DE19546786A1 - Portable information storing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a housing (9), a data memory and a data output unit, a data display unit (2), a computer, a power supply unit and an external connection (18). The data display unit consists of two LCD screens which can be separately controlled and which are mounted in "book" form. The two screens (3,4) take up the whole extent of the housing on both sides, and have a hinge (16) connection. In the case of several pages, the key (6) turns the pages either backwards or forwards. The setting unit (17) adjusts the display.

Description

The invention relates to a portable device for reading and displaying data in Form of drawing elements, consisting essentially of

• - a housing,
• a data storage or data output device arranged in the housing,
• a display arranged in the housing and representing the output data establishment,
• a computer unit for controlling the data output and display process,
• - one or more key elements or a keyboard,
• - One or more connection elements as well
• - A power supply unit arranged in the housing for supplying the data tens storage or data output device, the display device and the calculation unit.

One of these is from the company catalog of Sony (program 94, pp. 176-178) direction known as DATA-Discman®. This device is used Read data from, for example, optical disks and on a display device, which consists of a single screen. They are called so-called electronic book used, with a keyboard that hinge on the connected to a screen is used to either enter terms that are then in the electronic book or on the optical disc, or notes to be entered, which can then be called up later. Form These known devices correspond to those of a laptop or a commercially available one electronic organizers. This means that the keyboard is displayed on the screen is that the screen must be folded up for use.

For hands-free use, however, the keyboard must be held and can only with one hand or even only with single fingers, for example the index fingers to be served. Therefore, the known device is very bulky and for a groove unsuitable for a long period of time for ergonomic reasons.  

It also proves disadvantageous that the screen for reading is shown on it Data is very small, making this device unsuitable for extended use is.

So far, the reader of books has been used to holding a book with both hands and take a hand off the book and turn the page with your fingers to turn the pages to turn the relevant page. Due to the arrangement of the keyboard and picture screen the user of such a device must switch and is ge forced, the device for use on one level, for example a table to deliver. This is the only way to correctly operate the known Vorrich make.

Therefore, the task is to develop the known device so that the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art can be avoided.

The object is achieved in that the display device consists of two screens there are, which are arranged so that the one long side of a screen Kopop over a hinge-like connection with the long side of the other screen pelt, which creates a book-like arrangement of the two screens.

The main advantage of the device according to the invention is that it is like to handle a book. The two screens correspond to the two jacks ten, key elements for "turning the pages" of the electronic book are seen that can be operated with a finger. The user or reader is no longer forced to adjust to the new medium. Advantageously In its simplest form, the device has all the features that also come from conventional book shows that an electronic book regardless of the stay stop the reader like a conventional book in both the way the book is presented pages and can be read in the holding position of the device. A softwa Resteuerung the device according to the invention causes, for example, on the Optical disk saved text and graphics files as body text on the two image screens of the display device can be divided.  

In addition, this book has advantages that reading a book are essential facilitate; e.g. B. is saved by the device at "collapse the book" the spot where the reader stopped reading. The user hits the device again, he finds the passage where he stopped reading.

It is also provided that the font size can be increased as desired, so that older ones People can easily read a book.

As an extension of this device it is provided that for poorly sighted readers or but also for blind people the device has the advantageous feature that a Audio interface the data can be made audible.

The device advantageously comprises all common cutting speeds, such as serial ones and parallel interfaces as well as possible special printer interfaces.

The device preferably comprises a CD-ROM reader as the data output unit, by means of which the data stored on an optical disk can be read.

Such CD-ROMs are already commercially available for the known devices.

An alternative to this is for an embodiment of the device according to the invention provided that selected databases of databases by means of this before Direction via a modem provided in the device in a temporary memory Have (RAM memory) loaded, this temporary memory being the function of the data memory or data output device takes over. Such databases that also Books in ASCII format include, for example, on the Internet or at Com puserver, available.

As a further alternative, the device according to the invention is for an exemplary embodiment device provided that data on a provided in the housing of the device floppy drive are readable from a floppy disk.

An advantageous development of the device according to the invention is that a screen of the display device can also be pivoted on the connection of the two screens is attached. For this purpose it is provided that this screen the Fa  ability, on both sides - depending on the position of the screen in relation to the housing - Present data in the form of drawing elements. This training provides that by flipping one screen over to the side of the other screen for example, a keyboard located under the pivoting screen is accessible becomes. This version has the decisive advantage that for normal use, d. H. Read a book, the keyboard is inaccessible and use the pre Direction only on essential, advantageously arranged on the edge of the screens Nete key elements limited. For example for a selection in a database the one screen can be folded over so that the keyboard with a usual keyboard turfeld is accessible.

This screen is advantageously controlled in this way by means of a software control ert that when the screen is folded (freely accessible keyboard) the in the picture characters to be displayed on the other side of the screen and preferably by 90 °, namely parallel to the orientation of the keyboard, and the above The now hidden screen is switched off.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention is provided see that part of an alphanumeric keyboard under both screens is pivotally arranged. If this keyboard is needed, the two parts are the Keyboard can be swiveled until it is below the display device via contacts elements are brought together. This advantageously results in a large area and therefore easy to use keyboard.

In this embodiment it is provided as an extension that the already ver pivoted and merged keyboard is pivotable as a unit about an axis, this axis lies in the plane of the longitudinal extent of the device. In addition has the back of the display device on a support, so that the keyboard on a Level is aligned and the display device is arranged obliquely and legibly is not.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is advantageous se provided that a keyboard is arranged under one of the two screens, the can be pulled out if necessary. Here, a thin membrane keyboard is provided, which  has the necessary alphanumeric characters. It is preferably a commercially available membrane keyboard, such as those used for electronic organizers be det.

A further development of the device of the basic design according to the invention exists in it, the screens coupled together via a hinge-like connection to be arranged releasably to each other. This has the advantage that instead of one Screen via contact elements, for example, displayed on the other screen are arranged, a keyboard can be coupled if necessary. If the keyboard is not needed If necessary, it can be separated from the device to save weight. It is also possible the one screen together with the attached keyboard like a book to fold.

Further advantageous features of the invention are set out in the sub-claims and the following description.

Several embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive device with two screens arranged side by side as a display device in the use position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment, compared to Figure 1 in the transport or storage position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment with an additionally pivotably arranged second screen and a keyboard, wherein the second screen is in swing phase.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 in the position of use, the second screen having already been pivoted so that a keyboard is accessible;

5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein two keyboard parts are in swing phase.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the device according to FIG. 6, but compared to FIG. 6 with a keyboard in the position of use;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the device of Figure 6 also in use.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment with an extended keyboard.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the Vorrich device with a detachable screen;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device according to FIG. 9, but compared to FIG. 9 with a keyboard that can be coupled instead of a screen;

11 shows a program flow chart of a first procedure for all exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 10;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a second procedure for all Ausführungsbeispie le according to Figures 1 to 10.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a third procedure for all embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4.

14 shows a program flow chart of a fourth procedure for all exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 9 and 10;

Fig. 15 is a block diagram of the device according to the invention for all exporting approximately examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 10.

In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the pre device 1 according to the invention is shown as a basic version of another for all embodiments is shown in FIGS. 3 to 10. A block diagram, which is shown in Fig. 15, shows schematically all features and functions of the device according to the invention and its developments.

The device 1 of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1 and 2) consists essentially of a housing 5 , a data storage or data output device 15 arranged in the housing and not shown in the drawing, a display device 2 , one in the drawing as well Computer unit 13, not shown, for controlling the data reading and output process and for controlling the display process and a power supply unit 14 (not shown in the drawing) with an external connection 18 .

The display device 2 consists of two LCD screens 3 , 4 , which are controlled separately by a screen controller and which are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a book-like form of the device 1 is produced. The two screens 3 , and 4 take up almost the entire housing surface in terms of their dimensions.

Between the two screens 3 , 4 , a hinge-like connection 16 is seen easily. This is arranged on one long side on both screens 3 , 4 , so that the screens 3 , 4 can be pivoted about this axis.

In FIG. 2, the folded state of the device 1 is shown. It serves to transport the device in this position or to store it in one place, for example in a book shelf.

A button 6 , for example a rocker switch, is preferably provided for operating the device 1 , which can be used to "page forward or backward" in the electronic book. Additional touch elements or a keyboard are not required for operation or device in read-only mode. In the folded state, the device 1 is switched off. In Figs. 11 and 12, these procedures are shown schematically in the form of program sequences.

A setting element 17 is provided for each screen 3 , 4 in order to adjust the contrast of the display device 2 .

On the end faces of the device 1 , a plurality of connection elements 7 are provided, which serve to connect the device 1 to a printer, for example.

A CD-ROM drive is preferably provided as the data storage or data output device 15 , into which the corresponding optical disks (CDs) can be inserted and read.

In a further embodiment of the device 1 it is provided that instead of the CD-ROM reader, a modem is equipped with a corresponding RAM memory in order to offer the possibility of loading data online into the RAM memory and displaying them offline.

FIGS. 3 and 4 is a second embodiment of the present invention Vorrich processing 100 as a further development of the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided. The features described in the basic equipment of the device 1 also apply to this device 100 .

The device 100 differs from the device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment from the fact that one of the two screens 104 is additionally pivotally arranged on the connection 116 . For this purpose, it is provided that this pivotable screen 104 has the ability to display data in the form of character elements on its two sides.

The screen 104 is pivotable in the direction of an arrow 109 ( FIG. 3), whereby a keyboard 108 arranged under the screen 104 in normal use, which is also arranged in the housing 105 and takes on the dimensions of the housing 15 , becomes accessible. At the same time, software control provides that the other screen 103 is switched off and the drawing elements, which are read from the data storage or data output device 115 , are shown offset by 90 ° on the other side of the screen 104 . This process is shown schematically in the form of a program flow in FIG. 13. In this position, for example, data can be read in online via a modem. The keyboard is required to select the corresponding database and to select the desired texts. It is also possible that the texts already stored in the ROM or RAM memory are transferred to an external data carrier. A keyboard is also required for this.

The difference to the prior art is that the keyboard only for such On is required as described above. For the real purpose, namely, reading a text does not require the keyboard. Therefore it is behind one of the two screens hidden and therefore for the actual use purpose not a hindrance.

In the third embodiment of the device 200 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the keyboard 208 a, 208 b is divided into two parts, one part each being arranged pivotably under a screen 203 , 204 . To use the keyboard 208 a, 208 b, the keyboard is pivoted in the direction of arrows 209 a, 209 b, to the extent that the two parts below the screens 203 , 204 are connected to one another via contact elements 210 . When in use, the keyboard is located below the two screens. It is preferably pivotable about an axis in the direction of an arrow 212 ( FIG. 7) to such an extent that the position shown in FIG. 7 is reached. A support is advantageously arranged on the back of the display device 202, which supports the two screens 203 , 204 in the desired position relative to the keyboard 208 a, 208 b.

The fourth exemplary embodiment of the device 300 ( FIG. 8) differs from the third exemplary embodiment in that a single keyboard 308 is provided instead of the fold-out keyboard halves . This keyboard 308 is preferably a membrane keyboard and is arranged under a screen 304 , wherein this keyboard 308 can be pulled out for use in the direction of an arrow 309 . This keyboard 308 preferably has only the necessary alphanumeric characters and not, like the keyboard of the third exemplary embodiment, the entire character set.

The fifth embodiment of the device 400 ( FIGS. 9 and 10) is to be understood as a possible further development of the device 1 according to the first embodiment. In this device 400 it is provided that the screens 403 , 404 of the display device 402 are releasably connected to one another. The function of collapsing the two screens 403 , 404 is of course to be maintained.

This function of solvability is intended to create the possibility that a keyboard 405 can be coupled to the other screen 403 instead of a screen 404 . For this purpose, the one screen 404 is pulled in the direction of an arrow 409 by contact elements 411 arranged on the other screen 403 ( FIG. 9). In a next step, the keyboard 405 is pushed onto the contact elements 411 in the direction of an arrow 410 ( FIG. 10). Optionally, the device 400 can be folded with the keyboard 408 or with the additional screen 404 . When the keyboard 408 is connected , a software control of the device 400 ensures that the drawing elements to be displayed are displayed on the one screen 403 , offset by 90 ° and parallel to the keyboard 408 . In Fig. 14, a program flow for the software control of this embodiment is shown schematically.

Reference list

1 device 1st version
2 display device
3 screen 1
4 screen 2
5 housing
6 buttons
7 connection elements
8th
9
10th
11
12th
13 computer unit
14 Power supply
15 data output unit
16 connection
17 adjusting element
18 connection
100 Device 2nd version
102 display device
103 Screen 1
104 Screen 2
105 housing
106 buttons
107 connection elements
108 keyboard
109 arrow
110
111
112
113 computer unit
114 power supply unit
115 Data output unit
116 connection
117 adjusting element
118 connection
200 device 3rd version
202 display device
203 screen 1
204 screen 2
205 housing
206 touch elements
207 connection elements
208 a keyboard
208 b keyboard
209 a arrow
209 b arrow
210 contact elements
211 prop
212 arrow
213 computer unit
214 power supply unit
215 data output unit
216 connection
217 adjusting element
218 connection
300 device 4th version
302 display device
303 screen 1
304 screen 2
305 housing
306 touch elements
307
308 keyboard
309 arrow
310
311
312
313 computer unit
314 power supply unit
315 data output unit
316 connection
317 adjusting element
318 connection
400 device 5th version
402 display device
403 screen 1
404 screen 2
405 housing
406 touch elements
407
408 keyboard
409 arrow
410 arrow
411 contact elements
412 arrow
413 computer unit
414 power supply unit
415 data output unit
416 connection
417 setting element
418 connection.

Claims (16)

1. Portable device ( 1 ; 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 400 ) for reading and displaying data in the form of drawing elements, consisting essentially of

• - a housing ( 5 ; 105 ; 205 ; 305 ; 405 ),
• a data storage or data output device ( 15 ; 115 ; 215 ; 315 ; 415 ) arranged in the housing ( 5 ; 105 ; 205 ; 305 ; 405 ),
• - a display device ( 2 ; 102 ; 202 ; 302 ; 402 ) arranged in the housing ( 5 ; 105 ; 205 ; 305 ; 405 ) and representing the output data,
• - a computer unit ( 13 ; 113 ; 213 ; 313 ; 413 ) for controlling the data output and display process,
• - one or more key elements ( 6 ; 106 ; 206 ; 306 ; 406 ) or a keyboard ( 108 ; 208 a, 208 b; 308 ; 408 ),
• - One or more connection elements ( 7 ; 107 ; 207 ; 307 ; 407 ) and
• - A in the housing ( 5 ; 105 ; 205 ; 305 ; 405 ) arranged power supply unit ( 14 ; 114 ; 214 ; 314 ; 414 ) for supplying the data storage or data output device ( 15 ; 115 ; 215 ; 315 ; 415 ) , the display device ( 2 ; 102 ; 202 ; 302 ; 402 ) and the computer unit ( 13 ; 113 ; 213 ; 313 ; 413 ),

characterized in that
that the display device ( 2 ; 102 ; 202 ; 302 ; 402 ) consists of two screens ( 3 , 4 ; 103 , 104 ; 203 , 204 ; 303 , 304 ; 403 , 404 ), which are arranged so that each other
one long side of the one screen ( 3 ; 103 ; 203 ; 303 ; 403 ) via a hinge-like connection ( 16 ; 116 ; 216 ; 316 ; 416 ) to the long side of the other screen ( 4 ; 104 ; 204 ; 304 ; 404 ) is coupled, creating a book-like arrangement of the two screens ( 3 , 4 ; 103 , 104 ; 203 , 204 ; 303 , 304 ; 403 , 404 ). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the data storage or data output device ( 15 ; 115 ; 215 ; 315 ; 415 ) is a CD-ROM reader. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the data storage or data output device ( 15 ; 115 ; 215 ; 315 ; 415 ) is a floppy drive. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data storage or data output device ( 15 ; 115 ; 215 ; 315 ; 415 ) is a ROM memory. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connection elements ( 7 ; 107 ; 207 ; 307 ; 407 ) comprise a serial interface and / or a parallel interface and / or a special printer interface. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connection elements ( 7 ; 107 ; 207 ; 307 ; 407 ) comprise a modem interface. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one of the two screens ( 104 ) of the display device ( 102 ) of the device ( 100 ) on the hinge-like connection ( 116 ) is pivotally arranged, the data to be displayed on both sides of this screen ( 104 ) are representable. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that by pivoting this screen ( 104 ) in the initial position of the device ( 100 ) not visible keyboard ( 108 ) can be operated. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the Ge housing ( 205 ) of the device ( 200 ) below each screen ( 203 , 204 ) part of a keyboard ( 208 a, 208 b) is pivotally arranged. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the parts of the keyboard ( 208 a, 208 b) in the use state of the device ( 200 ) are arranged below the screens ( 203 , 204 ) and are electrically connected to each other by means of contact elements ( 210 ) . 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the parts of the keyboard ( 208 a, 208 b) in the use state of the device ( 200 ) together about an axis which lies in the plane of the longitudinal extent of the device ( 200 ), are pivotable. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the rear of the display device ( 202 ) has a fold-out support ( 211 ) which holds the two screens ( 203 , 204 ) in the position of use, the parts of the keyboard ( 208 a, 208 b) lie in a plane which is oriented obliquely to the display device ( 202 ). 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the keyboard ( 308 ) below one of the two screens ( 304 ) of the display device ( 302 ) is arranged and can be pulled out by means of a device so that this keyboard ( 308 ) can be operated is. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the screens ( 403 , 404 ) of the display device ( 402 ) are releasably connected to one another by means of plug contacts ( 411 ). 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that a keyboard ( 405 ) is provided which can be coupled to the plug contacts ( 411 ) on the other screen ( 403 ) instead of a screen ( 404 ).