation key is formed by molding an elastic material, and the cover has a mounting hole penetrating from the front side to the back side. It is provided so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction in this mounting hole, and has an effect that the touch panel can be operated with a light touch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the fifth aspect, the operation keys are formed radially inward on the outer periphery of the operation keys and extend in the circumferential direction. It has an engaging groove, and the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole of the lid is engaged with the engaging groove to lock the mounting hole, so that the operation key cannot be easily removed from the lid. It has the effect of doing so.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the small-sized electronic device according to the sixth aspect, the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole of the lid is a plate that gradually descends from the outside in the radial direction toward the inside. It is formed into a structure, and has the effect of ensuring the elasticity and stroke of the operation key when the operation key is pressed, and having the effect of being able to input data reliably to the touch panel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the sixth aspect, the operation keys are formed radially outward on the outer periphery of the operation keys and extend in the circumferential direction. While having an engaging flange, an engaging groove is formed in an inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole of the lid, and the engaging groove of the operation key is engaged with the engaging groove of the lid to be locked in the mounting hole. This has the effect of preventing the operation keys from easily coming off the lid.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, the operation key has a projection at the tip inside the lid. This has the effect that the operation of the touch panel can be reliably performed with the operation of the operation keys.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the fourth aspect, the cover is attached to the small electronic device main body so as to be openable and closable by a hinge. It has the effect that the body can be opened and closed smoothly.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the tenth aspect, the hinge connects the lid, a hinge piece connected to the lid, and the lid and the hinge piece. And a notch capable of accommodating the joining portion of the other member at the joint portion of the lid member and the hinge piece, and a notch portion is formed from a side portion of the one member. The other member has a recess corresponding to the guide groove, and the hinge pin is inserted into the guide groove from a side to engage with the recess, thereby forming the lid and the hinge piece. And has the effect that the lid can be easily attached to the main body of the small electronic device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the small electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, a lock mechanism is provided in the guide groove and the hinge pin, and the hinge pin inserted in the guide groove is fixedly locked in the guide groove. It is like that,
This has the effect that the lid can be securely attached to the main body of the small electronic device.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collecting and distributing apparatus main body, and a device which is assembled to the collecting and distributing device main body, accommodates a small electronic device, and transmits and receives data to and from the small electronic device. And a housing unit, the device housing unit is configured to be able to house a plurality of types of small-sized electronic devices, and small-sized electronic devices of any size can be set in the device housing unit. There is an effect that a single concentrator can transmit / receive data or supply power to / from various small electronic devices.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the collecting and distributing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the device accommodating unit includes: A thin box space structure that forms a part of a substantially rectangular shape having a bottom portion supporting the device, a front side portion facing the front surface of the small electronic device, and a rear side portion facing the rear surface of the small electronic device, The device housing unit is opened toward the adjacent upper edge and entrance side edge of the device housing unit, so that a small electronic device of any size can be set in the device housing unit with a simple configuration. It has the action of:

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the collecting and distributing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the device accommodating unit is attached to and fixed to the main body of the collecting and distributing apparatus in a state inclined in two orthogonal coordinate axis directions with respect to a plane. This has the effect that when small electronic devices of different sizes are set, the positioning of the members connected to each other can be facilitated.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the collecting and distributing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the device housing unit is inclined so as to gradually descend toward the contact side surface portion, and the device housing unit. The unit is attached and fixed to the main unit in a state of being inclined in a direction of falling toward one of the front surface and the rear surface of the unit,
When small electronic devices of different sizes are set, there is an effect that positioning of members to be connected to each other can be easily performed.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the collecting and distributing apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, in the device housing unit, the charging terminal through hole, the positioning and the positioning using the contact side surface and the front and rear falling side surface as reference surfaces. The position of at least one of the optical communication unit and the optical communication unit is accurately determined, and has an effect that the members connected to each other can be correctly aligned when a small electronic device is set. .

[0030] The invention according to claim 18 of the present invention is the collection and distribution device according to claim 17, wherein in the small electronic device, of the four edges defining the outer periphery, the device housing unit is used. An edge portion corresponding to the contact side surface portion, and a terminal side charging terminal on an edge portion contacting the bottom portion of the device housing unit, with a surface corresponding to the front and rear falling side surface of the device housing unit as a reference surface,
The positioning part and at least one of the terminal-side optical communication elements are so positioned as to be accurately determined, and members connected to each other with respect to the device housing unit between small electronic devices of different sizes. It has the effect that it can be positioned correctly.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the collecting and distributing apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, at least one of the charging terminal through-hole, the positioning part, and the optical communication part in the equipment housing unit is provided. The position from
This is to match the position of the corresponding member in the small electronic device from the reference plane, and has an effect that the members connected to each other with respect to the device housing unit can be accurately positioned between the small electronic devices of different sizes. Have.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 are views showing the entire structure of an embodiment of a small electronic device according to the first invention of the present application. Of these figures, FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the small electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the small electronic device in a normal use state in which a cover is opened. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. In these figures, 1 indicates the entire small electronic device. The small electronic device 1 according to this embodiment includes a device main body 3, a transparent touch panel 7 provided on the surface of the device main body 3 and having a function as a display and an operation unit, and a device main body 3 covering the transparent touch panel 7. And a hinge 4 for opening and closing the cover 2 to open and close the device main body 3. The lid 2 and the device main body 3 are formed in a thin, substantially rectangular shape. In addition, lid 2
And a transparent window 5 made of a transparent acrylic plate or other transparent resin material and formed through the transparent touch panel 7 at the lower portion of the lid 2 so as to allow input, such as output, search, and "OK". And a scroll key 6, which is an operation key composed of a pair of button members. The device main body 3 is provided with a transparent touch panel 7 for input on the surface and an input pen 8 on the side surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the scroll key 6 provided on the lid 2 is used when the lid 2 is closed and used to retrieve information viewed from the transparent window 5 or to give an instruction to output data. , The transparent touch panel 7 can be operated from the front side. The input pen 8 of the device main body 3 is used when performing data input or the like to the transparent touch panel 7 in a normal use state in which the device main body 3 and the cover 2 are open as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a liquid crystal display unit 9 provided below the transparent touch panel 7, a main board 10 provided below the liquid crystal display unit 9, and Cable connector 12 for connecting transparent touch panel 7 and main board 10 via cable 11
And a board connector 13 for connecting the liquid crystal display section 9 to the main board 10.

The rubber scroll key 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, an annular groove 6a is provided in the middle portion, and the annular groove 6a is assembled so as to be fitted into the overhanging portion 2a of the lid 2. The scroll key 6 may be separately formed as described above, or may be formed integrally with the lid 2. The scroll key 6 is provided on the front surface 6 so that there is no malfunction when the lid 2 is closed and used.
b has a concave shape, and a projection 6c is provided on the back surface. In the transparent touch panel 7, an upper electrode 15 covered with a hard coat film 14 and a lower electrode 16 printed on a glass substrate 17 are bonded to each other with a seal portion 18. Normally, the upper electrode 15 and the lower electrode 16
Is in a non-contact state by the spacer 19. The transparent window 5 of the lid 2 is formed integrally with the lid 2 by two-color molding.
Consideration is given to both cost and strength. Further, the transparent window 5 is provided with a UV coat 20 together with the lid 2 and functions as a protective film against abrasion. FIG.
As shown in (b), when the scroll key 6 is operated,
The upper electrode 15 and the lower electrode 16 are brought into contact with each other through the hard coat film 14 of the transparent touch panel 7 so that the scroll key 6 is pressed by a finger and elastically deforms and sinks.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. In the normal use state, as shown in FIG. 2, the small electronic device 1 opens the lid 2 with respect to the device main body 3 via the hinge 4, directly writes on the transparent touch panel 7 with the input pen 8, and inputs and searches data. Output and the like are performed and displayed on the liquid crystal display section 9 below the transparent touch panel 7. The lid 2
Can be rotated 360 degrees with respect to the device main body 3 by the hinge 4 and can be folded behind the device main body 3. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in the storage use state in which the lid 2 is folded toward the device body 3 toward the front side, the liquid crystal display section 9 thereunder can be seen through the transparent window 5 through the transparent touch panel 7, and the scrolling can be performed. By pressing the key 6, data output, search, and instruction can be performed. In this storage use state, since the transparent touch panel 7 and the liquid crystal display unit 9 of the device main body 3 are completely covered by the lid 2, not only can the transparent touch panel 7 and the liquid crystal display unit 9 be effectively protected, but also Erroneous input and the like can be prevented, and high reliability for stored data and the like can be maintained.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, if a schedule is registered in advance in the small electronic device 1, the registered schedule is displayed through the transparent window 5 together with a buzzer sound at the scheduled time. Even if it is stored in your bag or pocket, you can check the schedule by taking it out immediately.
By pressing, the "OK" instruction can be input with one touch. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, by registering a telephone number in advance in this small electronic device 1, even if it is stored in a bag or pocket, it can be used as a telephone directory by immediately taking it out. In this case, by pressing both of the two scroll keys 6, the first telephone number is displayed through the transparent window 5, and by pressing the lower scroll key 6, the subsequent telephone numbers can be sequentially searched.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the size of the transparent window 5 is relatively small, only the person using the small electronic device 1 can see the data through the transparent window 5, , Privacy can be protected.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 8 (a) shows a storage and use state of a small electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 (b) shows a normal use state. In the present embodiment, the transparent window 5 of the lid 2 is made larger so that more data can be displayed. Further, a scroll key 21 having the same structure as that of the first embodiment and other various input keys 22 are provided on the lid 2 so that the user can input the scroll key 21 while watching the display from the transparent window 5 even in the storage use state. Data can be input and output with the key 22. The other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 9 (a) shows a storage and use state of a small electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 (b) shows a normal use state. In the present embodiment, almost the entire cover 2 is formed as a transparent window 5,
Is provided with a scroll key 21 and an input key 22 having the same structure as that of the first embodiment, so that more information can be input, output, searched,
Instruction operation becomes possible. In addition, since the structure of the lid 2 is simplified, it can be manufactured at a low cost.
The other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the small electronic device according to the present invention includes an electronic organizer, a pager, a small portable computer,
Not only is it used as a mobile phone, but also as an electronic organizer and pager, that is, a telephone function, an address book management function, a schedule management function, a memo function, a calendar function, a calculator function, an optical communication function, and a personal information management function. It can be configured as a small electronic device having a function of creating a report, a function of a fax modem, and the like.

(Embodiment 4) FIGS. 10 to 12 are views for explaining a hinge mounting mechanism of a lid 2 to a device main body 3 in a small electronic device 1 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Among these figures, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a hinge for connecting the lid of the small electronic device according to the present embodiment to the main body of the small electronic device, and FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial plan view, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial front view showing a joint portion of the hinge according to the present embodiment.

As shown in these figures, the hinge 4 for connecting the lid 2 to the apparatus main body 3 includes a lid 2, a hinge piece 23 connected to the lid 2, a lid piece 2 and a hinge piece 23. And a hinge pin 24 connecting the two. In this embodiment, a hinge piece 2
3 is provided with a notched concave portion 25 capable of receiving the tightly. A guide groove 26 extending from the outside of the lid 2 to the cutout recess 25 is provided on one of the two inside edges of the cutout recess 25, and a protrusion 27 is provided on the other inside edge. On the other hand, on both outer edges of the hinge piece 23 corresponding to the guide groove 26 and the projection 27, there are provided a recessed hole 28a which is aligned with the tip of the hinge pin 24 after the hinge pin 24 is inserted into the guide groove 26, and a projection 27. A recessed hole 28b that can be fitted is provided.

Further, a notch 29 is formed at the insertion end of the hinge pin 24 of the guide groove 26, and a locking projection 30 which is locked to the notch 29 is provided at the base end of the hinge pin 24. The notch 29 has a guide groove 2
6 is provided with a stepped portion 29a that expands from the entrance side to the back side. Further, the locking projection 30 is provided with the hinge pin 24.
Is formed in a wedge shape that gradually expands from the distal side to the proximal side. Therefore, when the hinge pin 24 is inserted into the guide groove 26 and the locking projection 30 is fitted into the notch 29, the base end surface of the locking projection 30 engages with the step 29 a of the notch 29, and the hinge pin 24 It becomes difficult to fall out. Therefore, the notch 29 and the locking projection 30 cooperate with each other to form a locking member of the hinge 4.

To connect the lid 2 and the hinge piece 23, one of the protrusions 27 provided in the cutout recess 25 of the lid 2 is engaged with the recessed hole 28 b of the hinge piece 23, and 23 into the guide groove 2
6 and the hinge pin 24 is inserted into the guide groove 26 from the outside of the lid 2 to form the recessed hole 28 a of the hinge piece 23.
To be engaged. At this time, the base end surface of the locking projection 30 is engaged with the stepped portion 29a of the notch 29, and the hinge pin 24 is hard to come off.
And are firmly connected. Thereby, the lid 2 is rotatably attached to the device main body 3 and opens and closes so that the transparent touch panel 7 can be seen.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show a scroll key 6 in a small electronic device 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the configuration of FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cover 2 showing the state in which the scroll key 6 according to the present embodiment is attached to the cover 2, and FIG. 14 is a view of the scroll key 6 in the non-operating state of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration and the portion of the scroll key 6 attached to the lid 2 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the configuration of the scroll key 6 and the portion of the scroll key 6 attached to the lid 2 in the operating state of the present embodiment. It is a partial expanded sectional view.

In this embodiment, the scroll key 6
Is formed by molding an elastic material such as rubber or other resin material. As is clear from the above figures, the scroll key 6
Is provided with a mounting hole 31 penetrating from the front surface 2a side to the rear surface 2b side in the lid 2, and is engaged with the mounting hole 31 so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The scroll key 6 has an engagement groove 32 cut inward in the radial direction on the outer periphery of the scroll key 6 and extends in the circumferential direction. The inner peripheral edge 33 of the mounting hole 31 is engaged with the mounting hole 31 by engagement. Furthermore, the inner peripheral edge 33 of the mounting hole 31 of the lid 2 is formed in a dish structure in which the upper surface 33a gradually descends from the outside in the radial direction toward the inside,
The bending performance is given to the inner peripheral edge 33.

It should be noted that, unlike the above structure, an engaging groove is provided on the lid 2 side, and an attachment edge (or flange) is provided on the scroll key 6 side so that both members are engaged. Good.

The scroll key 6 has a projection 34 at the center of the tip inside the lid 2 (on the lower surface 2b side). Further, the scroll key 6 has a groove 35 which is cut upward at a predetermined position on the ceiling of the engagement groove 32 of the scroll key 6 and extends in the circumferential direction. To give bending performance. That is, the scroll key 6 is firmly engaged with the inner peripheral edge 33 of the lid 2 at the outer peripheral portion than the groove portion 35,
The portion inside the groove 35 is configured to be easily elastically deformed in the vertical direction. An operation unit 36 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the scroll key 6.

The transparent touch panel 7 includes a touch panel upper electrode 37 and a touch panel lower electrode 38. The operation of the transparent touch panel 7 is such that when the touch panel upper electrode 37 is pressed, the touch panel upper electrode 37 and the touch panel lower electrode 38 contact each other. The current is conducted, and various commands are input. An LCD is provided below the transparent touch panel 7.
A display 39 is arranged, and characters, figures, and the like displayed on the LCD display 39 are visually recognized through the transparent touch panel 7.

In operating the small electronic device 1 having such a configuration, basically, when inputting data, the lid 2 is opened and the touch panel is pressed to input various data. Further, as described above, the content displayed on the transparent touch panel 7 can be seen through the transparent window 5 with the lid 2 closed. Further, when operating the transparent touch panel 7 with the lid 2 closed, the lid 2
It can be operated by pressing the scroll key 6 from the upper surface 2a side. When the scroll key 6 is not operated before being pressed, the protrusion 34 is held at a position slightly away from the transparent touch panel 7 as shown in FIG. When the scroll key 6 is pressed by the human finger 34, the scroll key 6 is bent and deformed at the groove 35, the center portion is recessed downward, and the projection 34 hits the transparent touch panel 7 and presses the surface thereof. I do. As a result, the touch panel upper electrode 37 and the touch panel lower electrode 38 come into contact with each other to conduct current, and various commands are input.

As described above, in the small electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment, the display contents of the transparent touch panel 7 can be visually recognized even with the lid closed, and the instruction input to the transparent touch panel 7 can be performed. A compact electronic device with good quality is realized.

FIGS. 16 to 19 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the collecting and delivering apparatus according to the second invention of the present application. The collection and distribution device 40 transmits and inputs data from the host computer to the small electronic device 1 described above, sends data from the small electronic device 1 to the host computer, or supplies power to the small electronic device 1 Is used to FIG.
17 is a partially broken front view showing a schematic external structure of FIG.
17A is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of one device housing unit in the collection and distribution device 40, and FIG.
17A showing the lower right side surface of the device housing unit shown in FIG. 17A, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 17A, and FIG. 17C showing the lower left side surface of the device housing unit shown in FIG. FIG.
(A) It is a view on arrow B. FIG. 18 shows the state shown in FIG.
To the device housing unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 19A is a back view showing a state in which is set.
To the device housing unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway rear view showing an electrical connection state between the device housing unit and the small electronic device 1 in a state in which is set.

The concentrator / distributor 40 according to this embodiment comprises:
The main body 41 includes a main unit 41 and a plurality of device housing units 42 assembled to the main unit 41. The main body of the collecting and distributing apparatus has a box structure, and forms a plurality of (four in this embodiment) unit sections 41a from one side to the other side. In each unit section 41 a, a plurality of fixing bosses 43 and 44 for attaching the device housing unit 42 to the main body 41 are provided on the inner surface of the ceiling of the main body 41.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17A to 17C, the device housing unit 42 has a thin box space structure capable of housing the small electronic device 1 having a thin box structure. The device accommodating unit 42 is a back side surface portion 45 that is a contact side surface portion that comes into contact with the small electronic device 1 in the front-rear insertion direction, and a small electronic device that extends and is set in a direction substantially perpendicular to the back side surface portion 45. It has a bottom surface portion 46 for supporting the device, a front side surface portion 47 facing the front surface of the small electronic device 1, and a rear side surface portion 48 provided in parallel with the front surface portion 47 and in contact with the rear surface of the small electronic device. It is formed by a box body that is open on two sides, the upper side and the entrance side (front side). Further, the front side surface portion 47 and the rear side surface portion 48 extend from the upper end (free end) of the rear side surface portion 45 to the free end portion of the bottom surface portion 46, respectively. It has a substantially triangular structure defined by a diagonal line connecting the end of the part 45 and the end of the bottom part 46. The device housing unit 4 is provided at the upper end portions of the front side surface portion 47 and the rear side surface portion 48 of the device housing unit 42.
Mounting flanges 49 and 50 are provided for attaching 2 to the collecting and distributing apparatus main body 41.

The equipment housing unit 42 connects the mounting flange 49 to the fixing boss 43 of the main unit 41 and connects the mounting flange 50 to the fixing boss 44 of the main unit 41. In a predetermined unit section 41a, it is suspended and attached to the ceiling portion of the main unit 41 of the collection and distribution device. At this time, by setting the positions and coupling angles of the fixing boss 43 and the mounting flange 49 and the fixing boss 44 and the mounting flange 50 to predetermined values, the device housing unit 42 is inclined from the entrance side to the back side. Also, the device housing unit 42 is attached so as to be inclined at a fixed angle in the front-rear direction (that is, inclined in two orthogonal coordinate axis directions with respect to a horizontal plane). In the present embodiment, the device housing unit 42 is inclined so as to gradually descend from the entrance side to the back side to form a bottom at the junction between the back side surface portion 45 and the bottom surface portion 46 (see FIG. 17A). On the other hand, the device accommodating unit 42 is attached so as to be inclined from the front side to the rear side (see FIG. 16). In addition,
The device accommodating unit 42 may be attached so as to be inclined from the rear side to the front side unlike the case shown in FIG.

At the lower end of the rear side surface portion 45 of the device housing unit 42, a detection unit 51 for detecting the position of the small electronic device 1 when the small electronic device 1 is set in the device housing unit 42 is provided. I have. The detection unit 51 is provided with a detection mechanism 50a for detecting that the small electronic device 1 is set in the device housing unit 42.
A through hole 54 is formed in the bottom part 46 so that the charging terminal 52 attached to the collecting and distributing apparatus main body 41 can protrude into the accommodation space 53 of the device accommodation unit 42. The positioning projection 55 for positioning the small electronic device 1 when the small electronic device 1 is set in the device housing unit 42 is provided. An optical communication unit 56 for the small electronic device 1 set in the device accommodating unit 42 to perform optical communication is provided in a portion of the bottom surface 46 near the rear side surface 45. further,
The front side portion 47 is provided with a holder spring 57 formed by cutting a part of the front side portion 47 with a U-shaped slit. An optical communication element 58 on the side of the collecting and distributing device is provided in the collecting and distributing device main body 41 corresponding to the optical communication unit 56. In the device housing unit 42, the detection unit 5 uses the back side surface 45 and the back side surface 48 as reference planes.
1, through hole 54, positioning protrusion 55, and optical communication unit 5
The position of 6 is accurately determined. The distance between the front side surface portion 47 and the rear side surface portion 48 of the device housing unit 42 is set to a size that can accommodate a large small electronic device 1 having a large thickness.

On the other hand, among the four edges defining the outer periphery of the small electronic device 1, an edge portion 60 corresponding to the back side surface portion 45 of the device housing unit 42 and a rear side surface portion 48 of the device housing unit 42. Is a reference surface. Then, the terminal-side charging terminal 63, the positioning hole 64, and the terminal-side optical communication element 65 are accurately positioned on the edge 62 in contact with the bottom surface 46 of the device housing unit 42 with reference to the edge 60 and the surface 61. It is provided in the state where it was done. And
Regardless of whether the small electronic device 1 is of a large size or a small size, the terminal-side charging terminal 63, the positioning hole 64, and the terminal-side optical communication element 65 are connected to the edge 60 and the surface 61.
Are arranged at positions of the same value on the edge 62 with reference to. The positions of the terminal-side charging terminal 63, the positioning hole 64, and the terminal-side optical communication element 65 in the small electronic device 1 are determined by the positions of the through-hole 54, the positioning protrusion 55, and the optical communication unit 56 in the device housing unit 42. Is set to the same as

With the above configuration, a small electronic device 1 of any size, whether large or small, can be set in any device housing unit 42 provided in the collection and distribution device 40. For example, when the small electronic device 1 is set, the small electronic device 1
Are in contact with the rear side surface portion 45 of the device accommodating unit 42, and the edge portion 62 is in contact with the bottom surface portion 46. The surface 61 is in contact with the rear side surface portion 48. Even if the thickness of the small electronic device 1 is small, the holder spring 57 presses forward from the opposite side of the surface 61 by its spring action. Contact with no rattling. Further, even when the large-sized small electronic device 1 is set, the small-sized electronic device 1 has its edge 60 abutting against the rear side surface portion 45 of the device accommodating unit 42,
The edge 62 is in contact with the bottom surface 46. The surface 61 is in contact with the rear side surface portion 48. Even if the small electronic device 1 is large, the device housing unit 42 is open to the upper side and the entrance side, so that the small electronic device 1 only protrudes outside from the entrance side portion and changes to the accommodation state. Absent.

Further, no matter which size of the small electronic device 1 is set in the device housing unit 42, the back side surface portion 45 and the rear side surface portion 4 on the device housing unit 42 side as described above.
8, the positions of the detection unit 51, the through hole 54, the positioning protrusion 55, and the optical communication unit 56 are accurately determined. On the small electronic device 1 side, the edge 60 and the surface 61 are set as a reference. A terminal-side charging terminal 63 and a positioning hole 64 are provided at an edge 62 in contact with the bottom 46 of the device housing unit 42.
And the terminal-side optical communication element 65 are
Is provided in a state where it is accurately positioned at the same position as that of the corresponding member, there is no positional displacement between the small electronic device 1 and the device housing unit 42 at all times, and data transmission / reception or power supply Can be done.

[0059]

As described above, a small electronic device according to the present invention has a cover provided with a transparent window for viewing the display portion of the main body, and a cover provided with operation keys. Thus, even in the storage use state in which the lid is closed with respect to the device main body, the display unit of the device main body can be seen through the transparent window of the lid, and the operation on the touch panel can be performed with the lid closed. The operation becomes simple. Further, when performing an operation of viewing the touch panel, it is not necessary to open the lid, so that the apparatus does not become bulky. In addition, in the storage use state, the display unit is completely covered by the lid, so that the display unit is not damaged, and furthermore, by operating the touch panel of the device body by pressing the operation key of the lid, Since the electrical connection between the lid and the device main body becomes unnecessary, an effect is obtained that an electrical failure is less likely to occur.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collecting and distributing apparatus main body, and a device housing for assembling with the collecting and distributing apparatus main body for storing a small electronic device and transmitting and receiving data to and from the small electronic device. The device housing unit is a collecting and distributing device capable of accommodating small electronic devices of a plurality of sizes, and in this collecting and distributing device, the device accommodating unit is, for example, a front-to-rear insertion direction of the small electronic device. A substantially rectangular shape having an abutting side surface, a bottom surface supporting the small electronic device, a front side facing the front surface of the small electronic device, and a rear side facing the rear surface of the small electronic device. The small electronic device has a thin box space structure that forms a part of the electronic device, and is configured to be opened toward the upper edge and the entrance edge adjacent to the device housing unit. But it is possible to set in the device housing unit, an effect that will be able to send and receive or power supply data to and from various small electronic devices with a single collector delivery device can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main body and a lid of a small electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the small electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a normal use state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the small electronic device in a storage use state according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a scroll key portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view showing a use state of the small electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view showing a use state of the small electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a storage state of a small electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a reduced perspective view of a small electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a normal use state. Figure

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a storage state of a small electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a reduced perspective view of a small electronic device in a normal use state according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a hinge attachment mechanism for coupling a lid of a small electronic device to a main body of the small electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a joint portion of a hinge of the small electronic device according to the fourth embodiment in an enlarged manner;

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged front view showing a joint portion of a hinge of the small electronic device according to the fourth embodiment in an enlarged manner;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cover showing a state in which operation keys of the small electronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention are attached to the cover.

FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a configuration of an operation key in a non-operating state and a portion of the operation key attached to a lid according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a configuration of an operation key and an attachment portion of the operation key to a lid in an operation state of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway front view showing a schematic external structure of a collection and distribution device according to an embodiment of the second invention of the present application;

17A is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of one device housing unit in the collection and distribution apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 17B is a front right perspective view of the device housing unit shown in FIG. 17A is a view as viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 17A. (C) is a view as viewed from an arrow B in FIG. 17A showing a lower left side surface of the device housing unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a back view showing a state in which a small electronic device is set in the device housing unit shown in FIGS.

FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway rear view showing a state of electrical connection between the device housing unit and the small electronic device in a state where the small electronic device is set in the device housing unit shown in FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c).

20A is a perspective view of a small electronic device in a conventional example in a normal use state, and FIG. 20B is a perspective view of a small electronic device in a conventional example in a stored use state.

21A is a perspective view of a small electronic device in another conventional example in a normal use state, and FIG. 21B is a perspective view of a small electronic device in another conventional example in a stored use state.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a small electronic device according to another conventional example in a normal use state.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid of a small electronic device according to still another conventional example is lifted.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid of a small electronic device according to another conventional example is closed with the display unit inside.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover of a small electronic device according to still another conventional example is closed with the display unit facing outward.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small electronic device 2 Lid 3 Main body 4 Hinge 5 Transparent window 6 Scroll key 7 Transparent touch panel 8 Input pen 9 Liquid crystal display part 10 Main board 11 Cable 12 Cable connector 13 Board connector 14 Hard coat film 15 Upper electrode 16 Lower electrode 17 Glass Substrate 18 Sealing part 19 Spacer 20 UV coating 21 Scroll key 22 Input key 23 Hinge piece 24 Hinge pin 25 Notch concave part 26 Groove part 27 Projection 28 Depression hole 29 Notch 30 Locking projection part 31 Mounting hole 32 Engagement groove 33 Inner peripheral edge 34 Projection Unit 35 Groove 36 Operation Unit 40 Collector / Distributor 41 Collector / Distributor Main Unit 42 Equipment Housing Unit 45 Back Side Part (Reference Surface) 46 Bottom Part 47 Front Side Part 48 Rear Side Part (Reference Surface) 51 Detector 52 Charging Terminal 53 Housing Space 54 (Charging terminal) Hole 55 Positioning protrusion 56 Optical communication section 57 Holder spring 58 Optical communication element (collector / distributor side) 60 Edge (reference plane) 61 Surface (reference plane) 63 Charging terminal (terminal side) 64 Positioning hole 65 Optical communication element ( Terminal side)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Keiji Minamibu, Inventor 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Takayuki Takahashi, Inventor Kohoku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (3-1) Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichi Goto Matsushita Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd. 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Akira Shima 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A small electronic device comprising: a main body having a display portion on its surface; and a lid attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable and having a transparent window through which the display portion can be viewed in a closed state. 2. The small electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation key for giving an input instruction to the main body on the lid. 3. The small electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises a transparent touch panel and a liquid crystal display unit disposed on a back surface thereof. 4. An operation key provided on the lid is provided facing the touch panel, and the touch panel can be operated from the front side of the lid with the lid closed. Item 7. A small electronic device according to Item 3. 5. The operation key is formed by molding an elastic material, and a cover is provided with a mounting hole penetrating from the front side to the rear side, and is locked in the mounting hole so as to be elastically deformable in a vertical direction. The small electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The operation key has an engagement groove formed radially inward on the outer periphery of the operation key and extending in the circumferential direction. The small electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the small electronic device is locked in the mounting hole by engaging an inner peripheral edge. 7. The small electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole of the lid is formed in a dish structure that gradually descends from the outside in the radial direction to the inside. 8. The operation key has an engagement flange formed radially outward on the outer periphery of the operation key and extending in the circumferential direction, and engages with an inner peripheral edge in a mounting hole of the lid. 7. The small-sized electronic device according to claim 6, wherein a groove is formed, and the engagement flange is engaged with an engagement flange of the operation key in the engagement groove of the lid to be locked in the mounting hole. 9. The small electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the operation key has a protruding portion at a tip portion inside the lid. 10. The small electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the lid is attached to the small electronic device body so as to be opened and closed by a hinge. 11. The hinge includes a lid, a hinge piece connected to the lid, and a hinge pin connecting the lid and the hinge piece, wherein one of the lid and the hinge piece is connected. The part is provided with a notch capable of accommodating the coupling part of the other member, and a guide groove extending from a side part of the one member to the notch is formed, while the other member corresponds to the guide groove. 11. The lid is connected to the hinge piece by providing a concave portion and inserting the hinge pin from the side into the guide groove to engage with the concave portion.
The described small electronic device. 12. The small electronic device according to claim 11, wherein a lock mechanism is provided in the guide groove and the hinge pin, and the hinge pin inserted in the guide groove is fixedly locked in the guide groove. 13. A collecting and distributing apparatus main body, and a device accommodating unit assembled to the collecting and distributing apparatus main body for accommodating a small electronic device and transmitting / receiving data or power supply to / from the small electronic device, A collecting and distributing device, wherein the device accommodating unit is capable of accommodating a plurality of small-sized electronic devices. 14. The device accommodating unit includes: a contact side portion which comes into contact with the small electronic device in the front-rear insertion direction; a bottom portion supporting the small electronic device; and a front side portion contacting the front surface of the small electronic device. Has a thin box space structure that forms a part of a substantially rectangular shape having a rear side portion facing the rear surface of the small electronic device, and is opened toward an adjacent upper edge portion and an entrance side edge portion of the device housing unit. 14. The collecting and distributing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: 15. The device accommodating unit has a height of 2
15. The collecting and distributing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the collecting and distributing apparatus is attached to and fixed to the collecting and distributing apparatus main body in a state of being inclined in the direction of the orthogonal coordinate axes. 16. The device accommodating unit is inclined in such a manner as to gradually descend toward the contact side surface portion and is inclined in a direction in which the device accommodating unit is inclined toward one of the front surface and the rear surface of the device accommodating unit. 16. The collecting and distributing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the collecting and distributing apparatus is attached and fixed to a distributing apparatus main body. 17. The device housing unit, wherein the contact side surface portion and the front and rear falling side surface are used as reference surfaces, and the charging terminal through hole,
17. The collecting and distributing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the positioning unit and the optical communication unit is accurately determined. 18. A small-sized electronic device in which, among four edges defining its outer periphery, an edge corresponding to a contact side surface of the device housing unit and a surface corresponding to a front-rear side surface of the device housing unit are set as reference surfaces. The position of at least one of the terminal-side charging terminal, the positioning section, and the terminal-side optical communication element is accurately determined on an edge portion in contact with the bottom surface of the device housing unit. Item 18. The collection and delivery device according to Item 17. 19. A position of at least one of the charging terminal through-hole, the positioning portion, and the optical communication portion in the device housing unit from a reference surface of a corresponding one of the small electronic devices. 19. The collecting and delivering apparatus according to claim 18, wherein: