Patent Publication Number: US-2002012292-A1

Title: Arm portable information apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to an arm portable information apparatus which is fit to the arm to be carried, and more specifically, to an arm portable information apparatus having various functions.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Recently, an arm portable information apparatus such as a watch has a high function and a multi-function. An arm portable information apparatus is provided in which a function for measuring the present location and a moving speed by a GPS (global positioning system), a function for downloading and managing data from a personal computer, etc are realized in a single body (main body of an arm portable information apparatus). To comply with a variety of user&#39;s necessities, many types of arm portable information apparatuses are prepared to have various functions or combination of functions. In accordance with the high function and multi-function of the arm portable information apparatus, an area of an electric circuit for information processing and for an adding function, and an area of an operation portion or a display portion are required to be increased. Therefore, an arm portable information apparatus for ensuring the area of the electric circuit and the area of the operation portion, display portion or the like by using a main body having a bent-shape in the circumferential direction of the arm is provided.  
       [0005] However, the above-mentioned techniques require many types of main bodies having various functions or combination of functions, and therefore, a problem in that costs increase arises. Since the main body having the bent-shape is used to ensure the area of the electric circuit and the area of the operation portion, display portion or the like, there is also a problem in that manufacture is difficult and costs increase. Further, there is a problem in that the arm portable information apparatus cannot be fit appropriately because the main body having the bent-shape is not necessarily suitable for the thickness of the user&#39;s arm.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention is made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an arm portable information apparatus capable of proper fitting with reduced costs while ensuring the area of the electric circuit and the area of the operation portion, display portion or the like.  
       [0007] According to the present invention, in an arm portable information apparatus which is fit to the arm to be carried comprises, a main body having an electric circuit for information processing (main body of the arm portable information apparatus), a function unit having an electric circuit for an adding function, and coupling means for communicably and movably communicating the function unit with the main body in a circumferential direction of the arm are provided. Upon fitting the apparatus to the arm, the main body and the function unit are communicably and movably coupled and arranged in the circumferential direction of the arm. Here, upon fitting, the function unit is not limited to one and two function units may be provided to be located at both ends of the main body in the circumferential direction of the arm.  
       [0008] A hinge is used as coupling means, a communication hole for communicating with an end surface on the main body side and an end surface on the function unit side through a rotational axis of the hinge is formed, and a communication cable communicates with the communication hole. Thus, communication between the main body and the function unit may be conducted. A non-through hole is provided in an axial direction from an engagement surface of the rotational axis of a joined hinge, and further, a through-hole, which communicates from the non-through hole to the end surface on the main body side or the end surface on the function unit side, is provided, thereby forming a communication hole which communicates with the end surface on the main body side and the end surface on the function unit side. The communication cable communicates with the communication hole and communication between the main body and the function unit may be performed.  
       [0009] Waterproof means is provided to a divided part of the rotational axis of the hinge and the inflow can be prevented. Also, ring-shaped waterproof means is provided to an entrance of the non-through hole, interference is provided to an outer diameter of the waterproof means and an inner diameter of the non-through hole, and the interference is provided to an inner diameter of the waterproof means and an outer diameter of the communication cable, thereby preventing inflow into the non-through hole. By providing interference in the rotational axis direction, the inflow to the non-through hole can be prevented. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0010] A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the constitution of an arm portable information apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the arm portable information apparatus according to the first embodiment;  
     [0013]FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front view and a side view showing the constitution of a main body according to the first embodiment.;  
     [0014]FIGS. 4A and 4B are a front view and a side view showing the constitution of a function unit according to the first embodiment;  
     [0015]FIGS. 5B and 5B are a front view and a side view showing the constitution of coupling the main body to the function unit of the arm portable information apparatus according to the first embodiment;  
     [0016]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing one waterproof constitution of a hinge portion according to the first embodiment;  
     [0017]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another waterproof constitution of the hinge portion according to the first embodiment;  
     [0018]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another waterproof constitution of the hinge portion according to the first embodiment;  
     [0019]FIGS. 9A and 9B are a plan view and a side view showing the constitution of an arm portable information apparatus according to a second embodiment; and  
     [0020]FIGS. 10A and 10B are a plan view and a side view showing the constitution of an arm portable information apparatus according to a third embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in order of a first embodiment and a second embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     [0022] First Embodiment  
     [0023]FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the constitution of an arm portable information apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An arm portable information apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment comprises: a main body  1  having an electric circuit (not shown) for information processing; a function unit  5  having an electric circuit (not shown) for an adding function; a hinge axis  7  for coupling the function unit  5  to the main body  1  communicably and movably in a circumferential direction of the arm; and a band  11  for fixing the arm portable information apparatus  100  to the arm.  
     [0024] The main body  1  has a display portion  2  for displaying various data and an input button  3  for inputting operation. The electric circuit of the main body  1  realizes fundamental functions such as a counter function, a stop watch function, and an alarm function. On the other hand, the electric circuit of the function unit  5  is a circuit for adding functions of a PHS (personal handyphone system) mobile, a GPS receiver, etc., and cooperates with the electric circuit of the main body  1 , thereby realizing the functions. A button for input a telephone number, a GPS antenna, etc. are provided in the function unit  5  in accordance with the function to be realized.  
     [0025] The band  11  is provided to the opposite sides to the coupled sides by the hinge axis  7  of the main body  1  and function unit  5 , and the main body  1  and the function unit  5  are fixed to the user&#39;s arm by mutual engagement. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body  1  and the function unit  5  are movably coupled by the hinge axis  7 , thereby forming an angle corresponding to the thickness of the user&#39;s arm. That is, they can be appropriately fit irrespective of the thickness of the user&#39;s arm.  
     [0026]FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front view and a side view showing the constitution of the main body  1  according to the first embodiment. Concave and convex portions  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d ,  1 A,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D constituting the hinge are provided to the main body  1  according to the first embodiment. The concave and convex portions  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d ,  1 A,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D of the main body  1  are joined and coupled movably to concave and convex portions  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  of the function unit  5 , by using the hinge axis  7 , thereby constituting a hinge portion. A non-through hole  103  is provided to the convex portion  1 B from an engagement surface with the convex portion  5 C of the function unit  5  in the axial direction. Further, a through-hole  104  is provided in the main body side from the non-through hole  103 . A through-hole  101  for inserting the hinge axis  7  is provided to the convex portions  1 A,  1 C, and  1 D, and a non-through hole  102  for inserting the hinge axis  7  is provided to the opposite side of the non-through hole  103  of the convex portion  1 B.  
     [0027]FIGS. 4A and 4B are a front view and a side view showing the constitution of the function unit  5  according to the first embodiment. The concave and convex portions  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  5   d ,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C, and  5 D of the function unit  5  also have the same constitution of the concave and convex portions  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d ,  1 A,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D of the main body  1 .  
     [0028]FIGS. 5A and 5B are a front view and a side view showing the coupling constitution of the main body  1  and the function unit  5  according to the first embodiment. The concave and convex portions  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d ,  1 A,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D of the main body  1  are joined and movably coupled to the concave and convex portions  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  of the function unit  5 , by using the hinge axis  7 . The non-through hole  103  of the convex portion  1 B of the main body  1  is faced to a non-through hole  503  of the convex portion  5 C of the function unit  5  at the same hinge axis, and a communication hole is formed through the through-hole  104 , non-through holes  103  and  503  and through-hole  504  from the inside of the main body  1  to the inside of the function unit. A communication cable  8  such as an electric wire or an optical cable passes through the communication hole. By using the communication cable  8 , communication between the electric circuit of the main body  1  and the electric circuit of the function unit  5  is performed.  
     [0029] Since the communication cable  8  passes through the center of the rotational axis of the hinge at the boundary between the main body  1  and the function unit  5 , no tension and no compression force acts on the communication cable  8  if the main body  1  and the function unit  5  rotate with the axis. Although twist force acts on the communication cable  8 , deformation of the communication cable is small and destroy due to fatigue and short-circuit are not caused because a rotational angle is equal to 90° or less. In the arm portable information apparatus, since it is fit to the arm and is used under a tough condition that it is struck against other objects, the protection of the communication cable becomes important. According to the first embodiment, the external appearance is improved and also the protection of the communication cable is possible because the communication cable is not seen from the outside.  
     [0030] In the present invention, a ring-shaped grommet (O-ring)  9  for preventing inflow into the respective non-through holes  103  and  503  of the main body  1  and the function unit  5  is provided at the boundary between the main body  1  and the function unit  5 . FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing one waterproof constitution of the hinge portion according to the first embodiment. At the hinge portion, the O-ring  9  provided at the entrances of the non-through holes  103  and  503  through the communication cable  8  is provided with interference in the rotational axis direction and prevents the inflow into the non-through holes  103  and  503 . A collar  10  for limiting the deviation of the O-ring is provided at the outer periphery of the O-ring  9 . The collar  10  can be integrated around the non-through holes  103  and  503  of the main body  1  and the function unit  5  although the collar  10  is provided because of the easiness of manufacture in this embodiment.  
     [0031]FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another waterproof constitution of the hinge portion according to the first embodiment. In this example, ring grooves  105  and  505  having diameters wider than those of the non-through holes  103  and  503  are provided to entrances of the respective non-through holes  103  and  503  of the main body  1  and the function unit  5 , and O-rings  9 A and  9 B are provided to the ring grooves  105  and  505 . By providing interference to the outer diameters of the O-rings  9 A and  9 B and the inner diameters of the ring grooves  105  and  505  and also by providing interference to the inner diameters of the O-rings  9 A and  9 B and the outer diameter of the communication cable  8 , the inflow into the non-through holes  103  and  503  is prevented.  
     [0032]FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing still another waterproof constitution of the hinge portion according to the first embodiment. In this example, slopes  106  and  506  are provided to the entrances of the respective non-through holes  103  and  503  of the main body  1  and the function unit  5 . The O-ring  9  is disposed with interference at three portions of the slopes  106  and  506  and the outer diameter of the communication cable  8 . Thus, the inflow into the non-through holes  103  and  503  is prevented.  
     [0033] With the above constitution, operation according to the first embodiment is described. The electric circuit of the main body  1  communicates with the electric circuit of the function unit  5  via the communication cable  8 , and cooperates with the electric circuit of the function unit  5 , thereby realizing an adding function corresponding to the function unit  5 . For example, if the function unit  5  has an additional function of a PHS mobile, the main body  1  displays a telephone number and produces an incoming call sound. If the function unit  5  has an additional function of a GPS receiver, the main body  1  displays the present location, a moving speed, a moving distance, etc.  
     [0034] As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment, the hinge axis  7  couples the function unit  5  to the main body  1  communicably and movably in the circumferential direction of the arm. Upon fitting to the arm, the hinge axis  7  is bent with a proper angle, and therefore, the arm portable information apparatus  100  can be appropriately fit to the user&#39;s arm even if the operation portion or the display portion, the electric circuit or the like has a wide area. Further, since the main body  1  and the function unit  5  are not integrated and have no largely-bent shape, processing is easy and costs can be decreased. Also, since the main body  1  and the function unit  5  are provided separately, it is unnecessary to provide the main body every function and costs can be further decreased.  
     [0035] Second Embodiment  
     [0036]FIGS. 9A and 9B are a plan view and a side view showing the constitution of an arm portable information apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, the fundamental constitution is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the same reference symbols denote the same portions as those in FIG. 5. In an arm portable information apparatus  200  according to the second embodiment, the hinge portion  7  is provided at both ends of the main body  1  in the circumferential direction of the arm and two function units  5  are coupled to the main body  1 . In other words, the two function units  5  are provided to be located at both the ends of the main body  1  in the circumferential direction of the arm.  
     [0037] As mentioned above, according to the second embodiment, the two function units  5  are provided to be located at both the ends of the main body  1  in the circumferential direction of the arm. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is further advantage that the combination of a plurality of functions can be realized with reduced costs.  
     [0038] Third Embodiment  
     [0039]FIGS. 10A and 10B are a plan view and a side view showing the constitution of an arm portable information apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment or second embodiment, the hinge axis  7  is further provided to the function unit  5  and the new function unit  5  may be connected. That is, a plurality of the function units  5  may be coupled to link them together. Other constitution and operation are similar to those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and therefore, the description is omitted.  
     [0040] As mentioned above, according to the third embodiment, at least two function units  5  are provided to be located at both ends of the main body  1  in the circumferential direction of the arm. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment or second embodiment, it is further advantage that the combination of a plurality of functions can be realized with reduced costs.  
     [0041] As described above, in the arm portable information apparatus of the present invention, the coupling means couples the function unit communicably and movably to the main body in the circumferential direction of the arm. Thus, the apparatus can be appropriately fit to the thin arm and thick arm with reduced costs while the area of the electric circuit and the area of the operation portion, the display portion or the like is ensured.  
     [0042] In the arm portable information apparatus of the present invention, upon fitting, two function units are provided to be located at both ends of the main body in the circumferential direction of the arm. Thus, the combination of a plurality of functions can be realized with reduced costs.  
     [0043] In the arm portable information apparatus of the present invention, the coupling means is a hinge. The communication hole is formed to communicate with the end surface on the main body side and the end surface on the function unit side through the rotational axis of the hinge, and the communication cable communicates with the communication hole. Therefore, the main body can be coupled to the function unit communicably and movably while the communication cable is protected.  
     [0044] In the arm portable information apparatus of the present invention, the coupling means is a hinge, the non-through hole is provided in the axial direction from the engagement surface of the rotational axis, and the through-hole, which communicates from the non-through hole to the end surface on the main body side or to the end surface on the function unit side is provided, thereby forming the communication hole which communicates with the end surface on the main body side and the end surface on the function unit side. And by communicating the communication cable through the communication hole, the main body can be coupled to the function unit communicably and movably while the communication cable is protected.  
     [0045] In the arm portable information apparatus of the present invention, the communication cable has the waterproof means at the boundary on the boundary surface between the main body and the function unit. Thus, the main body and the function unit mutually rotate. However, waterproofing in the communication cable can be assured, and the apparatus can be used even in a situation where the communication cable gets wet with water.  
     [0046] In the arm portable information apparatus of the present invention, at least two function units  5  are provided to the main body in the circumferential direction of the arm. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is further advantage that the combination of a plurality of functions can be realized with reduced costs.