JP2007328263A - Electronic apparatus, notebook computer, display terminal used therewith, and method of confirming display information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily recognize display information to be visually recognized when displayed on a screen, while preventing the risk of being watched inside by a surrounding person, without needing operation to open an apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: A notebook computer 10 includes a compact card terminal 20 having a terminal body removably connected in a slot 10d of a personal computer body 10c and a display screen arranged on the terminal body, a transfer means for accessing necessary e-mail display information in the personal computer body 10c while closing the personal computer body 10c and transferring the information to the card terminal 20, and a display means for recognizably displaying the transferred display information on the display screen of the card terminal 20. The transfer means includes a button 11 that can be operated by a user while the personal computer body 10c is closed, a control unit for controlling the computer so as to be shifted to a state of power ON or Wake when operating the button 11 to execute an operation of reading or transferring the e-mail required, and a LED 12 for recognizably informing the fact to the user when the transfer is ended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device typified by a notebook PC that displays information in a state where the main body is opened and a display information confirmation method for confirming display information such as the contents of the mail, and in particular, the display information when the notebook PC is closed. It is related with the display information confirmation method which confirms.

  PC (personal computer) (hereinafter referred to as notebook PC), which is a notebook type (book type) electronic device, is not only used at home, work or school, but also can be easily carried in a bag etc. For many reasons, it is often used in various places such as trains and coffee shops. One way to use this is to check emails on the go using travel time. In this case, open the main body of the notebook PC, start the built-in mail software (hereinafter "mail software"), display the mail contents on the display screen of the notebook PC through the processing of the mail software, and display checking the content.

In addition, as prior art documents related to the present invention, there are the following.
JP 2000-163334 A JP 2001-042771 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-237928

  However, the following problems are conceivable when checking a mail using a notebook PC as described above.

  First, since it is essential to check the mail by expanding the notebook PC, there is a possibility that the display may be looked down from surrounding people, and in the worst case, there is a risk of information leakage. Moreover, since the operation for opening the notebook PC is necessary for the mail confirmation, the mail confirmation may not be easily performed depending on the use location of the notebook PC. For example, when standing on a train or the like, it is often difficult to open, and e-mail confirmation is not easy.

  The above problem is not limited to notebook PCs, and the same applies to electronic devices such as other portable information terminals that require the operation of opening the device body when checking e-mails, and the display may be excluded from surrounding people. Can occur. The same problem may occur when not only checking the mail but also displaying information such as various files in other device main bodies and displaying the display screen on the screen for confirmation. On the other hand, the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above are not necessarily aware of such a problem.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances as described above, and does not require an opening operation of the device main body, and can be easily performed without looking into display information to be viewed from surrounding people when displaying the screen. An object is to provide a visually recognizable electronic device and a display information confirmation method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention has an openable / closable device body and a display unit disposed on the device body, and displays information on the display unit in a state where the device body is open. In an electronic device, a terminal main body detachably connected to the device main body, a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal main body, and a necessary device in the device main body with the device main body closed Transfer means for accessing display information and transferring it to the display terminal connected to the device main body, and the transferred display information visible on the display screen of the display terminal removed from the device main body Display means for displaying on the screen.

  A notebook PC according to the present invention includes a PC body that can be opened and closed, and a display unit that is disposed on the PC body. The notebook PC displays information on the display unit when the PC body is open. A terminal body detachably connected to the display body and a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal body, and access to necessary display information in the PC body while the PC body is closed, Transfer means for transferring to the display terminal connected to the PC main body, and display means for displaying the transferred display information on the display screen of the display terminal in a state of being removed from the device main body. It is characterized by having.

  In the present invention, the transfer means is disposed at a predetermined position of the device main body, and can be operated by a user with the device main body closed, and when the operation means is operated, Control is performed so as to shift from the first power supply state in which the operation cannot be performed to the second power supply state in which the operation of the transfer unit can be performed, and to return from the second power supply state to the first power supply state after the transfer ends. And a control means for controlling. The operation means may be an operation button.

  In the present invention, the transfer unit may include a lighting unit that is arranged at a predetermined position of the device main body and informs the user of the fact when the transfer is completed. The lighting means may be an LED.

  In the present invention, the display information may be mail display information.

  A display terminal according to the present invention is used in the above electronic device or notebook PC.

  An electronic device display information confirmation method according to the present invention includes an openable / closable device main body and a display unit disposed on the device main body, and displays information on the display unit in a state where the device main body is opened. In the display information confirmation method, a step of preparing a terminal body detachably connected to the device body and a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal body, and the device body remains closed. Accessing necessary display information in the device main body and transferring the display information to the display terminal connected to the device main body; and the display terminal in a state in which the transferred display information is removed from the device main body. And a step of visibly displaying on the display screen.

  A display information confirmation method for a notebook PC according to the present invention includes a PC main body that can be opened and closed and a display unit that is disposed on the PC main body, and displays information on the display unit in a state in which the PC main body is open. In the display information confirmation method, a step of preparing a terminal main body detachably connected to the PC main body and a display terminal having a display screen arranged on the terminal main body, and the PC main body in a closed state Accessing necessary display information in the PC main body and transferring the display information to the display terminal connected to the PC main body; and the display terminal in a state where the transferred display information is removed from the PC main body. And a step of visibly displaying on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device and a display information confirmation method thereof that can easily view display information desired to be visually recognized without being looked into by a surrounding person without displaying the device main body. Can do.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook PC as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the notebook PC 10 has a predetermined size (for example, a pair of casings that can be opened and closed on the front side via a hinge part (not shown) on the back side, that is, an upper casing 10a and a lower casing 10b. PC body 10c having a size that can be stored in a user's bag or the like.

  In the PC main body 10c, the upper casing 10a is provided with a display unit 17 such as a liquid crystal display described later. In addition to the conventionally known configuration (for example, a keyboard and a pointing device), the lower housing 10b includes a button (operation button) 11 as an operation means for performing operations related to power control and mail, and mail in this embodiment. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) 12 as a lighting means for indicating a reading state and a card-type slot portion 10d are provided at predetermined positions on the front side. The small card type terminal 20 constituting the display terminal of the present invention is detachably inserted into the slot portion 10d. In this embodiment, the small card type terminal 20 is used as a mail confirmation card, and the display image of the mail read into the PC main body 10c in a state of being inserted and connected in the slot 10d is transferred and removed from the slot 10d. It is configured so that the contents of the mail can be visually recognized in a state where the mail is displayed.

  FIG. 2 shows display contents of mail transferred from the notebook PC 10 to the small card type terminal 20. In this embodiment, the mail contents are data constituting the title and text display image 30 of the mail.

  FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the notebook PC 10. As shown in the figure, the notebook PC 10 includes a control unit 14 for overall control to which the above-described buttons 11 and LEDs 12 are connected, and each unit connected to the control unit 13, that is, the control unit 13 and the small card type terminal 20. Communicate via a wireless line or a wired line with a card I / F (interface) 14 communicatively connected to each other and a recording unit 15 such as a memory (ROM / RAM) for storing various programs and data. A communication unit 16 such as a communication interface (LAN I / F, etc.) or a communication modem, a display unit 17 such as a liquid crystal display, an input unit 18 such as a keyboard or a pointing device, and a power supply unit 19 are provided.

  Among these, the recording unit 15 stores programs such as an OS (operating system) 15a, mail software (hereinafter abbreviated as “mail software”) 15b, and dedicated software (hereinafter abbreviated as “dedicated software”) 15c. Yes. Conventionally known OS 15a and mail software 15b are used, and details thereof are omitted. The dedicated software 15c, together with the button 11 and the LED 12, constitutes a partial function of transfer means (external access means) that can read and transfer mail while the notebook PC 10 is closed. Details thereof will be described later.

  The control unit 14 constitutes a main part of the transfer means (control means) of the present invention. As an example, the control section 14 includes a microcomputer that operates under program control, and its CPU (Central Processing Unit) is preset. The processing operation of each unit is controlled by executing the program. In addition to various conventionally known operation controls for functioning as the notebook PC 10, the control unit 14 activates the dedicated software 15c of the recording unit 15 when the button 11 is operated, and executes the program instructions. Thus, the mail is read through the mail software 15b, and the title and the display image 30 of the read mail are controlled to be transferred to the small card type terminal 20 via the card I / F 14.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the small card type terminal 20. As shown in the figure, the small card type terminal 20 has a terminal body 20a of a predetermined size that can be covered with a palm. The terminal body 20a is provided with a display screen 21 for displaying the contents of mail transferred from the notebook PC 10 and up / down / left / right buttons 22 capable of scrolling the screen display position on the display screen 21.

  FIG. 5 shows an internal configuration of the small card type terminal 20. As shown in the figure, the small card type terminal 20 includes a control unit 23 to which the above-described display screen 21 and up / down / left / right buttons 22 are connected, and each unit connected to the control unit 23, that is, the control unit 13 and the notebook PC 10. And a display I / F (interface) 24 that connects the communication between them, and a display image storage unit 25 that stores a display image 30 of mail transferred from the notebook PC 10. The control unit 23 constitutes a main part of the display means of the present invention. The control unit 23 is composed of, for example, a processor equipped with a CPU, and controls the operation of each unit by executing a control program stored in a memory (ROM) (not shown) in advance. Then, control is performed to display the display image 30 of the transferred mail on the display screen 21.

  Next, the overall operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the notebook PC 10. In this embodiment, the control program shown in this flowchart is stored in, for example, a memory (not shown) in the control unit 13, read during operation, and executable by the CPU in the control unit 13.

  First, when the button 11 is pressed by the user (step St1: YES), the control unit 13 invalidates the existing power control operation due to the notebook PC 10 being closed (step St2), and goes to the power supply unit 19. The power ON or Wake operation is performed (step St3). In this case, if the power status before the pressing operation of the button 11 is the power OFF, the power ON operation is performed. If the power status is the Sleep state, the state is shifted to the Wake state.

  Next, the control unit 13 activates the OS 15a (step St4), and subsequently activates the dedicated software 15c under the control of the OS 15a (step St5). As a result, the control unit 13 activates the mail software 15c registered in advance in the notebook PC 10 by the process of the dedicated software 15c (Step St6), and starts reading the mail by the process of the mail software 15c (Step St7). A series of processing operations from the mail software 15c connected to a mail server (not shown) via the communication unit 16 with a predetermined communication protocol until the mail is read from the mail server to the notebook PC 10 are conventionally known. Since it is applied, its details are omitted.

  Next, when the mail reading operation by the mail software 15c ends (step St8: YES), the control unit 13 causes the dedicated software 15c to process the read mail title and text display image 30 via the card I / F 14. To the small card type terminal 20 (step St9). Thereby, in the small card type terminal 20, under the control of the control unit 23, the display image 30 transferred from the notebook PC 10 is taken in via the communication I / F 24 and stored in the display image storage unit 25.

  Next, when the transfer ends (step St10: YES), the control unit 13 turns on the LED 12 (step St11), and notifies the user of the end of the operation. Thereafter, the control unit 13 shifts the power status of the notebook PC 10 to the original power status before the button 11 is operated, that is, the power is turned off or the sleep state (step St11). After confirming that the LED 12 is turned on, the user removes the small card type terminal 20 from the notebook PC 10 and operates the up / down / left / right buttons 22 to display the display image 30 of the mail to be confirmed on the display screen 21. Thereby, the mail is confirmed on the display screen 21 of the small card type terminal 20.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the user presses the button 11 of the notebook PC 10, 1) transition of power status from power OFF to power ON, or from sleep status to Wake status, 2) mail software Start-up and reading of mail, 3) screen display image 30 of mail title and text are transferred to the card-type terminal 20 built in the notebook PC 10, and 4) transition to the power status (power off or sleep state) before the button 11 is pressed. The notebook PC 10 automatically performs the operation. The user can pull out the small card type terminal 20 from the notebook PC 10 and operate the up / down / left / right buttons 22 to display the display image 30 of the mail on the display screen 21 and confirm the contents.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the notebook PC 10 having the external access means that can read the mail while the notebook PC 10 is closed and the removable small card type terminal 20 that can visually recognize the contents of the mail.

  In the notebook PC 10 of the present embodiment, since it is displayed on the small card-type terminal 20 that is large enough to be covered with the palm of the hand, it can be easily hidden by the user's action, and thus peeping can be prevented. Further, since the notebook PC 10 of this embodiment is provided with a button 11 for automatically performing a series of operations up to power control and transfer of mail contents to the small card type terminal 20, an operation for opening the PC body 10c of the notebook PC 10 is performed. Is not necessary.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a mail having a new configuration that can easily view a mail to be viewed without being looked into by a surrounding person when the screen is displayed without requiring an operation of opening the PC body 10c of the notebook PC 10. A notebook PC with a confirmation card can be provided.
(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the case where the button 11 is pressed while the notebook PC 10 is in the closed state is described. However, the button 11 is pressed when the notebook PC 10 is open and in the power OFF state or the sleep state. Even when operated, the same mail reading and forwarding operations as described above can be performed. In this case, it is possible to apply processes other than step St2 of FIG.

  Even when the button 11 is pressed while the notebook PC 10 is open and in the power ON or Wake state, the same mail reading and forwarding operation as described above can be performed. In this case, it is possible to apply processes other than steps St2 to St4 and St12 in FIG. Alternatively, in this case, control may be made so that the above-described mail reading and transfer operations are invalidated.

  Note that the open / close state of the notebook PC 10 can be determined by the control unit 13 based on an open / close detection signal from an existing open / close sensor (not shown).

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the button 11, LED12, and slot part 10d are arrange | positioned at the front side of PC main body 10c, this invention is not limited to this, A user is PC main body of notebook PC10. Any position can be used as long as it can be operated with 10c closed. For example, it can be arranged at predetermined positions such as the left side surface, the right side surface, and the back surface.

  Further, in this embodiment, the button 11 is used as the operation means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any can be applied as long as it can be operated with the PC main body 10c of the notebook PC 10 closed. is there. For example, an operation switch may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the case of confirming an e-mail has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to the case of confirming other information. In this case, for example, it can be realized by reading necessary display information and transferring the display image to a small card type terminal using application software for processing display information to be viewed instead of mail software.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where a notebook PC is used as an electronic device is described. However, the present invention is not limited to a notebook PC, and may be applied to other electronic devices that require an operation of opening the device body when displaying information. Is possible. For example, it can also be applied to a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
(Example)
As an example of using the present invention, in addition to mail confirmation, by providing an optional device that can be attached to a small card type terminal, for example, a function for playing music files, displaying maps, displaying files created by other applications, etc. It becomes possible to do.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example illustrated typically, and those skilled in the art will be based on description content of a claim. The present invention can be modified and changed into various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. These modified examples and modified examples also belong to the scope of the right of the present invention.

  For example, at least a part of the functions of each unit constituting the notebook PC according to the present embodiment includes a processor (CPU) that operates under program control and a memory (ROM / RAM) that has a storage area for storing control programs, control data, and the like. ) And various input / output devices (for example, external recording devices such as hard disks, communication devices such as communication modems and LAN interfaces, display devices such as CRTs and liquid crystal displays, and various peripheral devices such as input devices such as keyboards and mice) It is possible to implement using In this case, each component of the processor, the memory, and the various input / output devices is included in the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, when at least a part of functions of each part constituting the notebook PC according to the present embodiment is realized by using a program code, the program code and a recording medium for recording the program code are included in the scope of the present invention. The program code in this case includes those program codes when the above functions are realized in cooperation with an operating system or other application software. As a recording medium, a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a display information confirmation method for confirming display information such as an electronic device such as a notebook PC that displays information in a state where the device main body is opened, and its mail display content. For example, the present invention can be used for checking the mail display contents with the notebook PC closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a notebook PC that is an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a small card type terminal that is removable from the notebook PC. It is a figure which shows the mail display content transferred from a notebook PC to a small card type terminal. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the internal structure of notebook PC. It is a front view which shows a small card type terminal. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the internal structure of a small card type terminal. It is a schematic flowchart explaining operation | movement of notebook PC.

Explanation of symbols

10 Notebook PC
10a Upper housing 10b Lower housing 10c PC body 10d Slot portion 11 Button (operating means)
12 LED (lighting means)
20 Small card type terminal (display terminal)
20a terminal body 21 display screen 22 up / down / left / right button

Claims (16)

In an electronic device that has an openable / closable device body and a display unit disposed on the device body, and displays information on the display unit in a state in which the device body is open,
A terminal body detachably connected to the device body and a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal body;
Transfer means for accessing necessary display information in the device main body while the device main body is in a closed state, and transferring the information to the display terminal connected to the device main body,
An electronic apparatus comprising: display means for displaying the transferred display information on the display screen of the display terminal in a state of being removed from the apparatus main body. The transfer means includes
An operation means that is disposed at a predetermined position of the device main body and can be operated by a user with the device main body closed.
When the operation means is operated, a transition is made from a first power supply state in which the operation of the transfer means cannot be performed to a second power supply state in which the operation of the transfer means can be performed, and after the completion of the transfer, the second power supply The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control to return to the first power supply state from a state.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit is an operation button.   The said transfer means is arrange | positioned in the predetermined position of the said apparatus main body, It has a lighting means which notifies the said to the user so that it can recognize visually at the time of the said transfer completion | finish, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic device described.   The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the lighting unit is an LED.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display information is mail display information.   A display terminal used in the electronic device according to claim 1. In a notebook PC having an openable / closable PC body and a display unit disposed on the PC body, and displaying information on the display unit in a state where the PC body is opened,
A terminal body detachably connected to the PC body and a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal body;
Transfer means for accessing necessary display information in the PC main body while the PC main body is closed, and transferring the information to the display terminal connected to the PC main body;
A notebook PC comprising: display means for displaying the transferred display information on the display screen of the display terminal in a state of being removed from the device main body. The transfer means includes
An operation means disposed at a predetermined position of the PC main body and operable by a user in a state in which the PC main body is closed;
When the operation means is operated, a transition is made from a first power supply state in which the operation of the transfer means cannot be performed to a second power supply state in which the operation of the transfer means can be performed, and after the completion of the transfer, the second power supply The notebook PC according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit configured to control to return from the state to the first power supply state.   The notebook PC according to claim 9, wherein the operation means is an operation button.   The said transfer means is arrange | positioned in the predetermined position of the said PC main body, It has a lighting means which notifies the said fact to the said user at the time of completion | finish of the said transfer, The any one of Claim 8 thru | or 10 characterized by the above-mentioned. Notebook PC of description.   The notebook PC according to claim 11, wherein the lighting means is an LED.   The notebook PC according to claim 8, wherein the display information is mail display information.   A display terminal used in the notebook PC according to claim 8. In a display information confirmation method for an electronic device that has an openable / closable device body and a display unit disposed on the device body, and displays information on the display unit in a state where the device body is open,
Providing a terminal body detachably connected to the device body and a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal body;
Accessing the necessary display information in the device main body while the device main body is closed, and transferring to the display terminal connected to the device main body;
And displaying the transferred display information on the display screen of the display terminal in a state of being removed from the device main body. In a display information confirmation method for a notebook PC having an openable / closable PC main body and a display unit disposed on the PC main body, and displaying information on the display unit in a state in which the PC main body is open,
Providing a terminal body detachably connected to the PC body and a display terminal having a display screen disposed on the terminal body;
Accessing necessary display information in the PC main body while the PC main body is closed, and transferring to the display terminal connected to the PC main body;
And displaying the transferred display information on the display screen of the display terminal in a state of being removed from the PC main body so as to be visible.

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