JP2005274691A - Electronic display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that, since a display direction which is displayed in the information display part of an electronic display device is fixed, depending on the display direction of the text of a book which is displayed in the electronic display apparatus, relation between a page turning direction indicated by the display direction of the text and the position of the information display part corresponding to a front cover becomes unnatural and consequently, a feeling of strangeness is given to the user of the electronic display device. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic display apparatus is equipped with; a text display part for displaying the text of the electronic book; the information display part which is prepared in a different face from the face in which the text display part is prepared and which displays a bibliographic item corresponding to the text; and a display direction specifying means for specifying the display direction on the text display part and the information display part on the basis of the way of arranging letters of the text. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic display device that displays the contents of electronically recorded books.

  Conventionally, an electronic display device that displays an electronic book, as described in Patent Document 1 below, is provided with an information display unit in a housing part corresponding to a front cover and a back cover as a book, Bibliographic items such as titles, authors, and publishers of electronic books were displayed.

JP 2002-108254 A

  However, since the display direction displayed on the information display unit is fixed, depending on the display direction of the text of the book displayed on the electronic display device, it corresponds to the page turning direction suggested by the display direction of the text and the front cover. The position of the information display unit has an unnatural relationship, giving a sense of discomfort to the user of the electronic display device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic display device of the present invention is an electronic display device that displays a text of an electronic book, and a surface on which a text display unit that displays the text and the text display unit is provided. An information display unit that displays bibliographic items associated with the text, and the display direction of the text display unit and the information display unit, based on how to assemble the text of the text. Display direction defining means.

  According to the above configuration, the display direction defining means regulates the display direction on the text display unit and the information display unit according to how the text is assembled, so that the user of the electronic display device does not feel uncomfortable. An electronic display device can be provided.

  In the above-described electronic display device of the present invention, the electronic display device further includes a first housing and a second housing coupled so as to be openable and closable, and the display direction defining means includes the first housing. It is preferable to further define a direction to be displayed on the text display unit and the information display unit based on a direction in which the body and the second casing are opened.

  According to the above configuration, the display direction defining means defines the display direction in the text display unit and the information display unit based on the direction in which the two housings are opened. An electronic display device in which the position and display direction of the information display unit corresponding to the front cover matches can be provided.

  In the above-described electronic display device of the present invention, the text display unit is provided on at least one side of the two casings and is provided inside the two casings in a closed state. The information display unit is preferably visible from the outside when the first casing and the second casing are closed.

  According to the above configuration, since the text display unit of the electronic display device is hidden inside the two housings when the text display unit is not used, the text display unit can be easily protected. In addition, since the information display unit is visible from the outside even when the text display unit is not used, information on the electronic book can be easily obtained.

  In the above-described electronic display device of the present invention, the display direction defining means is configured such that the display direction of the text is vertically set parallel to an opening / closing axis that opens and closes the two casings, It is preferable that the display direction of the information display unit is defined so that the second housing is opened to the right.

  In the above-described electronic display device of the present invention, the display direction defining means includes the first casing when the display direction of the text is horizontally set perpendicular to an opening / closing axis that opens and closes the two casings. It is preferable that the display direction of the information display unit is defined so that the first housing and the second housing are left open.

  Furthermore, in the above-described electronic display device of the present invention, the display direction defining means includes the first casing when the display direction of the text is horizontally set parallel to an opening / closing axis that opens and closes the two casings. It is preferable that the display direction of the information display unit is defined such that the second casing and the second casing are bound together.

  In the above-described electronic display device of the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the text display unit and the information display unit has a storage property for holding display contents when power is not supplied.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit of the electronic display device can hold the display content without consuming power, so that the power consumption of the electronic display device can be suppressed.

  In the electronic display device of the present invention described above, the electronic display device has an even number and the same shape, and further includes input means for operating the electronic display device, and the input means has a center position of the text display unit. It is preferable to be provided at a point-symmetrical position.

  According to the above configuration, since the input means is provided at a point-symmetrical position from the center position of the text display section, the electronic display device is turned upside down as a result of defining the display direction on the text display section and the information display section. Even so, since the input means are arranged at the same position, the user of the electronic display device can operate the electronic display device without feeling uncomfortable.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using an electronic book reader for browsing the contents of an electronic book divided into predetermined pages as an example of an electronic display device.

FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram showing an external configuration of an electronic book reader 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the electronic book reader 1, a first case 10 </ b> A corresponding to a cover as a book and a second case 10 </ b> B corresponding to a back cover as a book have a back cover part 50. It is connected via an opening and closing mechanism.
Inside the first housing 10 </ b> A and the second housing 10 </ b> B, a body display unit 20 that displays the body of the electronic book and an operation button 40 that operates the electronic book reader 1 are provided. Further, a first information display unit 30A for displaying bibliographic information of the electronic book is provided on the outside of the first housing 10A, that is, substantially at the center of the surface corresponding to the cover of the book. Further, the spine portion 50 includes a second information display portion 30B that displays the title and author name of the electronic book that is part of the bibliographic information, and an external storage device 110 that reads the electronic book data from the storage medium 100. With. Here, the second information display unit 30 </ b> B is substantially at the center of the spine cover unit 50. The first information display unit 30A and the second information display unit 30B can visually recognize the display content from the outside even when the first housing 10A and the second housing 10B are closed.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the external appearance of the electronic book reader 1 from the front side of the text display unit 20 when the electronic book reader 1 is opened. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic book reader 1 includes two text display units 20. As shown in FIG. 1, one text display unit 20B is provided inside the second casing 10B in a closed state, and the other text display unit 20A is in a state in which the first casing 10A is closed. Provided inside. The two main body display units (20A, 20B) display the text of the electronic book separated by pages.
In addition, operation buttons 40 (40A to 40H) are provided inside the first housing 10A and the second housing 10B. A function for operating the electronic book reader 1 is assigned to these operation buttons (40A to 40H). The user of the electronic book reader 1 operates the operation buttons (40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> H) to start and end the electronic book reader 1, select an electronic book to be displayed on the electronic book reader 1, and electronic data from the external storage device 110. Reading of a book, page operation of an electronic book, selection of a direction for displaying a text, and the like can be performed.

  Here, the direction in which the text is displayed on the text display unit 20 will be described. In FIG. 2, the electronic book reader 1 is right-opened as a book, and the text is vertically displayed in a direction parallel to the open / close axes of the first housing 10A and the second housing 10B. Here, when the display of the next page is selected from the operation buttons 40, the content of the next page of the electronic book is displayed on the right body display unit 20A, and the content of the next page is displayed on the left side. It is displayed on the text display unit 20B. That is, the user is given the impression that the page of the electronic book reader 1 has been opened in the right direction. Similarly, when the page turning direction is different, the user is given an impression that the page is opened in the page turning direction.

  The electronic book reader 1 also has a function that allows the user to select how to assemble the text of the electronic book displayed on the text display unit 20 according to the contents of the electronic book or the user's preference. For example, when an electronic book is a novel, as shown in FIG. 2, vertical display is generally performed in a direction parallel to the open / close axes of two housings (10A, 10B). The operation button 40 can select horizontal display in a direction perpendicular to the opening / closing axis of the two housings (10A, 10B) and horizontal display in a direction parallel to the opening / closing axis of the two housings (10A, 10B). .

  Further, the electronic book reader 1 has display direction defining means (not shown). When the text composition method is selected, the display direction defining means uniquely determines the page turning direction of the book from the text composition method. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the vertically assembled display is performed in the direction parallel to the opening / closing axis of two housings (10A, 10B), the page turning direction is right-opening and the opening / closing axis of the two housings (10A, 10B) is When displaying horizontally in the orthogonal direction, the page turning direction is left-open. Furthermore, when displaying horizontally in the direction parallel to the opening / closing axis of the first casing 10A and the second casing 10B, the upper casing is opened. The display direction defining means will be described later.

  In addition, the electronic book reader 1 also has a function of changing only the page turning direction as a book while maintaining the default setting of the electronic book. For example, when the electronic book is a comic book, the page turning direction is generally right-handed regardless of how the text is assembled. Accordingly, the user can select only the page turning direction by, for example, right-opening, by using the operation button 40 while maintaining the default way of text composition.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing the external appearance of the electronic book reader 1 when it is horizontally displayed in a direction orthogonal to the opening / closing axis of the first housing 10A and the second housing 10B (left opening). FIG. 4 is an external view showing the external appearance of the electronic book reader 1 when displayed horizontally (upper open) in a direction parallel to the opening and closing axes of the first housing 10A and the second housing 10B.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the electronic book reader 1 defines how to open the first housing 10 </ b> A and the second housing 10 </ b> B according to how the text displayed on the text display unit 20 is assembled. At the same time, the display direction in the text display unit 20 and the information display unit 30 is changed in accordance with the opening method. For example, when the user changes the way of assembling the text of the electronic book reader 1 in which the text is displayed vertically and the information display unit 30 provided on the cover suggests right-opening as shown in FIG. In the display unit 20, the text is changed in the reverse direction with respect to the vertical direction, in addition to the text assembling method being changed from the vertical setting to the horizontal setting. Moreover, the information display part 30 is changed in the reverse direction with respect to the up-down direction. Therefore, when the user changes the electronic book reader 1 upside down, the text is displayed sideways as shown in FIG. 3, and the information display unit 30 provided on the cover indicates the left side opening of the electronic book reader 1. Can be used.
Here, since the operation buttons (40A to 40H) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the opening / closing axis of the first casing 10A and the second casing 10B, even when the electronic book reader 1 is turned upside down, These operation buttons (40A to 40H) are arranged at the same position.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the electronic book reader 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic book reader 1 includes an I / O to which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 151, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 152, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 153, an operation button 40, and an operation button 40 are connected. O (Input Output) 154, VRAM (Video RAM) 155, display controller 156, flash memory 157, first electrophoretic display body 211, second electrophoretic display body 221, third electrophoretic display body 231, battery A remaining amount detection circuit 181 and a storage medium drive 111 are included. Among these components, the units other than the operation button 40, the first electrophoretic display body 211, the second electrophoretic display body 221 and the third electrophoretic display body 231 are connected to each other via a bus 190 so as to be able to exchange signals. Yes.

The CPU 151 reads various programs and data such as a basic control program and application program stored in the ROM 153, develops and executes these various programs and data in a work area provided in the RAM 152, and stores each program included in the electronic book reader 1. Execute control.
The display controller 156 distributes and displays the data stored in the VRAM 155 on the first electrophoretic display 211, the second electrophoretic display 221 and the third electrophoretic display 231 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 151. . Here, the first electrophoretic display body 211, the second electrophoretic display body 221, and the third electrophoretic display body 231 are respectively the body text display section 20, the first information display section 30A, and the second information. It functions as a display means of the display unit 30B.
The flash memory 157 is a storage unit that stores data to be transferred in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 151. The transferred data is the text of the electronic book and bibliographic items associated with the text.

Here, an electrophoretic display will be outlined with illustration omitted. In the electrophoretic display, microcapsules in which organic or inorganic particles (electrophoretic particles) having the property of moving by electrophoresis due to a potential difference are encapsulated are colored in two different colors, respectively. It is manufactured by mixing between substrates having transparent electrodes. By applying a voltage from the transparent electrode to the manufactured display body, the electrophoretic particles are deposited on one electrode, so that the microcapsules are aligned in the same direction. Therefore, the observer of the display body sees one color colored on the microcapsule. Further, since the microcapsule is oriented in the other direction by setting the applied voltage of the transparent electrode to the opposite polarity, the observer of the display body sees the other color colored on the microcapsule. Furthermore, since the aligned microcapsules are stably maintained even when the applied voltage is released, the display contents on the display body are maintained.
Therefore, an electrophoretic display body is supplied with a display signal and a drive voltage, and performs display according to the display signal. Thereafter, the display content of the display body is given the display signal and the drive voltage. Retained even without.

  The remaining battery level detection circuit 181 constitutes a remaining battery level detection unit 180, which will be described later, includes an A / D converter and an arithmetic unit, and detects the remaining battery level for driving the electronic book reader 1 from a change in battery voltage. To do.

  In addition, the storage medium drive 111 constitutes the external storage device 110, and in addition to reading the contents of the electronic book from the removable storage medium 100 on which the electronic book is recorded and detachable, information can be written to the storage medium 100. . Here, as the storage medium 100, any removable storage medium such as smart media, compact flash (registered trademark), memory stick, multimedia card, micro drive, SD card, and the like can be applied.

  The display direction defining means described above realizes the function by organically cooperating the hardware resources of the electronic book reader 1 described above and the software stored in the ROM 153 or the like.

FIG. 6 is an algorithm showing the function of the display direction defining means of the electronic book reader 1.
The display direction defining means starts the process when the direction in which the text of the electronic book is displayed on the text display unit 20 is changed. First, the display direction defining means reads data set by the user with the operation buttons (40A to 40H) of the electronic book reader 1 (step S70).
Next, from the read data, information set about how to compose characters for displaying the text of the electronic book on the text display unit 20 is acquired (step S71).

  Here, when the text text is set to be displayed in a vertical combination parallel to the opening / closing axis of the first casing 10A and the second casing 10B (YES in step S72), display is performed. The direction defining means changes the display directions of the text display unit 20 and the information display units 30A and 30B as necessary so that the first housing 10A of the electronic book reader 1 is opened to the right (step S73). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the information display unit 30 </ b> A displays the information in such a direction that the user opens the electronic book reader 1 to the right. Here, when the user opens the first casing 10A to the right side, the text display unit 20 appears, and the text display unit 20 displays the text of the electronic book on the upper right side of the text display unit 20 on the front right side of the electronic book reader 1. Display vertically from the side. Note that the information display unit 30 </ b> B is displayed in a vertical composition as with the text display unit 20.

  In addition, when the text text is not set to be displayed in a vertical layout parallel to the opening / closing axis of the first casing 10A and the second casing 10B (NO in step S72), the text display is performed. If it is set to display in the transverse direction perpendicular to the opening / closing axis of the first casing 10A and the second casing 10B (YES in step S74), the display is performed. The direction defining means changes the display directions of the text display unit 20 and the information display units 30A and 30B as necessary so that the first housing 10A of the electronic book reader 1 is opened to the left (step S75). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the information display unit 30 </ b> A displays the information in such a direction that the user opens the electronic book reader 1 to the left. Here, when the user opens the first housing 10A to the left side, the text display unit 20 appears, and the text display unit 20 displays the text of the electronic book on the upper left side of the text display unit 20 on the left side of the front of the electronic book reader 1. Display horizontally from the side. Note that the information display unit 30B displays the information vertically.

  Further, in a direction other than the above, that is, when the display is set to be displayed in a horizontal combination parallel to the opening / closing axis of the first casing 10A and the second casing 10B (NO in step S74), the display direction The defining means changes the display directions of the text display unit 20 and the information display units (30A, 30B) as necessary so that the first housing 10A of the electronic book reader 1 is opened upward (step S76). . Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the information display unit 30 </ b> A displays the information in such a direction that the user opens the electronic book reader 1 upward. Here, when the user opens the first housing 10 </ b> A upward, the text display unit 20 appears, and the text display unit 20 displays the text of the electronic book on the upper left side of the text display unit 20 on the front upper side of the electronic book reader 1. Display horizontally from the side. In addition, the information display part 30B displays in horizontal composition.

  With the above processing, the display direction defining means defines the opening direction of the first casing 10A corresponding to the cover of the electronic book based on the way of assembling the text of the electronic book displayed on the text display unit 20. At the same time, the display direction on the text display unit 20 and the information display unit 30 is changed in accordance with the opening direction.

  In the electronic display device according to the above-described embodiment, the text display unit 20 and the information display unit 30 retain the display contents and the stored contents even when the power to be supplied is cut off, so that the battery can be replaced even during reading.

In addition, this invention is not limited to an above-described Example, The deformation | transformation and improvement in the range which can achieve the objective of this invention are included in this invention.
For example, the display medium of the text display unit 20 and the information display unit 30 is an electrophoretic display body. However, a display body having a storage property such as a cholesteric liquid crystal display body may be used.

  Further, the items displayed on the information display unit 30 are not limited to bibliographic items associated with the text of the electronic book, but also display the remaining battery level of the electronic book reader 1 and the remaining memory of the flash memory 157 or the storage medium 100. An item indicating a state related to the ability of the electronic book reader 1 such as a quantity display may be displayed together.

  Furthermore, the transfer method of the electronic book data to the electronic book reader 1 is not limited to transfer by transfer of the storage medium 100 but may be transfer via a cable or wireless.

1 is an external configuration diagram illustrating an external configuration of an electronic book reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. The external view which shows the external appearance of the electronic book reader from the front of a text display part. FIG. 3 is an external view showing an external view of a left-open electronic book reader. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an external appearance of an electronic book reader that is open upward. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of an electronic book reader. An algorithm indicating the function of the display direction defining means of the electronic book reader.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic book reader, 10A ... Case, 10B ... Case, 20 ... Text display part, 30 ... Information display part, 40 ... Operation button, 50 ... Back cover part, 100 ... Storage medium, 110 ... External storage device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 ... Storage medium drive, 151 ... CPU, 152 ... RAM, 153 ... ROM, 155 ... VRAM, 156 ... Display controller, 157 ... Flash memory, 180 ... Battery remaining charge detection part, 181 ... Battery remaining charge detection circuit, 211, 221, 231... Electrophoretic display.

Claims (8)

An electronic display device for displaying the text of an electronic book,
A text display section for displaying the text;
An information display unit that is provided on a different surface from the surface on which the text display unit is provided, and displays bibliographic items associated with the text;
An electronic display device comprising: a display direction defining means for defining a direction to be displayed on the text display unit and the information display unit based on how to compose characters of the text. The electronic display device according to claim 1,
The electronic display device further includes a first housing and a second housing coupled to be openable and closable,
The display direction defining means further defines a direction to be displayed on the text display unit and the information display unit based on a direction in which the first housing and the second housing are opened. Electronic display device. The electronic display device according to claim 2,
The text display unit is provided on at least one side of the two casings and is provided inside the two casings in a closed state,
The information display unit is visible from the outside when the first casing and the second casing are closed. The electronic display device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The display direction defining means is configured such that the display direction of the text is vertically set parallel to an opening / closing axis that opens and closes the two housings,
An electronic display device characterized in that a display direction of the information display unit is defined so that the first casing and the second casing are opened to the right. The electronic display device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The display direction defining means is configured such that the display direction of the text is horizontally set perpendicular to an opening / closing axis on which the two housings open and close,
An electronic display device characterized in that a display direction of the information display unit is defined so that the first housing and the second housing are left-opened. The electronic display device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The display direction defining means, when the display direction of the text is horizontally set parallel to the opening and closing axis that opens and closes the two housings,
An electronic display device characterized in that a display direction of the information display unit is defined so that the first casing and the second casing are bound upward. The electronic display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
At least one of the text display unit and the information display unit has a memory property that retains display content when power is not supplied. The electronic display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The electronic display device has an even number and the same shape, and further includes an input means for operating the electronic display device,
The electronic display device is characterized in that the input means is provided at a point-symmetrical position from the center position of the text display section.

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