JP2000293266A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which is easily operated in a narrower space. SOLUTION: To use a notebook type personal computer 10 in a narrower space or to start an application program without using a keyboard 31, an upper housing 11 is rotated on arms 13 and 14 by 180 deg. to the opposite direction and in this state, the upper housing 11 and arms 13 and 14 are adjusted integrally to a lower housing 12. Consequently, the notebook type personal computer 10 becomes a flat type device having a liquid crystal panel 21 of the upper housing 11 arranged facing out. A projection part of the upper housing 11 presses down a projection part detection switch 32 and a signal processing part detects the liquid crystal panel 21 being arranged facing outside, so when the power source is turned on, the OS corresponding to this style starts and a resume function restores the station which the computer is powered down last.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus such as a notebook personal computer, a notebook type information processing apparatus, a portable information terminal, a small communication apparatus, and the like. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that can perform the processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the remarkable progress of semiconductor technology and the progress of various technologies such as reduction in size and weight of storage devices, portable computers and new portable information processing devices have been developed and rapidly spread. A notebook personal computer will be described as an example of such a portable information processing apparatus with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mode when the operation of the notebook personal computer is not performed, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mode when the operation is performed.

As shown in the figure, a normal notebook personal computer 90 has an upper casing 9 having the same rectangular planar shape.
1 and the lower housing 92 are rotatably connected on one side thereof. A liquid crystal panel 93 serving as a display unit of the computer device is provided on a surface of the upper housing 91 that is to be fitted with the lower housing 92. In addition, a keyboard 94 that is an input unit and an operation unit of the computer device is provided on a surface of the lower housing 92 that matches the upper housing 91. A main board on which a CPU, a memory, and the like are mounted, a hard disk drive, an external storage device, connectors for various interfaces, slots for interfaces, and the like are not shown, but are usually housed in the lower housing 92. .

In such a notebook personal computer 90, the notebook personal computer 90 is rotated as shown in FIG. 7 by rotating the upper housing 91 with respect to the lower housing 92 about the joint. There are two forms, a closed state in which the upper casing 91 and the lower casing 92 are combined, and an open state in which the upper casing 91 and the lower casing 92 form a sufficient angle as shown in FIG. It can be taken.

When the notebook personal computer 90 is not used or carried, the notebook personal computer 90 has a closed form as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 93 and the keyboard 9
4 is not exposed to the outside, and thus has a structure that is resistant to physical trauma, accidental erroneous operation, and the like. In this embodiment, the upper housing 91 and the lower housing 92 are locked by a locking device (not shown) so that the upper housing 91 is not easily opened.

When a notebook personal computer 90 is normally used, the notebook personal computer 90 has an open form as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the operator can operate the keyboard 94 while looking at the liquid crystal panel 93. The operator operates the notebook personal computer 90 in such a form by placing it on his or her lap, such as on a desk or in a car.

[0007]

By the way, in such a notebook personal computer up to now, it was necessary to always use a form as shown in FIG. 8 when using it. However, some space is required for the operation, and there has been a demand for easy operation in a smaller space. In particular, for example, when a worker performs an operation on a lap in a car such as a train or the like, the operator must arrange the device in a limited space and view the liquid crystal panel 93 at a viewing angle with a small degree of freedom. There is a restriction that. However, in the device having the configuration shown in FIG. 8, it is easy to cause a case where the user has to look into the liquid crystal panel 93 as if looking into it, or a case where the allowed space is small and the keyboard 94 cannot be freely operated. Therefore, a device that can be operated with good operability even in a small space is desired.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the improvement of user interfaces in application programs and the development of input devices such as various pointing devices and electrostatic sheets, various types of information input and various operations can be performed without using a keyboard. You can do it. In other words, there are more applications that can instruct processing by a simple pointing operation, a selection operation, and the like, and input means in a form that allows input of characters and the like by directly operating a display device has become widespread. ing.
However, even when an application using such input means is executed, the conventional notebook personal computer 90 has to be used in the form shown in FIG. Therefore, in consideration of the use of such input means, development of an information processing apparatus capable of performing an operation in a much smaller space with good operability is expected.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus which can be easily operated in a smaller space.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a signal processing circuit for performing arbitrary signal processing, and a display means for displaying arbitrary information based on the signal processing. A first flat component having a display surface of the display means formed on one flat surface portion, and at least a part of the signal processing circuit accommodated therein, and the display surface of the first component portion Alternatively, when the display device has a predetermined surface on which the back surface of the display surface is fitted, and the display surface or the back surface of the display surface is fitted on the predetermined surface, and the first component is arranged, the first configuration is performed. A second component forming a flat plate-shaped device integrally with the first component;
A first position where the display surface is aligned with a predetermined surface of the second component, and a second position where the back surface of the display surface is aligned with the predetermined surface of the second component. And a connecting portion movably connected to a predetermined position including the second position.

In the information processing apparatus having such a configuration, when not used, the display surface of the first component is arranged so as to match the predetermined surface of the second component. As a result, the entire device has a flat plate shape, and the display surface is accommodated inside the device. In use, the back surface of the display surface of the first component is arranged so as to match the predetermined surface of the second component. Even with this arrangement, the shape of the entire device remains a flat plate shape, and the display surface is observed from the outside.

Preferably, the second component has an operation surface as the predetermined surface on which the display surface of the first component or the back surface of the display surface is aligned with one flat portion. Wherein the connecting portion is
The first component can be further moved to a third position where the operation surface of the second component can be operated while visually recognizing the display surface of the first component externally. Connect to Preferably, the first component includes an operation unit that is operable on a surface on which the display surface is formed, at least when the first component is arranged at the second position. Have.

[0013] More preferably, the apparatus further comprises position detecting means for detecting an arrangement of the first component, and the signal processing circuit is configured to determine at least a position of the first component based on the detected arrangement of the first component. The processing to be executed is switched between when the first component is disposed at the first position and when the first component is disposed at the second position. Specifically, the signal processing circuit includes two systems of a resume function for storing a state when power is turned off and restoring the stored state when power is turned on. Based on the arrangement and the arrangement of the first components at the time of power-on, a system for storing the power-off state and a system for restoring the power-on state in the resume function are selected.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the present invention will be described using a notebook personal computer 10 as an example.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining a usage form of the notebook personal computer 10.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a closed form not used, FIG. 2 is a view showing a first use form which is a use form when using a keyboard, and FIG. 3 is a view showing the first use form. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of switching to a second usage mode, and FIG. 4 illustrates a second usage mode in which a keyboard is not used.
It is a figure which shows the usage pattern of.

First, the notebook personal computer 1
The structure of 0 will be described. The notebook personal computer 10 has a configuration in which an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12 are connected by two arms 13 and 14. The lower housing 12 and the arms 13 and 14 are connected by first hinges 15 and 16 at both inner portions of the lower housing 12.
Thus, the arms 13 and 14 are rotatable around the back side of the lower housing 12 as a rotation axis. The upper housing 11 is connected to the arms 13 and 14 by the second hinges 17 and 18 at the center of the left and right sides of the upper housing 11. Thus, the upper housing 11 is rotatable about an axis connecting the hinge 17 with the left arm 13 and the hinge 18 with the right arm 14 as a rotation axis.

The arms 13 and 14 have the same length as the vertical length of the upper housing 11 and the same thickness as the upper housing 11. Therefore, when the arms 13 and 14 are arranged so as to be continuous with the upper housing 11 in the same plane as the left and right upper housings 11 of the upper housing 11, these upper housings 1
The planar shape of the portion formed by the arm 1 and the arms 13 and 14 is the same as that of the lower housing 12. As a result, when the portion composed of the upper casing 11 and the arms 13 and 14 is superimposed on the lower casing 12 in this state, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. This is a flat plate-shaped device having a thickness obtained by adding 11 and the lower housing 12.

The upper housing 11 has a liquid crystal panel 2 on one surface.
1, a cursor controller 22 and a button switch 23 are provided, and the other surface has a convex surface identification portion (convex portion).
24 are provided. The liquid crystal panel 21 is a display unit of the notebook personal computer 10 and displays various information and results related to desired information processing.

The cursor controller 22 is an operation unit for moving the position of a pointing object such as an arrow displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21. The notebook personal computer 10 operates the liquid crystal panel 21 as shown in FIG. This is effective when used in the second use mode in which the external use is folded.

The button switch 23 is a button switch for instructing an application program running on the notebook personal computer 10 to perform predetermined processing.
This is effective when used in the form of use. The button switch 23 is used, for example, to move a pointing object displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21 onto an object also displayed on the liquid crystal panel 21 by the cursor controller 22 and press the button switch 23 to perform a predetermined process. To select an instruction or process,
It is used as follows. Actual functions at this time are sequentially defined by an application program running on the notebook personal computer 10.

The protruding portion 24 detects that the notebook personal computer 90 is in a state in which the liquid crystal panel 21 is folded outward and folded, that is, in the second use mode as shown in FIG. It is a mark provided in order to perform. When the surface of the upper housing 11 on which the liquid crystal panel 21 is not provided is fitted to the lower housing 12, the protrusion 24 is located at a position corresponding to a later-described protrusion detection switch 32 of the lower housing 12. It is provided at a position where it can be pressed down.

The lower casing 12 is a flat casing, and has a keyboard 3 on one surface facing the upper casing 11.
1 and a convex part detection switch 32 are provided. The keyboard 31 is an input unit of the notebook personal computer 10, and is a notebook personal computer 9.
0 is used for inputting an instruction of a process to be performed or various information.

The convex portion detection switch 32 is a switch for detecting which surface of the upper housing 11 faces the lower housing 12 with the surface facing out. As shown in FIG. 4, when the surface of the upper housing 11 on which the liquid crystal panel 21 is not provided is fitted to the lower housing 12, as described above, the protrusion 24 of the upper housing 11 It is arranged at the position of the convex part detection switch 32, and as a result, the convex part 24 is pressed by the convex part 24. The convex detection switch 32 is configured so that the upper housing 11 is positioned such that the rear surface of the surface having the liquid crystal panel 21 faces the keyboard 31, that is, the surface having the liquid crystal panel 21 faces outward. It is detected that the housing 12 has been fitted.

The lower housing 12 accommodates a main board on which a CPU and a memory are mounted, a hard disk drive, an external storage device, connectors for various interfaces, slots for interfaces, and the like. .

Next, the processing in the signal processing section of the notebook personal computer 10 will be described. Note that the notebook personal computer 10 is a normal computer device, and usually has various configurations of a normal computer device. That is, input means such as a keyboard 31, display means such as a liquid crystal panel 21, an operating system (OS), an application program being executed, various parameters, settings, and a memory such as a ROM for storing data being processed. A CPU that actually performs desired arithmetic processing and control processing according to a program, an external storage device such as a hard disk device that stores various information, and an interface unit for connecting to a printer and various external devices. Provided in normal form.

Therefore, here, only the characteristic processing in the notebook personal computer 10 will be described. The signal processing unit of the notebook personal computer 10 has two systems, an OS and a resume function. In addition to switching between the OS and the system of the resume function, switching of an application program to be executed and the above-described cursor controller The switching of the validity / invalidity of the button 22 and the button switch 23 and the like are switched according to the arrangement of the upper housing 11 detected by the projection detecting switch 32.

As the OS, for example, Windows 9
5 and Windows CE (Windows 95, Wi
both WindowsCE and US Microsoft C
4 is installed, and as shown in FIG.
When the notebook personal computer 90 is started up in a state where it is arranged with the outside facing, Windows C
E is started, otherwise, Windows 95 is started.

As for the application program, similarly to the OS, an application program to be automatically started for each arrangement of the upper housing 11 can be set. Therefore, when the notebook personal computer 90 is started up with the upper housing 11 arranged with the liquid crystal panel 21 as the outer surface as shown in FIG. 4, it is started up in a normal form as shown in FIG. And when
Different application programs can be launched automatically.

The resume function for storing the state when the power is turned off, restoring the state when the power is turned on, and enabling processing from that state is also described. The unit has two systems, namely, a process in a state in which the upper housing 11 is arranged with the liquid crystal panel 21 as an outer surface, and another process. The storage area for storing or reading the state of the notebook personal computer 10 is switched based on the state of the projection detecting switch 32 when the power is turned off and when the power is turned on.

The signal processing section includes a convex detection switch 3
2 to enable / disable the cursor controller 22 and the button switch 23. That is, the upper housing 11 is
The cursor controller 22 and the button switch 23 are enabled when the device is placed on the outside, and disabled at other times.

Next, the usage of the notebook personal computer 10 having such a configuration will be described. First, when the notebook personal computer 10 is not used, the notebook personal computer 10 is normally used.
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper housing 11 is fitted to the lower housing 12 with the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 21 facing outward. From this state, when the notebook personal computer 10 is used in the same first usage mode as before, the upper housing 11 is moved to the arms 13 and 13 so that the first hinges 15 and 16 rotate. Wake up together with 14. As a result, the notebook personal computer 10 is used as shown in FIG. For example, when the notebook personal computer 10 is used on a desk or the like, the notebook personal computer 10 may be configured in such a manner, and the operation may be performed through the keyboard 31.

If the power is turned on in this state, the notebook personal computer 10 is, for example, Windows.
ws95 was launched and the first time
The state when the power is turned off is called and restored in the usage pattern of. In addition, depending on the setting, execution of an application program that is automatically started when started in the first usage mode is started. If the power is turned off in this state, the signal processing unit of the notebook personal computer 10 stores the state at this time as one system of the resume function, that is, data of the state in the first usage mode. .

Also, for example, when the notebook personal computer 10 is used in a car such as a train,
When the user wants to use the notebook personal computer 10 in a smaller space or runs an application program that does not require the use of the keyboard 31, as shown in FIG.
4 so that the upper housing 11 and the arms 13, 14
To the lower housing 12 integrally. As a result, the notebook personal computer 10 has a second personal computer as shown in FIG.
, And the liquid crystal panel 21 of the upper housing 11 is arranged outward.

By aligning the upper housing 11 with the lower housing 12 in this manner, the protrusion 24 is
Is pressed, and in the signal processing unit in the notebook personal computer 10, the notebook personal computer 1
It is detected that 0 has become the second usage pattern. Therefore, when the power is turned on in this state, the notebook personal computer 10 starts, for example, Windows CE, and calls up and restores the state when the power was last turned off in the second use mode from the resume function. In addition, depending on the setting, execution of an application program that is automatically started when the application program is started in the second usage mode is started.
If the power is turned off in this state, the signal processing unit of the notebook personal computer 10 stores the state at this time as the other system of the resume function, that is, the data of the state in the second usage mode. I do.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the notebook personal computer 10 includes the liquid crystal panel 21 shown in FIG. 4 and the first use mode which is a normal use mode as shown in FIG. It can be selectively used in the second usage form which is a flat form provided on the outer surface. Then, the second usage mode can be used without difficulty even in a narrow space or a place where there is no flexibility in installation, as compared with the first usage mode as shown in FIG. That is, the information can be more easily visually observed and operated.

The notebook personal computer 1
In the case of 0, an OS, an application program, a resume function, and the like to be started according to a use mode can be selected. Therefore, one device can be used under appropriate conditions according to the usage mode.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the mechanism for reversing the orientation of the upper housing and arranging it on the lower housing is not limited to the method using two arms as in the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a mode in which only one arm is used may be used.
This is effective because, in a device of the same size, the effective usable area on the upper housing can be widened. In addition, as shown in FIG.
In the center of the lower side, a coupling portion 19 that can open and close the upper housing 11b and rotate in the left and right direction is provided,
Thereby, the direction of the upper housing 11b may be reversed so as to overlap the lower housing 12b. The mechanism for reversing the direction of the upper housing 11 is not limited at all.

As an operating means for use in a state as shown in FIG. 4 in which the upper casing is inverted, the notebook personal computer of the present embodiment comprises a cursor controller 22 and a button switch 23. However, the operation means is not limited to this, and any means may be used. For example, a transparent capacitive touch panel may be overlaid on the liquid crystal panel, and the operation may be performed by this. Further, the touch panel may be used to directly operate the liquid crystal panel. In addition, if it is used for an application program that merely displays information, a configuration that does not include such an operation unit may be used.

A mechanism for detecting the arrangement of the upper housing is also provided as follows.
In the present embodiment, the detection is performed by the protrusion detection switches of the upper housing and the lower housing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any method may be used. For example, a sensor for detecting the orientation of the upper housing may be provided in a mechanism for moving the upper housing, such as an arm or a hinge. In addition, there may be no automatic detection mechanism, and the setting may be manually performed using a switch.

The processing based on the arrangement of the upper housing in the signal processing section of the notebook personal computer also includes
It may be set arbitrarily. In the present embodiment, the OS,
Although the application program and the resume function are switched, the operating conditions of the notebook personal computer and the processing conditions of the application program may be switched. Further, the processing may be performed using the information of the upper housing arrangement in an application program to be mounted. Of course, regardless of the arrangement of the upper housing, the processing in the signal processing unit may not be changed at all.

In the present embodiment, a notebook personal computer has been described, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. A smaller information processing device such as an electronic organizer, a portable information processing device specialized in a dictionary function or an e-mail function, a communication device such as a mobile phone, or a mobile information processing device used on a normal desk. The present invention can be applied to any information processing device as long as the device is desired to be used in a smaller space, such as a device, or a device used for an application having no keyboard.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus which can be easily operated in a smaller space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a use mode of a notebook personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram particularly illustrating a closed mode that is not used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a usage pattern of the notebook personal computer, and is a diagram illustrating a first usage pattern using a keyboard.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a usage mode of the notebook personal computer, similarly to the first usage mode;
It is a figure which shows the process at the time of switching to the usage pattern of.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a usage mode of the notebook personal computer, similarly, showing a second usage mode without using a keyboard.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of switching a use mode in a notebook personal computer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of switching a use mode in a notebook personal computer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a usage form of a conventional notebook personal computer, and is a view showing a closed form that is not used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a conventional notebook personal computer, and is a diagram showing a normal usage pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Laptop personal computer, 11 ... Upper case, 12 ... Lower case, 13, 14 ... Arm, 15, 16
... first hinges, 17, 18 ... second hinges, 19 ... joining part, 21 ... liquid crystal panel, 22 ... cursor controller,
23 ... button switch, 24 ... convex part, 31 ... keyboard, 32 ... convex part detection switch, 90 ... notebook personal computer, 91 ... upper housing, 92 ... lower housing, 9
3: Liquid crystal panel, 94: Keyboard

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A signal processing circuit for performing an arbitrary signal processing, a display means for displaying arbitrary information based on the signal processing, and a flat plate having a display surface of the display means formed on one flat surface. A first configuration unit, which accommodates at least a part of the signal processing circuit;
A case where the display surface or the back surface of the display surface of the component has a predetermined surface, and the display surface or the back surface of the display surface is combined with the predetermined surface, and the first component is disposed. A second component for integrally forming a plate-shaped device with the first component; and a display surface for the first component, wherein the display surface is the second component. A first position of the second component that matches the predetermined surface, and a back position of the display surface that can move to a predetermined position that includes a second position that matches the predetermined surface of the second component. An information processing device having a connection unit for connection. 2. The second component has an operation surface as the predetermined surface on which the display surface of the first component or the back surface of the display surface is aligned with one flat surface. It is a component part of a flat plate shape, The connection part further connects the first component part with the first component part.
The display surface of the component part is visible from the outside and the second
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface of the component unit is movably connected to a operable third position. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first component is provided on at least the second component on the surface on which the display surface is formed.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an operation unit that is operable when the information processing apparatus is arranged at the position. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a transparent touch panel operable directly on the display surface is formed on the display surface of the first component. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a position detecting unit configured to detect an arrangement of the first component, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to detect at least the first component based on the detected arrangement of the first component. 3. A process to be executed is switched between a case where the component is arranged at the first position and a case where the component is arranged at the second position.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal processing circuit switches the direction of image information displayed on the display means based on the detected arrangement of the first component. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal processing circuit switches an operating system (OS) to be started based on the detected arrangement of the first component. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal processing circuit switches an application program to be started based on the detected arrangement of the first component. 9. The signal processing circuit includes two systems of a resume function for storing a state when power is turned off and restoring the stored state when power is turned on.
A system for storing the power-off state and a system for restoring the power-on state in the resume function, based on the arrangement of the components and the arrangement of the first component at power-on. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 10. The position detection means, wherein the surface of the first component on which the display surface is formed, the surface corresponding to the back of the display surface, or the operation surface of the second component is formed. A convex or concave mark formed on at least one of the surfaces that can be identified, and the first component or the second component of the second component.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: switch means for detecting a shape of the mark, the switch being provided at a position facing the mark when the constituent part is arranged at the first position or the second position. apparatus. 11. The first connecting part includes a first side part near the both sides of the display surface of the first component part and a corresponding one side part of the operation surface of the second component part. And a rod rotatably coupled to the second component by a predetermined angle, the rod being formed by two rods corresponding to both sides of the display surface and the operation surface. The information processing device according to claim 2. 12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion includes a side portion near one of both lateral sides of the display surface of the first component portion and a corresponding side portion of the operation surface of the second component portion. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is formed by one rod rotatably coupled to the first component and the second component at a predetermined angle. 13. The connecting part according to claim 1, wherein a side of the first component near a lower side of the display surface and a corresponding side of the second component near an upper part of the operation surface are the second component. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is formed by one rod rotatably coupled to the first component and the second component at a predetermined angle.