KR100883539B1 - Pdapersonal digital assistants with keypads - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a PD having a plurality of keypads, comprising: a PD having a display unit and capable of storing and processing information; A plurality of keypads arranged in layers along the thickness direction of the PD body, with a plurality of operation keys arranged according to a function-specific key mode to input an operation signal to the PD body; One side is coupled to the PD main body slidably along the up and down direction of the display unit and the other side includes a pad support member for supporting the keypad so as to change the position relative to the PD main body so that the selected key mode can be disposed on the upper side. It characterized in that it comprises a plurality of keypads. This provides a PD with a plurality of keypads which can be selected appropriately according to the use function and are portable.

Description

PERIDAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTS (PDA) WITH KEYPADS}

1 is a perspective view of a conventional PD;

2 is a front view of a PD with a plurality of keypads according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a perspective view of a keypad in the personal information management key mode of FIG.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the keypad in the telephone mode of Figure 2,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a keypad pulled out state of the PD of FIG. 2;

6 is a view showing a rotation operation of the keypad of FIG.

7 is a perspective view of a PD with a plurality of keypads according to another embodiment of the present invention,

8 is a coupling diagram of FIG. 7.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

21: PD body 23: display unit

25: female connector 26: connector receiving portion

27: sliding receiving portion 31: the first keypad

32: arrow keys 33: function keys                 

35,45,55: Mail connector 37,47,57: Rotating shaft

41: second keypad 42: function keys

51: third keypad 61: pad support member

63: guide part

The present invention relates to a PD having a plurality of keypads, and more particularly, to a PD having a plurality of keypads for selecting a keypad according to a function to be used and making it easy to carry.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are a type of portable computer, which includes a document working function and a personal information management and schedule management function such as an electronic notebook. Recently, products with a wireless communication function are increasing.

1 is a perspective view of a conventional PD. As shown, the PD has a normal rectangular parallelepiped main body 11 having a program embedded therein for processing information therein, and a display unit 13 for displaying information on the upper surface of the main body 11. The lower side of the display unit 13 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons 15 for selecting and operating functions. The display unit 13 has a touch screen function, so that an input can be made using a so-called stylus pen 17. Will be done.

By the way, in the conventional PD, a plurality of operation buttons 15 are formed in the remaining space around the display unit 13, and the stylus pen 17 is mainly used, so that the size of the operation buttons 15 and Since a lot of constraints are placed on the arrangement, when playing a game with a PD, there is a problem that the operation button 15 is relatively small in size, resulting in inconvenience in operation.

In addition, since the stylus pen 17 has a relatively slow input speed compared to a normal key input, when the personal information management and / or schedule management is performed by the PD, or when the PD is mainly used as a telephone, the input itself is cumbersome and the input and operation time is low. There is a problem that a lot of inconvenience comes to use, such as extended.

In consideration of such a problem, a separate keypad for a game has been developed, but the keypad is bulky and difficult to carry, and when stored separately, there is a problem that it is difficult to respond immediately when needed and there is a risk of loss.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a PD having a plurality of keypads which can be selected appropriately according to the use function and are portable.

The above object, according to the present invention, the body of the PD having a display unit capable of storing and processing information; A plurality of keypads arranged in layers along the thickness direction of the PD body, with a plurality of operation keys arranged according to a function-specific key mode to input an operation signal to the PD body; One side is coupled to the PD main body slidably along the up and down direction of the display unit and the other side includes a pad support member for supporting the keypad so as to change the position relative to the PD main body so that the selected key mode can be disposed on the upper side. It is achieved by a PD having a plurality of keypads, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of keypads.

Here, the key mode preferably includes a game key mode, a personal information management key mode, and a telephone key mode.

The keypad is provided with a rotation shaft which protrudes along the vertical direction of the display unit, and the pad support member accommodates the rotation shaft of each keypad and can be mutually changed along the thickness direction of the display unit. It is effective that the guide part which guides coaxial is formed.

It is preferable to include a male connector formed on any one of the mutual contact surface of the PD body and the keypad, and the female connector formed to be interconnected with the male connector on the other.

It is effective to further include a keypad support portion arranged to receive the edge of the keypad arranged in a layer on the opposite side of the pad support member to suppress the flow in the thickness direction of the keypad.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the present invention.

2 is a front view of a PD with a plurality of keypads according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the keypad in the personal information management key mode of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a telephone mode of Figure 2 5 is a perspective view of the keypad, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the keypad pulled out state of Figure 2, Figure 6 is a view showing a rotation operation of the keypad of FIG. As shown in these figures, the PDA having the plurality of keypads has a built-in program for processing information therein and has a display unit 23 for displaying predetermined information on the upper surface thereof. (21), the first to third keypads (31, 41, 51) that are removably coupled to the lower side of the PD body (21), and slide-out with respect to the PD body (21) is coupled to each keypad ( And a pad support member 61 for rotatably supporting the 31, 41, and 51.

The female connector 25 is formed at the lower end of the PD body 21 so that the female connectors 35, 45, and 55 of the keypads 31, 41, and 51 to be described later can be connected, and the female connector 25 is provided. The lower side of the) is formed with a connector receiving portion 26 recessed to accommodate another male connector. A sliding accommodating part 27 is formed at one edge of the PD body 21 so that the pad support member 61 can be slidably pulled out along the vertical direction of the display unit 23.

The keypad has a plurality of key modes, for example, a game key mode for a game, a personal information management key mode formed to have a plurality of function keys to facilitate personal information management and schedule management, and a telephone function. The first to third keypads 31, 41, and 51 are respectively formed to correspond to the telephone mode, which can be used to facilitate number input when the device is used.

The first keypad 31 is provided with a direction key 32 for selecting a direction in the center area so as to facilitate operation during the game corresponding to the game mode, and a plurality of function keys 33 around the direction key 32. ) Is provided.

The second keypad 41 is formed to have a plurality of relatively small function keys 42 corresponding to various functions according to the personal information management key mode, and the third keypad 51 according to the telephone mode. A plurality of keys 52 are arranged to have an arrangement similar to that of a normal telephone dial.

On the other hand, at the edge of the keypad body 21 side of the first to third keypads 31, 41 and 51, the mail connectors 35, 45 and 55 are formed to be connected to the female connector 25, respectively. Rotating shafts 37, 47, and 57 are formed at both side edges in the vertical direction of the display unit 23, respectively.

Correspondingly, in the pad support member 61, the first to third keypads 31, 41, and 51 arranged in layers along the thickness direction of the PD body 21 are pivoted around the pad support member 61. A closed loop guide portion 63 is formed to receive and guide the rotational shafts 37, 47, 57 of each keypad 31, 41, 51 so that the position can be changed.

By this configuration, when the first keypad 31 is to be replaced with the second keypad 41, the keypads 31, 41, and 51 are held and pulled downward of the PD body 21, as shown in FIG. As described above, the pad support member 61 is pulled out and the male connector 35 connected to the female connector 25 is separated. Next, when the free end side of the first keypad 31 disposed on the upper side is pulled upward in FIG. 6, the pivot shaft 37 of the first keypad 31 moves along the guide portion 63 to form the third keypad 51. Will be located underneath. At this time, when the lower side of the first keypad 31 is pressed upward, the second keypad 41 is positioned at the uppermost side, and the third keypad 51 and the first keypad 31 are disposed below the second keypad 41. Next, when the second keypad 41 is disposed at the uppermost side and the upper end of the keypad is pressed upward along the up and down direction of the display unit 23, the male connector 45 of the second keypad 41 is connected to the female connector ( 25).

7 is a perspective view of a PD with a plurality of keypads according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a combined view of FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the same and equivalent parts as in the above-described and illustrated embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown, the PD having the plurality of keypads is layered on the bottom side of the PD body 21 along the vertical direction of the PD body main body 21 having the display unit 23 and the display unit 23. A pad support member that is slidably coupled to one side of the first to third keypads 31, 41, and 51 arranged on the one side of the PD body 21 to support relative movement of the keypads 31, 41, and 51. 61 is provided.

On the opposite side of the sliding accommodating portion 27 of the PD body 21, the display portion has an almost “Ｕ” cross-sectional shape to accommodate the thicknesses of the first to third keypads 31, 41, and 51 arranged in layers. A keypad accommodating support portion 28 protruding downward along the up and down direction of 23 is formed. It is preferable that the protruding length of the keypad accommodating support 28 is appropriately selected in a range in which each of the keypads 31, 41 and 51 drawn out can be pivoted without interference around the pad supporting member 61.

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of keypads are formed on one side of the PD body according to different key modes and are arranged in layers along the thickness direction of the PD body so that the positions thereof can be changed. Provided with a pad support member that is coupled to slide out to support the keypad so that the position can be changed to each other, it is possible to select an appropriate keypad according to the use function, and the PD with a plurality of portable keypad is provided.

Claims (5)

A PD body having a display unit for storing and processing information; A plurality of keypads arranged in layers along the thickness direction of the PD body, with a plurality of operation keys arranged according to a function-specific key mode to input an operation signal to the PD body; One side is coupled to the PD main body slidably along the up and down direction of the display unit and the other side includes a pad support member for supporting the keypad so as to change the position relative to the PD main body so that the selected key mode can be disposed on the upper side. A PD having a plurality of keypads, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of keypads. The method of claim 1, The key mode is a paddle having a plurality of keypads, characterized in that it comprises a game key mode, a personal information management key mode and a telephone key mode. The method of claim 1, The keypad is provided with a rotation shaft which protrudes along the vertical direction of the display unit, and the pad support member accommodates the rotation shaft of each keypad and can be mutually changed along the thickness direction of the display unit. A PD having a plurality of keypads, characterized in that a guide portion for guiding coaxial is formed. The method of claim 1, And a male connector formed on one of the mutual contact surfaces of the PD main body and the keypad, and a female connector formed on the other to be interconnected with the male connector. . The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, And a keypad support part arranged to receive edges of the keypad arranged in layers on opposite sides of the pad support member, the keypad support part suppressing flow in the thickness direction of the keypad.

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