JP3190695B2 - Interface adapters and portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface adapter and a portable electronic device suitable for use in electronic devices such as portable computers (electronic notebooks and personal computers) and word processors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to reduce the weight of a portable computer as much as possible, only the minimum necessary functions are built in the main body, and functions not necessarily required for basic operation are added to the main body in the form of an interface adapter. Like that. For this reason, the computer body is provided with a socket (connector) for mounting the interface adapter. In addition, since portable computers are sometimes used in places where there is no power supply nearby, they are usually operated with batteries. Therefore, a mounting portion for mounting a battery is also formed on the main body.

[0003]

However, in the conventional device, the mounting portion for mounting the battery and the socket for connecting the interface adapter are formed and arranged as dedicated ones, respectively. There was a problem that the limit was raised in the conversion.

[0004] The present invention has been made to overcome such a conventional problem, and enables a further miniaturization.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems] interface adapter according to claim 1 includes a first electrode for supplying electric power from the battery, and a connecting portion for communicating with an external device provided
A battery mounting portion being, of the portable electronic device
An interface adapter detachably mounted instead of a battery on a battery mounting portion provided on one surface, and an interface circuit necessary for operatively coupling the portable electronic device to an external device, and an interface circuit. Carrying
A connector connected to the connection unit for connecting the belt-type electronic device, power supply means for supplying power necessary for performing basic operations of the portable electronic device, and a battery mounting unit are provided. A second electrode connected to the first electrode to supply the power supplied by the power supply means to the portable electronic device, and an end face of the battery mounted on the battery mounting portion.
The end face, which is molded into approximately the same shape, and the battery
A portable electronic device that has substantially the same shape as the locking part that is locked to the remounting part.
The device is provided with locking means for locking itself.
Sign. The power supply means may further supply power to the interface circuit. The power supply means may include a primary battery. The power supply means may include a secondary battery.
You. The interface adapter may further include a housing having an outer shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the battery. The interface adapter may further include a housing having a substantially T-shaped outer shape. The connection may include a socket. The interface adapter is
Connected to an external device connected to the interface circuit.
A connector portion can be further provided. Claim
The electronic device according to 9, provided on the end face of the housing, a locking portion for preventing the dropping of the battery, and the battery loading portion in which the electrode is provided, a portable battery or interface adapter is detachable Type electronic equipment, the battery mounting part is built into the interface adapter
Bei a connection to Connect to the interface circuit being
The end face where the battery mounting section is provided
The end face and interface
It has almost the same shape as the end face that is attached to the battery mounting part of the adapter.
The molded part is provided on the battery mounting part,
If a battery is attached, lock the battery and
Interface adapter is installed, the interface adapter
The interface adapter provides an interface circuit necessary for operatively coupling the portable electronic device to an external device and an electric power required for performing basic operations of the portable electronic device. And a power supply means for supplying necessary power to the interface circuit, and when a battery is mounted in the battery mounting portion,
When power is input from a battery via an electrode and an interface adapter is mounted on the battery mounting portion, power supplied from power supply means is input via the electrode. Connections should include sockets
Can be

[0006]

The interface adapter according to the first aspect includes both the interface circuit and the battery.
Therefore, only one mounting portion needs to be provided in the main body of the portable electronic device, and the size of the device can be reduced. In the portable electronic device according to the ninth aspect , an interface adapter containing both the interface circuit and the battery is detachably mounted. Therefore, only one mounting portion needs to be provided in the main body of the portable electronic device, and the size of the device can be reduced.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic organizer (portable computer) to which an interface adapter of the present invention is attached. The main body 1 is provided with a power switch 2, which is turned on when the apparatus is used and turned off when the use is stopped. Provided on the left of the power switch 2 is a brightness adjustment switch 3 for adjusting the brightness of the screen 8 (the brightness of the LCD 22 described later). A case 4 is provided on the side of the main body 1. The case 4 has a switch 7 at the tip, and a main body 1 through a cord 5.
Is stored when not in use. When the pen 6 is taken out of the case 4, it can be arranged in a groove 10 formed horizontally above the main body 1. A speaker 9 is provided on the left side of the groove 10 to output a predetermined sound.

Two switches 1 are provided on the upper right side of the main body 1.
1 and 12 are provided. The switch 11 is a changeover switch for changing the brightness of the backlight described later, for example, to two levels, and the switch 12 is a volume changeover switch for changing the volume of the sound output from the speaker 9 to, for example, three levels. Switch 13 provided on left side of main body 1
Is a stop switch that is operated when a predetermined operation is stopped halfway (for example, when a sound being emitted is stopped). A memory (IC) card 70 is also provided on the left side of the main body 1.
(See FIG. 5). A socket 15 is provided on the rear side of the main body 1. A socket 16 is also provided inside the battery mounting portion 1a for mounting the battery 19 on the rear side of the main body 1. For example, RS2
A 32C cable, a modem, other adapters, and the like are connected. Further, a connection terminal 18 of an interface adapter 17 is provided above the left side of the main body 1.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed configuration example of the screen 8. In this embodiment, the tablet 21 (X
The tablet 21a for detecting the position in the axial direction and the tablet 21b) for detecting the position in the Y-axis direction are provided at the top. An LCD 22 is provided below the tablet 21. The LCD 22 is composed of glass plates 22a and 22b provided above and below, and a liquid crystal 23 inserted between them. A fluorescent plate (EL) 26 is provided below the LCD 22. When the fluorescent plate 26 as the backlight generates light, the light is transmitted to the LCD.
Illuminate 22. Since the tablets 21a and 21b are formed of a transparent member, an image displayed on the liquid crystal 23 is observed from above in the figure. Printed circuit board (PC
B) 25 is loaded with a component (not shown) and is electrically connected to the LCD 22 via a rubber connector 24. Further, the conductive film 27 is also electrically connected to the tablet 21.

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed configuration example of the fluorescent plate 26. In this embodiment, an insulating film 33 is disposed between an electrode 31 and a light emitting section (the other electrode) 32. By applying a predetermined voltage between the electrode 31 and the light emitting unit 32, the light emitting unit 32 emits light. The electrode 31 and the light emitting section 32 are formed in a plate shape, and can irradiate the screen 8 uniformly.

As a backlight, a fluorescent tube may be used. In addition, a fluorescent tube is provided as a side light on the side of the main body, and the light is transmitted to the LC by a light transmitting member.
It is also possible to transmit to the rear of D22 so that it can be illuminated.

FIG. 4 shows the position detection by a tablet and LC
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the principle of display by D. Tablet 2
1 has, for example, 512 electrodes in the X-axis direction,
It has 342 electrodes in the Y-axis direction. This allows
It becomes possible to detect 512 × 342 pixels. The tablet controller 46 controls the clock generation circuit 45a, and sequentially applies a predetermined voltage to each of the 342 electrodes. Next, the clock generation circuit 45b is controlled,
Voltage is sequentially applied to the twelve electrodes. That is, the tablet 21 is scanned by the clocks generated by the clock generation circuits 45a and 45b. When the pen 6 approaches a predetermined position on the tablet 21, a predetermined capacitance is formed between the tablet 21 and the pen 6. When the pen 6 is pressed against the tablet 21, the switch 7 at the tip of the pen 6 is turned on, so that a charge generated between the pen 6 and a predetermined electrode on the tablet 21 is detected. It is supplied to the controller 46. Since the tablet controller 46 manages the clock generation timings of the clock generation circuits 45a and 45b, it is possible to detect the pressed position of the pen 6 on the tablet 21 from the detection signal supplied from the pen 6 and the clock generation timing. it can. The tablet controller 46 supplies the operation coordinates of the pen 6 thus detected to the CPU 41.

On the other hand, the CPU 41
3 and writes data corresponding to the image to be displayed in the memory (V-RAM) 44. LCD controller 4
3 reads data from the memory 44 and supplies a signal corresponding to the data to the drive circuit 42b. LCD 22
It has 512 electrodes in the horizontal direction and 342 electrodes in the vertical direction corresponding to the tablet 21. The drive circuit 42a sequentially applies a predetermined voltage to 342 electrodes one by one. Further, the drive circuit 42b sequentially applies voltages corresponding to image data to the 512 electrodes. Thus, each pixel on the LCD 22 is scanned, and the LCD 22 is scanned.
A predetermined image is displayed on 22.

FIG. 5 shows a more detailed electrical configuration of the main body 1. The CPU 41 is connected to various ICs via a bus line 57. In the ROM 51, for example, a kana-kanji conversion program for a word processor function and a dictionary table therefor, as well as a recognition program for handwritten input and a dictionary table therefor are written, in addition to the system program of the entire apparatus.
The working RAM 52 stores data necessary for operation as needed. A backup battery 54 (a battery different from the battery 19) is connected to the backup RAM 53, so that necessary data is backed up even when the power of the apparatus main body is turned off. The timer IC 55 is connected to the battery 54, counts the clock from the crystal oscillator 56, and outputs data of the date and time at that time. LC described above
The D controller 43 and the tablet controller 46 are also
It is connected to the CPU 41 via the bus line 57.

The audio processing circuit 58 includes sockets 14 to 1
A predetermined audio signal is generated in response to an input from the CPU 6 or a command from the CPU 41 and output to the adder 59. The voice memory 61 is controlled by the CPU 41 and outputs a predetermined voice (for example, a warning sound “Eh?”) Stored in advance to the adder 59. The adder 59 adds the output of the audio processing circuit 58 and the output of the audio memory 61 and outputs the result to the speaker 9 via the audio volume controller 60. The volume controller 60 is connected to the volume selector switch 12, and the volume can be controlled by operating the switch.

A power supply circuit 64 (when the power switch 2 is turned on, the battery 1
9 or power is supplied from the interface adapter 17) via the inverter circuit 63. The brightness of the fluorescent screen 26 is controlled by the changeover switch 11.
Can be switched to two stages (for example, brightness suitable for a bright room and brightness suitable for a dark room) via the inverter circuit 63. In addition, separately from this, by controlling the brightness adjustment switch 3, the LCD
22 can be controlled to a desired value in multiple steps. The switch 65a is turned on / off according to whether the battery 19 mounted on the main body 1 is a primary battery or a secondary battery. The switch 65b detects the capacity of the battery 19, and is turned on / off according to the size of the capacity. These switches 65 a and 65 b are connected to the key interface 62 via the power supply circuit 64. The key interface 62 also includes a brightness adjustment switch 3, a changeover switch 11, and a stop switch 13.
Etc. are connected. The key interface 62 outputs signals corresponding to ON / OFF of these switches to the CPU 41.
To supply.

An IC card 70 is connected to the socket 14, and the CPU 41 can exchange data, programs, and the like with the IC card 70 via an IC card interface 66. In addition, sockets 15, 1
The adapter 6 is connected to the CPU 6 via the extension interface 68.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the battery 19 is mounted on the main body 1.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the main body 1 of FIG. 1 with the battery 19 removed, as viewed from the back side. The main body 1 has a mounting portion 1a for mounting a battery on the back surface.
An attachment port 54a for attaching a backup battery 54 is provided. The socket 14 in which the memory card 70 is mounted is covered by a cover 14a. Also,
In the vicinity of the socket 15, there is a connector (not shown)
There is provided a detachable button 15a which is operated when attaching and detaching.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting portion 1a.
An electrode 1a2 for electrically connecting the battery 19 and a detection pin 1a3 for detecting the type of the battery 19 are provided in the mounting portion 1a. A locking claw 1a1 is provided on a side surface of the mounting portion 1a to engage with a locking portion 19a of the battery 19 to be described later to prevent the battery 19 from falling off.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the battery 19 is detached from the main body 1. At the four corners of the bottom surface of the battery 19, a locking portion 19a for engaging with the locking claw 1a1 of the mounting portion 1a is provided. ing.

FIG. 9 shows the back side (bottom side) of the battery 19. Locking portions 19a are formed at the four corners, and electrodes 19b are arranged at positions corresponding to the electrodes 1a2 of the mounting portion 1a. The electrodes 19b and 1a2
, And power is supplied from the battery 19 to the main body 1. A detection hole 19c is formed near the electrode 19b. The detection hole 19c is formed in the case of a rechargeable secondary battery, and is not formed in the case of a non-rechargeable primary battery. Further, a detection hole 19d is formed on the right side of the detection hole 19c in the figure when the capacitance is large. The detection hole 19c is formed because the battery 19 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a secondary battery, but the detection hole 19d is not formed because the capacity is small. These detection holes 19c and 19d are connected to the detection pins 1a of the mounting portion 1a.
Detected by 3. A button 1b is operated when the battery 19 is attached or detached.

The battery that can be mounted on the main body 1 includes a non-rechargeable primary battery (shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 described later) containing a normal dry battery therein, and a secondary battery having a charging function. (Shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). Both batteries have the same external shape (especially the shape of the bottom surface) and can be mounted on the main body 1.

FIG. 10 shows a battery 19 'as a primary battery.
And accommodates a primary battery 19K (for example, six AA batteries). For this reason, the battery 19 'is composed of a lower case 19F and an upper case 19E rotatable about a fulcrum 19G. The lower case 19F has a tongue 19H having grooves formed on both sides so as to be elastically deformable, and a slit 19I is formed in the tongue 19H. Further, a projection 19J is formed on the upper case 19E so as to engage with the slit 19I of the tongue 19H.

FIG. 11 shows a bottom surface of the battery 19 '(primary battery). Compared with the battery 19 (secondary battery) shown in FIG. 9, the locking portion 19a and the electrode 19b correspond to the locking portion 19a. A portion 19A and an electrode 19B are formed. Also, 1
Since it is the next battery, the detection holes 19C and 19D are not formed.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the interface adapter according to the present invention. The interface adapter 81 has basically the same shape (especially the shape of the bottom surface) as the batteries 19 and 19 ′, and can be mounted on the mounting portion 1 a of the main body 1 instead of the battery 19 or 19 ′. I can do it. FIG.
Shows a state in which the battery 19 is mounted on the main body 1, and FIG. 12 shows a state in which the interface adapter 81 is mounted.

The interface adapter 81 has a built-in battery 82 composed of a primary battery or a secondary battery, has an electrode 19b like the battery 19, and is mounted on the mounting portion 1a of the main body 1. At this time, electric power of the battery 82 is supplied to the main body 1 via the electrode 1a2 of the main body 1.
The battery 82 supplies electric power necessary for the main body 1 to perform a basic operation, and is essentially different from the backup battery 54 shown in FIG.

The interface adapter 81 also contains an interface circuit (processing circuit) 86 such as a CPU and a logic circuit, and memories 85a and 85b for storing necessary data and programs. The power of the battery 82 is supplied to a regulator 84 via a diode 83 for preventing backflow, and a voltage stabilized by the regulator 84 is supplied to the processing circuit 86 and the memories 85a and 8a.
5b. Processing circuit 86 and memory 85
a and 85b become operable upon receiving this power supply.

The processing circuit 86 includes a connector (socket) 87.
Is electrically connected to When the interface adapter 81 is mounted on the mounting portion 1a of the main body 1, the connector 87 is connected to the socket (connector) 16 disposed behind the mounting portion 1a (see FIGS. 12 and 1).
The processing circuit 86 is also connected to another connector (socket) 88. This connector 88 is, for example, RS2
It can be connected to a socket (connector) 91 such as 32C. Thus, the main body 1 is electrically connected to an external device (not shown) via the interface adapter 81.
For example, if the interface adapter 81 is a modem, the main unit 1 can exchange data with an external device via a telephone line.

FIG. 14 schematically shows a state where the interface adapter 81 is mounted on the main body 1. FIG. 14A
14B shows a case where the interface adapter 81 is formed in the same size as the battery 19, and FIG. 14B shows a case where the interface adapter 81 is formed in a substantially T shape. The shape can be determined according to the size of a circuit or the like housed inside.

[0031]

As described above, according to the interface adapter of the first aspect, since both the interface circuit and the battery are built in, the portable electronic device main body has only one mounting portion. The size of the device can be reduced. According to the portable electronic device of the ninth aspect , the interface adapter having both the interface circuit and the battery is detachably attached, so that only one attachment portion is provided on the portable electronic device body. And the size of the device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a portable computer to which an interface adapter of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a screen in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of the fluorescent screen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection relationship between the LCD and the tablet in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical configuration in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration near a battery mounting portion of the main body in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration in the vicinity of a battery mounting portion of the main body with the battery removed in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a battery in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the battery in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a battery comprising a primary battery in the embodiment of FIG.

11 is a diagram showing a bottom surface of a battery including a primary battery in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the interface adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a state where a battery is mounted on a main body.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing a state in which an embodiment of the interface adapter of the present invention is mounted on a main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 1a Attachment part 1a1 Locking claw 1a2 Electrode 1a3 Detection pin 2 Power switch 6 Pen 7 Switch 8 Screen 19, 19 'Battery 19a, 19A Locking part 19b, 19B Electrode 19c, 19C, 19d, 19D Detection hole 21 Tablet 22 LCD 23 Liquid crystal 26 Fluorescent plate 41 CPU 42a, 42b Drive circuit 43 LCD controller 44 V-RAM 45a, 45b Clock generation circuit 46 Tablet controller 51 ROM 52 RAM 82 Battery 86 Processing circuit (interface circuit)

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] A first electrode for supplying electric power from 1. A battery, and a connecting portion for communicating with an external device is provided
The battery mounting part is located on one side of the portable electronic device.
In the provided battery mounting portion, instead of a battery,
Interface Adapter odor which is detachably mounted
Te, in order to connect said the portable electronic device the external device requires interface circuitry in terms of binding to the operation, and the interface circuit and the portable electronic device, a connector connected to said connection portion, A power supply unit for supplying electric power necessary for performing a basic operation to the portable electronic device; and a power supply unit connected to the first electrode provided on the battery mounting unit. a second electrode for providing power to be supplied to the portable electronic device, the battery, the end surface to be mounted on the battery mounting unit
An end surface molded into substantially the same shape as that of the battery, and locking of the battery to be locked to the battery mounting portion.
Locks itself to the portable electronic device, which has substantially the same shape as the part
An interface adapter comprising: 2. The power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein said power supply means further supplies power to said interface circuit.
The interface adapter described in. 3. The interface adapter according to claim 1, wherein said power supply means includes a primary battery. Wherein said power supply means, the interface adapter of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a secondary battery. 5. The interface adapter of claim 1, further comprising a housing having a outer shape of the battery, a substantially contour of the same shape. 6. The interface adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a housing having a substantially T-shaped outer shape. Wherein said connecting portion, the interface adapter of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a socket. 8. An electronic device connected to the interface circuit.
Connector for connecting to the external device More
2. The interface according to claim 1, further comprising:
adapter. 9. A portable electronic device in which the battery or the interface adapter is detachably mounted on a battery mounting portion provided on an end surface of the housing to prevent the battery from dropping and an electrode is provided. Device, wherein the battery mounting portion is connected to the interface adapter.
Connect the connection to the built-in interface circuit.
Wherein the end face provided with the battery mounting portion is
The end face attached to the battery mounting portion of the battery and the
Attached to the battery mounting part of the interface adapter.
The locking portion is provided in the battery mounting portion, and the
When the battery is mounted, the battery is locked and the
If an interface adapter is attached,
The interface adapter is adapted to lock a face adapter, the interface adapter includes an interface circuit necessary for operatively coupling the portable electronic device to an external device, and a basic operation of the portable electronic device. A power supply unit that supplies necessary power and also supplies necessary power to the interface circuit, when the battery is mounted on the battery mounting unit,
Power is input from the battery via the electrode, and when the interface adapter is mounted on the battery mounting portion, power supplied from the power supply means is input via the electrode. Portable electronic equipment. Wherein said connecting portion includes a portable electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a socket.