JP4171455B2 - Portable information system and portable information terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information system and a portable information terminal, and more particularly, to a portable information terminal including a portable information terminal and a table on which the portable information terminal is installed, and a portable information terminal that can be removed from the table and carried.

  In recent years, development of portable information terminals that can record programs such as TV broadcasts and movies, store them in a storage medium, and carry them outdoors can be viewed. In such a portable information terminal, there is a demand for improving the visibility by increasing the size of the screen as much as possible. Moreover, in such a portable information terminal, there exists a request which improves the operativity at the time of movement.

In the information processing device and the pointing device described in Patent Document 1, an input tool on a display is operated by combining a tablet arranged on the back side of the display and a selection switch arranged on the side of the display. With such a configuration, the position detection unit and the display unit are arranged on different surfaces, thereby improving the visibility. In addition, when the information processing apparatus is operated with one hand, the input tool can be easily moved and clicked without changing the information processing apparatus, and the operability can be improved.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-39093

  By the way, the portable information terminal has not only the use for viewing and taking it outdoors, but also the use for installing and viewing on a table called a cradle indoors. The cradle generally has a role of charging the portable information terminal and a role of transferring recorded program data to the portable information terminal. When a portable information terminal is installed in a cradle and a program is viewed, the user is usually facing the display of the portable information terminal.

  However, in the information processing device and the pointing device described in Patent Document 1, since the position detection unit for inputting an operation from the user is disposed on the back side of the display, the portable information terminal is installed in the cradle and the program is viewed. In some cases, it is necessary for the user to stop viewing the program and move to the back side of the portable information terminal or turn the portable information terminal over to perform the operation. Therefore, there is a problem that the operability when the portable information terminal is installed in the cradle and the program is viewed is poor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information system and a portable information terminal that can appropriately change the operating environment in accordance with the usage status of the portable information terminal.

  In order to solve the above problems, a portable information system according to an aspect of the present invention is a portable information system including a portable information terminal and a table on which the portable information terminal is installed. The portable information terminal is based on image data. A display unit that displays an image, a front sensor unit that detects a user operation on the same surface as the display unit of the portable information terminal, and a user operation on the rear surface that is the surface opposite to the display unit of the portable information terminal A back sensor unit; a connection state detection unit that detects a connection state with the base; and a control unit that enables an operation on the same surface as the display unit or an operation on the back surface based on the connection state.

  Preferably, the control unit selects the operation on the same surface as the display unit when the portable information terminal is connected to the table, and enables the operation on the rear surface when the portable information terminal is not connected to the table. To do.

  Preferably, the control unit enables the operation on the same surface as the display unit when the portable information terminal is not connected to the stand and the operation on the back surface is not performed for a predetermined period.

  Preferably, the control unit outputs image data of a pointer representing a position pointed to by the user on the rear surface to the display unit when the operation on the rear surface is validated.

  Preferably, the stand supplies a voltage to the portable information terminal in order to charge the portable information terminal, and the connection state detection unit detects a connection state with the stand depending on whether or not the voltage is supplied.

  In order to solve the above problems, a portable information terminal according to an aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image based on image data, and a front surface that detects a user operation on the same plane as the display unit of the portable information terminal. A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state between a sensor unit, a back sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the back side opposite to the display unit of the portable information terminal, and a table on which the portable information terminal is installed; A control unit that enables either an operation on the same surface as the display unit or an operation on the back surface based on the connection state.

  Preferably, the control unit selects the operation on the same surface as the display unit when the portable information terminal is connected to the table, and enables the operation on the rear surface when the portable information terminal is not connected to the table. To do.

  Preferably, the control unit enables the operation on the same surface as the display unit when the portable information terminal is not connected to the stand and the operation on the back surface is not performed for a predetermined period.

  Preferably, the control unit outputs image data of a pointer representing a position pointed to by the user on the rear surface to the display unit when the operation on the rear surface is validated.

  Preferably, the stand supplies a voltage to the portable information terminal in order to charge the portable information terminal, and the connection state detection unit detects a connection state with the stand depending on whether or not the voltage is supplied.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately change the operating environment according to the usage status of the portable information terminal.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a portable information terminal (viewer) in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.1 (b) is the schematic of the cradle in the portable information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  A portable information system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a portable information terminal 100 and a cradle 101.

  The portable information terminal 100 includes a front panel 1 and a back panel 2. The portable information terminal 100 can be attached to and detached from the cradle 101.

  The front panel 1 has a function as a display, and displays moving images and still images. The front panel 1 has a function as a touch panel, and is a part where the user operates the portable information terminal 100. Here, the touch panel is a device that gives an instruction to the portable information terminal 100 by detecting the position touched by the user's finger and specifying the position on the display.

  The back panel 2 has a function as a touch panel, and is a part where the user operates the portable information terminal 100.

  When cradle 101 is electrically connected to portable information terminal 100, cradle 101 supplies voltage to portable information terminal 100 to charge portable information terminal 100.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3, portable information terminal 100 further includes an input switching unit 13, a control unit 14, a connection state detection unit 16, and a rechargeable battery unit 17.

  The front panel 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a front sensor unit 11 and a display unit 15 in FIG. Further, the back panel 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes the back sensor unit 12 in FIG.

  The cradle 101 includes a power supply unit 21.

  When portable information terminal 100 is connected to cradle 101, power supply unit 21 supplies voltage to rechargeable battery unit 17 of portable information terminal 100 to charge rechargeable battery unit 17.

  The front sensor unit 11 detects a user operation on the front panel 1 and outputs front user operation information to the input switching unit 13.

  The back sensor unit 12 detects a user operation on the back panel 2 and outputs back user operation information to the input switching unit 13.

  Based on the switching command received from the control unit 14, the input switching unit 13 selects either the front user operation information or the rear user operation information and outputs it to the control unit 14.

  The control unit 14 generates image data representing an image to be displayed based on either the front user operation information or the rear user operation information received from the input switching unit 13 and outputs the image data to the display unit 15. The control unit 14 also performs control other than the generation of image data such as data processing and communication with other devices based on either the front user operation information or the rear user operation information received from the input switching unit 13. .

  The display unit 15 displays an image based on the image data received from the control unit 14.

  The connection state detection unit 16 detects the connection state between the portable information terminal 100 and the cradle 101 based on whether or not a voltage is received from the power supply unit 21 of the cradle 101, and whether or not the portable information terminal 100 is connected to the cradle 101. Is output to the control unit 14.

  Here, the control unit 14 receives the connection state information from the connection state detection unit 16, and when the portable information terminal 100 is connected to the cradle 101, the control unit 14 sends a switching command representing the front user operation information to the input switching unit 13. Output. In addition, when the portable information terminal 100 is not connected to the cradle 101, the control unit 14 outputs a switching command representing the rear user operation information to the input switching unit 13.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where portable information terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed from cradle 101 and carried.

  In this case, since the connection state detection unit 16 does not receive a voltage from the power supply unit 21 of the cradle 101, the control unit 14 outputs a switching command representing the rear user operation information to the input switching unit 13. That is, the control unit 14 enables the user operation on the rear panel 2. Therefore, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user operates using the back surface of the portable information terminal 100 while holding the portable information terminal 100 with one hand as shown in FIG. Since the program can be viewed on the front panel 1 without being hidden by the user's hand, operability and visibility can be improved.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where portable information terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed in cradle 101.

  In this case, since the portable information terminal 100 is connected to the cradle 101, the control unit 14 outputs a switching command representing the rear user operation information to the input switching unit 13. That is, the control unit 14 enables the user operation on the front panel 1. Therefore, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user can operate using the front panel 1 of the portable information terminal 100 while viewing the program on the front panel 1 as shown in FIG. Therefore, operability and convenience can be improved.

  Then, since the portable information terminal 100 is connected to the cradle 101, the control unit 14 outputs a switching command representing the front user operation information to the input switching unit 13, and then the user operation on the rear panel 2 is performed for a predetermined period. If not, a switching command representing the front user operation information is output to the input switching unit 13.

  Therefore, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the portable information terminal 100 is used while being placed on a desk while being removed from the cradle 101 and being carried, the back panel 2 of the portable information terminal 100 is used. It is possible to prevent the problem that the portable information terminal 100 cannot be operated because it cannot be used.

  Further, when the connection state detection unit 16 does not receive a voltage from the power supply unit 21 of the cradle 101, the control unit 14 generates image data such as a pointer indicating the position pointed to by the user on the rear panel 2, and displays the image data. To the unit 15.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the portable information terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed from the cradle 101 and carried and the pointer is displayed on the front panel 1.

  With reference to the figure, the position on the front panel 1 corresponding to the position pointed to by the user on the back panel 2 is represented by a pointer.

  Therefore, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, even when the user is operating using the back surface of the portable information terminal 100, the user can grasp the movement of his / her finger by the movement of the pointer, The operability can be improved.

  By the way, the information processing apparatus and the pointing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 have a problem that the operability when a portable information terminal is installed in a cradle and a program is viewed is poor. However, in portable information terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, whether connection state detection unit 16 receives a voltage from power supply unit 21 of cradle 101, that is, the connection state between portable information terminal 100 and cradle 101. Is detected. When the portable information terminal 100 and the cradle 101 are connected, the control unit 14 selects the front user operation information via the input switching unit 13 and validates the user operation on the front panel 1. Therefore, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user can operate using the front panel 1 of the portable information terminal 100 while viewing the program on the front panel 1, so that the operability and convenience are improved. It is possible to improve the performance.

  Further, when the portable information terminal 100 and the cradle 101 are not connected, the control unit 14 selects the back user operation information via the input switching unit 13 and validates the user operation on the back panel 2. Therefore, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user operates using the back of the portable information terminal 100 while holding the portable information terminal 100 with one hand, and the front panel 1 is hidden by the user's hand. Therefore, since the program can be viewed on the front panel 1, operability and visibility can be improved.

  As described above, in the portable information system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the operating environment can be appropriately changed according to the usage status of the portable information terminal.

[Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and includes, for example, the following modifications.

(1) Cradle 101
The cradle 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to supply a voltage to the portable information terminal 100 to charge the portable information terminal 100 when electrically connected to the portable information terminal 100. It is not limited.

  Any table may be used as long as the portable information terminal 100 is installed, and the cradle 101 may be a table having a function of transferring recorded program data to the portable information terminal 100 instead of the charging function.

(2) Detection of connection state of portable information terminal 100 and cradle 101 In portable information terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, connection state detection unit 16 receives voltage from power supply unit 21 of cradle 101 or not. However, the connection state between the portable information terminal 100 and the cradle 101 is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Any method may be used as long as the connection state with the cradle 101 can be detected in the portable information terminal 100. For example, the connection surface of the portable information terminal 100 and the cradle 101 has an uneven portion, and the portable information terminal 100 has the cradle 101. In a state where the two are fitted together, the connection state detection unit 16 can detect the fitting state, that is, the connection state.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

(A) is the schematic of the portable information terminal (viewer) in the portable information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (B) is the schematic of the cradle in the portable information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the portable information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which is carrying the portable information terminal 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which has installed the portable information terminal 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention in the cradle. It is a figure which shows the state in which the pointer is displayed on the front panel.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front panel, 2 Back panels, 11 Front sensor part, 12 Back sensor part, 13 Input switching part, 14 Control part, 15 Display part, 16 Connection state detection part, 17 Rechargeable battery part, 21 Power supply part, 100 Portable information terminal, 101 Cradle.

Claims (8)

A portable information system comprising a portable information terminal and a table on which the portable information terminal is installed,
The portable information terminal
A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data;
A front sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the same surface as the display unit of the portable information terminal;
A back sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the back surface of the portable information terminal opposite to the display unit;
A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state with the table;
A control unit that enables either an operation on the same surface as the display unit or an operation on the back surface based on the connection state;
The control unit enables an operation on the same surface as the display unit when the portable information terminal is connected to the table, and the back surface when the portable information terminal is not connected to the table. Mobile information system that enables operations in
A portable information system comprising a portable information terminal and a table on which the portable information terminal is installed,
The portable information terminal
A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data;
A front sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the same surface as the display unit of the portable information terminal;
A back sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the back surface of the portable information terminal opposite to the display unit;
A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state with the table;
A control unit that enables either an operation on the same surface as the display unit or an operation on the back surface based on the connection state;
The said control part is a portable information system which validates operation on the same surface as the said display part, when the said portable information terminal is not connected to the said board | substrate, and operation in the said back surface is not for a predetermined period.
3. The portable information system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs image data of a pointer representing a position pointed to by the user on the back surface to the display unit when the operation on the back surface is validated.
The stand supplies a voltage to the portable information terminal to charge the portable information terminal,
Portable information system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection status detecting unit detects a connection state between the base depending on the presence or absence of the supply of the voltage.
A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data;
A front sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the same surface as the display unit of the portable information terminal;
A back sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the back surface of the portable information terminal opposite to the display unit;
A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state with a table on which the portable information terminal is installed;
A control unit that enables either an operation on the same surface as the display unit or an operation on the back surface based on the connection state;
The control unit enables an operation on the same surface as the display unit when the portable information terminal is connected to the table, and the back surface when the portable information terminal is not connected to the table. Mobile information terminal that enables operations in
A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data;
A front sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the same surface as the display unit of the portable information terminal;
A back sensor unit for detecting a user operation on the back surface of the portable information terminal opposite to the display unit;
A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state with a table on which the portable information terminal is installed;
A control unit that enables either an operation on the same surface as the display unit or an operation on the back surface based on the connection state;
The said control part is a portable information terminal which validates operation on the same surface as the said display part, when the said portable information terminal is not connected to the said board | substrate and operation in the said back surface has not been for a predetermined period.
7. The portable information terminal according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit outputs image data of a pointer representing a position pointed to by the user on the back surface to the display unit when the operation on the back surface is validated. 8.
The stand supplies a voltage to the portable information terminal to charge the portable information terminal,
The portable information terminal according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection state detection unit detects a connection state with the base based on whether or not the voltage is supplied.

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