Wearable electronic device

A wearable electronic device includes: a terminal main body part configured to execute predetermined processing; a first button for performing an operation input to the terminal main body part; and a wearable member configured to support the terminal main body part and the first button, and capable of being worn on a finger of a wearer. The first button is arranged on the wearable member such that, when the wearable member is worn, the first button is positioned on a nail side around a thumb of the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-211347 filed on Nov. 9, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wearable electronic device.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, as an example of a reading device configured to optically read information, a miniaturized handy scanner device is known (for example, JP-A-2012-238224).

In the invention disclosed in JP-A-2012-238224, the handy scanner device is worn on a wrist of one hand by means of a wristband or the like, and an operation input is performed by pressing an operation key provided on the device with a finger of the other hand. For this reason, for example, in a case in which the other hand is blocked by baggage and the like, it is not possible to sufficiently press the operation key, and thereby it is difficult to perform the operation input.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A wearable electronic device related to the present disclosure includes: a terminal main body part configured to execute predetermined processing; a first button for performing an operation input to the terminal main body part; and a wearable member configured to support the terminal main body part and the first button, and capable of being worn on a finger of a wearer. The first button is arranged on the wearable member such that, when the wearable member is worn, the first button is positioned on a nail side around a thumb of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view depicting an entire configuration of a wearable electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, showing a wearable member. A wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment is used with being worn on an arm part101of a wearer (also referred to as a user or an operator). The wearable electronic device1includes a scanner2functioning as an optical reader configured to read information, a flexible wearable member3having a tube-shaped part formed on a tip end and configured to support the scanner2, a power supply button7functioning as a first button, and a scanner trigger6functioning as a second button.

Also, the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment includes a display panel11provided on the wearable member3and functioning as a flat plate-shaped display unit having an input key button12. Also, the wearable electronic device1includes an electronic circuit board13(refer toFIG. 2) accommodated in the wearable member3and functioning as a terminal main body part, and a battery15. The electronic circuit board13has a control unit (CPU) embedded therein.

As shown inFIG. 2, the wearable electronic device1has wirings17to21. The wiring17interconnects the display panel11and the electronic circuit board13. The wiring18interconnects the battery15and the electronic circuit board13. The wiring19interconnects the scanner2and the electronic circuit board13. The wiring20interconnects the scanner trigger6and the electronic circuit board13. The wiring21interconnects the power supply button7and the electronic circuit board13.

The scanner2is configured to scan and decode a barcode or two-dimensional code printed on a label bonded on an article (baggage, manufactured product, commercial product and the like). The wearable electronic device1is configured to read the two-dimensional code scanned by the scanner2, and to transmit the scanned information to a host computer and the like via a communication unit (not shown).

The wearable member3has flexibility so as not to hinder an operation of the arm part101of the wearer.

In the exemplary embodiment, the wearable member3is worn from the arm part101of the wearer to a finger of a hand, and is configured by fabric that is used for clothes, for example.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and the wearable member3may be partially or entirely configured by a sheet-shaped member formed of non-woven fabric, synthetic leather, rubber or the like. For the wearable member3, a material having durability, aeration property, waterproof property and the like is selected depending on uses of the scanner2.

The wearable member3is a component that is to be worn on the arm part101of the wearer and enables the scanner2to be positioned on the back of the hand of the wearer. As shown inFIG. 2, the wearable member3has a hand part1hconfigured to cover mainly a part of the hand and finger of the wearer, and a front arm part1aconfigured to cover an elbow side, i.e., a front arm.

As shown inFIG. 1, the hand part1his formed with an index finger insertion tube part31(index finger engagement part) in which an index finger102is to be inserted and which has a tube-shaped wide portion formed at a tip end thereof. Also, the hand part1his formed with a thumb insertion tube part32(thumb engagement part) in which a thumb103is to be inserted and which has a tube-shaped wide portion formed at a tip end thereof.

Also, the thumb insertion tube part32has such an open shape that a part corresponding to a nail103aof the thumb103of the wearer is opened when wearing the wearable member3. That is, the thumb insertion tube part32has an oven shape of covering up to a half of the distal phalange of the thumb103of the wearer when wearing the wearable member3.

As shown inFIG. 2, the scanner2is connected to the scanner trigger6via the electronic circuit board13. The scanner trigger6has a circular flat shape, and is arranged on a side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31.

In a state in which the scanner trigger6is not pressed, the scanner2does not read the two-dimensional barcode or the like. Also, in a state in which the scanner trigger6is pressed, the two-dimensional barcode or the like is read by the scanner2. Like this, the scanner trigger6is provided so as to control the reading operation of the scanner2.

When wearing the wearable member3on a hand of the wearer, the index finger102of the wearer is inserted in the index finger insertion tube part31. At this time, as shown inFIG. 1, the scanner trigger6is arranged on a thumb103-side side surface (side surface102a) on the proximal phalange (between the second joint and the third joint) of the index finger102.

Like this, when the wearable member3is worn, the scanner trigger6is arranged on the thumb103-side on the proximal phalange of the index finger102of the wearer. Thereby, the wearer of the wearable member3can operate the scanner trigger6by a simple operation of just pressing the ball of the thumb103against the side surface102aof the index finger102.

Also, with the above configuration, for example, even when carrying predetermined baggage with wearing the wearable member3while supporting the same with both palms, the baggage does not interfere with the scanner trigger6, and thereby there is no risk of erroneous operation.

Returning toFIG. 2, the power supply button7functioning as a first button for turning on and off a power supply of the terminal main body part has a circular flat shape, and is arranged on an upper surface32aside of the thumb insertion tube part32of the wearable member3.

The power supply button7is connected to the scanner2via the electronic circuit board13. When the power supply button7is pressed, it is possible to switch on and off states of the terminal main body part, thereby selecting a standby state (ON state) in which a reading operation can be performed by operating the scanner trigger6and a stop state (OFF state) in which the reading operation cannot be performed.

When the wearable member3is worn on the hand of the wearer, the thumb103of the wearer is inserted in the thumb insertion tube part32. At this time, as shown inFIG. 1, the power supply button7is arranged on the nail103a-side on the distal phalange (the further fingertip than the first joint) of the thumb103.

By the above configuration, the wearer of the wearable member3can operate the power supply button7with the ball of the index finger102by a simple operation of lightly bending the second joint and the third joint of the index finger102while lightly bending the first joint and the second joint of the thumb103.

Also, even when carrying predetermined baggage with wearing the wearable member3while supporting the same with both palms, the baggage does not interfere with the power supply button7, and thereby there is no risk of erroneous operation.

Also, surface fasteners (hooks)23aand23band surface fasteners (loops)24aand24bconfigured to detachably engage with each other with the wearable member3being wound around the arm are sewn to front and back surfaces of the wearable member3, respectively.

Subsequently, operations are described when wearing the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, the wearer winds the wearable member3of the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment around the arm part101and then engages the surface fasteners (hooks)23aand23bwith the surface fasteners (loops)24aand24b.

At this time, when the wearer inserts the index finger102into the index finger insertion tube part31, the index finger insertion tube part31is worn to cover an outer peripheral surface of the index finger102. When the wearer inserts the thumb103into the thumb insertion tube part32, the thumb insertion tube part32is worn to cover an outer peripheral surface of the thumb103.

Thereby, when the wearable member3is worn, as shown inFIG. 1, the scanner trigger6arranged on the side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31of the wearable member3is arranged on the thumb103-side side surface (side surface102a) on the proximal phalange (between the second joint and the third joint) of the index finger102of the wearer.

Also, when the wearable member3is worn, as shown inFIG. 1, the power supply button7arranged on the upper surface32aof the thumb insertion tube part32of the wearable member3is arranged on the nail103aside on the distal phalange (the further fingertip than the first joint) of the thumb103of the wearer. The scanner2is arranged to be positioned on the back of the hand of the wearer.

Also, when the wearable member3of the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment is wound and worn on the arm part101, a position of the wearable member3around the arm part101is defined by the index finger insertion tube part31and the thumb insertion tube part32. For this reason, when taking a posture in which an operation is performed with positioning the arm part101in front of the body, the display panel11and the input key button12are arranged slightly inward on an upper surface of the arm part101and thereby they can be easily operated with facing toward a face of the wearer.

As shown inFIG. 3, when carrying the baggage200with supporting the same with both palms, the wearer of the wearable electronic device1supports the baggage200with contacting the balls of the fingers to the baggage.

Also in this case, the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7are arranged on the side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31and the nail-side upper surface32aof the thumb insertion tube part32, and are not provided on parts, which correspond to the balls of the fingers, of the index finger insertion tube part31and the thumb insertion tube part32.

For this reason, the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7are difficult to interfere with the baggage200, and thereby there is no risk of erroneous operations of the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7.

Also, the display panel11and the input key button12are provided in positions corresponding to a side surface of the arm part101. For this reason, there is little possibility that the display panel11and the input key button12will contact the baggage200and other articles, and thereby an operation can be easily performed.

FIG. 4is a perspective view depicting the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment, showing an aspect of reading a barcode201.FIG. 5is a perspective view depicting the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment, showing an aspect of operating a scanner trigger6. When the power supply button7is pressed to turn on the terminal main body part, the wearable electronic device1displays information for urging a next operation on the display panel11, as shown inFIG. 6. Herein, a message “Please scan the barcode” is displayed. Also, herein, auxiliary information for a reading operation, such as a palette number, a quantity of articles to be read, an operator's name and the like, is displayed.

In the meantime, a configuration is also possible in which when the input key button12provided on the display panel11is pushed long, the terminal main body part is turned on.

When reading the barcode201bonded on the baggage200, the wearer can press the scanner trigger6arranged on the side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31by using the ball of the thumb103even while the spot light is being emitted to the barcode201from the scanner2. At this time, a shaking amount of an optical axis of the scanner2arranged on the back of the hand can be suppressed small. Like this, the wearable electronic device1can change whether or not to read the information of the barcode201and the like by operating the scanner trigger6with a small amount of movement of the finger.

When the reading is completed, the article information is displayed in a predetermined format on the display panel11, as shown inFIG. 7. Herein, a message “completed reading the barcode” is displayed. Also, herein, a read code, an accession number, an article name and a quantity are displayed, and the simple article information about the read article is displayed.

The wearable electronic device1stores the information in a storage, and may also transmit the information from the communication unit (not shown) to a host computer.

Also, as shown inFIG. 8, in a state in which the joint of the thumb103is bent, the wearer brings the index finger102close to the upper surface32aon the nail side of the thumb103, and presses the power supply button7arranged on the upper surface32aof the thumb insertion tube part32by using the ball part of the index finger102. Thereby, it is possible to operate the power supply button7with a small amount of movement of the finger.

Subsequently, operations of the wearable electronic device1of the exemplary embodiment are described in accordance with a reading operation sequence by the scanner2.

As shown inFIG. 1, in a state in which the scanner trigger6is not pressed, the scanner2does not read the two-dimensional barcode and the like. Also, in a state in which the power supply button7is not turned on, the reading is not performed even when the scanner trigger6is pressed.

For this reason, even if the scanner trigger6or the power supply button7is pressed due to an erroneous operation, the reading is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a risk that the reading will start due to the erroneous operation.

When performing the reading, the power supply button7is first pressed to turn on the terminal main body part, as shown inFIG. 8.

When the power supply of the terminal main body part is turned on, the display panel11displays a date and current time, a remaining battery level of the battery15, a communication state of wireless LAN, a message and the like, based on signals from the control unit of the electronic circuit board13, and is in the standby state.

Then, as shown inFIG. 4, the scanner trigger6is pressed while arranging the scanner2such that the spot light is to be emitted to the barcode201, which is a reading target bonded on the baggage200, and thereby the standby state is released. Thereby, in a state in which the scanner trigger6is pressed, the two-dimensional barcode and the like can be read by the scanner2.

That is, in a case in which the device main body part is in the on state and an operation on the scanner trigger6is effective, a signal resulting from the pressing on the scanner trigger6is input to the control unit of the electronic circuit board13.

Thereby, the control unit feeds power from the battery15to the scanner2, thereby emitting the spot light. Also, at this time, the display panel11may display that the scanner2is under imaging (scanning).

In a case in which an image202having a specific element such as a barcode is present in an irradiation region of the spot light emitted from the scanner2, an electric signal of the read information is output from the scanner2to the control unit of the electronic circuit board13, and then the control unit turns off the spot light of the scanner2and is again in the standby state.

In the meantime, the device main body part may have configurations in which the scanner2can perform the imaging only while the scanner trigger6is pressed, in which a continuous imaging state and the standby state are alternately switched by a single pressing operation on the scanner trigger6, and in which any one of the configurations can be selected by a mode change with an operation on the input key button12.

Also, while performing the reading, the scanner2is positioned on the back of the hand on which the scanner is difficult to move by movement of the index finger102or the thumb103upon the pressing on the scanner trigger6. For this reason, even when the scanner trigger6is operated, hand shake does not occur back and forth and around.

Therefore, it is possible to increase reading accuracy of the scanner2, thereby improving the efficiency.

The information read by the scanner2is input to the control unit, as an electric signal. The control unit processes the electric signal input from the scanner2, thereby generating the article information. The control unit displays the article information in a predetermined format on the display panel11, as shown inFIG. 7. Also, the article information may be stored in the storage or may be transmitted from the communication unit (not shown) to the host computer.

As shown inFIG. 8, after the reading operation is completed, when the power supply button7is pressed to transmit a signal to the electronic circuit board13, the control unit switches the terminal main body part from the standby state (ON state) to the stop state (OFF state) in which the reading operation cannot be performed. Thereby, the operation of the wearable electronic device1is stopped.

The auxiliary information and article information displayed on the display panel11of the exemplary embodiment can be easily read and the operability can be thus improved because the display panel11is arranged slightly inward on the upper surface of the arm part101, on which the display panel faces toward the face of the wearer and can be easily operated.

Also, since the scanner trigger6is arranged on the side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31of the wearable member3positioned on the proximal phalange of the index finger102and has a circular flat shape, it can be easily pressed simply by slightly bending the thumb103.

Also, since the power supply button7is arranged on the upper surface32aof the thumb insertion tube part32of the wearable member3positioned on the nail103aside on the distal phalange of the thumb103and has a circular flat shape, it can be easily pressed by a simple operation of lightly bending the second joint and the third joint of the index finger102.

Since the wearable member3is configured by fabric, it is easily bent. For this reason, upon the input, the operability is not deteriorated.

Also, the wearable member3is wound around the arm part101and the surface fasteners (hooks)23aand23band the surface fasteners (loops)24aand24bare engaged with each other, and thereby the wearable member is worn. For this reason, it is possible to adjust an amount of the winding in conformity to a thickness of the arm part101of the wearer, and thereby it is possible to secure the favorable adaptation to wearers having different physiques.

Also, the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7have small dimensions in height direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the display panel11is arranged on the same wearable member3, together with the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7.

When the wearer wears the wearable member3from the arm part101to the fingers, the scanner trigger6is arranged on the side surface of the proximal phalange of the index finger102and the power supply button7is arranged on the nail103a-side on the distal phalange of the thumb103. Also, the display panel11is arranged slightly inward on the upper surface of the arm part101. The display panel11has a flat plate shape, is thin and has a small dimension in height direction.

For this reason, even when supporting and carrying the baggage200, the scanner trigger6, the power supply button7and the display panel11are difficult to interfere with the baggage200and other article, as compared to other devices having large outer diameter dimension and dimension in height direction, such as a scanner device having a ring shape and to be fitted on a finger and a display device to be worn on a wrist.

Therefore, it is possible to provide the wearable electronic device1capable of performing the operation input easily and appropriately, and having favorable operability.

The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiment, and can be diversely changed and modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the exemplary embodiment has been described in detail so as to easily understand the gist of the present disclosure. For this reason, the present disclosure is not limited as having all the constitutional elements described above. Also, the present disclosure may add the other constitutional element to any constitutional element or change some constitutional elements into other constitutional elements. Also, the present disclosure may omit some constitutional elements.

In the exemplary embodiment, the power supply button7is arranged on the nail103a-side on the distal phalange (the further fingertip than the first joint) of the thumb103when the wearable member3is worn on the hand of the wearer. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power supply button7may be arranged on the nail103a-side on the proximal phalange (the further fingertip than the second joint) of the thumb103or may be arranged on the nail103a-side around the thumb103.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, the scanner trigger6is arranged on the side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31. Also, the power supply button7is arranged on the upper surface32aof the thumb insertion tube part32, which corresponds to the nail103a-side of the thumb103. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7may be arranged in opposite positions to each other or may be arranged on only one side.

Also, the scanner trigger6is arranged on the side surface31aof the index finger insertion tube part31. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the scanner trigger may be arranged on a part of the wearable member3corresponding to a side surface, which faces toward the thumb, of each of a middle finger104to a little finger106. Also, when the scanner trigger6is arranged on a part, which corresponds to a part between the first joint and the second joint, of the side surface, it can be more easily pressed.

The places on which the scanner trigger6and the power supply button7are provided may be a side surface or upper surface of a tube-shaped part corresponding to a finger, are not limited to the surface side of the wearable member3, and may be provided between a plurality of fabrics or on a back surface side. That is, the shape, number and material of the button are not particularly limited to the exemplary embodiment.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, the power supply button7has been described as a button having a function of turning on and off the power supply of the terminal main body part of the wearable electronic device1. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. For example, a button having a function of stopping and starting the display of the display panel11is also possible. The power supply button7may be configured to function as a display control button for stopping or starting the display of the display panel11. Also, the power supply button7may have both the function of turning on and off the power supply of the terminal main body part and the function as a display control button for stopping or starting the display of the display panel11. In this case, when the power supply button7is pressed long (for example, 2 seconds or longer), the on and off states of the power supply may be switched, and when the power supply button7is pressed short (for example, shorter than 2 second), the stop and start of the display of the display panel11may be switched. That is, the function of the button can be arbitrarily set.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and includes the inventions defined in the claims and the equivalents thereto.