Information input device

An information input device includes a first detection device, a second detection device, a coupling member, a connecting line, and a protective member. The coupling member includes a fixing portion and a holding portion, and a folding portion. The connecting line includes an intermediate portion connecting the first detection device and the second detection device that detect a position of the writing tool. At least a part of the intermediate portion extends between the first detection device and the second detection device and is arranged to face the folding portion. The protective member includes an arrangement portion whose length is longer than a length of the intermediate portion. An end portion of the protective member is fixed to at least one of the fixing portion and the holding portion. The arrangement portion is disposed between the folding portion and the intermediate portion of the connecting line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-150530 filed Jul. 24, 2014, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an information input device that can acquire information input on a booklet-like recording medium in which a plurality of paper sheets are bound.

An information input device is known that can digitize information that is written on a recording medium, such as paper. A digitizer that is incorporated into the information input device acquires coordinates of a position of a special electronic pen that comes close to it. When writing is performed using the electronic pen on the recording medium placed on a detection surface of the digitizer, the information input device can read hand-written content and digitize the content as coordinate data.

When a booklet-like recording medium in which a plurality of paper sheets are bound, such as a notebook, is mounted on the information input device, there is a case in which it is desired to read information that has been written, using the electronic pen, on two pages in a spread state. As a structure of the information input device that is used in this type of case, a structure is conceivable in which a pair of digitizers are coupled. The pair of digitizers are electrically connected to each other by a connecting line, and back surfaces on an opposite side to detection surfaces are covered by a cover. When the information input device is carried around, the cover is folded in a direction in which the detection surfaces of the digitizers face each other. Thus, the notebook is closed and the information input device can be in a folded over state. Generally, the connecting line is provided along an inner surface of the cover, and has a bending portion that bends in accordance with the folding of the cover. Since the digitizers have a thickness, the radius of curvature of the curve of the connecting line is relatively large at the bending portion.

SUMMARY

However, there is a case in which the above-described information input device is used in a state in which a report pad, for example, is mounted on only one of the digitizers. In this case, there is a possibility that the information input device is used in a state in which the cover is folded in a direction in which the back surfaces of the digitizers face each other. The radius of curvature of the curve at the bending portion of the connecting line is smaller than that when the cover is folded in the direction in which the detection surfaces face each other. Therefore, there is a possibility of breakage of the connecting line and disconnection etc. of a conductive path.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an information input device that can protect a connecting line regardless of a bending direction of a folding portion.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an information input device is capable of acquiring information that is input using a writing tool on a booklet-like recording medium in which a pair of cover sheets and a plurality of paper sheets that are stacked and arranged between the pair of cover sheets are bound at a part of respective edge portions thereof. And the information input device includes a first detection device, a second detection device, a coupling member, a connecting line, and a protective member. The first detection device has a first detection surface and a first circuit portion. And the first detection device is a plate-shaped body capable of detecting a position of the writing tool that approaches the first detection surface. The first detection device is capable of being arranged to face an entire surface of a first cover sheet of the pair of cover sheets. The second detection device has a second detection surface and a second circuit portion. The second detection device is a plate-shaped body capable of detecting a position of the writing tool that approaches the second detection surface. The second detection device is capable of being arranged to face an entire surface of a second cover sheet of the pair of cover sheets. The coupling member couples the first detection device and the second detection device. And the coupling member includes a fixing portion, a holding portion, and a folding portion. The fixing portion is arranged to face a first back surface and fixes the first detection device. The first back surface is a surface on an opposite side to the first detection surface of the first detection device. The holding portion is arranged to face a second back surface. And the holding portion holds the second detection device such that the second detection device is capable of moving in a direction in which the second detection device approaches the first detection device and in a direction in which the second detection device separates from the first detection device. The second back surface is a surface on an opposite side to the second detection surface of the second detection device. The folding portion couples the fixing portion and the holding portion. And the folding portion is capable of being folded in one direction and another direction. The one direction is a direction in which the first detection surface and the second detection surface face each other. The other direction is a direction in which the first back surface and the second back surface face each other. A connecting line includes a plurality of conductive paths formed on a flexible insulating film. And the connecting line electrically connects the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion. The connecting line includes a first connecting portion, an intermediate portion, and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion includes a first terminal portion that electrically connects to the first circuit portion. At least a part of the first connecting portion is disposed between the first back surface and the fixing portion. The intermediate portion connects to the first connecting portion. At least a part of the intermediate portion extends between the first detection device and the second detection device and is arranged to face the folding portion. The second connecting portion connects to the intermediate portion. And the second connecting portion includes a second terminal portion that electrically connects to the second circuit portion. At least a part of the second connecting portion is disposed between the second back surface and the holding portion. A protective member is a flexible sheet-like member and an end portion of the protective member is fixed to at least one of the fixing portion and the holding portion of the coupling member. The protective member has an arrangement portion whose length is longer than a length of the intermediate portion in a second direction. The second direction intersects a first direction in which the intermediate portion extends between the first detection device and the second detection device. The arrangement portion is disposed between the folding portion and the intermediate portion of the connecting line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to are used to explain technological features that can be adopted by the present disclosure. Device configurations etc. shown in the drawings are merely explanatory examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to only those examples.

In the explanation below, the upper side, the lower side, the upper left side, the lower right side, the lower left side and the upper right side ofFIG. 2are respectively defined as the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the lower side and the upper side of the information input device1. For explanatory convenience, the direction of an exterior cover4and a detection device2L that are structural elements of the information input device1is defined according to the direction of the information input device1, taking as a reference a state in which the information input device1is assembled. Similarly, for explanatory convenience, the direction of a notebook5that is mounted on the information input device1is defined according to the direction of the information input device1, taking as a reference a state in which the notebook5is mounted on the information input device1.FIG. 1shows a state in which the information input device1is in the process of being opened or closed.FIG. 2shows a state in which the information input device1is opened. However, inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the direction of the information input device1is defined taking, as a reference, the direction of a detection device2R that has been assembled to the exterior cover4.FIG. 6shows a state in which the information input device1is closed.FIG. 7shows a state in which the information input device1is folded in a reverse direction.

The information input device1according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 3. The information input device1shown inFIG. 1is a tablet-type handwriting input device that a user can carry around. The information input device1is provided in a state in which the two plate-shaped detection devices2L and2R are assembled to the exterior cover4. The exterior cover4is configured to be foldable such that, when the front side of the exterior cover4is in a two-page spread state, the exterior cover4can be folded into two in the left-right direction. The exterior cover4includes a left cover4L and a right cover4R. The detection device2L is disposed on the left cover4L and the detection device2R is disposed on the right cover4R. The user mounts a booklet-like recording medium, such as the notebook5, on the detection devices2L and2R, and writes information on the notebook5using an electronic pen6. The information input device1can read information written on the notebook5, using the detection devices2L and2R. The electronic pen6is a writing tool which can be used to write information (characters, symbols, graphics, numbers and the like) on the notebook5using ink, and which can be used to input the written information into the detection devices2L and2R. The electronic pen6of the present embodiment is internally provided with a variable-capacitance capacitor, a coil and the like (which are not shown in the drawings). They form a known resonance (tuned) circuit. The detection devices2L and2R can detect a position of the electronic pen6when the electronic pen6comes close to them, using a known electromagnetic induction method.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the detection devices2L and2R are configured such that the notebook5can be fixed to the front surfaces of the detection devices2L and2R. Specifically, the front surfaces of the detection devices2L and2R have concave positioning portions21L and21R, respectively. The positioning portions21L and21R perform positioning when a left front cover5L and a right front cover5R of the notebook5are fixed. The positioning portion21L has a step on each of the upper side, the left side and the lower side, and has no step on the right side. The steps provided on the upper side, the left side and the lower side of the positioning portion21L come into contact with edge portions on the upper side, the left side and the lower side of the left front cover5L of the notebook5, and thus determine the position of the notebook5with respect to the detection device2L. The positioning portion21L has a bonding portion22L (refer toFIG. 1) that is slightly adhesive, at a position in the vicinity of the right side inside the concave portion. The bonding portion22L bonds and fixes the left front cover5L of the notebook5to the positioning portion21L in a state in which the left front cover5L can be easily peeled off. The positioning portion21R has a step on each of the upper side, the right side and the lower side, and has no step on the left side. The steps provided on the upper side, the right side and the lower side of the positioning portion21R come into contact with edge portions on the upper side, the right side and the lower side of the right front cover5R of the notebook5, and thus determine the position of the notebook5with respect to the detection device2R. The positioning portion21R has a bonding portion22R (refer toFIG. 1) that is slightly adhesive, at a position in the vicinity of the left side inside the concave portion. The bonding portion22R bonds and fixes the right front cover5R of the notebook5to the positioning portion21R in a state in which the right front cover5R can be easily peeled off.

As shown inFIG. 3, in a state in which the exterior cover4is not folded, the exterior cover4is a rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the left-right direction. The exterior cover4includes the left cover4L, the right cover4R and a folding portion4C. The left cover4L holds the detection device2L. The right cover4R fixes the detection device2R. The folding portion4C couples the left cover4L and the right cover4R at the center in the left-right direction. The exterior cover4is made of a flexible material (such as artificial leather or nylon) that can be deformed in response to an external force. An insulating sheet (not shown in the drawings) is woven into each of the right cover4R and the left cover4L of the exterior cover4. Each of the sheets is arranged over substantially the entire surface of the right cover4R and the left cover4L. The sheets make it difficult for static electricity generated on the rear surface side of the exterior cover4to pass through the weave of the right cover4R and the left cover4L in the thickness direction and to reach the detection devices2L and2R.

The folding portion4C can be folded along an axis line AX (refer toFIG. 1) that extends in the up-down direction, such that the front surface of the folding portion4C is on the inner side. More specifically, when the folding portion4C is folded, the exterior cover4can be folded (refer toFIG. 6) in a direction (hereinafter also referred to as a “normal direction”) in which detection surfaces20L and20R of the detection devices2L and2R (the front surfaces in the positioning portions21L and21R) face each other, from a state in which the exterior cover4has not been folded. Further, the folding portion4C can also be folded along the axis line AX such that the rear surfaces in the positioning portions21L and21R are on the inner side. More specifically, when the folding portion4C is folded, the exterior cover4can also be folded (refer toFIG. 7) in a direction (hereinafter also referred to as a “reverse direction”) in which rear surfaces26L and26R (refer toFIG. 4) of the detection devices2L and2R face each other, from the state in which the exterior cover4has not been folded.

The right cover4R of the exterior cover4is provided with a fixing sheet41R to fix the detection device2R. The fixing sheet41R is a transparent soft polyvinyl chloride sheet, for example. The fixing sheet41R includes a mounting sheet46and a first protective sheet47. The mounting sheet46has a rectangular shape that is long in the up-down direction in a front view. The first protective sheet47has a rectangular shape and protrudes leftward from a portion of the left edge of the mounting sheet46. Three sides (i.e., the upper side, the right side and the lower side) of the mounting sheet46are respectively woven into edge portions45of the exterior cover4. Of the left side of the mounting sheet46, a section where the first protective sheet47is not provided is woven into the folding portion4C. With the above-described structure, the mounting sheet46is fixed to the exterior cover4. The first protective sheet47extends to the folding portion4C side. The first protective sheet47will be described in more detail later. For example, when a double-sided adhesive tape or the like is used to bond the rear surface26R (refer toFIG. 4) to the mounting sheet46, the detection device2R is fixed to the exterior cover4. The fixing sheet41R has an opening42at its central portion. The rear surface26R of the detection device2R has a battery mounting portion (not shown in the drawings). The battery mounting portion is arranged inside the opening42. The rear surface of the exterior cover4is provided with a pocket cover4P (refer toFIG. 6) that can be opened and closed using a surface fastener. By the user opening the pocket cover4P, the user can replace a battery (not shown in the drawings) without removing the detection device2R from the exterior cover4.

The left cover4L of the exterior cover4has a holding sheet41L that holds the detection device2L. The holding sheet41L is a transparent soft polyvinyl chloride sheet, for example. Three sides (i.e., the upper side, the left side and the lower side) of the holding sheet41L are respectively woven into the edge portions45of the exterior cover4, and the right side of the holding sheet41L is open. The detection device2L is inserted between the holding sheet41L and the front surface of the left cover4L from the right side of the holding sheet41L. The right side of the holding sheet41L is positioned to the left of the right edge of the left cover4L. The detection device2L is held by the holding sheet41L in a state in which a right end portion of the detection device2L protrudes to the right from the right side of the holding sheet41L. As will be described in detail later, the detection device2L is provided with a holder60on the rear surface26L side (refer toFIG. 4). The holder60is configured such that it can slide in the left-right direction with respect to a main body portion of the detection device2L. The left cover4L of the exterior cover4is provided with two eyelets43A and43B that fix the holder60. The eyelets43A and43B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Protruding portions67and68(refer toFIG. 5) respectively engage with the eyelets43A and43B, and the holder60is thus fixed to the left cover4L. When the holder60is fixed to the left cover4L, the detection device2L is held by the holding sheet41L in a state in which the detection device2L can slide in the left-right direction with respect to the left cover4L of the exterior cover4. A second protective sheet80, which has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a front view, is fixed to the holder60. The second protective sheet80is a transparent soft polyvinyl chloride sheet, for example. The second protective sheet80extends to the folding portion4C side. The second protective sheet80will be described in more detail later.

The exterior cover4is provided with a wide band-shaped body44on the front surface side of the folding portion4C. The band-shaped body44extends in the up-down direction and covers the folding portion4C. In a state in which the band-shaped body44is stretched in the up-down direction, the upper end and the lower end of the band-shaped body44are respectively woven into the upper and lower edge portions45of the exterior cover4. A gap is provided between the band-shaped body44and the front surface of the folding portion4C. As will be described in detail later, a harness50that connects the detection devices2L and2R, the first protective sheet47of the fixing sheet41R and the second protective sheet80are caused to pass through the gap between the band-shaped body44and the front surface of the folding portion4C, in a state in which they are overlaid in the front-rear direction. When the exterior cover4is in an open state, the band-shaped body44covers and hides the harness50, the first protective sheet47and the second protective sheet80. When the exterior cover4is folded in the normal direction, the band-shaped body44is positioned on the inner side of the curve and retains the harness50, the first protective sheet47and the second protective sheet80from the front. The band-shaped body44guides the bending direction so that the harness50, the first protective sheet47and the second protective sheet80curve around the axis line AX (refer toFIG. 1) along the front surface of the folding portion4C. When the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, the band-shaped body44is positioned on the outer side of the curve, and covers and hides the harness50, the first protective sheet47and the second protective sheet80. Further, the exterior cover4is provided with a band48that can retain the pocket cover4P in a closed state (and that can also be used as a bookmark), a holder49of the electronic pen6, and the like. Written materials etc. can be stored between the pocket cover4P and the exterior cover4.

Next, the structure of the detection devices2L and2R will be explained with reference toFIG. 3toFIG. 5. As described above, the detection devices2L and2R are devices that can detect a position of the electronic pen6when the electronic pen6comes close to them, using a known electromagnetic induction method. Each of the detection devices2L and2R has a rectangular shape that is long in the up-down direction in a front view, and is a box-shaped body that is thin in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIG. 4, the detection device2R is provided with a front housing8R and a rear housing9R. The front housing8R and the rear housing9R are resin plates that have a substantially rectangular shape and that are long in the up-down direction. The above-described positioning portion21R is provided on the front surface of the front housing8R. Detection of a position of the approaching electronic pen6by a digitizer board7R, which will be described later, is performed on the front surface side of the front housing8R. The front surface of the front housing8R in the positioning portion21R is the detection surface20R of the detection device2R of the present embodiment. When the front housing8R and the rear housing9R are combined, a box-shaped body having an internal storage space is formed. An opening portion98that penetrates in the front-rear direction is formed in the rear housing9R, below the center of the rear housing9R in the up-down direction and to the left of the center in the left-right direction. The harness50that connects to the digitizer board7R is caused to pass through the opening portion98. As will be described in detail later, a portion of the harness50is wired along the rear surface26R of the detection device2R.

The detection device2R houses the digitizer board7R, a control board71R and a main board10, between the front housing8R and the rear housing9R. The digitizer board7R is configured to detect a position of the approaching electronic pen6. The control board71R is configured to control a current that is caused to flow through the digitizer board7R. A CPU (not shown in the drawings) that performs overall control of the information input device1is installed on the main board10. The main board10is provided with a power source switch, light emitting elements, a communication portion etc., various switches and components such as connectors (not shown in the drawings). These components are housed in a housing portion79that is provided in an upper right end portion of the front housing8R. The CPU of the main board10can perform wireless or wired communication with an external device (not shown in the drawings), such as a PC, that is positioned in the vicinity of the information input device1. The main board10is electrically connected to the control board71R. The control board71R is provided integrally with the digitizer board7R, on a lower end portion of the rear surface of the digitizer board7R.

The digitizer board7R is a board on which many long and thin loop coils are arrayed in each of the X axis direction (specifically, the left-right direction) and the Y axis direction (specifically, the up-down direction). The control board71R generates a magnetic field by causing a current of a specific frequency (a sending current for excitation) to flow through each one of the loop coils. As a result, a resonance circuit of the electronic pen6that comes close to the digitizer board7R generates an induced magnetic field. A current (a signal current) flows through the loop coils due to the induced magnetic field. The control board71R detects the signal current that flows through the loop coils. Based on the signal current detected by the control board71R, the CPU of the main board10obtains position coordinates of the electronic pen6over time. The CPU generates stroke data that indicates a trajectory of the electronic pen6based on the position coordinates. The CPU outputs the stroke data to an external device (such as a PC) that is connected to the information input device1.

Similarly to the detection device2R, the detection device2L is provided with a front housing8L and a rear housing9L. The front housing8L and the rear housing9L are resin plates that have a substantially rectangular shape and that are long in the up-down direction. The above-described positioning portion21L is provided on the front surface of the front housing8L. Detection of a position of the approaching electronic pen6by a digitizer board7L, which will be described later, is performed on the front surface side of the front housing8L. The front surface of the front housing8L in the positioning portion21L is the detection surface20L of the detection device2L of the present embodiment. When the front housing8L and the rear housing9L are combined, a box-shaped body having an internal storage space is formed.

The detection device2L houses the digitizer board7L and a control board71L, between the front housing8L and the rear housing9L. The digitizer board7L is configured to detect a position of the approaching electronic pen6. The control board71L is configured to control a current that is caused to flow through the digitizer board7L. The control board71L is provided integrally with the digitizer board7L, on a lower end portion of the rear surface of the digitizer board7L. The digitizer board7L and the control board71L are configured in the same manner as the digitizer board7R and the control board71R of the detection device2R, and can detect a position of the approaching electronic pen6using a known electromagnetic induction method.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the control board71R and the control board71L are connected by the harness50. The harness50is a flexible board on which is formed a pattern that electrically connects the control board71R and the control board71L. More specifically, the harness50is a flexible insulating film on which a plurality of conductive paths are formed. A terminal portion51A on one end of the harness50is connected to the control board71R, and a terminal portion53A on the other end of the harness50is connected to the control board71L. As shown in FIG.5, a section of the harness50between the terminal portion51A and the terminal portion53A is wired in a state in which the section is folded over into two layers in the front-rear direction. The folded section of the harness50is provided with the holder60that protects the harness50. The harness50and the holder60will be described in more detail later.

As described above, the left cover4L (refer toFIG. 1) holds the detection device2L such that the detection device2L can slide in the left-right direction. The right cover4R (refer toFIG. 1) fixes the detection device2R. More specifically, in a state in which the exterior cover4is opened, the left cover4L holds the detection device2L such that the detection device2L can move in a direction in which it approaches and separates from the detection device2R. The harness50, which connects the control board71R and the control board71L, and the holder60are configured in the following manner so that the detection device2L is configured to be movable with respect to the detection device2R. As shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, an opening portion91that penetrates in the front-rear direction is formed in the rear housing9L, below the center of the rear housing9L in the up-down direction and to the right of the center in the left-right direction. The opening portion91has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. The front surface of the rear housing9L has a concave portion96that is formed around the opening portion91. The concave portion96is engaged with collar portions65of the holder60. The concave portion96supports the holder60such that the holder60can slide in the left-right direction.

The holder60includes a main body portion61and the two collar portions65. The main body portion61has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a front view, and has a box shape that is short in the front-rear direction. Walls are not formed on the front side and the right side of the main body portion61. The main body portion61is disposed inside the opening portion91of the rear housing9L. The holder60is restricted from moving in the up-down direction by the upper edge and the lower edge of the opening portion91. The holder60can move in the left-right direction by a difference in length between the main body portion61and the opening portion91.

The two collar portions65respectively protrude upward and downward from a front end portion of an upper side wall and a front end portion of a lower side wall. The collar portions65engage with the concave portion96of the rear housing9L. When the main body portion61of the holder60is disposed inside the opening portion91, the rear surfaces of the collar portions65come into contact with the front surface of the concave portion96, and the front surfaces of the collar portions65come into contact with the rear surface of the digitizer board7L. The holder60can slide in the left-right direction within a range from a position where the left end of the main body portion61comes into contact with a left edge portion of the opening portion91to a position where the right end of the main body portion61comes into contact with a right edge portion of the opening portion91.

A rear side wall of the main body portion61is provided with the two protruding portions67and68that protrude rearward in a cylindrical shape. The protruding portion67is provided on a left end portion of the rear side wall of the main body portion61. The protruding portion67engages with the eyelet43A (refer toFIG. 3) that is provided on the exterior cover4. The protruding portion68is provided on a right end portion of the rear side wall of the main body portion61. The protruding portion68engages with the eyelet43B. By engaging the protruding portions67and68with the eyelets43A and43B of the exterior cover4, the holder60supports the detection device2L on the exterior cover4by means of the collar portions65.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, the harness50includes a right-side connecting portion51, an intermediate portion52and a left-side connecting portion53. The right-side connecting portion51includes the terminal portion51A that is provided on one end of the harness50, and at least a part of the right-side connecting portion51is disposed between the rear surface26R of the detection device2R and the right cover4R. The terminal portion51A is inserted, from the left side, into a connector portion (not shown in the drawings) of the control board71R and is thus connected to the connector portion. The right-side connecting portion51bends in a stepped manner to the rear from a position on the left side of the terminal portion51A, passes through the opening portion98of the rear housing9R, and is exposed to the rear surface26R. The right-side connecting portion51bends upward from a position that is to the left of the opening portion98, and extends upward along the rear surface26R of the detection device2R. An end portion51C that is on an opposite side to the terminal portion51A is disposed in a position that is closer to the center than an end portion in the up-down direction of the detection device2R. Note that the portion that extends in the up-down direction along the rear surface26R between the terminal portion51A and the terminal portion51C is referred to as an extending portion51B.

The intermediate portion52is a portion that extends in the left-right direction between the detection device2R and the detection device2L. The intermediate portion52extends leftward from the end portion51C of the right-side connecting portion51, and connects to an end portion53C of the left-side connecting portion53. The intermediate portion52forms a connection between the detection device2R and the detection device2L, in a position that is closer to the center than the end portions in the up-down direction of the detection devices2L and2R, and extends toward the holder60.

The left-side connecting portion53includes the terminal portion53A that is provided on the other end of the harness50, and at least a part of the left-side connecting portion53is disposed between the rear surface26L of the detection device2L and the left cover4L. The terminal portion53A is inserted, from the right side, into a connector portion (not shown in the drawings) of the control board71L and is thus connected to the connector portion. Inside the detection device2L, the left-side connecting portion53bends upward from a position that is to the right of the terminal portion53A, and extends upward toward a position that is closer to the center than the end portion in the up-down direction of the detection device2L. The left-side connecting portion53bends to the left from a position that is close to the center in the up-down direction of the detection device2L, and extends into the opening portion91. The left-side connecting portion53bends to the rear and is folded back at 180 degrees with respect to an axis that extends in the up-down direction inside the main body portion61of the holder60disposed in the opening portion91, and extends to the right. Of the left-side connecting portion53, the portion that is folded back at 180 degrees with respect to the axis extending in the up-down direction is referred to as a bending portion53B. In a state in which the bending portion53B is maintained in an arc shape, the left-side connecting portion53is folded over in two layers in the front-rear direction and is disposed inside the holder60. The bending portion53B is a portion that deforms, similarly to an endless track (crawler track) belt, in accordance with movement of the holder60in the left-right direction. Inside the holder60, the layer on the rear side of the left-side connecting portion53extends to the right from the bending portion53B, and bends in a stepped manner to the rear from a position where the left-side connecting portion53is exposed to the right from the holder60. The end portion53C that is on an opposite side to the terminal portion53A is disposed between the rear surface26L of the detection device2L and the left cover4L. The end portion53C of the left-side connecting portion53is connected to the intermediate portion52.

As shown inFIG. 3, the intermediate portion52of the harness50is wired such that it is caused to pass between the band-shaped body44and the front surface of the folding portion4C of the exterior cover4. When the exterior cover4is folded in the normal direction or the reverse direction, a portion of the intermediate portion52of the harness50that bends in accordance with the bending of the folding portion4C is referred to as a bending portion52A. As described above, the first protective sheet47that is a section of the fixing sheet41R extends to the left from the left edge of the mounting sheet46, more specifically, a position on the lower end side with respect to the center in the up-down direction of the left edge, and is caused to pass between the band-shaped body44and the front surface of the folding portion4C. The first protective sheet47has a first arrangement portion47A that is disposed between the front surface of the folding portion4C and the bending portion52A. More specifically, the first arrangement portion47A is disposed on the rear side of the harness50.

The intermediate portion52is disposed on the front side of the first arrangement portion47A and inside the first arrangement portion47A in the up-down direction. The first arrangement portion47A of the first protective sheet47is configured such that a length L2in the up-down direction of the first arrangement portion47A is longer than a length L1in the up-down direction of the intermediate portion52of the harness50. The length L2in the up-down direction of the first arrangement portion47A is at least 20 mm longer than the length L1in the up-down direction of the intermediate portion52. In more detail, lengths L3and L4between both the end portions in the up-down direction of the first arrangement portion47A and both the end portions in the up-down direction of the intermediate portion52are each set to be a length of 10 mm or more. When static electricity is generated on the rear surface side of the exterior cover4, the static electricity passes through the weave of the folding portion4C in the thickness direction, moves along the front surface of the first arrangement portion47A, and reaches the intermediate portion52. With the above-described structure, the first arrangement portion47A can secure a creepage distance of at least 10 mm, through which the static electricity moves to the intermediate portion52. Further, when static electricity is generated on the rear side of the intermediate portion52, the first arrangement portion47A can secure a creepage distance of 10 mm or more up to the end portion along the rear surface of the first arrangement portion47A, and further secure a creepage distance of 10 mm or more until the static electricity reaches the intermediate portion52from the end portion along the front surface of the first arrangement portion47A.

Further, the extending portion51B of the right-side connecting portion51of the harness50is disposed on the front side of the first arrangement portion47A and inside the first arrangement portion47A in the up-down direction, and is exposed to the rear surface26R of the detection device2R. When a twist in a direction different from the left-right direction is generated in the harness50when the exterior cover4is opened or closed, it is possible that the extending portion51B of the harness50may protrude to the folding portion4C side, where the insulating sheet is not provided. The first arrangement portion47A is configured such that the length L2in the up-down direction is longer than a length L5by which the extending portion51B extends in the up-down direction. The length L2in the up-down direction of the first arrangement portion47A is at least 20 mm longer than the length L5in the up-down direction of the extending portion51B. More specifically, the length L3and a length L7are each set to be a length of 10 mm or more. The length L3is a length between an upper end portion of the first arrangement portion47A and an upper end portion of the extending portion51B. The length L7is a length between a lower end portion of the first arrangement portion47A and a lower end portion of the extending portion51B. Therefore, until the static electricity that has passed through the weave of the folding portion4C in the thickness direction reaches the extending portion51B, it is possible to secure a creepage distance of at least 10 mm through which the static electricity moves along the front surface of the first arrangement portion47A. Further, even when the extending portion51B protrudes to the folding portion4C side, it is possible to maintain a state in which the first arrangement portion47A is disposed between the extending portion51B and the folding portion4C.

As described above, the second protective sheet80is fixed to the holder60. The second protective sheet80extends to the right from the position of the holder60, and is caused to pass between the band-shaped body44and the front surface of the folding portion4C. The second protective sheet80has a second arrangement portion80A that is disposed between the front surface of the folding portion4C and the bending portion52A. More specifically, the second arrangement portion80A is disposed to the rear of the harness50. Further, the second protective sheet80is disposed on the front side of the first protective sheet47. More specifically, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are disposed to be overlapped with each other in the front-rear direction, between the front surface of the folding portion4C and the bending portion52A.

The intermediate portion52is disposed on the front side of the second arrangement portion80A and inside the second arrangement portion80A in the up-down direction. The second arrangement portion80A is configured such that a length L8in the up-down direction of the second arrangement portion80A is longer than the length L1in the up-down direction of the intermediate portion52. The length L8in the up-down direction of the second arrangement portion80A is at least 20 mm longer than the length L1in the up-down direction of the intermediate portion52. In more detail, lengths L9and L10are each set to be a length of 10 mm or more. The length L9is a length between an upper end portion of the second arrangement portion80A and an upper end portion of the intermediate portion52. The length L10is a length between a lower end portion of the second arrangement portion80A and a lower end portion of the intermediate portion52. When static electricity is generated on the rear surface side of the exterior cover4, the static electricity passes through the weave of the folding portion4C in the thickness direction, moves along the front surface of the second arrangement portion80A, and reaches the intermediate portion52. With the above-described structure, the second arrangement portion80A can secure a creepage distance of at least 10 mm, through which the static electricity moves to the intermediate portion52. Further, when static electricity is generated on the rear side of the intermediate portion52, the second arrangement portion80A can secure a creepage distance of 10 mm or more up to the end portion along the rear surface of the second arrangement portion80A, and further secure a creepage distance of 10 mm or more until the static electricity reaches the intermediate portion52from the end portion along the front surface of the second arrangement portion80A.

Next, the state of the harness50when the exterior cover4is folded will be explained with reference toFIG. 6andFIG. 7. As shown inFIG. 6, when the information input device1is folded in the normal direction, the exterior cover4is folded in a state in which the detection device2L and the detection device2R are sandwiched between the left cover4L and the right cover4R. Due to the thickness of the detection devices2L and2R, the distance between the left cover4L and the right cover4R is increased in the front-rear direction. As a result, the folding portion4C forms a gentle arc around the axis line AX and is folded and bent at 180 degrees. The first arrangement portion47A of the first protective sheet47and the second arrangement portion80A of the second protective sheet80are positioned on the inner surface side of the folding portion4C. The second arrangement portion80A is positioned on the inner surface side with respect to the first arrangement portion47A. Along the inner surface of the folding portion4C (namely, the front surface when the exterior cover4is opened), the first arrangement portion47A is folded and bent at180degrees with a radius of curvature R2that is smaller than a radius of curvature R1of the curve of the folding portion4C. Along the inner surface of the first arrangement portion47A, the second arrangement portion80A is folded and bent at 180 degrees with a radius of curvature R3that is smaller than the radius of curvature R2of the curve of the first arrangement portion47A. Therefore, the overlapped state of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A is maintained. The area of an overlapped part of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A is larger than that before the exterior cover4is folded.

The bending portion52A of the intermediate portion52of the harness50is disposed on the inner surface side of the folding portion4C. The first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are arranged between the bending portion52A and the folding portion4C. Therefore, along the inner surface of the second arrangement portion80A, the bending portion52A is folded and bent at 180 degrees around the axis line AX, with a radius of curvature R4that is smaller than the radius of curvature R3of the curve of the second arrangement portion80A. The first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are arranged along the front surface of the folding portion4C that bends with the relatively gentle radius of curvature R1. Therefore, although the radius of curvature R4of the bending portion52A is smaller than the radius of curvature R1of the folding portion4C, the bending portion52A shows a relatively gentle bending. Therefore, when the exterior cover4is folded in the normal direction, a bending load is unlikely to be applied to the bending portion52A, and it is possible to inhibit breakage, disconnection and the like of the harness50.

As shown inFIG. 1, there is a case in which, for example, a report pad3is mounted on the information input device1. The report pad3is a recording medium in which a plurality of rectangular paper sheets are stacked together and one of the short sides is bound. The report pad3is mounted on the detection device2R such that a back cover3B is bonded and fixed, for example, to the positioning portion21R of the detection device2R using the bonding portion22R.

The information input device1on which the report pad3has been mounted may be used by being folded in the reverse direction. As shown inFIG. 7, the exterior cover4is folded such that the rear surface of the left cover4L and the rear surface of the right cover4R face each other in a state in which the detection device2L and the detection device2R are respectively arranged on the outer sides. When the information input device1is folded in the reverse direction, the distance between the left cover4L and the right cover4R is short in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the folding portion4C is folded back and bent at 180 degrees around the axis line AX, with a radius of curvature R5that is smaller than the radius of curvature R1(refer toFIG. 6) when the exterior cover4is folded in the normal direction. The first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are positioned on the outer surface side of the folding portion4C. The second arrangement portion80A is positioned on the outer surface side of the first arrangement portion47A. Along the outer surface of the folding portion4C (namely, the rear surface when the exterior cover4is opened), the first arrangement portion47A is curved with a radius of curvature R6that is larger than the radius of curvature R5of the curve of the folding portion4C. Along the outer surface of the first arrangement portion47A, the second arrangement portion80A is curved with a radius of curvature R7that is larger than the radius of curvature R6of the curve of the first arrangement portion47A. Although the area of the overlapped part of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A becomes smaller than that before the exterior cover4is folded, the overlapped state of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A is maintained.

The bending portion52A is disposed on the outer surface side of the folding portion4C. The first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are disposed between the bending portion52A and the folding portion4C. Therefore, along the outer surface of the second arrangement portion80A, the bending portion52A is folded back and bent at 180 degrees around the axis line AX. More specifically, the bending portion52A is curved in a state in which it is supported by the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A from the inner side. As described above, the first arrangement portion47A is curved with the radius of curvature R6that is larger than the radius of curvature R5of the folding portion4C. The second arrangement portion80A is curved with the radius of curvature R7that is larger than the radius of curvature R6of the first arrangement portion47A. Therefore, a radius of curvature R8of the bending portion52A is larger than the radius of curvature R5of the folding portion4C, the radius of curvature R6of the first arrangement portion47A and the radius of curvature R7of the second arrangement portion80A. In comparison to a case in which the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are not provided, the bending portion52A can secure the larger radius of curvature R8. Therefore, even when the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, a bending load is unlikely to be applied to the bending portion52A, and it is possible to inhibit breakage, disconnection and the like of the harness50. Further, when the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, the band-shaped body44is disposed on the outer surface side of the harness50. Therefore, the harness50is covered and hidden by the band-shaped body44and is not exposed to the outside. Thus, the harness50is protected from breakage and the like due to contact with a foreign material.

Further, when the information input device1is used while being folded in the reverse direction, there is a case in which, for example, a pressing force is applied to the vicinity of the bending portion52A in the front-rear direction from the outside. In this case, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A that support the bending portion52A from the inner surface side bend in the front-rear direction. However, the thickness direction of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A intersects the front-rear direction at a substantially central portion of the fold. As a result of this, at the substantially central portion of the fold, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are unlikely to bend even when a pressing force from the outside is applied in the front-rear direction. In other words, at the substantially central portion of the fold, it is easy for the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A to maintain the radius of curvature R8of the bending portion52A. Therefore, even when the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction and the vicinity of the bending portion52A is pressed in the front-rear direction, a bending load is unlikely to be applied to the bending portion52A, and it is possible to inhibit breakage, disconnection and the like of the harness50.

As explained above, when the folding portion4C of the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, at least one of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A disposed between the intermediate portion52of the harness50and the folding portion4C supports the harness50on the curved inner surface side. Therefore, the first arrangement portion47A or the second arrangement portion80A can increase the radius of curvature R8of the curve of the harness50, in comparison to the case in which the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are not provided. It is thus possible to protect the harness50from breakage, disconnection of a conductive path and the like.

Further, by extending the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A respectively from the right cover4R side and the left cover4L side, even when the positional relationship between the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A changes in accordance with the bending of the folding portion4C, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can maintain the state in which they are disposed between the intermediate portion52and the folding portion4C. When the folding portion4C of the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, at least one of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A is disposed between the bending portion52A of the harness50and the folding portion4C, and supports the harness50on the curved inner surface side. Therefore, at least one of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can increase the radius of curvature R8of the curve at the bending portion52A of the harness50, in comparison to the case in which the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are not provided. It is thus possible to protect the harness50from breakage, disconnection of a conductive path and the like.

Further, regardless of the bending direction of the folding portion4C, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are disposed such that they are overlapped between the bending portion52A and the folding portion4C. In other words, even when the positional relationship between the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A changes in accordance with the bending of the folding portion4C, it is possible to maintain the state in which the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are overlapped between the bending portion52A and the folding portion4C. As a result, when the folding portion4C of the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can doubly support the harness50on the curved inner surface side. Therefore, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can increase the radius of curvature R8of the curve at the bending portion52A of the harness50, in comparison to the case in which the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are not provided. It is thus possible to protect the harness50from breakage, disconnection of a conductive path and the like.

When a twist is generated between the right cover4R and the left cover4L with the folding portion4C being interposed therebetween, there is a possibility that the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A become misaligned in the up-down direction. One of the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A is longer than the other in the up-down direction. Therefore, even when a twist is generated, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are maintained such that they are overlapped with each other between the folding portion4C and the bending portion52A of the harness50, and a gap is not generated in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the folding portion4C of the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can doubly support the harness50on the curved inner surface side. Therefore, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can increase the radius of curvature R8of the curve at the bending portion52A of the harness50, in comparison to the case in which the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A are not provided. It is thus possible to protect the harness50from breakage, disconnection of a conductive path and the like.

Further, the first arrangement portion47A of the first protective sheet47is longer than the extending portion51B of the harness50in the up-down direction. Therefore, even when a twist is generated between the right cover4R and the left cover4L with the folding portion4C being interposed therebetween and the extending portion51B protrudes to the folding portion4C side, the first arrangement portion47A can be disposed between the extending portion51B and the folding portion4C. Therefore, when the folding portion4C of the exterior cover4is folded in the reverse direction, the first arrangement portion47A can support the extending portion51B on the curved inner surface side, and it is possible to protect the extending portion51B from breakage, disconnection of a conductive path and the like.

Further, on a path through which static electricity entering from the outside of the exterior cover4into the inside through the folding portion4C moves toward the harness50, the first arrangement portion47A and the second arrangement portion80A can secure a creepage distance that diverts the static electricity. It is thus possible to protect the harness50from the static electricity.

Further, by providing the first protective sheet47as a part of the fixing sheet41R, it is possible to reduce the number of components and it is possible to easily assemble the information input device1. Further, the first protective sheet47can be reliably fixed to the right cover4R.

When a twist is generated between the right cover4R and the left cover4L with the folding portion4C being interposed therebetween, there is a possibility that the intermediate portion52of the harness50is misaligned with respect to the folding portion4C. In this case, the left-side connecting portion53that connects to the intermediate portion52and the holder60that covers the left-side connecting portion53move in accordance with the misalignment of the intermediate portion52. Therefore, the second protective sheet80moves in accordance with the misalignment of the intermediate portion52, together with the holder60. Thus, even when the intermediate portion52is misaligned with respect to the folding portion4C, it is possible to maintain the state in which the second arrangement portion80A is disposed between the intermediate portion52and the folding portion4C, and it is possible to protect the harness50from breakage, disconnection of a conductive path and the like.

Further, when the folding portion4C is folded in the reverse direction, the band-shaped body44can cover and hide the harness50. When the folding portion4C is folded in the normal direction, the band-shaped body44can retain the harness50such that the harness50can bend along the curved inner surface of the folding portion4C, and can guide the bending direction.

Various modifications are possible to the above-described embodiment. The detection devices2L and2R detect the position of the electronic pen6using a known electromagnetic induction method. However, a resistive membrane method (a so-called pressure sensitive method), an electric capacitance method or another method may be used to detect the approach or contact of a detection target with the detection devices2L and2R. The size, format and material etc. of the notebook5and the report pad3are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment. The method for mounting the notebook5and the report pad3on the detection devices2L and2R is not limited to the method exemplified in the above-described embodiment.

The above-described embodiment shows an example in which the first protective sheet47is a section of the fixing sheet41R and is formed integrally with the mounting sheet46. The first protective sheet47may be a separate body from the mounting sheet46. Further, it is sufficient if the length L2in the up-down direction of the first protective sheet47is at least longer than the length L1in the up-down direction of the intermediate portion52of the harness50. For example, the length L2in the up-down direction of the first protective sheet47may be shorter than the length L5in the up-down direction of the extending portion51B. One of the first protective sheet47and the second protective sheet80may be provided on the exterior cover4. The first arrangement portion47A of the first protective sheet47is disposed to the rear of the second arrangement portion80A of the second protective sheet80, that is the first arrangement portion47A is disposed on the folding portion4C side. However, it may be disposed to the front of the second arrangement portion80A. In other words, the first arrangement portion47A may be disposed on the band-shaped body44side.

The first protective sheet47and the second protective sheet80are not limited to a transparent soft polyvinyl chloride sheet, and it is sufficient if they are formed of a flexible material.