JPH04333957A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a display part supporting means from being deformed and to improve operability and an operational feeling in the case of inputting from a touch panel by forming a face parallel to the touch panel at the back of the display part supporting means and making the display part supporting means attachable/detachable to the main body of the device. CONSTITUTION:On the upper face of a main body 3 of the device on the operator side, a keyboard 4 is provided for input operations, and a display part supporting means 1 holding an information display part for displaying information and a touch panel 5 as an input means is attachably and detachably fitted to the main body 3 of the device. The touch panel 5 is integrated into the front face of the information display part (display face) in an overlapped state. In this case, when using the touch panel 5 as the input means while detaching the display part supporting means and putting it on a desk, a user can push the touch panel 5 from the upside and the display part supporting means 1 is put in the stable state at an almost parallel back 35.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having display section support means for holding an information display section for displaying information.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of information processing devices such as computers, word processors, and image processing devices. Among the information processing devices, especially those that are portable, the display section support means that holds the information display section is folded and stored in the main body of the device, which has an input means such as a keyboard, in order to make it convenient to carry. Many are used that are integrally connected if possible. Further, in the case of a foldable type, the display support means is connected to the main body of the apparatus by an attachment mechanism that can hold it in an open position for easy viewing during use.

[0003] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional attachment mechanism of a display section support means to a main body of an apparatus. Figure 1
The attachment mechanism of No. 3 utilizes the tightening torque and loosening torque of the torsion coil spring 52, and is configured so that a greater braking force is applied when opening the display section support means 51 than when closing it. When the opening reaches a predetermined position beyond this point, a stopper or the like between the opening and the main body 54 prevents further opening. The display section support means 51 includes an information display section (display surface) 5
3, and is rotatably (openable/closed) connected to the device main body 54 by the attachment mechanism. Note that the reference numeral 57 in FIG. 13 indicates a keyboard as an input means provided in the main body 54 of the apparatus.

[0004] With the advent of such portable personal computers and word processors, the range of users has expanded, but on personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers), command input operations using the keyboard are difficult to understand. Moreover, it is necessary to memorize a large number of commands, which is an impediment to its widespread use. Therefore, in order to widen the range of users, it is necessary to eliminate difficult processing as much as possible, and as one way to do this, many modern computers use an operating environment that uses icons (illustrations). In this operating environment, when the device performs a certain process, the user selects an icon on the display screen instead of inputting symbols or characters using a keyboard or the like.

[0005] In the operating environment using the above icons,
A mouse or touch panel is used as a user interface. Here, the touch panel is attached to the front of the information display surface (information display section 53 in FIG. 13), and when the surface is pressed with a finger or pen, the coordinates of the pressed part are detected and predetermined information is displayed. It refers to the input means to be introduced. Touch panel methods include an optical type that uses a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element around the display surface, a membrane type that uses a transparent conductive film, and a pressure type that uses a pressure sensor, but the typical type is the pressure type. be.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the principle of the above-mentioned pressure-type touch panel. In the figure, pressure sensors 55 are attached at four locations around a glass plate mounted on the display surface of the information display means. It is configured to measure the partial pressure of the pressing force when the touch panel 56 formed on the surface of the glass plate is pressed, and calculate the coordinates of the pressed location based on the measured value.

On the other hand, if a mouse is used to implement an operation environment using icons (illustrations) on a portable personal computer, it is necessary to carry the mouse at all times in order to use the device (information processing device). The problem is that a sufficient area must be secured for operating the mouse.

On the other hand, the touch panel 56 has the advantage that it is built-in and does not take up much space, and is thin so that it does not affect the miniaturization of the device. Furthermore, since the touch panel 56 is generally transparent, the user can view the display surface through the touch panel even if the touch panel 56 is mounted in front of the display surface 53 (FIG. 13). It also has the advantage of being easy to operate, as it allows input by directly pressing the icon. For these reasons, personal computers using touch panels have been commercialized.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when using a touch panel in a conventional information processing device, there are the following problems to be solved. The first problem is that when the touch panel is pressed, a large moment acts on the above-mentioned holding mechanism using a spring, causing the display support means that holds the touch panel to move in the direction of the push. Furthermore, even if the display section supporting means 51 is fully opened and held against the device main body 54 as shown in FIG. 15, when the upper part of the information display section (display surface) is pressed, the moment acting on the abutting section Since this is large, the structure of the display section support means 51 is deformed. That is, in the conventional information processing apparatus, when the touch panel is pressed, the display section support means 51 moves, making input operations unstable and difficult.

[0010] Second, when using the touch panel with the display support means 51 upright, the user's arms are always suspended from the desk, making it easy to get tired.
There was a problem that it was not suitable for long-term use. Note that as a solution to the first problem, there is a method of increasing the rigidity and strength of the support part of the display part support means 51, but this method increases the size of the mechanism, which is contrary to miniaturization and weight reduction, and increases cost. , and is therefore not a preferred solution. Furthermore, the third problem is that when the display section support means 51 is opened and closed (rotated) relative to the device main body 54, the cables that electrically connect them are likely to be twisted, and this twisting must be reliably prevented. The problem was that it was difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent deformation of the display support means when using a touch panel, and improve operability and ease of inputting from the touch panel. To provide an information processing device that can improve the feeling of operation and reduce arm fatigue during operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide information processing that can reliably prevent twisting of signal transmission members such as cables for connecting the device main body and the image display section even when the display section support means is rotated. The purpose is to provide equipment.

0012

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an information processing apparatus having an information display section for displaying information and a display section support means for holding a touch panel as an input means. The above object is achieved by having a configuration in which a surface substantially parallel to the touch panel is formed, and the display portion supporting means is removably attached to the main body of the device. Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a display part support means for holding an information display part for displaying information, wherein one end of the display part support means is rotatably connected to the main body of the apparatus, and the A box-like member through which a signal transmission member passes is rotatably provided on either the device main body or the display support means, and the box-like member is detached when the display support means rotates on the other side. The above object is achieved by providing a concave portion that fits without any interference.

[0013]

Embodiment FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an information processing device to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, a keyboard 4 for input operations is provided on the upper surface of the device body 3 near the front. The device main body 3 also includes an information display section for displaying information and a touch panel 5 as an input means.
A display unit support means 1 holding a display unit is detachably attached. The touch panel 5 is an information display section (display surface)
It is built in a stacked state on the front of the. In each drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals indicate the same parts (or equivalent parts).

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the display section supporting means 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a gap is minimized between the display means 6 such as a liquid crystal display and the touch panel 5 to prevent a shift between the display position and the touch position due to parallax, and the touch panel 5 is moved in front of the display means 6 by pressing force. A packing 7 is attached so as not to come into contact with the (display surface). In addition, since stress applied to the touch panel 5 may cause malfunction, the display unit support means 1 and the touch panel 5
A packing 8 is also installed between the two. Note that a surface 35 substantially parallel to the touch panel 5 is formed on the surface (back surface) opposite to the display surface (the surface on the touch panel 5 side) of the display section support means 1 . This parallel surface 35 serves as a mounting surface (bottom surface) when the display section supporting means 1 is removed from the apparatus main body 3 and placed on a desk as described later.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a part of a removable attaching mechanism of the display section supporting means 1 to the main body 3 of the apparatus. In FIG. 3, when carrying or storing the information processing device, the display section support means 1 has a hook 9 provided on the front part,
It is held in the device main body 3 by a shaft 10 disposed at a rearward position. FIG. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the detailed structure of the hook 9. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the hook 9 is centered around a fulcrum A provided on the display support means 1, and the hook 9 is
-b, and the hook 9 is always moved in the direction of arrow b by means of springs 11 fixed at both ends to point B on the hook 9 and point C in the display support means 1. energized.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another part of the detachable attachment mechanism of the display part support means 1 to the apparatus main body 3, and at the same time, the display part support means by the shaft 10 provided on the apparatus main body 3 It is also a diagram showing the holding structure of No. 1. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the main part of FIG. 5 and 6, a shaft 10 is provided in the device main body 3, and the display section support means 1 is attached to the shaft 10 by a bearing 12 and a hook 13.
It is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow c-d about the center. The bearing 12 and the hook 13 are connected to the display section supporting means 1.
It is located on the side. Further, a lever 14 provided on the side surface of the display unit support means 1 is connected to a bar 15 and a hook 13, and when the lever 14 is moved in the direction of arrow e, the hook 13 is moved in the direction of arrow f centering on point D. Rotate to. The hook 13 is biased in the direction of arrow g by a spring 16, so that when the lever 14 is released, the hook 13 automatically returns to its original position.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of the support structure of the display section support means 1. As shown in FIG. Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the operating method when using the display section support means 1 will be explained. From the folded (closed) state of the display section support means 1, first, the hook 9 is rotated in the direction of arrow a to remove it from the recess 17 on the device main body 3 side (FIG. 4). Next, the display unit support means 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow c about the shaft 10, and the device main body 3 is rotated.
is brought into contact with the inclined portion 31 formed at a predetermined position. The display part support means 1 is held in contact with this inclined part 31, and the user can see the image display part (display surface).

In FIG. 6, when the lever 14 provided on the side surface of the display unit support means 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow e to the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line 32, the hook 13 rotates in the direction of the arrow f, Move to the position indicated by 33. In this state, only the bearing 12 provided on the display section support means 1 is connected to the shaft 10.
Since the display section support means 1 is engaged with the display section support means 1, it becomes possible to remove the display section support means 1 from the apparatus main body 3. In this way, since the display part support means 1 is made detachable from the apparatus main body 3, it becomes possible to place the display part support means 1 on a desk when using the information processing apparatus. In this case, since a surface 35 substantially parallel to the touch panel 5 is formed on the back surface of the display part support means 1, the display part support means 1 can be placed on the desk in a stable state.

FIG. 8 shows the display section support means 1 attached to the main body 3 of the apparatus.
FIG. In FIG. 8, when the display support means 1 is removed and placed on a desk and the touch panel 5 is used as an input means, the user can press the touch panel 5 from above, and the display support means 1 is Since it is placed in a stable state on the substantially parallel back surface 35, the display unit support means 1 does not bend or move, improving operability and operational feeling during input, and further, This makes it possible to reduce the strain on the user's arm during operation.

Next, the display means 6 (FIG. 2) and the apparatus main body 3 with the display section support means 1 removed from the apparatus main body 3
The electrical connection means will be explained. Figures 8 and 9
In the apparatus main body 3 and display means (liquid crystal, etc.) 6 are electrically connected using a cable 18. Therefore, in the normal state where the display part support means 1 is opened and closed on the apparatus main body 3 without removing the display part support means 1 from the apparatus main body 3, the cable 18 is connected as shown in FIG. It is housed in a main body recess 19 formed in the main body 3 of the apparatus. Further, the cable 1 connected to the display unit support means 1
The connector 20 on the apparatus main body side 8 is provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 3, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 34 indicates a connecting portion of the cable 18 on the display section supporting means 1 side. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing details of the connecting portion 34 of the cable 18 on the display unit support means 1 side, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 34 along the rotation axis, and FIG. Middle line 11-
11 is a side view taken along line 11. FIG. This connecting portion 34 is provided at the lower part of the display portion supporting means 1, that is, in the vicinity of the rotation center axis 10. In FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, the lower part of the display unit support means 1 (near the central axis of rotation 10)
A movable (rotatable) box-shaped member 21 is provided near the center of the . This box-shaped member 21 is attached so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow j-k shown in FIG. 11 about the line h-i shown in FIG. 10 as the axis. In addition, the cable 1
8 is passed through the inside of the box-shaped member 21 and introduced into the inside of the display section support means 1, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In addition, the code|symbol 22 shows the damper (grommet of a rubber-like elastic material) for cable protection mounted|worn with the cable insertion hole of the box-shaped member 21.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the movement of the box-shaped member 21 when the information processing apparatus is used and carried (not in use), that is, when the display section support means 1 is opened and closed. In FIG. 12, in the closed position where the display part support means 1 is held on the apparatus main body 3 by the hook 9, the box-shaped member 21 is approximately perpendicular to the display part support means 1 (approximately At a right angle), press the main body recess 19.
It is stored inside. In the illustrated example, the recess 19 is
As explained in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is also used to house the cable 18.

Therefore, when in use, when the hook 9 is removed and the display section support means 1 is rotated about the shaft 10 in the direction of the arrow c and brought into contact with the inclined section 51 of the device main body 3, the box-shaped member 21 moves in the direction of arrow m within the main body recess 19 while rotating in the opposite direction about the axis h-i (FIG. 10). That is, since the box-shaped member 21 is rotatably attached to the display section support means 1, even if the display section support means rotates about the shaft 10, it will simply move inside the main body recess 19. It only moves slightly in the m direction. In addition, this box-shaped member 21
is always kept in a fitted state within the main body recess 19 and never comes off from the main body recess 19. Therefore, even if the display section support means 1 is rotated, the cable 18 passing through the box-shaped member 21 as described above will not be twisted. That is, the cable connection structure as described above can prevent twisting of the cable 18 that electrically connects the control circuit of the device main body 3 and the display means 6 in the display section support means 1.

According to the embodiment described above, since the display part support means 1 is made detachable from the apparatus body 3, the display part support means 1 can be installed on a desk like the apparatus body 3 when in use. is now possible. Therefore, when the touch panel 5 is used as an input means, the touch panel 5 is pressed from above, and the display section support means 1 is not deformed. Therefore, it was possible to improve the operability and operational feeling during touch panel input. At the same time, the strain on the arm when operating the touch panel is reduced, making it possible to eliminate arm fatigue even after long periods of use.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the rotatable box-shaped member 21 is provided at the electrical connection between the display unit support means 1 and the device main body 3, and the box-shaped member 21 is inserted into the recess 19.
Since the cable 18 for electrical connection is routed through the inside of the box-shaped member 21, the cable 18 is configured so that it is always held in a fitted state within the box-shaped member 21. It is now possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of twisting. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the rotatable box-like member 21 was provided on the display unit support means 1 side, and the recess 19 for storing the box-like member 21 was provided on the device main body 3 side. Conversely, the box-like member 21 may be provided on the device main body 3 side, and the recess 19 may be formed on the display section support means 1 side.

[0026]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus having an information display section for displaying information and a display section support means for holding a touch panel as an input means, the display A surface substantially parallel to the touch panel is formed on the back surface of the display support means, and the display support means is removably attached to the main body of the device, so that deformation of the display support means when the touch panel is used is prevented. Provided is an information processing device that can prevent such problems, improve operability and operational feeling when inputting from a touch panel, and reduce arm fatigue during operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an information processing apparatus having a display part support means for holding an information display part for displaying information, one end of the display part support means is rotatable to the main body of the apparatus. A box-shaped member through which a signal transmission member passes is rotatably provided on either the device main body or the display support means, and the box-like member is rotatably connected to the display support means when the display support means rotates. Since the structure is provided with a recess into which the shaped member fits without coming off, even when the display support means is rotated, the signal transmission member such as the cable for connecting the device main body and the image display unit can be securely prevented from twisting. An information processing device capable of preventing the above is provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an information processing device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the display section support means shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a part of the attachment/detachment mechanism of the display section support means in an embodiment of the information processing device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing details of essential parts of the attachment/detachment mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of other parts of the attachment/detachment mechanism of the display unit support means in an embodiment of the information processing device to which the present invention is applied.

6 is a partial vertical sectional view showing details of the main parts of the attachment/detachment mechanism of FIG. 5; FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the opening/closing (rotating) operation of the display section support means in an embodiment of the information processing device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, showing a state of use with the display section support means removed.

9 is a perspective view showing a stored state of the signal transmission cable in the information processing device of FIG. 8; FIG.

10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of a connecting portion of a signal transmission cable in the information processing apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8; FIG.

11 is a side view taken along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 10. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the information processing device to show the operation of the cable connection section in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway external perspective view showing a configuration example of a conventional information processing device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the structure of a pressure-type touch panel.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a conventional information processing device incorporating a touch panel is in use.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Display unit support means 3 Device body 4 Keyboard 5 Touch panel 6 Display means (image display means such as liquid crystal) 9
Hook 10 Axis (rotation center of display support means) 13
Hook (for attaching and detaching display part support means) 14 Lever (for attaching and detaching display part support means) 17 Recess (for hook engagement) 18 Cable (for electrical connection) 19 Recess (for storing cable and box-shaped member) 2
1 Box-shaped member 31 Inclined part (apparatus main body) 34 Cable connection part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information processing device comprising an information display section for displaying information and a display section support means for holding a touch panel as an input means, wherein the display section support means has a surface substantially parallel to the touch panel on a back surface thereof. formed,
An information processing device characterized in that the display section support means is removable from the device main body. 2. An information processing apparatus having a display part support means for holding an information display part for displaying information, wherein one end of the display part support means is rotatably connected to the apparatus main body, and the display part support means is rotatably connected to the apparatus main body and A box-like member through which a signal transmission member passes is rotatably provided on one of the display support means, and the box-like member is fitted to the other without coming off when the display support means rotates. An information processing device characterized by having a recessed portion for recessing.