Patent ID: 7042718

Claim:
A portable information apparatus, comprising: a portable information terminal unit having a display element for displaying information and a transparent pressure-sensitive panel arranged on the display element for performing input operations; a cradle for detachably mounting the portable information terminal unit thereto, in which, when the portable information terminal unit is loaded on said cradle, data can be transmitted or received between the portable information terminal unit and other electronic equipment through said cradle; a cradle connecting unit for detecting the loading of the terminal unit to the cradle and transmitting a loading detection signal; a lock driving unit for locking the portable information terminal unit to said cradle; and a control means for controlling the lock driving unit to lock the portable information terminal unit to the cradle in response to the loading detection signal transmitted by the cradle connecting unit, and for controlling the lock driving unit to unlock the portable information terminal unit from the cradle in response to a user's input of a pattern drawn on the pressure-sensitive panel that coincides with a registered pattern, wherein said control means requires a selected pattern to be drawn by a user on said pressure-sensitive panel when the portable information terminal unit is loaded on the cradle before the control means controls the lock driving unit to lock the portable information terminal unit to the cradle.