Portable electronic equipment

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a portable electronic device provided with an input means that can be easily operated with one hand.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, along with the miniaturization and thinning of electronic components and the improvement of mounting technology, the miniaturization and portability of electronic devices have been progressing. Electronic devices that have come to be carried and used include electronic organizers, transceivers, digital books, word processors, computers, and the like.

【0003】

The transceiver is a portable electronic device that is premised on one-handed operation. As shown in FIG. 8, a display means 83 that displays a channel or the like on the front surface of the housing 81 and a transmission / reception switching button 82 that switches between transmission and reception on the side surface. It has. When operating this with only one hand, hold the housing with the thumb and the other four fingers that operate the transmission / reception switching button, and press the input switch so that the housing is sandwiched between the thumb and the other fingers. Therefore, the size of the housing is limited to a size that can be firmly gripped with one hand, and the area of the display means cannot be increased.

【0004】

The digital book shown in FIG. 9 has a display means 94 on the front surface of the housing 91, a plurality of input buttons 92 on the right side of the front surface, and a plurality of input buttons 93 on the lower surface. Of these input buttons, the input button at the bottom of the front can only be operated with both hands, but the input button on the right side of the front can be operated with only one hand. However, when trying to operate the button on the right side of the front with one hand, the right side of the housing is grasped and operated with the thumb, and the housing is supported only from below with four fingers except the thumb pushing the button. As a result, the thumb must support the housing and press the input button at the same time, and the support becomes unstable and it is difficult to input.

【0005】

As described above, in a portable electronic device provided with input means on the side surface and the front surface of the housing, there are problems such as restrictions on the size of the housing and lack of stability during operation. In addition, the keyboard of a desktop computer as shown in FIG. 10, which is not portable, has an input button 103 on the back of the keyboard that does not protrude from the housing 101, and is supported by legs 102 when the keyboard is placed on a flat surface. There is something that can be easily operated.

【0006】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, when carrying the device and trying to operate it with one hand, the input means that does not protrude to the back of the housing is located on the same plane as the housing or under the same plane, so the position of the input means is groped. Is difficult to recognize and operate. In addition, the input means must be contained within the housing, increasing the thickness of the housing. Also, if legs are provided to protect the protruding input means, the legs simply bulge and increase the thickness of the housing.

【0007】

As described above, with the conventional input means and housing, there are restrictions on the size and thickness of the housing, and the position of the input means is difficult to understand. Especially when trying to operate a portable electronic device with only one hand. It was hard.

【0008】

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device that can be easily operated with one hand and has relaxed restrictions on the size and thickness of the housing.

【0009】

[Means for solving problems]

The invention of claim 1 is a portable electronic device provided with a display means on the front surface of the housing and an input means projecting on the back surface.

【0010】

The invention of claim 2 is the portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the housing is provided with one or more convex portions.

【0011】

The invention of claim 3 is the portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein one or more input buttons are used as input means.

【0012】

The invention of claim 4 is the portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein one or more trackballs are used as input means.

【0013】

The invention of claim 5 is the portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a trackball and an input button are used as input means.

【0014】

The invention of claim 6 is a portable electronic device provided with a protruding input means and a convex portion on the back surface of the housing.

【0015】

The invention of claim 7 is the portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the parts are stored inside the convex portion. The invention of claim 8 is the portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the battery is stored inside the convex portion.

【0016】

The invention of claim 9 is the portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein one or more input buttons are used as input means.

【0017】

The invention of claim 10 is the portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein one or more trackballs are used as input means.

【0018】

The invention of claim 11 is the portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein a trackball and an input button are used as input means.

【0019】

The invention of claim 12 is a portable electronic device comprising a housing having a convex portion on the back surface and an input means protruding from the upper portion of the back surface of the housing, and the convex portion is arranged above the center of gravity of the housing.

【0020】

The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the convex portion is arranged below the input means.

【0021】

The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the invention of claim 14 is a portable electronic device in which a part is stored inside a convex portion.

【0022】

The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the invention according to claim 15 is a portable electronic device in which a battery is stored inside a convex portion.

【0023】

The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the invention of claim 16 uses one or more input buttons as an input means.

【0024】

The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the invention of claim 17 uses one or more trackballs as an input means.

【0025】

The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the invention of claim 18 uses a trackball and an input button as input means.

【0026】

[Action]

The invention of claim 1 is a portable electronic device provided with a display means on the front surface of the housing and an input means projecting on the upper back surface. When the housing is supported from the back surface with one hand, the display can be easily viewed with only one hand. Input operation can be performed.

【0027】

The invention of claim 2 is the portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the housing is provided with one or more convex portions, and the housing is placed on a flat surface with the front surface of the housing facing a flat surface. The convex portion on the front surface is in contact with the flat surface, and the display means does not contact the flat surface.

【0028】

The invention of claim 3 is provided with one or more input buttons as input means, and a plurality of ON / OFF information is input by operating the input buttons.

【0029】

The invention of claim 4 is provided with one or more trackballs as input means, and a plurality of relative operation amounts are input by operating the trackballs.

【0030】

The invention of claim 5 is provided with a trackball and an input switch as input means, and a relative operation amount and ON / OFF information are input by operating the trackball and the input switch.

【0031】

The invention of claim 6 is a portable electronic device provided with a protruding input means and a convex portion on the back surface of the housing. When the portable electronic device is placed on a flat surface, the housing is flattened by the convex portion and the housing. Contact. As a result, even if the input means protruding from the housing is provided, the input means does not touch the flat surface and erroneous operation at the time of no operation is prevented.

【0032】

The invention of claim 7 stores parts such as a coil and a large-capacity capacitor, which are difficult to reduce in size and thickness, by making the inside of the convex portion hollow.

【0033】

In the invention of claim 8, the inside of the convex portion is made hollow, a battery box is provided, and a battery which is difficult to be made smaller and thinner and becomes larger as the capacity is increased is stored.

【0034】

The invention of claim 9 is provided with one or more input buttons as input means, and a plurality of ON / OFF information is input by operating the input buttons.

【0035】

The invention of claim 10 is provided with one or more trackballs as input means, and a plurality of relative operation amounts are input by operating the trackballs.

【0036】

The invention of claim 11 provides a trackball and an input switch as input means, and inputs a relative operation amount and ON / OFF information by operating the trackball and the input switch.

【0037】

The invention of claim 12 is that an input means projecting from the housing is provided on the upper part of the back surface of the portable electronic device, and a convex portion is arranged above the center of gravity of the housing. When the portable electronic device is placed on a flat surface, the housing is in contact with the flat surface by the convex portion and the lower end of the housing because the convex portion is above the center of gravity. Therefore, even if the input means protruding from the housing is provided, the input means does not touch the flat surface and erroneous operation at the time of no operation is prevented. In addition, since the convex portion is arranged at the upper part where the operating finger cannot reach, it does not interfere with the input.

【0038】

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by placing a convex portion between the center of gravity of the housing and the input means, the input means can be arranged at an arbitrary position above the center of gravity, and a wide operation area is secured for the input means. In addition, when operating the input means, the convex portion enters under the natural curvature of the finger and does not interfere with the operation.

【0039】

The invention of claim 14 accommodates parts such as a coil and a large-capacity capacitor, which are difficult to reduce in size and thickness, by making the inside of the convex portion hollow.

【0040】

In the invention of claim 15, the inside of the convex portion is made hollow, a battery box is provided, and a battery which is difficult to be made smaller and thinner and becomes larger as the capacity is increased is stored.

【0041】

The invention of claim 16 is provided with one or more input buttons as input means, and a plurality of ON / OFF information is input by operating the input buttons.

【0042】

The invention of claim 17 is provided with one or more trackballs as input means, and a plurality of relative operation amounts are input by operating the trackballs.

【0043】

The invention of claim 18 provides a trackball and an input switch as input means, and inputs a relative operation amount and ON / OFF information by operating the trackball and the input switch.

【0044】

[Example]

(Example 1) A mobile information terminal is shown in FIG. 1 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The portable information terminal has a built-in computer system, is lightweight and thin, and can be used while being carried using batteries. This personal digital assistant has a computer system 111 inside the housing 11, a display means 110 and a pen input tablet 113 on the front of the housing, a convex portion 17 of the housing on the back of the housing, a small trackball 14 protruding from the housing, and an input button. It is equipped with 15 and an input button 16, and stores a battery 18 and a pen 19 for handwriting input inside the convex part.

【0045】

As a display means for personal digital assistants, one of the most commonly used LCDs has a resolution of 480 x 320 dots and a dot pitch of about 0.24 mm. The thickness of the parts used here is about 1 mm for the tablet, about several mm for the LCD, and about several mm for the substrate and the main parts. In this embodiment, an LCD having a resolution of 480 × 320 dots, a dot pitch of 0.24 mm, and an outer diameter of 135 mm × 100 mm is used. At this time, the thickness of the LCD is 2.5 mm, the thickness of the tablet is 1 mm, the total thickness of the main parts and the board is 3 mm, the total wall thickness of the housing is 1.5 mm, and the outer shape is 150 mm × 110 mm × 8 mm. Indicates a mobile information terminal.

【0046】

As an input means, a small trackball with a diameter of about 10 mm that is easy to operate with fingers is used, and when the housing is viewed from the front, it is provided so as to be offset by several cm from the center of the housing in the horizontal direction opposite to the hand that operates the trackball. Is preferable. For example, when operating the trackball with the left hand as shown in Fig. 2, if the trackball is in a position that can be operated with the index finger to the right of the center of the back, when the housing is supported by the left hand from the back, the thumb, middle finger, etc. The ring finger and little finger are located on the side of the housing, the palm is located on the back of the housing, and the user's index finger naturally comes to the position of the trackball. Here, the trackball is placed 20 mm to the right of the center of the back. The two input buttons are preferably provided in the vicinity of the trackball within a range that can be operated by the index finger. Here, it is placed 15 mm to the right of the trackball.

【0047】

The convex part of the housing is placed above the center of gravity 13 of the housing and below the trackball, and when the housing is placed on a flat surface, the trackball and the input button are not erroneously operated. It is preferable that the height does not interfere with the above. In this example, a semi-cylindrical convex portion with a radius of 10 mm is provided at a position 42 mm from the upper end of the housing. At this time, the upper end of the housing is about 14 mm away from the flat surface.

【0048】

Generally, the power consumption of a portable information terminal is several hundred mW, and two AAA alkaline batteries are connected in series as a power source due to the size, voltage, capacity, etc. of the batteries. The capacity of AAA alkaline batteries is around 1000mAh, and it can be used for about 5 to 60 hours. However, since the outer shape of the AAA alkaline battery is 10.5 mm in diameter and 44.5 mm in length, it cannot be stored in the housing as the housing becomes thinner. Therefore, the AAA alkaline battery can be stored by forming a battery holder with the inside of the convex portion hollow.

【0049】

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a mobile information terminal. The mobile information terminal has a CPU 31 that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM 35 that stores programs and fixed data, a RAM 34 that stores variable data, a memory controller 33 that controls RAM and ROM, such as refreshing DRAM, and an input from an input / output interface. I / O controller 32 that controls the output, tablet I / F36 that converts analog voltage from the tablet to digital, tablet 39 that generates two types of analog voltage horizontally and vertically depending on the position where the pen is pressed, LCDI that controls the LCD It is composed of / F37, LCD310, trackball 311 and input button 312, and trackball interface 38 that receives input from input button 313.

【0050】

Input to the portable information terminal is performed by a tablet, a trackball, and an input button.

【0051】

A tablet is a tablet with a minute spacer sandwiched between two transparent resistance films. When a constant current is passed through the tablet and one point on the tablet is pressed, the voltage corresponding to its horizontal and vertical positions is taken out. Can be done. This voltage is converted into a digital signal by the tablet I / F and passed to the CPU through the I / O controller. As a result, the CPU determines the pen pressing position.

【0052】

The trackball generates two pulse signals corresponding to two directions orthogonal to each other by the rotation of the ball. This pulse signal is converted by the trackball I / F and passed to the CPU through the I / O controller to determine the rotation direction and speed of the trackball. The input button generates an ON / OFF signal. By passing this signal to the CPU through the trackball I / F and I / O controllers, the selection of the trackball position is notified. The CPU determines the moving direction and amount of movement of the cursor displayed on the LCD based on the rotation direction and speed of the trackball, and changes the display position of the cursor. Furthermore, the position where the cursor is displayed can be selected by pressing the input button.

【0053】

The position on the LCD input in this way is recorded in the RAM as input data for handwritten memos, the items displayed on the LCD are selected, and the position on the LCD is displayed according to the application program recorded in the ROM. You can enter characters using the displayed keyboard.

【0054】

In this embodiment, by providing the input means on the back surface of the housing, a large display area can be secured on the front surface, and the input work can be performed while holding the housing with one hand. Further, by providing the convex portion at a predetermined position, the protruding input device can be used, and the position recognition and input operation of the input device on the back surface become easy. Further, the protruding input device does not need to include the entire input device inside the housing, and the housing can be made thinner. By making the inside of the convex part hollow, it becomes possible to store a large-capacity battery and a pen for handwriting input that could not be stored in the thin housing, and portability is improved.

【0055】

In this embodiment, a mobile information terminal that holds the housing and operates the input means with the left hand is shown, but when the dimensions of the embodiment are moved symmetrically to the left and right, it becomes an example of a mobile information terminal that holds and operates the housing with the right hand.

【0056】

The trackball or input button input device described in the first embodiment may be composed of an input means protruding from the housing, such as a joystick, a slide switch, a toggle switch, and a potentiometer.

【0057】

(Example 2) As a second embodiment of the present invention, a mobile information terminal using an LCD having a resolution of 320 × 240 dots, a dot pitch of 0.24 mm, and an outer diameter of 95 mm × 85 mm and a housing having an outer shape of 110 mm × 90 mm is shown in FIG. Shown in. The thickness of the housing is 8 mm as in Fig. 1. However, since the housing width is 90 mm, AAA batteries with a length of 44.5 mm cannot be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the batteries. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, two batteries are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the batteries, and a pen for handwriting input is stored in the empty space.

【0058】

The above-mentioned Example 1 is applied except for the size of the LCD and the arrangement of the batteries. Specific dimensions are shown in Fig. 4.

【0059】

In this embodiment, the size of the portable information terminal can be reduced to a size that fits in a pocket by using a small LCD and storing the AAA alkaline battery in the convex portion.

【0060】

(Example 3) As a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows an example of a transceiver in which an input means is composed of a plurality of input buttons. This is provided with the same display means as in the first embodiment on the front surface of the housing 51, the antenna 58 on the upper part of the housing, the transmission / reception changeover switch 52 on the back surface, the volume control button 53, the channel selection button 54, and the side of the input means. It is a transceiver provided with a convex portion 55 at the bottom, a power module 57, an antenna switch 512, and a battery 56 inside the convex portion. Of these, the power module and antenna switch consist of analog parts such as coils and capacitors, and a shield plate, making it difficult to miniaturize.

【0061】

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the transceiver. Control unit 61 consisting of CPU, RAM, ROM, input / output I / F, display unit 617 that displays the status of the transceiver, clock 63, battery monitoring unit 62 that monitors the capacity of the battery, transmission / reception switching button that instructs switching between transmission and reception 64, Volume control button 65 to instruct volume control, Channel selection button 66 to instruct channel, Antenna switching unit 67 to switch antenna connection during transmission and reception, Tuning unit 68 to select desired channel, Select by tuning unit A detection unit 69 that demodulates the modulated wave, a low frequency amplification unit 610 that amplifies the detection output, a speaker 611, a microphone 616, a modulation unit 615 that modulates the carrier wave according to the signal from the microphone, and a buffer that prevents the influence from the power amplification unit. It consists of an amplification unit 614, a power amplification unit 613 for outputting as radio waves, a transmission unit 612 for supplying signals that are the basis of transmission and reception, and a display unit 617 for displaying various data.

【0062】

When the user uses this transceiver, the thumb holds the left side, the middle finger, the little finger of the ring finger holds the right side, and the palm holds the back, and the index finger operates each button on the back to communicate. When the user performs channel selection, volume adjustment, and transmission / reception switching operations, all the operations are transmitted to the control unit to control each operation target, and at the same time, the operation content is displayed on the display unit, and the operation time and operation content are written to the RAM. .. Information on battery level and usage time is also displayed.

【0063】

In this embodiment, by arranging the input means on the back surface, a large display area can be secured on the front surface of the housing. Convex portions are provided below and to the side of the input means to prevent erroneous operation of the protruding input means. In addition, by storing parts that are difficult to miniaturize and cannot fit in the housing thickness in the space inside the convex part, the housing thickness can be reduced, and the cost can be increased by using conventional parts that have not been miniaturized. suppress.

【0064】

(Example 4) As a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 shows an example of a mobile information terminal. The mobile information terminal includes a computer system 78, a display means 74, a convex portion 73, a convex portion 72, a trackball 77 protruding from the housing, an input button 75, and an input button 76 on the back surface of the housing. An LCD is used as a display means for the mobile information terminal, and a convex portion having a height of 2 mm is provided on the upper part of the front surface of the housing.

【0065】

When the LCD is placed on a flat surface so that the protruding input means on the back surface of the housing does not touch the flat surface and is erroneously operated, the flat surface is in contact with the flat surface only by the lower end of the housing and the convex portion provided on the front surface of the housing. As a result, the convex portion provided on the front surface of the housing prevents the LCD from coming into contact with the flat surface and prevents the LCD from being damaged by the contact with the flat surface.

【0066】

As a result, the LCD surface and the front surface of the housing can be made flush with each other by embedding the LCD in the housing, and the housing can be made thinner.

【0067】

In this embodiment, two convex portions are provided, but the same effect can be obtained by using one convex portion.

【0068】

[Effect of the invention]

By providing the display means on the front surface of the housing and the input means projecting on the back surface, the limitation on the size of the housing that occurs when the input means is arranged on the front surface or the side surface of the housing can be relaxed, and a large display area can be secured. .. Further, the position of the input means can be easily recognized on the back surface of the housing, and the operation becomes easy.

【0069】

By providing one or more convex portions on the front surface of the housing, when the front surface of the housing is placed facing a flat surface so that the input means on the back surface is not erroneously operated, the convex portions on the front surface of the housing come into contact with the flat surface to prevent the display means from being damaged. ..

【0070】

By providing the input means and the convex portion protruding from the back surface of the housing, when the back surface of the housing is directed to a flat surface, the convex portion comes into contact with the flat surface and the input means does not touch the flat surface and is not erroneously operated.

【0071】

By providing the input means protruding from the upper part of the back surface of the housing, the input means is positioned at a position where the housing can be easily operated with a finger when the housing is supported by one hand from the back surface.

【0072】

By providing a convex portion above the center of gravity of the back surface of the housing and below the input means, when the housing is placed on a flat surface, the housing naturally tilts in the direction in which the input means is lifted, and the input means is not erroneously operated. At this time, the height of the convex portion can be lowered as compared with the case where the convex portion is provided at a place other than between the center of gravity and the input means. In addition, during the input operation, the convex portion fits in the natural curvature of the operating finger and does not interfere with the input operation.

【0073】

By storing the battery inside the convex portion, a large-capacity battery that cannot be stored in the housing can be used, and the device can be operated for a long time. When the coil, power module, etc. are stored in the convex part, large but inexpensive conventional parts can be used and the cost can be reduced. When accessories such as a pen are stored in the convex part, it is not necessary to hold it separately from the main body, and portability can be improved.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a mobile information terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]

Explanatory drawing explaining usage situation of mobile information terminal in 1st Example of this invention [Fig. 3]

A block diagram illustrating a computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 4]

A block diagram illustrating the configuration of the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 5]

A block diagram illustrating the configuration of the transceiver according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 6]

A block diagram illustrating a transceiver according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 7]

A block diagram illustrating a mobile information terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 8]

Explanatory drawing explaining the usage situation of the conventional transceiver [Fig. 9]

Explanatory drawing explaining the usage situation of the conventional digital book [Fig. 10]

The block diagram explaining the structure of the rear switch provided in the conventional desktop keyboard.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Housing 12 planes 13 Center of gravity of the housing 14 trackball 15 Input button 16 Input button 17 Convex part 18 battery 19 Handwriting input pen 110 Display means 111 Computer system 112 Bottom of housing 113 tablet 31 CPU 32 I / O controller 33 Memory controller 34 RAM 35 ROM 36 Tablet I / F 37 LCD I / F 38 Trackball I / F 39 tablet 310 LCD 311 trackball 312 Input button 313 Input button 41 housing 44 trackball 45 Input button 46 Input button 47 Convex 48 batteries 49 Handwriting input pen 410 Display means 411 Computer system 413 tablet 51 housing 52 Send / receive switching button 53 Volume control button 54 Channel selection button 55 Convex part 56 batteries 57 power module 58 antenna 59 Display means 510 speaker 511 Microphone 512 antenna switch 61 Control unit 62 Battery monitoring unit 63 clock 64 Send / receive switching button 65 Volume control button 66 Channel selection button 67 Antenna switch 68 Synchronous part 69 Detection section 610 Low frequency amplifier 611 speaker 612 Caller 613 Power amplification unit 614 Buffer amplification unit 615 Modulator 616 microphone 617 Display 71 housing 72 convex part 73 Convex part 74 Display 75 input button 76 Input button 77 Trackball 78 Computer system 81 housing 82 Send / receive switch button 83 Display means 91 housing 92 Input button 93 Input button 94 Display means 101 housing 102 legs 103 input button