JP2000010654A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an information processor having optimal configuration in portability and operability in the scene being used as pen input and keyboard input. SOLUTION: A pen inputting part is constituted of an LCD 1, tablet 4, a processor, and a battery, and a pen input is operated by using a pen 5. A keyboard part is constituted of a keyboard 6 and a hinge 2. The keyboard 6 is connected through the hinge 2 with the pen inputting part. The hinge 2 is made attachable and detachable for the pen inputting part so that the pen inputting part can be separated and used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is mainly applied to a portable information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example often used as a structure of an information processing apparatus mainly for carrying is shown below.

FIG. 2 shows a notebook PC type.
This is a structure in which a thin and lightweight LCD 1 is used as a display means, and the LCD 1 is opened and closed by a hinge 2, which is called a clamshell structure. As a pointing device, a pointing device such as a pad 3 or a trackball is used instead of a mouse, so that it can be used on a knee.

FIG. 3 shows a type having both an input by a pen 5 and an input by a keyboard 6. LCD1
Intuitive pen input is possible because the tablet 4, which is input means for pen input, is placed on top of.

FIG. 4 shows a type specialized for pen input.
Since there is no keyboard, the entire apparatus can be configured more compactly and is highly portable.

[0006]

The notebook PC type does not allow intuitive pen input, and the projection area is increased only in the area of the pointing device, which is disadvantageous for carrying.

[0007] The type having both the pen input and the keyboard input requires an unnecessary keyboard to be carried at the same time even when the user wants to carry only the pen input while carrying the device. In addition, since the ratio of a normal PC screen is 3: 4, the keyboard is generally 1: 2, so that a clamshell structure causes a dead space, and if the dead space is eliminated, the aspect ratio of the screen is reduced. Is out of 3: 4.

A type specialized for pen input solves the above problem, but conversely, no key input is possible because there is no keyboard. Although there is a method using an external keyboard as shown in FIG. 5, the screen cannot be fixed at an arbitrary position when inputting, and the screen is difficult to see with an LCD having a narrow viewing angle. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to use, and portability is poor because it is not integrated with the main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of optimally configuring both portability and operability in each use scene of pen input and keyboard input in view of the above problems.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems The basic structure is a clamshell structure, and the pen input unit side integrates the minimum necessary functions such as a processing unit and a battery, and the hinge unit for connecting the pen input unit and the keyboard is detachable. It is realized by doing.

[0011] That is, if the pen input unit is removed, it can be used as a more portable pen input terminal. If it is combined with a keyboard, it can be placed on a knee as a clamshell type key input terminal that can fix the screen at an arbitrary angle. Even if the pen input unit is closed, it is easy to carry. Since it is assumed to be used for separation, the aspect ratio of the screen and keyboard can be set to the most appropriate ratio respectively.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an information processing apparatus having features of the present invention. The pen input unit 40 includes the LCD 1 and the tablet 4, and performs pen input using the pen 5. The keyboard unit 50 includes the keyboard 6 and the hinge 2. The keyboard 6 and the pen input unit 40 are connected to the hinge 2
Are joined by This hinge 2 is a pen input unit 4
Since it is detachable with 0, the keyboard unit 50 and the pen input unit 40 can be separated.

FIG. 6 shows the internal configuration of the pen input unit 40.
The tablet 4 is disposed on the forefront, and the LCD 1 is disposed in close contact with the back of the tablet 4. Arranged on the back of the LCD 1 are a control board 7 for processing information and a battery 8 for supplying power to each device. The signal input to the tablet 4 is transmitted to the control board 7,
The processed signal is transmitted to the LCD 1 and displayed. The pen 5 is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the LCD 1 and the tablet 4. The case 9 covers all of them and stores them, and integrates them.

According to such a configuration, all of the minimum elements required for the information processing device such as the input device, the processing device, the display device, and the power supply device are provided. It can be used as a terminal.

FIG. 7 shows details of the hinge portion. Hinge 2
It is constituted by a torque generating means 10 and a convex portion 11. The torque generating means 10 generates torque for the operation in the rotation direction, and uses a wound spring, a friction plate type spring, a viscous resistor or the like. The protrusion 11 is fixed to the torque generating means 10 and fits into the recess 12 on the pen input unit 40 side. When the convex portion 11 and the concave portion 12 are fitted and separated, the pen input section 40 and the keyboard section 50 become detachable. A terminal for transmitting information input to the keyboard 6 on the convex portion 11 (keyboard portion side)
13 are provided.

On the other hand, a terminal (pen input unit side) 14 for transmitting information is also provided in the recess 12 on the pen input unit 40 side. The terminals 13 and 14 come into contact with each other when the pen input unit 40 and the keyboard 6 are united, and transfer information. Information received at the terminal (pen input unit side) 14 is transmitted to the control board 7 and processed.

FIG. 8 shows another hinge system. Optical communication device (keyboard side) 1 on keyboard 6 instead of terminal
5, Optical communication device on pen input unit 40 side (pen input unit side)
16 are provided. In this case, the information input to the keyboard 6 is transferred to the optical communication device (pen input unit side) 16 by the optical communication device (keyboard unit side) 15 and further transmitted to the control board 7 for processing.

With such a configuration, since no mechanical contact is used, the reliability is further improved. Further, since information can be transferred without combining the pen input unit 40, keyboard input is possible even when the pen input unit 40 and the keyboard unit 50 are separated.

FIG. 9 shows a pen input unit 40 and a keyboard unit 50.
Shows a state in which is integrated. In this state, the pen input unit 40 can be rotated and fixed at an arbitrary angle.
Comfortable keyboard input can be performed as a general clamshell type. In a state where the pen input unit is closed, the pen input unit 40 and the keyboard unit 50 can be integrated so as to overlap with each other, so that portability is good.

FIG. 10 shows a pen input unit 40 and a keyboard unit 5.
An example of the aspect ratio of 0 is shown. Pen input unit 40
As for A5 (149 mm × 210 m), which is close to the most frequently used aspect ratio of 3: 4 in recent personal computers and widely used as a standard size
m). With this size, it is possible to take up a display area that fully uses the area of the pen input unit 40.

The keyboard unit 50 has a minimum width that allows a touch tie pin from the viewpoint of ergonomics, and is widely used as a standard size.
The width is 257 mm, which is the same as the width of the size. The height is close to 1: 2, which is determined by the general key layout, and is 149 mm, which is the same as the width of A5 widely used as a standard size.
And With this size, touch typing is possible, and even when the pen input unit 40 is combined with the pen input unit 40 and closed, the pen input unit 40 does not protrude beyond the projected area of the keyboard unit 50, so that portability is good.

FIG. 11 shows a pen input unit 40 and a keyboard unit 5.
0 indicates an area that does not overlap. A mobile phone, a digital camera, an additional battery, and the like can be mounted in this area, and can be used as the extended function area 17. In this case, when the pen input unit 40 and the keyboard 50 are combined and closed, it is possible to eliminate an unnatural portion that does not overlap.

In the above description, the hinge 2 is fixed to the keyboard unit 50 side. However, since the keyboard unit 50 is not basically used alone, there is no problem even if the keyboard unit 50 is not a flat plate of the hinge 2. . Further, in a state where the pen input unit 40 is integrated with the pen input unit 40, the projected portion of the hinge 2 and the pen input unit can be effectively avoided, so that it is not obstructed in carrying.

Of course, in the present invention, it is not necessary to stick to the above aspect ratio, and an arbitrary aspect ratio can be set.

In the above description, the function of the keyboard is limited to key input.
It is also possible to add extended functions such as an external storage device such as a D and CD ROM and an additional battery. In this case, the function of the entire apparatus is improved without reducing the portability of the pen input unit.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the hinge is detachable, so that it can be used as a more portable pen input terminal by removing the pen input unit, and can be used at any angle by combining with the keyboard unit. As a clamshell type key input terminal that can fix the screen, it can be input even if it is placed on the lap, and it is easy to carry if the pen input unit is closed because it is integrated. Since it is assumed to be used for separation, the aspect ratio of the screen and keyboard can be set to the most appropriate ratio respectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an information processing apparatus having features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional technique (notebook PC type).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional technique (type combining input with a pen and input with a keyboard).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional technique (a type specialized for pen input).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example (external keyboard) of a conventional technique.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of a pen input unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing details of a hinge unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing details of another hinge system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a pen input unit and a keyboard unit are integrated.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of an aspect ratio of a pen input unit and a keyboard unit.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an area where a pen input unit and a keyboard unit do not overlap.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... LCD, 2 ... hinge, 3 ... pad, 4 ... tablet, 5 ... pen, 6 ... keyboard, 7 ... control board, 8 ... battery, 9 ... case, 10 ... torque generation means, 11 ...
Convex part, 12 concave part, 13 terminal (keyboard part side), 1
4 ... Terminal (pen input unit side), 15 ... Optical communication device (keyboard side), 16 ... Optical communication device (pen input unit side), 17 ...
Extended function area, 40: pen input unit, 50: keyboard unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Iwasaka 1-1-1, Higashitagacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture F-term (reference) 5B019 BC01 GA02 5B020 CC06 CC08 DD51 KK13 KK14 5B068 AA05 AA22 AA25 AA32 BD02 BE15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying information, a tablet input means arranged on the display means for pen input, a pen for pen input, a processing means for processing information, and a battery for supplying power A case integrally covering the display means, the tablet input means, the pen, the processing means, and the battery; a keyboard input means for performing key input; and a hinge means for connecting the case portion to the keyboard input means and rotating and opening the case. In an information processing apparatus comprising information transmitting means for transmitting information input to the keyboard input means to the processing means, the hinge means is fixed on the keyboard input means, and the case and the hinge means are detachable. , Using only the case as a pen input device, combining the keyboard input means with the case The information processing apparatus characterized by using Te. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the case has a concave shape, and the hinge means has a convex shape corresponding to the concave shape. An information processing apparatus, wherein a case is fixed to the means to realize a clamshell structure. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein information transmission means is provided in both the concave portion of the case and the convex portion of the hinge means, and the information is transmitted by contact between these concave and convex shapes. Information processing device. 4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein both the case and the keyboard input means are provided with optical communication type information transmission means. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aspect ratio of the outer shape of the case is about 3: 4, which is the same as the aspect ratio of the display means, and the aspect ratio of the keyboard input means is the same as a general key arrangement. An information processing apparatus characterized in that the ratio is about 1: 2. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the outer shape of the case is A5 (210 mm × 149 mm), and the outer shape of the keyboard input device is B5 (257 mm) in width and A5 (149 mm) in depth.
mm). 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
An information processing apparatus characterized in that extended functions such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, and an additional battery are housed in a space generated by a difference in aspect ratio between a case and keyboard input means. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard input means is provided with an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM or an HDD or an extended function such as an additional battery so that portability is emphasized only in the case. An information processing apparatus, which is used as a pen input device, and is used as a clamshell structured keyboard input device by combining keyboard input means including an extended function and a case portion.