JP2001282386A - Information processor and pointing device of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointing device enabling easily to scroll instruction. SOLUTION: A first additional switch 14 is formed above a stick part 11, and when this switch is depressed, the input signal of a scroll instruction in an upper direction is transmitted to a main body 2. A second additional switch 15 is formed below the stick part 11, and when this switch is depressed, the input signal of a scroll instruction in a lower direction is transmitted to the main body part 2. Those additional switches 14 and 15 are formed near the stick part 11 so as to be operated by a user by simply moving his or her thumb.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, to digital signal input / output control of an information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent personal computers (hereinafter referred to as P
C) has been remarkably popularized. In particular, small and lightweight computers called mini-notebooks are used in various fields because they are convenient to carry.

In a small and lightweight information processing apparatus represented by a mini-notebook type computer, a pointing device is one of the parts requiring special consideration. With the evolution of operating systems, graphical user interfaces using diagrams, images, icons, and the like have become mainstream as user interfaces.
Instead of using a small number of inputs from the keyboard, the pointing device is used to move the pointer on the screen to specify an input at a predetermined position on the screen.

In a desktop computer or the like,
The pointer can be moved by using a mouse. In a notebook computer, a pointing device such as a pad, a trackball, and a projection provided at the center of a keyboard is used. But,
Further, in a small-sized information processing apparatus, a device for the pointing device is required due to the restriction of the size of the apparatus.

Many information processing apparatuses have a display unit rotatably connected to a main body of the information processing apparatus. A liquid crystal display is mounted on this display unit, and display is performed. The user operates the information processing apparatus while looking at the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display. As a pointing device of this information processing apparatus, there has been a device using a combination of a stick and a button, which will be described later. A stick unit for operating a pointer is provided on the same side of the display unit as the liquid crystal unit so that the pointing device can be operated with one hand. In addition,
On the opposite side of the liquid crystal unit, two button units corresponding to mouse buttons are provided.

With such a pointing device, the pointer can be easily operated with one hand. That is, by grasping the display surface with the right hand,
The stick is operated with the thumb, and the button on the back is operated with the index finger or the middle finger. However, depending on the content of the processing of this computer, there are cases where it is inconvenient to use this pointer alone.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a window displayed on a computer screen. This window is provided with a vertical scroll bar on the right side. This scroll bar is used to scroll the display in the window up and down. Normally, a pointing device is used to move the pointer to a predetermined position on the scroll bar to instruct scrolling, so that scrolling in the up and down direction is performed. It can be performed.

[0008] In some cases, moving the pointer only to instruct scrolling is inconvenient. In such a case, when scrolling up and down, a specific key provided on the keyboard can be used instead of the pointing device.

In a conventional mini notebook computer, such a specific key is provided on a keyboard. However, it is also inconvenient to return a finger to the keyboard for a scroll instruction while operating a pointing device provided on the display unit side with one hand.

[0010]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has a problem that it is inconvenient to use a scroll instruction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide an information processing apparatus and a pointing device of the information processing apparatus that can easily perform a scroll instruction and that is easy to use for input. .

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a main body,
A display unit connected to the main unit and having a display surface, pointer movement instruction means provided on a side of the display surface of the display unit, and the display unit, on the same side as the pointer movement instruction means, Input means provided within a predetermined range from the pointer movement instructing means.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information processing device that is easy to use for input.

The present invention also relates to a pointing device of an information processing apparatus having a display unit, wherein the pointer movement instruction means and the display unit are on the same side as the pointer movement instruction means, and the pointer movement instruction means is provided. Input means provided in the vicinity.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a pointing device of an information processing apparatus which is easy to use for input.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a main body of the information processing apparatus, in which a central processing unit, a storage circuit, and other control circuits are stored. Reference numeral 3 denotes a display unit, which is rotatably connected to the main unit 2. A liquid crystal display 4 is mounted on the display unit 3, and an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. The user operates the information processing device while viewing the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. As a pointing device of the information processing apparatus 1, a stick unit 11 and a button unit 1 described later are used.
2, 13 and additional switches 14 and 15 are used in combination. In order to operate the pointing device with one hand, a stick unit 11 for operating a pointer and additional switches 14 and 15 are provided on the same side of the display unit 3 as the liquid crystal display 4. These additional switches are arranged in a range in which the user can operate the pointing device with a finger using the stick unit 11, and as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1, the user can operate these pointing devices with one hand.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the information processing apparatus 1 according to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the display unit 3 rotatably connected to the main unit 2 is closed. Button units 12 and 13 are provided on the display unit 3 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal display 4. These buttons are external mouse buttons (for right-click,
Left click).

1 in FIG. 1 is a first additional switch,
The switch is provided above the stick unit 11, and when this switch is pressed, a signal is transmitted to the main body 2 as an input of an instruction to scroll upward. Reference numeral 15 denotes a second additional switch, which is provided below the stick unit 11. By pressing this switch, a signal is transmitted to the main unit 2 as an input of a downward scroll instruction. These additional switches 1
Reference numerals 4 and 15 are in the vicinity of the stick portion 11 and are provided in a range where the user can operate the device by simply moving the thumb.

As described above, the additional switch 14 provided above the stick 11 is assigned for upward scrolling, and the additional switch 15 provided below the stick 11 is assigned for downward scrolling. That is, there is an advantage that the user can intuitively understand.

According to this embodiment, the user does not greatly separate his / her right hand from the normal pointer operation position.
The additional switch can be operated with a simple movement of the thumb.
This makes it easy to scroll up and down in the window.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. Since the configurations of the main unit and the display unit of the information processing apparatus are common to those of the first embodiment, the pointing device unit will be described. Hereinafter, components having the same reference numerals perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment. As the pointing device, a combination of the stick 11, the buttons 12, 13 and the additional switches 24, 25 is used. A stick unit 14 for operating a pointer is provided on the same side of the display unit 12 as the liquid crystal display 4 so that the pointing device can be operated with one hand. Button units 12 and 13 corresponding to a mouse button are provided on the display unit 3 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal display 4.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a first additional switch, which is provided below the stick unit 11, and when this switch is pressed, a signal is transmitted to the main unit 2 as an input of an instruction to scroll upward. Reference numeral 25 denotes a second additional switch, which is provided below the stick unit 11 and further below the first additional switch 24. By pressing this switch, a signal is input as a scroll instruction in a downward direction to the main unit 2. Send to These additional switches 24 and 25 are provided in the vicinity of the stick unit 11, and are provided in a range where the user can operate the stick unit 11 with a simple movement of the thumb from the state where the stick unit 11 is being operated.

According to this embodiment, the user does not greatly separate his / her right hand from the normal pointer operation position.
With only a simple movement of the thumb, the user can easily scroll up and down in the window. In addition, of the two additional switches, the additional switch 24 provided above is assigned for upward scrolling, and the additional switch 25 provided below is assigned for downward scrolling. There is an advantage that it is easy to understand.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. Since the configurations of the main unit and the display unit of the information processing apparatus are common to those of the first embodiment, the pointing device unit will be described. Hereinafter, components having the same reference numerals perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a view of the display unit 3 of the information processing apparatus as viewed from the front. As a pointing device, a stick 11, buttons 12 and 13, and an additional switch 3
4, 35 and a key top 36 are used in combination. In FIG. 4, the buttons 12 and 13 are not shown because they are not visible. A stick unit 11 for operating a pointer is provided on the same side of the display unit 3 as the liquid crystal display 4 so that the pointing device can be operated with one hand. Button units 12 and 13 corresponding to mouse buttons are provided on the display unit 3 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal display 4 (not shown).

Reference numeral 34 denotes a first additional switch, which is provided on the lower left side of the stick unit 11. Reference numeral 35 denotes a second additional switch, which is provided on the lower right side of the stick unit 11. A key top 36 is arranged to cover these additional switches.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA 'in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the key top 36 can be operated so as to push the first additional switch 36 or the second additional switch 37 in a form of being pushed right and left around the fulcrum. You just press the switch with a movement like a seesaw.

By pushing the key top 38 to the upper left with respect to the fulcrum and pressing the first additional switch, a signal is transmitted to the main body 11 as an input of an instruction to scroll upward. Push the key top 38 to the lower right on the fulcrum,
By pressing the second additional switch, a signal is transmitted to the main body 11 as an input of an instruction to scroll down. These additional switches 36 and 37 and the key top 38 are provided in the vicinity of the stick portion 14, and are provided in a range where the user can operate with a simple movement of the thumb.

According to this embodiment, the user does not greatly separate his / her right hand from the normal pointer operation position.
With only a simple movement of the thumb, the user can easily scroll up and down in the window. Further, since the key top of the additional switch is of a seesaw type, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent two additional switches from being pressed at the same time.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the pointing device of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Since the configurations of the main unit and the display unit of the information processing apparatus are common to those of the first embodiment, the pointing device unit will be described. In the following, those with common signs are:
It has the same function as the first embodiment. Stick unit 11 and button unit 1 as pointing device units
2, 13, additional switches 44 and 45, and a key top 46 are used in combination. It should be noted that the buttons 12 and 13 are not shown in FIG. A stick unit 11 for operating a pointer is provided on the same side of the display unit 3 as the liquid crystal display 4 so that the pointing device can be operated with one hand. Button units 12 and 13 corresponding to mouse buttons are provided on the display unit 3 on the side opposite to the liquid crystal display 4 (not shown).

Reference numeral 44 denotes a first additional switch, which is provided on the lower left side of the stick unit 14. Reference numeral 45 denotes a second additional switch, which is provided on the lower right side of the stick unit 14. These additional switches 44, 45 are not visible since they are below the key top 48 in FIG. A key top 46 bent in a crescent shape when viewed from above is arranged so as to cover these additional switches 44 and 45. The key top 46 can be operated so as to push the first additional switch 44 or the second additional switch 45 by pushing the key top 46 right and left around the fulcrum. You just press the switch with a movement like a seesaw.

By pushing the key top 46 leftward with respect to the fulcrum and pushing the first additional switch 44, a signal is transmitted to the main body 11 as an input of an instruction to scroll upward. Push the key top 46 to the right about the fulcrum,
By pressing the second additional switch 45, a signal is transmitted to the main body 11 as an input of a scroll instruction in the downward direction.
These additional switches 44 and 45 and the key top 46 are provided in the vicinity of the stick unit 14, and are provided in a range where the user can operate with a simple movement of the thumb.

According to this embodiment, the user does not greatly separate his / her right hand from the normal pointer operation position.
With only a simple movement of the thumb, the user can easily scroll up and down in the window. Further, since the key top of the additional switch is of a seesaw type, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent two additional switches from being pressed at the same time. Further, the key top has a crescent shape, and the usability of the movement of the thumb can be further improved as compared with the third embodiment.

The additional switch in each of these embodiments can be constituted by the same unit as the button provided on the opposite side of the display from the additional switch. A member of an information processing apparatus provided with an additional switch having a crescent-shaped key top according to the fourth embodiment will be described as an example with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a top view of one of members of a pointing device of an information processing apparatus having an additional switch having a crescent-shaped key top as viewed from the front side of a display unit. Reference numeral 71 denotes a sheet metal member which is integrally formed. This member 71 has additional switches 44, 4 on its surface.
5 (not shown) and a key top 46 arranged to cover the additional switches 44 and 45 are attached. These additional switches and key tops can be made of synthetic resin, rubber, or the like.

The member 71 is provided with a hole 47 for passing the stick portion, but the stick portion itself is not directly attached to the member 71. FIG. 8 is a top view of the member 71 described above as viewed from the back. Two buttons 12 and 13 are attached to the back surface of the member 71. These buttons can be made of synthetic resin, rubber, or the like.

In this way, the additional switch mounting portion does not need to be a separate piece, so that space can be saved in connection portions such as connectors and mounting of the additional switch. This is advantageous in terms of the size of the information processing device.

In each of the embodiments described above, the function of the additional switch has been described as a vertical scroll instruction. However, other functions can be assigned to these additional switches. What is necessary is just to allow the user to select and set as appropriate by setting the utility program of the pointing device. Other features include "context menu / alternative selection" (equivalent to so-called "right-click"), "search computer", "cyber jump", "horizontal scrolling instructions", "minimize everything", Such as "task list".

Various functions other than the vertical scroll instruction can be easily supported by a convenient pointing device, which is convenient.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus and a pointing device of the information processing apparatus which are easy to use for input.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing a state in which a display unit of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view showing a state in which a display unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary front view showing a pointing device of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary front view showing a pointing device of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary sectional view showing a section of a pointing device of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view showing a pointing device of an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a member having a switch, which is included in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a member having a switch, which is included in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a window display.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Body part, 3 ... Display part, 4 ... Liquid crystal display part, 11 ... Stick part, 12 ... Button part, 13 ... Button part, 14 ... Additional switch, 15 ... Additional switch, 24 ... Additional Switch, 25 ... additional switch,
34 additional switch, 35 additional switch, 36 key top, 44 additional switch, 45 additional switch, 4
6 key top, 47 hole, 71 member

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A main unit, a display unit connected to the main unit and having a display surface, pointer movement instruction means provided on a side portion of the display surface of the display unit, and pointer movement with respect to the display unit. An information processing apparatus, comprising: input means provided on the same side as the instruction means and within a predetermined range from the pointer movement instruction means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is a range in which a user of the information processing apparatus can operate the same finger as a finger for operating the pointer movement instruction unit.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said input means is a button. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of said buttons are provided. 5. The button according to claim 4, wherein the buttons are arranged above and below the pointer movement instruction means.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the button has a function of a scroll instruction. 7. The input means comprises: a plurality of input detection means; a single input member arranged so as to be capable of inputting to the plurality of input detection means; and supporting the input member to restrict movement of the input member. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a support unit configured to perform input to one input detection unit at a time. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function of said input means can be set by a user. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pointer movement instruction means and said input means are formed as an integral member. 10. A pointing device of an information processing apparatus having a display unit, wherein: a pointer movement instructing unit; and the display unit is provided on the same side as the pointer movement instructing unit and near the pointer movement instructing unit. A pointing device for an information processing apparatus, comprising: