JP2006004450A - Information processing apparatus with double-sided operable keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus with a double-sided operable keyboard, capable of executing desired application processing even in the case where the keyboard is folded and keys to be normally operated are directed to a reverse side (e.g., a display apparatus side or a lower side) with respect to a user. <P>SOLUTION: This information processing apparatus includes a display apparatus and a keyboard apparatus. The keyboard apparatus is foldable so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display region in the display apparatus, and the bottom surface of the keyboard apparatus is provided with one or a plurality of function keys with an arbitrary application assigned thereto. The information processing apparatus further includes a keyboard position detecting part for detecting a relative position of the keyboard apparatus with respect to the display apparatus, thereby switching effective keys between the keys on the upper surface of the keyboard apparatus and those on the bottom surface thereof, in accordance with the relative position of the keyboard apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation that can execute desired application processing even in a folded state.

  With the recent widespread use of personal computers, the environment in which personal computers are used in general households as well as home appliances is increasing. However, most personal computers are composed of a display device, a computer main body, and a keyboard device, and it is difficult to secure a place for installation in a general home.

  In order to solve such a problem in the arrangement space, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-259970), a digging hole for installing a personal computer is provided on a wall surface in the home and installed there. Discloses a method that can secure the use environment of a personal computer without losing the daily life space.

However, in view of the housing situation in Japan, only a small percentage of households can provide digging holes in the wall surface and cannot be a practical solution. Therefore, recently, a model having a structure in which the keyboard can be folded and intended to make effective use of the space even when not in use has begun to appear on the market.
JP 2000-259970 A

  However, the configuration in which the keyboard can be folded simply has the following problems.

  First, when the keyboard is folded, the personal computer cannot be operated. At present, it takes a considerable amount of time to start or stop the operating system, and it is conceivable to use the resume function together. However, the meaning of folding the keyboard is diminished.

  In addition, it is conceivable that after a keyboard is folded on the display screen, function keys are arranged around the display screen, and an arbitrary application is operated even when the keyboard is folded. However, in this case, whether the keyboard is folded or not, the function key is effective in either case, and depending on the user, the operation becomes complicated, and there is a possibility of causing an erroneous operation. It had been.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention can be used even when the key that is a normal operation target is directed to the back side (for example, the display device side) with respect to the user, such as by folding the keyboard. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation that can execute desired application processing.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a display device and a keyboard device, and the keyboard device includes:
One or a plurality of function keys, which are foldable so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area in the display device, and to which an arbitrary application is assigned, are provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard device.

  With such a configuration, even when the keyboard is folded and a key to be operated normally is directed to the display device, it is possible to execute a desired application process by operating the function key.

  Note that the assignment of applications to the function keys is arbitrary. One application may be assigned to one function key, or different functions of one application may be assigned to a plurality of function keys. Two or more applications may be assigned to the function key.

  An information processing apparatus having a keyboard that can be operated on both sides according to the present invention includes a keyboard position detection unit that detects a relative position of the keyboard device with respect to the display device, and is arranged on the upper surface of the keyboard device according to the relative position of the keyboard device. It is preferable to switch between valid / invalid of the key and the key on the bottom surface. It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation between the keys, and to prevent an erroneous operation of the key due to an impact at the time of folding.

  In the information processing apparatus having the keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present invention, it is preferable that the keyboard position detection unit detects an inclination angle between the keyboard device and the display unit in the display device. This is because it usually has a rotating part for folding the keyboard device at the bottom of the information processing apparatus main body.

  The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to the present invention includes a first state in which the keyboard apparatus is folded so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area of the display apparatus, and is removed from the display apparatus. Further, it may be possible to use in at least two states including the second state in which the surface on which the one or more function keys are provided is up. In the second state, the keyboard device and the information processing device may be connected by a cable, or may be in a state in which communication is possible by wireless communication.

  Furthermore, in the above aspect, the keyboard device can be used in a third state where the keyboard device is removed from the display device and the surface on which the one or more function keys are provided is down, and the keyboard device is A keyboard posture detection unit that detects which side of the keyboard device is the top surface, and the information processing device is configured to detect the key on the top surface and the bottom surface of the keyboard device according to the detection result of the keyboard posture detection unit. A configuration including an input control unit that switches between valid / invalid of a key is preferable. This is because, for example, by enabling the keys on the upper surface and disabling the keys on the lower surface, erroneous operation of the keys can be prevented when the user uses the keyboard device on a knee or the like.

  Also, in the above configuration, only when the keyboard posture detection unit detects that the surface having the one or more function keys is the upper surface of the keyboard device, the content assigned to the one or more function keys It is also preferable to further include a display control unit that displays the image on the display device. This is because it is easy for the user to understand the operation of the function keys.

  In the information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present invention, it is preferable that one or a plurality of application activation functions are assigned to one or a plurality of function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard apparatus.

  An information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present invention is configured such that after one application is activated, an operation function for the application is assigned to one or a plurality of function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device. Is also preferable.

  The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present invention further includes a display control unit that causes the display device to display the content of assignment to one or a plurality of function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device. It is also preferable to do. This is because it makes it easier for the user to understand the function key operations.

  Further, the information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present invention can be realized as a wall-mounted type or a desktop type.

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus having the keyboard that can be operated on both sides according to the present invention, when the keyboard is folded or turned over, the key to be operated normally is directed to the display device or the key is lowered. Even if it is suitable, it is possible to execute a desired application process by operating the function key.

  Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is information having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a front view of the processing apparatus, and FIG. 1B is a right side view of the information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the information processing apparatus is thin and can be wall-mounted. Of course, the form of the information processing apparatus is not particularly limited to this.

  In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 11 denotes a display area in the information processing apparatus main body 1, and a liquid crystal screen or the like is often used for display of the thin information processing apparatus 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a keyboard device, which shows a state where the keyboard device is folded to the display area side using the rotating unit 22 as shown in FIG. In this state, the function key 21 can be operated on the surface of the keyboard device 2 on the same direction side as the display area 11.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the keyboard device 2 in the information processing apparatus having the keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a plan view of the keyboard device 2 in the information processing apparatus having the keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is capable of double-side operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. The bottom view of the keyboard apparatus 2 in the information processing apparatus having a simple keyboard is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, on the upper surface of the keyboard device 2, keys (hereinafter referred to as upper surface keys) 20 similar to those of a normal keyboard device are arranged. The height of the upper surface key described below is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range in which the keyboard device 2 can be folded around the rotating unit 22.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, the bottom surface of the keyboard device 2 is specified so that any application operation can be performed even when the keyboard device 2 is folded around the rotating unit 22. The function key 21 to which the above function is added is arranged.

  There are various methods for confirming which function key 21 is assigned which function in the folded state. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is conceivable to provide a key display area 12 of a function assigned to each function key 21 below the display area 11 in a folded state. Of course, the display method is not limited to this, and any method can be used as long as it can clearly indicate which function is assigned to the function key 21 located on the bottom surface of the keyboard device 2.

  In addition, a keyboard position detection unit (described later) that constantly detects the angle between the keyboard device 2 and the information processing device main body 1 including the display area 11 is provided, and the top key 20 on the keyboard device 2 is effective or the bottom surface according to the angle. It is also conceivable to switch whether the function key 21 is valid. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the angle θ between the keyboard device 2 and the information processing apparatus main body 1 including the display area 11 is always detected, and for example, when θ is smaller than 45 degrees, the bottom function in the keyboard device 2 is detected. When only the key 21 is valid and θ is 45 degrees or more, the top key 20 in the keyboard device 2 is switched so as to be valid.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to the upper surface key 20 of the folded keyboard device 2 being pressed by the pressure pressing the back surface. In addition, it is possible to prevent a malfunction as a result of pressing the upper key 20 of the keyboard device 2 due to an impact at the time of folding.

  Here, a specific example in which the key display area 12 of the function assigned to each function key 21 is provided below the display area 11 in a state where the keyboard device 2 is folded will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (b) and FIG. 6 (a) to FIG. 6 (c) will be described.

  FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A, the information processing apparatus includes, in the information processing apparatus main body 1, a keyboard position detection unit 51, an input control unit 52, a display control unit 53, an application storage unit 54, an application execution unit 55, A function key assignment storage unit 56 is provided. FIG. 5A shows a schematic configuration of functional blocks related to the present invention in the internal configuration of the information processing apparatus. In addition to these, the information processing apparatus is necessary for the information processing apparatus. An arbitrary functional block or a hardware device can be included depending on the function or application to be used (for example, a DVD drive for realizing a DVD playback function described later). In FIG. 5A, the input control unit 52, the display control unit 53, and the application execution unit 55 are shown as separate functional blocks, but at least two of these are realized by the same hardware (for example, a microcomputer). There is also a possibility that.

  As described above, the keyboard position detection unit 51 always detects the angle θ between the keyboard device 2 and the information processing apparatus main body 1 including the display area 11. When the angle θ detected by the keyboard position detection unit 51 is smaller than, for example, 45 degrees, the input control unit 52 validates only the function key 21 on the bottom surface of the keyboard device 2 and θ is, for example, 45 degrees or more. In this case, only the upper surface key 20 in the keyboard device 2 is valid. Note that the value of the angle θ for switching between valid / invalid between the top key 20 and the function key 21 is not limited to the above-described 45 degrees, and may be set to an appropriate angle.

  The display control unit 53 controls the display in the display area 11 based on the detection result of the keyboard position detection unit 51 and the input data sent from the input control unit 52. The application storage unit 54 stores an application program executed by the information processing apparatus. The application execution unit 55 executes the application program extracted from the application storage unit 54.

  The function key assignment storage unit 56 stores information regarding application assignment to each of the function keys 21. This information is pre-registered according to the pre-installed application before shipment of the information processing apparatus, and if necessary by the user (for example, when a new application is installed in the information processing apparatus) ) Includes both registered ones.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of the format of information stored in the function key assignment storage unit 56. Note that this format is merely an example, and any other format can be used. In the example of FIG. 5B, F1 to Fn correspond to n function keys 21a, 21b,... (N is a natural number), and “execution application name” and “display” when each function key is pressed. "App name" is described. The “execution application name” is the name of an application in an execution format (or a path to the application) that should be called from the application storage unit 54 and executed when the function key is pressed. “Display application name” is an application name to be displayed in the key display area of the display area 11.

  A1 to An correspond to n applications stored in the application storage unit 54, and “display function names” corresponding to the function keys 21a, 21b,. The “display function name” indicates which function of the application is executed when each function key is pressed while the application is activated. When the function key code is not actually passed to the application (when the application does not support the function key), not only the display function name but also the code for operating the application is displayed in each column of A1 to An. You may make it specify.

  In the information processing apparatus, when the power is turned on with the keyboard device 2 folded, or when the keyboard device 2 is folded from the open state with respect to the display area 11 in the power-on state, The keyboard position detection unit 51 detects this and validates only the function keys 21 on the bottom surface of the keyboard device 2. At this time, the display control unit 53 refers to the function key assignment storage unit 56 and presses the function key for any one of the function keys 21a to 21g as shown in FIG. Is displayed in the display area 11. The application name is preferably displayed in correspondence with the position of the function key as shown in FIG. 6, but the display position and display mode are arbitrary as long as the user can understand the correspondence with the function key.

In the example of FIG. 6, key display areas 12 a to 12 g corresponding to the function keys 21 a to 21 g are provided below the display area 11. In the key display area 12a, "DVD playback" is displayed. This indicates that when the function key 21a is pressed, an application for playing a DVD is started. Similarly, “electronic book” is displayed in the key display area 12b, and when the function key 21b is pressed, an application for browsing the electronic book is started. “TV” is displayed in the key display area 12c, and when the function key 21c is pressed, an application for viewing a TV broadcast is activated. That is, in this state, different applications are assigned to each of the function keys 21a to 21g. Note that the screen display shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the types and number of applications, the display form of application types, and the like are not limited thereto. For example, not only display by characters but also display by symbols is possible.

  When the user presses the function key 21a, for example, the input control unit 52 detects that the function key 21a has been pressed, and notifies the display control unit 53 accordingly. The display control unit 53 refers to the function key assignment storage unit 56 and extracts the execution application name of the application corresponding to the function key 21a (that is, the DVD playback application in this example). The application execution unit 55 receives the extracted execution application name, extracts the application program from the application storage unit 54, and executes it.

  When the application execution unit 55 starts executing the application program, the display control unit 53 sends function key assignment information (“display function name” assigned to each function key) to the application being executed from the application assignment storage unit 56. Extraction is performed, and the display in the display area 11 is changed to the contents corresponding to the application, and the function assignment to each of the function keys 21a to 21g is changed to the contents corresponding to the application. That is, after the execution of an application is started, one or more functions related to the execution of the application are assigned to one or more of the function keys 21a to 21g.

  For example, when the application being executed is a DVD playback application, the display control unit 53 displays the content video played back from the DVD in the application area 11a in the display area 11, as shown in FIG. At the same time, a function for the user to control the playback operation of the DVD is assigned to each of the function keys 21a to 21g. In addition, the display control unit 53 provides key display areas 12 a to 12 g representing functions assigned to the function keys 21 a to 21 g at the lower part of the display area 11.

  In the example of FIG. 7A, it is shown in the key display areas 12a to 12g that a playback function, a reproduction start function, a fast-forward function, and the like are assigned to the function keys 21a to 21g. That is, in this state, when the user presses the function key 21b, for example, the application execution unit 55 starts to reproduce the DVD content. A menu function is assigned to the function key 21g, and when the function key 21g is pressed, the display of a menu for starting other applications and the function assigned to each of the function keys 21a to 21g are changed. The setting screen may be displayed.

  FIG. 7B is an example of a screen displayed after the user presses “electronic book” of the function key 12b on the screen of FIG. In this case, the display control unit 53 displays the text and image as the contents of the electronic book in the application area 11b in the display area 11, and performs the browsing operation of the electronic book on each of the function keys 21a to 21g. Assign functions for user control. In addition, the display control unit 53 provides key display areas 12 a to 12 g representing functions assigned to the function keys 21 a to 21 g at the lower part of the display area 11. In the example of FIG. 7B, the function keys 21a and 21b are assigned a playback function, the function key 21c is assigned a bookmark position setting function, and the function key 21d is assigned a function for enlarging the display state. It is displayed in the areas 12a to 12g.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even when the keyboard is folded and the key to be operated normally is directed to the display device side, the desired application processing is executed by operating the function key. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, the function assignment to each of the function keys is changed according to the operation state of the application, and the display control unit 53 displays the assignment contents in the display area 11, so that the user collapses the keyboard device 2. It is possible to perform various operations according to the application in the state.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control which side of the double-sided keyboard device is enabled by the inclination angle of the information processing device main body and the keyboard device. It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation in advance and to prevent an erroneous operation of a key due to an impact at the time of folding.

  In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the keyboard device folded, or when the keyboard device is folded from an open state with respect to the display area when the power is turned on, An example in which an application started by a function key is displayed in the display area and selected by the user has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the power is turned on with the keyboard device folded, or when the power is turned on, the keyboard device is folded from an open state with respect to the display area. Automatically start a predetermined application (or set in advance by the user) and start another application (or a menu display function for starting another application). Alternatively, it may be assigned to the function key 21 on the bottom surface.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are front views showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about the structure which has the function similar to the structure demonstrated in Embodiment 1, the same referential mark as the code | symbol used in Embodiment 1 is attached, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be used in a state in which the keyboard device 2 is detached from the information processing apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. 8A or 8B. In this state, between the keyboard device 2 and the information processing device main body 1, for example, Bluetooth or IrDA
It is preferable to transmit and receive data by wireless communication such as the above. However, the present invention can be realized even with a configuration in which the keyboard device 2 and the information processing device main body 1 are connected with a cable as in a conventional desktop information processing device. Since the above-described wireless communication system is known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be configured as a thin apparatus that can be hung on a wall, or can be configured as a desktop apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), when the information processing apparatus is used with the bottom surface side of the keyboard device 2 facing upward, only the function keys 21a to 21g on the bottom surface are enabled, The functions assigned to each of 21 a to 21 g are displayed in the key display areas 12 a to 12 g of the display area 11. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the upper key 20 of the keyboard device 2 is used facing upward, only the upper key 20 is enabled and the key display areas 12a to 12g are provided in the display area 11. Do not show.

  It can be detected by a mechanism as shown in FIG. 9, for example, which one of the top key 20 and the function key 21 is used on the keyboard 2 in the keyboard device 2. 9 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this specific example.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, a slider 91 is provided in the casing of the keyboard device 2 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the keyboard device 2. An electrode holding member 92 is fixed to the slider 91, and electrodes 92a and 92b are provided on both sides of the electrode holding member 92 in the movable direction of the slider 91, respectively. A predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V) is applied between the electrode 92a and the electrode 92b. Also, in the casing of the keyboard device 2, electrodes 93a and 93b are provided at positions that come into contact with either of the electrodes 92a and 92b when the slider 91 moves. The electrodes 93a and 93b are connected to a keyboard up / down determination unit 94. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the keyboard posture detection unit includes a slider 91, an electrode holding member 92, electrodes 92 a and 92 b, electrodes 93 a and 93 b, and a keyboard up / down determination unit 94.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the upper surface key 20 is used in the upward state, the slider 91 slides to the bottom surface side (the side on which the function key 21 is provided) of the keyboard device 2 due to gravity. The electrode 92b provided on the electrode holding member 92 contacts the electrode 93b. On the other hand, when the keyboard device 2 is used upside down from the state shown in FIG. 9, the slider 91 slides to the side where the top key 20 is provided and is provided on the electrode holding member 92. The electrode 92a comes into contact with the electrode 93a.

  Thereby, the keyboard up-down determination unit 94 can determine which surface of the keyboard device 2 is facing upward by detecting which of the electrode 93a and the electrode 93b is conductive. The keyboard data output unit 95 switches which key input of the top key 20 and the bottom function key 21 is wirelessly transmitted to the information processing apparatus as valid data according to the detection result of the keyboard up / down determination unit 94. The determination result of the keyboard up / down determination unit 94 is sent to the keyboard position detection unit 51 of the information processing apparatus via the keyboard data output unit 95.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the double-sided keyboard device is removable from the information processing apparatus main body, it is detected which side of the double-sided keyboard device is being used, and the surface being used. It can be controlled to enable the keys present in the.

  Even in the configuration of the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 in the first embodiment, when the information processing apparatus starts executing the application program, the display state of the display area 11 is being executed. While changing to the contents according to the application, it is possible to change the function assignment to each of the function keys 21a to 21g to the contents according to the application.

(Embodiment 3)
10 (a) and 10 (b) and FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) show the configuration of an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Show. FIGS. 10A and 11A are front views of an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 10B and 11B are right sides of the information processing apparatus. FIG. In addition, about the structure which has the function similar to the structure demonstrated in Embodiment 1, the same referential mark as the code | symbol used in Embodiment 1 is attached, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment may be used in a state in which the keyboard device 2 is folded with respect to the display area 11 of the information processing apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the keyboard device 2 can be used in a state where it is detached from the information processing apparatus main body 1. In the state shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, data transmission / reception is performed between the keyboard device 2 and the information processing apparatus body 1 by wireless communication such as Bluetooth or IrDA.

  Note that the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be configured as a thin apparatus that can be hung on a wall, or can be configured as a desktop apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is in the vertical direction of the display area 11 when the keyboard device 2 is folded with respect to the information processing apparatus body 1. A part of the lower side of the opening range A (see FIG. 10B) is covered by the keyboard device 2. When the keyboard position detection unit 51 detects this state, the input control unit 52 validates the function key 21 as described in the first embodiment. Further, the display control unit 53 sets a region not covered by the keyboard device 2 as a displayable region, and arranges the application region 11a and the key display regions 12a to 12g in this region.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in a state where the keyboard device 2 is detached from the information processing apparatus main body 1 and the function key 21 is used with the function key 21 facing upward, the keyboard position detection unit 51 As described in the second embodiment, this is detected based on the determination result of the keyboard up / down determination unit 94 and the function key 21 is validated. In this state, since the keyboard device 2 is detached from the information processing apparatus main body 1, the entire opening range A in the vertical direction of the display area 11 is a displayable area. Therefore, the display control unit 53 arranges the key display areas 12a to 12g below the state of FIG. Further, a wider area in the display area 11 can be allocated as the application area 11a.

  Note that switching of the size of the displayable area can be realized by changing the screen resolution using a graphic driver in the information processing apparatus.

  As described above, when the function key 21 is valid, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment detects whether or not the keyboard device 2 covers a part of the display area 11 by the keyboard position detection unit 51, and The arrangement of the key display areas 12a to 12g in the display area 11 is changed according to the detection result. Thereby, the displayable range of the display area 11 can be used effectively.

  In addition, Embodiment 1-3 mentioned above does not limit this invention, A various change is possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the number and shape of the function keys provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard device may be different from the drawings referred to in the above embodiments. The mechanism for detecting the position and orientation of the keyboard device is not limited to that disclosed in the present embodiment, and an appropriate mechanical sensor, optical sensor, or the like can be used.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the information processing apparatus including the keyboard device that can be folded so as to cover the lower portion of the display area is illustrated, but the left end portion of the display area, the right end portion of the display area, or the display An information processing apparatus having a keyboard device that can be folded on both sides so as to cover any of the upper part of the region also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

(Supplementary note 1) An information processing apparatus including a display device and a keyboard device,
The keyboard device is foldable so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area in the display device;
An information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation, comprising one or a plurality of function keys to which an arbitrary application is assigned on a bottom surface of the keyboard apparatus.

  (Supplementary Note 2) A keyboard position detection unit that detects a relative position of the keyboard device with respect to the display device, and according to the relative position of the keyboard device, enables / disables the keys on the top surface and the bottom surface of the keyboard device. An information processing apparatus having the keyboard capable of double-side operation according to Supplementary Note 1.

  (Supplementary note 3) The information processing apparatus having the keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to supplementary note 2, wherein the keyboard position detection unit detects an inclination angle between the keyboard device and the display unit in the display device.

  (Supplementary Note 4) A first state in which the keyboard device is folded so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area in the display device, and a surface on which the one or a plurality of function keys are provided by being removed from the display device. The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, which can be used in at least two states including the second state described above.

(Supplementary Note 5) The keyboard device can be used in a third state in which the keyboard device is removed from the display device and the surface on which the one or more function keys are provided is down.
The keyboard device has a keyboard posture detection unit that detects which side of the keyboard device is the upper surface;
The double-sided operation according to appendix 4, wherein the information processing apparatus includes an input control unit that switches between valid / invalid of a key on the top surface and a key on the bottom surface of the keyboard device according to a detection result of the keyboard posture detection unit. Processing apparatus having a simple keyboard.

  (Supplementary Note 6) Only when the keyboard posture detection unit detects that the surface having the one or more function keys is the upper surface of the keyboard device, the assignment content to the one or more function keys is displayed. The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to appendix 5, further comprising a display control unit for displaying on the apparatus.

  (Supplementary note 7) The keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 6, wherein one or a plurality of function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device are assigned with one or a plurality of application activation functions. Information processing apparatus.

  (Supplementary Note 8) The double-sided operation according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein after one application is activated, an operation function for the application is assigned to one or a plurality of function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device. Processing apparatus having a simple keyboard.

  (Supplementary note 9) The double-sided operation according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 8, further comprising a display control unit that causes the display device to display the content of assignment to one or more function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device. Processing apparatus having a simple keyboard.

  (Additional remark 10) The information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can be operated on both sides as described in any one of additional marks 1-9 whose said information processing apparatus is a wall-hanging type or a desktop type.

(Additional remark 11) When the said keyboard control device is in a 1st state, the said display control part sets the area | region which is not covered with the said keyboard apparatus among the display areas in the said display apparatus, and the said keyboard apparatus displays The information processing having the keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to appendix 4, wherein the entire display area in the keyboard device is a displayable area when the display area is open with respect to the display area of the apparatus or in the second state. apparatus.

  The present invention folds the keyboard and operates the function keys even if the key to be operated normally is facing the back side (for example, the display device side or the lower side) with respect to the user. The present invention is useful as an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of performing double-sided operation capable of executing application processing.

(A) is a front view which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can operate both sides concerning one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the right view. (A) is a perspective view of the surface on the side provided with a set of key sets of a keyboard device in an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is the keyboard. Perspective view of the side of the device where the function keys are provided The front view which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can be operated double-sided concerning one Embodiment of this invention Schematic diagram showing an example of keyboard position detection in an information processing apparatus having a keyboard that can be operated on both sides according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a block diagram showing an internal schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a storage content of a function key assignment storage unit shown in (a). Illustration showing an example The front view which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can be operated double-sided concerning one Embodiment of this invention (A) And (b) is a front view which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can be operated on both sides concerning one Embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a front view which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can operate both sides concerning other embodiment of this invention. Sectional schematic diagram which shows an example of the mechanism which detects the attitude | position of a keyboard apparatus in the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can be operated on both sides concerning other embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a front view which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can operate both surfaces concerning further another embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a front view which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which has the keyboard which can operate both surfaces concerning further another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus main body 2 Keyboard apparatus 11 Display area 12 Key display area 20 Top key 21 Function key 22 Rotation part 51 Keyboard position detection part 52 Input control part 53 Display control part 54 Application storage part 55 Application execution part 56 Function key allocation memory Numeral 91 Slider 92 Electrode holding member 92a, 92b Electrode 93a, 93b Electrode 94 Keyboard up / down determination unit 95 Keyboard data output unit

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus which is a wall-mounted or desktop personal computer equipped with a display device and a keyboard device,
The keyboard device is foldable so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area in the display device;
Having one or more function keys assigned to any application on the bottom of the keyboard device;
When the function key is pressed, an application execution unit that starts an application assigned to the function key;
A keyboard position detection unit that detects an inclination angle between the keyboard device and a display unit in the display device as a relative position of the keyboard device to the display device;
An information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation, wherein the key on the upper surface and the key on the bottom surface of the keyboard device are switched according to the relative position of the keyboard device. An information processing apparatus which is a wall-mounted or desktop personal computer equipped with a display device and a keyboard device,
The keyboard device is foldable so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area in the display device;
Having one or more function keys assigned to any application on the bottom of the keyboard device;
When the function key is pressed, an application execution unit that starts an application assigned to the function key;
When the keyboard device is in a folded state so as to cover a lower part or a part of the display area in the display device, a display area in the display device that is not covered by the keyboard device is displayed as a displayable area A control unit;
A keyboard position detection unit that detects an inclination angle between the keyboard device and a display unit in the display device as a relative position of the keyboard device to the display device;
An information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation, wherein the key on the upper surface and the key on the bottom surface of the keyboard device are switched according to the relative position of the keyboard device.   A first state in which the keyboard device is folded so as to cover a lower part or a part of a display area in the display device, and a surface on which the one or a plurality of function keys are provided after being removed from the display device. The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to claim 1 or 2, which can be used in at least two states including two states. The keyboard device can also be used in a third state with the surface provided with the one or more function keys removed from the display device.
The keyboard device has a keyboard posture detection unit that detects which side of the keyboard device is the upper surface;
The double-sided operation according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus includes an input control unit that switches between valid / invalid of a key on the top surface and a key on the bottom surface of the keyboard device according to a detection result of the keyboard posture detection unit. Information processing apparatus having a keyboard that can be used.   Only when the keyboard posture detection unit detects that the surface having the one or more function keys is the upper surface of the keyboard device, displays the contents assigned to the one or more function keys on the display device. The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-side operation according to claim 4, further comprising an assignment display control unit.   The keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an assignment display control unit for causing the display device to display assignment contents to one or a plurality of function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device. An information processing apparatus.   The information processing having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one or more function keys on the bottom surface of the keyboard device are assigned with one or more application activation functions. apparatus.   The keyboard capable of double-side operation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an operation function for the application is assigned to one or a plurality of function keys on a bottom surface of the keyboard device after one application is activated. Information processing apparatus.   When the display control unit is in a state where the keyboard device is open with respect to the display area of the display device or in a state where the keyboard device is removed from the display device and the surface on which the one or more function keys are provided is up. The information processing apparatus having a keyboard capable of double-sided operation according to claim 2, wherein the entire display area of the keyboard device is a displayable area.

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