JPH11161374A - Portable information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal device which holds an easy-to-see display part and an input part with an easy-to-input posture and is easily adapted to functional changes of the device or to specific applications. SOLUTION: The portable information terminal device is equipped with an input part 2 which is put over a main body part 1 for protection, a main body part 1 having a display for displaying input information from the input part 2 and a storage means for storing a program, etc., and a hinge part 11 which connects the input part 2 to the main body part 11 in such a foldable way that the input part is rotated from the top side to the reverse side of the main body part 1, wherein the input part 2 is composed of a tablet and an input display sheet 6 is made attachable and detachable along the tablet 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small portable information terminal device which emphasizes portability and input operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many portable information terminal devices having a display device and an input device have a pressure-sensitive input tablet at an overlapping position above the display device.
"Poss", a portable information communication terminal manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.
"ible" is known. This type of device can perform input and editing by writing characters on the display screen of the display device with an input pen, picking icons on the display screen, and picking icons arranged around the display screen. It is a device that can mainly use this portable information communication terminal device alone to manage personal information and the like, and can transmit and receive facsimile and e-mail by connecting to a telephone line.

[0003] In addition, as a device in which a display device and an input device are rotatably connected by a hinge portion, a scientific calculator and the like are known. This device is a fixed single-function device, and when a display icon is pressed, a membrane switch is turned on to generate an input or edit instruction signal.

[0004]

In the conventional portable information communication terminal device, since the input device is arranged on the display screen, the display area of the display screen is reduced. Also, the angle at which the display screen is easy to see and the angle at which pen input operation is easy are different, but the display device and the input device are fixed and the viewing angle of the display device is narrow, so that the input operability inevitably deteriorates and e-mail It is not suitable for inputting long sentences such as.

[0005] Further, since the conventional scientific calculator is limited to a single function, it is difficult to use the same equipment for specific industries in various fields.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to make it possible to make the display section easy to see and to make the input section easy to input.

A second object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily cope with a change in the function of the device or a specific business.

A third object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily cope with an upgrade of software (programs and data).

A fourth object of the present invention is to enable use even when the display device is covered by an input unit which also serves as a cover for covering and protecting the display device of the main body.

A fifth object of the present invention is to improve the handleability by eliminating the need to carry a separate input display sheet to be used on the surface of the tablet of the input section.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet-like input section which is used for inputting characters and instructions and superimposing the main body to protect a display device, input information input from the input section, and input processing. A main unit including a display device for displaying the result, a storage unit for storing input information, a program, and the like, and a communication unit for performing communication between a control board on which a control circuit element is mounted and another device; and the input unit. By configuring the input unit in the portable information terminal device having a hinge unit coupled to the main unit so that the input unit can be folded back so as to rotate from a position overlapping the front surface to a position overlapping the back surface of the main unit by a tablet By opening the main body and the input unit at an arbitrary angle by the hinge unit, the display unit can be arranged at an easy-to-view angle to perform an input operation, thereby improving input operability.

[0012] In addition, a storage element having a plurality of programs built therein is provided in the storage means, and the programs can be selectively used so as to correspond to an input display sheet which is exchangeably provided on the tablet. By changing the display sheet, program and data (software), the function of the device can be easily changed.
To be able to respond to specialized machines for specific industries in a short period of time and with a small investment.

Further, by providing a rewritable storage element in the storage means, it is possible to easily cope with a version upgrade by changing a program or data (software) in the apparatus.

Further, the tablet of the input section is made of a transparent member, and the input section is placed on the front surface of the main body so that the display screen of the display device can be seen through, so that the cover (input section) can be seen. The user can view the display screen even with () closed, and use it as a viewer in a small space.

Further, the input unit enables input operations from both sides of the tablet, and further allows input display sheets to be provided on both sides of the tablet so that display and editing can be performed with the cover closed. And to use the device in less space.

[0016] By providing a plurality of input display sheets on one end of the tablet so as to be folded back, it is not necessary to carry the input display sheets separately, thereby improving the handling of the apparatus.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of a portable information communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a second input portion of an input tablet type also serving as a protective cover is opened, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a storage state in which the second input unit of the portable information communication terminal device according to the embodiment is closed so as to face down on the front (upper) side surface of the main unit, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a use state in which the second input unit of the information communication terminal device is turned back to rotate 360 degrees and opened on the back (lower) side surface of the main unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the portable information communication terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the back surface (rear surface) of the portable information communication terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. is there.

In these figures, the outer shell of the main body 1 is
An upper case 15 and a lower case 16 are formed of a polymer and a synthetic resin of a tablet 3 forming a first input unit and a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 4 forming a display unit. The tablet 3 is a transparent member including a pressure-sensitive element or the like. The tablet 3 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display screen of the LCD 4, and an input operation of information displayed on the LCD 4 can be performed by pressing the tablet 3.

Second input unit 2 also serving as a cover for the display unit
Is provided with a tablet 7 dedicated to inputting input display sheet information and a tablet frame 8 formed of synthetic resin. The tablet 7 is formed by stacking two films provided with transparent electrodes so that the field of view is not obstructed to the opposite side of the input unit 2, and input from the tablet 3 while viewing the display screen of the LCD 4. Enable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the display screen can be viewed even when the input unit 2 is closed so as to overlap the front surface of the main unit 1, and the input operation can be performed.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a hinge formed of a soft synthetic resin. The hinge is turned so as to rotate the input unit 2 by 360 degrees, and is freely rotatable from a position overlapping the front surface to a position overlapping the back surface of the main unit 1. 1 and the input unit 2 are connected. The hinge 11 is formed by laminating two thin synthetic resins and welding the left and right ends. Further, a tablet flex 17 on which a signal transmission conductor pattern of the tablet 7 is printed is arranged in the hinge 11 and connected to a control board (described later) inside the main body 1.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a magnet installed on the main body 1 and 1
Numeral 3 denotes a magnetic metal plate provided on the input unit 2, which is attracted when the input unit 2 is closed so as to overlap the front surface of the main unit 1 so that the main unit 1 and the input unit 2 are locked in a superposed state. . The installation position of the magnet 12 is set so as not to overlap the LCD 4 behind the LCD 4, and the thickness of the upper case 15 located above the magnet 12 is formed thin so that the magnetic metal plate 13 can be strongly attracted.

A plurality of icons 5 are provided in the front area of the LCD 4 so that functions such as a power switch, a function change, and contrast can be allocated. A function switching key 9 in the icon 5 is a key for instructing a change of a function of the apparatus.

An input display sheet 6 can be removably attached to the input section 2 along the surface of the tablet 7, and when the function is changed by the function switching key 9, the input display sheet 6 is replaced. , The function of the main unit 1 and the input function of the input unit 2 (input display sheet 6
Input display information) to allow input from the input unit 2.

The input display sheet 6 is detachable on both sides of the tablet frame 8, and the display screen is not obstructed even when the input section 2 is closed so as to overlap the front side of the main body 1 as shown in FIG. As described above, the input display sheet 6 is provided in the area around the display screen, and the function can be changed to enable the use of the device. The position of the input display sheet 6 may be any position as long as it does not substantially hinder the see-through of the display screen.

An input operation pen 10 is used for input operation of the tablet 3, the icon 5, and the tablet 7.

The main unit 1 has a ROM for storing programs.
A ROM board (described later) on which the
The ROM replacement cover 20 is provided on the rear side of the ROM cover 20 so that the ROM board can be replaced. The ROM replacement cover 20 is fixed to the lower case 16 with screws 21.

On the back of the main body 1, a microphone 22, an Ir-DA window 23a for performing infrared communication, and an RS232C connector 24 for performing data cooperation with other devices via a cable.
And a PDC / PHS connector 25 connected to a mobile phone for communication and a modular jack 28 connected to a telephone line for communication. The RS232C connector 24 and the PDC / PHS connector 25 have RS23, respectively.
A 2C lid 26 and a PDC / PHS connector lid 27 are provided to cover so that dust and the like do not adhere when the connector is not used.

A DC jack 29 is provided on the left side of the main body 1 so that an AC adapter can be connected.

A speaker (to be described later) is arranged above the DC jack 29, and is opposed to the speaker so that the sound can be heard upward and easily heard in any use form.
5 is provided with a speaker hole 15b.

The pen 10 is disposed between the control board and the tablet 3 so as not to overlap with the LCD 4 so as to be located in front of the main body 1, and is slid to the right to be taken in and out.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the portable information communication terminal device in which a part of the portable information communication terminal device is cut away with the second input unit being opened. FIG. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the closed portable information communication terminal device, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional side view thereof.

The control board 18 and the battery 30 are arranged so as not to overlap the lower case 16 formed of a synthetic resin in a bottomed shape. A chassis 31 made of a synthetic resin is arranged on the control board 18.
The LCD 4 and the tablet 3 are arranged so as not to overlap with the battery 30 on the LCD 1. Further, a synthetic resin upper case 15 is provided so as to cover these peripheral edges. Upper case 15
A boss 15a integrally formed is provided on the inner side of the upper case 15, and the upper case 15, the chassis 31, the control board 18 and the lower case 16 are fastened and fixed together by screws from the lower case 16 side. And fixed between the chassis 31.

In the area where the mounted components of the control board 4a of the LCD 4 are located, a relief hole 31b is formed in the opposing chassis 31 so that the LCD 4 and the chassis 31 can be thinly overlapped.

A ROM board 19 and a modem board 32 are disposed below the control board 18, and connectors 19a and 19a are provided respectively.
It is detachably attached to the control board 18 by 32a. A ROM exchange window 16a, which is slightly larger than the ROM substrate 19, is provided at a position facing the ROM substrate 19 in the lower case 16, and the ROM exchange window 16a is opened and closed by a ROM exchange lid 20 formed of synthetic resin. I have to. The ROM replacement lid 20 is formed with a fitting claw 20a on one side thereof, hooked onto the lower case 16 and latched.
A screw 33 passed through a screw hole 20b formed on the side opposite to 0a is screwed into the lower case 16 to fix the ROM replacement lid 20 to the lower case 16. Even after assembly of the device, the ROM board 19 can be replaced by removing the ROM replacement cover 20.

A high mounting DC jack 29 is mounted on the control board 18 at a position not overlapping the LCD 4, and a low mounting PDC / DC is mounted at a position overlapping the LCD 4.
PHS connector 25, RS232C connector 24 and Ir
-Implement DA23. Since the modular jack 28 cannot be mounted on the control board 18, the modular jack 28 is installed inside the rear surface of the main body at a position that does not overlap the LCD 4.

The speaker 34 is disposed above the DC jack 29 and is provided to face the inside of the speaker hole 15b.

The hinge 11 has its end overlapped on the lower surface of the control board 18, and is fixed to a boss 31 a formed on the chassis 31 by screws 35 together with the control board 18. The other end of the hinge 11 is connected to the tablet frame 8, and the tablet flexure 17 passing through the inside of the hinge 11 is connected to a tablet connector 36 mounted on the lower surface of the control board 18.

The icon 5 is attached to the back of the tablet 3 for installation. This may be on the front surface of the tablet 3, but the back surface can also serve as a spacer between the LCD 4 and the tablet 3.

A battery exchange cover 37 made of synthetic resin is provided on the front surface of the battery 30, and can be attached to and detached from a battery exchange window formed at the joint between the upper case 15 and the lower case 16 by fitting claws formed on the battery exchange cover 37. To fit.

The second input unit 2 has a tablet frame 8
The tablet 7 is fitted into the device. The tablet frame 8 is formed with a fitting claw for detachably fitting the input display sheet 6, and has a structure in which the input display sheet 6 is detachably arranged so as to overlap the surface of the tablet 7.

The tablet frame 8 is also provided with similar fitting claws on the opposite side so that the input display sheet 6 can be detachably mounted on the back side.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second input unit of the portable information communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.

In this embodiment, a plurality of input display sheets 6 are provided on an arbitrary side of the tablet frame 8 so as to be turned back so as to be rotated within a range of 360 degrees, and the input display sheets 6 are turned over to obtain a desired object. It is a structure that enables exchange.

With such a structure, the input display sheet 6 to be used is tabulated, and the software of the main body 1 is made to match the input display information of the input display sheet 6 so that a plurality of input display sheets 6 can be used. Function to be able to use.

[0046]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet-like input unit which is used for inputting characters and commands and superimposing the main unit to protect the display device.
A display device that displays input information and input processing results input from the input unit, a storage unit that stores the input information and a program, and communication for performing communication between a control board on which control circuit elements are mounted and another device. A portable information terminal device comprising: a main body having means; and a hinge connected to the main body such that the input unit can be folded back so as to rotate from a position overlapping the front surface to a position overlapping the back surface of the main body. Since the input unit is configured by a tablet, the main body and the input unit can be opened at an arbitrary angle by the hinge unit and the display unit can be arranged at an easy-to-view angle for input operation. improves.

Further, a storage element containing a plurality of programs is provided in the storage means, and the programs can be selectively used so as to correspond to an input display sheet exchangeably provided on the tablet. By changing the input display sheet and the program or data (software), the function of the device can be easily changed.
It will be possible to respond to specialized machines for specific industries in a short period of time and with a small investment.

Further, by providing a rewritable storage element in the storage means, it is possible to easily cope with a version upgrade by changing a program or data (software) in the apparatus.

Further, the tablet of the input unit is made of a transparent member, and the input unit is placed on the front surface of the main unit so that the display screen of the display device can be seen through, so that the cover (input unit) can be seen. Since the display screen can be viewed even when () is closed, it can be used as a viewer in a small space.

Further, the input section enables input operation from both sides of the tablet, and furthermore, it is possible to provide input display sheets on both sides of the tablet, thereby performing display and editing with the cover closed. Therefore, the device can be used in a small space.

Since a plurality of input display sheets are provided on one end of the tablet so as to be folded back, it is not necessary to carry the input display sheets separately, and the handling of the apparatus is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of a portable information communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an input tablet type second input unit also serving as a protective cover is opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a storage state in which a second input unit of the portable information communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed so as to face down on a front (upper) side surface of a main unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a usage state in which a second input unit of the portable information communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention is folded back so as to be rotated 360 degrees and opened to the back (lower) side surface of a main body unit. is there.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a back side surface of the portable information communication terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a back surface (rear surface) of the portable information communication terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the portable information communication terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a second input unit is opened and a part thereof is cut away.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view of the portable information communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the second input unit is closed so as to overlap the front surface of the main unit.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the portable information communication terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the second input unit is closed so as to overlap the front surface of the main unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portable information communication terminal device according to another embodiment of the present invention in a state where a second input unit is opened.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body part 2 2nd input part 3 Tablet 4 LCD 4a Control board 5 Icon 6 Input display sheet 7 Tablet 8 Tablet frame 9 Function switching key 10 Pen 11 Hinge part 15 Upper case 16 Lower case 17 Tablet flexible 18 Control board 19 ROM substrate

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sheet-like input unit which is used to protect a display device by superimposing characters and instructions on a main unit and a display device for displaying input information and an input processing result input from the input unit. A main unit including a storage unit for storing information, a program, and the like, and a communication unit for performing communication between a control board on which a control circuit element is mounted and another device; and the input unit overlaps a front surface of the main unit. A portable information terminal device comprising a hinge portion that is connected to the main body portion so that the input portion can be folded back so as to rotate from a position to a position overlapping the back side surface, wherein the input unit is configured by a tablet. . 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit includes a storage element having a plurality of programs built therein, and the program can be selectively used so as to correspond to an input display sheet exchangeably provided on the tablet. 2. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said storage means includes a rewritable storage element. 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit comprises a tablet made of a transparent material, and the display screen of the display device can be seen through when the input unit is overlaid on the front surface of the main unit. The portable information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The portable information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the input unit is capable of performing an input operation from both sides of the tablet. 6. The portable information terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the input unit is capable of providing input display sheets on both sides of the tablet. 7. The portable information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the input unit is provided with a plurality of input display sheets stacked on one end of the tablet so as to be folded.