Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element – Using a periodically moving element
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-31
2001-07-17
Pascal, Leslie (Department: 2633)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
Using a periodically moving element
C359S199200, C359S199200, C359S199200, C359S199200, C361S689000, C361S689000, C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06262824
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information apparatus having an optical communication function for transmitting/receiving data by using light such as infrared.
There is known a so-called “book-type” or “notebook-type” compact portable computer capable of exchanging data with an information device or a peripheral device by means of infrared. This type of portable computer comprises a main body and a display unit rotatably supported on the main body. The main body includes a box-shaped housing body on which a keyboard is disposed. An infrared communication device for transmitting/receiving data by using infrared is contained within the housing body.
The infrared communication device includes a light emission element for emitting infrared, and a light reception element for receiving infrared. The light emission element and light reception element are juxtaposed in the width direction of the housing body. The housing body has a communication port in its rear surface. The communication port faces the light emission element and light reception element. The communication port is covered with a light-transmissive protection cover. According to the conventional portable computer, if the communication port provided in the rear surface of the housing body is opposed to a communication port provided in some other information device, data can be exchanged between the portable computer and the information device.
In the conventional portable computer, the communication port is positioned at the rear surface of the housing body and the position of this communication port is fixed. In a case where the positions of the communication ports of the portable computer and the associated information device, between which data is to be exchanged, are vertically displaced from each other, it is necessary to vertically move either the portable computer or the information device so that both communication ports may exactly be aligned with each other.
Since infrared has high linear propagation properties (i.e. directivity), communication failures or communication abnormalities will occur frequency if the work for aligning the communication ports is not, or not exactly, performed. Thus, the work for aligning the communication ports must be performed with high precision, and a great deal of time and labor is needed until infrared communication is started.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an information apparatus wherein the vertical position of optical communication means can be freely adjusted, and data exchange between the apparatus and some other device can be performed easily and exactly with enhanced reliability of optical communication.
In order to achieve the object, there is provided an information apparatus comprising:
a main body having an upper surface;
a display unit including a display housing having a front surface and a rear surface located opposite to the front surface, and a display contained in the display housing and having a display screen exposed to the front surface, the display unit being supported on the main body to be rotatable between a closed position where the display unit falls down to cover the upper surface and an open position where the display unit stands up to expose the upper surface; and
optical communication means for transmitting/receiving data by using light, the optical communication means being contained within the display housing and having a communication port exposed to the rear surface of the display housing.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an information apparatus comprising:
a main body having an upper surface on which a keyboard is disposed;
a display unit including a display housing having a front surface and a rear surface located opposite to the front surface, and a display contained in the display housing and having a display screen exposed to the front surface, the display unit being supported on the main body to be rotatable between a closed position where the display unit falls down to cover the keyboard and an open position where the display unit stands up to expose the keyboard;
optical communication means for transmitting/receiving data by using light, the optical communication means being contained within the display housing and having a communication port exposed to the rear surface of the display housing; and
a plurality of icons for displaying operational states of the apparatus, the icons being disposed on the front surface of the display housing in a back-to-back positional relationship with the optical communication means.
In the above structure, the optical communication means is provided in the display unit which is rotatable over an angular range between an open position and a closed position. At the time of starting communication, the display unit is rotated to the open position. If the display unit situated in the open position is rotated to vary the angle of its standing position, the communication port for receiving/transmitting light from/to some other device moves while describing a locus arcuated upward from the main body.
As a result, the vertical position of the communication port can be adjusted along the height of the apparatus by a simple operation of rotating the display unit, and the range of light reception/transmission can be widened. Even when the vertical positions of the apparatus and device, between which communication is to be performed, are displaced from each other, there is no need to perform such a time-consuming work as raising the apparatus, and communication can be performed easily. In addition, the possibility of communication failure or communication abnormality decreases, and the reliability of data exchange by means of infrared increases.
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention also provides an information apparatus comprising:
a main body having an upper surface on which information input means is disposed;
a display unit including a display housing having a front surface and a rear surface located opposite to the front surface, and a display contained in the display housing and having a display screen exposed to the front surface, the display unit being supported on the main body to be rotatable between a closed position where the display unit falls down to cover the information input means and an open position where the display unit stands up to expose the information input means; and
optical communication means for transmitting/receiving data by using infrared, the optical communication means having a light emission element and a light reception element and contained within the display housing,
wherein the rear surface of the display housing has an opening opposed to the light emission element and the light reception element, the opening being covered with a light-permissible protection cover.
In the above structure, the optical communication means is provided in the display unit which is rotatable over an angular range between an open position and a closed position. At the time of starting communication, the display unit is rotated to the open position. If the display unit situated in the open position is rotated to vary the angle of its standing position, the opening for receiving/transmitting light from/to some other device moves while describing a locus arcuated upward from the main body. Thus, the vertical position of the opening can be adjusted along the height of the apparatus by a simple operation of rotating the display unit, and the range of light reception/transmission can be widened. Even when the vertical positions of the apparatus and device, between which communication is to be performed, are displaced from each other, there is no need to perform such a time-consuming work as raising the apparatus, and communication can be performed easily. In addition, the possibility of communication failure or communication abnormality decreases, and the reliability of data exchange by means of infrared incr
Sasaki Katsumaru
Suzuki Yasuyuki
Yokoyama Naohiro
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Pascal Leslie
Phan Hanh
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