JPH0795252B2 - Mobile terminal computer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial field of application> The present invention has a main unit that has its own arithmetic unit and input / output unit, is carried alone, and is connected to a host computer for communication. The present invention relates to a mobile terminal computer including a lock unit and an option unit connected to the main body via a connector.

<Prior Art> Conventionally, as this type of portable terminal computer, for example, one shown in FIG. 3 has been known. This mobile terminal computer has a built-in CPU and battery power supply, and a keyboard 6
And a computer main body 31 having a liquid crystal display unit 8 and a modem communication device 32 as an option unit detachably connected to the side of the computer main body 31. The computer main body 31 is connected via the modem communication device 32. While communicating via a telephone line (not shown)
It is mounted on the optical communication device 20 and communicates with a host computer via an optical cable (not shown) connected to this device.

The modem communication device 32 has guides 3 protruding from both sides.
While inserting 3, 33 into the guide insertion grooves 34, 34 of the computer main body 31 and being guided, the connector is mounted so that the connector is fitted to the connector on the main body side that appears when the connector cover 17 is opened in the direction of arrow C. Lock claw when abutting against
19 engages with a locking pin (not shown) in the claw insertion groove 35.
This engagement is not disengaged unless the lock release slide (not shown) is pushed, and the modem communication device is securely connected and fixed to the computer main body 31 by the lock claw 19.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional portable terminal computer, when the modem communication device 32 is not used, the connector cover 17 of the computer main body 31 protects the bus of the connector,
When the modem communication device 32 is used, the lock claw 19 ensures the connection to the computer main body 31 and the spring connection of the connector, but it is a special means for protecting the bus of the connector while the computer main body 31 is powered on. There is no. That is, even if the connector cover 17 is opened while the computer main body 31 is on, the power remains on and the modem communication device 32 can be attached and detached at any time. Unless it is turned off once, the bus of the connector cannot be protected and the computer may malfunction or malfunction. Therefore, the mounting of the modem communication device 32 requires three operations of power-off, mounting, and power-on, and the disconnection requires four operations of power-off, lock claw release, removal, and power-on. In addition, if the user forgets to turn off the power and inadvertently attaches or detaches it, there is a problem that the computer may malfunction or malfunction.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal computer capable of eliminating troubles when attaching / detaching an optional unit to / from a mobile terminal computer main body by detecting the operation of a connector cover or a lock claw.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the portable terminal computer of the present invention has its own computing unit, an input / output unit, and a connector protected by a connector cover that opens and closes, and has a single unit. A main body portion that is carried and is connected to a host computer for communication, and an option unit that has lock means for connecting and fixing to the main body portion and that is connected to the main body portion via a connector A lock detection sensor that detects the operation of the locking means in the optional unit and outputs an OFF command signal when the connection is not completed and an ON command signal when the connection is completed to the main body through the both connectors. On the other hand, while detecting the operation of the connector cover on the main body, an OFF command signal is output when fully opened and an ON command signal is output when fully closed. And a cover detection sensor that outputs each signal, and stops the power supply to the computer upon receiving one of the above OFF command signals,
Power supply control means for starting power supply to the computer in response to any one of the above ON command signals is provided.

<Operation> When the optional unit is attached to the main body of the mobile terminal computer, the operator opens the connector cover of the main body. Then, the cover detection sensor provided in the main body,
When the connector cover is fully opened, an off command signal is output, and the power supply control means that receives this off command signal stops power supply to the computer. Next, when the operator completely fits and connects the option unit to the main body, the locking means of the option unit completes the connecting operation to the main body. Then, the lock detection sensor provided in the option unit detects the completion of connection and outputs an ON command signal to the main body through the connected connector, and in response to this, the power supply control means supplies power to the computer. Resume.

Conversely, when detaching the option unit from the main unit,
The operator pulls out the option unit from the main body while unlocking the lock means. Then, the lock means is disconnected from the main body portion first, and the lock detection sensor that detects this outputs an OFF command signal to the main body portion via the connector that is still connected, and the power supply control means that receives this signal , Turn off power to the computer. Next, when the option unit is completely removed and the connector cover of the main body is fully closed, the cover detection sensor detects the fully closed state and outputs an ON command signal, and the power supply control means receiving this signal sends it to the computer. Power supply is restarted.

<Examples> Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a mobile terminal computer of the present invention. This mobile terminal computer has its own arithmetic unit and the like, is carried alone, and is used by a host computer for communication. The main body 1 to be connected,
A modem communication device 2 as an option unit is connected to the main body 1 via a connector.

The main body unit 1 includes a power source control unit 4 that controls power supply from a battery (not shown), a keyboard 6 controlled by the input control unit 5, and a liquid crystal display unit 8 controlled by the display control unit 7.
And a CPU3 that controls each block and performs an operation using the memory area of the RAM10 based on a program stored in the ROM9, and an IC that inputs / outputs data between the CPU3 and the CPU3.
An external storage device 11 using a card, an expansion bus control unit 12 having a connector 16 (see FIG. 2) for connecting the modem communication device 2, and a connector cover 17 that opens and closes to protect the connector 16 (see FIG. 2). (See) a cover detection sensor 13 for detecting the operation. On the other hand, the modem communication device 2 includes a bus control unit 14 having a connector 18 (see FIG. 2) fitted to the connector 16 and a lock claw 19 for connecting and fixing to the main body unit 1 (see FIG. 2). The lock detection sensor 15 for detecting the operation of (see) is provided to control the transmission and reception of signals between the main body 1 and a telephone line (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover detection sensor 13 of the main body 1 is a connector cover that opens and closes to protect the connector 16.
The operation of 17 is detected, and the OFF command signal Sf is output to the CPU 3 when it is fully opened, and the ON command signal Sn is output to the CPU 3 when it is fully closed. Further, the lock detection sensor 15 of the modem communication device 2 detects the operation of the lock claw 19 and outputs the OFF command signal Sf when the connection to the main body 1 is not completed and the ON command signal Sn when the connection is completed. Outputs to the CPU 3 of the main body 1 via the connected connectors 18 and 16. Further, the CPU 3 as power supply control means stops power supply to the power supply control unit 4 upon receipt of any one of the above OFF command signals Sf, and power supply to the power supply control unit 4 upon receipt of any one of the above ON command signals Sn. Is designed to start.

The optional unit attaching / detaching operation of the portable terminal computer having the above-described configuration is as follows.

When the modem communication device 2 as an optional unit is attached to the main body 1 of the portable terminal computer, the operator
Fully open the connector cover 17 of the main body 1. Then, as the connector 16 appears, the cover detection sensor 13 detects that the connector cover 17 is fully opened and outputs an off command signal Sf to the CPU 3, and in response thereto, the CPU 3 causes the power supply control unit 4 to stop supplying power. Next, the operator attaches the modem communication device 2 to the main body 1
When they are fitted and connected to each other, the connectors 18 and 16 are connected to each other, and the lock claw 19 of the modem communication device 2 completes the connecting operation to the main body 1. Then, the lock detection sensor
15 detects the completion of the connection and outputs the ON command signal Sn to the CPU 3 of the main body 1 via the connectors 18 and 16 connected to each other, and the CPU 3 receiving this outputs the power supply control unit 4 to restart the power supply. .

Therefore, the operator simply opens the connector cover 17 of the main body 1 and attaches the modem communication device 2 thereto, and the CPU 3
Since the power is automatically turned off and on, the malfunction or failure is eliminated by turning off the power, the arithmetic processing can be immediately started by turning on the power, and the modem communication device 2 can be mounted very easily by one operation.

On the contrary, when disconnecting the modem communication device 2 from the main body 1,
The operator pulls out the modem communication device 2 from the main body 1 while unlocking the lock claw 19. Then, the connection of the lock claw 19 to the main body 1 is first disconnected, and the lock detection sensor 15 that detects this is output to the CPU 3 of the main body 1 via the connectors 18 and 16 to which the OFF command signal Sf is still connected. Then, the CPU 3 having received this causes the power supply control unit 4 to stop the power supply. Next, when the modem communication device 2 is completely removed and the connector cover 17 of the main body 1 is fully closed, the cover detection sensor 13
Detects the fully closed state and outputs an ON command signal Sn to the CPU3, and the CPU3 receiving this signal causes the power supply control unit 4 to resume power supply.

Therefore, the operator can simply remove the modem communication device 2 while unlocking the lock claw 19 to automatically turn off and on the power supply of the CPU 3. Therefore, as described above, there is no fear of malfunction or failure, and immediately. Calculation can be started and the modem communication device can be detached very easily in one operation.

The option unit that is attached to and detached from the main body 1 is not limited to the modem communication device 2 of the embodiment.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

<Effects of the Invention> As is apparent from the above description, the portable terminal computer of the present invention has the lock means for connection and the operation of the lock means in the option unit connected to the main body through the connector. Lock detection sensor that outputs an OFF command signal when the connection is not completed and an ON command signal when the connection is completed to the main unit via the mutually connected connectors, while protecting the connector on the main unit. The cover detection sensor that detects the operation of the connector cover that opens and closes and outputs an OFF command signal when fully open and an ON command signal when fully closed, and power supply to the computer that receives one of the above OFF command signals. Power supply control means for stopping the power supply and starting power supply to the computer upon receiving one of the above-mentioned ON command signals. By automatically turning the power on and off, the operator can easily attach / detach the option unit to / from the main body section by a simple operation without worrying about malfunction or failure of the computer or turning on the power again.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a mobile terminal computer of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view showing a connector connecting portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional mobile terminal computer. Is. 1 ... Main body, 2 ... Modem communication device, 3 ... CPU, 4
...... Power supply control unit, 6 ... Keyboard, 8 ... Liquid crystal display unit, 13 ... Cover detection sensor, 15 ... Lock detection sensor, 16,18 ... Connector, 17 ... Connector cover, 19 ...
… Lock claw, Sf… OFF command signal, Sn… On command signal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A main unit having a unique arithmetic unit, an input / output unit, and a connector protected by a connector cover that opens and closes, is carried alone, and is connected to a host computer for communication; In a mobile terminal computer having lock means for connecting and fixing to the main body, and an option unit connected to the main body through a connector, the option unit detects the operation of the lock means. , A lock detection sensor that outputs an off command signal when the connection is not completed and an on command signal when the connection is completed to the main body via the both connectors, while detecting the operation of the connector cover on the main body. Cover detection sensor that outputs an OFF command signal when fully open and an ON command signal when fully closed, and one of the above OFF commands. A portable terminal computer, which is provided with a power supply control means for stopping power supply to the computer upon receiving a command signal and for starting power supply to the computer upon receiving any one of the above-mentioned ON command signals.