WO2009147889A1

WO2009147889A1 - Portable terminal cover

Info

Publication number: WO2009147889A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/055536
Authority: WO
Inventors: 光男廣田
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2008-06-05
Filing date: 2009-03-20
Publication date: 2009-12-10
Also published as: JP2010016799A

Abstract

Provided is a portable terminal cover (1) which is removably mounted on an electronic book (50) having a display section (51), which displays information, on the front surface of a case and protects the electronic book (50) by covering the electronic book. The cover is provided with a front surface cover section (20) arranged to face the front surface of the electronic book (50); a rear surface cover section (10) arranged to face the rear surface of the electronic book (50); a side surface cover section (30) arranged to face the side surfaces of the electronic book (50); a terminal I/F electrically connected to a cover I/F provided for supplying the electronic book (50) with power from the external; and an auxiliary battery attaching section (11) for attaching an auxiliary battery which supplies the electronic book (50) with power through the terminal I/F.

Description

Cover for mobile devices

The present invention relates to a cover for a portable terminal.

In recent years, electronic books have become widespread. The electronic book stores information described in a dictionary or a book and can be easily carried. Information is input to the electronic book from a personal computer via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or an SD card. An electronic book is generally light weight of several hundred grams, lighter than a notebook computer, and has the characteristics of being compact and similar in size to a palm. The electronic book is operated by a power source supplied from a dry battery or a rechargeable battery. Since the amount of power that can be supplied by the dry battery and the rechargeable battery is limited, it is necessary to replace the battery or charge the rechargeable battery before the power is consumed.

Then, the charging method using the cradle which is an apparatus for charging the rechargeable battery of portable communication apparatuses, such as an electronic book, is known (for example, patent documents 1). This cradle has many functions such as a lock unit that locks the portable communication device so that it does not come off, and a function that detects unlocking.
JP 2007-96851 A

However, the cradle described in Patent Document 1 is heavy because it has many functions. Therefore, when the electronic book is connected to the cradle, the whole becomes heavy, and there is a problem that the electronic book itself may be damaged when the electronic book integrated with the cradle is dropped.

This disclosure is intended to provide a cover for a mobile terminal that can supply power to the mobile terminal being carried and can prevent the mobile terminal from being damaged when dropped.

According to the present disclosure, it is detachably attached to a mobile terminal having a display unit for displaying information on a surface of a housing, and at least the surface of the mobile terminal, a back surface opposite to the surface, and the surface and the surface A cover for a portable terminal that covers and protects a side surface that connects to the back surface, and is disposed to face the surface of the portable terminal and covers at least the display unit to protect the portable terminal cover, A back cover portion that is disposed to face the back surface and covers and protects the back surface; and a side cover portion that is disposed to face the side surface of the mobile terminal and covers and protects the side surface. The front cover is swingably connected to one end, the back cover is connected to the other end of the front cover, the side cover is swingably connected independently of the front cover, and the portable terminal Is external Corresponding to a power supply and demand opening for receiving power, a connector part provided on the back cover part or the side cover part and electrically connected to the power supply opening, the front cover part, and the back face Provided is a cover for a portable terminal provided with either a cover part or a side battery cover part, and a spare battery attachment part for attaching a spare battery for supplying power to the portable terminal via the connector part. .

It is a perspective view of the cover 1 for portable terminals at the time of mounting | wearing with the electronic book 50. FIG. It is a front view of the cover 1 for portable terminals of the state which extended the surface cover part 20. FIG. It is a top view of the cover 1 for portable terminals of the state which extended the surface cover part 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable terminal cover 1 and an electronic book 50. FIG. It is a front view of the cover 101 for portable terminals of the state which extended the surface cover part 20. FIG. It is a top view of the cover 101 for portable terminals of the state which extended the surface cover part 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable terminal cover 201 when the electronic book 50 is mounted. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal cover 301 including a light 350. FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the mobile terminal cover 1 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction is defined based on the display start position in the initial setting of the display unit 51 of the electronic book 50. Specifically, the position set as default as the display start position is the upper left corner of the display unit 51. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the display start position is a point SP in FIG. Therefore, the upper right side of FIG. 1 is the upper side of the mobile terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50, and the lower left side of the page is the lower side. The lower right side of FIG. 1 is the right side of the mobile terminal cover 1 and the upper left side of the paper is the left side. The upper side of FIG. 2 is above the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50, and the lower side of FIG. 2 is below the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50. The right side of FIG. 3 is above the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50, and the left side of FIG. 3 is below the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50.

The electronic book 50 attached to the portable terminal cover 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic book 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a back surface 52, a front surface 53, and a side surface 54. The back surface 52 and the front surface 53 are the same size and are large enough to fit in the palm of an adult. The width of the side surface 54 corresponding to the thickness of the electronic book 50 is about 1 cm. The surface 53 is provided with a display unit 51 that is a screen for displaying information such as an electronic book. Below the display unit 51 on the front surface 53, an operation unit 55, which is a collection of buttons for inputting and selecting information, is provided. The operation unit 55 includes a page feed button, a return button, a button for selecting a character size, and the like. The operation unit 55 is usually located below the display unit 51 so that the user can easily operate the operation unit 55.

Next, the configuration of the mobile terminal cover 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal cover 1 used to protect the electronic book 50 includes a back cover part 10, a front cover part 20, and a side cover part 30 which are three planes. The back cover part 10, the front cover part 20, and the side cover part 30 are three continuous planes connected by the first hinge part 15 and the second hinge part 25.

The back cover portion 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view that is slightly larger than the back surface 52 of the electronic book 50, and is connected to the side cover portion 30 via the first hinge portion 15 at the left end. The back cover unit 10 supports the electronic book 50 from the back surface 52. Although not shown, the electronic book 50 is fixed to the back cover part 10 by being fitted into the back cover part 10 or being hooked.

A connecting portion 40 for electrically connecting the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the back cover portion 10. The connection unit 40 includes an external interface (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F IV) 41, a power supply I / F 42, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F 43, and a terminal I / F 44.

External memory such as an SD card is connected to the external I / F 41. The power supply I / F 42 is connected to a power supply cable that leads from an external power supply, and supplies power to the spare battery 74 (see FIG. 2) and the electronic book 50. The USB I / F 43 connects a personal computer or the like and the electronic book 50 via a cable having a USB connector. The terminal I / F 44 connects the external I / F 41, the power I / F 42, the USB I / F 43, and the electronic book 50 described above.

The front cover portion 20 has a rectangular shape in plan view that is slightly larger than the front surface 53 of the electronic book 50, and is connected to the side cover portion 30 via the second hinge portion 25. The front cover part 20 has a symmetrical shape with the back cover part 10. The surface cover unit 20 covers and protects the surface 53 of the electronic book 50 including the display unit 51. Since the display unit 51 is easily damaged, the importance of protecting the display unit 51 is high. For example, the display unit 51 is protected by the front cover unit 20 even when the user puts the electronic book 50 in the back during movement. Therefore, the possibility that the display unit 51 is damaged by other stored items in the bag is reduced.

The side cover portion 30 has a rectangular shape in plan view that is slightly larger than the side surface 54 of the electronic book 50. The side cover part 30 connects the back cover part 10 and the front cover part 20, and covers and protects the side face 54 of the electronic book 50. Here, consider a case where the user has an electronic book 50 fixed to the portable terminal cover 1. When a right-handed person is assumed to be a user, the user usually places the side cover 30 on the left side so that the mobile terminal cover 1 can be opened and closed with the right hand.

The length of the side cover portion 30 in the short direction (the length between the first hinge portion 15 and the second hinge portion 25) is substantially equal to the width of the side surface 54 of the electronic book 50 (the thickness of the electronic book 50). It is. Thereby, the display part 51 of the electronic book 50 fixed to the back surface cover part 10 is covered with the front surface cover part 20 without a gap.

The back cover part 10 and the front cover part 20 have the same plate thickness. In order to protect the electronic book 50 from foreign substances or the like, it is desirable to form the back surface cover portion 10, the front surface cover portion 20, and the side surface cover portion 30 using a material having water resistance and impact resistance. Examples of suitable materials include artificial leather, synthetic resin, synthetic rubber, synthetic urethane and the like.

Next, the spare battery 74 (see FIG. 4) will be described. The spare battery 74 is a rectangular parallelepiped about the size of a thumb. The spare battery 74 has a thickness of several millimeters and is formed thinner than the thickness of the back cover portion 10 into which the spare battery 74 is inserted. The battery used for the spare battery 74 is preferably a lithium ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are several millimeters thick and are widely used in portable devices such as notebook computers.

Next, the spare battery mounting portion 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recessed spare battery mounting portion 11 is provided at the lower portion of the back cover portion 10. The spare battery mounting portion 11 includes a spare battery connector 70 (see FIG. 4) for connecting the spare battery 74. The spare battery 74 is attached to the spare battery mounting portion 11 and supplies power to the electronic book 50. The spare battery mounting portion 11 is provided inside the installation portion of the connection portion 40 in the back cover portion 10. That is, the spare battery mounting portion 11 is provided avoiding the position where the display portion 51 of the electronic book 50 is disposed. If the spare battery 74 is provided at this position, the display unit 51 is not accidentally damaged by the spare battery 74.

The spare battery mounting portion 11 is located at the bottom of the mobile terminal cover 1. As described above, in the initial setting, the display start position of information in the electronic book 50 is the point SP (see FIG. 1) in the upper left corner in the display area of the display unit 51. Therefore, when the user stands up and uses the electronic book 50, the user generally lowers the lower portion of the portable terminal cover 1 for use. When the spare battery mounting portion 11 is provided at the lower portion of the back cover portion 10, the spare battery 74 is positioned below the center when the electronic book is used upright. Due to the weight of the spare battery 74, the center of gravity of the portable terminal cover 1 is positioned below the center. Therefore, the posture of the electronic book 50 is stabilized.

The display unit 51, which is a liquid crystal screen, has heat during use. If the spare battery 74 contacts the heat for a long time, it may cause a failure. Therefore, failure of the spare battery can be prevented by providing the spare battery mounting portion 11 while avoiding the back side of the position where the display unit 51 that is a heat generation source is disposed.

Next, the electrical configuration of the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the electrical configuration of the electronic book 50 will be described. The electronic book 50 includes a CPU 60 that controls the main control of the electronic book 50. A communication unit 61, a memory card reader / writer 62, a RAM 63, a ROM 64, a cover I / F 56, a mounting detection unit 66, a power supply SW 67, an input unit 68, and a display control unit 69 are connected to the CPU 60. A battery 72 built in the electronic book 50 is charged via the battery connector 71 and supplies power to each part of the electronic book 50.

The communication unit 61 transmits and receives information between the external device and the electronic book 50. The electronic book 50 is connected to a network such as the Internet via the communication unit 61 and can communicate with other computers. The memory card reader / writer 62 reads data recorded on the SD card 73 that is a recording medium. The RAM 63 temporarily stores various data. The ROM 63 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the electronic book 50, settings necessary for executing the program, initial values, and the like.

The cover I / F 56 transmits and receives information between the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50 and supplies power to the electronic book 50 from an external power source or a spare battery 74 attached to the portable terminal cover 1. Supply. The attachment detection unit 66 detects attachment or non-attachment of the electronic book 50 to the portable terminal cover 1. The electronic book 50 switches the power supply source to each part according to whether the portable terminal cover 1 is attached or not. That is, when the electronic book 50 is attached to the portable terminal cover 1, the external power source or the spare battery 74 provided in the portable terminal cover 1 serves as a power supply source. When not mounted, the battery 72 of the electronic book 50 is a power supply source. The power SW 67 is connected to a power switch operated by the user, and turns on / off the electronic book 50. The input unit 68 is connected to an operation unit 55 for a user to input an operation and a touch panel (not shown) provided on the display unit 51, and detects the input. The display control unit 69 is connected to the display unit 51 that displays information, and controls the display of the display unit 51.

Next, the electrical configuration of the mobile terminal cover 1 will be described. The portable terminal cover 1 includes a terminal I / F 44, an external I / F 41, a USB I / F 43, a power supply I / F 42, and a spare battery mounting portion 11.

The terminal I / F 44 transmits and receives information between the portable terminal cover 1 and the electronic book 50 and supplies power to the electronic book 50 from an external power source or a spare battery 74. The external I / F 41 transmits / receives information to / from an SD card that is a recording medium. The USB I / F 43 transmits / receives information to / from a personal computer or the like via a USB cable. The power I / F 42 is connected to the terminal I / F 44 and the spare battery connector 70. A power cable connector is inserted into the power I / F 42 to supply power to the terminal I / F 44 and the spare battery 74 through itself.

The spare battery connector 70 is connected to the power I / F 42, the spare battery 74, and the terminal I / F 44. The spare battery connector 70 supplies the power supplied from the power supply I / F 42 to the spare battery 74. In addition, the spare battery connector 70 supplies the power supplied from the spare battery 74 to the terminal I / F 44. The spare battery 74 stores the power supplied from the spare battery connector 70. Further, the spare battery 74 supplies power to the spare battery mounting portion 11.

Next, a method of using the portable terminal cover 1 configured as described above will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic book 50 is connected to a connection portion 40 provided at the bottom of the back cover portion 10. With this connection, the cover I / F 56 of the electronic book 50 and the terminal I / F 44 of the connection unit 40 are electrically connected.

When the electronic book 50 is not in use, the three

cover portions

10, 20, and 30 of the portable terminal cover 1 cover the electronic book 50. That is, the back cover 10 covers the back 52 of the electronic book 50, the front cover 20 covers the front 53 of the electronic book 50, and the side cover 30 covers the side 54 of the electronic book 50.

For example, when a right-handed user uses the electronic book 50, the user usually has the portable terminal cover 1 with his left hand. In this state, the side cover 30 is supported with the thumb of the left hand, and the back cover 10 is supported with the other fingers of the left hand. Each of the first hinge portion 15 and the second hinge portion 25 connects the two cover portions so as to be swingable. Therefore, the user can open the front cover part 20 to the left side. The front cover 20 is opened until it hits the tip of the left thumb. In this state, the user can operate the operation unit 55 of the electronic book 50 with the right hand.

In addition, the user may use the electronic book 50 in a state where the portable terminal cover 1 is put together in a compact manner by rotating the front cover portion 20 approximately 360 degrees. The user supports the back surface cover portion 10 of the mobile terminal cover 1 with the left hand and opens the front surface cover portion 20 with the right hand. If the opening is continued, the surface cover 20 rotates approximately 360 degrees. The front cover portion 20 is positioned so as to be in contact with the back cover portion 10, and the portable terminal cover 1 is compactly collected. The user can easily hold the portable terminal cover 1 with one hand and can easily operate the electronic book 50 with the other hand.

As described above, the front cover 20, the back cover 10, and the side cover 30 of the portable mobile terminal cover 1 of the present embodiment cover and protect the front, back, and side of the electronic book 50. A spare battery mounting portion 11 for attaching the spare battery 74 is provided on the portable terminal cover 1. Since the spare battery 74 is attached in the cover portion that protects the electronic book 50, even if the electronic book 50 is dropped, the spare battery 74 is less likely to damage the electronic book 50. Therefore, the portable terminal cover 1 can prevent the electronic book 50 from being damaged, and can supply power to the portable electronic book 50.

The spare battery 74 is provided avoiding a position overlapping the display unit 51 of the electronic book 50 in the back cover unit 10. That is, the spare battery 74 is provided in a region other than the region where the display unit 51 is projected on the back surface 52 of the back surface cover unit 10. Therefore, even when an impact is applied to the electronic book 50, the display unit 51 is not damaged by the spare battery 74. The possibility that the spare battery 74 is damaged by the heat of the display unit 51 is also low.

The spare battery 74 is provided in a portion of the back cover 10 that covers a portion below the display unit 51 of the electronic book 50. Therefore, when the user raises the posture of the electronic book 50, the center of gravity of the electronic book 50 is positioned below the center, and the posture of the electronic book 50 is stabilized.

It should be noted that the configuration of the mobile terminal cover 1 shown in the above embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible. In the following description, the same number is attached | subjected about the structure same as said embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

Modification 1 of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the portable terminal cover 101 according to the first modification includes a side battery cover portion 130 that includes a backup battery mounting portion 111 for mounting the backup battery 74. As described above, the spare battery mounting portion 111 may be provided on the side cover portion 130. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable to provide the spare battery mounting portion 111 in a portion below the center among the portions of the side cover portion 130. Accordingly, the center of gravity when the portable terminal cover 101 is erected is positioned below the center, and the posture of the electronic book 50 is stabilized.

Modification 2 of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the portable terminal cover 201 according to the second modification includes a spare battery mounting portion 211 on the surface cover portion 220. Thus, even if the spare battery mounting portion 211 is provided on the front cover portion 220, the electronic book 50 can be prevented from being damaged, and power can be supplied to the portable electronic book 50. In this case, it is desirable to provide the spare battery mounting portion 211 while avoiding the region 221 that covers the display portion 51 of the electronic book 50 in the front cover portion 220. Thereby, even when an impact is applied to the electronic book 50, the display unit 51 is not damaged by the spare battery 74. The possibility that the spare battery 74 is damaged by the heat of the display unit 51 is also low. Moreover, if the reserve battery mounting part 211 is provided in the lower part of the front cover part 220, the posture of the electronic book 50 when the electronic book 50 is used in an upright position is stabilized.

Modification 3 of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the mobile terminal cover 301 according to the third modification includes a light 350 at the upper end portion of the back surface cover portion 310. The light 350 includes a flexible arm portion 352 and a light source 351. The arm portion 352 curves upward from the upper end portion of the back cover portion 310, and the tip of the arm portion 352 faces downward. The light source 351 is fixed to the tip of the arm portion 352. The light source 351 emits light by the power of the spare battery 74 mounted on the mobile terminal cover 301. As described above, the light for illuminating the display unit 51 of the electronic book 50 may be provided in the portable terminal cover 301.

Further, the above embodiment can be modified in other ways. For example, the surface cover portion 20 may be made of a transparent synthetic resin, and the display portion 51 may be covered with the surface cover portion 20 without covering the operation portion 55. The user can operate the electronic book 50 with the front cover unit 20 closed, that is, with the display unit 51 covered with the front cover unit 20.

Claims

A display unit for displaying information is detachably mounted on a portable terminal having a housing surface, and at least the front surface of the portable terminal, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and a side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface A mobile device cover that covers and protects
A surface cover portion disposed to face the surface of the mobile terminal and covering and protecting at least the display portion;
A back cover portion disposed opposite to the back surface of the mobile terminal and covering and protecting the back surface;
A side cover portion that is disposed to face the side surface of the mobile terminal and covers and protects the side surface, and the front surface cover portion is swingably connected to one end of the mobile terminal and to the other end of the mobile terminal. A side cover part connected to the back cover part so as to be swingable independently of the front cover part;
Corresponding to the power supply and demand opening that the mobile terminal has to receive power from the outside, a connector part that is provided on the back cover part or the side cover part and is electrically connected to the power supply opening;
A spare battery mounting portion for mounting a spare battery that is provided on any of the front cover portion, the back cover portion, and the side cover portion and that supplies power to the mobile terminal via the connector portion; Cover for mobile terminals.
The spare battery mounting portion avoids a portion that covers a region where the display portion is projected in a state where the front surface of the mobile terminal is projected on the back surface, of the back cover portion. The mobile terminal cover according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal cover is provided.
In the case where the display unit of the portable terminal starts the display of the information, the side of the reference position is the upper side of the display unit, the spare battery mounting part is more than the display part of the back cover part The cover for a portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cover is provided at a portion covering a lower portion.
2. The portable terminal cover according to claim 1, wherein the spare battery mounting portion is provided on the surface cover portion so as to avoid a portion covering the display portion among the portions of the surface cover portion.
In the case where the reference position side at which the display unit of the mobile terminal starts displaying the information is the upper side of the mobile terminal, the spare battery mounting part is the center of the side surface of the side cover part. The mobile terminal cover according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal cover is provided at a portion covering a lower part of the mobile terminal.