JP2004287546A - Computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient computer device that allows immediate and easy starting of software at links. <P>SOLUTION: The computer device has an input part, a control part and a display part. The input part has a key part for inputting characters and the like, and a link button part 8 for starting software at links. The link button part 8 has a link button 8a whose peripheral edge can be tilted; a plurality of link switches 8b each of which is turned on by the tilting of the link button 8a to start the software at links; and a plurality of LEDs 8c each of which emits light in a different color according to the software at the links started by means of the link switches 8b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a computer device, and is particularly suitable for a computer device having a link button unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional computer device, there is one disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-212665 (Patent Document 1). This computer device includes a main body that houses a control unit and has an input unit on the surface, and a display unit that has a liquid crystal display. The input unit consists of a key unit for inputting characters and the like, a flat pointing device for variably operating the cursor position, and a left and right click button for inputting an instruction corresponding to the cursor position in front of the flat pointing device. Are arranged side by side. The flat pointing device is provided in front of the key unit, and left and right click buttons are arranged in front of the flat pointing device.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-212665 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the computer device of Patent Literature 1, since there is no means for starting the linked software by a one-touch operation, it is troublesome to start the linked software. For this reason, a device having a link button unit for activating the link destination software by a one-touch operation has been proposed.
[0005]
However, in the computer device provided with the link button unit, it is difficult to specifically recognize the link destination software that can be activated by the link button unit, which is inconvenient. When the link destination software is activated more than the number of operation units of the link destination button unit, there is a problem that recognition becomes particularly difficult.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly computer device that can immediately and easily start linked software.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes an input unit, a control unit, and a display unit, wherein the input unit includes a key unit for inputting characters and the like, and a link button for activating link destination software. A link button that is capable of tilting a peripheral portion, a plurality of link switches that are turned on by tilting the link button to start link destination software, and a link destination that is started by the link switch. A plurality of LEDs that emit different colors corresponding to software are provided. And more preferably, the link button is provided so as to be tilted in four directions of a peripheral portion, the link switches are provided at four positions on the peripheral portion of the link button, and the LED is provided at the four positions of the link switches. It is provided corresponding to each.
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a main unit that houses a control unit and has an input unit provided on an upper surface, and a display unit that is rotatably mounted on the main unit and has a liquid crystal display. The input unit includes a key unit for inputting characters and the like, and a link button unit for activating linked software, the link button unit includes a link button capable of tilting a peripheral edge, A plurality of link switches that are turned on by tilting a link button to start link destination software, and a plurality of LEDs that emit different colors corresponding to the link destination software started by the link switch; A link setting means for setting link destination software to be activated by the link button section is provided.
And, more preferably, the key portion is provided at a rear portion of the upper surface of the main body portion, and a touch pad portion, which is a flat type pointing device for variably operating a cursor position, is provided in front of the key portion, and the touch panel portion corresponds to the cursor position. Left and right click buttons for inputting instructions are arranged in front of the touch pad section, and the link button section is provided so that a part thereof enters a boundary of the touch pad section. Further, the link button section is provided with a higher priority than other linked software when a specific linked software that has been started is automatically received by e-mail or started recording after the plurality of linked software is started. The color corresponding to the operation is rotated to emit light. Furthermore, when the mail is automatically received, the color is rotated to one side to emit light, and when the recording start is automatically performed, the color is rotated to the other side to emit light. It was done.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
First, an outline of a thin computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The computer device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 2 and a display unit 3 and has a function as a personal computer. The main unit 2 and the display unit 3 are connected via wiring, so that data transmission / reception and power supply are performed.
[0010]
In FIG. 1, a main body 2 is formed by housing devices and components for functioning as a personal computer in a thin, substantially rectangular box 2a. On the upper surface of the main unit 2, an input unit 4, an operation display lamp 9, a function button 30, and a power switch 11 are provided. In the present embodiment, as an example of the function button 30, a volume control button disposed on the left side of the operation display lamp for adjusting the volume of audio and the like, and a function control button disposed on the right side of the operation display lamp 9, for one-touch access to various functions such as the Internet. And a one-touch button to connect.
[0011]
The input unit 4 includes a key unit 5, a touch pad unit 6, a click button unit 7, a link button unit 8, and a function button 30.
[0012]
The key portion 5 has a large number of keys arranged in a known arrangement, and is provided so as to occupy substantially half of the upper surface rear side of the main body portion 2. Various characters and the like can be quickly input by the key unit 5.
[0013]
The touch pad unit 6 is a flat pointing device for variably operating a cursor position having an input function equivalent to that of a trackball, and is provided in front of the key unit 5. The click button unit 7 is for inputting an instruction corresponding to a cursor position, and includes a left click button unit 7 and a right click button unit 7, and is juxtaposed in front of the touch pad unit 6. The link button unit 8 has a function of activating an application or the like and switching a connection with a plurality of networks, and a function of displaying a button status. Is provided so as to enter. The touch pad section 6, the click button section 7, and the link button section 8 are mounted on a pad board 17.
[0014]
Since the touch pad section 6, the click button section 7 and the link button section 8 are arranged as a group in the center of the upper front part of the main body section 2, the touch pad section 6, the click button section 7 and the link button 8 are provided. Can be operated without greatly moving the finger, for example, when operated with a finger or the like, so that the operability is good. In particular, since the touch pad section 6 has a relatively large input surface, the cursor movement operation is easy and reliable, and the click button section 7 is located in front of the touch pad section 6, so that the operability comparable to a mouse is exhibited. In addition, since the link button section 8 is positioned so as to enter the boundary of the click button section 7, the input operability can be improved while improving the space factor.
In addition, since the touch pad unit 6, the click button unit 7, and the link button unit 8 are arranged on the upper surface of the main unit 2 in front of and behind the key unit 5, the input operability is also excellent in this respect. It has become.
[0015]
Box 2a is composed of a box-like base portion 2a ₁ and the cover 2a _2. As shown in FIG. 2, an optical drive 13, an HDD device 14, a control unit 15, a power supply 16, and the like are housed inside the box 2a. The control unit 15 is configured by a control board (main board), and the power supply 16 is configured by a battery.
[0016]
The display unit 3 is configured by disposing a liquid crystal display 3a between a front frame 3b and a back plate 3c. The liquid crystal display 3a is configured by an LCD panel, and displays characters, images, and videos. The display section 3 is rotatably mounted on the main body section 2 via the hinge section 12, and can be folded, rotated to open 180 degrees, or stopped during rotation. I have.
[0017]
Here, a specific structure of the link button unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The link button section 8 includes a link link button 8a, a link link switch 8b, and an LED 8c.
[0018]
The link button 8a is made of a transparent or translucent resin and has a substantially disk shape, and its upper surface is formed to be higher in an arc from the center to the outside, and has a lens function. The link button 8a has a lower surface center portion supported by a pivotal support portion 17a of the pad substrate 17, and can be tilted by pressing a peripheral edge portion. The four link switches 8b are provided below the periphery of the link button 8a concentrically with the link button 8a in the front, rear, left and right directions, and are turned on by tilting the periphery of the link button 8a in the front, rear, left and right directions. . Therefore, the link button section 8 functions as a four-way button. Note that the link button 8a may have a function of an enter key.
[0019]
A large number of LEDs 8c are provided below the link button 8a concentrically with the link button 8a (provided at four positions in front, rear, left and right, and in the middle corresponding to the peripheral portion of the link button 8a), and include the power switch 11 and the link switch 8b. Is turned on by the ON operation of the. Each LED 8c is configured to emit light of a plurality of colors. In the present embodiment, each LED 8c emits light of seven colors of red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue and purple. I have. The light emitted from the LED 8c passes through the link button 8a and is visible from above the link button 8a. The link switch 8b and the LED 8c are mounted on the pad board 17.
[0020]
Next, a modified example of the link button unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the link button 8a is rectangular, and arrow marks are marked on the left, right, upper and lower peripheral edges to clearly indicate the operation unit, and the link switch 8b is installed so as to correspond to the arrow mark. By operating the arrow mark portion, the corresponding link switch 8b is turned on. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the link button 8a has a diamond shape, and the link switch 8b is provided so as to correspond to the vertex, and the corresponding link switch 8b is turned on by operating the vertex. It is supposed to be. In the example shown in FIG. 4C, the link button 8a has a star shape having four vertices, and a link switch 8b is provided so as to correspond to the vertices. The link switch 8b is turned on. In the example shown in FIG. 4D, the link button 8a is a star having six vertices, and six link switches 8b are arranged corresponding to the vertices. The link switch 8b is turned on.
[0021]
Further, the configuration of the computer device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The computer device 1 includes a power supply unit, a control unit 15, an input unit, a device to be used, an output unit, and the like.
[0022]
The power supply unit includes a power switch 11 and a power supply 16, and supplies power from an external power supply or a power supply 16 to each component. The power switch 11 and the power supply 16 are connected to the control unit 15, and the power supply 16 is turned on and off by operating the power switch 11.
[0023]
The control unit 15 controls the main control of the computer device 1 and is connected to a power supply unit, an input unit, a device to be used, and an output unit.
[0024]
The input unit includes a key unit 5, a touch pad unit 6, a click button unit 7, a link button unit 8, a function key unit 30, and the like, and is connected to a mouse 21b and a microphone 21f via an external interface 20. Is configured. An operation signal operated by the input operation unit is input to the control unit 15.
[0025]
The device to be used includes an optical drive 13, a PC card 19, an HDD device 14, and the like, and also connects a network 21a, an AV device 21c such as a DVD, an external tuner 21d, a headphone 21e, and the like via an external interface 20. It is configured to be. The AV device 21c is configured by a television, an audio device, or the like, and the computer device 1 operates as an AV device.
[0026]
The output unit includes the display device 3, the link button unit 8, and the speaker 18, and is connected to a headphone 21e via an external interface 20. These output units are connected to the control unit 15, and a predetermined output is performed under the control of the control unit 15. In other words, the built-in software, information on the used device, and the like are output as a screen display or voice, and the output content is controlled by the control unit 15 based on the operation signal of the input operation unit.
[0027]
Next, the link setting by the link button unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0028]
When the power switch 11 is turned on, an illumination ring setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3a. In the present embodiment, seven links can be set by operating the link button unit 8. That is, more links can be set than the number of operation parts of the link button 8a (in other words, the number of link switches 8b). This makes it easy to use. It is possible to prevent the illumination ring setting screen from being automatically displayed even when the power switch 11 is turned on. In that case, however, an operation to display the illumination ring setting screen can be performed. It is necessary to keep it.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, as an example, the link setting by the link button unit 8 is performed with the first to seventh priorities. The emission color of the LED 8c is set in accordance with this priority (in this embodiment, red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue and purple are set in order from the first priority). These priorities and emission colors are determined according to the position of the link switch 8b.
[0030]
In this link setting, a predetermined standard link setting is defaulted. The user may set all the links from the beginning. To set a link, a link setting dialog is displayed by selecting a ranking on the link setting screen, so that setting can be performed by setting a link name and a link destination. As an option, it is possible to set that the order is switched according to the use frequency. In the example of FIG. 6, the link destinations are wireless LAN connection, mail software, Internet browser, spreadsheet software, television, and wireless communication connection in that order, and the seventh priority is unset. .
[0031]
Next, the operation of the computer apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0032]
The initial state in which the operation by the link button unit 8 is not performed is as shown in FIG. FIG. 7A shows an example of the display screen, and FIG. 7B shows the state of the luminescent color of the link button unit 8. In this initial state, as shown in FIG. 7A, the display screen does not display that the link destination by the link button unit 8 is activated, and the link button unit 8 is shown in FIG. 7B. Thus, the colors of the first to fourth priorities are displayed. By operating the link button section 8 based on the displayed color, it is possible to select and start the first to fourth priority linked software from the initial state. This makes it possible to start the link destination software very easily. Here, the first to fourth priority positions of the link button unit 8 are determined in the order of left, right, front, and rear.
[0033]
Next, an example of the display of the link button in a state where each application is activated will be described. First, a state in which an application of spreadsheet software is activated will be described with reference to FIG. If, for example, the rear side (lower side of FIG. 8) of the link button section 8 is operated from the initial state shown in FIG. 7, the spreadsheet software of the link destination is started up as shown in FIG. 8, and as shown in FIG. In addition, a display indicating that the spreadsheet software has been started is displayed by displaying a diagonal line on the bottom bar. The display of the diagonal lines in the lowermost bar is particularly useful because, when a plurality of link destinations have been launched, it can be recognized. When the spreadsheet software that has started is in the operating state, the operating state is displayed as a hatched area on the screen of the spreadsheet software. In this state, the link button section 8 changes to a display of a color (green) corresponding to the spreadsheet software in all four directions, and functions as a cursor key in the left, right, up and down directions of the spreadsheet software screen corresponding to this color. . Thereby, the operability of the spreadsheet software can be improved.
[0034]
Further, in the present embodiment, the display of the link button in all directions is displayed in a color corresponding to the activated application, so that the application can be easily confirmed and erroneous operation can be prevented.
[0035]
Next, a state in which a network connection application is activated will be described with reference to FIG. When the front side (upper side in FIG. 8) of the link button section 8 is operated from the initial state shown in FIG. 7, for example, the Internet browser of the link destination is started up as shown in FIG. 9 and the lowermost row as shown in FIG. A display indicating that the Internet browser has been started is displayed by displaying a hatched bar. The display of the diagonal lines in the lowermost bar is particularly useful because, when a plurality of link destinations have been launched, it can be recognized. When the activated Internet browser is in the operating state, the operating state is displayed as a diagonal line on the screen of the Internet browser. In this state, the link button unit 8 changes the display of the front and rear two directions to a color (yellow) corresponding to the Internet browser, and functions as a vertical cursor key of the Internet browser screen corresponding to this color. Thus, the operability of the Internet browser can be improved.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, when the network connection is in operation, the upper and lower directions of the link button are used, and the left and right directions of the link button are empty, so other applications may be assigned to this.
[0037]
Next, a state in which the mail software application is activated will be described with reference to FIG. If, for example, the right side of the link button section 8 is operated from the initial state shown in FIG. 7, the mail software of the link destination is started up as shown in FIG. 10, and the mail software that has started up is displayed as shown in FIG. At the same time, a display indicating that the mail software has been started is displayed by displaying a diagonal line in the lowermost bar. When an e-mail is received while the e-mail software of the link destination is running, the entire circumference of the link button section 8 changes to a predetermined color as shown in FIG. 10B, and a color (orange) corresponding to the e-mail software is displayed. Is displayed partially, and this rotates all around. This makes it possible to easily visually recognize the mail reception. Since the operation of the link button section 8 in the mail reception is performed with priority even in a state where another link destination is activated, the reception of the mail can be easily confirmed immediately. The rotation of the color in the link button section 8 is desirably several times or less in order to shorten the display time of mail reception.
[0038]
Next, FIG. 11 shows a state in which, for example, the link button unit 8 is operated a plurality of times from the initial state shown in FIG. In this state, a display indicating that a plurality of software programs have been started is displayed as indicated by the hatched display of the lowermost bar in FIG. When the link button unit 8 is operated to start the software of the link destination, after the operation of the side that operated the link button unit 8, the link destination not displayed on the link button unit 8 has the next highest priority. The color corresponding to the high link destination is displayed, and the link destination can be selected. In this way, it is possible to select software that exceeds the four operation units at the front, rear, left, and right of the link button unit 8, so that excellent usability can be achieved. In the state of FIG. 11, three link destinations launched on the display screen can be selected, and four link destinations can be selected from the link button unit 8. Therefore, all seven link destinations must be selected. Can be.
[0039]
For example, FIG. 12 shows a state in which the application of the television is activated. When recording the contents (including the reservation recording) in a state in which the television of the link destination is started, the link button 8 is displayed. The rotation direction of the color is reversed as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (d). As a result, the above-described mail reception can be easily distinguished from the above-described mail reception, and this point is also excellent in usability.
[0040]
Next, referring to FIG. 13, the display of the remaining amount of the power supply (battery) will be described. When the battery of the power supply 16 is exhausted, a warning is given by the color of the display of the link button section 8, as shown in FIG. That is, in the normal state, the entire circumference of the link button section 8 is displayed in green as shown in FIG. 13A, and when the battery of the power supply 16 is exhausted, the link button section 8 is displayed as shown in FIG. The entire circumference of 8 changes to orange, and when it further advances to the KIKEN state, it changes to red and gives a stronger warning. Thereby, the charge amount of the power supply 16 can be easily confirmed using the link button section 8.
[0041]
Next, the reception state of the wireless antenna will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, when the reception state of the wireless antenna is good, the link buttons 8 are all displayed in green, for example. From this state, when the computer apparatus 1 approaches the outside of the wireless antenna area, the entire circumference of the link button section 8 is displayed in yellow as shown in FIG. 14A, and as shown in FIG. 14B. The state in which the entire periphery of the link button section 8 is not displayed in color is repeated. Thus, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the computer device 1 is located outside the range of the wireless antenna by using the link button unit 8.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description of the embodiment, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an easy-to-use computer device that can immediately and easily start linked software.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the computer device of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a link button section of the computer device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the link button unit.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the computer device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a link setting screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a link setting state.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another link setting state.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another link setting state.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another link setting state.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another link setting state.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a link button unit at the time of recording on a television.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a warning operation of a charged state of a battery.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display when the wireless antenna is located outside the range of the wireless antenna.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer apparatus, 2 ... Body part, 2a ... Box, 3 ... Display part, 3a ... Liquid crystal display, 4 ... Input part, 5 ... Key part, 6 ... Touch pad part, 7 ... Click button part, 8 ... Link Button section, 8a ... link button, 8b ... link switch, 8c ... LED, 9 ... device operation display lamp, 11 ... power switch, 12 ... hinge section, 13 ... optical drive, 14 ... HDD device, 15 ... control section, 16 ... Power supply, 17 ... Pad board, 17a ... Axial support, 18 ... Speaker, 19 ... PC card, 20 ... External interface, 21 ... External equipment, 21a ... Network, 21b ... Mouse, 21c ... AV equipment, 21d ... External tuner 21e: headphones, 21f: microphone, 22: control unit.

Claims (8)

An input unit, a control unit and a display unit are provided,
The input unit includes a key unit for inputting characters and the like, and a link button unit for activating link destination software,
The link button portion corresponds to a link button capable of tilting a peripheral portion, a plurality of link switches that are turned on by tilting the link button to start link destination software, and link destination software that is started by the link switch. A computer device comprising: a plurality of LEDs that emit different colors. The link buttons are provided so as to be tilted in four directions around the periphery, the link switches are provided at four places around the periphery of the link buttons, and the LEDs are provided corresponding to each of the four link switches. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein: A main unit that houses the control unit and has an input unit on the top surface, and a display unit that is rotatably mounted on the main unit and has a liquid crystal display,
The input unit includes a key unit for inputting characters and the like, and a link button unit for activating link destination software,
The link button portion corresponds to a link button capable of tilting a peripheral portion, a plurality of link switches that are turned on by tilting the link button to start link destination software, and link destination software that is started by the link switch. A plurality of LEDs that emit different colors,
The computer device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes link setting means for setting link destination software activated by the link button unit. The key portion is provided at the rear portion of the upper surface of the main body portion, and a touch pad portion, which is a flat pointing device for variably operating a cursor position, is provided in front of the key portion to input an instruction corresponding to the cursor position. A computer device, wherein left and right click button parts are arranged in front of the touch pad part, and the link button part is provided so that a part thereof enters a boundary part of the touch pad part. The link destination setting means has a function of setting link destination software more than the number of the link switches, and the link button unit enables activation of the next link destination software after starting the link destination software, 4. The computer device according to claim 3, wherein a color corresponding to the next linked software is emitted. 5. The link button unit according to claim 1, further comprising a scroll function of a display screen after activating a specific link destination software, and emitting a color corresponding to the scroll function in a scrollable direction. A computer device according to any one of the above. The link button section responds to this operation by giving priority to other cases in which, after starting a plurality of link destination software, when the e-mail reception or recording start of a specific started link destination software is automatically performed. The computer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer device emits light by rotating a color. When the mail is automatically received, the color is rotated to one side to emit light, and when the recording is automatically started, the color is rotated to the other side to emit light. 8. The computer device according to claim 7.

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