JPH0675739A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the documents, the graphs and the full color natural pictures with the suitable picture quality while maintaining portability. CONSTITUTION:A display device 22 is joined to the right side of a display device 20 via a hinge 30 so that both display devices can be folded together. Meanwhile a display device 24 is joined to the left side of the device 20 via the hinges 34 and 36 as well as a coupling plate 32 of the width equal to the thickness of the device 22 so that device 24 can be folded toward the device 20. A keyboard 26 is joined to the left side of a digitizer tablet 28 via a hinge so that the keyboard 26 can be folded in the back face direction of the tablet 28. A rising part 40 having the height equal to the total thickness of both devices 22 and 24 is provided on the back of the tablet 28, and the device 20 is connected to the upper end of the part 40 via a hinge 42.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that is small like a laptop computer and is also suitable as a communication terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a computer is downsized and its processing capability is improved, image compression and transmission techniques are also improved, and natural image communication is becoming practical.

A computer called a workstation has also been downsized, and a laptop computer has been commercialized. As a display device for laptops,
A liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a conventional example of a laptop workstation. A housing 16 having a flat display device 14 such as a liquid crystal display device is connected to a housing 12 having an operation panel 10 such as a keyboard by a hinge 18 so that the housing 16 can be folded small as shown in FIG.

With the development of image display technology, it is possible to set one or more sub-screens on the screen of the display device 14 and to allocate each sub-screen to a separate application program under a multitasking operation system. For example, on one sub-screen, the video from the communication party by video conference or videophone is displayed,
Documents processed by the user (database search results, created documents, graphics, etc.) can be displayed on the remaining part.

[0006]

As described above, the image processing,
In order to enable the image processing of the color natural image, the display means must have the display capability of the color natural image. On the other hand, when displaying information consisting of only characters such as a document, it is desirable that the information is monochrome and high definition. As described above, the required specifications are different between the color natural image and the display of character information.

In a flat-panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device, the ability to express characters and the like with high resolution and the ability to display a natural color image conflict with each other, and either one must be sacrificed. For example, a display device having a display capability of a natural color image at the expense of resolution is used, or a display device having a certain resolution and a limited color reproduction capability and gradation expression capability is used, and an image such as dither is displayed. Whether to display a natural image in a pseudo manner by processing.

Assuming that this is halfway, a display device having a full color display capability (for example, a color CRT display device) is prepared, and a full color natural image is
A configuration using the separately provided display device is conceivable. However, this diminishes the portability, which is one of the advantages of laptops.

Further, for image processing and simple operation,
A simple pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse is not enough, and an operating means or an information inputting means having a drawing function such as a digitizer tablet is required. External connection of the digitizer tablet reduces portability.

It is an object of the present invention to present an information processing device that eliminates such inconvenience.

[0011]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises two or more image display means and at least one or more operation input means, which are foldably connected. And

[0012]

By the above means, it becomes possible to output images having different properties such as a character image and a full-color natural image to the image display means suitable for each. Since each means is foldably connected, it can be easily and safely carried by folding.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in a completely unfolded state, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view in a completely folded state. 5 to 9 are perspective views showing a process of shifting from the folded state shown in FIG. 4 to the deployed state shown in FIG.

This embodiment comprises three flat type display devices 20, 22, 24, a keyboard 26, and a digitizer tablet 28 as a coordinate input device, which are stacked in a folded state as shown in FIG. Are connected to each other so as to be in a state.

The display device 22 is rotatably connected to the right side of the display device 20 via a hinge 30, and the display device 24 is connected to the left side of the display device 20 by a connecting plate 3 having a width corresponding to the thickness of the display device 22.
2 and two hinges 34 and 36 are rotatably connected. That is, the display devices 20, 22, 24
Are interconnected like a three-sided mirror.

The keyboard 26 includes a digitizer / tablet 28, and a hinge 38 on the left side of the digitizer / tablet 28.
The tablet 28 is connected so as to be rotatable in the back surface direction. Behind the digitizer tablet 28, a rising portion 40 having a height corresponding to the total thickness of the display devices 22 and 24 is provided, and the display device 20 is rotatably connected to the upper end thereof via a hinge 42.

As the display devices 20, 22, 24, those having different display capabilities with respect to resolution, gradation and expression color are used in combination. For example, the display device 20 is a high-definition monochrome display device, the display device 22 is a color medium-definition display device, and the display device 2
A full color low definition display device is used as 4.

In this way, according to the contents to be displayed, that is, the character, still image, moving image, monochrome / color of the image, and the gradation and expression color in the case of color,
You can freely select the output destination that suits each. For example, the display device 20 displays characters, the display device 22 displays colors of graphs and figures, and the display device 24 displays full-color natural images. Of course, it is assumed that the internal CPU or operating system has a function of designating any one (or logically, two or more) of a plurality of output destinations as the console output.

Needless to say, the display device 2
The specifications of 0, 22, and 24 do not have to be all different, and even if one of them has a different specification from the other two, the display function can be greatly improved.

Although the keyboard 26 and the digitizer tablet 28 are provided as the operation input means, they may both be a keyboard or both may be digitizer tablets. Other operation input means such as a touch panel may be combined.

The expansion method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard 26 folded so as to be in contact with the back surface of the digitizer tablet 28 is moved around the hinge 38 as indicated by the symbol A.
Rotate 0 degrees. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 6 is obtained, and the operation surface of the keyboard 26 faces upward.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the display devices 20, 22, and 24 are integrally rotated in the direction indicated by the reference numeral B about the hinge 42 by a predetermined angle. The display device 20 is stopped by a mechanism (not shown) while being rotated by a predetermined angle. From here, the display device 24 is opened to the left, as indicated by symbol C in FIG. This causes the display screen of the display device 24 to appear. Next, as indicated by reference numeral D in FIG.
Open to the right. Accordingly, the display devices 20, 2
The display screen No. 2 appears, and the expanded state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

In the reverse process, the folded state shown in FIG. 1 can be folded to the folded state shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the keyboard 26 is folded on the back side of the digitizer tablet 28, but it goes without saying that it may be folded on the front side.
In that case, the rising portion 40 may be further raised by the thickness of the keyboard 28.

The folding direction (or unfolding direction) of the display devices 20, 22, 24, the keyboard 26 and the digitizer tablet 28 is not limited to the illustrated example. That is, the folding direction (or the unfolding direction) is a design problem and may be any of the front, rear, left, and right directions. However,
The display screens of the display devices 20, 22, 24, and the keyboard 26 and the digitizer tablet 28, particularly the operation surface of the digitizer tablet 28, are preferably not exposed to the outside in the folded state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in a developed state. This embodiment differs from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 in that there are two display devices and the keyboard is folded on the operating surface of the digitizer tablet.

That is, this embodiment comprises two flat type display devices 50 and 52, a keyboard 56 and a digitizer tablet 58 as a coordinate input device. The display device 52 is the display device 5.
It is rotatably connected to the right side of 0 through a hinge 60. The keyboard 56 is a digitizer tablet 58.
Is connected to the left side of the digitizer via a hinge 62 so as to be rotatable in the operation surface direction of the digitizer tablet 58. Behind the digitizer tablet 58, a rising portion 64 having a height corresponding to the entire thickness of the display device 52 and the keyboard 56 is provided, and the display device 50 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the rising portion 64 via a hinge 66. .

As the display devices 50 and 52, display devices having different display capabilities with respect to resolution, gradation and expression color can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a high definition black and white display device is used as the display device 50, and a full color low definition display device is used as the display device 52. Of course, display devices having the same display capability may be used, and then the display capability can be simply doubled as compared with the case of a single display device.

When folding the embodiment shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard 56 is rotated about the hinge 62 (reference numeral K) so that the operation surface thereof overlaps the operation surface of the digitizer tablet 58 (reference numeral K), and the display device 52 is displayed.
Is rotated about the hinge 60 so that its display screen overlaps with the display screen of the display device 50 (reference J). Then, the overlapping display devices 50 and 52 are attached to the hinge 6
When it is tilted toward the front with 6 at the center, it is completely folded into the folded state shown in FIG.

The number of display devices and the number of operating means such as keyboards and digitizer tablets are independent of each other and can be selected independently. The partner to be connected by the hinge is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the keyboard and the display device may be connected by a hinge.

Next, an embodiment suitable for a video conference or video telephone terminal will be described. FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the embodiment in a developed state.

A flat display device 102 is incorporated on the surface of the main body 100, and a transparent digitizer tablet 104 for inputting coordinates is arranged on the display device 102. Display device 102
Has a resolution suitable for displaying a still image. It is preferable to have a full-color display capability, but full-color pseudo display may be used. 106 is an input pen for the transparent digitizer tablet 104. The input coordinates of the transparent digitizer tablet 104 correspond to the coordinates on the display screen of the display device 102.

A keyboard 108 is provided at the right end of the main body 100.
The operation panel 110 including the above is connected via a hinge 112. That is, the operation panel 112 is rotatable in the direction indicated by reference numeral 114 by the hinge 112 and can be folded on the transparent digitizer tablet 104.

The main body 100 further has a microphone 116, a speaker 118, and a floppy disk drive device 120 incorporated therein.

On the inner surface of the lid 122 that covers the main body 100,
Second display device 124 and video camera 126
Is built in. The display device 124 has a full color natural image display capability.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 in a completely folded state, FIG. 15 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the folded state, and FIG. 16 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the unfolded state.
Reference numeral 128 is a support shaft that rotatably connects the lid 122 to the main body 100.

In the folded state, as shown in FIG. 14, the display device 102, the transparent digitizer tablet 104, the display device 124, the camera 126, the speaker 118, and the floppy disk drive device 120.
Since is hidden in a position that is not exposed to the outside, it is less likely to be damaged or destroyed by an external force, and is excellent in portability. The operation panel 110 and the lid 122 are shown in FIG.
In the folded state shown in (3), it is locked by a lock mechanism (not shown).

When the operation panel 110 and the lid 122 are unfolded from the folded state shown in FIG. 14 to the unfolded state shown in FIG. 13, the keyboard 108 becomes operable, and the transparent digitizer tablet 104 and the display devices 102, 1 are placed.
24 is ready for use.

FIG. 17 shows a configuration diagram when this embodiment is used as a communication terminal of a video conference system. 130
Is a communication terminal in which the encoding / decoding and communication control circuit 132 is incorporated in the information processing apparatus described with reference to FIGS. Of course, the communication terminal 130 may be a larger and faster device than the information processing device described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16.

The communication terminal 130 is connected to the communication line 134 via the encoding / decoding / communication control circuit 132, and the encoding / decoding / communication control circuit 132 and the internal line 136 are connected.
(Eg, local area network) to terminals 138, 140, 142. Terminal 138,
Reference numerals 140 and 142 are the devices described in FIGS. 1 to 16 provided with a communication function. Beyond the communication line 134,
A similar or different terminal for a video conference connects. A wireless communication system including optical space propagation can be used for the internal line 136.

Peripheral devices such as a document camera, a microphone, a speaker, an image scanner and a printer for capturing a still image can be connected to the encoding / decoding and communication control circuit 132.

The terminal 130 mutually communicates moving images, still images, voice and data via the line 134. The terminal 130 selectively displays the received image and the document or video processed by the terminal itself on the display devices 102 and 124. For example, the display device 124 displays a moving image received from a communication partner, and the display device 102 exclusively displays still images, for example, received still images, documents processed by its own station, figures and graphs, and a database. The search result (for example, information about the communication partner) is displayed. The terminal 130 transfers the information received via the line 134 to the terminals 138 to 142 via the internal line 136, and the information is similarly output to each terminal 138.

In a video conference, a conference is usually held while referring to still images such as graphs and figures. In this embodiment, the point instruction and the writing to the transparent digitizer / tablet 104 are displayed on the display device 102 as they are on the still image already displayed, and also to the communication partner and the internal line via the communication line 134. Is transmitted to the terminals 138 to 142 via the, and is similarly displayed by being superimposed on the still image at each terminal.

The still image may be a graphic image such as a graph or a graphic or a text image in addition to the full-color natural image, and includes all information exchanged when proceeding with the conference.

The display device 102 may display control commands for operating the video conference system. Control commands can be selected by the digitizer tablet 104 and the pen 106, which improves operability.

The keyboard 108 is used, for example, for inputting general-purpose instructions such as initial setting and line connection for operating programs. It goes without saying that various data and control information can be input by using a floppy disk.

FIG. 18 shows a usage state diagram of an embodiment in which a telephone handset and a facsimile function are added to the embodiment shown in FIG. The telephone handset 144 is stored in the storage chamber 146 when not in use. When it is desired to use it, the lid 148 is opened and the container 146 is taken out. A facsimile device 150 (specifically, an image scanner and a printer) is incorporated in the operation panel 110. The telephone handset 144 enables a call using only normal voice, and the facsimile device 150 enables a facsimile transmission / reception.

[0049]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, various kinds of information can be properly displayed with the required display ability (for example, resolution, color expression color and gradation). It can be displayed and can be made compact as a whole. That is, it is possible to provide an information processing device which has excellent information display ability and is easy to carry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a developed state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional example in a folded state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a folded state.

5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the middle of development.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the keyboard 26 is expanded in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the middle of development.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the display device 24 is expanded in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the display device 22 in the process of being unfolded in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 during folding or unfolding.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 in a folded state.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a usage state of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 in a folded state.

15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 in a folded state.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 in a developed state.

FIG. 17 is a connection configuration diagram in which the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is used as a terminal of a video conference system.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Operation panel 12: Housing 14: Flat display device 16: Housing 18: Hinge 20, 2
2, 24: Display device 26: Keyboard 28: Digitizer / Tablet 30: Hinge 3
2: Connection plates 34, 36: Hinge 38: Hinge 4
0: Rising part 42: Hinge 50, 52: Display device 56: Keyboard 58: Digitizer tablet 60: Hinge 62: Hinge 64: Rising part 66: Hinge 100: Main body 102: Flat display device 104: Transparent digitizer tablet 106 : Input pen 108: Keyboard 11
0: Operation panel 112: Hinge 114: Rotation direction of operation panel 110 116: Microphone 118: Speaker 12
0: Floppy disk drive device 122: Lid 12
4: Display device 126: Video camera 13
0: Communication terminal 132: Encoding / decoding and communication control circuit 134: Communication line 136: Internal line (for example, local area network) 138, 140, 14
2: Terminal 144: Telephone handset 146: Storage room 148: Lid 150: Facsimile device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 7/14 8943-5C

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Two or more image display means and at least one
An information processing apparatus comprising: three operation input means, which are foldably connected to each other. 2. A video display on at least one of the two or more image display means and the at least one operation input means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is equipped with a camera. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two or more image display means include image display means having different display capabilities. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the two or more image display means has a natural image display capability. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising coordinate input means as the operation input means. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the coordinate input means is transparent and is arranged on the display screen of the image display means. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which has a communication function with the outside.