JP2002229672A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a portable information terminal with a small and thin shape favorable for a drip-proof structure. SOLUTION: A seal member is arranged between an outer circumferential edge of a touch panel 2 on a liquid crystal panel 1 and a body case 6 and the seal member, the touch panel 2 and the body case 6 are glued by an adhesive compound for pseudointegration. A switch button and an LED indication part of a button switch are structured as an integrally formed composite part and covered by a body case 6 such that the switch button and the LED indication part are exposed from the body case 6 as well as a part between the composite part and the body case 6 is glued by the adhesive compound for pseudointegration. A connecting operating 12 for a CF card slot and several kinds of interfaces is formed on a peripheral edge of the body case 6 and a drip-proof case made of a soft member is engaged with the body case 6 in a way to close the connecting opening 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly, to a portable information terminal having a drip-proof structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a portable information terminal, as typified by a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), a liquid crystal display panel as a display unit and a keyboard as an input unit are formed separately and hinged. The one that is connected openably and closable, and the one that integrates the display unit and the input unit with a touch panel or the minimum necessary buttons instead of a keyboard, as represented by a personal digital assistant (PDA) is there.

[0003] The latter portable information terminals are smaller in size than the former and are easy to perform input operations while being held with one hand, and thus are often used outdoors. For this reason, there are a type that has a drip-proof structure that can withstand use in an environment such as light rain, and a type that attaches and covers a separate member case for the purpose of drip-proof.

[0004]

However, if the portable information terminal has a drip-proof structure, it will hinder miniaturization and increase the cost, and will be disadvantageous for users who do not want the drip-proof structure. In addition, when the portable information terminal is covered with the drip-proof case as a separate member, it hinders reduction in size and thickness, and input operability is also reduced.

An object of the present invention is to realize a portable information terminal having a drip-proof structure while suppressing an increase in size.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal having a drip-proof structure which is small in size and easy to operate.

Still another object of the present invention is to realize a portable information terminal which is small in size and easy to operate by using it without attaching a drip-proof member.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display device having a liquid crystal display panel, an input device having a touch panel and button switches superposed on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, and a control device for controlling the entire device. In a portable information terminal provided with a substrate, a main body case that covers the input area of the touch panel so as to expose the input area, and a CF card slot and a connector connection opening of various interfaces around the main body case, an outer peripheral edge of the touch panel on the liquid crystal panel A seal member is disposed between the unit and the main body case, and the seal member, the touch panel, and the main body case are adhered with an adhesive to be quasi-integrated.

Further, the present invention provides a display device having a liquid crystal display panel, an input device having a touch panel or a button switch superposed on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, a control board for controlling the entire device, In a portable information terminal having a main body case that covers the input area of the touch panel so as to expose the input area and a CF card slot and connector connection openings for various interfaces around the main body case, the switch button of the button switch and the LED display unit are integrated The switch button and the LED display unit were covered with the main body case so as to expose the switch button and the LED display unit from the main body case, and the composite component and the main body case were pseudo-integrated by bonding with an adhesive material. It is characterized by the following.

Further, the present invention provides a display device having a liquid crystal display panel, an input device having a touch panel or a button switch superposed on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, a control board for controlling the entire device, In a portable information terminal having a main body case that covers the input area of the touch panel so as to expose the input area, and a CF card slot and a connector connection opening of various interfaces around the main body case, the connection openings of the CF card slot and various interfaces are provided. And a drip-proof case made of a soft material is fitted to the main body case so as to close the connection opening.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An external appearance of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1 is a liquid crystal display panel, 2 is a touch panel,
3 is an input pen, 4a is a plurality of input switch buttons, 4b
Denotes an LED display unit, 5 denotes a control board, and 6 denotes a main body case. The liquid crystal display panel 1, the touch panel 2, the input switch button 4a, the LED display section 4b, and the main control board 5 are mounted in a main body case 6, and the input pen 3 is housed in the main body case 6 so as to be freely inserted and removed.

The touch panel 2 is installed on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1 so as to be superimposed, and inputs by touching the input pen 3 pulled out of the main body case 6 so as to press, and input and edit results on the lower side. This is a configuration for displaying on the liquid crystal display panel 1.

When the plurality of input switch buttons 4a are depressed, a switch mounted on an auxiliary board (described later) is operated to realize an operation input, and the input and edit results are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 1. The plurality of input switch buttons 4a are arranged on the front side along the edge of the left side of the main body case 6 so that the main body case 6 can be operated with the left hand and the thumb can operate the input switch buttons 4a. The plurality of LED display units 4b are also arranged in the same row as the input switch buttons 4a, and the polymer of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and the touch panel 2 is arranged so as to be observed and input by being positioned at the center.

The main body case 6 is constructed by combining an upper main body case 7 and a lower main body case 8, and includes therein the control board 5 for controlling the entire device. Various interfaces are arranged on the periphery of the upper and right sides. A connection opening 9 with a cover for a CF card slot is provided on the side surface on the far side of the main body case 6, and a hand strap hole 10 is provided near a left corner of the connection opening 9. The portability is improved by attaching a hand strap (not shown) to the hole 10. Further, a connection opening 11 for a USB connector and a PDC /
A connection opening 12 for a PHS connector, a connection opening 13 for a serial connector, and a connection opening 14 for an AC adapter jack are provided. The connection openings 11 to 13 are provided with lids that can be opened and closed as necessary.

Further, the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the back side, the near side and the right side of the main body upper case 7 constituting the main body case 6 has a lower position for fitting a drip-proof case (described later). And a groove 7ba dug down along the rising edge of the deep edge of the step 7a. The step 7a
Is lowered so that the fitted drip-proof case is flush with the upper surface of the main body case 6.

Next, various interfaces provided on the periphery of the control board 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a CF card slot for operating a storage card for storing edited data and other application software as required, and from the viewpoint of the size and size of the CF card, miniaturization of the main body, and operability. The main body case 6 is located inside the connection opening 9 on the side surface on the far side of the main body case 6 and is installed so as to face the connection opening 9.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a USB for connecting to a modem or the like.
The connector is located inside the connection opening 11 and installed so as to face the connection opening 11.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a PDC / PHS connector for connecting a cellular phone or PHS, and the connection opening 12
And is installed so as to face the connection opening 12.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a serial connector for linking data with a PC or connecting to a printer. The serial connector 18 is located inside the connection opening 13 and installed so as to face the connection opening 13.

Reference numeral 19 denotes an AC adapter jack which is located inside the connection opening
Installed so as to face.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an LED display element for displaying the state of charge or an alarm of the battery, 21 denotes a memory board on which a flash memory is mounted, 22 denotes a speaker, 23 denotes a main battery, and 24 denotes a coin for data storage assistance. The battery 25 is an auxiliary board on which an input switch 26 interlocked with the input switch button 4 a is mounted separately from the control board 5.

Here, the internal structure of the main body will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7. FIG.

The liquid crystal display panel 1, the control board 5, and the auxiliary board 25 are fixed to the chassis 27 by screws. The touch panel 2 is attached to the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1 by bonding with an adhesive. Between the outer peripheral portion of the touch panel 2 on the liquid crystal display panel 1 and the upper case 6 of the main body, an annular seal member 28 for the purpose of drip-proof and shock absorption is interposed so as to be adhered to both with an adhesive. Pseudo-unification.

Input switch button 4a made of soft material
As shown in FIG. 7, an adhesive 2
By bonding them together by 9, they are quasi-integrated and connected to the drip-proof structure, and by pressing down the input switch button 4 a, the input switch 26 on the auxiliary board 25 is pressed to operate the input switch 26. The input switch button 4a and the LED display unit 4b are configured as a single composite part integrally formed, and the LED display unit 4b
Similarly, by bonding to the upper case 7 of the main body, it is quasi-integrated to form a drip-proof structure. LED display element 20
Is mounted on the main control board 5 so as to be opposed to the inside of the LED display section 4b, and the light emission of the LED display element 20 is transmitted through the LED display section 4b and the LED display section 4b
It is configured to emit light from the surface.

In this embodiment, the connection opening 12 for the PDC / PHS connector 17 installed on the side surface of the main body case 6 has a cover 30 made of a soft material.
Is configured to be drip-proof by being press-fitted and attached utilizing the characteristics of the soft member.

The purpose of the structure in which the memory board 21 is attached to the main control board 5 is to use the mounting area effectively by replacing the memory section with a separate board, and to expand or change the function only by replacing the memory board 21. Is to be able to realize. Although illustration is omitted, the user can replace the memory board 21 by himself / herself.
The lower body case 8 may be provided with an opening / closing lid.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which a drip-proof case 31 is fitted to the main body case 6 of the portable information terminal to form a drip-proof structure.

The drip-proof case 31 is made of a soft member that does not allow water to pass therethrough, and is provided with a stepped portion 7a and a side surface on the top surface of the bottom surface, the back side, the near side, and the right side of the main body case 6. Is formed so as to cover the body case 6 from the lateral direction so as to cover the main body case 6. The stepped portion 7 is fitted to the main body case 6.
In order to realize a drip-proof structure by fitting into the groove 7b formed along the inner edge of the stepped portion 7a of the main body case 6 inside the front end edge of the drip-proof case 31 positioned so as to cover the A suitable ridge 32 is provided. A connector insertion window 33 that can be closed in a drip-proof manner is provided at a position of the drip-proof case 31 facing the connection opening 13 of the main body case 6.

The drip-proof case 31 is fitted to the main body case 6 to cover various interface connection openings 9, 11 to 14 provided on the side surface of the main body case 6 to prevent drip-proof. 1 and the input switch button 4a and the area of the LED display section 4b are exposed. As described above, the joint surface between these and the main body upper case 7 is adhered by an adhesive to form a drip-proof structure. No water drops enter the case 6.

In such a portable information terminal, while holding the main body case 6 with the left hand, the input switch button 4a is operated with the thumb of the left hand, and the input editing is performed by pressing the touch panel 2 with the input pen 3 with the right hand. By operating, it can be handled conveniently. In a use environment where water droplets adhere, the drip-proof case 31 can be fitted to cover the connection openings for various interfaces to achieve drip-proof. The joint surface between the touch panel 2 and the main body case 6 that are exposed without being covered, and the joint surface between the input switch button 4a and the LED display unit 4b and the main body case 6 are adhered to form a drip-proof structure. A portable information terminal that does not hinder communication can be realized.

The lower step 7a and the groove 7b provided on the periphery of the main body case 6 of this portable information terminal are provided on the entire periphery of the main body case 6 as shown in FIG. 10, and as shown in FIG. The drip-proof case 34 can be deformed so as to cover the entire periphery and the bottom surface of the main body upper case 6. The main body case 6 includes a liquid crystal display panel 1, a touch panel 2, an input switch button 4a, various control boards (not shown), connection openings for various interfaces (not shown), and the like, as in the above-described embodiment. Provide.

The drip-proof case 34, which covers the entire periphery of the main body case 6 as described above, is not shown in the drawings, but is provided with a detachable opening which can be opened and closed by a planar fastener on one side (for example, the back side). The drip-proof structure is realized by opening the detachable opening and fitting the main body case 6 and then closing the detachable opening with the planar fastener. The drip-proof case 34 is provided with a connector insertion window 35 which can be closed in a drip-proof manner at a position facing the connection opening for the serial connector of the main body case 6.

In the above-described two embodiments, the lower step portion 7a formed on the peripheral edge of the main body case 6 functions as a fitting seat for the drip-proof cases 31, 34 fitted to the main body case 6, and In a usage mode in which the drip-proof cases 31 and 34 are not used, the portable information terminal (body case 6) is reduced in size.

Further, the drip-proof cases 31 and 34 in the above-described two embodiments can be configured to also function as a protection case for protecting the exterior parts and reducing the impact on the main body case 6. It is desirable that the drip-proof cases 31, 34, which also function to reduce the impact, be made of an impact absorbing member such as an elastomer or rubber. Further, the drip-proof cases 31 and 34 may be formed of a transparent member so as to cover the surface of the touch panel 2 (the liquid crystal display panel 1).

[0038]

According to the present invention, a seal member is arranged between the outer peripheral portion of the touch panel on the liquid crystal panel and the main body case, and the seal member, the touch panel and the main body case are adhered with an adhesive to be quasi-integrated. Therefore, the switch button of the button switch and the LED display unit are integrally formed as a single composite part to form the switch button and the L button.
Since the ED display unit is covered with the main body case so as to be exposed from the main body case, and the composite component and the main body case are adhered with an adhesive to be quasi-integrated, a connection opening for a CF card slot and various interfaces is provided. To
It is formed on the periphery of the main body case, and the drip-proof case made of a soft member is fitted to the main body case so as to close the connection opening. Since a groove is formed and the drip-proof case is fitted to the step portion and / or the groove,
A portable information terminal having a drip-proof structure can be realized while suppressing an increase in size.

For the same reason, it is possible to realize a portable information terminal having a drip-proof structure that is small and thin and easy to operate.

Further, by using the drip-proof member without assembling it, it is possible to realize a portable information terminal that is small and easy to operate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a portable information terminal showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portable information terminal taken along line AA of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.

6 is a partially enlarged view of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

8 is an external perspective view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 with a drip-proof case fitted thereto.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the portable information terminal, taken along line CC in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a portable information terminal showing another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is an external perspective view of a state in which a drip-proof case is fitted to the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal display panel 2 Touch panel 3 Input pen 4a Input switch button 4b LED display part 5 Main control board 6 Main body case 7 Main body upper case 7a Step part 7b Groove 8 Main body lower case 9,11-14 Connection opening 31 Drip-proof case 32 Ridge 33 connector insertion window

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display device having a liquid crystal display panel, an input device having a touch panel or a button switch superimposed on a surface of the liquid crystal display panel, a control board for controlling the entire device, and an input area of the touch panel. In a portable information terminal having a main body case that covers them so as to expose them, and a CF card slot and connector connection openings for various interfaces around the main body case, a seal is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the touch panel on the liquid crystal panel and the main body case. A portable information terminal in which a member is arranged, and the seal member, the touch panel, and the main body case are pseudo-integrated by bonding with an adhesive. 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is formed of a shock absorbing member. 3. A display device having a liquid crystal display panel, an input device having a touch panel or a button switch superimposed on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, a control board for controlling the entire device, and an input area of the touch panel. A portable information terminal provided with a body case that covers them so as to expose them, and a CF card slot and connector connection openings for various interfaces around the body case, wherein a switch button of the button switch and an LED display unit are integrally formed. The switch button and the LED display are covered with the main body case so as to expose the switch button and the LED display part from the main body case, and the composite part and the main body case are bonded together with an adhesive to be quasi-integrated. Mobile information terminal. 4. A display device having a liquid crystal display panel, an input device having a touch panel or a button switch superimposed on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel, a control board for controlling the entire device, and an input area of the touch panel. In a portable information terminal provided with a main body case covering them so as to expose them, and a CF card slot and connector connection openings for various interfaces around the main body case, the connection openings for the CF card slot and various interfaces are provided in the main body case. A portable information terminal, wherein a drip-proof case made of a soft material is fitted to the main body case so as to cover the connection opening. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the main body case comprises:
Forming a step portion and / or groove with a lower peripheral portion,
A portable information terminal, wherein the drip-proof case is fitted to the step portion and / or the groove. 6. The portable information terminal according to claim 4, wherein the drip-proof case is formed of a shock absorbing material.