Information processing device and reading device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing terminal and a reading device which can be made thinner and lighter. [Solution] An information processing device 1 according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a portable information terminal 100 having a connector insertion port, a cover case 200 covering the rear surface of the portable information terminal 100, and a reading device 300 externally attached to the rear surface of the cover case 200, wherein: the reading device 300 includes a male connector 301 inserted into the connector insertion port, and a base surface 313 extending along the rear surface of the cover case 200; an attachment / detachment structure for attaching / detaching the reading device 300 to / from the cover case 200 is provided on the rear surface of a rear part 205 of the cover case 200 and the base surface 313 of the external device 300; the attachment / detachment structure enables said attachment / detachment by sliding movement of the base surface 313 of the reading device 300 in the insertion direction along the rear surface of the cover case 200; and the male type connector 301 is inserted into the connector insertion port according to the sliding movement.

Description

Information processing device and reading device

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a reading device.

[0002] In recent years, handheld reading devices using smart devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals have been used in a variety of services and businesses. Handheld reading devices can be broadly divided into those that read information from symbols using the smart device alone and those that read information from symbols using a reading unit externally attached to the smart device.

[0003] The information processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 corresponds to the latter reading device and includes a smartphone, a reading unit that reads information from symbols or RF tags, and a connection unit interposed between the smartphone and the reading unit. The connection unit and reading unit are arranged in this order, superimposed on the back of the smartphone. The connection unit relays information transmission between the smartphone and the reading unit and includes a plug that connects to the smartphone's communication port, a terminal that is electrically connected to the reading unit, and an electrical circuit interposed between the plug and the terminal. As a result, an electrical signal output from the reading unit is input to the electrical circuit within the connection unit via the terminal, and then input to the smartphone from the communication port via the electrical circuit.

[0004] JP 2017-174382 A

[0005] Since smartphones and tablet terminals are devices designed to be portable, there is a demand for them to be lighter and thinner. Similarly, there is a demand for handheld reading devices to be lighter and thinner. In the information processing device of Patent Document 1, the connection unit between the smartphone and the reading unit is essential for information transmission, and the weight and thickness of the connection unit make it difficult to further reduce the weight and thickness of the device.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device and a reading device that can be made lighter and thinner.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the information processing device of the present invention comprises a portable information terminal having a connector socket, a cover case covering the back of the portable information terminal, and an external device externally attached to the back of the cover case, wherein the external device has a base extending along the back of the cover case, and the back of the cover case and the base of the external device are provided with a detachable structure for attaching and detaching the external device to and from the cover case, and the detachable structure is a structure that enables the attachment and detachment by aligning the base of the external device with the back of the cover case and sliding it in the insertion direction, and the external device and the portable information terminal are electrically connected through the socket.

[0008] In the information processing apparatus, the external device has a connector to be inserted into the socket, and the connector is inserted into the socket as the external device slides.

[0009] In the information processing device, the external device operates based on power supplied from the portable information terminal.

[0010] In the information processing device, the external device includes a power receiving unit that receives power from a charging device, and an electric path that supplies the received power to a power terminal of the connector.

[0011] In the information processing device, the external device includes a reading unit that reads information about the item, and a communication unit that transmits the read information to the mobile information terminal.

[0012] In the above-mentioned information processing device, the detachable structure is characterized by comprising a convex portion formed on one of the back surface of the cover case and the base surface of the external device, extending in the direction of insertion, and a concave portion formed on the other of the back surface of the cover case and the base surface of the external device, which fits into the convex portion.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a reading device that is externally attached to the back of a cover case that covers the back of a mobile information terminal, and includes a reading unit that reads information attached to an item, a base that contacts the back of the cover case, and a detachable structure that is provided on the base and that is attached to and detached from the cover case, and the detachable structure is a structure that enables the attachment and detachment by sliding the base along the back of the cover case, and is electrically connected to the mobile information terminal.

[0014] The information processing device and reading device of the present invention can be made lighter and thinner.

[0015] (a) Front view of an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, (b) Rear view of the information processing device Side view of the information processing device (a) Front view of a cover case, (b) Rear view of the cover case (a) View of the reading device from below (connector portion omitted), (b) A-A cross-sectional view of the cover case Block diagram of the reading device (a) Front view of the reading device, (b) Rear view of the reading device (a) Front view of a reading device provided in an information processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (b) Rear view of the reading device, (c) View of the reading device from below Perspective view of a connector unit

[0016] First Embodiment An information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The information processing device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is a handheld device that reads identification information attached to an item and performs processing based on the read identification information. Examples of processing based on the identification information include inventory management in stores and warehouses, item management in logistics, process management in manufacturing, and patient and drug management in medical care. The information processing device 1 includes a smart device 100, a cover case 200, and a reading device 300.

[0018] The smart device 100 is a mobile information terminal such as a known smartphone or tablet terminal, and has installed thereon applications corresponding to the various processes described above. The smart device 100 includes known hardware such as a camera 101 that functions as an imaging unit, a network module (not shown) that functions as a network communication unit, a touch panel display 102 that functions as a display unit that displays information and an input unit that accepts touch inputs from a user, a speaker (not shown) that functions as a sound output unit that outputs sound, a memory (not shown) that functions as a storage unit that stores the applications and the information to be handled, and a CPU (not shown) that functions as a processing unit that executes processing based on the applications.

[0019] The smart device 100 has a flat, rectangular surface and includes a front surface 110 on which a touch panel display 102 is disposed, a back surface 111 on which multiple cameras 101 are disposed, a left side surface 112 and a right side surface 113 on which switches (not shown) are disposed, a top surface 114, and a bottom surface 115. The left side surface 112, the right side surface 113, the top surface 114, and the bottom surface 115 form the outer periphery of the smart device 100. The bottom surface 115 of the smart device 100 is provided with a socket (hereinafter referred to as a "connector socket") that connects to a female connector. The female connector is electrically connected to the internal circuitry of the smart device 100. A male connector 301 ( FIG. 6 ) of the reading device 300 (described below) is inserted into the connector socket. The male connector 301 is inserted in the longitudinal direction (upward) of the smart device 100.

[0020] A cover case 200 is attached to the smart device 100. The cover case 200 protects the smart device 100 from impacts and is made of a hard material. Typical hard materials include plastics such as polycarbonate, metals, and wood.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover case 200 of this embodiment is a so-called cover-type case formed in a concave shape that conforms to the outer shape of the smart device 100. It includes a right side portion 201, a left side portion 202, an upper portion 203, a lower portion 204, and a back portion 205. The right side portion 201, the left side portion 202, the upper portion 203, and the lower portion 204 form an enclosure that surrounds the outer periphery of the smart device 100. Therefore, the outer shape of the enclosure is slightly larger than the outer shape of the smart device 100. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 , the open edges 206 of the enclosure (i.e., the edges of the right side portion 201, the left side portion 202, the upper portion, and the lower portion) protrude slightly inward, thereby holding the smart device 100 stored within the enclosure.

[0022] An opening 213 is provided in the lower part 204 of the cover case 200 at a position corresponding to the connector socket of the smart device 100, and the connector socket of the smart device 100 is exposed through the opening 213.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , the back portion 205 of the cover case 200 covers the rear surface of the smart device 100 and extends approximately the same length as the rear surface of the smart device 100. A rectangular opening 207 is formed above the back portion 205 at a position corresponding to the multiple cameras 101 of the smart device 100, and the multiple cameras 101 are exposed through the opening 207 ( FIG. 1 ). Most of the back portion 205 is flat, but a recess 208 is formed on the outer surface of the lower part of the back portion 205. The recess 208 is formed to slightly slope down from the outer surface of the back portion 205 (so as to be one step lower from the outer surface) and has a constant width from the lower end 209 of the outer surface toward the center. In other words, the recess 208 has a shallow bottom and is rectangular in shape when viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 4 , the recess 208 is formed to have a wider bottom 210. That is, in cross section, the left and right side surfaces 211 are formed in a V-shape (inclined in a direction that widens as they approach the bottom 210).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, a reading device 300 is attached to the cover case 200. The reading device 300 is a device that reads identification information attached to an article, and is externally attached to the outer surface (back surface) of the rear part 205 of the cover case 200. As shown in Fig. 5, the reading device 300 includes a camera 306, an RFID module 302, a plurality of switches 303, and a microcomputer 304, and the camera 306, the RFID module 302, and the plurality of switches 303 are electrically connected to the microcomputer 304.

[0025] Camera 306 captures an image at a predetermined angle of view and inputs the generated image to microcomputer 304. By capturing an image so that the barcode displayed on the item fits within the angle of view of camera 306, an image including the barcode is input to microcomputer 304. Microcomputer 304 analyzes the image input from camera 306 and acquires barcode information (i.e., item identification information) included in the image. In this manner, camera 306 and microcomputer 304 function as an acquisition unit that acquires item identification information from the barcode displayed on the item. Note that instead of camera 306, a light source that irradiates reading light such as infrared light and a light receiving element that receives reading light reflected from the barcode may be used, and microcomputer 304 may acquire barcode information based on an output signal from the light receiving element.

[0026] The RFID module 302 acquires information stored in the RF tag (i.e., item identification information) by wirelessly communicating with the RF tag attached to the item, and inputs the acquired information to the microcomputer 304. In this way, the RFID module 302 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the item identification information from the RF tag attached to the item.

[0027] The multiple switches 303 are push switches operated by the user, and their output signals are input to the microcomputer 304. The microcomputer 304 checks the signals from each switch 303 at a predetermined cycle, and executes a predetermined process when it detects that the signal has switched. For example, the microcomputer 304 starts a reading process when it detects that the first switch 303 has been pressed, and then ends the reading process when it detects that the first switch 303 has been pressed again. In this way, the multiple switches 303 function as an input unit that accepts input from the user.

[0028] The microcomputer 304 is electrically connected to the camera 306, RFID module 302, and multiple switches 303, as well as a communication controller 305, and inputs the acquired identification information and input information of the switches 303 (e.g., input information of the second switch 303 and the third switch 303) to the communication controller 305. The communication controller 305 functions as a wired communication unit for performing wired communication with the smart device 100, and inputs a communication signal including information input from the microcomputer 304 to the smart device 100 via the male connector 301. Here, the reading device 300 of this embodiment does not include a battery, and the above electronic components (camera 306, RFID module 302, multiple switches 303, microcomputer 304, and communication controller 305) operate on power supplied from the male connector 301, i.e., power supplied from the smart device 100.

[0029] The reading device 300 also has a plurality of terminals 307. The plurality of terminals 307 includes a power terminal and a ground terminal. The power terminal and the ground terminal function as power receiving units that receive power from a charging device, with the power terminal connected to a power source and the ground terminal connected to a ground. The power source and the ground are connected to the power source and the ground of the smart device 100 via a male connector 301. Therefore, the power received from the charging device can be supplied as charging power for the smart device 100.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the housing of the reading device 300 includes a base portion 310, a window portion 311, and a connector portion 312.

[0031] The base 310 is formed in a plate shape and includes a base surface 313 extending along the back 205 of the cover case 200, an upper surface 314, a lower surface 315, a left side surface 316, and a right side surface 317 extending from the outer periphery of the base surface 313, and a back surface 318 provided on the opposite side of the base surface 313. The above-mentioned multiple switches 303 are arranged on the left side surface 316 and the right side surface 317. In addition, an antenna 319 of the above-mentioned RFID module 302 is built into the upper side of the back surface 318, and multiple terminals 307 are provided so as to be exposed at the center of the back surface 318. In this embodiment, the multiple terminals 307 are multiple ring-shaped electrodes arranged concentrically.

[0032] Window portion 311 is a portion that houses camera 306, and includes a horizontally elongated enclosure 320 that protrudes from the connection portion between the upper outer peripheral surface of base portion 310 and back surface 318, and window 321 that is formed by a transparent plastic plate fitted inside (inside the opening of) enclosure 320. External light enters window portion 311 through window 321, and the image sensor of camera 306 receives the light.

[0033] The connector portion 312 is a portion where a connector is provided, and is formed in an L-shape. Specifically, the connector portion 312 includes a protruding portion 322 that protrudes outward from the lower surface 315 of the base portion 310, and an extending portion 323 that extends inward (toward the smart device 100) from the protruding portion 322. The male connector 301 is disposed on the extending portion 323. That is, the male connector 301 is provided so as to protrude upward from the extending portion 323.

[0034] A convex portion 324 is formed on the lower part of the base surface 313 of the reading device 300. As shown in Fig. 4, the convex portion 324 is formed so as to protrude slightly from the base surface 313, and is formed with a constant width from the lower end of the base surface 313 toward the center. That is, the convex portion 324 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the rear, and is formed so as to be one step higher than the base surface 313. As shown in Fig. 4, the convex portion 324 is formed so that the surface 325 is wide. That is, in cross section, the side surface 326 of the convex portion 324 is formed in a V-shape (inclined in a direction widening as it approaches the surface 325).

[0035] The height of the convex portion 324 is approximately the same as the depth of the recessed portion 208 of the cover case 200. Furthermore, the surface 325 of the convex portion 324 has the same shape and size as the bottom surface 210 of the recessed portion 208. Furthermore, the inclination angles of the right side surface 326 and the left side surface 326 of the convex portion 324 are the same as the inclination angles of the side surfaces 211 of the recessed portion 208. Therefore, the convex portion 324 and the recessed portion 208 are fittable together, and the reading device 300 is attached to the cover case 200 by fitting the convex portion 324 into the recessed portion 208. Specifically, the upper end 327 of the convex portion 324 is fitted into the lower end 209 ( FIG. 3 ) of the recessed portion 208, and the convex portion 324 (reading device 300) is slid upward along the recessed portion 208 (along the back portion 205 of the cover case 200), thereby fitting the convex portion 324 into the recessed portion 208. The convex portion 324 of the reading device 300 and the concave portion 208 of the cover case 200 function as an attachment / detachment structure that allows the reading device 300 to be attached to and detached from the cover case 200 by sliding it therein. In this attachment / detachment structure, the side surface 211 of the concave portion 208 functions as an engaged portion, and the side surface 326 of the convex portion 324 functions as an engaging portion. The engaging portion engages with the engaged portion, thereby stably attaching the reading device 300 to the cover set 200. A protruding bar 328 that protrudes inward is formed on the upper portion of the convex portion 324, and a recess 212 into which the protruding bar 328 fits is formed on the upper portion of the recess 208. The protruding bar 328 fits into the recess 212, thereby holding the protruding portion 324 within the recess 208.

[0036] Here, the male connector 301 is positioned to correspond to the position of the connector socket, so when the reading device 300 is slid and attached to the cover case 200, the male connector 301 is inserted into the connector socket at approximately the same time as the reading device 300 is attached.

[0037] In the information processing device 1 of this embodiment, the reading device 300 can be attached to and detached from the cover case 200, and the reading device 300 and the smart device 100 are directly electrically connected, so a relay device as in the past is not required. Therefore, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment can be made lighter and thinner.

[0038] Furthermore, in the information processing device 1 of this embodiment, the reading device 300 is attached by sliding, and the male connector 301 of the reading device 300 is inserted into the connector socket of the smart device 100, so the movement of the male connector 301 can be restricted to a certain direction, thereby preventing damage to the male connector 301 when attaching or detaching it.

[0039] Furthermore, in the information processing device 1 of this embodiment, communication between the reading device 300 and the smart device 100 is wired, so communication errors and setting errors are less likely to occur in wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. Furthermore, this device can be used in places where wireless communication is not available.

[0040] Furthermore, since the reading device 300 of this embodiment does not have a battery and operates on power supplied from the smart device 100, the user only needs to be careful to charge the smart device 100. In other words, it is possible to prevent the reading device 300 from becoming unusable due to a dead battery.

[0041] Second Embodiment

[0042] The information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that it includes a smart device 100, a cover case 200 that covers the back surface of the smart device 100, and a reading device 400 ( FIG. 7 ) that is externally attached to the back surface 205 of the cover case 200. The reading device 400 differs from the first embodiment in that it does not have a connector portion but has a female connector, but the other configurations are similar to the reading device 300 of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the configurations that differ from the first embodiment, and a description of the common configurations will be omitted.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7 , the reading device 400 includes a base 410 and a window 411. The configurations of the base 410 and the window 411 are the same as those of the base 310 and the window 311 of the reading device 300 of the first embodiment. As described above, in the reading device 400, no connector is provided at the bottom end of the base 410, and the bottom end surface 430 is formed flat, with a connector socket 431 formed in the center of the bottom end surface 430. The connector socket 431 has the same shape as the connector socket formed in the smart device 100. A female connector identical to the female connector provided in the smart device 100 is disposed inside the connector socket 431.

[0044] Here, the reading device 400 and the smart device 100 of this embodiment are electrically connected via a connector unit 500 shown in FIG. 8 . The connector unit 500 includes a male connector 501 that connects to the female connector of the smart device 100, another male connector 502 that connects to the female connector of the reading device 400, and an electrical path (not shown) interposed between the first male connector 501 and the other male connector 502. In this embodiment, the electrical path is provided inside a casing 503 that is formed in a substantially U-shape in side view. The first male connector 501 is disposed at one end of the casing 503, and the other male connector 502 is disposed at the other end of the casing 503. The first male connector 501 and the other male connector 502 are disposed side by side, one above the other, so as to have the same insertion direction.

[0045] In the information processing apparatus of this embodiment, a cover case 200 is attached to a smart device 100, and a reading device 400 is slid into the cover case 200. In this attached state, the connector socket of the smart device 100 and the connector socket 431 of the reading device 400 are arranged vertically side by side. A pair of male connectors 501 and 502 of a connector unit 500 are inserted into both connector sockets. This electrically connects the smart device 100 and the reading device 400. Note that, although the present embodiment uses a connector unit 500 having a substantially U-shaped casing 503, a connector unit in which one male connector 501 and another male connector 502 are connected by a short flat cable or the like may also be used.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments.

[0047] <Modification 1> The cover case 200 may be a so-called notebook-style case. That is, the cover case 200 may include a lid that covers the front surface 110 of the smart device, and the lid may be connected to the back portion 205.

[0048] <Modification 2> In the above embodiment, the recess 208 of the cover case 200 and the protrusion 324 of the reading device 300 are rectangular, but are not limited to this shape. For example, the recess 208 and the protrusion 324 may be trapezoidal, with the width gradually decreasing from the bottom end toward the center. Furthermore, the recess 208 may be groove-shaped, and the protrusion 324 may be strip-shaped. In other words, the recess 208 and the protrusion 324 may be formed so as to extend in the connector insertion direction.

[0049] <Variant 3> In the above embodiment, a recess 208 is formed in the cover case 200 and a protrusion 324 is formed in the reading device 300, but it is also acceptable if a protrusion 324 is formed in the cover case 200 and a recess 208 is formed in the reading device 300.

[0050] <Modification 4> The information processing device 1 of the above embodiment includes a reading device 300 that reads identification information of an item. However, the reading device 300 may be replaced with an acquisition device that acquires a person's biometric information. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may include an imaging device with a high-performance imaging element or a high-performance zoom function instead of the reading device 300. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may include a storage device with a large-capacity memory instead of the reading device 300. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may include a charging device with a large-capacity secondary battery instead of the reading device 300. In this way, the information processing device 1 may include the smart device 100, the cover case 200, and an external device externally attached to the cover case 200.

[0051] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing device 100 Smart device (mobile information terminal) 200 Cover case 208 Recess 300 Reading device 301 Male connector 307 Multiple terminals (power receiving unit) 313 Base surface 324 Convex portion

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a mobile information terminal having a connector socket; a cover case covering the back of the mobile information terminal; and an external device externally attached to the back of the cover case, wherein the external device has a base extending along the back of the cover case, and the back of the cover case and the base of the external device are provided with a detachable structure for attaching and detaching the external device to and from the cover case, and the detachable structure is a structure that enables the attachment and detachment by aligning the base of the external device with the back of the cover case and sliding it in the insertion direction, and wherein the external device and the mobile information terminal are electrically connected through the socket.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the external device has a connector that is inserted into the socket, and the connector is inserted into the socket as the device slides.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the external device operates on the basis of power supplied from the portable information terminal.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises: a power receiving unit that receives power from a charging device; and an electrical path that supplies the received power to a power terminal of the connector.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the external device comprises: a reading unit that reads information about the item; and a communication unit that transmits the read information to the mobile information terminal.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the detachable structure comprises: a convex portion formed on one of the rear surface of the cover case and the base surface of the external device, extending in the direction of insertion; and a concave portion formed on the other of the rear surface of the cover case and the base surface of the external device, which fits into the convex portion.

7. A reading device attached externally to the back of a cover case that covers the back of a mobile information terminal, comprising: a reading unit that reads information attached to an item; a base that contacts the back of the cover case; and a detachable structure that is provided on the base and that allows the device to be attached and detached to the cover case; wherein the detachable structure is a structure that allows the device to be attached and detached by sliding the base along the back of the cover case; and is electrically connected to the mobile information terminal.

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