JP4277893B2 - Portable information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a small portable information processing apparatus called personal data assistance or mobile computer.

  A small portable information terminal called a personal data assistance or a mobile computer has a structure in which various units are externally attached as accessory units because the apparatus main body is small.

However, in a small portable information processing apparatus, a method of enhancing usability by enhancing the accessory unit is generally used. However, conventionally, there is a problem that usability is poor when functions are enhanced. It was.
For example, in a small portable information terminal, an antenna unit that receives a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite is housed on the back surface of the portable information terminal as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-55910, and is necessary. In many cases, the antenna unit is pulled out for use. However, in the portable information terminal having such a configuration, since the antenna unit is mounted even when the portable information terminal is used for GPS, the size is increased and the usability is improved. It ’s bad. Further, an excessive force may be applied when pulling out the antenna unit, and the antenna unit may be damaged. However, no consideration is given to such inconvenience. Furthermore, since the pulled out antenna unit does not have a member that supports the back side, the antenna unit may be damaged with a small force.

Furthermore, in the portable information processing terminal, there are many opportunities to connect various accessories to the connector. In such a case, the connector cover that has covered the connector is removed from the portable information terminal. There is a risk of losing the cover.
Furthermore, when the digital information unit for input is comprised in the portable information terminal, it is convenient if the portable information terminal is equipped with an input pen. However, since the input pen that can be equipped on the portable information terminal is short, it is convenient to be able to stretch it in two steps. However, just mounting such an input pen on the portable information terminal is troublesome because the user needs to perform two operations of removing the input pen from the portable information terminal and then extending the input pen. .
In addition to such inconvenience, a conventional portable information device with a built-in GPS unit or a module as described above consumes a large amount of power by the GPS unit. When the unit is operated or the GPS unit is linked to application software that uses the current position information or the like, there is a problem that the battery life is exhausted in a short time.

  On the other hand, in order to operate the GPS unit, it is necessary to capture a plurality of GPS signals from a radio wave generation source such as a plurality of artificial satellites after the power is turned on. Necessary. Therefore, for example, while using predetermined application software of an information device, there is a method of operating the GPS unit by turning on the power by software operation when the current position information becomes necessary. In this method, it is necessary to wait for a certain amount of time until position information is obtained, which greatly restricts the functions of information equipment that can perform information processing quickly.

Therefore, a first problem of the present invention is to realize a portable information processing apparatus that is easy to use even when various accessories are attached to the portable information terminal.
And the 2nd subject of the present invention is a portable information processor provided with the central processing unit for performing information processing, and the GPS unit for receiving a GPS signal in addition to the 1st subject mentioned above Is to provide a new configuration that reduces power consumption caused by the GPS unit as much as possible and does not impair the operability and functions of the apparatus.

In order to achieve the first problem described above, in the portable information processing device according to the present invention, a portable information terminal having a display surface on the surface side, an antenna unit for receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, And an attachment / detachment mechanism that makes the antenna unit attachable / detachable with respect to the portable information terminal without changing a projected area from the display surface side.
In this specification, the portable information processing device refers to a device including a portable information terminal and an accessory unit attached to the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal refers to the terminal itself excluding the accessory unit.
In the present invention, since the antenna unit can be removed except when the portable information terminal is used for GPS, it is easy to use. Moreover, the projected area from the display surface side does not change between the state in which the antenna unit is detached from the portable information terminal and the state in which the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal. That is, even when the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal, the antenna unit does not protrude laterally from the portable information terminal, so that the handling is easy even when the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal.
In the present invention, the antenna unit is pulled out to the outer peripheral side of the portable information terminal while being rotated from the stored state overlapping the back side of the portable information terminal, and the display of the portable information terminal. It is preferable to provide a rotation center axis that can be switched to a drawer state inclined to the back side with respect to the surface. With this configuration, the antenna unit can be pulled out of the housed state by a simple operation of rotating the antenna unit. Moreover, since the antenna unit overlaps the back side of the portable information terminal when in the stored state, the antenna unit does not get in the way. Furthermore, since the antenna unit is tilted to the back side with respect to the display surface in the pulled out state, the antenna unit is supported horizontally when the user tilts the portable information terminal so that the display surface can be easily seen. Therefore, there is an advantage that the reception sensitivity of the antenna unit is improved.
In the present invention, the antenna unit overlaps the back side of the portable information terminal in the storage state when viewed from the rotation center position when rotating between the storage state and the pulled-out state. On the other hand, it is preferable that the portable information terminal protrudes from the front end side when it is rotated 90 degrees from this state to the pulled-out state. If comprised in this way, since an antenna unit can be taken in and out within the easy-to-handle angle range of 90 degrees, it is convenient.
In this case, the rotation center axis is inclined at an inclination of 45 degrees when viewed from the direction of dividing the angle range when switching between the stored state and the pulled-out state into two equal parts, It is preferable that the antenna unit is at an equal height position in the width direction regardless of whether the antenna unit is in the housed state or the pulled out state.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotating portion of the antenna unit switches the magnitude of torque during rotation between the housed state and the pulled out state, and sets a position immediately before reaching the housing completed state and the drawer completed state. It is preferable to provide a click mechanism for transmitting to the user. If comprised in this way, when turning an antenna unit, adjustment of force can be adjusted with a click feeling. Therefore, since an excessive force is not applied to the antenna unit, the antenna unit is not damaged.

  In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a portable information terminal having a display surface on the front surface side, and supported by the portable information terminal so as to project outward from the portable information terminal, are transmitted from GPS satellites. It is preferable to include an antenna unit that receives a signal and a spring that is interposed between the antenna unit and the portable information terminal and allows a certain amount of play in the out-of-plane direction of the antenna unit. If comprised in this way, even if force is added to an antenna unit, since this spring will absorb this force, an antenna unit and its connection part will not be damaged. Therefore, it is easy to use, such as being safe to use outdoors.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a portable information terminal having a display surface on the front side and a connector for connecting a unit in the opening on the side surface portion is provided with a rubber connector cover for closing the opening. In addition, the connector cover is held by the portable information terminal even when the connector cover is removed from the opening to open the opening. If comprised in this way, it is not necessary to remove the connector cover which has covered the connector until then from a portable information terminal. Therefore, since various units can be attached as accessories, the connector cover is not lost even if the connector is frequently attached and detached, which is convenient.
In the present invention, it is preferable that the connector cover removed from the opening is used as a rubber leg by sinking into a lower surface side of a unit attached to the portable information terminal and electrically connected to the connector.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, a portable information processing apparatus having a portable information terminal having a display surface and an input digitizing unit on the front surface side, and an input pen housed in an opening of the portable information terminal The input pen is configured to be detached from the portable information terminal after being stretched while being held in the opening of the portable information terminal when a force for pulling out from the opening is applied. It is characterized by that. If comprised in this way, it will remove | deviate from a portable information terminal in the state which the input pen extended only by pulling the input pen. Therefore, it is easy to use because only one operation is required.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the portable information terminal includes a portable information terminal having a display surface on the front surface side, and a GPS unit that is detachably attached to the back surface of the terminal. A pair of left and right arms extends, and a support part that can be attached to and detached from the back surface of the portable information terminal and a position between the pair of arms of the support part and a rear end part that is freely rotatable at the tip of the arm part And an antenna unit that rotates to the support portion side and is housed between the pair of arm portions, rotates to the opposite side, and is led out to the front of the support portion. If the GPS unit is configured in this way, the GPS unit can be removed except when the GPS unit is used, so that it is easy to use. In addition, since the GPS unit hardly protrudes from the portable information terminal, the handling is easy even when the GPS unit is attached to the portable information terminal.
This portable information processing apparatus has a lock mechanism that locks the antenna unit at a predetermined angle with a click operation with respect to the support part when the antenna unit is rotated and led forward of the support part. Is preferred. In this way, the antenna unit can be stably held at the most advantageous position in terms of reception characteristics and used with maximum performance.
It is preferable that the lock mechanism releases the lock when an excessive force is applied to the antenna unit to rotate the antenna unit, and further restores the lock function when the antenna unit is returned. In this way, since an excessive force is not applied to the antenna unit, the antenna unit is not damaged.
In addition, the rear end portion of the antenna unit and the front end of the arm unit are attached to the rear surface of the antenna unit while an insertion hole having a large diameter part is formed on the side surface inside the front end of the arm unit of the support unit. A shaft protrudes from the side surface of the end, and a cam as a part of the lock mechanism is provided on the tip side of the shaft. The cam has a locking protrusion on a part of the outer periphery. Rotate to a position where it is not normally used, the projecting part matches the large diameter part, the shaft and cam can be inserted into the insertion hole, and the rear end of the antenna unit can be rotated to the tip of the arm part It is preferable that it is attached to. In this way, mounting is easy even with a cam, and during normal use, the side of the arm is sandwiched between the protrusion of the cam and the side of the rear end of the antenna unit, and the shaft is axial. Since it does not move in the direction of insertion into the hole or the direction of extraction, it can be firmly attached.
Moreover, it is preferable that the tip side of a pair of left and right arm portions of the support portion is connected by a connecting plate. In this way, since the opening of the pair of left and right arms is suppressed by the connecting piece, the antenna unit can be reliably held between the pair of left and right arms.
Another embodiment of the present invention is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a central processing unit that controls the entire portable information processing device, and a GPS unit that is controlled by the central processing unit to receive GPS signals and acquire positioning data. A communication unit; an input device for inputting various information; a storage area for storing and executing various application programs; a display device capable of displaying various information; and a camera unit for acquiring image information. The central processing unit performs the operation of the GPS unit and the execution of the application program simultaneously in parallel.
Here, the central processing unit can display the current location repeatedly measured by the GPS unit on the display device on the display device based on the application program, and the position information related to the vicinity of the current location can be displayed on the display device. It is desirable that it can be displayed on.
The central processing unit is preferably configured to be able to acquire information via the communication unit based on the application program.
In addition, it is preferable that the central processing unit is configured to be able to activate the communication unit based on the application and transmit the positioning data acquired by the GPS unit.

  Means taken by the present invention to achieve the second problem described above comprises a central processing unit and an antenna for receiving GPS signals, controlled by the central processing unit to receive GPS signals, and obtain positioning data. A GPS unit for obtaining, a power cut-off means for turning on and off the power to the GPS unit, and an interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for the central processing unit when the antenna is operated in a predetermined state; A portable information processing apparatus comprising: GPS control means for starting the power supply to the GPS unit by the power cut-off means upon generation of the interrupt signal and operating the GPS unit. is there.

According to this means, since the interruption signal of the central processing unit is generated by operating the antenna, thereby starting the power supply to the GPS unit and operating it, the main body (portable information terminal) ) The GPS unit is activated in advance by operating the antenna regardless of the operation of), the positioning data can be acquired in advance, and the location information can be used at the required time. Since the power consumption can be reduced because it can be suppressed, and when necessary, the GPS unit can be operated in advance regardless of the operation of the main body, so the waiting time until the position information is obtained can be reduced. It can be shortened.
Here, it is preferable that the predetermined state is a state in which the antenna can receive the GPS signal. According to this means, when the antenna is in a signal receivable state, the GPS control means supplies power to the GPS unit, and the GPS unit starts to operate. Therefore, the GPS control is performed only by the necessary antenna operation before the GPS operation. Since the means can be activated, the operability can be improved. The antenna is configured to be able to appear and retract relative to the apparatus main body, and it is desirable that the predetermined state is a state in which the antenna is extended relative to the apparatus main body in order to receive a GPS signal satisfactorily.
In the above means, when the GPS signal is not captured by the GPS unit, the GPS control means is configured to repeatedly try to capture the GPS signal by the GPS unit once or a plurality of times. preferable. According to this means, when the GPS signal cannot be captured by the GPS unit for some reason, the possibility of signal capture can be increased by repeating the capture operation. In this case, after trying the GPS signal capturing operation repeatedly a predetermined number of times, it is possible to capture the signal by shifting to the power saving mode or cutting off the power supply as described in claim 18. It is more desirable to increase power and reduce power consumption.

In the above means, the GPS control means is configured to shift the GPS unit from the normal mode to the power saving mode or to supply power to the GPS unit when the GPS signal is not captured by the GPS unit. It is preferably configured to block. According to this means, when the GPS signal cannot be captured due to an environment where the GPS signal is not captured, the mode is automatically shifted to the power saving mode or the power supply to the GPS unit is shut off. Can avoid unnecessary power consumption.
In these cases, it is also desirable that the GPS control means is configured to display that when the GPS signal cannot be captured by the GPS unit. According to this means, when the GPS signal cannot be captured, the fact is displayed, so that the operator can immediately know that the capture is impossible, and can easily cope with it. .

Further, the GPS control means is configured to display a pause of the GPS unit in connection with an operation of shifting the GPS unit to the power saving mode or a cutoff of power supply to the GPS unit. It is desirable. In this case, since the operator can know the power saving mode or power interruption of the GPS unit on the spot, it is possible to easily cope with this.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the GPS control means is configured to display the presence / absence of power supply to the GPS unit at least at an arbitrary time when the apparatus main body is operating. According to this means, the operator can easily know whether or not the antenna needs to be re-operated by confirming whether or not power is supplied to the GPS unit. In this case, it is more desirable to improve the operability by always displaying the presence / absence of power supply in parallel with the display of the apparatus main body.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the GPS control means is configured to display an operation state of the GPS unit at least at an arbitrary time when the GPS unit is in operation. According to this means, by displaying the operation state of the GPS unit, the operator can arbitrarily know the possibility of acquiring position information. Also in this case, it is more desirable to improve the operability by always displaying the above-described operation state in parallel with the display of the apparatus main body.
In this case, the GPS control means may be configured such that the GPS unit operates in a power saving mode, the GPS signal is being captured, and the GPS signal is received by the GPS unit. It is desirable that the captured state or the positioning data or the state where the position information is acquired is displayed in an identifiable manner.

In the above three means, the GPS control means has a predetermined display section independent of the processing contents or processing results in a display area configured to display processing contents or processing results by the central processing unit. It is preferable that the display relating to the GPS unit is performed inside. As a result, it is possible to display the GPS unit independently in the display area for displaying the processing contents or processing results by the central processing unit, so that information on various states of the GPS unit is independent of the operation state of the apparatus main body. Thus, it is possible to take measures according to various states of the GPS unit at an appropriate timing that the user faces.
Further, the GPS unit is configured as an additional unit configured to be detachable from the main body, and the GPS control means is configured to be operable by the central processing unit only when the GPS unit is mounted. It is preferable.
In this case, it is desirable to provide unit detection means for detecting the mounting of the GPS unit, and whether to activate the GPS control means executed by the central processing unit is set according to the detection state of the unit detection means. It is further desirable to do so. In this case, when the GPS unit is not detected by the unit detection means, the GPS control means does not operate even if the interrupt signal is generated.
Furthermore, a central processing unit and an antenna for receiving a GPS signal are provided. The GPS unit is controlled by the central processing unit to receive a GPS signal and acquire positioning data, and power is supplied to the GPS unit. Power saving means for supplying / disconnecting power, interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for the central processing unit when the antenna is operated in a predetermined state, and the internal clock of the GPS unit is stopped or slowed down to save power A portable information processing apparatus comprising: a power saving unit configured to release the power saving state of the GPS unit upon generation of the interrupt signal and operate the GPS unit. It is.
According to this means, power consumption can be reduced by putting the GPS unit in the power saving state by the power saving means, and when the GPS antenna is operated, the power saving state is canceled by the GPS control means. The GPS unit can be operated at an appropriate timing independently of the above state. At this time, the GPS unit is normally in the power saving state by the power saving means, that is, in the power saving state, for example, immediately after starting or when the GPS unit is not used for a predetermined time, and only when the antenna is operated. It is further desirable from the viewpoint of power saving that the power saving state is canceled by the GPS control means.

A portable information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handy type portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied as viewed from the front surface side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handy type portable information terminal as viewed from the back surface side.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a handy type portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied and an accessory unit that can be attached to the portable information terminal.
1 to 3, a portable information terminal 10 of this embodiment has a flat box type main body housing 9, and an LCD unit (liquid crystal display unit) 8 for display output is provided on the surface 9a side. An input digitizing unit (touch panel) 7 is arranged in an overlapping manner. A camera diaphragm 221 is disposed on the surface 9 a of the main body housing 9.

  An infrared communication unit 6 capable of exchanging data with other portable information terminals is disposed on the upper side surface 9c of the main body housing 9, and an RS232C or USB (Universal Serial Bus) in the main body housing 9 is disposed on the lower side surface 9d. A communication connector 5 conforming to a predetermined standard is arranged. Accordingly, the mobile phone 12 can be connected to the communication connector 5 via the adapter 13, and data can be exchanged with other personal computers via the public telephone network. It is also possible to connect to a computer network such as the Internet by making a dial-up connection. Similarly, it is possible to connect to the PHS telephone 14 via the connector 15. Furthermore, if the dedicated PHS unit 16 having the PHS function is attached, the portable information terminal 10 itself of the present embodiment is connected to the PHS communication device using the speakers 4 and the microphones 3 arranged above and below the LCD unit 8. Or data can be transmitted / received via the PHS network. Further, the communication connector 5 can be connected to a PC connection cable 17 to exchange data locally with another personal computer, and the modem connection cable 18 can be connected to perform data communication via a modem. It is. Further, in the portable information terminal 10 of this embodiment, a unit 2 capable of wirelessly exchanging data as a communication unit is also built in the main body housing 9 so that data can be exchanged while moving only by the main body.

Further, on the right side surface 9 e of the main body housing 9, a mounting port 21 into which the flash card 20 can be mounted is disposed inside the side cover 91. Further, a lens 22 for the camera is arranged along with the insertion slot 21 of the flash card 20, and a surrounding scene or a person can be photographed by the CCD via the lens 22.
On the left side surface 9 f of the main body housing 9, the power supply port 1 that can charge the built-in battery from the charger 19 is disposed. A power switch 101 is disposed on the left side surface 9f of the main body housing 9, and a multi-controller 102 is disposed alongside the power switch 101. The multi-controller 102 can be used to select menus and input parameters on the screen displayed on the LCD unit 8 by turning the multi-controller 102, and to make a decision instruction by pressing the multi-controller 102. That is, the multi-controller 102 is also used as a determination button. Further, a camera finder 222 is arranged alongside the multi-controller 102.
As will be described in detail later, a GPS unit 11 that can detect a radio wave from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and determine its current location can be attached to and detached from the rear surface 9g of the main body housing 9. A battery pack 501 is housed in the back surface 9 g of the main body housing 9. Reference numeral 103 denotes a surface of the battery pack itself. The back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 is formed with two protrusions 104 and 105 for slightly floating the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 from the desk when the portable information terminal 10 is placed on a desk or the like. Has been.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the portable information terminal of this embodiment.
The portable information terminal 10 includes a ROM 32 that can store an operating system (OS), a shell system, and applications, a CPU 31 that can load and execute a program stored in the ROM 32, and a storage area at the time of execution. A RAM 33 and an internal storage device (flash memory) 34 serving as a storage area for documents or image files created by an application, and these are connected by an internal bus 35. Further, an LCD unit 8 that is a display device and a digitizing unit 7 that is an input device are also connected via an internal bus 35. In addition to these, the portable information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment captures radio waves from the communication unit 36 and the satellite that communicate with other personal computers using infrared communication, serial communication, and wireless communication, as described above. A GPS unit 11 that can determine its own position, a camera unit 37 that can acquire image information by a camera, and a voice unit 38 that functions as a voice memo that records voice or other sounds using the microphone 3 and the speaker 4. These are connected to the CPU 31 via the internal bus 35 and controlled.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the software system configuration in the portable information terminal of this embodiment. The OS 50 of the portable information terminal of this embodiment includes a controller and a driver that control each unit described above, and the application 60 and the shell system 70 can be controlled by each unit via the OS 50. That is, the OS 50 includes a display driver 51 that can display an image on the LCD unit 8, a touch panel controller 52 that can process data input from the digitizing unit 7 and supply the data to the application 60 and the shell system 70, the infrared interface 6, and the serial interface. 5 and a communication controller 53 capable of controlling the communication unit 36 including the wireless interface 2 to exchange data, a GPS controller 54 capable of performing radio wave positioning by controlling the GPS unit 11, and a camera unit 37. Audio data using a camera controller 55 capable of supplying image data to the application 60 or the shell system 70 in an appropriate data format, and the audio unit 38 such as the microphone 3 and the speaker 4. And a input-output and recordable audio controller 56. The shell system 70 and the application 60 operate on the OS 50 that supports the basic functions of the portable information terminal 10.
In the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment, as an application 60, five software items of a navigation 61, a browser 62, a memo and mail creation software 63, a scheduler 64, and an address book 65 are installed at the shipping stage. The navigation 61 is a map viewer that can display the current location measured by the GPS unit 11 on the map and also display various information related to the location near the current location, such as restaurants, shops, and toilets. It has become. The browser 62 can display information provided from a WWW server open on the Internet, and can access the Internet via the communication unit 36 to acquire information. The memo and mail creation software 63 is software having a function as a word processor. The memo and mail creation software 63 according to the present embodiment can handle not only text data but also image data and audio data, and the data can be edited and exchanged with other users via the Internet. ing. The scheduler 64 has a function of registering the user's schedule and making an announcement to the user by an appropriate method such as voice or display at the registered time. The address book 65 can manage other users' telephone numbers or Internet addresses. When the address book 65 of this embodiment is used to supply the address of the other party when mail is sent from the mail software 63 via the Internet, or when the other party's telephone number is input when making a call using the PHS function Used for etc.

(Mounting GPS unit for portable information terminal)
6 and 7 are a perspective view from the upper surface side and a perspective view from the lower surface side, respectively, showing a state where the antenna unit is housed in the GPS unit 11.
6 and 7, the GPS unit 11 attached to and detached from the back surface 9g of the portable information terminal 10 is generally connected to a circuit unit 111 having a built-in receiving circuit and a rotatable state with respect to the circuit unit 111. The antenna unit 112 is built in, and an antenna body is built in the antenna unit 112. The circuit unit 111 includes a rectangular portion 113 in which a receiving circuit and the like are accommodated, and a protruding portion 114 that protrudes from the end portion and has a leading end portion that becomes a connecting portion 110 with the antenna unit 112. The protruding portion 114 and the rectangular portion The antenna unit 112 enters the space formed by 113, and the GPS unit 11 has a rectangular planar shape as a whole.
In the GPS unit 11, the circuit unit 111 is attached to and detached from the back surface 9g side of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal of this embodiment. That is, the circuit unit 111 is covered with a metal shield plate lid 116 on the circuit case 115, and two claws 121 and 122 protrude from the side edge of the shield plate 116. A hand screw 123 protrudes from the opposite end of the shield plate 116, and the large-diameter head of the hand screw 123 protrudes from the opening 117 on the side surface of the circuit unit 111. Further, a connector 131 that is electrically connected to a receiving circuit built in the circuit unit 111 protrudes from the shield plate 116.

On the other hand, as can be seen from FIG. 2, two claws 121 and 122 protruding from the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11 are fitted on the back surface 9g side of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10, respectively. Engagement holes 124 and 125 are formed, and a screw hole 126 into which a shaft portion of the hand screw 123 protruding from the circuit unit 111 is fitted is formed at the opposite end. In addition, a connector hole 132 is formed at a position corresponding to the connector 131 formed in the circuit unit 111 on the back surface 9 g of the main body housing 9. Therefore, when the GPS unit 11 is attached to the back surface 9g of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10 with the antenna unit 112 housed in the space formed by the protruding portion 114 and the rectangular portion 113 of the circuit unit 111, the GPS The unit 11 is mounted in a state where it is completely hidden behind the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10. In order to mount in this way, the two claws 121 and 122 protruding from the upper surface of the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11 are formed on the back surface 9g side of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10. When the upper surface (the shield plate 116) of the circuit unit 111 is overlaid on the back surface 9e of the main body housing 9 so as to fit into the joint holes 124 and 125, the connector 131 fits into the connector hole 132. When the large-diameter portion of the hand screw 123 protruding from the portion is turned with a fingertip and the hand screw 123 is stopped in the screw hole 126, the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11 has a back surface of the main body housing 9 as shown in FIG. It will be in the state completely fixed to 9g.
In this state, in the GPS unit 11, the antenna unit 112 as well as the circuit unit 111 are completely attached to the back surface 9 g of the main body housing 9. Further, the antenna unit 112 overlaps the back surface 9 g of the main body housing 9 in the width direction when viewed from the connecting portion 110 (rotation center position) with the circuit unit 111 in the housed state. Therefore, even when only the main body of the portable information terminal 10 is used without using the GPS unit 11 for a while, the GPS unit 11 does not get in the way. Further, if the hand screw 123 is loosened, the GPS unit 11 can be easily detached from the back surface 9 g of the main body housing 9. That is, in this embodiment, the GPS unit 11 (antenna unit 112) can be attached to and detached from the main body housing 9 using the hand screw 123, the two claws 121 and 122, and the engagement holes 124 and 125. The mechanism is configured. Therefore, since the portable information terminal 10 of this embodiment is equipped with the GPS unit 11 only when necessary, the advantages such as small size and light weight can be utilized when the portable information terminal 10 is used daily.

The GPS unit 11 configured as described above is configured so that the antenna unit 112 is stored in a space formed by the projecting portion 114 and the rectangular portion 113 of the circuit unit 111 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. It is possible to pull out 112 by rotating it at an angle of about 90 degrees around the connecting portion 110 with the circuit unit 111.
Here, on the side of the circuit unit 111, the projection 141 formed on the side surface portion of the antenna unit 112 enters and exits the opening 142 of the circuit unit 111 in conjunction with opening and closing of the antenna unit 112, thereby A micro switch (not shown) for monitoring opening and closing is built in. Therefore, since the receiving circuit in the circuit unit 111 is turned on simultaneously with opening the antenna unit 112, radio waves from the satellite can be received immediately.
Thus, in the state where the antenna unit 112 is pulled out, the antenna unit 112 protrudes from the upper side surface 9c of the main body housing 9 of the portable information terminal 10 as shown in FIGS. Become. Further, in a state where the antenna unit 112 is deployed outside the upper side surface 9c of the main body housing 9, the antenna unit 112 is inclined about 20 degrees toward the rear surface side with respect to the front surface 9a of the main body housing 9 (display surface of the LCD unit 8). It becomes a posture. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the user holds the portable information terminal 10 in his / her hand and lifts it obliquely so that the display surface of the LCD unit 8 is easy to see, the antenna unit 112 is just level. The posture is suitable for receiving radio waves (signals).
In order to perform such rotation, in the GPS unit 11 of this embodiment, the rotation center axis L of the antenna unit 112 is inclined as described with reference to FIG. That is, the rotation center axis L of the antenna unit 112 can be viewed from the side (see FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C) or from the front (FIGS. 14A and 14D). The GPS unit 11 is inclined with respect to the normal to the lower surface portion of the antenna unit 112 that is parallel to the rear surface 9g of the main body housing 9 in a state where the GPS unit 11 is attached to the rear surface 9g of the main body housing 9. Therefore, the rotation center axis L is cut between the housed state (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 8) and the pulled out state (see FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13). It is inclined at an inclination of 45 degrees when viewed from the direction of dividing the angle range into two equal parts. Therefore, the antenna unit 112 is in the same height position in the width direction and does not tilt in the width direction regardless of whether the antenna unit 112 is in the housed state or the pulled out state. That is, unlike the present embodiment, the GPS unit 11 (antenna unit 112) can be superimposed on the rear surface 9g of the main body housing 9 only by tilting the rotation center axis of the antenna unit 112 to the side or directly in front. If the unit 112 is pulled out while being rotated in the right direction, the antenna unit 112 is pulled out from the right side, and the antenna unit 112 cannot be directed directly upward.
In order to set such a rotation center axis L, in this embodiment, the GPS unit 11 is designed as follows.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the GPS unit 11. In FIG. 15, the antenna unit 112 side is assembled from an aluminum reflector 151, a rotating unit 160, an antenna body 152, and an antenna case 153, and the circuit unit 111 side is a circuit case 115 and a circuit board. 157 and an aluminum shielding plate 116 serving as a shield plate.
In order to assemble the GPS unit 11 using such a member, the rotating unit 160 shown in FIG. 16 is fastened with two screws in the main body of the antenna unit 112 as shown in FIG. The rotating unit 160 includes a plate 164 fixed to the antenna unit 112 side and a circular cap 165 fixed to the circuit unit 111 side, and a space between the cap 165 and the plate 164 serves as a rotating unit. The antenna unit 112 and the circuit unit 111 are connected in a rotatable state. Here, the plate 164 has two connecting portions 161 and 162 projecting in parallel from a rotating portion that overlaps the cap 165, and tip portions of the connecting portions 161 and 162 are fixed to the antenna case 153 by screws. . In this state, the cap 165 of the rotation unit 160 is located in a circular hole 169 formed in the main body of the antenna unit 112 and is exposed from the hole 169. Thus, after attaching the antenna body 152 and the rotation unit 160 in the antenna case 153, the lid 151 is fixed to the antenna cap 165 with screws.
On the other hand, in the circuit unit 111, the circuit case 115 accommodates the circuit board 157, and then covers the cover member 116 and screws it. At this time, after the hand screw 123 is housed inside the circuit unit 111 main body, the lid member 116 is attached to the circuit unit 111.
Next, the circuit unit 111 and the antenna unit 112 are overlapped so that the tip end portion of the protruding portion 114 of the circuit unit 111 overlaps the hole of the antenna unit 112. Here, in the circuit unit 111, two holes are formed in the circuit unit 111 and the lid member 116 so as to overlap the two screw holes of the cap 165 of the rotating unit 160 located in the hole of the antenna unit 112. Therefore, the circuit unit 111 and the antenna unit 112 can be connected by penetrating these holes and stopping the two screws in the screw holes of the cap 165. In this state, since the circuit unit 111 and the antenna unit 112 are connected via the rotation unit 160, the antenna unit 112 is accommodated in the space formed by the projecting portion 114 and the rectangular portion 113 of the circuit unit 111. The antenna unit 112 can be switched to a state in which the antenna unit 112 is rotated about 90 degrees and pulled out from this state.

Further, in the antenna unit 112, the actual connection portion between the antenna unit 112 and the rotation unit is a screwing portion made at the tip portions of the two connection portions 161 and 162, whereas the rotation unit 160 and The connection part with the circuit unit 111 is a part of the cap 165, and these connection places are separated. And these connection places are connected by the connection parts 161 and 162 which function as a leaf | plate spring. Therefore, even if the circuit unit 111 is fixed to the main body housing 9, the antenna unit 112 is connected to the circuit unit 111 with some elasticity because a leaf spring is interposed. Therefore, even when the GPS unit 11 is used while being mounted on the portable information terminal 10, even if the antenna unit 112 is loaded and has a posture change, such a posture change It is only absorbed by the connecting part inside. Therefore, there is little possibility that the antenna unit 112 is damaged.
Further, in this embodiment, when the antenna unit 112 is rotated between the storage position and the drawer position, the rotation unit 160 is a position immediately before reaching the storage completion state and the drawer completion state by switching the magnitude of the torque halfway. A click mechanism that represents is configured. Therefore, when the antenna unit 112 is rotated, the force applied can be adjusted with a click feeling. Therefore, since an excessive force is not applied to the antenna unit 112, the antenna unit 112 is not damaged. Such a click mechanism can be realized by a spring sandwiched between the plate 164 and the cap 165 in the rotation unit 160, a disk that sets the force of this spring to a predetermined magnitude at the rotation angle position, and the like.

(Attaching the PHS unit to the portable information terminal)
FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower surface side of the portable information terminal. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the connector cover.
In FIG. 18, the communication connector 5 is disposed on the lower side surface 9 d of the main body housing 9, and a PHS unit 16 dedicated to this apparatus having a PHS function can be mounted. The communication connector 5 is configured in the main body housing 9, and the opening 90 is closed with a soft rubber connector cover 80. As shown in FIG. 19, the connector cover 80 includes a flat plate portion 81 that closes the opening of the main body housing 9, and a lower case 901 that protrudes from the lower end side of the flat plate portion 81 into the main body housing 9. An anchor portion 82 is formed between the main body housing 9 and the frame 902 so as to be prevented from coming off.
Here, since the flat plate portion 81 is formed slightly larger than the opening 90 of the main body housing 9, the connector cover 80 blocks the opening 90 by pushing the flat plate portion 81 into the opening 90. Therefore, when the flat plate portion 81 is pulled out from the opening 90 by placing a finger or a nail on the concave portion 83 recessed on the inner surface side on both sides of the flat plate portion 81 of the connector cover 80, as shown in FIG. Thus, the opening 90 is opened, so that the connector portion 260 of the PHS unit 16 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 can be inserted from the opening 90 toward the communication connector 5 on the inside. Further, when the hand screw 261 formed in the PHS unit 16 is turned and the screw shaft 262 of the hand screw 261 is fixed to the screw hole formed in the lower side surface 9d of the main body housing 9, FIG. 23 and FIG. As described above, the PHS unit 16 can be connected to the portable information terminal 10. A circuit board 85 and the like are disposed inside the main body housing 9.
Here, as shown in FIG. 22, a recess 265 slightly wider than the width of the connector cover 80 is formed on the lower surface of the PHS unit 16. In this embodiment, since the connector cover 80 is made of soft rubber, as shown in FIG. 24, the connector cover 80 is bent downward when the PHS unit 16 is connected, and is formed by the recess 265 of the PHS unit 16. Can be stored in a space. Accordingly, since the connector cover 80 drawn out from the opening 90 does not get in the way, the connector cover 80 can be held in the main body housing 9. Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the connector cover 80 is removed each time, there is no possibility that the connector cover 80 will be lost. Further, since the end portion of the connector cover 80 is in a state of being submerged in the lower surface of the PHS unit 16, when the portable information terminal 10 is placed on a desk or the like with the PHS unit 16 connected, the connector cover 80 is attached to the desk. It functions as a rubber leg between the top and the PHS unit 16.

(Attaching an input pen to a portable information terminal)
Further, in this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the digital information unit 7 for input is formed in the portable information terminal 10, and as shown in FIG. 9 is accommodated in an opening 87 which is an outlet 88. Here, the input pen 86 is configured to be pulled out from the opening 87 after being stretched while being held in the opening 87 when a force to be pulled out from the opening 87 is applied. Therefore, the user simply pulls the input pen 86 from the opening 87, and the input pen 86 comes out in an extended state, which is convenient because it does not require the trouble of extending the input pen 86.
Such a configuration uses, for example, a two-stage expansion / contraction input pen 86 and applies an elastic force to hold the input pen 86 in the opening 87 with a force slightly larger than the force necessary for the expansion / contraction. realizable.

(Attaching a memory card to a portable information terminal)
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the portable information terminal when cut at a position passing through the flash card insertion slot. As shown in FIG. 25, a mounting port 21 into which the flash card 20 can be mounted is disposed on the right side surface 9e of the main body housing 9, but this mounting port 21 is normally closed with a side cover 91. ing. Accordingly, when the flash card 20 is taken out, the side cover 91 is opened and the flash card 20 is pulled out. In this embodiment, the flash card 20 is not pulled out directly, but the flash card 20 is used by using the card attaching / detaching member 95. 20 in and out. That is, when the side cover 91 is opened on the right side surface 9e of the main body housing 9, what appears there is not the flash card 20 but the pick plate 96 of the card attaching / detaching member 95 as shown in FIG. As will be described later, the knob plate 96 is connected to the main body portion of the card attaching / detaching member 95 via a hinge mechanism and is mounted in the main body housing 9 in an upright state. Therefore, when the side cover 91 is opened, The pick plate 96 appears in a standing state. Therefore, when taking out the flash card 20, first, as shown in FIG. 27, the knob plate 96 is tilted outward, and then the knob plate 96 is pulled out, and as shown in FIG. The flash card 20 is pulled out together. Therefore, the user can easily take out the flash card 20 from the mounting opening 21 without performing an unreasonable operation of pushing the fingertip into the narrow mounting opening 21.
Note that when the flash card 20 is inserted, an operation opposite to this operation is performed. That is, when the side cover 91 is opened, the pick plate 96 appears in an upright state, so the pick plate 96 is tilted outward, and then the pick plate 96 is pulled out. Next, after the flash card 20 is inserted into the mounting opening 21, the knob plate 96 is raised, and then the card attaching / detaching member 95 is pushed into the main body housing 9. As a result, the flash card 20 is pushed into the main body housing 9 together with the card attaching / detaching member 95.
As shown in FIG. 29, a card detaching member 95 used for such a detaching mechanism of the flash card 20 includes a main body portion 97 in which both side portions 971 are bent in accordance with the outer shape of the flash card 20, and a knob plate. 96 and a hinge mechanism 98 for connecting the knob plate 96 and the main body 97.
In the card attaching / detaching member 95, the main body portion 97 constitutes a space for holding the memory card 20 inside thereof by bending both side portions 971 vertically.
The main body portion 97 is formed with a large circular hole 973 in order to reduce the weight and increase the strength.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the board unit 94 formed in the main body housing 9 is formed with a card storage portion 941 for receiving the flash card 20 attached together with the card attaching / detaching member 95. A connector 942 that is electrically connected to the inserted flash card 20 is disposed in the back of the card storage portion 941. Here, on both sides of the card storage portion 941, guides 944 for guiding both side portions 971 of the card detaching member 95 pushed into the card storage portion 941 are formed in a rail shape.
As described above, in the portable information processing apparatus, since the antenna unit can be detached from the portable information terminal, the antenna unit can be removed except when the portable information terminal is used for GPS. Easy to use. Further, even when the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal, the antenna unit does not protrude from the side of the portable information terminal, so that the handling is easy even when the antenna unit is attached to the portable information terminal. Furthermore, when the antenna unit is configured to be pulled out while rotating from the back side of the portable information terminal, the antenna unit can be taken in and out with a simple operation. Furthermore, since the antenna unit overlaps with the back side of the portable information terminal when in the stored state, the antenna unit does not get in the way. Furthermore, since the antenna unit is inclined to the back side with respect to the display surface in the pulled out state, the antenna unit is supported horizontally when the user tilts the portable information terminal so that the display surface can be easily seen. Therefore, there is an advantage that the reception sensitivity of the antenna unit is improved. Furthermore, since the connector cover is held by the portable information terminal even when the opening is opened, it is possible to eliminate the loss of the connector cover. Furthermore, when the user tries to pull out the input pen, it is stretched while being held in the opening of the portable information terminal, and then removed from the portable information terminal. Since it comes off the terminal, there is an advantage that only one operation is required.

  FIG. 32 shows a GPS unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. The GPS unit 300 includes a support unit 400 that accommodates a receiving circuit and corresponds to the circuit unit 111 of the GPS unit 11 in FIG. 6, and an antenna unit 500 that accommodates an antenna. The support portion 400 is configured by a pair of left and right arm portions 402 and 403 extending forward from the front end of a rectangular flat plate-like main body 401, and the distal ends of the arm portions 402 and 403 are inclined to the back surface side. The antenna unit 500 includes a pair of left and right legs 502 and 503 extending from the rear end of the thin box-shaped main body 501 to the rear side, and the front ends of the legs 502 and 503 are inclined to the back side. Yes. The antenna unit 500 is positioned between the pair of arm portions 402 and 403 of the support portion 400, and the tips of the legs 502 and 503 are rotatably attached to the tips of the arms 402 and 403 (with regard to the mounting structure). Will be described later). Therefore, the antenna unit 500 can be stored in the recess 404 (see FIG. 32) between the pair of arm portions 402 and 403 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 32, it is derived | led-out by the predetermined angle ahead of the support part 400. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 32, a bottom plate 405 is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 404 at the front end of the main body 401 of the support portion 400 so as to be integrated with the main body 401 and the arm portions 402 and 403. Therefore, when the antenna unit 500 is housed in the recess 404, the front end side of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500 is placed on the bottom plate 405. A recess 504 is provided on the front end side surface of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500. On the other hand, the protrusion 407 is led out from the opening 406 on the front end side surface of the main body 401 of the support portion 400. Therefore, when the antenna unit 500 is housed in the recess 404 as shown in FIG. 33, the protrusion 407 is engaged with the recess 504 formed on the front end side surface of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500, whereby the antenna unit 500 is recessed. 404 is held in the storage state. Further, as shown in FIG. 32, a power switch operation portion 408 is led out from the opening 421 on the front end side surface of the main body 401 of the support portion 400. Therefore, when the antenna unit 500 is housed in the recess 404, the operation unit 408 is pressed at the front end of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500. As a result, the power switch is turned off and the support unit 400 is not illustrated. The power supply to the receiving circuit is cut off. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 500 is rotated in front of the support unit 400 and put into use, the pressing of the operation unit 408 by the front end of the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500 is released, so that the power switch is turned on and the power supply to the receiving circuit is turned on. Supply is started.

As shown in FIG. 32, the ends of the pair of arm portions 402 and 403 are connected to each other by a connecting plate 409 on the bottom surface of the recess 404. In this way, since the opening of the pair of left and right arm portions 402 and 403 is suppressed by the connecting plate 409, the antenna unit 500 can be reliably held between the pair of left and right arm portions 402 and 403. As shown in FIG. 34, the support part 400 includes a front case 410 and a back cover 411, and the connecting plate 409 is formed on the back cover 411. Further, a shield plate 412 is attached to the inner surface of the back cover 411.
As shown in FIG. 35, an L-shaped lever 414 that is slidable in the front-rear direction of the support portion 400 indicated by an arrow a is provided in the support portion 400 (in the front case 410).
The L-shaped lever 414 is normally pulled toward the front end of the support portion 400 by a coil spring 413 attached to one end, but an operation piece 415 provided on the surface of the support portion 400 (the surface of the front cover 410). (See FIGS. 32 and 33) and can be slid in the rear end direction of the support portion 400 by operating the operation piece 415. On the other end of the L-shaped lever 414, the protrusion 407 that holds the antenna unit 500 in the recess 404 is integrally provided. Therefore, when the operation piece 415 on the surface of the support part 400 is slid and the L-shaped lever 414 is integrally slid toward the rear end of the support part 400, the protrusion 407 is retracted into the support part 400 and the antenna unit 500 is moved. The antenna unit 500 can be rotated in front of the support portion 400 as described above by being removed from the front end recess 504 of the main body 501. When the antenna unit 500 is housed in the recess 404, the protrusion 407 can be projected and retracted by the elasticity in the direction of the arrow b on the other end side of the L-shaped lever 414. Therefore, the protrusion 407 becomes the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500. It becomes possible to engage with the recess 504 at the front end. That is, when the main body 501 of the antenna unit 500 comes into contact with the protrusion 407, the protrusion 407 retracts, and when the recess 504 faces the protrusion 407, the protrusion 407 protrudes and engages with the recess 504.

As shown in FIG. 36, two claws 416 are provided on one side of the back surface of the main body 401 of the support portion 400. Further, a hand screw 417 protrudes from the back surface of the main body 400 at a side opposite to the one side, and a large knob 418 of the hand screw 417 is provided from an opening 419 on the side surface of the main body 401. The part protrudes. Further, a connector 420 that is electrically connected to the receiving circuit in the main body 401 protrudes from the back surface of the main body 401 in the vicinity of the hand screw 417. Accordingly, the support unit 400 and the antenna unit 500 are similar to the GPS unit 11 of FIG. 6 in that the pair of claws 416 of the support unit 400 are engaged with the engagement holes of the portable information terminal and the hand screw 417 is carried. As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, it can be detachably attached to the back surface of the portable information terminal 350 similar to that shown in FIG. At this time, the connector 420 is connected to a connector (not shown) of the portable information terminal 350, and the receiving circuit in the support unit 400 is electrically connected to the circuit in the portable information terminal 350.
As described above, the GPS unit 300 of this embodiment can be attached to the portable information terminal 350 only when the unit 300 is used, and can be detached from the portable information terminal 350 when not in use. Moreover, when the GPS unit 300 is attached to the portable information terminal 350, if the antenna unit 500 is now housed between the pair of arms 402 and 403 of the support 400, as shown in FIG. Since only the tips of the portions 402 and 403 and the tips of the feet 502 and 503 are protruded from the portable information terminal 350, the handling is easy even when the GPS unit 300 is attached to the portable information terminal 350. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 500 is rotated to the front of the support unit 400 for use, the antenna unit 500 is led out to the front of the portable information terminal 350 as shown in FIG. . At this time, the antenna unit 500 is inclined about 20 degrees toward the back surface with respect to the front surface of the portable information terminal 350 by a lock mechanism described later. Therefore, when the user holds the portable information terminal 350 in his / her hand and lifts it obliquely so that the display surface 351 of the LCD unit is easy to see, the antenna unit 500 is just horizontal, and therefore receives radio waves (signals) from the satellite. The posture is suitable for.

As shown in FIG. 39, an insertion hole 422 is formed in the inner side surface of the tip of one arm portion 402 of the support portion 400. On the other hand, one leg portion 502 of the antenna unit 500 is formed with a cylindrical portion 505 on the outer side surface of the tip. By inserting the cylindrical portion 505 into the insertion hole 422, one of the antenna units 500 is provided. A foot portion 502 is rotatably attached to one arm portion 402 of the support portion 400.
As shown in the figure, the other arm portion 403 of the support portion 400 is formed with an insertion hole 424 partially having a large diameter portion 423 on the inner side surface of the tip. On the other hand, the other leg 503 of the antenna unit 500 is provided with a shaft 506 protruding from the outer side surface of the tip, and a cam 507 as a part of a lock mechanism is provided on the tip side of the shaft 506. Reference numeral 507 has a first protrusion 508 and a second protrusion 509 for locking on a part of the outer periphery. The shaft 506 having the cam 507 has the first and second protrusions 508 and 509 of the cam 507 aligned with the large-diameter portion 423 of the insertion hole 424 while the antenna unit 500 is rotated to a position where it is not normally used. Then, the shaft 506 and the cam 507 can be inserted into the insertion hole 424, and the other leg portion 503 of the antenna unit 500 is rotatably attached to the other arm portion 403 of the support portion 400.
After inserting the shaft 506 having the cam 507 into the insertion hole 424 in this way, the antenna unit 500 is rotated to a position where it is normally used, and when the shaft 506 and the cam 507 rotate together, the first and second of the cam 507 are rotated. The protrusions 508 and 509 are disengaged from the position of the large-diameter portion 423 of the insertion hole 424, and as shown in FIG. 40, the first and second protrusions 508 and 509 of the cam 507 and the legs 503 of the antenna unit 500 Since the side surface portion 403a of the arm portion 403 is sandwiched between the side surfaces, the shaft 506 does not move in the axial direction (the insertion direction into the hole 424 or the pulling direction). Can be installed.

As shown in FIG. 41, an L-shaped metal elastic piece 425 is fixed in the other arm portion 403 of the support portion 400 in the vicinity of the cam 507 inserted therein. The elastic piece 425 constitutes a locking mechanism of the antenna unit 500 together with the cam 507. When the antenna unit 500 is rotated forward from the state where it is housed in the recess 404, as shown in FIG. Further, immediately before the antenna unit 500 is at a predetermined angle with respect to the support portion 400, the first protrusion 508 of the cam 507 that rotates integrally comes into contact with the distal end of the elastic piece 425. However, since the contact surface of the first protrusion 508 is a loose inclined surface, if a slightly strong rotational force is applied to the antenna unit 500, the first protrusion 508 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425 and the cam 507 rotates. Then, the antenna unit 500 rotates integrally. As soon as the first protrusion 508 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425, the second protrusion 509 of the cam 507 comes into contact with the tip of the elastic piece 425 as shown in FIG. The contact surface of the second protrusion 509 is a relatively steep inclined surface. Therefore, when the second protrusion 509 comes into contact with the tip of the elastic piece 425, the cam 507 does not rotate any more, and the first protrusion 508 acts as a resistance in the returning direction to prevent rotation, and the antenna is integrated. The unit 500 is fixed to the support unit 400 at a predetermined angle. That is, this lock mechanism can hold the antenna unit 500 at a predetermined angle with respect to the support portion 400 with a click operation when the first protrusion 508 of the cam 507 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425.
The second protrusion 509 of the cam 507 has a steep angle with respect to the tip of the elastic piece 425, but is inclined, so that when the antenna unit 500 is subjected to a large rotational force in the direction opposite to the housing recess 404 direction, FIG. As shown at 44, the second protrusion 509 gets over the tip of the elastic piece 425, and the cam 507 and the antenna unit 500 are freely rotatable. As a result, an excessive force is not applied to the antenna unit 500, so that the antenna unit 500 can be prevented from being damaged. If the antenna unit 500 is rotated back to the housing recess 404 side from this state, the tip of the elastic piece 425 is again engaged between the second and first protrusions 509 and 508 of the cam 507 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the antenna unit 500 can be fixed to the support portion 400 at a predetermined angle.

  As described above, according to the GPS unit shown in FIG. 32, the GPS unit can be removed except when the GPS unit is used, which is convenient. In addition, since the GPS unit hardly protrudes from the portable information terminal, the handling is easy even when the GPS unit is attached to the portable information terminal. In addition, a locking mechanism that locks with a click operation is provided, and the antenna unit can be stably held at the most advantageous position in terms of reception characteristics and used with the maximum performance. Furthermore, the lock mechanism can release the lock when an excessive force is applied to the antenna unit to prevent the antenna unit from being damaged, and the lock function can be restored by returning the antenna unit. In addition, by aligning the lock mechanism cam with the large diameter part of the insertion hole, it is easy to mount the foot of the antenna unit and the tip of the arm even if there is a cam of the lock mechanism. The side of the arm is sandwiched between the protrusion of the cam and the side of the foot of the antenna unit, and the shaft does not move in the axial direction (in the direction of insertion into the hole or in the direction of extraction). It becomes possible. In addition, the antenna unit can be reliably held between the pair of left and right arms by suppressing the opening of the pair of left and right arms with the connecting plate.

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram showing overall functional blocks of another embodiment.
A central processing unit (CPU) 620 for performing logical operation processing is accommodated in the portable information terminal. The CPU 620 includes a real-time clock 621, a mask ROM 622 for storing programs, SRAM or DRAM for executing programs. An execution memory 623 including data, a flash memory 624 for storing data, an input circuit 625 connected to an operation panel (or touch panel, mouse or keyboard), a serial port 626 (personal handyphone (PHS) shown)
A communication device such as 647 is connected. ) And an interface integrated circuit 630 composed of an ASIC. In addition, a battery pack 627 is accommodated inside the portable information terminal, and is configured to supply power to each part inside.
The interface integrated circuit 630 includes a CCD interface circuit 631 for connecting a CCD camera 641 and the like, a PCMCIA interface circuit 632 for connecting a PCMCIA card 642, a liquid crystal display device 644 including a video RAM 643 and a display panel, and the like. A controller 633 and a serial multiplexer 634 that connects an IrDA (infrared communication) unit 645 and a GPS connector 646 to a serial line that is alternatively connected to the CPU 620 are provided.
A GPS unit 650 is connected to the GPS connector 646. In the GPS unit 650, a digital signal processing circuit 651 and a receiving circuit 652 are connected to each other, and the receiving circuit 652 is connected to an antenna 613.

FIG. 46 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the GPS unit 650 connected to the GPS connector 646 and its peripheral circuits. The area on the right side of the two-dot chain line in the figure shows the internal configuration of the GPS unit 650, and the area on the left side of the two-dot chain line in the figure is an equivalent circuit system in the GPS connector 646 and the interface integrated circuit 630 between the GPS unit and the CPU 620. Is shown.
The digital signal processing circuit 651 includes a predetermined internal clock and a built-in CPU that operates based on the internal clock. The built-in CPU communicates with the CPU 620 via the serial line X and various command signals and status signals. , And exchange data signals. The digital signal processing circuit 651 is connected to the receiving circuit 652 and constitutes a GPS signal receiving device. The digital signal processing circuit 651 receives a GPS signal sent from the receiving circuit 652, converts it into positioning data, and sends it to the CPU 620. Send it out.
An interlocking switch 653 that is interlocked with the movement of the GPS antenna 613 is provided inside the GPS unit 650. The interlock switch 653 closes between terminals when the GPS antenna 613 is in use, and opens between terminals when the GPS antenna 613 is in a retracted state.
Two signal lines Y and Z connected to the interlock switch 653 are also connected to the CPU 620. The signal line Y is pulled up by being connected to a high resistance Rb connected to a power supply potential Vcc formed by a power supply circuit (not shown) by supplying power from the battery pack 627. The signal line Z is connected to the ground potential GND and to the high resistance Rc connected to the power supply potential Vcc as described above.
A GPS power supply circuit 654 is built in the GPS unit 650. The GPS power supply circuit 654 is supplied and disconnected with a power supply potential Vcc from a switch circuit to which a signal line W connected to the CPU 620 is input. In this switch circuit, a control transistor Ta and a power transistor Tb connected to each other are provided. The signal line W is connected to the gate of the control transistor Ta, the source of the control transistor Ta is connected to the ground potential GND, and the drain of the control transistor Ta is connected to the gate of the power transistor Tb via the resistor Ra. The source and drain of the power transistor Tb are connected between the power supply potential Vcc and the GPS power supply circuit 654. The GPS power supply circuit 654 supplies power to the digital signal processing circuit 651 and the receiving circuit 652 described above.

Next, functions and operations of the GPS unit 650 shown in FIG. 46 will be described.
In this GPS unit 650, when the GPS antenna 613 is stored, the interlock switch 653 is open, so that the signal line Y is held at a high potential close to the power supply potential Vcc, and the signal line Z is ground potential GND. Is maintained at a low potential close to. Here, the signal line Z is a signal line for detecting the GPS unit 650. If the GPS unit 650 is connected as shown in the figure, the signal line Z has a low potential close to the ground potential GND. If is not connected, it becomes a high potential close to the power supply potential Vcc. Therefore, the CPU 620 can know the presence or absence of the GPS unit from the potential of the signal line Z.
When the GPS antenna 613 is rotated and put into use, the interlock switch 653 is closed, and the signal line Y is electrically connected to the signal line Z and becomes a low potential. Thus, the CPU 620 can know that the antenna 613 is in the operating posture.
Then, the CPU 620 outputs a control output to the signal line W. When the signal line W becomes a high potential by the control output from the CPU 620, the control transistor Ta is turned on to lower the gate signal of the power transistor Tb, and the power transistor Tb Therefore, the GPS power supply circuit 654 is supplied with the power supply potential Vcc. When the power supply potential is supplied, the GPS power supply circuit 654 supplies power to the digital signal processing circuit 651 and the reception circuit 652 based on the supplied power.

  Next, functions and operations of the entire embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 47 to 50. First, as shown in FIG. 47, when the power switch of the main body (portable information terminal as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 37) is turned on, the CPU 620 reads the program from the mask ROM 622, and whether the GPS unit 650 is connected. When the GPS unit 650 is connected, the GPS application program recorded in the mask ROM 622 is read out and registered on the operation system, and other signals are added as necessary. It is also registered in the general-purpose application program, and a GPS program activation menu is added to each. If the GPS unit 650 is not detected, the above registration is not performed and the GPS application program does not operate. However, even when a GPS unit is mounted at an arbitrary time when the apparatus is operating, it is also possible to detect this and load a GPS application program.

  Next, an operation menu for starting the general-purpose application program is displayed. Here, when a predetermined general-purpose application program such as mail software is selected by the operator, the mail software is activated. When the operator's data input (e.g. email typing, email selection, etc.) is completed on this software, the presence / absence of registration of the GPS application program is detected. If there is registration, the current position is acquired. The current position information acquisition request is made. As a result, as described later, when the positioning data is transmitted from the GPS unit 650 and the position information is obtained, the position information is passed to the mail software, attached to the mail selected by the operator, and PHS647. Start and send. If the GPS application program is not registered, the PHS is activated and transmission is performed as it is. Also, if the GPS unit is not in operation, for example, whether to display a message to that effect and wait until the GPS unit is newly operated to obtain location information, or to cancel attachment of location information. Can be selected.

FIGS. 48 and 49 show the operation of the GPS unit 650 executed in parallel with the execution of the general-purpose application program by the CPU 620 of Toki. In the GPS unit 650, even if the power switch of the main body is turned on, power is not supplied to the GPS power supply circuit 654 shown in FIG. When the power switch of the main body is turned on, when the GPS antenna 613 is rotated and put into use, the interlock switch 653 is closed, the signal line Y becomes low potential, and the interrupt signal is sent to the CPU 620. The GPS application program is executed by interrupt processing.
In this interrupt process, the GPS application program first sets the potential of the signal line W to a high potential and supplies power to the GPS power supply circuit 654 to enable the GPS unit 650 to operate. In parallel with this, the CPU 620 activates the GPS utility program and reads the initial data recorded in the flash memory 624.
This initial data includes an orbital calendar for the artificial satellite, a satellite calendar, and the like as well as time and position information at the time of the previous positioning. The CPU 620 sends a GPS signal capture command to the digital signal processing circuit 651 and transmits initial data to the digital signal processing circuit 651 through the serial line X in an appropriate data format.
Upon receiving the initial data, the digital signal processing circuit 651 that has received the GPS signal acquisition command starts the GPS signal acquisition operation with reference to the initial data. That is, the previous position information, orbital calendar, satellite, etc. The GPS signal is captured using a calendar or the like. As a result, when one GPS signal is detected, another GPS signal is detected, and when 3 to 4 GPS signals are finally captured, positioning data is obtained based on these GPS signals. The positioning data is sent to the CPU 620 via the serial line X. The CPU 620 stores position information obtained based on the positioning data as initial data on the flash memory 624.
Then, as shown in FIG. 47, when a request for position information is made by a general-purpose application program (mail software), the position information is passed to the mail software.
By rotating the GPS antenna 613, the GPS application program normally operates concurrently (or in the background) with other application programs. Alternatively, after issuing an instruction to the digital signal processing circuit 651, the process immediately returns to the original application program. Therefore, the user can continue to operate other application programs only by seeing a display indicating that the GPS has been activated, and can perform various operations with almost no interruption.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 48, the interrupt process of the CPU 620 and the positioning process by the digital signal processing circuit 651 of the GPS unit 650 are shown together. In this case, the processing sharing between the CPU 620 and the GPS unit 650 (its digital signal processing circuit 651) is not limited to the case described above, the processing load associated with the interrupt processing of the CPU 620, the function setting of the GPS unit 650, and the like. Can be designed as appropriate. For example, the function of the GPS unit 650 may be limited to only the GPS signal acquisition function and the transfer function to the main body, and the positioning data may be obtained in the CPU 620, or the entire processing process shown in FIG. May be.

FIG. 49 shows a processing portion related to power management when the positioning data is acquired by the digital signal processing circuit 651 shown in FIG. Here, the symbol A-F in FIG. 48 corresponds to the symbol A-F in FIG. 49. As shown in FIG. 48, when the GPS signal is not detected for a predetermined time (1 millisecond to several tens of seconds) (symbol B), as shown in FIG. A circuit 651 sends a positioning impossible event generation signal to the CPU 620. Receiving this, the CPU 620 confirms the number of occurrences of the event (accumulated for the current positioning process).
If the number of event occurrences is less than or equal to the predetermined number, an error message is displayed on the display panel for a predetermined time (for example, for a few seconds), then the operation state of the timer in the CPU 620 is confirmed. If the timer is not operating, the timer is started and then the processing returns to FIG. 48 (symbol A), and a GPS signal capture command is sent to the digital signal processing circuit 651 again.
If the timer has expired after the error message is displayed, the CPU 620 shifts the digital signal processing circuit 651 to the power save mode. This power save mode is a mode for reducing the power consumption in the digital signal processing circuit 651 and the reception circuit 652 as much as possible. The internal clock of the digital signal processing circuit 651 is stopped, the internal clock is slowed down, the reception is performed. Processing such as stopping the power supply to the amplifier circuit in the circuit 652 is performed. Note that the CPU 620 resets the timer simultaneously with the transition to the power save mode.
After entering the power save mode, check the operation status of the timer, start the timer when the timer is not operating in the reset state, and if the timer is already operating, continue to power save mode until the time is up Keep waiting. During this time, when the GPS antenna 613 is reset by the operator (returned to the stored state and then returned to the use state), the operation returns to the capturing operation again as in the case of the symbol A described above. When the timer expires, the CPU 620 displays on the display panel that the GPS unit is stopped for a predetermined time, and stops the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit 654. As another method, for example, when the number of event occurrences does not exceed a predetermined number, the above-described power save mode is entered until the timer is started and the time is up, and after the time is up, the acquisition operation is again performed in the same manner as symbol A. May be.
If the number of event occurrences has already exceeded the predetermined number when the above positioning impossible event has occurred, the CPU 620 displays on the display panel that the GPS unit has been stopped for a predetermined period of time, and sends it to the GPS power circuit 654. Stop power supply.

Next, as shown in FIG. 48, when 3 to 4 types of GPS signals cannot be captured (symbol D), as shown in FIG. In the same way as the part, processing related to power management is performed for the positioning impossible event, and if the event has already occurred a number of times exceeding the predetermined number of times for the positioning processing, a display to stop the GPS unit 650 is performed, The power supply to the GPS power supply circuit 654 is stopped. When the number of events is less than or equal to the predetermined number of times, the acquisition is attempted again by the timer operation as described above, or the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.
As shown in FIG. 48, when the positioning data is acquired and the timer confirms that there is no request for position information from the general-purpose application program for a predetermined time, the dotted line of symbol B shown in FIG. Processes substantially the same as those described in the part surrounded by. However, in this case, the positioning impossible event does not occur, and instead, the process transition operation is performed because the position information is not requested for a predetermined time due to the time-up of the timer shown in FIG. In this case, since 3 to 4 GPS signals have already been captured, re-acquisition is not performed, and the positioning data acquisition operation is performed again, the mode is shifted to the power save mode, or GPS is performed in the same manner as described above. One of the processes of stopping the power supply to the power supply circuit 654 is performed. In these cases, when the power supply is finally stopped, the position information is stored in the flash memory 624 as initial data based on the positioning data acquired last.
In the present embodiment, the opening and closing of the GPS antenna has been described as a method of restarting after stopping the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit, but there are other methods as follows. For example, the power supply circuit for GPS is turned on simultaneously with the main body to which the GPS unit is connected, and immediately enters the power saving state. When the GPS antenna is rotated, an interrupt is generated, the power saving state is canceled, and the GPS unit starts operating. Alternatively, when the GPS antenna is rotated and is in a position where GPS signals can be received, the restart icon displayed on the display panel is displayed, and the GPS power supply is started by pressing the restart icon. Or means for canceling the power save state.

FIG. 50 shows an example of display contents of the independent GPS display section 611B on the display panel that is performed in parallel with the processing operation related to the GPS unit 650 for displaying the positioning data acquisition status of the GPS unit 650. is there. When the GPS unit 650 is mounted but the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit 654 is cut off or in the power save mode, an antenna-like shape is formed in the GPS display section 611B as shown in FIG. The GPS unit mark is displayed lightly. On the other hand, when power is supplied to the GPS power supply circuit 654 and the GPS unit 650 can be operated as it is, the mark of the GPS unit 650 is displayed darkly as shown in FIG. Further, when the GPS unit 650 is performing a GPS signal capturing operation, a satellite mark appears next to the GPS unit 650 mark as shown in FIG. Then, when the GPS unit 650 captures 3 to 4 GPS signals and acquires the positioning data, the display “OK” appears instead of the satellite mark as shown in FIG. 50 (c). It has become.
In the embodiment described above, the GPS application program is executed by rotating the GPS antenna 613 by the operator, supplying power to the GPS power supply circuit 654, capturing the GPS signal by the GPS unit 650, The positioning data based on the acquisition is sequentially performed, and during that time, the operator can see the display of the GPS display section 611B sequentially changing as shown in FIGS. 50 (a) to 50 (c). Therefore, unless the operator rotates the GPS antenna 613, power is not supplied to the GPS unit 650. Therefore, the GPS unit 650 does not operate regardless of how other application programs are used, and the built-in battery pack 27 Can keep the lifespan longer.

On the other hand, the GPS antenna 613 is independent of the operation member on the operation panel of the main body, and can be operated independently regardless of the operation status of the main body. Therefore, the GPS antenna 613 can be operated at any time regardless of the operation status of the CPU 620 of the main body. The GPS unit 650 can be activated by rotating the GPS antenna 613. That is, if the operator rotates the GPS antenna 613 at an appropriate time, there is an advantage that it can be used immediately when positioning data or position information is actually needed.
In addition, once the GPS antenna 613 is rotated and the GPS unit 650 is activated, a GPS signal cannot be acquired (such as in a place where the signal cannot be received), or the positioning data is unnecessary (positioning) When data or position information is not required, etc., the GPS signal can be captured by re-operation and retry as appropriate, and the possibility of positioning can be increased. When it is not required, useless power consumption can be suppressed by shifting to the power saving mode or stopping the power supply to the GPS power supply circuit.

It is a perspective view when the handy type portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied is viewed from the front side. It is a perspective view when the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is seen from the back side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1, and the accessory unit which can be mounted | worn with this portable information terminal. It is a schematic block diagram of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the software in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a perspective view from the upper surface side which shows the state which accommodated the antenna unit in the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view from the lower surface side which shows the state which accommodated the antenna unit in the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view from the lower surface side which shows the state which mounted | wore the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 with the GPS unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the upper surface side showing a state in which the antenna unit is pulled out in the GPS unit attached to the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1. It is the perspective view from the lower surface side which shows the state which pulled out the antenna unit in the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn. It is the perspective view from the lower surface side which shows the state which pulled out the antenna unit in the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 was mounted | worn. It is a top view which shows the state which pulled out the antenna unit in the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 was mounted | worn. It is a side view which shows the state which pulled out the antenna unit in the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 was mounted | worn. (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) are a plan view, a rear view, a front view, and a right side view of the antenna unit of the GPS unit that is attached to the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure and QQ 'sectional drawing. It is a disassembled perspective view of the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the rotation unit used for the GPS unit shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the antenna unit of the GPS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is mounted. It is sectional drawing of the communication connector periphery comprised in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the connector cover which covers the opening to the communication connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which opened the opening to the communication connector comprised in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a perspective view from the upper part of the PHS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn and connected with a communication connector. It is a perspective view from the lower part of the PHS unit with which the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn and connected with a communication connector. It is the perspective view from the upper side which shows a mode that the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 was mounted | worn with the PHS unit. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the PHS unit was mounted | worn with the portable information terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a flash card insertion slot in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the side cover in order to mount | wear with a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a knob plate of a card attaching / detaching member is tilted outward after a side cover is opened for mounting a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which after the side cover is opened to mount the flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1, the knob plate of the card attaching / detaching member is tilted outward and the flash card is pulled out with this knob plate. is there. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a card detaching member used for detaching a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the board | substrate unit which receives a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the board | substrate unit which receives a flash card in the portable information terminal shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the GPS unit of the other form of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the GPS unit of FIG. 32 in an antenna unit accommodation state. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the support part of the GPS unit of FIG. It is a top view which shows the inside of the support part of the GPS unit of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the GPS unit of FIG. 32 from the back surface side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the GPS unit of FIG. 32 to the portable information terminal in the antenna unit accommodation state. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the GPS unit of FIG. 32 to the portable information terminal in the antenna unit use state. It is a perspective view which shows the support part of the GPS unit of FIG. 32, and the attachment part of an antenna unit in detail. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of attachment part of FIG. 39 in detail. It is a perspective view which shows the locking mechanism of the GPS unit of FIG. 32 in detail. It is a perspective view for demonstrating operation | movement of the locking mechanism of FIG. FIG. 43 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of FIG. 41 as in FIG. FIG. 44 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of FIG. 41 as in FIGS. 42 and 43. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the whole structure of other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of the GPS unit in FIG. 45, and the connection part to this GPS unit. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the main body in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the principal part of the procedure of the positional information acquisition by CPU of the GPS unit and main body in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the content of the part regarding power management among the procedures of position information acquisition by CPU of the GPS unit and main body in FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the display content of the GPS display section in the display panel provided in the front of the main body of FIG. 45 embodiment for every case where the operation condition of a GPS module differs.

Claims (2)

A portable information processing apparatus having a portable information terminal and a GPS unit that can be attached to and detached from the portable information processing apparatus for acquiring positioning data by capturing a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite ,
The portable information terminal is
A central processing unit;
A display unit that displays at least the operating state of the GPS unit in an identifiable manner;
With
The GPS unit is
An antenna for receiving the GPS signal ;
Power supply and disconnecting means for supplying and disconnecting power to the GPS unit;
An interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for the central processing unit when the antenna is operated in a predetermined state;
With
The central processing unit starts supplying power to the GPS unit via the power cut-off means based on the interrupt signal to operate the GPS unit and cannot capture the GPS signal by the GPS unit. In this case, the GPS unit is shifted to the power saving mode,
The display unit displays a state of capturing the GPS signal when the GPS unit is capturing the GPS signal, and when the GPS unit acquires the positioning data, the positioning data is When the acquired state is displayed and the GPS signal cannot be captured by the GPS unit, the sleep state of the GPS unit is displayed.
A portable information processing apparatus. A portable information processing apparatus having a portable information terminal and a GPS unit that can be attached to and detached from the portable information processing apparatus for acquiring positioning data by capturing a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite ,
The portable information terminal is
A central processing unit;
A display unit that displays at least the operating state of the GPS unit in an identifiable manner;
With
The GPS unit is
An antenna for receiving the GPS signal ;
A power cutting means for cutting power to the GPS unit;
An interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal for the central processing unit when the antenna is operated in a predetermined state;
With
The central processing unit starts supplying power to the GPS unit via the power cut-off means based on the interrupt signal to operate the GPS unit and cannot capture the GPS signal by the GPS unit. In this case, the power supply to the GPS unit is cut off through the power cut-off means,
The display unit displays a state of capturing the GPS signal when the GPS unit is capturing the GPS signal, and when the GPS unit acquires the positioning data, the positioning data is When the acquired state is displayed and the GPS signal cannot be captured by the GPS unit, the sleep state of the GPS unit is displayed.
A portable information processing apparatus.

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