JPH09293053A - Portable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the information equipment which holds equal a feeling of the operation of an operation button provided on the same plane irrelevantly to whether a display panel is used at a longitudinal or lateral attitude. SOLUTION: This portable information equipment is installed on the same plane with g an operation button group 2 to be operated according to a screen displayed on the display panel 1 and has a longitudinal/lateral conversion means which performs the longitudinal/lateral conversion of the screen displayed on the display panel 1 so that the display panel 1 is switched between a 1st direction and a 2nd direction orthogonal to the 1st direction and used. In this case, the operation button group 2 is provided slidably along one side of the display panel 1, and the feeling of use that a user has is held equal whichever direction, the 1st or 2nd direction, the equipment used in by fixing the positions of the operation button group 2 from the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a PDA, for example.
(Personal Digital Assista
nts) and the like, which relate to portable information devices that are easy to carry, and particularly in a portable information device of a type in which a display panel and operation buttons are installed on the same plane, the display panel can be oriented in either vertical or horizontal directions. The present invention relates to a portable information device that allows the operation feeling of the operation buttons provided on the same plane to be the same even when used in.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various portable personal computers have been developed, and among these personal computers, a computer in which a display panel can be used in either a vertical or horizontal direction has appeared. There is.
Therefore, in such a personal computer,
Depending on the contents of the screen to be displayed, for example, it is possible to switch the direction of the display panel between the time of displaying the portrait form and the view of the landscape form.

In recent years, a usage pattern of information equipment called mobile computing has been rapidly spread, and along with this spread, miniaturization of information equipment has been attempted every day. The mobile computing refers to a usage pattern of an information device such as a PDA capable of performing information processing work on the move or at an arbitrary place outside, and the information device which has begun to be noticed with the improvement of communication technology in recent years. It is a usage form.

In the personal computer which has been miniaturized in this way, a display panel and operation buttons for operating according to the display screen displayed on the display panel may be provided on the same plane. Many. Further, in most of them, the operation button is fixedly provided at any place on the same plane.

Therefore, when the direction of use of the display panel is switched as described above in such an information device, that is, when the direction of the device body is changed, the user performs an operation operation. Since the position of the operation button fluctuates greatly, the operation feeling is significantly changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the display panel 31 provided in the main body of the information device is used in a horizontal orientation, and when the display panel 31 is used in a vertical orientation as shown in FIG. Then, since the position of the operation button 32 moves from the upper right to the upper left or from the upper left to the upper right, it is not possible to secure the sameness of operation feeling for the user.

Further, when the operation button 32 is provided with a plurality of buttons such as scroll keys on the mounting surface, the vertical and horizontal positional relationship of the mounting surface itself is switched, which is convenient for the user. It made me feel bad.

[0007]

As described above, in recent miniaturized personal computers, it is possible to use the personal computer by switching the display direction of the display screen on the display panel to either vertical or horizontal. Exists, but
In a personal computer in which the display panel and the operation button are installed on the same plane, the position of the operation button changes when changing the direction of the display panel, which impairs the sense of operation. There was a problem such as.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a portable information device of a type in which a display panel and operation buttons are installed on the same plane, the display panel is either vertically or horizontally. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information device that allows the operation feeling of the operation buttons provided on the same plane to be the same even when used in the direction.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a display panel and an operation button group for operating according to a screen displayed on the display panel are installed on the same plane,
The display panel includes vertical-horizontal conversion means for vertical-horizontal conversion of a screen displayed on the display panel so as to switch the display panel between a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for use. In the portable information device, the operation button is slidably provided along any one side of the display panel.

In the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a display panel 1 and an operation button group 2 for operating based on a screen displayed on the display panel 1 are provided on the same plane of the information equipment main body. When installed on the top, the operation button group 2 is configured to be slidable along one side of the display panel 1. Then, the user can use the display panel 1 of the information device thus configured in the horizontally long direction shown in FIG. 1A and in the vertically long direction shown in FIG. 1B. , The operation button group 2 is slid to change the position on the information device.

Therefore, when the user uses this information device in the direction shown in FIG.
Even when used in the direction shown in (b), since the operation button group 2 can be arranged at the upper right of the information device, it is possible to ensure the sameness of operation feeling and its usability is very good.

Further, according to the present invention, the operation button group is
At least a forward scroll button for scrolling the display screen in the forward direction and a reverse scroll button for scrolling in the reverse direction are provided on the mounting surface thereof, and the mounting surface is rotatably provided at the end of the slidable path. It is characterized by

Usually, in the information device as described above, a forward scroll key for scrolling the screen displayed on the display panel in the forward direction (including page-up) and a reverse scroll key for scrolling in the reverse direction are operated. It is provided as a button. Here, it is assumed that these scroll keys are arranged vertically, for example. In this case, if these scroll keys are fixedly installed in the information device body, or if they can be slid, but if they are simply slid in the same direction, If they are replaced with each other, on the other hand, these scroll keys are arranged side by side.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the operation button group consisting of a plurality of scroll keys is slid as described above, the operation button group itself is rotatably arranged at the end of the operation button group so that the user can use it. When you do
Make sure that the operation buttons are always in the same direction. Therefore, the user can always obtain the same feeling of use regardless of the direction of use of the information device body. Further, the present invention is not limited to the scroll key and is effective when a plurality of operation buttons are installed.

Further, the present invention further comprises detection means for detecting at which end of the slidable path the operation button group is located, and the vertical / horizontal conversion means is based on the detection result of the detection means. The screen displayed on the display panel is vertically and horizontally converted.

In the present invention, the vertical / horizontal conversion instruction of the screen to be displayed on the display panel is performed by moving the arrangement position of the operation button. That is, for example, when the operation button is moved from one end of the slidable path to the other end, the detection means detects the movement of the operation button. Then, when the detecting means detects the movement of the operation button, the vertical / horizontal converting means converts the screen displayed on the display panel to horizontal / vertical. As a result, the user can perform the procedure of switching the direction of the display panel by moving the operation button, and the usability thereof is dramatically improved.

[0017]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a portable information device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
In the portable information device of this embodiment, a display panel 1 and a display button group 2 for operating according to a screen displayed on the display panel 1 are provided on the same plane, and the operation is performed. The button group 2 is configured to be slidable along one side of the display panel 1. Further, detection switches 3a and 3b for detecting whether or not the operation button group 2 is located are provided at respective ends of a path along which the operation button group 2 can slide.

FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of a portable information device having such an appearance. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable information device of this embodiment includes a CPU 11, a system controller 12, a system memory 13, and a ROM 1.
4, a keyboard controller (KBC) 15, an interrupt controller 16, a display controller 17 and a video memory (VRAM) 18.

The CPU 11 and the system memory 13
The CPU local bus 11A is connected to the CPU local bus 11A, and the CPU local bus 11A is connected to the system bus 11B via a bus conversion circuit in the system controller 12. A ROM 14, a keyboard controller (KBC) 15, a display controller 17, etc. are connected to the system bus 11B.

The system controller 12 is a gate array for controlling memories and I / O in the system. The system memory 13 includes an operating system for controlling the information equipment, application programs (including utility programs) to be processed,
It also stores user data created by application programs.

The ROM 14 is for storing the above-mentioned operating system system and the like, and is constituted by a flash memory or the like so that the program can be rewritten in some cases.

Keyboard controller (KBC) 15
When the operation button group 2 is operated by the user, the operation contents are held internally as information, and the interrupt controller 16 is notified that the operation is performed. Interrupt controller 1 that received this notification
6 notifies the CPU 11 that the operation button group 2 has been operated by generating an interrupt, while C
When receiving this interrupt, the PU 11 reads the information held in the keyboard controller (KBC) 15 to acquire the operation content. The interrupt controller 16 is a keyboard controller (KBC) 15
In addition to the notification from, the notifications from the detection switches 3a and 3b are also received. Therefore, when the operation button group 2 slides from the end on the detection switch 3a side to the end on the detection switch 3b side, a notification of a state change from ON to OFF from the detection switch 3a and an OFF from the detection switch 3b. Will receive a notification of a state change from on to
Similarly, the fact is notified to the CPU 11 by generating an interrupt.

The display controller 17 is for controlling the display of the display panel 1, and includes the CPU local bus 1
Display data is received from the CPU 11 via 1A and written in the video memory (VRAM) 18. Also,
The display controller 17 also performs vertical / horizontal conversion of a screen displayed on the display panel 1 which is a premise of the present invention in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a lock mechanism for fixing the operation button group 2 at the end of the slidable path. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation button group 2 is provided with a lock eject button 21 and various operation buttons 22 on its mounting surface. Then, normally, the lock eject button 21 is pushed up by the spring 23, and the tip of the shaft is locked at the end of the path by this pushing up. On the other hand, the user operates this operation button group 2
When moving to the other end, the operation button group 2 is slid to move to the other side while the lock eject button 21 is pressed, that is, in a state where the lock can be released. At this time, the detection switches 3a and 3b installed at both ends detect the movement, and notify the effect to the CP via the interrupt controller 16.
Notify U11.

FIG. 4 shows a first configuration example of the operation button group 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation button group 2 comprises a plurality of tact switches 24 provided on a print substrate 25 laid inside, and a member made of, for example, rubber or the like placed thereon. It is configured to be turned on / off by pressing 26. The tact switch 24 is turned on / off when the print substrate 25 is turned on.
The keyboard controller (KBC) 15 is notified by the dedicated signal line derived from the above, and is further notified to the CPU 11 via the interrupt controller 16.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an operation procedure for switching the display panel between the vertical and horizontal directions in the information equipment having such a configuration will be described. When switching the display direction of the screen to be displayed on the display panel, the user unlocks the operation button group 2 and slides and moves it to the other end (step S1). At this time, both detection switches 3
Each of a and 3b notifies the interrupt controller 16 of the change in its state (step S2). At this time, one of the detection switches will notify the interrupt controller 16 of the state change from on to off, and the other detection switch will notify the interrupt controller 16 of the state change from off to on. . Then, the interrupt controller 16 that has received this notification notifies the CPU 11 of that fact by generating an interrupt (step S3).

When the interrupt is generated, the CPU 11 recognizes the movement of the operation button group 2, that is, the request for switching the display direction, and instructs the display controller 17 to switch the display direction of the screen on the display panel 1. (Step S4).

As a result, the user can instruct the switching of the direction of the display screen 1 also as the movement of the operation button group 2, and the operation feeling of the operation buttons can be kept constant.
Its usability is very good. The vertical / horizontal switching timing of the display screen may be immediately notified by one of the detection switches notifying of a state change from on to off, or by the other notifying of a state change from off to on. Good. Alternatively, it may be performed based on both notifications.

Further, in the case where the operation button group 2 has a forward scroll button for scrolling the screen displayed on the display panel 1 in the forward direction and a reverse scroll button for scrolling in the reverse direction on its mounting surface. If the operation button group 2 itself is rotatably arranged at at least one end (in the case where a plurality of buttons are provided on the mounting surface), the user can operate at the end of one end and at the other end. When located at the end, the button operation is not impaired (for example, what should be arranged above and below is always arranged above and below), and its usability is further improved.

In FIGS. 6 to 8, the second operation button group 2 is shown.
Is shown. In the operation switch group 2 shown in FIG. 4, the print board 25 is laid inside and the tact switch 24 is installed on the laid print board 25. On the other hand, in this second configuration example, the print board 25 and the tact switch 24 are arranged at the end of the path along which the operation button group 2 can slide, while the operation button group configured to be slidable is arranged. 2 includes a member 26 for pressing the tact switch 24.
Only installed. In this case, as it is, the tact switch 24 is always exposed at the end of the route on the side where the operation button group 2 is not located. Therefore, for example, when the operation button group 2 is not located, the cover 27 is spring-loaded. It is preferable that the tactile switch 24 is pushed out by 23 to cover the tactile switch 24 and the cover 27 is pushed into the housing of the information device by the operation button group 2 when the operation button group 2 slides. Even in this configuration, the operation button group 2 is moved only when the detection switches 3 installed at both ends are moved.
C via the interrupt controller 16 by a and 3b
The PU 11 will be notified.

Now, on the mounting surface of the operation button group 2 having such a configuration, four operation buttons 2 as shown in FIG. 7 are provided.
2a to 22d are installed. In this case, FIG.
In the operation button group 2 having the configuration shown in (1), the positional relationship is changed unless the operation button group 2 itself is rotated at the end of the slidable path. For example, when the information device is used horizontally, the switches 22a and 22c are arranged vertically and the switches 22b and 22d are arranged horizontally, and when the information device is switched vertically, Switch 22 as it is
a and the switch 22c are arranged on the left and right, and the switch 22
b and the switch 22d are arranged vertically.

On the other hand, in the second configuration example, the member 2 of the operation buttons 22a to 22d installed on the operation button group 2 is used.
The tact switch 2 on the main body of the apparatus provided corresponding to 6
If the assignment of 4 is changed in advance, it is not necessary to rotate the operation button group 2 itself. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, if the tact switches 24a to 24d are arranged at the respective ends of the route, the tact switches are used in the direction shown in FIG. 8 (a) and in the direction shown in FIG. 8 (b). In both cases (the operation switch group 2 is located on the upper right side in both cases), the tact switches 24a to 24d are arranged in the same manner, and the user does not rotate the operation switch group 2 regardless of the direction of use. The same operation can be performed.

In this embodiment, the portable information device in which the display panel 1 and the operation button group 2 are installed on the same plane has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in a case where the portable information device is used in a double spread and the display panel 1 and the operation button group 2 are arranged inside each, the display panel 1 is shown in FIG. ) And FIG. 9 (b), the operation button group 2 can be slidably installed along one side of the display panel 1 as described above. For example, FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b)
As shown in, the operation button group 2 can always be arranged at the lower right to operate. That is, not only when the display panel 1 and the operation button group 2 are installed on the same plane, but also when the direction of the information device, that is, the display panel 1, is installed on the apparatus body, that is, the operation button group is installed. It is also effective to apply the present invention to an information device of a type in which the two disposition locations move.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the display panel and the operation button group for operating based on the screen displayed on the display panel are installed on the same plane. In such an information device that can use the screen display on the display panel vertically or horizontally, the user uses the screen display on the display panel vertically or horizontally. Even if
Since the operation buttons can always be arranged at the same position, the operation feeling can be kept the same. Further, since the movement of the operation button group also serves as a display switching instruction, its usability can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing the appearance of a portable information device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing the system configuration of the portable information device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a lock mechanism that fixes the operation button group of the embodiment at the end of a slidable path.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of an operation switch group of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when switching the display panel between the vertical and horizontal directions according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the operation button group of the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the operation button group of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the operation button group of the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an application example of the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a problem in performing vertical / horizontal switching of a display panel in a conventional portable information device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Display panel 2 ... Operation button group 3a, 3b ... Detection switch, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... System controller 13 ... System memory, 14 ... ROM 15 ... Keyboard controller (KBC) 16 ... Interrupt controller 17 ... Display controller 18 ... Video Memory (VRAM)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display panel and an operation button group for operating according to a screen displayed on the display panel are installed on the same plane, and the display panel is arranged in the first direction and the first direction. In a portable information device comprising vertical / horizontal conversion means for vertically / horizontally converting a screen displayed on the display panel for use by switching between a direction 1 and a second direction orthogonal to each other, the operation button group is A portable information device, which is slidably provided along any one side of the display panel. 2. The operation button group includes at least a forward scroll button for scrolling the display screen in the forward direction and a reverse scroll button for scrolling in the reverse direction on its mounting surface, and the mounting surface is slidable on the mounting surface. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information device is rotatably provided at the end of the path. 3. A detection means for detecting at which end of the slidable path the operation button group is located, the vertical / horizontal conversion means on the display panel according to a detection result of the detection means. 3. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the screen displayed on the screen is vertically and horizontally converted. 4. A display panel and an operation button group for operating according to a screen displayed on the display panel are installed on the same apparatus main body, and the display panel is a first display panel.
And a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, the portable information device comprising vertical / horizontal conversion means for vertically / horizontally converting a screen displayed on the display panel for use. The portable information device, wherein the operation button group is slidably provided along any one side of the display panel.