JPH11125041A - Information device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information device capable of performing the user collation easily without troublesome works such as writing a pass word with an input pen. SOLUTION: An ID number setting portion 12 having a plurality of dials 14 capable of setting a set point arbitrarily by the user is arranged on an input pen 10. And at the main body 21 of the equipment, provided are an insertion hole 23 for receiving the ID number setting portion 12 of the input pen 10, detecting means for detecting a set point indicated by each dial 14(14-1...) and ID number collation means which makes the equipment usable only when the set point indicated by each dial 14 fully coincide with the pre-registered value after collating the set point of each dial 14 with the pre-registered value in the equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information device having a pen-input type input device, and more particularly to an information device in which a user collation operation after power-on can be easily performed using an input pen. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A portable information device such as a laptop personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) or an electronic organizer has an input display section (a digitizer or a pressure-sensitive input system) of an apparatus main body. Some devices have a function of inputting by touching the device with a dedicated pen. In addition, this type of information device requires a password to be entered when the system starts up, checks the entered password against the stored password to prohibit use by unauthorized persons, and protects the confidentiality of internal data. Some of them are performed (JP-A-2-66665, JP-A-2-213).
No. 30 publication).

[0003]

However, in an information device provided with a password collation function, when using the device, the user writes a password on the input display unit with a power-on degree input pen to perform character recognition. Since the user has to perform operations such as displaying a virtual keyboard on the input display unit and instructing a predetermined key with the input surface pen to input a password, the user is inconvenienced. In addition, when the user inputs a password, the user must trace the input display unit with the input pen to write the password or perform an operation of instructing the virtual keyboard on the input display unit with the input pen. There is also a risk that the password may be known to surrounding people from the movement of the pen and the displayed contents. It is an object of the present invention to easily perform user verification without having to perform a troublesome operation such as writing a password with an input pen or displaying a virtual keyboard and instructing a predetermined key with the input pen after power-on. To provide information equipment.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information apparatus having a function of inputting by touching an input display section with an input pen. In addition to providing an ID number setting unit having a plurality of movable parts capable of setting a set value,
An insertion hole for receiving the ID number setting portion of the input pen, detection means for detecting a setting value indicated by each movable portion inserted into the insertion hole, and a setting value indicated by each movable portion are registered in advance in the device body. And an ID number matching unit that enables the device to be used only when all of the set values indicated by the movable parts match the values registered in advance. To prevent the information device from being used by another person, the user registers in advance the ID number of the number of digits corresponding to the number of movable parts in the memory in the device body. At the time of use, the set value of the ID number setting unit of the input pen is matched with the registered ID number, and after turning on the power of the device, the ID number setting unit of the input pen is inserted into the insertion hole of the device main body. Then, the setting value of each movable section is detected by the detecting means, and the value is sent to the ID number collating means, and the setting value of each movable section is collated with the value registered in advance. As a result, the device can be used only when all the set values of the movable portions match the values registered in advance. By inserting the ID number setting section provided on the input pen into the insertion hole of the device main body so that the ID number can be collated, the password can be written with the input pen or the virtual keyboard can be displayed to allow the user to perform predetermined operations. The user can be easily collated without performing a troublesome operation such as instructing the key of the user with an input pen. In addition, by storing the input pen by the user, use of the device by another person can be prohibited, and information in the information device can be prevented from leaking to the outside. In addition, immediately after the system of the information device is started, each movable part is moved at random to make the input pen I
By changing the set value of the D number setting unit, it is possible to prevent the ID number from being known to others.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is an overall perspective view of an input pen of an information device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view showing a main part of the device main body. As shown in FIG. 1A, the input pen 10 is provided with an ID number setting unit 12 at an end opposite to the pen tip 11. The ID number setting unit 12 includes four ring-shaped number display bodies 13-1 to 13 each having numbers “0” to “9” attached at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.
13-4 and four ring-shaped dials provided on one side of each of the number display bodies 13-1 to 13-4 so as to be rotatable along the circumferential direction of the number display bodies 13-1 to 13-4, respectively. (Movable bodies) 14-1 to 14-4. In the vicinity of the ID number setting section 12 on the outer periphery of the pen body, there is provided a guide projection 16 that fits into a guide groove 23a provided in an insertion hole 23 described later. Number display body 13-1
Reference numerals 13-4 are fixed to the outer periphery of the pen main body at equal intervals in the length direction of the input pen 10. On the other hand, the dials 14-1 to 14-4 correspond to the respective number display bodies 13-1.
13-4 are provided inside grooves 15-1 to 15-4 formed over the entire periphery of the pen body outer periphery on one side (right side in the figure) of the installation section. Each of the dials 14-1 to 14-4 is provided with a projection 14-1a to 14-4a, and a dial 14- By turning 1 to 14-4, the protrusions 14-1a to 14-4a can be moved beside arbitrary numbers given to the number display bodies 13-1 to 13-4. . Each moving position is held by a simple lock mechanism (not shown). In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 21 denotes a device main body of the information device according to the present invention, and an input display unit 2 serving as a display unit and a pen input unit is provided on an upper surface of the device main unit 21.
2 are provided. An insertion hole 2 for receiving the ID number setting unit 12 of the input pen 10 is provided on a side portion of the device main body 21.
3 are formed. The insertion hole 23 is provided with a guide groove 23 a that fits with the guide protrusion 16 formed on the input pen 10. The guide protrusion 16 is provided in the guide groove 23a.
By inserting the input pen 10 backward into the insertion hole 23 so as to fit the input pen, the input pen 10 can be accurately inserted.

FIG. 2 shows an insertion hole 23 of the apparatus main body according to the present invention.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the part of FIG. As shown, when the ID number setting unit 12 of the input pen 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 23, each dial 14-1 to 14-
Detectors 24-1 to 24-4 for detecting the set value (any of 0 to 9) indicated by 4 are provided. Each of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4 corresponds to each digit of the ID number. In this case, the detectors correspond to the first to fourth digits in order from the back side to the near side of the insertion hole 23. A power switch 28 is provided at the innermost portion of the insertion hole 23. When the input pen 10 is completely inserted backward into the insertion hole 23, the power switch 27 is pressed, and power is supplied to the system. Has become. The power switch 27 is a toggle switch, and is turned on / off alternately each time it is pressed. In each of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4, ten projections 25 corresponding to “0” to “9” are arranged at regular intervals along the inner circumference of the insertion hole 23, and 25 is movably supported in the radial direction of the insertion hole 23. When the input pen 10 is completely inserted backward into the insertion hole 23, the protrusions 14-1 a to 14-14 of the dials 14-1 to 14-4 of the ID number setting unit 12 are provided.
-4a contacts one of the ten protrusions 25 of each of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4, and a switch (normally open contact) 27 provided behind the protrusion 25 is turned on. It works. That is, each of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4
Behind each of the ten projections 25, a switch 27 is provided.
Are formed, and in each of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4, the protrusions 14-1a to 14-1a to 14-1 of the dials 14-1 to 14-4 are formed.
Only the switch 27 corresponding to the projection 25 pressed by 14-4a is turned on, and the other switches 27 remain off.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram conceptually showing a switch circuit of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4. In this example, the projections 14-1a to 14- of the dials 14-1 to 14-4 are used.
This shows the state of all the switches 27 (0 to 9 × 4 [digits] 40 [pieces]) when 4a is set to (1, 1, 0, 9). A signal (ON or OFF) of each switch 27 of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4 is sent to a microprocessor (not shown) provided in the device main body 21. That is, the microprocessor of this information device not only controls the entire system in accordance with the user's instruction and performs various information processing, but also detects the detectors 24-1 to 24-2 after the power is turned on and before the system is started.
The ID number is collated based on the signal of each switch 27 in 4-4, and also functions as ID number collating means for enabling or disabling the device according to the result.

Next, an example of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that an ID number is registered in advance in a memory (not shown) in the information device by an authorized user. FIG. 4A is a flowchart at the start of use of the device. When the input pen 10 is completely inserted backward into the insertion hole 23 (S1), the power switch 27 is pressed and the DC / DC converter is turned on. Power is supplied to the system (S2). Then, immediately, the state of each dial 14-1 to 14-4 of the ID number setting unit 12,
That is, each switch 27 of the detectors 24-1 to 24-4 indicating the ID number information set in the ID number setting unit 12
Is sent to the microprocessor. The microprocessor includes each switch 2 of each detector 24-1 to 24-4.
7, each of the dials 14-1 to 14-
4 to obtain the set value of each digit, and collate the value with the value of each digit corresponding to the ID number registered in the memory in advance (S3). As a result, each of the dials 14-1 to 14-
If the setting value of the input pen 4 completely matches the value registered in advance (Yes in S3), a matching confirmation sound indicating that the input pen 10 can be pulled out is generated from a built-in speaker (not shown) (S4). ), The system is started (S5). On the other hand, if even one digit does not match as a result of the comparison (No in S3), a warning sound is generated (S6), and the DC / DC converter is turned off to stop the power supply (S7). When the use of the device is finished, as shown in FIG. 4B, the input pen 10 is inserted again into the insertion hole 23 and the power switch 2 is turned on.
By pressing 7 (S11), the DC / DC converter is turned off and the power supply is stopped (S12).

By inserting the ID number setting section 12 provided on the input pen 10 into the insertion hole 23 of the device main body 21 as described above, the ID number can be collated.
It is possible to easily perform user verification without performing a cumbersome operation such as writing a password with the input pen 10 or displaying a virtual keyboard and instructing a predetermined key with the input pen as in the related art. Further, by storing the input pen 10 by the user, use of the device by another person can be prohibited, and information in the information device can be prevented from leaking outside. Also, immediately after the system of the information device is started, the input pen 1
Each dial 14-1 to 14- of the ID number setting unit 12 of 0
ID is changed by moving 4 randomly and changing the set value.
You can keep your number private. Even if the input pen 10 is lost, the user can purchase an input pen of the same type and dial the previous ID number so that the input pen 10 has a user-specific ID number as before the loss. Therefore, the user can resume using the device. An input pen having a memory in which personal information is recorded and a communication function, and communicating with the main body of the device to exchange personal information for user confirmation has already been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 6-1389
No. 98), which is completely different from the one provided with a mechanism that allows the user to set an ID number by moving a dial or the like as in the present invention. According to the present invention, it is not necessary to add expensive electronic components such as a memory and a communication circuit to the input pen, so that a pen-input type information device can be realized at a lower cost than the above-mentioned one.

[0010]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Just by inserting the ID number setting section provided on the input pen into the insertion hole of the device body, the ID number can be checked. Can be easily performed without performing a troublesome operation such as instructing the user with an input pen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an overall perspective view of an input pen of an information device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view showing a main part of the device main body.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of an insertion hole portion of the device main body shown in FIG. 1 (b).

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram conceptually showing a switch circuit of the detector shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing an operation example of the embodiment, in which FIG. 4A shows a flow at the start of use of a device, and FIG. 4B shows a flow at the end of use of the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 input pen, 11 pen tip, 12 ID number setting section, 13-1 to 13-4 number display, 14-1 to 14
-4 dial (movable body), 14-1a to 14-4a
Protrusion, 15-1 to 15-4 groove, 16 guide protrusion,
21 device main body, 22 input display section, 23 insertion hole, 2
3a Guide groove, 241-1 to 24-4 detector (detection means), 27 switch, 28 power switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An information device having a function of performing input by touching an input display section with an input pen, wherein the input pen includes an ID number setting section having a plurality of movable sections corresponding to each digit of the ID number. An insertion hole for receiving the ID number setting portion of the input pen, a detecting means for detecting a set value indicated by each movable portion inserted into the insertion hole, and a set value indicated by each movable portion. ID number matching means for comparing the set value indicated by each movable part with a pre-registered value, and enabling the device to be used only when all the set values indicated by the movable portions match the pre-registered value. Information equipment.