JPH09330147A - Portable information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability and portability for a pointing device. SOLUTION: A portable personal computer 10 has a 1st connector 14 in a recessed part 13 formed in the top surface of a computer main body 11 and a 2nd connector 19 on the flank of the computer main body 11. The connector 15 of the pointing device 12 is engaged with the 1st connector 14, the pointing device 12 is stored in the recessed part, and its track ball 20 is rotated with a finger. Further, the connector 15 is engaged with the 2nd connector 19, and a cable 18 for movement is unwound from a cable reel 16 and used as a mouse device on a desk.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing device, and more particularly, to improvement of a technique for mounting a pointing device such as a mouse device used as an input device of a portable information processing device on an information processing device body. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pointing device such as a mouse device has been used in association with a portable information processing device such as a notebook personal computer. The mouse device is generally electrically connected to an information processing device body such as a personal computer through a socket and a cable, and when used, the entire mouse device is moved,
Information is input by rotating the tracking ball under the mouse device. Therefore, a space for moving the mouse device is required when using the personal computer. However, depending on usage conditions, it is difficult to secure this space, for example, in a vehicle of a vehicle.

Further, conventionally, when carrying a portable information processing device, it was necessary to separately carry a mouse device and a computer main body, which had a drawback of impairing good portability.

[0004]

A conventional technique for reducing the use space of a mouse device and improving portability is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-292522. In the portable personal computer described in the publication, the mouse device is mounted in the computer body, and the mouse device can be used in this mounted state. However, in the technique described in this publication, although the space for moving the mouse device is unnecessary, it is necessary to store the cable separately after the mouse device is housed in the information processing device.
This cable is an obstacle when carrying it and may be lost.

On the other hand, as a conventional technique for accommodating a moving cable of a mouse device, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-108249. In the technique described in the publication, a reel for winding a cable is provided in the mouse device, the cable is stored in the mouse device, and after the cable and the mouse device are stored in the information processing device, the information processing device is carried. . However, this technique has a drawback that the mouse device cannot be used in a state where the entire mouse device is housed in the information processing device, and it is difficult to use the mouse device in a place where the space for using the mouse device cannot be reserved.

An object of the present invention is to provide a notebook type personal computer in which the mouse device can be detached and its operability is improved according to the environment in which the mouse device is used, and the cable processing is simplified and portability is improved. Especially.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable information processing device of the present invention is a portable information processing device having an information processing device main body and a pointing device. An electrically connected first connector, a second connector electrically connected to the first connector through an internal wiring of the information processing apparatus main body and a moving cable, and the information processing apparatus main body A winding device housed in the winding device for winding the moving cable, and electrically connected to the pointing device and substantially fixed to the pointing device, the first connector and the second connector. A third connector capable of being fitted to any of the devices, wherein the pointing device is configured to connect the first connector and the third connector to each other when the information is provided. Characterized in that it is fixable to the processing apparatus main body.

The portable information processing apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited in form, and may be any portable information processing apparatus having a pointing device such as a mouse attached thereto, which is called, for example, a notebook type or a sub-notebook type. A portable personal computer, a word processor, an information terminal device having a communication function, and the like are included. The first connector and the second connector may be connected to each other as long as the pointing device is functionally connectable through both connectors, and all wirings of both the first connector and the second connector are directly connected. Need not be physically connected.

In a portable information processing apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus main body is provided with a recess for accommodating the first connector and accommodating a pointing device. The first connector and the third connector are fitted together, and the pointing device is housed in the recess. In this state, the pointing device is substantially fixed to the information processing apparatus body. With this configuration, when there is no available space for the pointing device, the pointing device can be used with the first connector and the third connector fitted together, and when there is available space for the pointing device. Uses the second connector and the third connector fitted together, and the entire pointing device can be moved by a moving cable. Furthermore, when carrying, the pointing device is arranged in the recess and the cable is housed in the main body of the information processing device by the winding device, which enables good portability.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail based on a notebook type personal computer which constitutes a portable information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop personal computer according to the present embodiment.
This personal computer is shown with the first connector of the computer main body and the third connector of the pointing device disengaged.

The notebook personal computer 10 is
The computer main body 11 and the removable pointing device 12 are formed. The computer main body 11 is formed with a recess 13 for accommodating the pointing device in which the first connector 14 is arranged. The computer main body 11 is further provided with a first cable via a moving cable 18 and wiring inside the computer main body 11.
The second connector 19 connected to the connector 14 is provided. The first connector 14 and the second connector 19 are
Any of them can be fitted to the third connector 15 fixed to the pointing device 12. Computer body 11
A cable winding device (cable reel) 16 for winding the moving cable 18 is provided inside, and the moving cable 18 is desired by pulling out an appropriate length from the cable reel 16. Available in lengths.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the notebook personal computer 10 with the pointing device 12 housed in the recess 13. When there is no space for using the mouse device in the vehicle of a vehicle or when carrying a personal computer, the state shown in the figure is used. After connecting the first connector and the third connector, as shown in FIG.
Place in and fix. For example, a spring may be provided at the bottom of the recess, and a stopper or the like may be provided at the edge of the recess to fix the spring. The pointing device 12 has a trackball 20 on the upper surface in a state of being housed in the recess 13. In this case, the trackball 20 can be rotated in any direction with fingers, and the amount and direction of displacement from the cursor position displayed on the display 22 are input by this rotation. The transfer cable 18 is wound by the winding device 16,
It is stored in the computer main body 11. As a result, the second connector 19 is fitted into the hole formed in the side surface of the computer main body 11 and is substantially fixed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the personal computer 10 of the above embodiment, showing the state immediately before connecting the third connector to the second connector. When there is a space for using the pointing device 12 as a mouse device such as when the personal computer 10 is used on a desk, the second connector 19 is used in this way. That is, the third of the pointing device 12
Connector and the second connector 1 of the computer main body 11
9, and the pointing device 12 is turned upside down from the state shown in the figure, that is, with the trackball 20 on the lower side, the moving cable 18 is pulled out from the cable reel 16 and used. The cable reel 16 has a ratchet mechanism and a spring mechanism built therein, and when the switch 17 exposed on the upper surface of the computer main body 11 is pressed, the ratchet mechanism is released. After pulling out the cable to the desired length and using it, switch 17
By pushing down, the moving cable 18 is taken up by the cable reel 16 and accommodated in the computer main body 11.

By moving the pointing device in a desired direction on the desk as a mouse device, the trackball 20 rotates, and the displacement amount and the direction from the cursor displayed on the display 22 are input. In this state, with the pointing device 12 taken out, the cover 13 is provided in the recess 13 to flatten the upper surface of the computer. As a result, the recess 13 does not hinder the operation. The cover 21 is removable or is provided on the main body by sliding.

Although the present invention has been described based on its preferred embodiment, the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and the above embodiment is not limited thereto. A portable information processing device in which various modifications and changes are made from the above configuration is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0016]

As described above, the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a structure in which the first and second connectors which can be fitted into the connectors of the pointing device are provided in the information processing apparatus main body. The first connector is used when there is no space for using the pointing device in the vehicle, and the second connector is used when there is space for use as a mouse device on a desk or the like. It facilitates the input of quantity and direction and improves its operability. In addition, since the moving cable can be housed inside the main body, good portability of the entire apparatus can be achieved, and the possibility of losing the moving cable is eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a portable information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the portable information processing device of FIG. 1 with a pointing device housed in a recess.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the portable information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 with a pointing device placed on a desk.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 notebook personal computer 12 pointing device 13 recess 14 first connector 15 third connector 16 winding device (cable reel) 17 switch 18 moving cable 19 second connector 20 trackball 21 cover 22 display

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A portable information processing apparatus having an information processing apparatus main body and a pointing device, comprising: a first connector electrically connected to the information processing apparatus main body; the first connector; and the information processing apparatus. A second connector electrically connected via internal wiring of the main body and a moving cable, a winding device housed in the information processing apparatus main body for winding the moving cable, and a pointing device. A third connector which is electrically connected and is substantially fixed to the pointing device, and which is capable of being fitted to any of the first connector and the second connector, wherein the pointing device includes the third connector. A portable information processing device, which can be fixed to the information processing device main body when the first connector and the third connector are fitted to each other. 2. The first connector is housed in a recess formed in the main body of the information processing apparatus, and the pointing device holds the recess when the first connector and the third connector are fitted to each other. The portable information processing device according to claim 1, which can be housed in the portable information processing device.