JPH1055227A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce number of components and to improve assemblability and operability of an input device by freely rotatably connecting a display device and a main body device while keeping a laminated state. SOLUTION: The main body device 2 provided with a keyboard and the display device 4 with a built-in display equipment such as a liquid crystal unit 3 or the like are connected by a rotary shaft 5 rotatable in a plane direction. In this case, a structure can obtain a similar effect even when the position of the rotary shaft is arranged at the corner part of the component. Then, information is inputted to this information processor by a pen. When the main body device 2 provided with the keyboard 1 is rotated with the rotary shaft 5 as a rotation center to it, the keyboard is mainly operated as an information input device in the state. In such a manner, in the case of shifting from a utilization form for operating the main input device of the keyboard 1 or the like to the utilization form for operating a sub input device such as pen input or the like or shifting in the reverse direction, the rotary shaft 5 for shifting to the rotation can be only one piece.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus such as a notebook type word processor and a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example is disclosed in JP-A-4-10012.
JP-A-2-127714, JP-A-2-8-8
No. 1215 publication.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 4-10012 discloses FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), there are two hinges and the display device can be rotated 360 degrees. This structure changes to the following four states depending on the use situation, and improves usability. That is, the state of FIG. 30 (a): stored / portable state The state of FIG. 30 (b): key input state The state of FIG. 30 (c): key and pen input state The state of FIG. 30 (d): pen input only state In each state.

[0004] JP-A-2-127714, JP-A-2
JP-A-81215 discloses FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) and FIG.
As shown in (a) to (c), the screen has two screens, the display area can be enlarged by opening the display unit, and the product occupation area can be reduced by closing the display device. It is divided into the following states.

FIG. 31 (a): The display unit is closed. FIG. 31 (b): The display unit is opened. FIG. 32 (a): The display unit is closed. FIG. 32 (b): The display unit is opened. State (state where the display screen is not visible) FIG. 32 (c): State where the display unit is opened (state where the display screen is visible)

[0006]

In the prior art, two rotating shafts are required between the display device and the main unit including the keyboard, so that the structure of the rotating shaft portion becomes complicated, resulting in cost and assembly. Needed improvement.

[0007] Further, since the structure of the rotary shaft portion is complicated, the method of electrical connection between the main unit including the display device and the keyboard needs to be improved in cost and assembly.

Further, from the structure, as an input device, 1
Only one keyboard can be arranged, so multiple displays must be displayed on the keyboard switch and multiple functions must be assigned to each key, complicating the input method and causing confusion for beginners It required improvement in operability.

In the above structure, when the keyboard is changed,
Some procedure is required to make the device recognize that the keyboard has been changed, and there is a need for improvement in usability.

[0010] Further, since the display device cannot be set vertically or horizontally, screen scrolling frequently occurs depending on the display contents, and it is necessary to improve usability and visibility.

In the above structure, the display character direction needs to be changed with respect to the display screen direction, so that the usability needs to be improved.

In the conventional tilt mechanism, two hinges are required, and the cost increases accordingly. Also, when the pen is used, the screen is far away, which is not convenient.

Further, when the screen is rotated, if it cannot be fixed at a specific position, the usability is deteriorated due to the movement of the screen when using a pen or the like. If it is heavy, usability will deteriorate,
The burden on the rotating shaft increases.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having a pen and one or more keyboards as information input means, a touch panel function as information input means, and a display as information output means. An information processing apparatus provided with a display device having a function, wherein the display device and the main body device are rotatably connected to each other while maintaining a stacked state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having a display device having a pen and a plurality of keyboards as information input means, and having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. An information processing apparatus having a sensor for detecting which one of the plurality of keyboards is open is an information processing apparatus in which a display device and a main body device are rotatably connected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having a pen and a keyboard as information input means, and a display device having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. An information processing apparatus capable of changing a display device rotatably connected at a corner of a main body device to a vertical position or a horizontal position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a pen and a keyboard as information input means; a display device having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means; In an information processing apparatus provided with a device for detecting the position of a display device inside the device, a display device rotatably connected at a corner of a main device can be changed to a vertical position or a horizontal position, and display can be performed. This is an information processing device in which the display direction changes according to the direction of the device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising a pen and a keyboard as information input means, and a display device having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. In the apparatus, an information processing apparatus in which a display device and a main body device are connected so as to rotate and translate freely.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus has a pen and one or more keyboards as information input means, and has one or more touch panel functions as information input means and one display function as information output means. An information processing device including a plurality of display devices, wherein the display device and the main body device are rotatably connected to each other, and has a structure that can be fixed once or a plurality of times at an arbitrary angle during rotation. .

An information processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention has a pen as information input means and two display devices having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. , An information processing apparatus in which display devices are rotatably connected to each other.

[0021]

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

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of Embodiment 1.

A main unit (2) including a keyboard and a display device (4) having a built-in display device such as a liquid crystal unit (3) are connected by a rotation shaft (5) rotatable in a plane direction. The same effect can be obtained even when the rotating shaft is located at the corner of the product as shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which information is input to the information processing apparatus by using a pen.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the main unit (2) including the keyboard (1) is rotated about the rotation axis (5) as the center of rotation and is shifted to the form shown in FIG. 3, the information input device is in this state. You can mainly operate the keyboard as.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view when FIG. 1 is cut from the side.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, a cable, which is an electrical connection means between the display device (4) and the main unit (2) including the keyboard (1), has a rotary shaft (5) having a hollow structure. When (6) and the like are arranged, the same portion is located at the center of rotation, and therefore, the display device (including the case where the information input to the information processing device is rotated by a pen as shown in FIG. Regardless of the positional relationship between 4) and the main unit including the keyboard (1), since the position of the cable (6) with respect to the center of rotation is always constant, the cable (6) is not located at the center of rotation. As compared with the case where the positional relationship with the rotation center of the cable (6) is large with the transition of the input mode, the number of protection members can be reduced or eliminated.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 6 shows an information processing apparatus in which a main unit including a keyboard and a display device having a built-in display device such as a liquid crystal unit are connected by a rotation shaft rotatable in a plane direction. A plurality of input devices, such as a keyboard, are arranged between the display and the display device (4). The same effect can be obtained when the rotary shaft is located at the center of the product as shown in FIG. Is obtained.

Here, it is assumed that the number of input devices disposed between the main body device (2) and the display device (4) is two, and the input device on the upper surface side, that is, the display device (4) side is used. The upper input auxiliary device (7) and the input device on the lower side, that is, the main device (2) side are defined as a lower input auxiliary device (8).

The operator uses the main input device (10) built in the main unit (2) when inputting ordinary characters. For example, when inputting a symbol or special characters in Western characters, the operator uses the main input device (10). The upper input assisting device (7) or the lower input assisting device (8), on which the respective characters are printed, can be rotated and pulled out from below the display device (4) in the horizontal direction to input characters as appropriate. .

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are cross-sectional views of the entire structure of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart for controlling the information processing device by the input device switching detection device (9) arranged in this embodiment. This embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

(S100) An operator selects an input device such as a keyboard or a pen in which a character or information desired to be input using a specific application is described.

(S101) First, the operation of the input device switching detection device (9) at the bottom is read.

(S102) If this device is not operating, (S109) it is determined that the main input device (10) is selected, and (S110) the application (A) using the main input device (10) is called. Start up and move to the character input stage.

(S109) The operation of the lowermost input device switching detection device (9) is read.

(S102) If this device is operating, the operation of the next lower input device switching detection device is read in (S103).

(S104) If this device is not operating, it is determined in (S111) that the lower input auxiliary device (8) is selected, and in (S112) the lower input auxiliary device (8).
The application (B) that uses 起動 is activated, and the process proceeds to the character input stage.

As described above, the operation of the detecting device is determined for all of the plurality of prepared input devices, and the same processing is repeated.

(S106) Finally, if all the detection devices are operating, it is determined in (S107) that the handwriting input device (11) has been selected, and in (S108) the corresponding application (D) ) And move to the character input stage.

As described above, by arranging the input device switching detection device (9) in each input device, it becomes possible to start a corresponding application by selecting an input device, and it is possible to input characters more easily. I can do it.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 12 (display initial state)
The rotating shaft structure is located at the upper right corner of the product (the upper left corner is also acceptable)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the main body device and the display device are overlaid (initial state: transport state / pen input only state).

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the rotating shaft structure is arranged at the upper right end of the product (the upper left end is also possible) and the display device is placed vertically by rotating the display device 90 degrees (pen). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a key input state).

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the rotary shaft structure is arranged at the upper right end of the product (the upper left end is also possible) and the display device is turned horizontally by 180 ° rotation (pen). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a key input state).

As shown in FIG. 12, the same rotary shaft structure as in the first embodiment is arranged at the upper right end of the product (the upper left end is also possible), so that the display device 90 degrees can be input with both the pen and the key. The structure is such that the display screen orientation can be changed by rotating the display screen vertically and rotating it by 180 degrees.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 13 is a cross section of the initial state of FIG. The basic structure is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and a rotating shaft convex shape (15) is added to the rotating shaft (5), and a sensor 1 (13) and a sensor 2 (14) are provided inside the main body device (2).
Is installed.

FIG. 14 shows each state (initial, 90 degree rotation, 1 state).
In the 80-degree rotation state), the position of the rotating shaft convex shape (15) changes, and the sensor 1 (13) and the sensor 2 (14) are turned on.
It is a drawing that shows changing the / OFF state.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for detecting the direction of the display device by changing the ON / OFF state of the sensors 1 (13) and 2 (14) and controlling the display screen direction.

First, as shown in (S200), the sensor 1
Looking at the state of (13), if it is in the ON state, the display screen character direction is set to vertical as in (S201). S if OFF
The state of the sensor 2 (14) is observed as indicated by 202.

In the ON state, the character direction of the display screen is set to be horizontal (reverse to the normal display direction) as in (S203).

In the OFF state, the character direction of the display screen is set to normal as in (S204).

With the structure shown in FIG. 13, ON / OFF of the sensor 1 (13) and the sensor 2 (14) in each state (initial, 90-degree rotation, 180-degree rotation state) as shown in FIG. The state changes, and the display screen direction control of FIG. 15 is performed.

(Embodiment 6) As shown in FIG. 16, the shape of the above-mentioned rotary shaft (5) is changed so that the lower half is a rotary shaft and the upper half is an inverted convex block shape ((16) slide block portion). FIG.
7 is a three-sided view and a cross-sectional view), and further, in order to guide the parallel movement of the axis, a cabinet shown in FIG.
By providing a slit (17) as shown in FIG. 8 and incorporating the above-mentioned rotation axis, parallel movement becomes possible. FIG. 19 is a sectional view when these are assembled.

The slit (17) may be provided on the side of the main unit (2), but if it is provided on the back side of the display device (4), the appearance is not impaired.

(Embodiment 7) For example, the aforementioned rotary shaft (5)
20 is provided with a recess (18) as shown in FIG. 20 to form a cam, and a leaf spring (19) having an appropriate shape as shown in FIG. 21 is pressed against the cam (FIG. 22).

When the concave portion (18) of the cam portion of the rotating shaft (5) overlaps with the convex portion of the leaf spring (19), the display device (4) is locked there. Also, as shown in FIG. 23, a slider (20) having an appropriate shape is incorporated into a guide (21) together with a coil spring (22) (FIG. 23), and the slider is slid in the longitudinal direction so that it is connected to a rotating shaft (5). When the concave portion (18) of the cam portion of the rotating shaft (5) overlaps with the convex portion of the slider by pressing against the cam portion of the rotary shaft (5), the display device (4) is locked there (FIG. 24).

(Embodiment 8) For example, display devices (4) A and B having the shape of bearing portions (23, 24) as shown in FIG. 25 are combined with one rotating shaft (5). FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the rotation axis when these are assembled. Thus, the display devices (4) A and B can be independently rotated.

If a simple display device (4) having the same size as the main body device (2) is combined, a state as shown in FIG. 27 is obtained. The display devices can be independently rotated.

Further, two rotary shafts (5) are provided (rotation A,
B) By forming and incorporating a gear (25) in the shaft portion as shown in FIG. 28, only one of the display devices A and B can be rotated as shown in FIG. 29, and both display devices can be simultaneously rotated. it can.

[0061]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a case where the usage mode of operating a main input device such as a keyboard is changed to a usage mode of operating a sub input device such as a pen input or vice versa. In addition, since the number of rotation axes used for rotation at the time of transition is one, it is possible to simplify an electrical connection method between a display device including a liquid crystal unit such as a cable and a main device including a keyboard. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembling workability can be improved, so that the cost and the assembling performance can be improved as compared with the related art capable of realizing the same function.

By arranging a plurality of input devices such as a keyboard, it is possible to use a key arrangement optimal for an application to be used, and at the same time, an input device such as a keyboard not used by an application used by an operator. By concealing, it is possible to reduce errors in the input operation of the operator, and it is possible to improve the operability of an input device such as a keyboard.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an input device such as a keyboard is changed, the application is automatically changed without the operator himself instructing the device to change the input device. The operator can directly input a text, a numerical value, and the like to the application without performing the recognition procedure, thereby improving operability.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the display screen can be changed to portrait or landscape by simply rotating the display device with a simple structure. It is easy to select a good usability and visibility according to

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the display device is rotated, the display character direction can be changed along the display screen direction without operation by the operator, so that the usability is improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the screen can be rotated and the rotation axis can be moved in parallel, the screen becomes closer particularly at the pen position, so that the usability is remarkably improved.

In the typing position,
Since the screen can be set at any place, it can be used everywhere.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by providing a rotation lock mechanism, the screen can be rotated carelessly at the pen position to prevent input errors and the like. It is possible to prevent the screen from moving during input and becoming difficult to see.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the amount of information that can be displayed is increased by providing a plurality of screen units having the same area as the main unit, and information with different contents is displayed. Expansion can be achieved.

Further, by dividing the screen into two, the weight of one screen is reduced to half and the screen can be easily rotated, so that the usability is improved.

Further, since the load on the rotating shaft is reduced, the structure can be easily designed mechanically.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of rotating and pulling out the input device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an input state on a keyboard.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view (part 1) of an internal structure for arranging connection cables.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view (part 2) of an internal structure for arranging connection cables.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a basic cross-sectional structure of the entire apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the upper input assisting device is selected.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a lower input assist device is selected.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where a main input device is selected.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of the apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an entire apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the entire apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between an axially convex shape and sensors 1 and 2 according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a display direction control flowchart of the apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a rotation shaft of the device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a rotation shaft of the device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the entire apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a rotation shaft of the device according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a leaf spring of the device according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a device according to a seventh embodiment, in which a rotation shaft and a leaf spring are incorporated.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view in which the slider of the seventh embodiment is incorporated in a guide together with a coil spring.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view in which the unit of FIG. 23 is incorporated in a rotation shaft of the device of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of each screen unit of the device according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of a screen unit of the device according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the device according to the eighth embodiment in which two rotation shafts are provided and a gear is formed in a shaft portion.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 30A is a view showing a stored / portable state of a conventional device. (B) is a diagram showing a key input state of the conventional device. (C) is a diagram showing a key and pen input state of the conventional device. (D) is a diagram showing a state of the conventional device only for pen input.

FIG. 31A is a diagram showing a state where a display unit of a conventional device is closed. (B) It is a figure showing the state where the display part of the conventional device was opened.

FIG. 32A is a diagram showing a state where a display unit of a conventional device is closed. (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the display unit of the conventional device is opened (a state in which the display screen is not visible). (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the display unit of the conventional device is opened (a state in which the display screen is visible).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Keyboard 2 Main unit 3 Liquid crystal unit 4 Display device 5 Rotating ring 6 Cable 7 Upper input auxiliary device 8 Lower input auxiliary device 9 Input device switching detection device 10 Main input device 11 Handwriting input device 12 Display screen 13 Sensor 1 14 Sensor 2 15 Rotary shaft convex shape 16 Slide block part 17 Slit 18 Depression 19 Leaf spring 20 Slider 21 Guide 22 Coil spring 23 Bearing part 24 Bearing part 25 Gear 26 Tablet 27 Pen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Yamada 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a pen as information input means and one or a plurality of keyboards; and a display device having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. An information processing apparatus in which a display device and a main device are rotatably connected while maintaining a stacked state. 2. A display device having a pen and a plurality of keyboards as information input means, and having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means, wherein: An information processing device having a sensor for detecting which keyboard is opened, wherein the display device and the main device are rotatably connected. 3. An information processing apparatus comprising a pen and a keyboard as information input means and a display device having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. An information processing device capable of changing a display device rotatably connected to a vertical or horizontal position. 4. A display device having a pen and a keyboard as information input means, a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means, and a position of the display device inside the main body device. In an information processing device equipped with a detection device, the display device rotatably connected at the corner of the main device can be changed vertically or horizontally, and the display direction changes depending on the direction of the display device Information processing device. 5. An information processing apparatus comprising: a pen and a keyboard as information input means, and a display device having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means. And an information processing device in which the information processing device and the information processing device are connected so as to rotate and translate freely. 6. A display device having a pen and one or more keyboards as information input means, and having one or more of a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means, An information processing device in which a display device and a main body device are rotatably connected to each other, the information processing device having a structure that can be fixed once or a plurality of times at an arbitrary angle during rotation. 7. An information processing apparatus having a pen as information input means and two display devices having a touch panel function as information input means and a display function as information output means, wherein the display apparatuses are rotatable. Information processing device connected to.