JP2002132409A - Personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved user interface for a note type personal computer. SOLUTION: In addition to a main display device 17, an LCD 22 with a transparent touch panel 21 layered on the surface of the LCD 22 is provided. An article and a button do not appear on the display device 17 but they appear on the LCD 22. The user interface executes a process allocated to the button that is displayed through the touch panel 21 and touched by an operator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called notebook personal computer is generally equipped with a device called a touch pad or a track pad as a pointing device. If the OS supports the GUI, various inputs or instructions can be given to the personal computer by the touch pad.

[0003]

However, when a button such as [Yes] or [No] is displayed on the display, the user can operate the button by: 1. Rubbing the touch pad with a finger to move the cursor. To the desired button. 2. Press the click button located near the touchpad. Or tap the touchpad lightly. It is necessary to operate.

However, such operations are often difficult for elderly people, beginners, and the like. For example, the cursor cannot be moved to the target button, or the cursor is lost. In addition, the characters “Yes” and “No” displayed on the buttons are small and may be difficult to see.

[0005] The present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0006]

According to the present invention, for example, a main display device, a sub display device different from the main display device, and a sub display device stacked on the display surface of the sub display device are provided. A transmission type touch panel, and, on the sub display device, display the items and the operation unit that are not displayed on the main display device, and, via the touch panel, when operating the displayed operation unit, The personal computer is configured to execute a process assigned to the operated operation unit. Therefore, when the user touches the displayed operation unit, the process proceeds to the next, and as a result, a target input is performed.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates an example of a notebook personal computer according to the present invention. The personal computer 10 includes a CPU 11 that executes various processes, and a written R such as a BIOS.
It has an OM 12 and a RAM 13 to which an OS and various application programs or data are accessed. These memories 12 and 13 are connected to the CPU 11 through a system bus 19.

An HDD 14 and a keyboard 15 are connected to the bus 19.
An OS and a program for realizing the processing according to the present invention are installed. Further, the personal computer 10 may be, for example, a color LC having a display capability of 1024 × 768 dots as a main color display device.
The LCD 17 is connected to a bus 19 through an LCD controller 16. Also, while the modem 18 is connected to the bus 19,
Is connected to an external telephone line LN.

The touch pad input section 20 is configured as follows. That is, the touch panel 21 is connected to the bus 19 through the driver 23, and the color LCD 22 is connected to the bus 19 through the driver 24.

In this case, the color LCD 22 serves as a sub display device and has a rectangular display surface of a predetermined size, and the display surface is formed by arranging a predetermined number of display dots in a matrix. Any character (including numbers and symbols, etc .; the same applies hereinafter) is displayed in color by a combination of the lighting of the display dots.

The touch panel 21 has an input surface having substantially the same shape and size as the display surface of the LCD 22, and the input surface is of a transparent or translucent light transmission type. Note that a method of detecting an input position (a position at which the touch panel 22 is touched by a finger or the like) on the touch panel 22 includes a resistive type and an electrostatic type, but any method may be used.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel 21 and the LCD 22
One input surface is stacked so as to cover the display surface of the LCD 22. Thus, the touchpad input unit 20 is configured.

The touch pad input section 20 is arranged in the notebook personal computer 10, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, in the notebook personal computer 10 of FIG. 3, the case is composed of a main body 31 and a lid 32 that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 31, and the keyboard 15 is arranged on the upper surface of the main body 31. The touch pad input unit 20 is arranged on the near side (user side). The LCD 17 is disposed on a surface of the lid 32 facing the main body.

According to such a configuration, the touch panel 2
1 is of a light transmission type, and the touch panel 21 and the LCD 22 are laminated so that the input surface coincides with the display surface of the LCD 22.
When characters and figures are displayed in 2, the user can normally view the displayed characters and figures. At this time, the user can input coordinates by touching the touch panel 21.

Therefore, a program prepared in the HDD 14 is loaded into the RAM 13 and executed by the CPU 11, so that the touchpad input unit 20 can perform the following processings.

Button Function Linked to Display (Part 1) This is a case where operability is improved by associating an input on touch panel 21 with a display on LCD 22.

FIG. 4 shows the standard display contents of the LCD 22 in this case.
2 is a rectangular area 2 on the keyboard 15 side
2A is a display area for various questions (or instructions). The question displayed in the display area 22A is a simple sentence, is hierarchized, and is basically “yes” meaning affirmation or “no” meaning negation.
The content can be answered with.

On the display surface of the LCD 22, three buttons 22B to 22D are displayed side by side as an operation section from near the center on the near side (lower side in FIG. 4) to the right side. These buttons 22B to 22D are displayed in the display area 22.
It is for inputting the answer to the question displayed in A. It is displayed in different colors to make it easy for elderly people and beginners to understand and operate.
It is displayed slightly larger.

Then, in the case of FIG.
22D has a circular shape and blue, yellow, and red images of a traffic light. In addition, (blue), (yellow), and (red) in the buttons 22B to 22D in FIG. 3 indicate the display colors of the buttons 22B to 22D, and these characters are not displayed. (The same applies hereinafter).

Further, on these buttons 22B to 22D, answers corresponding to the questions displayed in the display area 22A are displayed. In the case of FIG. 3, the question displayed in the display area 22 </ b> A is answered with “yes” or “no”. The button 22B is used to answer affirmatively to the question, and the character [YES] indicating the affirmation is displayed. Button 22D
Is intended to provide a negative answer to a question,
The character [No] indicating that negation is displayed. Further, the button 22C is used to operate a question or a puzzle when the meaning of the question is not understood or the like, and the character [Trouble] indicating the question or the puzzle is displayed.

Further, on the left side on the near side of the display surface of the LCD 22, launcher buttons 22E and 22F for starting frequently used software with one touch are displayed. In this example, the button 22E is for electronic mail and the button 22F is for Internet connection, and a character string indicating the function of the button is displayed on these buttons 22E and 22F. Note that these buttons 2
2E and 22F are also slightly larger and displayed in different colors.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show transition examples of the display of the question and answer buttons 22B to 22D displayed in the display area 22A. In this example, until the user who has not yet contracted with the ISP selects the ISP. It shows the state of.

That is, when the power of the personal computer 10 is turned on, the OS is loaded from the HDD 14 to the RAM 13 and started up.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a standard display is performed.

When the user touches the mail button 22E or the Internet button 22F, in this case, the ISP
5A, as shown in FIG. 5A.
Will display a comment about the ISP,
The question of contract with the ISP is displayed. Since the answer to this question is either "yes" or "no", the buttons 22B and 22D indicate "Yes" or "No".
Is displayed, and [Troubled] is displayed on the button 22C in case of having trouble answering.

Since no contract has been made with any ISP, if the user touches the [No] button 22D, a question as to whether or not the desired ISP is present is displayed in the display area 22A as shown in FIG. 5B. Button 22B, 22
D displays the characters [Yes] and [No], and the button 22C displays the character [Trouble].

In response to this question, when the user touches the [Yes] button 22B, for example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 5C, the ISP name (company name, nickname, etc.) In addition to displaying the minutes, a question is displayed as to whether or not the desired ISP is included in the displayed name.

When there is no desired ISP,
When the user touches the [No] button 22D, the names of the following three companies are displayed in the display area 22A. Thus, [No]
Each time the button 22D is touched, the names of the ISPs for three companies are displayed.

When the name of the desired ISP is displayed and the user touches the [Yes] button 22B, the ISP displayed when the user touches the [Yes] button 22B is displayed.
Of the first ISP and the name of this ISP
Is displayed in the display area 22A and buttons 22B to 22D are displayed. And thereafter, every time the [No] button 22D is touched,
The names of the three companies are changed one by one in order.

Then, when the name of the desired ISP is displayed and the user touches the [Yes] button 22B, for example, FIG.
As shown in D, a question is displayed as to whether or not to proceed with the processing of the contract with the ISP. Then, when the [Yes] button 22B is touched, the processing thereafter proceeds to the selected I
Move on to processing of contract with SP. The processing of this contract
This is performed using the LCD 17 and the keyboard 15.

For example, in the state of FIG. 5B, if there is no particularly desired ISP, the user touches the [No] button 22D. At this time, for example, as shown on the right side of FIG. In addition, for example, only three types of amounts that can be paid in one month are displayed, and a question is displayed as to whether the displayed amount includes a desired amount.

Then, thereafter, the burden per month is determined in the same manner as when the ISP is selected. In the same manner, a scheduled or expected connection time of the Internet per month is determined.

When the conditions for selecting the ISPs are prepared in this way, for the ISPs that satisfy the conditions, as shown on the left side of FIG. In addition to displaying the minutes, a question is displayed as to whether or not the desired ISP is included in the displayed name. Then, thereafter, the same processing as when there is a desired ISP is executed, an ISP is selected, and a contract with the ISP is made.

When the contract with the ISP is terminated as described above, even if the mail button 22E or the Internet button 22F is touched thereafter, the ISP described with reference to FIG.
It does not proceed to the processing of the contract with E-mail, but is connected by e-mail or the Internet.

That is, when the contract with the ISP has already been made, if the mail button 22E is touched, the mail software starts up, and thereafter, the reception or transmission of the mail is realized by the mail software. Also, if a contract with the ISP has already been made, touching the Internet button 22F connects to the contracted ISP and starts a browser, so that the browser can be used to browse Internet web pages. become.

When the meaning of the question displayed in the display area 22A is not understood or the answer is troubled, if a [troubled] button 22C is touched, a prepared question is displayed in the display area 22A. 22A is displayed. When the user answers the question by touching the [Yes] button 22B or the [No] button 22D, the question, the instruction, the hint, and the like are sequentially displayed in a hierarchical manner in response to the trouble. That trouble is solved.

However, if the problem cannot be solved in any way, the telephone number of the support dial is displayed in the display area 22A, and "Please contact here" is displayed.

For example, if the screen freezes,
When the user touches the [worried] button 22C, an instruction to escape from the freeze is displayed in the display area 22A. If the operation is not resolved even if you follow the instructions,
Generally, the power is turned off. In this case, for example, the power is turned off in the display area 22A. To turn off the power, press and hold the power switch. Count down together, so touch the [Yes] button and keep pressing the power switch. Such an instruction is displayed.

Alternatively, when the remaining amount of the power supply battery becomes low, for example, an image of a character (mascot) prepared in advance moves around the display area 22A to draw the user's attention, If you touch the [Troubled] button 22C, the battery runs out in the display area 22A. Connect the power cord. Is displayed, and the character moves under the display sentence. Then, when the power cord is connected, the character disappears.

That is, when the character moves around the display area 22A, the trouble is avoided by touching the [worried] button 22C.

Thus, troubles and troubles can be solved by the display of the display area 22A and the "Yes" button 22B, the "Trouble" button 22C and the "No" button 22D.

Button Function Linked to Display (No. 2) This is also for associating the input on the touch panel 21 with the display on the LCD 22, but when touching a button indicating the processing content.

That is, for example, when an instruction to end the OS is given, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the LCD 22 has buttons [power off], [restart],
[Cancel] is displayed. Then, when one of these buttons is touched, the corresponding process is executed.

Display Function without Pad Input This is a case where the LCD 22 performs an auxiliary display. That is, in this case, the remaining amount of the power supply battery (not shown), the operating state of the HDD 14 and the Japanese FEP, and the like are displayed on the LCD 22.

Button Function without Display This is a case where the touch panel 21 is used as a pointing device for display on the LCD 17.
Therefore, coordinates can be input in the same manner as a general touchpad.

[Summary] As described above, according to the above-mentioned touch pad input unit 20, when a question and its answer are displayed on the LCD 22, when the answer is touched, this is input through the touch panel 21. Even beginners and beginners can easily answer. In particular,
The buttons 22B to 22D for selecting the character size and answer of the question in the display area 22A can be made large enough, so that they can be easily viewed and erroneous operations can be reduced.

Further, the software to be started when the buttons 22E and 22F are touched can be arbitrarily set, so that the usability is improved.

In the above description, the [Yes] button 2
2B and the [No] button 22D allow the display area 22 to be displayed.
When answering the question displayed in A, a button for cursor movement and a button for determination may be displayed, and when these buttons are touched, corresponding processing may be executed.

[List of abbreviations used in this specification] BIOS: Basic Input / Output System CPU: Central Processing Unit FEP: Front End Processor GUI: Graphical User Interface HDD: Hard Disk Drive ISP: Internet Service Provider OS: Operating System RAM: Random Access Memory ROM: Read Only Memory

[0049]

According to the present invention, even an elderly person or a beginner can easily answer a question. In addition, the question can be easily viewed, and erroneous operations at the time of answer can be reduced. Further, usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a display example according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a transition example of display according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another display example according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: notebook personal computer, 11: CP
U, 12: ROM, 13: RAM, 14: HDD, 15
... keyboard, 16 ... LCD controller, 17 ... LC
D, 18: Modem, 19: System bus, 20: Touch pad input unit, 21: Touch panel, 22: Color LC
D, 23 and 24: Driver, 31: Main body, 32: Lid, LN: Telephone line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09G 3/20 680 G09G 3/20 680D 691 691D 3/36 3/36 F-term (Reference) 5B087 AA09 CC02 DE03 5C006 AA03 AF38 AF78 BB11 EC02 FA00 FA03 5C080 AA10 BB07 DD13 EE01 GG02 JJ01 JJ02 JJ06 5E501 AA03 AB16 BA03 BA05 BA11 CA04 CB02 CB05 EA05 EA10 FA02 FA03 FA43 FB28 5G435 AA00 BB12 GG00 LL08

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A display device comprising: a main display device; a sub display device different from the main display device; and a transmissive touch panel stacked on a display surface of the sub display device. In the display device, items and operation units not displayed on the main display device are displayed, and when the displayed operation unit is operated through the touch panel, the operation unit is assigned to the operated operation unit. A personal computer that performs processing. 2. The personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the personal computer is a notebook personal computer, the sub display device is an LCD, and the LCD and the touch panel are provided on an upper surface of a computer main body. A personal computer arranged in front of the keyboard. 3. The personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a button that indicates affirmation and a button that indicates negation.