JP2003216336A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently ensure visibility while realizing a simple input operation by the fingertip when a stylus is housed, and to prevent any malfunction due to any unintentional contact with a liquid crystal display. <P>SOLUTION: This portable information terminal comprises a display part 16 configured of a liquid crystal display element 161, and provided with a pressure-sensitive panel 163 for displaying prescribed information, a stylus 2 for inputting information via the pressure-sensitive panel 163 to the display part 16, a stylus housing port 50 for housing the stylus 2, a stylus housing detecting part 24 for detecting the housing position of the stylus 2 in the stylus housing port 50, and a CPU 11 to be operated based on an operation program for controlling the display method of information by the display part 16 according to the housing position of the stylus 2 detected by the stylus housing detecting part 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal capable of inputting and operating a liquid crystal display with an operating rod.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information terminals suitable for carrying such as so-called mobile computers and PDAs (Parsonal Digital Assistants) (hereinafter referred to as mobile information terminals) have been widely developed.

As shown in FIG. 7, these portable information terminals adopt a liquid crystal display from the viewpoint of realizing weight reduction and thickness reduction. The mobile information terminal displays necessary information to the user via the liquid crystal display. The user, depending on the information disclosed by the liquid crystal display,
The necessary input operation is performed by the operation with the fingertip of the user or using the stylus. The liquid crystal display is provided with a pressure-sensitive panel that can realize a desired input by pressing with a fingertip or a stylus.

The stylus is an operating rod in the shape of a pen as shown in FIG. 7. In addition to being able to easily designate a desired icon, it is also possible to directly input a character string by inputting handwritten characters. . The stylus can be stored in the portable information terminal after the input operation.

[0005]

By the way, when a desired command is pressed and input by the stylus, the icon displayed on the liquid crystal display is often displayed in a minute size which can be captured by the tip of the stylus.

However, when the user stores the stylus in the portable information terminal, it is general that the command designation by the stylus has already been completed, and thereafter the command designation is performed by the pressing input operation with the fingertip. Therefore, if the small size icon is kept displayed even after the stylus is stored, there is a problem in that the pressing input operation by the fingertip is hindered.

Further, when the portable information terminal is mounted on an automobile, it is extremely difficult to press the stylus while the passenger is in the vehicle. Therefore, the icon is enlarged to easily realize the press input operation with the fingertip. It is desirable that a display object such as an electronic map can be enlarged to ensure visibility at the same time.

Further, if the liquid crystal display is suddenly touched after the stylus is housed, the pressing operation is accepted by the application activated on the portable information terminal, so that an operation not intended by the user may be performed.

Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and realizes an easy input operation with a fingertip when a stylus is stored in an information display device employing a liquid crystal display. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal capable of ensuring sufficient visibility and preventing malfunction due to abrupt contact with a liquid crystal display.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a portable information terminal according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal display element, has a pressure sensitive panel, and has a display means for displaying predetermined information, The operating rod input to the display means via the pressure sensitive panel, the storing means for storing the operating rod, the position detecting means for detecting the storing position of the operating rod in the storing means, and the operation program. And a control unit that operates based on the storage position detected by the position detection unit and controls a method of displaying information by the display unit.

In this portable information terminal, the method of displaying information by the display means is controlled according to the detected storage position of the operating rod.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to a portable information terminal 1 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The portable information terminal 1 is, for example, a mobile computer or a PDA (Parsonal Digital Assist).
It is an information terminal suitable for carrying such as ants) and adopts a liquid crystal display from the viewpoint of realizing weight reduction and thickness reduction.

The portable information terminal 1 displays necessary information to the user via the liquid crystal display. The user
Depending on the information disclosed by the liquid crystal display, the necessary input operation is performed by the operation of the fingertip of the user or using the stylus 2. The liquid crystal display is provided with a pressure-sensitive panel that can realize a desired input by pressing with a fingertip or the stylus 2.

The stylus 2 is an operating rod in the shape of a pen as shown in FIG. 1. In addition to being able to easily specify a desired command object, it is also possible to directly input a character string. After the input operation, the stylus 2 is a stylus storage port 50 provided in the portable information terminal 1.
It is also possible to store in.

In addition to the liquid crystal display described above, the user can also press the power button 19 from outside the portable information terminal 1.
Alternatively, various settings can be made via the operation button 22 or the like.

Next, an example of the internal structure of the portable information terminal 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, the portable information terminal 1 is a CPU
(Central Processing Unit) 11 and data bus 12
, ROM 13, DRAM 14, graphic controller 15, display unit 16, and PWM driver 17
A display unit converter 18, a power button 19, a battery 20, a DC / DC converter 21, an operation button 22, an LED 23, and a stylus storage detection unit 24.
, A regilator 25, and an infrared communication controller 26.

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit for controlling the entire portable information terminal 1, and a ROM 13 for storing a control program to be executed via the data bus 12.
Also, it is connected to the DRAM 14 as a work area used for storing and expanding data. Also, this CPU 11
According to the detection signal received from the stylus storage detection unit 24, the data bus 12 and the graphic controller 15
The display unit 16 is controlled via the. Furthermore, this CPU 11
Transmits the disclosed information to the display unit 16 via the graphic controller 15 or the like based on the input information received from the display unit 16.

The ROM 13 stores a database for calculating latitude and longitude based on map data and address, in addition to the control program. In addition, the DRAM 14
Always stores personal management data regardless of whether the main power supply is ON or OFF.

The graphic controller 15 is a CPU
Under the control of 11, the painting processing on the display unit 16 is executed. This graphic controller 15 is a PWM
Through the driver 17, the contrast and brightness in the display unit 16 are controlled.

The display section 16 comprises a liquid crystal display element 161, a front light 162 and a pressure sensitive panel 163.
This is an interface for the user to interact with the mobile information terminal 1.

The liquid crystal display element 161 is, for example, a TFT transmissive light modulation element, and constitutes a liquid crystal display for displaying information to the user. On the liquid crystal display, for example, a command input icon is displayed in addition to a display object such as map information that is only disclosed to the user.

The backlight 162 ensures the visibility of the liquid crystal display by irradiating illumination light from the back surface of the liquid crystal display element.

The pressure sensitive panel 163 is a resistance film type panel that changes the output voltage according to the pressed area. The pressure-sensitive panel 163 is pressed by the user with a fingertip or using the stylus 2 according to a command object such as a menu or an operation icon displayed on the liquid crystal display element 161.

The display converter 18 is connected to the CPU 11 and the pressure sensitive panel 163, detects the output voltage from the pressure sensitive panel 163, converts it into digital data, and outputs CP.
Transmit to U11.

The power button 19 is arranged outside the portable information terminal 1, and when pressed by the user, the CPU
11 is notified that power is input.

The battery 20 is a built-in unit for supplying drive power for the entire portable information terminal 1.
The battery 20 may be composed of, for example, a lithium secondary battery. Power is supplied from the battery 20 to the CPU that detects the pressing operation of the power button 19 described above.
It is controlled based on 11.

The DC / DC converter 21 includes the CPU 11
Based on the control by, the power supplied from the battery 20 is converted into a power supply voltage required for each device constituting the mobile information terminal 1. In addition, this DC / DC converter 2
1 supplies the backlight 162 with power for illumination.

The operation button 22 is a button for inputting when the display content on the display unit 16 is changed. That is, by inputting the operation button 22, it is possible to change the display content to a predetermined display content, for example, from a state of displaying a schedule table to a state of displaying a map.

The LED 23 is a light emitting element for notifying the user of the state of the portable information terminal 1, and is turned on when the power is input and turned off when the power is turned off.

The stylus storage detection unit 24 is a switch for detecting whether or not the stylus 2 is stored in the stylus insertion unit 50. This stylus storage detector 24
Can detect the stylus insertion position stepwise as well as when the stylus 2 is completely fitted in the stylus insertion part 50. Stylus storage detector 24
Sends the detected result to the CPU 11.

In the power-off state, the regulator 25 supplies power to devices such as the CPU 11 and the DRAM 14 that require backup.

The infrared communication controller 26 is a controller for transmitting and receiving data by optical communication with an external device. The infrared communication controller 26 inputs / outputs data to / from the external device to / from the CPU 11 and the like via the connected data bus 12. The portable information terminal 1
May have an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device via USB.

Next, a specific processing procedure of the portable information terminal 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the liquid crystal display in the stylus designation mode M1 in which a command is designated using the stylus 2. In FIG. 3, a schedule table icon 201 is an icon for activating a schedule table for managing an individual schedule. Further, the ToDo icon 202 is an icon for activating work progress management software, and the mail icon 203 is an icon for transmitting and receiving electronic mail and performing the Internet.
Furthermore, the memo pad icon 204 is an icon for activating the memo pad, and the game icon 205 is an icon for activating game software. That is, in the stylus designation mode M1, since all five icons are displayed on one screen, the size of each icon is set small.

The user presses the icon using the stylus 2 when activating a desired application. The pressure-sensitive panel 163 that has detected the pressing operation notifies the CPU 11 of that fact via the display converter 18. The CPU 11 responds to the designated icon by
Run the application.

When the user inserts the stylus 2 into the stylus storage port 50 after designating the icon, the portable information terminal 1 ends the stylus designation mode M1 and shifts to the enlarged display mode M2. That is, the stylus storage detection unit 24 determines whether the stylus 2 is stored in the stylus insertion opening 50 or in accordance with the insertion position.
Send a detection signal to. The CPU 11 receives the detection signal and notifies the graphic controller 15 of the shift to the enlarged display mode M2 based on the control program stored in the ROM 13. Upon receiving the notification, the graphic controller 15 controls the display unit 16 so as to enlarge and display the icons 201 to 205 displayed on the liquid crystal display.

In the enlarged display mode M2, the display on the liquid crystal display is enlarged and displayed so that the respective icons 201 to 205 can be easily pressed with a fingertip as shown in FIG. Further, in the enlarged display mode M2, it is impossible to display all the icons 201 to 205 on one screen.
Is displayed. The user uses this scroll icon 20
By pressing 6 the screen can be scrolled in the vertical direction to specify each of the icons 201 to 205. For this reason, the user especially
A command can be easily designated by a pressing operation with a fingertip without requiring an operation of enlarging 01 to 205.

In the enlarged display mode M2, for example, in the stylus designation mode M1, it is also possible to enlarge and display the electronic map reduced in size as shown in FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. Thereby, after the stylus 2 is stored in the stylus storage port 50, the visibility can be automatically improved without requiring the operation of enlarging and displaying the electronic map. In addition, since the characters displayed on the electronic map are also enlarged and displayed, the mobile information terminal 1
When the vehicle is mounted on a vehicle, the burden on the driver can be reduced.

Further, in the portable information terminal 1, after the stylus 2 is stored, the pressing operation via the pressure sensitive panel can be disabled. In such a case, the stylus storage detection unit 2
The CPU 11 which has received the detection signal from the CPU 4 detects the pressure-sensitive panel 163 based on the control program stored in the ROM 13.
Even if the notification that the pressing operation is detected is sent from the application, the application is not executed.

As a result, even after the stylus has been housed, even if the user suddenly touches the liquid crystal display, the pressing operation is not accepted, and it is possible to prevent the execution of an unintended application.

[0043]

As described in detail above, the portable information terminal according to the present invention controls the method of displaying information by the display means according to the detected storage position of the operating rod.

As a result, the portable information terminal according to the present invention, when the operation stick is stored, realizes an easy input operation with a fingertip, sufficiently secures the visibility, and is unexpected to the liquid crystal display. Malfunction due to contact can be prevented

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an external configuration of a mobile information terminal to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration example of a portable information terminal to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display in a stylus designation mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal display in an enlarged display mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic map displayed in a stylus designation mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic map displayed in an enlarged display mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a stylus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 portable information terminal, 2 stylus, 11 CPU, 1
2 data bus, 13 ROM, 14 DRAM, 15
Graphic controller, 16 display, 17 PW
M driver, 18 display converter, 19 power button, 20 battery, 21 DC / DC converter,
22 operation buttons, 23 LEDs, 24 stylus storage detector, 25 regilator, 26 infrared communication controller, 50 stylus storage port, 161, liquid crystal display device, 162 backlight, 163 pressure sensitive panel

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kazushi Sakuma             6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             -Inside the corporation (72) Inventor Masataka Ninomiya             6-735 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             -Inside the corporation F-term (reference) 5B019 BA04 DA08 HC09 HD20                 5B068 AA22 AA36 BB04 BD02 BD21                       BE11 CD00                 5B087 AE09 BC03 CC02 CC26 CC36                       DD12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A display means comprising a liquid crystal display element, having a pressure-sensitive panel and displaying predetermined information, and an operating rod for inputting information to the display means via the pressure-sensitive panel, Storage means for storing the operation rod, position detection means for detecting the storage position of the operation rod in the storage means, and operation based on an operation program, to the storage position of the operation rod detected by the position detection means. Accordingly, the portable information terminal is provided with a control unit that controls a method of displaying information by the display unit. 2. The control means controls the information displayed by the display means to be enlarged and displayed according to the storage position detected by the position detection means. Mobile information terminal. 3. The control means invalidates an input operation to the display means via the pressure-sensitive panel according to the storage position detected by the position detection means. The portable information terminal described.