Wristwatch-type information terminal

Abstract

The present invention provides a wristwatch-type information terminal. The wristwatch-type information terminal includes: a display unit that displays time; an upper protection unit that is arranged to be disposed along the edge on the 12 o'clock side of the display unit; a lower protection unit that is arranged to be disposed along the edge on the 6 o'clock side of the display unit and is arranged to protrude from the surface of the display unit; and a first button and a second button that are arranged such that the lower protection unit is interposed between the first button and the second button and the display unit, and are arranged side by side along the lower protection unit, and the button disposed at a position biased toward the 3 o'clock side among the first button and the second button is formed to be larger than the button disposed at a position biased toward the 9 o'clock side.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application of the invention application with the application number 201910217059.9, the invention title "Device with Button and Electronic Clock", and the application date of March 21, 2019. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a watch-type information terminal. Background Art

[0003] As an existing device with a button, as in a watch-type information device, push-button switches with high usage frequency are separately arranged above and below the display unit provided on the front surface of the device main body (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-81745).

[0004] In such a structure, the start / stop function of the stopwatch and the split time / reset function are assigned to the button above or below the display unit on the front surface (also referred to as the 12 o'clock direction or 6 o'clock direction of the clock).

[0005] Then, the user operates the split time / reset button during running to perform the desired time measurement.

[0006] However, there is a situation where the user presses based on the feeling of contact without observing and confirming the position of the button during running. In this case, there is a possibility of accidentally pressing the easily pressable button that the finger touches. For example, there is a possibility of stopping the measurement when trying to measure the split time but pressing the start / stop button at an easily pressable position such as the lower side of the display unit.

[0007] In addition, if multiple buttons are concentrated at one easily pressable part on the lower side of the display unit, further, each button becomes smaller, and the possibility of accidentally pressing an adjacent other button increases. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention discloses a device with a button and an electronic clock.

[0009] A device with a push-button in one embodiment is a device with a button, characterized by comprising: a display unit for performing a predetermined display; and a plurality of buttons arranged on the lower side of the display unit, and among the areas of the buttons, the button with the highest usage frequency is the largest. Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 It is an electronic clock of the device with a button as Embodiment 1, and it is a front view of the electronic clock observed from the direction of arrow I in Figure 2 It is a front view of the electronic clock observed from the direction of arrow I in

[0011] Figure 2 It is a side view showing the overall structure of the electronic clock of Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 3 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 1 and is the bottom view of the electronic clock as viewed from the direction of arrow III in Figure 2

[0013] Figure 4 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 1 and is the perspective view of the electronic clock as viewed from the direction of arrow IV in Figure 2

[0014] Figure 5 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 1 and is the cross-sectional view at the position of line V - V in Figure 2

[0015] Figure 6 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 1 and is the cross-sectional view at the position of line VI - VI in Figure 1

[0016] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing a form of using the electronic clock to measure intermittent time, etc.

[0017] Figure 8 It is the electronic clock of the button-equipped device of Embodiment 2 and is the front view of the electronic clock as viewed from the direction of arrow VIII in Figure 9

[0018] Figure 9 It is the side view explaining the overall structure of the electronic clock of Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 10 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 2 and is the bottom view of the electronic clock as viewed from the direction of arrow X in Figure 9

[0020] Figure 11 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 2 and is the perspective view of the electronic clock as viewed from the direction of arrow XI in Figure 9

[0021] Figure 12 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 2 and is the cross-sectional view at the position of line XII - XII in Figure 9

[0022] Figure 13 It is the electronic clock of Embodiment 2 and is the cross-sectional view at the position of line XIII - XIII in Figure 8 Specific Embodiments

[0023] ​​​​​​​​​Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and redundant descriptions are omitted. When directions are described, unless otherwise specified, they are basically described based on the front and back, left and right, or up and down as observed by the user. In addition, with respect to the directions of "3 o'clock", "6 o'clock", "9 o'clock", and "12 o'clock", facing the display unit, they have the same directional meaning as the "right side edge", "lower side edge", "left side edge", and "upper side edge". Moreover, the front-back direction has the same meaning as the height direction.

[0024] [Embodiment 1]

[0025] Figures 1 to 7 An electronic clock 1 is shown as a button-equipped device worn on the wrist in this Embodiment 1.

[0026] First, with reference to Figure 1 the structure will be described. The electronic clock 1 of this Embodiment 1 is, for example, a digital watch-type electronic clock. However, it is not particularly limited thereto, and it may also be a pointer-type (analog type) watch-type electronic clock, or may have both.

[0027] The electronic clock 1 includes: a device main body 10 worn on the wrist using a band portion 9; a housing 2 of the device main body 10; and a substrate 3 disposed inside the housing 2 (refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 ).

[0028] As Figure 2 shown, the housing 2 has: a front-side housing 2a and a box body 2b that can be divided in the height direction; and a back cover 2c that closes an opening formed on the back side opening of the box body 2b.

[0029] As Figure 5 shown, the substrate 3 is disposed inside the housing 2. And a power supply unit is provided integrally or separately on the substrate 3, and the power supply unit includes a battery or the like that supplies power. In addition, a micro switch, a microcomputer, an oscillator, etc. that can perform on and off operations by pressing each button of the operation unit 6 are mounted on the substrate 3. Thus, the substrate 3 constitutes a circuit for measuring time.

[0030] And, as Figure 1 shown, the electronic clock 1 includes: a liquid crystal display 5 disposed inside the housing 2 and displaying the measured time; an operation unit 6 having buttons or the like; and a band portion 9 that wears the housing 2 on the user's wrist. The band portion 9 includes flexible belt-like members 9a and 9b at the 12 o'clock direction and the 6 o'clock direction of the housing 2, respectively. The belt-like members 9a and 9b are connected in a ring shape around the user's wrist to hold the device main body 10.

[0031] The liquid crystal display 5 is covered by a front-viewed substantially circular cover glass 5g. In addition, the display unit of the electronic clock 1 is not limited to the liquid crystal display 5. For example, it can also be a pointer type (analog type) display, or it can have both. In addition, the cover glass 5g is not limited to glass. For example, it can also be made of plastic or film.

[0032] The operation unit 6 has: side buttons 6a to 6d protruding from the side surface of the housing 2; and a large button 7 and a small button 8 arranged in the 6 o'clock direction of the liquid crystal display 5. Among them, the large and small buttons 7 and 8 are arranged on the flat part of the button arrangement part 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the button arrangement part 14) that is inclined at a predetermined angle from the front reference plane 5b.

[0033] As Figure 1 shown, for the large button 7, the length W2 of the upper base 7b is longer than the length W1 of the lower base 7a (W1 < W2), and it has an inverted trapezoidal shape.

[0034] In this embodiment 1, the length W1 of the lower base 7a of the large button 7 is 6.25 mm, the length W2 of the upper base 7b is 10.75 mm, and the dimension h in the up and down direction is 4.75 mm. In addition, the length of the lower base of the small button 8 is 7.25 mm, the length of the upper base is 8.75 mm, and the dimension in the up and down direction is 4.25 mm.

[0035] In addition, that is, the higher the usage frequency (the more operation times), the larger the size (area, volume) of the button, and the lower the usage frequency (the fewer operation times), the smaller the size of the button. Here, the size of the button can either increase proportionally with the increase or decrease of the usage frequency, or it can be a non-linear relationship.

[0036] For example, it is not necessary to make the size of the large button 7 10 times because the usage frequency is 10 times that of the small button 8. Here, the area of the pressing surface of the large button 7 is set to be about 1.01 to 1.5 times, preferably about 1.10 to 1.35 times the size of the small button 8.

[0037] Then, in Embodiment 1, the start / stop function of the stopwatch is assigned to the small button 8, and the split time / reset function that is frequently used during running is assigned to the large button 7.

[0038] As Figure 5 , Figure 6 shown, one side of the pressing pin 300 is integrally embedded in the back side of the large button 7 and the small button 8 respectively. The pressing pin 300 makes the hemispherical front end 301 protrude into the housing 2.

[0039] By means of a spring 303 and a rubber bushing 304 provided around the pressing pin 300, these large buttons 7 and small buttons 8 are pressed in directions orthogonal to and away from the flat portion of the button arrangement portion 14 respectively.

[0040] By pressing the large button 7 and the small button 8, the front end 301 abuts against each microswitch 3a of the substrate 3 housed in the housing 2. Thereby, each function assigned to each button can be turned on and off.

[0041] In addition, as Figure 1 shown, on the upper surface portion of the housing 2, along the upper edge 5c of the cover glass 5g, an upper protection portion 11 that is higher than the cover glass 5g is provided in a state of protruding from the flat fastening surface 15 (refer to Figure 2 ). The upper protection portion 11 of this Embodiment 1 has a convex shape in the vertical cross-section shape toward the height direction. And it is provided in an arc shape between the connection portion of the strip 9a and the upper edge 5c of the cover glass 5g with a lateral width dimension substantially the same as the width direction dimension of the strip 9a.

[0042] In addition, along the lower edge of the cover glass 5g, a lower protection portion 12 is provided between the cover glass 5g and the large and small buttons 7 and 8. As Figure 1 shown, the lower protection portion 12 is bent along the bending shape of the lower edge side 5a of the liquid crystal display 5 and is higher than the cover glass 5g (refer to Figure 2 ). Here, the height direction is the same as the thickness direction of the device main body 10 and is Figure 1 the depth direction.

[0043] And in Embodiment 1, as Figure 1 shown, a vertical protection portion 13 that divides between the large and small buttons 7 and 8 is provided from the lower edge of the lower protection portion 12 toward the strip 9b direction. The vertical protection portion 13 is arranged between the trapezoid-shaped large button 7 and the small button 8. And the vertical protection portion 13 of this Embodiment 1 is integrally formed with the lower protection portion 12 and has the same height, so that it is substantially T-shaped in the front view.

[0044] As Figure 4 shown, the vertical protection portion 13 of this Embodiment 1 is arranged to incline leftward by a predetermined angle α1 in a manner of falling along the side edge 7c of the trapezoid-shaped large button 7. In this Embodiment 1, the predetermined angle α1 = about 5 degrees.

[0045] As Figure 2 shown, if the front reference plane 5b of the cover glass 5g is taken as the height reference, the height h2 of the upper protection portion 11 and the height h3 of the lower protection portion 12 are higher than the height h1 of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 (h2, h3 > h1). The height h3 of the lower protection portion 12 is higher than the height h2 of the upper protection portion 11 (h3 > h2).

[0046] In addition, in the device main body 10 of this embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, when comparing at the same height, the inclination angle β of the button arrangement portions 14 of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 with respect to the front reference plane 5b of the cover glass 5g is larger than the inclination angle γ of the fastening surface 15 of the upper protection portion 11 with respect to the front reference plane 5b (β > γ) (for example, β = about 40 degrees, γ = about 38 degrees, etc.).

[0047] Here, the front reference plane 5b is a plane including the front edge of the flat frame portion (refer to Figure 4 ) located around the cover glass 5g. In the electronic clock 1 of this embodiment, the front reference plane 5b is substantially equal to the surface of the cover glass 5g that does not include the convex portion 2h (refer to Figure 2 ). In addition, the front reference plane 5b is parallel to the back cover 2c located on the back side of the device main body 10.

[0048] And, in Figure 2 , for easy understanding, the inclination angle β of the button arrangement portion 14 is symmetrically marked on the upper protection portion 11 side with respect to the center line of the device main body 10 and is shown by a double-dot chain line. Thus, when comparing the inclination angle γ of the fastening surface 15 and the inclination angle β of the button arrangement portion 14, it can be known that with respect to the front reference plane 5b, at the same height, the inclination angle β is set larger than the inclination angle γ (β > γ).

[0049] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the electronic clock 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0050] Figure 7 In the electronic clock 1 of Embodiment 1 shown, a button arrangement portion 14 is provided between the connection portion 21 and the cover glass 5g, and the connection portion 21 is connected to a strap portion 9 for wearing the device main body 10 on the wrist 20. As Figure 6 shown, the button arrangement portion 14 is inclined by a predetermined angle β from the front reference plane 5b and is provided with large and small buttons 7 and 8 that are different in size according to the usage frequency.

[0051] The start / stop function and the split time / reset function are respectively assigned to the large and small buttons 7 and 8 arranged in the button arrangement portion 14 of this Embodiment 1. Considering that the split time is measured multiple times during running, the split time / reset function, which has a higher usage frequency than the start / stop function, is assigned to the large button 7.

[0052] Therefore, even during running, the user can easily perform an operation for measuring the intermittent time during the run by pressing the large button 7. Moreover, the size and shape of the adjacent small button 8 are different from those of the large button 7 and are smaller than the large button 7. The area of the pressed surface of the large button 7 is larger than that of the small button 8, and it has an inverted trapezoidal shape with the upper base longer than the lower base. Therefore, the user feels different when touching with a finger, and can recognize the large button 7 and the small button 8 even without visual confirmation. Therefore, it is easy to press and difficult to make a misoperation.

[0053] As Figure 1 shown, for the large button 7, the length W2 of the upper base 7b is longer than the length W1 of the lower base 7a (W1 < W2), presenting an inverted trapezoidal shape.

[0054] Therefore, for the large button 7, as it approaches the lower protection part 12, the left and right widths become larger, increasing the pressure-receiving area from the finger. Thus, near the lower protection part 12 which becomes the limit part, the length W2 of the upper base 7b becomes the largest, and therefore, it is easier to press the large button 7.

[0055] In addition, for the large button 7, as it becomes larger when approaching the lower protection part 12, the difference in size from the adjacent small button 8 becomes clear. Therefore, it can be easily recognized as the intermittent time / reset button and is easy to distinguish.

[0056] As Figure 2 shown, on the surface side housing 2a, there is an upper protection part 11 higher than the front reference plane 5b. In addition, the lower protection part 12 is bent along the curved shape of the lower edge side 5a of the cover glass 5g and is higher than the cover glass 5g.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible to protect the cover glass 5g from the influence of objects colliding with the upper and lower protection parts 11 and 12, reducing the possibility of damage to the display part including the cover glass 5g. Especially when operating the large and small buttons 7 and 8, the cover glass 5g can be protected by the upper and lower protection parts 11 and 12 from being directly touched by the finger and getting dirty.

[0058] And when operating the large and small buttons 7 and 8, as Figure 7 shown, the user can place the index finger or the middle finger to little finger etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as fingertips) on the convex shape of the upper protection part 11. Thus, the device main body 10 can be fixed from the opposite side in such a way that it will not move due to the pressing of the button.

[0059] Therefore, even during running, the operation of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 can be stably performed.

[0060] Regarding the electronic clock 1 of Embodiment 1, the fingertips can be placed on the upper protection part 11, and the positions of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 can be confirmed and recognized in a stable state. Then, a force is applied in the direction of bringing the fingertips closer to the thumb (the direction of squeezing them together), and the operation of pressing the large button 7 or the small button 8 can be reliably performed.

[0061] In addition, the lower protection part 12 is bent and formed relatively high along the bending shape of the lower edge side 5a of the cover glass 5g. Therefore, the movement of the thumb in the direction of the cover glass 5g is suppressed by interfering with the lower protection part 12. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the general position of pressing and apply a force in the direction of pressing the large button 7 or the small button 8.

[0062] Moreover, the upper protection part 11 of this Embodiment 1 extends along the upper edge 5c of the cover glass 5g in a horizontal width dimension that is substantially the same as the width dimension of the strip 9a in the width direction. Therefore, by placing the fingertips on the button to be pressed and the upper protection part 11 located at the opposite position across the cover glass 5g, and applying a force in the direction of holding the housing 2 from both sides, the operation of the desired button can be performed in a stable state.

[0063] In Embodiment 1, the large and small buttons 7 and 8 are arranged left and right in a horizontal width dimension that is substantially the same as the width dimension of the strip 9a in the width direction. In this way, even when multiple buttons are arranged along the lower edge side 5a, the upper protection part 11 exists at the opposite position of each large and small button 7 and 8 across the cover glass 5g.

[0064] Therefore, when operating any of the large and small buttons 7 and 8, the fingertips can be placed on the upper protection part 11 to assist in the operation.

[0065] And, in Embodiment 1, as Figure 2 shown, the heights h2 and h3 of the upper and lower protection parts 11 and 12 are higher than the height h1 of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 (h2, h3 > h1). And the height h3 of the lower protection part 12 is higher than the height h2 of the upper protection part 11 (h3 > h2).

[0066] Therefore, the height h3 of the lower protection part 12 is higher than the height h1 of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 and the height h2 of the upper protection part 11.

[0067] Therefore, it is possible to protect the large and small buttons 7 and 8 from the influence of objects that collide with the lower protection part 12, and no misoperation of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 will occur. In addition, the breakage of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 can also be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, when the thumb moves toward the cover glass 5g, even if it exceeds the large and small buttons 7 and 8, the thumb abuts against the lower protection portion 12, thereby preventing the thumb from moving. Therefore, it is easy to understand the positions of the large and small buttons 7 and 8, and to apply force in the direction of pressing the large and small buttons 7 and 8.

[0069] In addition, the large and small buttons 7 and 8 can ensure a certain height from the protruding arrangement of the button arrangement portion 14. Therefore, by increasing the degree of freedom in design, the size and height of the large button 7 can be increased, thereby further improving the recognition rate.

[0070] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower protection portion 12 is formed to be bent along the curved shape of the lower edge 5 a of the cover glass 5 g.

[0071] Therefore, the upper bottom 7b of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 can be extended along the curved shape of the lower protective part 12, which can further expand the area, and the pressure area of ​​the large and small buttons 7 and 8 pressed at an angle can be increased, making them easier to press.

[0072] And, if Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the longitudinal protection portion 13 and the lower protection portion 12 are integrated and are substantially T-shaped in front view. Figure 7 As shown, when operating the large button 7, the thumb is guided in the direction of the inner corner formed by the longitudinal guard portion 13 and the lower guard portion 12. Therefore, the thumb does not come into contact with the small button 8, so that the large button 7 is easily operated.

[0073] In this way, the large button 7 and the small button 8 are divided by the longitudinal protection portion 13 disposed between the large button 7 and the small button 8. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous operation of the large button 7 and the small button 8 is further reduced.

[0074] Moreover, the longitudinal guard 13 is integrated with the lower guard 12 and is roughly T-shaped when viewed from the front. Therefore, compared with the case where it is provided separately, the durability is good. In particular, compared with the case where it is not integrated with the lower guard 12, the strength of the longitudinal guard 13 in the left and right tilting directions is improved.

[0075] For example, the large button 7 is operated frequently and is frequently touched by fingertips when the button is operated. However, the longitudinal protection portion 13 is integrated with the lower protection portion 12 and is roughly T-shaped when viewed from the front. Therefore, the shear force in the tilting direction of the longitudinal protection portion 13 is increased, and sufficient strength for maintaining the shape can be exerted even when inputting when operating the adjacent large button 7 or small button 8.

[0076] And, if Figure 4 As shown, the longitudinal protection portion 13 is arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle α1 in the left direction along the side edge 7 c of the large button 7 in an inverted trapezoidal shape.

[0077] Therefore, it is possible to set the length of the upper base 7b of the large button 7 relatively large, expand the area of the large button 7, etc., and improve the degree of freedom in shaping.

[0078] In addition, by inclining the vertical protection part 13 by a predetermined angle α1 in the left direction, it is possible to reduce the area of the small button 8, and it is possible to further suppress accidental operations.

[0079] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the inclination angle β with respect to the front reference plane 5b is larger than the inclination angle γ (β > γ). Therefore, as Figure 7 shown, when a force is applied in the direction of bringing the index finger and the thumb closer (the direction of squeezing them together), it is easy to incline the pressing direction of the large button 7 or the small button 8 toward the center of the cover glass 5g.

[0080] Therefore, it is easy to apply a force between the fingertip placed on the upper protection part 11 and the pulp of the thumb in the direction of squeezing the device main body 10 from the upper and lower sides, and stable button operations can be performed.

[0081] And, as Figure 6 shown, in the electronic clock 1 of the first embodiment, the button arrangement part 14 is inclined by the inclination angle β from the front reference plane 5b of the cover glass 5g. The large and small buttons 7 and 8 assembled to the button arrangement part 14 are pressed in obliquely along the sliding direction of the pressing pin 300.

[0082] Therefore, it is possible to further incline the inclination angles of the surfaces of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 to be consistent with the angle of the pulp of the thumb for performing button operations. Therefore, when pressing the large and small buttons 7 and 8, it is difficult for the thumb to slide, and button operations can be easily performed.

[0083] In the electronic clock 1 of the first embodiment, a button arrangement part 14 provided with a plurality of buttons is arranged between the part connecting the strip-shaped member 9b and the display part.

[0084] And, it is possible to incline the pressing directions of the large and small buttons 7 and 8 toward the center direction of the cover glass 5g and toward the direction of the fingertip placed on the upper protection part 11. Therefore, it is easy to apply a force between the index finger and the thumb in a manner of squeezing the device main body 10 from the upper and lower sides in opposition, and stable button operations can be performed.

[0085] In addition, in the button-equipped device of the first embodiment, as the operation part 6, in addition to the side buttons 6a to 6d provided on the side surface part of the housing 2, the large button 7 and the small button 8 are also provided.

[0086] Therefore, the button-equipped device of Embodiment 1 can operate more functions by assigning different functions to each button compared to the case where only the side buttons 6a to 6d are provided. Also, in the button-equipped device of Embodiment 1, even if the functions are increased, there is no need to reduce the button interval. In addition, in the button-equipped device of Embodiment 1, even if the functions are increased, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the size of the buttons.

[0087] Also, as Figure 6 shown, a button arrangement portion 14 is provided between the connection portion 21 connecting the strap portion 9 and the cover glass 5g. For example, even if an object collides with the device main body 10 from the side direction, the large and small buttons 7 and 8 are protected by the strap portion 9 and the device main body 10. Therefore, compared with the side buttons 6a to 6d protruding from the side surface portion of the housing 2, the possibility of breakage can be reduced.

[0088] [Embodiment 2]

[0089] Figures 8 to 13 An electronic clock 201 showing a button-equipped device worn on the wrist as Embodiment 2 is shown. In addition, for parts that are the same as or similar to those in the above Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

[0090] First, if the structural differences are described, as Figure 8 shown, in the electronic clock 201 of Embodiment 2, a liquid crystal display 205 provided in the housing 202 of the device main body 210 is covered with a cover glass 205g that is substantially drum-shaped when viewed from the front. In addition, a front-side housing 202a, an upper-side protection portion 211, and a lower-side protection portion 212 are provided along the outer peripheral edge of the cover glass 205g, respectively.

[0091] The operation portion 206 of the electronic clock 201 is the same as that of Embodiment 1 and has a large button 207 and a small button 208 arranged in the 6 o'clock direction of the liquid crystal display 205. Also, the large button 207 and the small button 208 are provided in a button arrangement portion 214 that is inclined at a predetermined angle β2 from the front-side reference plane 205b (see Figure 13 ). Among them, for the large button 207, the length W4 of the upper base 207b is longer than the length W3 of the lower base 207a (W3 < W4), and it has an inverted trapezoidal shape.

[0092] In this Embodiment 2, the length W3 of the lower base 207a of the large button 207 is 8.25 mm, the length W4 of the upper base 207b is 10.75 mm, and the dimension h4 in the vertical direction is 4.25 mm. In addition, the length of the lower base of the small button 208 is 7.25 mm, the length of the upper base is 7.75 mm, and the height is 4.25 mm.

[0093] Also, in Embodiment 2, the start / stop function of the stopwatch function is assigned to the small button 208. And the pause time / reset function of the stopwatch function, which is frequently used during running, is assigned to the large button 207.

[0094] Also, in this Embodiment 2, as Figure 8 shown, a longitudinal protection part 213 is arranged between the large button 207 in an inverted trapezoidal shape and the small button 208. The longitudinal protection part 213 is integrally provided along the direction from the lower edge of the lower protection part 212 to the connection part of the strip 9b, and is formed in a substantially T-shaped in the front view. Also, the space between the large and small buttons 207, 208 is divided by the longitudinal protection part 213.

[0095] As Figure 11 shown, the longitudinal protection part 213 of this Embodiment 2 is arranged to incline at a predetermined angle α2 to the left along the side edge 207c of the large button 207 in an inverted trapezoidal shape.

[0096] In this Embodiment 2, the predetermined angle α2 is about 10.151 degrees.

[0097] In addition, in this Embodiment 2, as Figure 9 shown, if the front reference plane 205b on the front side of the surface side of the cover glass 205g is taken as the height reference, the heights h6, h7 of the upper and lower protection parts 211, 212 are higher than the heights h5 of the large and small buttons 207, 208 (h6, h7 > h5). And the height h7 of the lower protection part 212 is higher than the height h6 of the upper protection part 211 (h7 > h6).

[0098] Furthermore, Figure 13 as shown in the button arrangement part 214 of Embodiment 2, the inclination angle β2 is the same as that in Embodiment 1, which is about 45 degrees. And if compared with the inclination angle of the fastening surface 215 to which the upper protection part 211 is fastened as Figure 9 shown at the same height, the inclination angle β2 is larger. In addition, as long as the inclination angle β2 is larger than the inclination angle of the fastening surface 215 of the upper protection part 211, it can also be an angle of 40 degrees or more, such as about 42 degrees, about 50 degrees, etc., which is the inclination angle of the fastening surface 215.

[0099] In the electronic clock 201 of Embodiment 2 configured in this way, in addition to the effects of the electronic clock 1 of Embodiment 1, the shapes of the upper protection part 211, the lower protection part 212, the large button 207, and the small button 208 are also determined according to the shapes of the liquid crystal display 205 and the cover glass 205g.

[0100] For example, if comparing Figure 1 and Figure 8, the longitudinal protection part 213 is inclined leftward at a larger predetermined angle α2 compared with the longitudinal protection part 13. Therefore, the large button 207 with a trapezoid shape in reverse can extend the length of the upper base 207b in the direction of the small button 208.

[0101] In addition, the lower protection part 212 is more curved than the lower protection part 12. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the upper base 207b of the large button 207 can be further extended toward the upper end face 202d of the surface side housing 202a.

[0102] Therefore, the ratio of the length of the upper base 207b to the lower base 207a, that is, W4 / W3 becomes larger further. Therefore, it can be a trapezoid shape that expands in the pressing direction, that is, the side of the lower protection part 212, and thus it is easier to press the large button 207.

[0103] That is, the large button 207 and the small button 208 can be made into various shapes and sizes according to the usage frequency.

[0104] Regarding other structures and functions and effects, since they are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment above, the description is omitted.

[0105] As described above, in the electronic clocks 1 and 201 of the first and second embodiments, the large and small buttons 7, 8 and 207, 208 with different sizes according to the usage frequency are centrally arranged below the liquid crystal displays 5 and 205. Therefore, by providing the upper protection part 11 on the upper side to place the fingertips, the pressing force of the buttons can be effectively blocked, and thus it is easy to press.

[0106] In addition, even if a plurality of buttons are centrally arranged, they are different in size according to the usage frequency, so they are easy to identify.

[0107] The first and second embodiments can be variously deformed. The above-described first and second embodiments are examples and are not limited to having all the structures described. In addition, a part of the structures of the first and second embodiments can be replaced with the structures of other first and second embodiments. In addition, other structures of the first and second embodiments can be added to the structures of the first and second embodiments. In addition, a part of the structures of each of the first and second embodiments can be deleted, or other structures can be added or replaced. The deformations of the above-described first and second embodiments are as follows, for example.

[0108] In the button-equipped devices of Embodiments 1 and 2, the wristwatch-type electronic timepieces 1 and 201 worn on the wrist using a watchband have been described, but it is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the button-equipped devices of Embodiments 1 and 2 can be pocket watch-type stopwatches, wristwatch-type information terminals worn on the wrist using a watchband, etc., as long as they are button-equipped devices having buttons of a size corresponding to the frequency of use. The shape, number, material, and use of the button-equipped devices of Embodiments 1 and 2 are not particularly limited.

[0109] In the button-equipped devices of Embodiments 1 and 2, as the operation unit 6, there are provided: side buttons 6a to 6d provided on the side surfaces of the housings 2 and 202; and large buttons 7, small buttons 8 or large buttons 207, small buttons 208 arranged in the button arrangement unit in the 6 o'clock direction of the display unit. However, it is not particularly limited thereto. For example, a total of four buttons, two horizontally and two vertically, etc., or three or more buttons can be arranged in the button arrangement unit.

[0110] In this case, by assigning different functions to each button, more functions can be operated compared to the case where only the side buttons 6a to 6d are arranged.

[0111] In addition, regarding the left and right arrangement positions of the large button 207 and the small button 208, it is not limited to Embodiment 1, and the large button 207 can be arranged on the left and the small button 208 can be arranged on the right.

[0112] Moreover, the sizes and shapes of the large buttons 7, 207, the small buttons 8, 208 are not particularly limited to Embodiments 1 and 2. For example, even if the small button is made into an arbitrary shape and size such as a circle, as long as it is set to a size corresponding to the frequency of use, the shapes, numbers, and materials of the large and small buttons are not particularly limited.

[0113] Moreover, the shape of the upper protection part 11 is not limited to an arc shape. Even if a plurality of upper protection parts 11 are intermittently arranged along the upper edge 5c, as long as it is an arrangement that is easy to place the fingertips.

[0114] In addition, the angles α1 and α2 of the longitudinal protection parts 13 and 213 are not particularly limited to Embodiments 1 and 2. For example, they can be any angle between 0.1 degrees and 45 degrees, etc. Moreover, the heights of the longitudinal protection parts 13 and 213 are not limited to Embodiments 1 and 2, and can be set to any height.

[0115] Further, the longitudinal protection portions 13 and 213 may not be linear. For example, they may be formed in an arc shape, a curve with a locally varying angle, etc. Additionally, as long as the longitudinal protection portions 13 and 213 are provided between the large buttons 7 and 207 and the small buttons 8 and 208, they may not be integrally connected to the lower protection portions 12 and 212. That is, the shape, number, and material of the longitudinal protection portion 13, etc. are not limited to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0116] Moreover, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the inclination angle β of the button arrangement portions 14 and 214 is set to β = approximately 40 degrees, but it is not particularly limited thereto. For example, if it is in the range of β = 10 degrees to 80 degrees, and more preferably β = 35 degrees to 55 degrees, etc., as long as it is larger than the inclination angle γ of the fastening surface 15 of the upper protection portion 11 with respect to the front reference surface 5b (β > γ), it can be any angle.

[0117] In addition, the display portion is not limited to the liquid crystal display 5 and the pointer - type display. It can also be any display method such as an organic EL display, an inorganic EL display, etc.

[0118] Furthermore, the cover glass 5g and 205g are not essential, and the surface of the display may also be exposed.

Claims

1. A wristwatch-type information terminal, characterized in that, it includes: a display unit that displays time; an upper protection unit that is arranged to be disposed along the edge on the 12 o'clock side of the display unit; a lower protection unit that is arranged to be disposed along the edge on the 6 o'clock side of the display unit and is arranged to protrude from the surface of the display unit; a first button and a second button that are arranged such that the lower protection unit is interposed between the first button and the second button and the display unit, and are arranged side by side along the lower protection unit; and a longitudinal protection unit that is integrally formed with the lower protection unit and is disposed between the first button and the second button, the button among the first button and the second button that is arranged at a position biased toward the 3 o'clock side is formed larger than the button that is arranged at a position biased toward the 9 o'clock side.

2. The wristwatch-type information terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that, the upper protection unit is separated from the lower protection unit.

3. The wristwatch-type information terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a reset function is assigned to the first button.

4. The wristwatch-type information terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the outer shapes of the first button and the second button are different from each other.

5. The wristwatch-type information terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that, the longitudinal widths of the first button and the second button are different from each other, and the lateral widths of the first button and the second button are different from each other.

6. The wristwatch-type information terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that, the outer shape of the first button is formed into an inverted trapezoid shape.

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