JP2008158758A - Portable information apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch between a data input mode for using a software keyboard and a data input mode for using the whole area of a display means to display input data by a comparatively simple structure and operation. <P>SOLUTION: A transparent touch panel 1 integrated with an inorganic EL 2 is overlaid on an LCD 3 in a normal condition, and key input is carried out by touching the touch panel 1 while visually recognizing a software keyboard displayed in a part of the display area of the LCD 3. When the touch panel 1 is pulled to the position, not overlapped on the LCD 3, in the direction along the face of the LCD 3 from above the LCD 3, voltage is supplied to the inorganic EL 2, and a key pattern previously formed in the inorganic EL 2 is illuminated and displayed. A user can input characters in a manner similar to that for a normal keyboard by touching the positions of respective illuminated and displayed keys from the surface of the touch panel 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information device such as a portable terminal device, and more particularly to a portable information device including a touch panel type input device.

  A mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone has a key input unit for inputting numbers and characters and instructing an operation. The key input unit is arranged on the screen of the display unit so as to be two-dimensional. It is composed of a transparent touch panel that can indicate the correct position, and by making it a touch panel type display that combines information display, input of numbers and characters, and operation instructions, the equipment can be made smaller, thinner, or Techniques for reducing the weight have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional portable terminal equipped with such a touch panel display. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 3 having a substantially rectangular display surface is arranged on the surface of the casing of the portable terminal 10. The touch panel 1 formed in a transparent sheet shape is mounted on the LCD 3 so as to be pasted. The LCD 3 can display various display images associated with the touch panel 1. For example, when used as a telephone or mail function, an image resembling a dial key or various function keys of a conventional telephone is used as the software keyboard 6. It is displayed on the LCD 3. The user can input information regarding various functions such as a corresponding dial number and character input by touching an icon on which each image is displayed from above the touch panel 1.

  In the portable terminal shown in FIG. 9, if the image displayed on the LCD 3 is touched, it functions in the same way as key input, so it is possible to input numbers and characters and to perform various operation instructions without mounting a keyboard. Accordingly, the size, thickness, or weight can be reduced, but the software keyboard 6 needs to be displayed in the display screen 3 of the LCD. Therefore, the information display area 7 in the display screen is correspondingly increased. Has the problem of becoming smaller. In addition, when all alphabets are displayed on the software keyboard, the displayed keys become small, and it is difficult to input characters unless a sharp device such as a pen is used.

  As means for solving such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 2, a main body having an LCD capable of displaying characters and other patterns on the front surface side and having a key display on the rear surface side, and the main body portion. Either the LCD or the key display when detachable by a slide mechanism using a slide groove as a guide for sliding and mounted in any orientation with respect to the front and back sides of the main body A lid portion having a transparent touch panel arranged at a position covering one side, and the main body portion recognizes whether the lid portion having the touch panel is mounted on its front side or back side Means for determining a pointed position on the touch panel, means for controlling display of a display character or pattern on the LCD, and the mounting Controls unit for controlling the display based on the output of the identification means and the position determining means, the portable terminal device has been proposed which includes a central processing unit for displaying a character or other pattern on the LCD.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, when a lid having a transparent touch panel is mounted on the surface side of the main body, the lid touch panel is disposed in a state close to the upper side of the LCD of the main body, A software keyboard is displayed in a partial area of the LCD display surface, and the touch panel location on the key to be input observed through the touch panel is touched with a finger or an input pen to perform input using the key. In addition, in this case, the same input as that of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 9 can be performed.

  On the other hand, when a lid having a transparent touch panel is mounted on the back side of the main unit, the touch panel of the lid is arranged above the print key displayed on the back side of the main unit, and the main unit is turned over. The touch panel portion above the print key that can be seen through the touch panel is pointed with a finger or an input pen to perform input using the key.

  At that time, the input characters are displayed on the LCD on the front side of the main unit. At this time, the LCD is rotated 180 degrees by the hinge mechanism to rotate the LCD display surface to the adjacent position of the touch panel. By configuring the LCD so that the characters can be confirmed on the LCD, it is possible to use the entire LCD display area as the display area, and the print key displayed on the back side of the main unit also uses the entire touch panel. Thus, it is possible to easily touch each key.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a flexible mat type information input display device that can display information prompting an input / instruction operation by a two-dimensional instruction position input unit together with image information to be presented on a display screen is used. An information processing apparatus has been proposed in which a flexible mat-type information input display device is configured to be roundable or foldable into a cylindrical shape, thereby enabling a large screen display and improving portability and portability.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-065436 Japanese Patent No. 3209149 JP-A-2005-018492

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, when a software keyboard is displayed in a partial area of the display surface of the LCD and an input mode is selected using the software keyboard observed through the touch panel, a transparent touch panel is used. When the lid having the transparent touch panel is selected when a mode for performing input using the print key displayed on the back side of the main body is mounted on the LCD on the front surface side of the main body, It is necessary to remove the main body from the main body, reattach it to the back of the main body, and turn the main body over to perform an input operation, which makes the input mode switching operation troublesome.

  In addition, a slide mechanism having a slide groove serving as a guide is exposed on the outer surface of the main body part for a configuration in which the touch panel is slid and removed with respect to the main body part and the once removed touch panel is attached again. In addition, since the back side of the main body must also be configured to allow key input by attaching a touch panel, there is a problem that the design of the mobile terminal device is restricted.

  Further, when the input mode using the print key displayed on the back side of the main unit is selected, the LCD arranged on the front side is rotated 180 degrees by the hinge mechanism so that the LCD display surface is the touch panel. Since it must be rotated so as to be arranged at an adjacent position, the configuration and operation are further complicated.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 3, in order to improve portability and portability, the input / display unit can be configured in a flexible mat shape, and can be rounded or folded into a cylindrical shape when being carried and stored. Therefore, there are many elements that cause failure such as poor contact, and information display and input of numbers / characters and operation instructions are combined in one display device. Therefore, in order to secure a sufficient information display area in the display screen, a large-area display unit is required, which increases the cost.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to enable a data input mode using a software keyboard displayed in a partial area of the display means and display of input data using the entire area of the display means. An object of the present invention is to provide a means for realizing a portable terminal device capable of switching between data input modes with a relatively simple configuration and also capable of easily performing an input switching operation.

  The portable information device of the present invention is a function that outputs a signal related to a touched position and an EL (Electro-Luminescence) that emits light and displays a keyboard when the voltage is supplied when the voltage is not supplied. A transparent touch panel in which the EL is integrated and disposed on one surface thereof, a display unit that displays various types of information according to signals input from the touch panel, and the touch panel that includes a display surface of the display unit. And a means for enabling movement in a direction along the display surface of the display unit between two setting positions, a position overlapping with the display surface and a position not overlapping with the display surface, and a position where the touch panel overlaps with the display surface of the display unit The voltage supply to the EL is stopped and a software keyboard is displayed on the display unit, corresponding to the displayed software keyboard. Means for accepting a touch panel signal output from the touched position as a key input from the software keyboard when the touch panel position is touched, and a position where the touch panel does not overlap the display surface of the display unit When the position of the touch panel corresponding to the light-displayed keyboard is touched, a voltage is applied to the EL by supplying a voltage to the EL, and the touched position corresponding to the light-displayed keyboard is touched. Means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from as a key input from the light-emitting keyboard.

  In the present invention, in a portable information device such as a portable terminal, the touch panel arranged on the LCD can be slid and moved, and after moving the touch panel, light emission of inorganic EL or the like integrated with the touch panel. When the body emits light, a keyboard is displayed on the touch panel, and by making the touch panel usable as a normal keyboard, both the ease of character input equivalent to a normal keyboard and the suppression of the size and thickness of the device are compatible. I can do it. In addition, even if the touch panel is moved, the touch panel is not removed from the casing device, so that a key input switching operation can be easily performed.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable information device is transparent when no voltage is supplied, and EL (Electro-Luminescence) that emits a light and displays a keyboard when the voltage is supplied is related to the touched position. The first and second touch panels that are transparently arranged on both sides of the EL and the signals input from the first or second touch panel The display unit for displaying various information and the first and second touch panels are folded at a position overlapping the display surface of the display unit and opened 90 degrees or more with respect to the display surface of the display unit When the hinge portion that enables rotation to the state and the touch panel are set to be folded so as to overlap the display surface of the display portion, the voltage supply to the EL is stopped and the table Is output when a position corresponding to the displayed software keyboard is touched by operating a touch panel located outside in a folded state of the first and second touch panels. When the touch panel signal is set as a key input from the software keyboard and the touch panel is set to be opened 90 degrees or more with respect to the display surface of the display unit, a voltage is supplied to the EL. The EL display causes the keyboard to emit light, and operates the touch panel located on the display surface side of the display unit in the opened state among the first and second touch panels to correspond to the light-emitted keyboard. The touch panel signal output when the position is touched is displayed on the light emitting display. And means for accepting key input from a keyboard.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, when the portable information device is not supplied with voltage, the portable information device is transparent and emits a light when a voltage is supplied to display a keyboard (EL) (Electro-Luminescence), and a touched position. A transparent touch panel having a function of outputting a related signal, the EL being integrated and disposed on one surface thereof, a display unit for displaying various information according to a signal input from the touch panel, and the display Means for allowing the display surface of the display portion to move in a direction along the touch panel surface between two set positions of a position that overlaps the touch panel surface and a position that does not overlap, and the display surface of the display portion overlaps the touch panel surface When the position is set, the voltage supply to the EL is stopped and a software keyboard is displayed on the display unit, and the displayed software is displayed. When the position of the touch panel corresponding to the keyboard is touched, means for accepting the touch panel signal output from the touched position as a key input from the software keyboard; and the display surface of the display unit When the position is set so as not to overlap the touch panel surface, a voltage is supplied to the EL to cause the keyboard to emit light and the touch panel position corresponding to the light-emitted keyboard is touched And a means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from the touched position as a key input from the light-emitting display keyboard.

  In still another embodiment of the present invention, the portable information device displays a transparent touch panel having a function of outputting a signal related to the touched position, and various types of information according to the signal input from the touch panel. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that is disposed at a position overlapping the touch panel surface across the thickness of the LCD, and emits a light to display a keyboard when a voltage is supplied; Means for enabling movement in a direction along the touch panel surface between two set positions of a position overlapping the touch panel surface and a position not overlapping the touch panel surface, and a position where the display surface of the LCD overlaps the touch panel surface When set, the software keyboard is displayed on the LCD display, and the displayed software keyboard is displayed. Means for accepting the touch panel signal output from the touched position as a key input from the software keyboard when the position of the touch panel corresponding to the touch panel surface is touched, and the display surface of the LCD is the touch panel surface When the position of the touch panel corresponding to the light-displayed keyboard is touched, the light is displayed from the touched position. And means for accepting a signal of the touch panel as a key input from the light-emitting display keyboard.

  In this case, the light emitter does not need to be transparent when it is not emitting light, and it may be an appropriate light emitter that can emit light and display a keyboard, such as an EL (Electro-Luminescence) or LED (Light Emitting Diode). realizable.

  According to the portable terminal device equipped with the touch panel of the present invention, character input equivalent to that of a portable terminal equipped with a keyboard can be realized without mounting a keyboard separately.

  In addition, since there is no need to mount a keyboard separately, the size of the terminal can be reduced or made thinner.

  Furthermore, even if a normal keyboard is not installed, character input equivalent to that of a normal keyboard can be realized, and in this case, it is not necessary to display a software keyboard, so that the information display area can be widened.

  In addition, since the input operation can be performed only from the surface side of the housing, the operation is easy, and there are almost no restrictions on the housing design due to the fact that the data input mode can be switched.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic views showing a transverse section and a longitudinal section of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 10 has a transparent touch panel 1 that can detect that a user's pen or finger has touched in order from the housing surface side. An inorganic EL (Electro-Luminescence) 2 that emits light when applied, an LCD 3 as a display device, a circuit board 4 on which components such as an electronic circuit of a mobile terminal are mounted, and a battery 5 are mounted.

  The inorganic EL 2 is disposed integrally with the touch panel 1 and can be formed as a very thin layer by directly forming a thin film on the touch panel 1 by, for example, a printing method. The touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL 2 is used in a state where the touch panel 1 is overlapped with the display surface of the LCD 3 that is a display device, and is pulled out along the surface of the mobile terminal 10 in the vertical direction. It can be used in two states when used in a state where it is moved to a position where it does not overlap.

  When the touch panel 1 is used while being superimposed on the upper surface of the LCD 3, no voltage is applied to the inorganic EL 2, and the inorganic EL 2 is a transparent layer. Accordingly, since the image displayed on the LCD 3 can be viewed from the upper surface side of the touch panel 1, the position of the software keyboard displayed in a partial area of the display surface of the LCD 3 is touched from above the touch panel 1 with a finger or an input pen. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform key input. In addition, the input characters and the like are displayed in other areas of the LCD 3 and the desired function of the mobile terminal 10 is achieved.

  On the other hand, when the touch panel 1 is pulled out along the surface of the mobile terminal 10 and moved to a position where it does not overlap with the display surface of the LCD 3, the touch panel 1 is set in a state of use, with respect to the voltage input terminal provided in the inorganic EL 2. A voltage is supplied from the mobile terminal 10 side, and a key pattern formed in advance on the inorganic EL 2 is lit and displayed.

  Although this voltage supply means is not shown in the figure, for example, when the touch panel 1 is moved to a position where it does not overlap the display surface of the LCD 3, the voltage input terminal provided at a predetermined position of the inorganic EL 2 and the portable terminal 10 side. The control unit in the portable terminal 10 configured to be connected to the provided voltage supply terminal is set to a state in which the touch panel 1 is moved to a position where it does not overlap the display surface of the LCD 3 and used. When detected, the voltage supply switch is turned on to supply the voltage, or the user operates the input mode change switch after the touch panel 1 is pulled out. Can be made.

  Therefore, when the touch panel 1 is moved to a position where it does not overlap with the display surface of the LCD 3 and is set to be used, the key position displayed by the inorganic EL 2 is touched with a finger or an input pen from the touch panel 1. Thus, it is possible to perform input using the key. In this case, since the keys that are lit and displayed by the inorganic EL 2 are lit and displayed so as to be disposed on the entire surface of the touch panel 1, the area of each display key can be increased and the key input operation is facilitated. . Further, since the entire area of the display surface of the LCD 3 can be used as a data display area, more data can be displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL 2 in the portable terminal of this embodiment is pulled out from the upper surface of the LCD 3, and FIG. 4 shows the touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a longitudinal section of the mobile terminal 10 when it is pulled out and fixed at the stop position. FIG. 5 shows the mobile terminal 10 when the touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL 2 is pulled out and fixed at the stop position. It is the schematic which looked at from the surface side.

  Next, the key input switching operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the mobile terminal of the present embodiment is provided with a control unit that executes and controls various functions of the mobile terminal, and each operation control when the movement state of the touch panel is detected is also controlled by this control. Executed by the department.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL 2 is disposed on the LCD 3 in a normal state. The touch panel 1 is transparent, and since the voltage is not supplied to the inorganic EL 2 in a normal state, the inorganic EL 2 is a transparent layer without emitting light. At this time, the user can visually recognize the display content of the LCD 3 through the touch panel 1 and the inorganic EL 2. Therefore, the user can perform an input operation on the portable terminal by touching the upper surface of the touch panel 1 with a finger or an input pen in accordance with the display content of the LCD 3. When a software keyboard is displayed in a part of the display area of the LCD 3, by touching a key position displayed with a finger or an input pen from the top of the touch panel 1, an input with the key can be performed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, when the touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL 2 is pulled out from the top of the LCD 3 in the direction along the surface of the LCD 3, and moved to the stop position shown in FIGS. For example, a voltage input terminal of the inorganic EL 2 and a voltage supply terminal provided on the mobile terminal 10 side are connected to supply a voltage to the inorganic EL 2, and a key pattern formed in advance on the inorganic EL 2 is lit and displayed. By making the light emission pattern of the inorganic EL2 the same as that of the keyboard of a normal portable terminal in advance, when a voltage is applied to the inorganic EL2, a display similar to that of the keyboard is made. By touching the position where each key is displayed on the touch panel 1, the user can input characters equivalent to a normal keyboard.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the touch panel 1 disposed on the LCD 3 is pulled out along the surface of the LCD 3 and moved to the stop position, the inorganic EL light emitter 2 disposed integrally with the touch panel 1 is used. Automatically emits light and displays keys, so that the input keyboard can be switched with an extremely simple operation. When the touch panel 1 is pulled out, the entire area of the display surface of the LCD 3 is used as the display area. Since key display is possible on the entire surface of the touch panel 1, key input operations are also facilitated.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a mounting shape of a touch panel integrated with an inorganic EL in a portable terminal showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and a cross section.

  In the first embodiment, the touch panel integrated with the inorganic EL is configured to move while sliding along the LCD surface of the portable terminal. However, in the present embodiment, the touch panel 1 is placed on both sides of the inorganic EL 2 with the inorganic EL 2 interposed therebetween. 1 'is used, and one end portion of the input panel 11 and one end portion of the terminal housing 10 are rotatably coupled using a hinge 9, and the input panel 11 is connected by the hinge 9. When the screen is folded, the touch panel surface of the input panel 11 and the display surface of the LCD 3 are overlapped with each other, and the key input is switched according to the rotation state. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the input panel 11 having the touch panel 1, 1 ′ disposed on both sides of the inorganic EL 2 is folded with respect to the terminal housing 10 by the hinge 9, the input panel 11 is a display device. It will be in the state overlaid on the upper surface of LCD3. In this state, the outer touch panel 1 is set to the operating state, and no voltage is applied to the inorganic EL 2. Accordingly, the input panel 11 functions as a transparent panel, and the position of the software keyboard displayed in a partial area of the display surface of the LCD 3 is touched with a finger or an input pen from the outer touch panel 1, so that the key is displayed. Input can be made. At that time, the touch panel 1 'is set to the non-operating state.

  On the other hand, when the terminal housing 10 and the input panel 11 are rotated by the hinge 9 and are opened to 90 degrees or more with respect to the display surface of the LCD 3, the control unit in the terminal housing 10 detects this open state. Then, while controlling to supply voltage to the inorganic EL 2, the touch panel 1 ′ is set to the operating state, and the touch panel 1 is set to the non-operating state. As a result, a key pattern formed in advance on the inorganic EL 2 is displayed in a light-emitting manner. By touching a key position displayed on the light-emitting display by the inorganic EL 2 with a finger or an input pen from the touch panel 1 ′, the key pattern is displayed. It becomes possible to input. In this case, the entire area of the display surface of the LCD 3 can be used as a display area, and keys can be displayed using the entire surface of the touch panel 1 ′ with the inorganic EL 2, which makes it easy to touch each key. Become.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the surface and vertical section of a portable terminal showing the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first to second embodiments, the touch panel integrated with the inorganic EL can be moved to a position that overlaps the LCD display surface of the portable terminal or a position that does not overlap the LCD display surface. The touch panel 1 is fixed to the mobile terminal, and the LCD 3 that is a display device of the mobile terminal 10 is pulled out from the normal display position of the mobile terminal 10 so that the display surface of the LCD 3 can be moved to a position that does not overlap the surface of the touch panel 1. It is characterized by that.

  In the case of the present embodiment, in the normal state, the LCD 3 is housed in the mobile terminal 10, and the touch panel 1 integrated with the inorganic EL is disposed on the upper surface of the LCD 3. In this case, no voltage is applied to the inorganic EL 2. Therefore, the touch panel 1 functions as a transparent panel, and the position of the software keyboard displayed in a partial area of the display surface of the LCD 3 is changed from above the touch panel 1. By touching with a finger or an input pen, input using the key can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the LCD 3 is pulled out of the mobile terminal 10 and moved to a position where the display surface of the LCD 3 does not overlap the touch panel 1, the control unit in the terminal housing 10 detects this state and detects the inorganic EL 2 By performing control to supply a voltage to the key pattern, a key pattern formed in advance on the inorganic EL 2 is lit and displayed. By touching the position of the light emitted and displayed by the inorganic EL 2 with a finger or an input pen from the top of the touch panel 1, it is possible to perform input using the key. Also in the present embodiment, when the LCD 3 is pulled out of the portable terminal 10, the entire area of the display surface of the LCD 3 can be used as a display area, and the entire surface of the touch panel 1 can be used by the inorganic EL 2 as a key. Since it can be displayed, the touch to each key becomes easy.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the touch panel 1 is not a touch panel integrated with an inorganic EL, and a light emitter 8 that emits light when a voltage is supplied and displays a keyboard. Can be arranged on the back side of the LCD 3. Also in this case, when the LCD 3 is pulled out of the portable terminal 10 and moved to a position where the display surface of the LCD 3 does not overlap the touch panel 1, a key pattern formed in advance on the light emitter 8 is displayed in a light-emitting manner. By touching the position of the light emitted and displayed by the light emitter 8 from above the touch panel 1 with a finger or an input pen, it is possible to perform input using the key. In this case, since the light emitter 8 does not necessarily need to be transparent, the key pattern can be displayed by using a light emitter such as an LED instead of the inorganic EL.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view seen from the front surface side of the portable terminal showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first to third embodiments, the touch panel type input switching unit is configured for the keyboard of the mobile phone. However, in the present embodiment, the portable information device is configured to display a full keyboard such as a personal computer. On the other hand, key input switching means in which an inorganic EL and a touch panel are integrated is applied. Also in the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, an inorganic EL is used as EL (Electro-Luminescence), and a touch panel integrated with the inorganic EL is adopted. However, an organic EL is used instead of the inorganic EL, and the touch panel is integrated with the organic EL. The present invention can also be configured by adopting.

It is the schematic which shows the cross section of the portable terminal in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the longitudinal cross-section of the portable terminal in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which pulls out the touchscreen integrated with inorganic EL in the portable terminal of this embodiment, sliding from the upper surface of LCD. It is the schematic which shows the longitudinal cross-section when the touchscreen integrated with inorganic EL in the portable terminal of this embodiment is pulled out and fixed to the stop position. It is the schematic seen from the surface side when the touchscreen integrated with inorganic EL in the portable terminal of this embodiment is pulled out and fixed to the stop position. It is the schematic which shows the attachment shape of the touchscreen integrated with inorganic EL in the portable terminal which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a cross section. It is the schematic of the surface and longitudinal cross-section of a portable terminal which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic seen from the surface side of the portable terminal which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a housing | casing surface view which shows the example of the conventional portable terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 'Touch panel 2 Inorganic EL (Electro-Luminescence)
3 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
4 Circuit board 5 Battery 6 Software keyboard 7 Information display area 8 Light emitter 9 Hinge 10 Mobile terminal

Claims (8)

When voltage is not supplied, it is transparent and EL (Electro-Luminescence) that emits light and displays a keyboard when voltage is supplied;
A transparent touch panel having a function of outputting a signal related to the touched position, in which the EL is integrated on one surface;
A display unit that displays various types of information according to signals input from the touch panel;
Means for enabling movement of the touch panel in a direction along the display surface of the display unit between two set positions of a position overlapping the display surface of the display unit and a position not overlapping the display surface;
When the touch panel is set at a position overlapping the display surface of the display unit, the voltage supply to the EL is stopped and a software keyboard is displayed on the display unit, and the displayed software keyboard corresponds to the displayed software keyboard. Means for accepting the touch panel signal output from the touched position as a key input from the software keyboard when the touch panel position is touched;
When the touch panel is set at a position that does not overlap the display surface of the display unit, a voltage is supplied to the EL to cause the keyboard to emit light and display, and the touch panel corresponding to the light-displayed keyboard Means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from the touched position as a key input from the light-emitting keyboard when the position of the touch is touched;
A portable information device characterized by comprising: When voltage is not supplied, it is transparent and EL (Electro-Luminescence) that emits light and displays a keyboard when voltage is supplied;
Transparent first and second touch panels that have a function of outputting a signal related to a touched position and are integrated on both sides of the EL,
A display unit that displays various types of information according to signals input from the first or second touch panel;
A hinge part that allows the first and second touch panels to be folded to a position overlapping the display surface of the display unit and to be opened 90 degrees or more with respect to the display surface of the display unit;
When the touch panel is set in a folded state so as to overlap the display surface of the display unit, the voltage supply to the EL is stopped and a software keyboard is displayed on the display unit, and the first and second touch panels Means for operating the touch panel located outside in a folded state and accepting the touch panel signal output when the position corresponding to the displayed software keyboard is touched as a key input from the software keyboard; ,
When the touch panel is set to be opened 90 degrees or more with respect to the display surface of the display unit, a voltage is supplied to the EL to cause the keyboard to emit light and display the first and second. The touch panel signal that is output when the touch panel located on the display surface side of the display unit in the opened state is operated and the position corresponding to the light-emitting keyboard is touched is Means for accepting keystrokes from the illuminated keyboard,
A portable information device characterized by comprising: When voltage is not supplied, it is transparent and EL (Electro-Luminescence) that emits light and displays a keyboard when voltage is supplied;
A transparent touch panel having a function of outputting a signal related to the touched position, in which the EL is integrally arranged on one surface;
A display unit that displays various types of information according to signals input from the touch panel;
Means for allowing the display surface of the display unit to move in a direction along the touch panel surface between two set positions of a position overlapping with the touch panel surface and a position not overlapping;
When the display surface of the display unit is set at a position overlapping the touch panel surface, the voltage supply to the EL is stopped and a software keyboard is displayed on the display unit, and the displayed software keyboard is supported. Means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from the touched position as a key input from the software keyboard when the position of the touch panel is touched;
When the display surface of the display unit is set at a position that does not overlap the touch panel surface, a voltage is supplied to the EL to cause the keyboard to emit light, and the EL corresponds to the light-displayed keyboard. Means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from the touched position as a key input from the light-emitting keyboard when the position of the touch panel is touched;
A portable information device characterized by comprising:   The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the EL is an inorganic EL.   The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). A transparent touch panel having a function of outputting a signal related to the touched position;
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various information according to signals input from the touch panel;
A light emitter that is arranged at a position overlapping the touch panel surface across the thickness of the LCD, and emits light when a voltage is supplied to display a keyboard;
Means for enabling movement of the LCD in a direction along the surface of the touch panel between two setting positions, a position where the display surface overlaps the touch panel surface and a position not overlapping the touch panel;
When the display surface of the LCD is set at a position overlapping the touch panel, a software keyboard is displayed on the LCD display unit, and the position of the touch panel corresponding to the displayed software keyboard is touched Means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from the touched position as a key input from the software keyboard;
When the display surface of the LCD is set to a position that does not overlap the touch panel, the keyboard is illuminated by the light emitter, and the position of the touch panel corresponding to the light-displayed keyboard is touched, Means for accepting a signal of the touch panel output from the touched position as a key input from the light emitting keyboard;
A portable information device characterized by comprising:   The portable information device according to claim 6, wherein the light emitter is EL (Electro-Luminescence). The portable information device according to claim 6, wherein the light emitter is an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

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