JP2010268413A - Portable electronic equipment, its assembling method, exterior component with function key/button and portable electronic equipment body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve portable electronic equipment which is applied to both right-handed users and left-handed users by a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The equipment includes a portable electronic equipment body 7, and an external side key panel (exterior component with function key/button) 8 on which side keys (function key/button) 10, 11, 12 are mounted and which is installed in right-handed fixing mode or mirror-reversed left-handed mode on an outer surface of the portable electronic equipment body 7 according to selection. When the side key panel 8 is mounted in the right-handed fixing mode, contact terminals of the side keys 10, 11, 12 are electrically connected to or they mechanically abut on corresponding right-handed contact terminals of the portable electronic equipment body 7. Meanwhile, when it is mounted in the left-handed fixing mode, the contact terminals of the side keys 10, 11, 12 are electrically connected to or they mechanically abut on corresponding left-handed contact terminals of the portable electronic equipment body 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, an assembling method thereof, an exterior part with a function key / button, and a portable electronic device main body, and more specifically, a portable electronic device applicable to both right-handed and left-handed devices, an assembling method thereof, The present invention relates to an exterior part with function keys / buttons and a portable electronic device body.

  Since an electronic device such as a mobile phone is operated with a finger on the holding side while being held with one hand, the side key is very useful in terms of function. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a conventional mobile phone 1, and this type of mobile phone 1 is provided with, for example, an UP key 2, a DOWN key 3, and an enter key 4 as side keys. It has been. Here, the UP key 2 is used to move the cursor on the menu screen 5 upward to select a higher item, and the DOWN key 3 moves the cursor downward to move a lower item. Key used to select. The determination key 4 is used to determine an item selected by pressing the UP key 2 or the DOWN key 3.

  By the way, in the conventional portable electronic device 1, as shown in the figure, the determination key 4 is arranged at the position of the right thumb, the UP key 2 is arranged at the position of the right index finger, and the DOWN key 3 is arranged at the position of the middle finger of the right hand. It was a configuration to be arranged. For this reason, for the right-handed user, even if it is a side key configuration that is very easy to use, for the left-handed user, and for the user who is forced to use the left hand because the right hand is inconvenient, the conventional side key configuration Was not always easy to use.

JP 2003-324512 A JP 2003-099178 A

  Patent Document 1 describes a mobile phone that includes both a left-hand side key and a right-hand side key. However, in the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, both the left-hand side key and the right-hand side key are on the same side so that the user can input characters at high speed by operating both hands (during operation, It is configured to be provided on the upper side) and is not designed for the convenience of left-handed users.

  In addition, the mobile phone described in Patent Document 2 includes an auxiliary keyboard input device having various keys on both the front and back sides so that the operator can easily operate the auxiliary keyboard input device regardless of whether the operator is right-handed or left-handed. It has. In this configuration, when a right-handed operator operates, an auxiliary keyboard input device is mounted on the right side of the mobile phone and various keys on the front side are used. When a left-handed operator operates, an auxiliary is provided on the left side of the mobile phone. Wear a keyboard input device and use various keys on the back side. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, various types of left-handed keys on the back side are unnecessary for right-handed users, while various types of right-handed keys on the front side are unnecessary for left-handed users, which is uneconomical and redundant. It is also a configuration. Here, it is conceivable to imitate the auxiliary keyboard input device and install both the right-handed side key and the left-handed side key on the left and right sides of the mobile phone. However, such a configuration is not preferable because the same inconvenience as the auxiliary keyboard input device occurs. In addition, with the improvement of functions, if you try to add multiple side keys for both right-handed and left-handed users, the side space of the mobile phone is limited, which reduces design flexibility and is inconvenient. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a simple configuration and can be applied to both right-handed use and left-handed use, a method for assembling the same, an exterior part with function keys / buttons, and portable electronic equipment. The purpose is to provide a device body.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first configuration of the present invention relates to a portable electronic device, which is equipped with a portable electronic device main body and at least one function key / button, and is selected on the outer surface of the portable electronic device main body. Depending on the right-handed mounting mode or a left-handed mounting mode and externally attached functional parts with function keys / buttons, the outer surface of the portable electronic device body has at least one set of right When a right-handed contact terminal and a left-handed contact terminal are provided and the exterior part with the function key / button is adopting the right-handed mounting mode, the contact terminal of the function key / button is When the right-handed contact terminal of the portable electronic device main body is electrically connected or mechanically contacted, while the left-handed mounting mode is adopted, the function key / button contact terminal is Up The portable electronic device main body is electrically connected or mechanically contacted to the corresponding left-handed contact terminal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling a portable electronic device, wherein at least one set of right-handed contact terminals and left-handed contact terminals are provided on the outer surface of the portable electronic device body, and at least 1 Equipped with two function keys / buttons, and external parts with function keys / buttons that can be externally attached in the right-handed mounting mode or left-handed mounting mode, depending on the selection, are formed on the outer surface of the portable electronic device body. When assembling a right-handed portable electronic device, the right-handed mounting mode is employed to electrically connect the side key contact terminal to the corresponding right-handed contact terminal of the portable electronic device body. While assembling a left-handed portable electronic device while connecting or mechanically contacting, when the left-handed mounting mode is adopted, the contact terminal of the side key corresponds to the portable electronic device body. The left-handed contact terminal is electrically connected or mechanically contacted.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce both the right-handed user-use portable electronic device and the left-handed user-use portable electronic device with a simple operation simply by changing the mounting manner of the exterior parts with function keys / buttons having the same configuration. It can be obtained freely at a low cost. Also, if the exterior parts with function keys / buttons are detachable from the portable electronic device body, depending on the user's choice, from right-handed user use to left-handed user use, or left-handed user use to right-handed It can be easily changed to the user application. Therefore, the operation of the function keys / buttons is facilitated not only for right-handed users but also for left-handed users and for users who are forced to use their left hand because their right hand is inconvenient.

It is a disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the portable electronic device main body which comprises the mobile telephone which is 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a side key panel. The perspective view which shows a mode that the side key panel is attached to the portable electronic device main body, in detail the same figure (a) is attached in the attachment mode for right-handed use. The figure which shows a mode, The figure (b) is a figure which shows a mode that the side key panel is attached in the attachment mode for left-handed. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the mobile phone provided with a side key. Specifically, FIG. (A) is a diagram showing the external structure of a right-handed mobile phone, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the mobile phone for left-handed. It is a disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the portable electronic device main body which comprises the mobile telephone which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a side key panel. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the digital camera which is 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Specifically, the figure (a) is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of a right-handed digital camera, and the figure (B) is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the left handed digital camera. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional mobile telephone roughly, and is a figure which shows the side key arrangement | positioning structure of the conventional right-handed predominance in detail.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a side key panel (exterior component with function keys / buttons) includes a first plate provided with at least one side key (function keys / buttons), the first plate, A second plate opposed to each other in a separated state and a third plate that joins the first and second plates between their end portions are formed in a U-shaped cross section. By adopting a configuration in which the first plate and the second plate are tightly attached to the mobile phone main body (portable electronic device main body) in a dominant-use attachment mode or a left-handed attachment manner, The object of the present invention has been realized.

  The second plate may also be provided with at least one function key / button. Here, the right-handed mounting mode and the left-handed mounting mode are defined as a relationship in which the side key panel (function key / external part with buttons) is reversed left and right or upside down.

  The side key panel (exterior part with function keys / buttons) is preferably detachably attached to the mobile phone main body (portable electronic device main body), and from the right-handed mounting mode according to the user's selection. The left-handed mounting mode or the left-handed mounting mode can be changed to the right-handed mounting mode.

Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a mobile electronic device body and a side key panel constituting a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the side key panel. The perspective view which shows a mode that it is attached to the apparatus main body, Specifically, the same figure (a) is a figure which shows a mode that the side key panel is attached in the attachment mode for right-handedness, Fig. (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the side key panel is attached in a left-handed mounting manner, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the mobile phone including the side key. Specifically, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an external configuration of a right-handed mobile phone, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an external configuration of a left-handed mobile phone.

  The mobile phones 6A and 6B of this embodiment relate to a straight-type mobile phone. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mobile electronic device body 7 and the outer surface of the mobile electronic device body 7 are selected according to the selection. Side key panel 8 externally attached in a right-handed mounting mode (FIGS. 2A and 3A) or a left-handed mounting mode (FIGS. 2B and 3B) It is roughly composed of

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the side key panel 8 includes a first side plate 8a, a second side plate 8b opposed to the first side plate 8a in a predetermined separation state, and the first side plate 8a. From the upper surface plate 8c that joins the first and second side plates 8a, 8b between these end portions, the U-shaped section 9 is formed by integrally forming a U-shaped section. Here, the mobile phone body 7 is inserted into the U-shaped section 9 and the side key panel is formed by tightly attaching the mobile phone body 7 between the first side plate 8a and the second side plate 8b. 8 is configured to be detachably attached to the mobile phone body 7.

For example, an UP key 10 for index finger operation and a DOWN key 11 for middle finger operation are mounted and mounted as side keys on the outer side of the first side plate 8a (the outer surface of the U-shaped section 9). Yes. Further, the contact terminal 10a of the UP key 10 and the contact terminal 11a of the DOWN key 11 are exposed on the inner side of the first side plate 8a (the inner surface of the U-shaped section 9). Further, for example, a determination key 12 for thumb operation is mounted and mounted as a side key on the outer side of the second side plate 8b (the outer surface of the U-shaped section 9). Further, the contact terminal 12a of the determination key 12 is exposed on the inner side of the second side surface plate 8b (the inner surface of the U-shaped section 9).
Here, the UP key 10 is used to move the cursor on the menu screen 13 of the portable electronic device body 7 upward to select an upper item, and the DOWN key 11 moves the cursor downward. This is a key used to select a subordinate item. The determination key 12 is used to determine an item selected by pressing the UP key 10 or the DOWN key 11. A key switch having a diaphragm configuration (not shown) is embedded in the side key panel 8.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, three sets of right-handed contact terminals 10R, 11R, and 12R and left-handed contact terminals 10L, 11L, and 12L are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the portable electronic device body 7. Is provided. The right-handed contact terminal has a first contact terminal 10R for electrical connection with the contact terminal 10a of the UP key 10 and a DOWN key 11 in a configuration in which the side key panel 8 is mounted in a right-handed mounting manner. The second contact terminal 11R for electrical connection with the contact terminal 11a and the third contact terminal 12R for electrical connection with the contact terminal 12a of the determination key 12 are provided.

  On the other hand, the left-handed contact terminal has a fourth contact terminal 10L for electrical connection with the contact terminal 10a of the UP key 10 and the DOWN key 11 in the configuration in which the side key panel 8 is mounted in a left-handed manner. It consists of a fifth contact terminal 11L for electrical connection with the contact terminal 11a and a sixth contact terminal 12L for electrical connection with the contact terminal 12a of the enter key 12. On the left side surface of the portable electronic device body 7, as shown in FIG. 1C, a sixth contact terminal 12L, a first contact terminal 10R, and a second contact terminal 11R are provided in this order from the top. In addition, a third contact terminal 12R, a fourth contact terminal 10L, and a fifth contact terminal 11L are provided in order from the top in the drawing on the right side surface of the portable electronic device body 7.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when assembling a right-handed mobile phone, the right-handed mounting mode shown in FIG. 2A is employed. That is, the U-shaped section 9 has a direction in which the first side plate 8a is arranged on the left side in the drawing and the second side plate 8b is arranged on the right side in the drawing. The mobile phone main body 7 is inserted into the U-shaped portion 9, and the mobile phone main body 7 is tightly fitted between the first side face plate 8 a and the second side face plate 8 b, whereby the side key panel 8 is attached to the mobile phone main body 7. Removably attach to. In this way, the right-handed mobile phone 6A shown in FIG. In the right-handed mounting mode, the contact terminal 10a of the UP key 10 and the first contact terminal 10R are electrically connected, the contact terminal 11a of the DOWN key 11 and the second contact terminal 11R are electrically connected, and The contact terminal 12a of the determination key 12 and the third contact terminal 12R are electrically connected.
At this time, the sixth contact terminal 12L is covered with the first side plate 8a so that it cannot be seen from the outside, and the fourth contact terminal 10L and the fifth contact terminal 11L are the second side plate. It is covered with 8b and cannot be seen from the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the right-handed mobile phone 6A thus completed has the determination key 12 as the right thumb, the UP key 10 as the right index finger, and the DOWN key 11 as the right middle finger. The structure is easy to operate.

  Next, when assembling a left-handed mobile phone, the left-handed attachment mode shown in FIG. 2B is employed. That is, the U-shaped section 9 has a direction in which the first side plate 8a is arranged on the right side in the drawing and the second side plate 8b is arranged on the left side in the drawing. The mobile phone main body 7 is inserted into the U-shaped portion 9 and the mobile phone main body 7 is tightly attached between the first side plate 8a and the second side plate 8b, whereby the side key panel 8 is attached to the mobile phone main body. 7 is detachably attached. In this way, the left-handed mobile phone 6A shown in FIG. 3B is completed. In the left-handed mounting mode, the contact terminal 10a of the UP key 10 and the fourth contact terminal 10L are electrically connected, the contact terminal 11a of the DOWN key 11 and the fifth contact terminal 11L are electrically connected, and the determination is made. The contact terminal 12a of the key 12 and the sixth contact terminal 12L are electrically connected. At this time, the third contact terminal 12R is covered with the first side surface plate 8a so as not to be seen from the outside, and the first contact terminal 10R and the second contact terminal 11R are connected to the second side surface. It is covered with the plate 8b so that it cannot be seen from the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the left-handed mobile phone 6B completed in this way is operated with the decision key 12 with the left thumb, the UP key 10 with the left index finger, and the DOWN key 11 with the left hand middle finger. It becomes the structure which is easy to do.
Here, as is apparent from FIGS. 3A and 3B, the right-handed mounting mode and the left-handed mounting mode are in a relationship in which the side key panel 8 is reversed right and left.

  Thus, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the mobile phone 6A for right-handed users and the mobile phone 6B for left-handed users can be operated by simply changing the mounting mode of the side key panel 8 having the same configuration. It can be obtained freely at low cost. In addition, since the side key panel 8 is detachable, it can be easily changed from a right-handed user application to a left-handed user application or from a left-handed user application to a right-handed user application. can do. Therefore, not only a right-handed user but also a left-handed user, and a user who is forced to use the left hand because the right hand is inconvenient, the operation of the various side keys 10, 11, 12 is facilitated. .

Embodiment 2

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the portable electronic device main body and the side key panel constituting the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention in an exploded manner.
In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact terminals 10 a, 11 a, 12 a of the various side keys 10, 11, 12 mounted on the side key panel 8 are connected to the corresponding right-handed mobile electronic device body 7. Electrical contact terminals 10R, 11R, and 12R for left-hand use, or contact terminals 10L, 11L, and 12L for left-handed use. However, in the second embodiment, the electrical connection is eliminated, and the contact terminals 15a, 16a, and 17a of the various side keys 15, 16, and 17 mounted on the side key panel 14, as shown in FIG. It is significantly different from the first embodiment described above in that it is in mechanical contact with the corresponding right-handed contact terminals 19R, 20R, 21R or left-handed contact terminals 19L, 20L, 21L of the main body 18. .

In this embodiment, a key switch having a diaphragm configuration (not shown) is provided in the portable electronic device main body 18. When the side keys 15, 16, 17 mounted on the side key panel 14 are pressed, the corresponding right-handed contact terminals 19R, 20R, 21R or left-handed contact terminals 19L, 20L, 21L of the portable electronic device body 18 are displayed. Is pushed down, the diaphragm is recessed, and the switch is turned on.
Thus, according to this embodiment, substantially the same effect as described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 3

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the external configuration of a right-handed digital camera, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an external configuration of a left-handed digital camera.

This embodiment is significantly different from the first and second embodiments described above in that the present invention is applied to a digital camera in place of a form telephone.
The digital cameras 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B of this embodiment are configured to have a U-shaped shutter button panel 24 having a shutter button 23 and a U-shaped zoom key panel 26 having a zoom key 25.

  The shutter button panel 24 is formed in a U shape from an upper plate 24a on which the shutter button 23 is mounted, a lower plate 24b, and a side plate 24c that couples these. The zoom key panel 26 is formed in a U shape from a front plate 26a on which the zoom key 25 is mounted, a back plate (not shown), and a side plate 26c that couples these. FIG. 5A shows a right-handed digital camera 22A in which the shutter button panel 24 and the zoom key panel 26 are clamped and mounted in a right-handed mounting manner. FIG. 5B shows a left-handed digital camera 22B in which the shutter button panel 24 and the zoom key panel 26 are clamped and mounted in a left-handed mounting manner.

Here, as is clear from FIGS. 5A and 5B, the right-handed mounting mode and the left-handed mounting mode are in a relationship in which the shutter button panel 24 is reversed left and right, and the zoom key panel. 26 are in an inverted relationship with each other.
Thus, according to this embodiment, substantially the same effect as described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and there are design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. However, it is included in this invention. For example, the mobile phone is not limited to a straight type, but may be a folding type or a sliding type. In the above-described embodiment, three types of side keys are used. However, this is an example, and can be increased or decreased as necessary. The installation position of the side key may be shifted from the center line of the plate. As means for attaching the side key panel 8 or the like to the mobile phone body 7 or the like. Not only the method by sandwiching the first side plate 8a and the second side plate 8b, but instead of or in addition to the sandwich, for example, a double-sided adhesive material, a fastening member such as a bolt, You may make it mount | wear using locking members, such as a hook. Further, the side key panel 8 or the like is not limited to a U-shaped shape.

  It can be widely applied to portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras.

6A, 6B Mobile phones (mobile electronic devices)
7, 18 Mobile electronic device body 8, 14 Side key panel (external parts with function keys / buttons)
8a First side plate 8b Second side plate 8c Top plate 10, 15 UP key (function key / button, side key)
11, 16 DOWN key (function key / button, side key)
12, 17 Enter key (function key / button, side key)
10a, 15a UP key contact terminal (function key / button contact terminal)
11a, 16a DOWN key contact terminal (function key / button contact terminal)
12a, 17a Enter key contact terminal (function key / button contact terminal)
10R, 11R, 12R, 19R, 20R, 21R Right-handed contact terminals 10L, 11L, 12L, 19L, 20L, 21L Left-handed contact terminals 22A, 22B Digital cameras (portable electronic devices)
24 Shutter button panel (External parts with function keys / buttons)
24a Top plate 24b Bottom plate 24c Side plate 26 Zoom key panel (External parts with function keys / buttons)
26a Front plate 26c Side plate 23 Shutter button (function key / button)
25 Zoom key (function key / button)

Claims (15)

A portable electronic device body;
Mounted with at least one function key / button and externally attached to the outer surface of the main body of the portable electronic device in a right-handed mounting manner or a left-handed mounting manner according to the selection. With parts,
The outer surface of the portable electronic device body is provided with at least one set of right-handed contact terminals and left-handed contact terminals,
When the right-handed mounting mode is adopted for the exterior part with the function key / button, the contact terminal of the function key / button is the corresponding right-handed contact terminal of the portable electronic device main body. When the left-handed attachment mode is adopted, the function key / button contact terminal is connected to the corresponding left-handed contact terminal of the portable electronic device main body. A portable electronic device that is electrically connected or mechanically contacted.   The functional key / button-equipped exterior part is detachably attached to the portable electronic device main body, and changes from the right-handed mounting mode to the left-handed mounting mode or the left-handed mode according to the user's selection. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is configured so that the attachment can be changed from the attachment manner of the right-handed manner to the right-handed attachment manner.   The exterior part with function keys / buttons includes a first plate having at least one function key / button, a second plate facing the first plate in a predetermined separation state, and the first and first plates. The second plate is formed in a U-shaped cross-section from the third plate that joins the two plates between the end portions, and the right-handed mounting mode or the left-handed mounting mode, depending on the selection. 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device main body is configured to be tightly attached by one plate and the second plate. 4.   The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the second plate is also provided with at least one function key / button.   4. The right-handed mounting mode and the left-handed mounting mode are such that the exterior parts with function keys / buttons are reversed from each other or vertically reversed. Portable electronic device.   5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the function key / button is a side key applicable to both right-handed use and left-handed use.   5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the function key / button is a shutter button or / and a zoom key applicable to both right-handed use and left-handed use.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile phone.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a digital camera.   The exterior part with a function key / button which comprises the portable electronic device of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 9.   A portable electronic device main body constituting the portable electronic device according to claim 1. At least one set of right-handed contact terminals and left-handed contact terminals are provided on the outer surface of the portable electronic device body,
At least one function key / button is mounted, and an exterior part with function keys / buttons can be externally attached to the outer surface of the portable electronic device body in a right-handed or left-handed manner depending on the selection. Form the
When assembling a right-handed portable electronic device, the right-handed mounting mode is adopted, and the contact terminal of the side key is electrically connected to the corresponding right-handed contact terminal of the portable electronic device body or While assembling a left-handed portable electronic device while the machine abuts, if the left-handed mounting mode is adopted, the side key contact terminal is connected to the corresponding left-handed contact of the portable electronic device body. A method for assembling a portable electronic device, wherein the terminal is electrically connected or mechanically contacted.   The exterior part with function keys / buttons includes a first plate having at least one function key / button, a second plate facing the first plate in a predetermined separation state, and the first and first plates. The second plate is formed in a U-shaped cross-section from the third plate that joins the two plates between the end portions, and the right-handed mounting mode or the left-handed mounting mode, depending on the selection. By narrowing the portable electronic device main body between the first plate and the second plate, the contact terminal of the side key can be a corresponding right-handed contact terminal or left-handed contact of the portable electronic device main body. 13. The method of assembling a portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the terminal is electrically connected or mechanically contacted.   14. The method for assembling a portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the second plate is also provided with at least one function key / button.   The portable electronic device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the right-handed mounting mode and the left-handed mounting mode have a relationship in which the exterior parts with function keys / buttons are reversed left and right or upside down. How to assemble equipment.

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