JP2001290595A - Personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a personal digital assistant(PDA) equipped with a control mechanism which makes it possible to execute task commands. SOLUTION: A controller such as a multiaxial switch is used to enable the PDA to execute task commands. The controller can be moved in plural directions. When the controller is moved in one of the directions, a circuit which connects the controller to the CPU of the PDA detects the state and the CPU is so programmed as to execute one of the task commands for recording, cancellation, high-speed setting, etc., according to the detection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to computing devices and, more particularly, to small portable computing devices known in the art as personal digital assistants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A personal digital assistant (PD)
A) is well known in the art. The PDA allows the user to track a list of appointments, contacts (negotiations), and what to do. Users can also take notes with the stylus, record voice memos, attach them to email messages, manage the GSM cellular phonebook, and send short message service (SMS) messages. Using a built-in infrared port and appropriate software,
It can be sent or downloaded from DA.

[0003] Many ideas and devices have been proposed for control mechanisms incorporated into PDAs. The most basic form of control mechanism is a set of electrically operated switches with operating buttons attached. Pressing such an operation button allows the system to control the movement of the cursor in a specific direction or to execute a specific task command, such as increasing or decreasing the volume, recording a voice memo, or canceling a previous input. Usually, such operation buttons are
It is located at various places on A. However, if the number of buttons is relatively large, the total number of buttons must be
PDA in a user-friendly way for the user to operate
It is difficult to place on top. Further, if the operation buttons are arranged in an inconvenient place, it becomes almost impossible for the user to operate the PDA with one hand. Currently, PDA sizes continue to shrink, making one-handed operation an increasingly desirable feature.

[0004] US Patent No. 5,563,631, "Portable Information Apparatus," provides a partial solution. According to this solution, a controller such as a roller controls the movement of the cursor. For this reason, the control mechanism for cursor movement is simplified. Nevertheless, operating buttons are still needed to allow the user to perform specific task commands on the PDA. Furthermore, the solution requires a click button to enter information in relation to the cursor.

[0005]

Therefore, there is a need for a more convenient and efficient way to enable a PDA to execute a particular task command. Also, preferably, the cursor movement control should be realized by the same mechanism.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a personal digital assistant with a control mechanism that allows the system to execute multiple task commands and, if necessary, implement cursor movement control. Provide system.

[0007] One embodiment of a personal digital assistant (PDA) system according to the present invention has an enclosure that defines the boundaries of the system, and a display on the surface on which a cursor is displayed. Further, the PDA has a central processing unit (CPU) for performing digital operations, a controller for enabling the PDA to execute a plurality of task commands, and a circuit for electrically connecting the controller to the CPU. And Controllers such as multi-axis switches, mouse balls, or joysticks have a neutral position and can be moved in multiple directions. When the controller is moved in one of those directions, the circuit detects this condition and the CPU responds accordingly with RECORD, CANCEL, and QUICK-SETTING.
The program is programmed to execute one of a plurality of task commands such as (high speed setting).

[0008] Preferably, the controller is manually operable with one hand.

Furthermore, some other specific directions are defined to control the movement of the cursor by moving the controller in one of the specific directions.

[0010] Ideally, the controller is a multi-axis switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following, the present invention will be described as a pen-based system, ie using a stylus as input means. However, it should be understood that the invention is also suitable for using other types of input means, such as a keyboard.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a personal digital assistant (PDA) 10 according to the present invention in a perspective view. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the PDA 10 is about 13 cm, the width is about 8 cm, and the depth is about 1.2 cm. The PDA 10 is shaped so that it can be easily held with one hand.

As shown in FIG. 1, a PDA 10 is a PDA.
It has a body defining a boundary of 10, ie a casing 11, which has six surfaces. PDA1
0 also comprises a display 12 and a multi-axis switch 14. The display 12 and the switch 14 are both arranged on the upper surface of the casing 11. Further, in a preferred embodiment, switch 14 is mounted in a central position directly below display 12. In this way,
PDAs are well suited for right-handed or left-handed users.

The display 12 is a digital panel 2
8, for example, covered by a conductive overlay (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the PDA 10 can receive data and instructions from an electric stylus (not shown) interacting with the digitizing panel 28. Techniques for using a stylus as input means and control means are well-known palm-sized PCs, Jorada ™ 420
(Hewlett-Packar, USA
d Company),
It is well known in the art.

The display 12 is preferably an LCD display on which an output image is displayed according to the instructions of the PDA 10. The display 12 displays function icons (not shown) and a cursor 16 for selecting each icon. The cursor 16 can be moved on the display by using a stylus or a controller such as the multi-axis switch 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-axis switch 14 is
Nine directions: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, UPRIGH
It can be moved in the directions T, UPLEFT, DOWNRIGHT, DOWNLEFT, and Z. Typically, the multi-axis switch is in a neutral position. When the switch 14 is moved in one of the above directions, the PDA 10 displays the display 12.
To control the movement of the cursor 16 above, or
CORD "," CANCEL ", and" QUICK-SETTING "
It is programmed to execute a specific task command.

In a preferred embodiment, the PDA 10
Runs in the Windows (TM) CE operating environment. The direction Z is used to enter information in relation to the cursor. Normally, the direction Z is "SELECTION
(Selection) "is used to perform the task, i.e., when the switch 14 is moved in the direction Z, the PDA performs the specific function of the icon displayed on the display and selected by the cursor 16.

There are four specific directions: UP, DO
WN (bottom), LEFT (left), and RIGHT (right) are used to control the movement of the cursor 16 on the display 12. For example, when the switch 14 is moved in the direction of "UP", the cursor 16 moves upward, and so on. Four other directions: UPRIGHT, UPL
For EFT, DOWNRIGHT, and DOWNLEFT, the PDA is "RECOR
Used to execute specific task commands, such as "D", "CANCEL", and "QUICK-SETTING". For example, if the switch 14 is moved in the direction of UPRIGHT, the PDA 10 will, for example, record a voice memo (RECO
RD), and the PDA 10 cancels the preceding input (CANCEL) if the switch is moved in the DOWNLEFT direction. The PDA 10 allows the user to use the other 2
It is possible to program so that task commands for one direction can be defined.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified electrical block diagram of a PDA 10 according to the present invention. Central Processing Unit (CP
U) 20 is used for processing digital operations, receiving input information and instructions from input means such as the switch 14, and transferring data and software to and from the memory unit 22. The CPU is connected to other components via a standard system bus (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the memory unit 22 is
Preferably, it is a 6 to 32 megabyte non-volatile device, and control routines for both applications and data files are stored in the memory unit 22. The memory unit 22 is a flash memory, C
A MOS ROM, a CMOS RAM with a battery, or a combination in which software is stored in ROM and data is stored in flash memory can be used.

The battery 24 is an independent power supply, and is a well-known palm-sized PC, Jorada (trademark).
As shown at 430se (also commercially available from Hewlett-Packard Company, USA), it can be recharged in one or more of several ways.
Power traces are not shown in FIG. 2, but extend to all motorized devices in PDA 10.

The display 12 and the digitizing panel 28 are both connected to the CPU 20. As described above, the display 12 is for viewing the output of the PDA 10, and the digitizing panel 28 is for inputting information via a stylus. Further, the display 12 can be used as an input means associated with the switch 14 by controlling the cursor 16 and selecting a specific function icon to be displayed.

The multi-axis switch 14 is connected to the CPU 20 via the connector 30. When activated and moved in a particular direction, an appropriate scaled vector signal is generated by connector 30 and switches 14 send signals to CPU 20 indicating the amount and direction that switch 14 has moved. Such devices are currently used in various configurations.

In a preferred embodiment, switch 14
But Z, UPLEFT, UPRIGHT, DOWNLEFT, and DOWNRIGHT
The CPU 20 is programmed to detect the corresponding signal generated by the connector 30 and execute a particular function or a particular predefined task command. However, the CPU 20 is programmed to control the movement of the cursor 16 when the switch 14 is moved in the directions UP, DOWN, RIGHT, and LEFT.

In the following, exemplary embodiments comprising combinations of various constituent elements of the present invention will be described. 1. A personal digital assistant system that defines the boundaries of a personal digital assistant,
An enclosure having a first surface, a CPU in the enclosure for performing digital operations, and electrically connected to the CPU so that the system can execute a plurality of predefined task commands. A personal digital assistant system, including a controller for performing. 2. The controller can be driven in multiple directions,
The system according to 1 above. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system executes a first predefined task command when the controller is moved in a first direction. 4. A display provided on the first surface of the enclosure, the cursor being shown, wherein the system is programmed to control movement of the cursor when the controller is moved in a second direction. 2. The system according to 2. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the controller is moved in a third direction to enter information relative to the cursor.
The described system. 6. The display displays a plurality of function icons,
The system of claim 5, wherein when the controller is moved in the third direction, the system performs a specific function of an icon selected by the cursor. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is designed to be a multi-axis switch. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is located on the first surface of the enclosure. 9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller is located at a central location below the display. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is manually operable. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the personal digital assistant can be held with one hand. 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a circuit for electrically connecting the controller to the CPU. 13. A personal digital assistant system that defines the boundaries of a personal digital assistant,
An enclosure having a first surface, a display provided on the first surface of the enclosure to indicate a cursor, a CPU in the enclosure for performing digital operations, and an electrical connection to the CPU. And a cursor controller connected to the display for controlling movement of the cursor on the display and enabling the system to execute at least one predetermined task command. 14． 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the cursor controller can be moved in different directions. 15. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system executes the predetermined task command when the cursor controller is moved in a first direction. 16. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system is programmed to control movement of the cursor when the cursor controller is moved in a second direction. 17． 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cursor controller can be moved in a third direction to enter information related to the cursor. 18. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the display displays a plurality of function icons, and wherein when the cursor controller is moved in the third direction, the system performs a specific function of an icon selected by the cursor. 19. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the cursor controller is designed to be a multi-axis switch. 20. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the cursor controller is located on the first surface of the enclosure. 21. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the cursor controller is located at a central location below the display. 22. 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a circuit for electrically connecting said cursor controller to said CPU. 23. An enclosure defining a boundary of a personal digital assistant and having a first surface, a display provided on the first surface of the enclosure, on which a cursor is indicated, and an interior of the enclosure for performing digital operations. CPU and the CPU
A personal digital assistant system electrically connected to the display and controlling the movement of the cursor on the display and for inputting information related to the cursor. 24. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the display displays a plurality of function icons, and wherein when the cursor controller is moved in a first direction, the system performs a specific function of an icon selected by the cursor.

[0026]

The present invention provides a personal digital assistant system with a control mechanism that allows the system to execute multiple task commands and, if necessary, perform cursor movement.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a personal digital assistant system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified electrical block diagram of the personal digital assistant system of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the multi-axis switch in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Personal Digital Assistant System (PD
A) 11 Casing 12 Display 14 Multi-axis switch 16 Cursor 20 CPU

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A personal digital assistant system, comprising: defining a boundary of a personal digital assistant;
An enclosure having a surface of; and a CPU in the enclosure for performing digital operations, and electrically connected to the CPU to enable the system to execute a plurality of predefined task commands. A personal digital assistant system, including a controller.