JP2001290580A - Reading terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a reading terminal which is small-sized and easy to use and has an easy-to-read screen. SOLUTION: This terminal has a roller scroll unit 210 which rotates by 90 deg. in the rotating direction of a roller key 211 and can scroll a document displayed at a display part, 205 vertically and horizontally through the 90 deg. rotation switching of the roller scroll unit and the rotation of the roller key. Further, the terminal is equipped with an operation part housing fitted with a 10-key/character input button 217 and a display part housing fitted with the display part, the operation part housing and display part housing are engaged in a slidable state with each other, and the terminal is usable as a portable telephone set while the 10-key/character input button provided in the operation part housing is exposed outside the display part housing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading terminal,
In particular, the present invention relates to an easy-to-use, small-sized reading terminal that displays an electronic book distributed as digital content to a customer via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a service for distributing an electronic book as digital content via a network such as the Internet has been started. However, since the data of the book to be served is digital data such as characters, images, and voices, conventionally, the data is printed using a PC having a relatively large display screen installed on a desk or printed on paper or the like. It was common to read.

[0003]

There is a demand to receive an electronic book distributed via a network using a portable small terminal and display it on a display screen of the terminal. A known portable terminal such as a PDA has a problem that it is not easy to use for reading, and a mobile phone is too unsuitable for reading because the display screen is too small. There is a problem that.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a small and easy-to-use reading terminal having a display screen that is easy to read.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a reading terminal provided with a display unit for displaying a document as book content.
A roller scroll unit that rotates 0 degrees is provided. By switching the roller scroll unit 90 degrees rotation and rotating the roller, the displayed document is scrolled up, down, left, and right, and 10 keys / character input. A button, an operation unit housing to which the 10-key / character input button is attached, and a display unit housing to which the display unit is attached, wherein the operation unit housing and the display unit housing are slidably coupled. Said 1 provided on the operation unit housing
This is achieved by using the portable telephone as a mobile phone with the 0 key / character input button exposed outside the display housing.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a reading terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distribution system for receiving distribution of an electronic book using a reading terminal according to the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 1, before describing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. The outline of the distribution system will be described. In FIG. 1, 11 is a service provider, 12 is a PC, 13 is a PDA, 14 is a reading terminal, 15 is a network, and 16 is a publisher.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution system used by the reading terminal of the present invention digitizes books provided by writers and publishers 16 and distributes them to users via a network 15 such as the Internet. Service Provider 1
1 and a PC 12, a PDA 13, a reading terminal 14, and the like, which are user terminals that receive distribution of an electronic book via the network 15. Service Provider 11
Is to digitize the contents of books, which are contents provided directly from the writer or from the publisher 16, distribution of contents to users, operation of content search sites,
It provides services for users such as recommendation service and bookshelf service. And the service provider 11
For these services, we have a content server and a bookshelf server.
Provides services such as providing recommended information and renting bookshelf space. Further, the service provider 11 further includes a personal information management server, and manages requests from the user for membership registration (personal information), book search, book purchase, storage on a bookshelf, and the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal used by the user may be any of a PC 12, a PDA 13, a reading terminal 14 connected to a mobile phone, and the like. It is possible to receive reading of book contents that the user wants to these terminals, display character information or the like on the display screen of the terminals, and perform reading.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the reading terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance with the keyboard part pulled out, and FIG. 4 explains the overall structure. It is an exploded perspective view. The described reading terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a display screen of a mobile phone which is enlarged and can be used as a reading terminal. 2 to 4, reference numeral 201 denotes an upper display unit case, 202 denotes a lower display unit case, 203 denotes an upper operation unit case, 204 denotes a lower operation unit case, 205 denotes a display unit, and 206 denotes a display unit.
Is a microphone, 207 is a speaker, 208 is a menu / call button, 209 is a decision / cancel button, 210 is a roller scroll unit, 211 is a roller scroll key,
12 is an IRDA communication unit, 213 is a voice / communication interface unit, 214 is an antenna unit, 215 is a power button, 2
16 is a memory card slot, 217 is a 10 key / character input button, 218 is a display lens, 219 is a display board, 220 is an interface board, 221 is an interface contact section, 222 is a main board, 223 is a memory card slot unit, 224 Is the battery unit, 2
25 is a memory card slot cover, 226 is an expansion connector unit, 227 is a roller scroll unit upper case, 228 and 229 are interface contact portions, and 230 is a slide rail portion.

The reading terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a display unit upper case 201 and a display unit, as shown in the perspective views of the upper and lower sides of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). The subordinate case 202, the operation unit upper case 203, and the operation unit lower case 204 form the entire outer shape. On the upper surface of the operation unit upper case 201, when the embodiment is used as a mobile phone and when it is used as a reading terminal, a display unit 205 such as a large-screen liquid crystal for displaying necessary information is provided. A speaker 206 to be used is provided.

The operation unit upper case 203 and the operation unit lower case 2
Numeral 04 designates an operation unit housing integrally, and as shown in FIG. 3, a display unit upper case 201 and a display unit lower case 202.
Is configured to be able to be pulled out of the display unit housing constituted by A 10 key / character input button 217 for inputting various kinds of information when used as a mobile phone or a reading terminal is provided on a portion of the upper surface of the operation unit upper case 203 which is pulled out from the display unit housing and exposed. In addition, even in the state shown in FIG. 2, the portion exposed to the outside from the display housing is provided with a microphone 206 for a call, a menu / call for performing a call control and a control when used as a reading terminal. A button 208, an OK / cancel button 209, and a roller scroll key 211 are provided.

The above-mentioned 10 key / character input button 217
Each of the buttons is constituted by a display lens and a liquid crystal display unit provided below the display lens, and a method of using the buttons will be described later. Each button can be used as an input key for arbitrary kana characters and numbers.

A voice / communication interface unit 213 and an antenna unit 214 used for connecting earphones or connecting to other devices are provided on the upper side surface of the housing on which the speaker 207 is provided. One of the two sides has an I / O for communicating with other devices by infrared rays or the like.
The RDA communication unit is provided with a power button 215 on the other side. Further, a memory card slot 216 is provided on one side of the display unit housing that is exposed when the operation unit housing is pulled out, and an expansion connector unit 226 shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the opposite side. Have been.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the overall configuration of the embodiment of the present invention. A display unit constituting a display unit 205 together with a display lens 218 is provided inside a display unit housing. The display section board 219, the interface board 220, and the interface contact section 221 are housed therein, and the speaker 207 and the antenna section 21 described above are accommodated.
4. The voice / communication interface unit 213, the IRDA communication unit 212, and the power button 215 are provided so as to be exposed to the outside. Further, inside the operation unit housing, a memory card slot unit 223 constituting the memory card slot 216, a battery unit 224, a main board 2
22, 10 key / character input button 217, interface contact portion 228, roller scroll unit case 22
7, and the above-described roller scroll unit 210, roller scroll key 211, and expansion connector unit 226 are provided. The memory card slot 216 is provided with a memory card slot cover 225 that opens inward when a memory card is inserted by a hinge. Further, on the upper surface of the operation unit upper case 203, an interface contact unit 229 for connection to components on the display unit housing side and a slide rail unit 230 for guiding sliding with the display unit housing are provided. ing.

Although the size of the above-described first embodiment of the present invention is not shown in the drawings, the size of the display unit 205 should be as large as possible while being easily used by the user. Approximately 150 mm in total length when the operation unit housing is pulled out, 120 mm in total length when the operation unit housing is inserted into the display unit housing, 50 mm in width and 20 in thickness
mm, roller scroll key diameter 12 mm, antenna length 7
mm.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, when used as a portable telephone, the operation unit housing is pulled out from the display unit housing, and the 10 key / character input button 217 is exposed. Using the key / character input button 217, enter the destination telephone number, and press the menu / call button 20
8 is used to establish a communication path with the communication partner, to make a call using the microphone 206 and the speaker 207, and to end the call with the OK / cancel button 209. Also, the first embodiment of the present invention
When used as a reading terminal, a memory card (not shown) in which book contents are stored in advance is inserted into the memory card slot 216, and the book contents in the memory card are displayed on the display unit 205, or the mobile phone function is used. 1 is connected to the service provider 11 described in FIG.
05 and used. The distributed book content may be stored in an internal memory provided on the main board 222 or may be stored in a memory card.
In the above description, the memory card slot unit 223
Is configured such that the memory card can be completely inserted into the slot, and when reading book content, the reading terminal according to the embodiment includes the 10 key / character input button 217 of the operation unit housing inside the display unit housing. It can be used with it inserted.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the display state and the operation of the roller scroll key 211 when the book content is displayed and read on the display unit 205. These will be described below.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the reading terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention is held in the user's hand so as to view the display unit 205 as a vertical screen as shown in FIG. This is an example of reading book contents. The roller scroll key 211 has a function of scrolling the content displayed in the roller rotation direction, and the outer peripheral portion of the roller scroll unit 210 exposed at the lower part of the operation unit housing is shown in FIG. By rotating as shown, the whole can be rotated by 90 degrees, and the scroll direction can be changed by 90 degrees.

The example shown in FIG. 5C is an example in which the roller scroll key 211 is located at a position to scroll in the vertical direction, and a vertically written document is displayed on a vertical screen. In this case, by rotating the roller scroll key 211, the entire document can be scrolled up and down on the screen. In this example, it is assumed that each line of vertical writing does not fit on the display screen, and the operation of the roller scroll key 211 is required every time one line is read, which is not preferable. Therefore, when the roller scroll key 211 is at a position to scroll vertically, it is preferable to display a horizontally written document. The example shown in FIG. 5D is an example in which a vertically written document is displayed on the vertical screen as in the case of FIG. 5C. In this case, the roller scroll key 211 is used to scroll horizontally. Because it is located at the position where the document is written vertically, the document can be read smoothly while scrolling in the line direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the reading terminal is configured as shown in FIG.
This is an example in which the user holds the hand of the user as if viewing the display unit 205 as a horizontal screen and reads the book content as shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 6B is an example in which the roller scroll key 211 is located at a position to scroll in the vertical direction, and a horizontally written document is displayed on the horizontal screen. In this case, by rotating the roller scroll key 211, the entire document can be scrolled up and down on the screen, that is, in the line direction. The example shown in FIG. 6C is an example in which a vertically written document is displayed on the horizontal screen. In this case, since the roller scroll key 211 is located at a position to scroll horizontally, the vertically written document is displayed. The document can be scrolled line by line. 6B and 6C, the document can be read smoothly in any case.

As described above, there are four types of display modes of a document: a vertical screen, a vertical writing display, a vertical screen, a horizontal writing display, a horizontal screen, a horizontal writing display, a horizontal screen, and a vertical writing display. This selection can be made by the user as described later, but as an initial setting, the terminal itself can determine the initial display state.
For example, it is equal to advance what display stores the initial state of whether to display the form and it stores the return status when read last and initial display state.
Also, a tilt sensor or the like is provided inside the terminal to detect in what state the terminal is held by the user,
A state suitable for this may be set as the initial embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation for changing the display mode of a document or another book content while reading the book content, and FIG. 8 is a search using the 10 key / character input button. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation in the case of performing such operations.

While reading the content, the menu / send button 208 functions as a menu button, and the enter / cancel button 209 functions as an enter button. When the user reading the book content wants to change the display mode of the document or the book content to another one, the user first operates the menu button 208. Then, FIG.
As shown in (a), a plurality of menus are displayed on the side of the display screen where the operation unit is located. In the figure, A-
E indicates a menu for selecting a display mode of a document and a book content. These menus can be selected using the roller scroll keys 211. After the selection, when the menu key 208 is operated again, FIG.
, The details of the menu are displayed.

In this state, when the user operates the roller scroll key 211, details of different menus are displayed. Then, when the user operates the determination button 209, the menu is determined. For example, when the menu is a menu of a document display mode, the display mode of the displayed book content is changed to the determined display mode. If the menu is a change of content, the title of another book content stored in the memory card or the internal memory is displayed in the details of the menu, and the content of the content displayed by the determination is changed. You. The example described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B is an example of the display of the vertical screen and the vertical writing. However, the display of the vertical screen and the horizontal writing is performed in exactly the same format as the above-described case. A menu is displayed. For landscape screen, landscape display, landscape screen, and vertical layout,
The screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C, and the same operation as described above can be performed. The details of this menu are always displayed near the scroll keys in both vertical and horizontal states, so that the operation is easy to understand. Further, the details of the menu are displayed with their sizes changed in accordance with the remaining size outside the display portion of the book content, and are not displayed overlapping with the book content, and are displayed in an easily understandable manner.

When the menu / call button 208 is operated with the 10-key / character input button 217 exposed, the menu is displayed at the same position as described above. The menu in this case is a menu for selecting the function of the 10-key / character input button 217 as the operation unit. That is, menus A to E displayed in this case
For example, the ten key / character input button 217 is used to select functions such as numeric input, kana input, and alphabet input, and can be selected by the roller scroll key 211 in the same manner as described above. As described above, each button of the 10 key / character input button 217 is constituted by the display lens and the liquid crystal display unit.
Characters corresponding to each of the seventeen buttons are displayed. And
By operating the OK / cancel button 209, the 10 key / character input button 217 is determined as having the selected function.

For example, 10 keys / character input button 217
Is determined as a function of numerical input, and input is performed.
As shown in the figure, the input numeric string is displayed adjacent to the menu display position. The function of entering numbers can be used for inputting the other party's telephone number when the terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used as a mobile phone,
It can also be used to connect to the service provider 11 to download new book content or to retrieve another book content from its own bookshelf. In this case, after the input, the enter / release button 20
The connection is started by the operation of No. 9.

Further, for example, when a new book content is to be searched after connection to the service provider 11, it is necessary to input a character string using a search kana. In this case, the function of the 10 key / character input button 217 is determined as a kana input function. In this case, each of the ten keys / character input buttons 217 displays Japanese syllabary hiragana as shown in FIG. 8B. The user can input a character string by operating a button, and the input character string is displayed adjacent to the menu display position.

In the described embodiment, 10 keys /
Since the number of character input buttons 217 is small, all of the kana characters cannot be assigned to each of the ten keys / character input buttons 217. Therefore, when a character not displayed on the button is called for the button, the user must
The roller scroll key 211 and the roller scroll unit 210 are operated as described above. That is,
In the state shown in FIG. 8 (b), if the user wants to assign the button after the “na” line to input, the roller scroll key 211 may be operated as a position to rotate in the vertical direction, and characters at the end of each line, for example, When it is desired to assign “E” and “O” to buttons and input them, the roller scroll key 211 may be operated as a position to be rotated in the horizontal direction. FIG.
The example described with reference to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B is an example of a vertical screen display. However, in the case of a horizontal screen display, the screen is displayed as shown in FIG. It can be performed. The character string input as described above is transmitted to the service provider by operating the determination / cancel button 209, and is used for search and the like.

In the above description, the example of inputting Hiragana has been described. However, input of katakana or alphabet can be similarly performed. Further, in the above description, the kana character string is displayed on the buttons in the Japanese syllabary arrangement, but may be assigned to the buttons in another arrangement.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a reading terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a state in which the reading terminal according to the second embodiment is held in a hand, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an operation unit. The described reading terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention enables a well-known PC card to be used as a small-sized reading terminal. 9 to 11,
301 is a display unit, 302 is a screen operation unit, 303 is a unit contact unit, 304 is a connection terminal, 305 is an earphone unit, 306 is a volume knob, 307 is an earphone, 3
08 is a wireless communication unit, and 309 is a fixed / release knob.

The reading terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is normally used, as can be seen from the front side perspective view and the rear side perspective view shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). A PC card is provided with a display section 301 of liquid crystal, a screen operation section 302 called a track edge, and a unit contact section 303 for connecting an earphone or the like for reading and listening to book data by voice. In addition, since this embodiment is configured using a PC card, a connection terminal 304 for connection to a PC (not shown) is provided. The PC card to be used has a memory, a CPU,
A battery and the like are stored.

In the second embodiment, the book content is loaded from a PC, and the screen operation unit 302 is operated by a finger as described later. On the end face opposite to the end face where the connection terminal 304 of the PC card is located, a unit contact portion 303 for connecting an earphone is provided in a portion provided with a semicircular recess from both sides of the front and back surfaces of the card.
As shown in (c), an earphone connection unit 308 in which the earphone 307 and the earphone unit 305 are connected can be connected. Earphone unit 305
As shown in the figure, has a peanut-like planar shape having a depression in the center, and a disk-shaped volume knob 306 for adjusting the volume is provided in the center. The earphone connection unit 308 has an appearance similar to that of the earphone unit 305, but is provided on the end face opposite to the end face connected to the earphone unit 305 via a cord with a card provided with the unit contact portion 303 described above. A connection portion having a shape to be connected to the semicircular depression on both sides of the front surface and the back surface is provided. This connection part has a connection terminal,
A claw for fixing the connection terminal to the unit contact portion 303 is provided. Further, a release button 309 for releasing a nail for fixing the connection terminal is provided in the center of the earphone connection unit 308 instead of the volume knob 306.

Although the case where the earphone unit 305 and the earphone connection unit 308 are connected via a cord has been described above, the earphone can be connected cordlessly. In this case, the earphone unit 305 and the earphone connection unit 308 are provided with a wireless communication function, and the earphone unit 305 and the earphone connection unit 308 are connected cordlessly. Although not shown in the drawing, the earphone used in this case may be a known earphone provided with a wireless communication unit. The earphone is used when content such as music is loaded into the internal memory as content instead of book content.

The screen operation unit 302 is provided with an arc-shaped depression on a part of the side surface of the PC card, and a sensor for detecting the movement of a finger is provided on the surface, and is moved by touching with a finger. And the like, and can be configured by a mechanism similar to a mechanism known as a track pad or the like.

Although the size of the above-described second embodiment of the present invention is not shown in the drawing, since it is configured in a PC card, it has a standardized external dimension of a length of 85 m.
m, width 54 mm, and thickness 4 mm. The length of the screen operation unit 302 is 17 mm, the length of the earphone unit 305, the length of the wireless communication unit 308 is 18 mm, the width is 8 mm, and the thickness is 4 mm.

FIG. 10 shows a situation in which the user uses the reading terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention as described above while holding the reading terminal in his / her hand. It is a position that can be easily operated with the thumb of the user. The user can hold the reading terminal in hand as shown in FIG. 10 and display and read the book contents.
When the user wants to change to another content, the screen operation unit 30
Operation 2 will be performed. The operation method and functions of the screen operation unit 302 will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11A illustrates an operation for controlling the movement of the cursor. The user touches the surface of the screen operation unit 302 with a finger and moves the finger from top to bottom, or Move from bottom to top. As a result, the displayed cursor moves downward or upward. FIG.
FIG. 1B illustrates a selection operation.
Click the lower vertex of the screen operation unit 302. This operation is an operation of touching and immediately releasing a finger, and corresponds to a left click of a mouse operation. FIG. 11C illustrates a cancel or menu display operation. The user clicks the upper vertex of the screen operation unit 302.
The operation in this case is the same as in the case of FIG.
This is equivalent to a right click of a mouse operation.

When selecting a content using the screen operation unit 302 as described above, the user first clicks on the upper vertex of the screen operation unit 302 as shown in FIG. A menu is displayed on the display unit 301. Next, as described with reference to FIG. 11A, the user repeatedly performs the operation of sliding the finger on the screen operation unit 302 several times to move the cursor to the item to be selected in the displayed menu. Thereafter, the user proceeds to FIG.
As shown in (b), the user clicks the lower vertex of the screen operation unit 302. As a result, one of the menus is selected, and the book content specified in the menu is displayed on the display unit 301, and the user can read it.

The turning of the page of the book content or the scrolling of the line can be performed by an operation of sliding a finger on the screen operation unit 302. In this case, one operation
The page may be turned before and after the page, or 1
The scroll operation may be performed by a predetermined number of lines in each operation. Also, in the case of the vertical writing display, the screen operation unit 30
(2) The direction of the operation of sliding the finger on the top determines which side of the page is to be turned before or after the page, or determines in which direction the page should be scrolled, thereby turning the page or line. Can be scrolled.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a reading terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charging stand and a state where the reading terminal is set on the stand, and FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the reading terminal shown in FIG. 12 to 14, 40
1 is an upper body case, 402 is a lower body case, 403 is a partial display window, 404 is a menu button, 405 is an up / right button, 406 is a down / left button, 407 is a microphone, 408
Is a speaker, 409 is a knob for pulling out a display unit, 410 is a roll-fixed adjuster, 411 and 418 are battery connectors, 412 and 417 are data download connectors, 413 is an input pen, 415 is a charging stand,
16 is a memory card slot, 419 is a power cord, 4
Reference numeral 20 denotes a charging battery, 421 denotes a connector cover, 422 button substrate, 423 denotes a roll display unit, 424 denotes a display unit connection connector, 425 denotes a sub substrate, 426 denotes a sub substrate connector, and 427 denotes a pipe substrate unit.

In the third embodiment of the present invention described here, a recently developed paper display is used for displaying a reading terminal, and the paper display is stored in the main body like a roll of paper. This is an embodiment in which, when reading book contents, it is possible to pull out and read the book contents. The above-described paper display has a built-in function as a touch panel. This embodiment can also be used as a mobile phone, and can connect the book content to the service provider 11 described with reference to FIG. 1 and receive the distribution of the book content.

The reading terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a main body upper case 401 and a main body upper case 401 as shown in the perspective views of the upper and lower sides of FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). The lower case 402 forms an entire outer shape, and a roll-type display unit 423 formed of a paper display described later is wound inside. On the upper surface of the main body upper case 401, a partial display window 403 that allows a part of the display unit 423 to be seen, and buttons for operating the present embodiment when used as a mobile phone and as a reading terminal. Menu button 404, up / right button 405, down / left button 406, and a microphone 407 and a speaker 408 used during a call.

On the side surface of the main body upper case 401, there is provided a display portion pull-out knob 409 attached to an end of the roll type display portion 423 for pulling out the roll type display portion 423 wound therein. Roll display unit 42
3 is provided with a slit from which the roll 3 is pulled out, and a roll fixing adjuster 410 which is open on both sides and is attached to the slit in a lid shape and which supports the upper and lower ends of the roll display unit 423. A battery connector 411 for charging a rechargeable battery provided inside from an external charging stand, and a data download connector serving as a contact point when downloading book contents from another device such as a memory card are provided on the bottom surface of the main body. 412 are provided.
In order to wind the above-mentioned roll-type display unit 423 inside, a core having a certain thickness is necessary.
As shown in (b), an input pen 413 is housed inside the above-mentioned core so as to be removable from the front.

Although not shown in the drawings, the size of the third embodiment of the present invention is about 120 mm in length and about 2 mm in diameter.
It has a cylindrical shape of 8 mm, and its shape is
3 has a shape extending from the cylindrical portion so that the surface with the slit from which it is pulled out and the surface with the operation buttons and the partial display window 403 are orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIG. 13B, the charging stand 415 includes a battery connector 411 provided on the bottom surface of the reading terminal and a battery connector 418 coupled to the data download connector 412.
A data download connector 417 is provided, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the above-mentioned reading terminal is placed and used thereon. On the side of the charging stand 415,
A PC for connecting a charging stand and a general PC via a cord to enable data communication with the general PC
A connection terminal 428 is provided. Charging stand 41
On the front face of 5, a content is stored, and a memory card slot 413 in which a PC card, a memory card, or the like for loading the content into the reading terminal described here is inserted is provided. . Inside the charging stand 415, a charging circuit for charging with a commercial power supply from a power cord 419, and an interface for connecting a PC card, a memory card, and the like to the internal circuit of the third embodiment are stored. ing.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire structure of the third embodiment of the present invention.
01 and a lower case 402, a roll-type display unit 4 using a paper display is provided inside the housing.
23, a button board 422, a display connector 424, a sub-board 425, a sub-board connector 426, and a rechargeable battery 420.
11 and the data download connector 412, a connector cover 421 is provided.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the reading terminal according to the third embodiment is held in a hand, and the functions of buttons for selecting contents and the like. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining reading according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another state of holding the terminal in the hand and functions of buttons and the like when used as a mobile phone, and these will be described below.

FIG. 15A shows a state in which the reading terminal according to the third embodiment is held in a vertical position with one hand, and this state corresponds to a menu button which is an operation button with the finger of the hand holding the reading terminal. 404, the up / right button 405, and the down / left button 406 are easy to operate, and the characters displayed on the roll-type display unit 423 from the partial display window 403 are easy to see. Each time the menu button 404 is operated, the menu contents are displayed at the position of the partial display window 403, and the functions of the operation buttons of the up / right button 405 and the down / left button 406 are displayed on the menu contents and display screen. It changes according to the contents of. FIG. 15B shows that the operation buttons have hole shapes that are different from those described with reference to FIG. 14. In this case, the display on the display unit that can be seen from the holes indicates the function of each operation button. Become like Then, by touching the surface of the display unit from the hole of each operation button, the function of the button can be executed. FIG. 15C shows a display example on the display unit 423 corresponding to the partial display window 403, the menu button 404, the up / right button 405, and the down / left button 406. Part of the book content is displayed at the position of the display window 403,
According to the state of the display, the up / right button 405 is switched to an up scroll button and a right scroll button,
The down / left button 406 can be switched to a down scroll button or a left scroll button.

In the above description, the case where the operation button is formed in a hole shape and the function of the button is indicated by touching the surface of the display unit from this hole has been described.
4. By using transparent materials for the up / right button 405 and the down / left button 406, the display of the buttons can be changed in the same manner as when holes are used. In this case, it is assumed that the button substrate 422 does not exist, and only a transparent material button is provided between the button hole provided in the main body upper case 401 and the roll display unit 423. When one of the menu button 404, the up / right button 405, and the down / left button 406 is pressed with a finger, these buttons transmit the finger pressure to the lower roll display unit 423. And
Using the touch panel function of the roll display unit 423, it is detected that a button has been pressed. Since these buttons are transparent, it is possible to make it appear as if the display of the buttons is changed by changing the display of the button portion of the roll-type display unit 423.

FIG. 16A shows a state in which the reading terminal according to the third embodiment is held in a horizontal position with both hands. In this case, the whole is supported by one hand and the fingers of the other hand are used. The user operates the operation button. In this case as well, as in the case described with reference to FIG. 15, every time the menu button 404 is operated, the menu contents are displayed at the position of the partial display window 403, and the operation buttons of the up / right button 405 and the down / left button 406 are operated. Changes depending on the content of the displayed menu and the content of the display screen. Therefore, also in this case, FIG.
As in the example shown in (b), a part of the book content is displayed so that the function of the operation button can be recognized from the outside according to the display state.

When the third embodiment of the present invention is used as a portable telephone, by repeatedly operating the menu button 404, the menu at the position of the partial display window 403 is displayed as shown in the upper part of FIG. “TEL” indicating that the call is a telephone is displayed, and other operation buttons function as scrolling up and down. In this case, the operation buttons for scrolling up and down are used to call a telephone number in the telephone directory stored in the internal memory in advance, and these operation buttons are used to operate the buttons as shown in the middle part of FIG. , The telephone number is displayed at the position of the partial display window 403. After the desired telephone number is displayed, the user operates the menu button 404 so that the menu button 40 is displayed.
The operation buttons 405 and 406 other than 4 have the functions of disconnecting and talking as shown in the lower part of FIG.
By operating a button having a "call" function, a call is made to the telephone number displayed in the middle row, and a call becomes possible. After the call, the call can be ended by operating a button having a function of "disconnect".

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the roll-type display unit is pulled out, and FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a state in which numeric keys and book contents are displayed on the roll-type display unit and their operations. These will be described.

The example shown in FIG. 17A shows a state in which the roll-type display unit 423 is pulled out.
The height in the vertical direction is about 105 mm, not shown in the figure. According to the third embodiment of the present invention, book contents and the like can be displayed and read on a display screen that is very large compared to the size of the main body. Although not shown in this figure, the roll fixing adjuster 410
3 can be extended from the terminal body and supported, thereby preventing the roll-type display unit 423 from bending. The roll-type display unit 423 has an extremely thin and narrow-width free-standing metal tape (such as a convention rule) attached to an upper portion and a lower portion of the roll-type display portion 423. Can be independent.

The example shown in FIG. 17B is an example in which the entire area of the roll-type display unit 423 can be further increased, and the paper display constituting the roll-type display unit 423 is vertically shifted by two. FIG. 17 (a) is about twice as large as the case shown in FIG. The state shown in the figure shows a state in which the paper display constituting the roll-type display unit 423 is opened from the position indicated by the dotted line, and a large screen of 150 mm × 210 mm can be obtained. Then, in this example, when the paper display is wrapped inside the main body, the paper display is folded from the position indicated by the dotted line.

In the example shown in FIG. 18A, when the third embodiment of the present invention is used as a portable telephone, a ten-key is displayed on the roll-type display unit 423, and the telephone of the other party is used by using the numeric keypad. This is an example of inputting a number. As described above, since the roll-type display unit 423 is provided with a touch panel function, if a ten-key is displayed on the roll-type display unit 423, a telephone number can be input by touching it. it can. In this case, the input telephone number is displayed above the area where the numeric keypad is displayed as shown in the figure. In this case, the selection of the telephone function, the call, and the disconnection operation by the menu can be performed in the same manner as in the case described with reference to FIG.

The example shown in FIG. 18B is an example showing a state in which a vertically written document as a book content is displayed and read. Buttons for controlling right scroll are displayed. The user can scroll the displayed document in an arbitrary direction by touching these buttons while reading the content. When a horizontally written document is displayed, buttons for controlling upward scroll and downward scroll may be displayed at a position where the display unit can easily touch it.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a reading terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an operation when reading displayed book contents, and FIG. 21 is a folding mechanism of the display unit. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation, and FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a state when the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used as a notebook PC. 19 to 22, reference numeral 501 denotes a display upper case, reference numeral 502 denotes a display lower case, reference numeral 503 denotes a display unit, reference numeral 504 denotes a main body upper case, reference numeral 505 denotes a main body lower case, reference numeral 506 denotes a slide hinge unit, and reference numeral 50 denotes a slide hinge unit.
7 is an AC jack, 508 is a display operation unit, 509 is a menu button, 510 is a decision button, 511 is a battery unit, 512 is a power button, 513 is a content download connector, and 514 is a grip-shaped part.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention described here is one in which the present invention is applied to a notebook PC to constitute a reading terminal that is also used as a notebook PC.

FIG. 19 (b) shows a state in which the display unit is folded to be portable, as viewed from the back of the main body. FIG. 19 (a) shows a mechanism to be described later from the state where the display unit is folded. Shows a state of being rotated 180 degrees and placed upward on the upper surface of the main body. As can be seen from these figures, the reading terminal according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has a display unit upper case 501 provided with a display unit 503 and a display unit lower case 502 constituting an upper lid.
The main body portion is constituted by the main body lower case 505, and these are combined by the slide hinge unit 506 to form the entire appearance.

The display upper case 5 around the display 501 made of liquid crystal or the like provided in the display upper case 501.
01, a menu button 509 and an enter button 510 are provided.
A keyboard is provided for using this embodiment as a PC, and a display operation unit 508 using a trackpad is provided at the end. The menu button 509, the enter button 510, and the display operation unit 508 are provided at positions that are close to each other when the display unit 503 is opened as shown in FIG. Further, the upper case 504 and the lower case 5
An AC jack 507, a power button 512, and a content download connector 513 are provided around the main body unit constituted by the main unit 05, and slots (not shown) for a memory card, an expansion card, an FD slot, and the like are provided. Various devices for functions as a PC and a reading terminal are housed inside the main body.

As shown in FIG. 19 (b), a battery unit 511 is attached to a main body composed of a main body upper case 504 and a main body lower case 505.
In addition, a grip-shaped portion 514 formed in a non-slip groove shape is provided on a portion of the back surface near the battery unit 511 so as not to slip when held in a hand.

The approximate size of the above-described fourth embodiment of the present invention is not shown in the drawings, but is 230 mm in the longitudinal direction with the display unit opened, and 2 mm in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
10 mm, display unit case 501, 502 size 230 mm
× 185 mm, overall thickness 25 mm, display unit case 501,
The thickness of the lid part according to 502 is 10 mm. It should be noted that this size may be any size that is easy to carry and that is easy to use as a PC.

The reading terminal according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is configured as described above, uses a PC as a book content.
As stored in the internal memory as before, by the communication function of the PC, or by connecting to other communication devices,
Those downloaded from the service provider to the internal memory, those stored in the memory card, those downloaded from the memory of another computer or the like to the internal memory via the connector 513 can be used.

When displaying and reading book contents on the display unit 503, the terminal is supported by both hands by the user as shown in FIG. At this time, the display operation unit 508, the menu button 509, and the enter button 5
The terminal is supported so as to be close to 10, and the user can scroll the document as the displayed content up, down, left, and right by operating the display operation unit 508 using the trackpad with the thumb of the left hand. it can. The functions of the menu button 509 and the enter button 510 are the same as those of the other embodiments described above. In addition, the user does not hold the display operation unit 508 and the menu button 50 as shown in FIG.
9. The terminal may be supported near the determination button 510. In this case, the displayed characters and the like are rotated and displayed so that all are displayed in the opposite direction.

Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the operation of the folding mechanism of the upper lid constituted by the display upper case 501 and the display lower case 502 will be described.

Now, as shown in FIG. 21A, it is assumed that the display unit 503 faces upward and reads book contents. In this state, the slide hinge unit 506 is located on the side where the display operation unit 508 is arranged. When the user wants to bring the display unit 503 to the main body unit side from this state, the user needs to move the display unit 503 to the side connected to the slide hinge unit 506 of the top lid provided with the display unit 503 as indicated by a thick arrow. The hinge is moved in the opposite direction of the main body while lifting the opposite side upward. When the hinge unit 506 has finished moving in the direction opposite to the main body, the state is as shown in FIG. When the user further pulls the upper part of the upper lid from this state in the direction in which the hinge was initially positioned as shown by an arrow, as shown in FIG.
The upper lid is folded so that the portable device 3 is carried toward the main body.

FIG. 22 shows an example of a use state when the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used as a PC, and this state is the state shown in FIG. 21 (b). As can be seen from FIG. 22, a keyboard unit K / B is provided on the upper surface of the main unit. In this case, the display operation unit 508 is used as a device similar to a mouse.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reading terminal having a display screen which is easy to use and easy to read even if it is small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a distribution system that receives distribution of an electronic book using a reading terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the reading terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the reading terminal illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state where a keyboard unit is pulled out.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the entire structure of the reading terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a display state and operation of a roller scroll key when a book content is displayed and read on a display unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a display state and operation of a roller scroll key when a book content is displayed and read on a display unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation for changing a display mode of a document or another book content while reading the book content.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation when performing a search or the like using a 10-key / character input button.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a reading terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a reading terminal according to the second embodiment is held in a hand.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating operations and functions of a screen operation unit.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a reading terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging stand and a state in which a reading terminal is set on the stand.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the reading terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a reading terminal according to the third embodiment is held in a hand and functions of buttons and the like when selecting content and the like.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another state in which the reading terminal according to the second embodiment is held in a hand and functions of buttons and the like when used as a mobile phone.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the roll display unit is pulled out.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a state in which numeric keys and book contents are displayed on a roll-type display unit, and an operation thereof.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a reading terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an operation when reading the displayed book content.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the folding mechanism of the display unit.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used as a notebook PC.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 service provider 12 PC 13 PDA 14 reading terminal 15 network 16 publisher 201 display unit upper case 202 display unit lower case 203 operation unit upper case 204 operation unit lower case 205 display unit 206 microphone 207 speaker 208 menu / outgoing button 209 enter / release button 210 Roller Scroll Unit 211 Roller Scroll Key 212 IRDA Communication Unit 213 Voice / Communication Interface Unit 214 Antenna Unit 215 Power Button 216 Memory Card Slot 217 10 Key / Character Input Button 218 Display Lens 219 Display Board 220 Interface Board 221 Interface Contact 222 Main Substrate 223 Memory card slot unit 224 Battery unit 225 Memory card slot cover 2 6 Expansion connector unit 227 roller scroll unit upper case 228 and 229 interface contacts 230 slide rail section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/03 380 G06F 3/033 360A 5K027 3/033 310 360C 360 H04M 1/02 C 1/23 P H04M 1/02 1/247 1/23 1/725 1/247 G06F 3/023 310L 1/725 (72) Inventor: Ajin Tsukada 1-280, Higashi-Koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Design Institute, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Invention Person Yuichi Kosukegawa 1-280 Higashi Koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Inside the Hitachi, Ltd.Design Research Laboratories (72) Inventor Tatsuro Arai 890 Kashimada, Kochi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term Hitachi Service Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B020 CC02 CC12 DD02 DD05 DD30 FF17 FF55 FF61 5B068 AA05 AA21 BB01 CC02 CC06 CD04 CD06 5B087 AA09 AB02 AB05 AE09 BC01 CC01 CC02 DE02 DE06 5E501 AA04 AB03 AC19 BA05 CA04 CB02 CB05 CB20 CC06 EA02 EA10 EB05 EB08 FA05 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 HH06 LL06 MM00 5K027 AA11 BB02 FF22 HH26

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A reading terminal comprising a display unit for displaying a document as book content, comprising: a roller scroll unit rotating by 90 degrees with respect to the rotation direction of the roller; A reading terminal characterized in that the displayed document is scrolled up, down, left and right by rotation of. 2. An operation unit housing comprising: a 10-key / character input button; an operation unit housing to which the 10-key / character input button is attached; and a display unit housing to which the display unit is attached. 5. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the main body is slidably coupled to the main body, and the ten key / character input button provided on the operation main body is exposed to the outside of the display main body. 1. The reading terminal according to 1. 3. The reading terminal according to claim 2, wherein each of the buttons constituting the 10-key / character input button is displayed with its character changed according to a use state. 4. A reading terminal provided with a display unit for displaying a document as book content, wherein the display unit is provided on a PC card surface, and a screen-shaped operation unit is provided by providing an arc-shaped depression on a part of a side surface of the card. A reading terminal that scrolls a displayed document up, down, left, and right, or selects and switches content, by an operation of touching and moving the screen operation unit with a finger. 5. A reading terminal provided with a display unit for displaying a document as book content, wherein the display unit is configured as a roll-type display unit by a paper-like display and is rolled in the main body to display the document. A reading terminal, which is drawn out to the outside when reading. 6. The reading terminal according to claim 5, wherein the display unit is folded at a right angle in a pull-out direction, and is expanded when pulled out. 7. A main body is provided with a menu button, an up / right button, a down / left button, and a partial display window through which the display unit can be externally viewed while the display unit is wrapped inside the main body. The function of the up / right button and the down / left button is changed according to the function by operating the menu button, and the function is displayed on the display unit corresponding to the position of the button. 7. The reading terminal according to claim 5, wherein a display corresponding to an operation of the button is performed at a position of the display unit corresponding to a position of the partial display window. 8. The reading terminal according to claim 7, wherein the display unit has a touch panel function, and the operation of the button is performed by touching the display unit through a hole at the position of the button. 9. The display unit has a touch panel function, and displays 10 keys as operation keys on the display unit, and is used as a mobile phone using the 10 keys. 6. The reading terminal according to 6, 6 or 7. 10. A reading terminal including a display unit for displaying a document as book content, wherein the main unit and the display unit are connected to each other by a hinge to form a notebook, and the hinge is configured to be slidable. By hinge
The display unit is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the main unit, and
A reading terminal, which is opened so as to be overlapped with a display surface on a main body. 11. The computer according to claim 1, wherein a keyboard is arranged on an upper surface of the main body, and is used as a PC.
0 reading terminal.