Opening/closing type portable information terminal

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an open / close type portable information terminal having a structure in which a display unit housing having a display unit and an operation unit housing having an operation unit are separately provided, and the two display unit housings and the operation unit housing are opened and closed. Is.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, the usage pattern of mobile phones is changing from the usage pattern as a telephone to the usage pattern as a mobile information terminal such as the Internet, e-mail, and schedule management. In such a mobile phone, a display unit housing provided with a liquid crystal display unit for displaying various displays and an operation unit housing provided with operation keys are configured to be openable and closable around a hinge portion. By making the housing foldable, a large-screen liquid crystal display can be mounted on the display housing, and it can be used as a mobile information terminal for the Internet, e-mail, and the like.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in an openable / closable mobile phone capable of mounting such a large-screen liquid crystal display unit, the user cannot see the liquid crystal display unit when the two housings are folded. Therefore, for example, when there is an incoming e-mail, it is necessary to open the liquid crystal display housing and the operation unit housing to view the e-mail on the display unit, and carry it with each incoming e-mail. Opening and closing the telephone was inconvenient for use as a mobile information terminal.

【0004】

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable the display unit to be viewed with the display unit housing and the operation unit housing closed, and to improve convenience. The purpose is to provide a mobile information terminal.

【0005】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an open / close type portable information terminal including a display unit housing having a display unit and an operation unit housing having an operation unit, on the operation unit surface of the operation unit housing. On the other hand, with the display unit surface of the display unit housing facing in the same direction, the end portion of the display unit housing and the end portion of the operation unit housing are connected by a rotation mechanism, and the display unit housing is connected. It is characterized in that the operation unit housing and the operation unit housing are rotatably configured around the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism.

【0006】

In the present invention, the rotation mechanism rotates the end of the display housing and the end of the operation housing in a state where the display surface of the display housing faces the same direction as the operation surface of the operation housing. Since it is connected by, the display unit of the display unit housing can be seen even when the display unit housing and the operation unit housing are closed. For example, when receiving an e-mail or using it as an electronic organizer, It can be used in the closed state without opening the display housing and the operation housing.

【0007】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the open / close type portable information terminal of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view thereof. In the following embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example of an openable / closable personal digital assistant. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile phone has a function of a mobile information terminal such as an e-mail or an electronic notebook in addition to the function as a telephone.

【0008】

In FIG. 1, 1 is a display unit housing made of synthetic resin or the like, and 2 is an operation unit housing similarly made of synthetic resin or the like. The display unit housing 1 is provided with a large-screen liquid crystal display unit 3 and a speaker 4, and the operation unit housing 2 is provided with an operation unit 5 and a microphone 6 composed of a plurality of keys. The display unit housing 1 is also provided with an operation key 8.

【0009】

Circuits and mechanisms for functioning as a mobile phone or as a portable information terminal such as e-mail are provided in the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2, but this will be explained. Omit. Further, although the display unit housing 1 is provided with an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, it is omitted in FIG. The end of the display housing 1 and the end of the operation housing 2 are connected by a connecting member 7, and the display housing 1 and the operation housing 2 are configured to be rotatable around the connecting member 7. There is.

【0010】

FIG. 2 (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connecting portion between the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2, and FIG. 2 (b) is a plan view thereof. Hereinafter, the connection structure of the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). First, the connecting member 7 is provided as a rotation mechanism, and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or the like. Further, the connecting member 7 is formed of a columnar shape in which a hollow portion 7a is formed inside, and a guide portion 7b is formed above and below in a state of protruding outward. As shown in FIG. 2A, the connecting member 7 is embedded in the display housing 1 and the operation housing 2 in half, that is, the upper and lower guide portions 7a are embedded in the display housing 1 and the operation housing, respectively. It is embedded in the inner wall surface of the cavity inside 2 in a pressure-welded state.

【0011】

The upper and lower guide portions 7b of the connecting member 7 are prevented from coming off from the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2, and the outer circumference of the guide portion 7b is circular, so that the display unit housing 1 The operation unit housing 2 is provided so that the operation unit housing 2 can smoothly rotate around the guide portion 7b of the connecting member 7. Since the connecting member 7 is embedded in the display housing 1 and the operating housing 2 in a state of pressure contact, the display housing 1 and the operating housing 2 rotate around the connecting member 7. It is possible to do.

【0012】

The guide portion 7b of the connecting member 7 may be fixed to either the display portion housing 1 or the operation portion housing 2. Further, a spring may be provided on the outer peripheral portion of the connecting member 7 between the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2. That is, by pressing the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 outward with spring pressure, both housings come into contact with each other when the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 rotate around the connecting member 7. It can be rotated smoothly without rattling or rattling.

【0013】

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, an inclined surface 2a is formed on the connecting portion of the operating portion housing 2 with respect to the bottom surface of the operating portion housing 2, and the connecting member 7 is accordingly the operating portion housing 2. It is arranged with an inclination with respect to the bottom surface of. This is because, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), an angle θ is provided between the operation unit housing 2 and the display unit housing 1 when the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are open. is there.

【0014】

That is, as described above, since the display unit housing 1 is provided with the speaker 4 and the operation unit housing 2 is provided with the microphone 6, an angle θ is provided between the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2. By making it so that the user's ear is close to the speaker 4 and the user's mouth is close to the microphone 6 when used as a mobile phone. As a result, characteristics that are not inferior to those of the conventional foldable mobile phone in terms of received sound quality and transmitted sound quality can be obtained. Further, the hollow portion 7a of the connecting member 7 is provided for passing a communication cable (not shown), and by passing the communication cable through the hollow portion 7a, the circuit in the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are contained. The circuit is electrically connected.

【0015】

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the mobile phone of the present embodiment is closed. FIG. 3 (a) is a front view, FIG. 3 (b) is a plan view, and FIG. 3 (c) is a side view. When the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 of the mobile phone are closed, the liquid crystal display unit 3 faces outward as opposed to the conventional one. For example, when an e-mail is received, the liquid crystal display remains closed. You can see the mail displayed in Part 3, and you can use it closed even when you use it as an electronic organizer.

【0016】

Further, since the display unit housing 1 is provided with an operation key 8, it is possible to operate the display unit housing 1 and use it as an information mobile terminal with the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 closed. .. However, in this case, since the area on which the operation keys 8 are mounted on the display unit housing 1 is limited, only a small number of the operation keys 8 can be mounted. Therefore, in the state where the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are closed, for example, when an e-mail is received, it is possible to perform a simple operation such as viewing the mail of the liquid crystal display unit 3 or viewing the schedule of the electronic organizer. Only the necessary keys are provided.

【0017】

4 and 5 are views showing a state when the operation unit housing 2 and the display unit housing 1 are opened. Since the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are connected by the connecting member 7, when the display unit housing 1 is opened with respect to the operation unit housing 2 as shown in FIG. 4, the connecting member 7 is centered. The liquid crystal display unit 1 rotates. Further, when the display unit housing 1 is further opened, as shown in FIG. 5, the display unit housing 1 further rotates around the connecting member 7, and the display unit housing 1 is opened 180 degrees with respect to the operation unit housing 2. Can be in a state.

【0018】

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are opened. 6 (a) is a front view, FIG. 6 (b) is a plan view, and FIG. 6 (c) is a side view. When the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are open, an angle θ is provided between the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 as described above, so that the user's ear is used during a call. , The mouth is close to speaker 4 and microphone 6, respectively, and it is easy to use.

【0019】

Further, in the state where the display unit housing 1 and the operation unit housing 2 are opened in this way, the liquid crystal display unit 3 and the operation unit housing 2 of the display unit housing 1 are used in the same manner as the conventional foldable mobile phone. Since the operation units 5 face each other, that is, they face in the same direction, the keys of the operation unit 5 can be operated while looking at the liquid crystal display unit 3, which is convenient. Further, in this state, the keys of the operation unit 6 can be operated in addition to the mobile phone to be used as a mobile information terminal such as an e-mail or an electronic organizer.

【0020】

In the above embodiment, the open / close type mobile phone has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be used for, for example, an open / close type electronic organizer, a mobile information terminal such as a small computer. it can. Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a cylindrical connecting member having a hollow inside is used as the rotation mechanism is shown, but in the present invention, various rotation mechanisms may be used in addition to this. Not to mention.

【0021】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, the end of the display unit housing and the operation unit housing are in a state where the display unit surface of the display unit housing faces the same direction with respect to the operation unit surface of the operation unit housing. By connecting the ends of the display unit by a rotation mechanism, the display unit of the display unit housing can be seen even when the display unit housing and the operation unit housing are closed. Therefore, for example, when receiving an e-mail or using it as an electronic organizer, the display unit housing and the operation unit housing can be used without being opened, and a convenient mobile information terminal can be realized. Can be done.

【0022】

Further, even when the display unit housing and the operation unit housing are open, the display unit of the display unit housing and the operation unit of the operation unit housing face each other, so that the operation unit can be operated while looking at the display unit as in the conventional case. It can be operated and does not impair convenience. Further, when the present invention is used for an openable / closable mobile phone, when the display unit housing and the operation unit housing are opened, a predetermined angle is provided between the display unit housing and the operation unit housing. Therefore, the user's ears and mouth are located near the speaker and microphone, respectively, making it easy to use as a mobile phone.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the open / close type portable information terminal of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a figure which shows the connection part of the mobile information terminal of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows the state which the mobile information terminal of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is closed.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the state when the mobile information terminal of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is opened.

[Fig. 5]

It is a figure which shows the state when the mobile information terminal of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is opened.

[Fig. 6]

It is a figure which shows the state which the mobile information terminal of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is open.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Display housing 2 Operation unit housing 2a slope 3 Liquid crystal display 4 speakers 5 Operation unit 6 microphone 7 Connecting member 7a cavity 7b Kyde part 8 Operation keys